Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Thursday 16th July 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 16/07/20
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Father Of Late Combat Helicopter Pilot, Tolulope Arotile, Speaks On Daughter’s Last Moments, Says She Fulfilled Childhood Dream
Mr Akintunde Akotile, father of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Tolulope, who passed away on Tuesday, has disclosed their last conversation before she died.
Akotile said he called his daughter on the phone on Tuesday at about 1:00pm on her return from an operation against bandits in Katsina State and the two of the had a several minutes chat.
He however, revealed that things took a different turn later in the day when he received a call from a person.
He said, “She told me that she will later go out to make some photocopies and I told her not to be long and to return home on time because she was staying with my first daughter in Kaduna.
“Around 5:30pm, somebody called me and asked if I had called her and I said yes. The person told me to call her again which I did, but there was no response. So, I called her colleagues and they were all crying on phone. I asked what happened, they were just crying.
“I called one of her bosses who told me that she was in the mortuary. I was shocked because said she was somebody I spoke with four hours earlier and by 5:00pm she was in the mortuary.”
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Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot Dies At 25
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The bereaved father further disclosed that he had to drive to Lokoja, Kogi State, from Abuja to inform his wife about the incident.
Recalling the early days of his late daughter, Mr Akotile said, “She has not just been brilliant but wonderful. She did all her education from kindergarten to nursery at the Air Force base and Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna.
“One day, when she was very small, she pointed to one small aircraft packed on the field and said one day she was going to fly that aircraft, and I said Amen.
“So, from that day she started working towards getting admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna. She had a degree in Mathematics and became an Air Force Cadet.
“From there, she was sent on several courses abroad and became a pilot.
“I thank God that she was able to achieve her dreams as a baby before her death.”
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Nigerians Demand Investigation Into Death Of Tolulope Arotile, Country’s First Combat Helicopter Pilot Who Died At 25
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Corruption And The Real Hush-daddies By Sydney Usman Godwin
AGF Malami
Youths for Social And Political Change have observed with keen interest the unholy development in the presidency over the past few days, with Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy being exposed by the investigative, journalistic prowess of SaharaReporters of fraud, which amounted to the minister buying houses for his three wives, houses he bluntly denied and asserted he lacks such funds as a minster to acquire. The question is, who then owns these houses?
July, 10, 11, and 12 witnessed yet another massive blow dealt corruption by SaharaReporters when the investigative media firm again reported yet another executive recklessness, this time, it was about the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), unjust spending of looted public funds, concomitantly, ensuring his jobless children living a flamboyant and luxurious lifestyle at the expense of the Nigerian populace.
Malami was also exposed in his shady dealing, like when he authorised the sales of the seized oil ships to a company standing corruption charges.
The minister has no doubt betrayed the trust reposed in him, he should resign, and now.
AGF Malami
With Magu, Akpabio and others at the moment facing corruption allegations, the presidency has no doubt been turned to “Camp Nou”, a ground of wonders, this time, wonders that are truly magically orchestrated. We call on the President to as a matter of national emergency begin the probe of this very unconscionable fraudsters, masquerading as leaders, to save what is left of our already basterdized and grossly dilapidated image if only truly, the president is serious about the fight against corruption, one which is widely considered a hoax.
Considering the plethora of corruption allegations littered around the presidency as though one is at the “theater of dreams” is sickening, that this people still parade themselves as leaders with the presidency doing close to nothing, makes it even more nauseating.
The recent happenings provide a platform to the presidency to do the needful and Nigerians are watching.
Malami is at the moment unfit to continue as the chief law officer of Nigeria, at least until he clears himself, as his electrifying action(s) has exacerbated the destruction of our image, even gruesomely among the comity of nations. We demand his resignation.
Like Hushpuppi, this Hushdaddy has exacerbated our image globally. We say Enough is enough.
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E2%80%94presidency Magu Not On Trial, Invitation By Panel In His Best Interest —Presidency
L-R: Femi Adesina, Ibrahim Magu.
Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has said that suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, was not on trial.
Adesina said Magu was only invited by the Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel to his tell his own side of the story.
The suspended EFCC boss was arrested and detained on Monday, July 6, 2020.
He has been appearing before a presidential panel investigating allegations of corruption and insubordination levelled against him by Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
L-R: Femi Adesina, Ibrahim Magu.
Adesina while speaking during a programme on Channels Television on Wednesday, said Magu’s invitation was in his best interest.
On the legality of Magu’s prolonged detention, Adesina said, he was not a lawyer and as such he could not comment on legal matters.
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BREAKING: Suspended Acting EFCC Chairman, Magu, Released From Detention
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He said, “If anything illegal has been done, there are ways to seek redress for it but I think it is in the best interest of everybody including Magu for the panel to have invited him to hear his side of the story.
“I can tell you on authority that before this became a public issue, the panel had been sitting for weeks and when the panel established some grounds for Mr. Magu to be invited, the President then gave approval for him to be invited and he was invited and he came.”
Adesina said Magu was told to step aside to allow a seamless investigation.
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National Assembly Clerk, Omolori, Rejects Sack By Commission
Clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Omolori, has said his continued stay in office is backed by law and cannot be voided by the National Assembly Service Commission.
NASC had in a statement by its Executive Chairman, Ahmed Amshi, on Wednesday approved the immediate retirement of Omolori and 149 others.
The tenure of the clerk and others had been a matter of controversy because of the implementation of the National Assembly Revised Condition of Service, which took effect in 2019.
But in a statement seen by SaharaReporters, Omolori said the commission does not have the powers to set aside the revised condition of service passed by the previous assembly.
He directed all staff of the legislative chamber whom the commission asked to proceed on retirement to disregard the directive and “go about their lawful duties”.
Omolori is considered one of the most influential personalities in the National Assembly management.
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BREAKING: National Assembly Service Commission Sacks Clerk, 149 Others
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Ex-Nigerian Aviation Minister, Fani-Kayode, Attacks Former Zamfara Governor, Yari, For Assaulting FAAN Officials At Kano Airport
Femi Fani-Kayode
Former Minister of Aviation in Nigeria, Femi Fani-Kayode, has lampooned former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, for flouting guidelines at the airport meant to checkmate the spread of Coronavirus.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had in a statement on Wednesday said one of its officials tried to disinfect the luggage of the former governor, who was a passenger at the airport but Yari pushed him away, claiming he was a very important personality.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Fani-Kayode said if he were still the Minister of Aviation, he won’t hesitate to ruthlessly deal with Yari and throw him into jail.
Femi Fani-Kayode
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He said, “I have always said that ex-governor of Zamfara State, Abdulazeez Yari, is not only a crooked, corrupt and violent beast but he also spent years bathing in drinking the blood of his own people by encouraging and actively supporting the activity of killer bandits.
“Now, he has had the nerve and audacity to assault FAAN officials at Aminu Kano Airport who tried to check and spray his luggage with disinfectant and he also stubbornly and violently refused to follow the COVID-19 protocols put in place by the FG on the grounds that he is a VIP.
“It is about time that someone calls him to order?
“The authorities need to cage him before people are hurt, insulted, threatened, maimed by him and his boys. If I were still Minister of Aviation and he tried this nonsense with any of those in my ministry or parastatals, I would ban him from the airports and from flying in Nigeria and if he ever assaulted any of my officials or staff, I would have him arrested, chained, detained, prosecuted and jailed.
“One day we will meet and I will tell him all this to his face. I can’t wait.”
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#MalamiGate: Luxurious Sitting Room Interior Of Multi-million Naira Mansion Built By AGF Malami For Newly Married Son; How The Corruption-fuelled Wedding Extravaganza Started
Video of Luxurious Sitting Room Interior Of Multi-million Naira Mansion Built By Malami For Newly Married Son
Luxurious Sitting Room Interior Of Multi-million Naira Mansion Built By Malami For Newly Married Son
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In continual violation of social distancing guidelines, AGF Malami’s son got a multi-million naira wedding dinner for another leg of the five day long extravaganza.
Also, another multi-million naira ‘black night’ for the couple happened on Monday night.
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Castration Proposed As Punishment For Rapists By Kano Assembly
Kano Assembly
The Kano State House of Assembly on Wednesday commenced the process to further amend the state’s Penal Code amendment (No.12), the law of 2014, so as to make castration a penalty for rape offenders in the state, a report by PUNCH said.
The Assembly made the proposal following a motion presented on Wednesday by a member, Nuraddeen Al-hassan, seeking the review of the law.
During plenary presided over by the Speaker, Abdulazeez Gafasa, majority of the Assembly members were unanimous in the decision.
Kano Assembly
While calling for the review of the law to further reflect a harsher punishment for rapists in the state, Al-hassan emphasised that the current 14-year jail-term punishment for offenders was not enough.
“I believe this is the only measure to be taken to end the rampant cases of rape in our society as it is so worrisome.
“I also want to appeal to the House to look into the security challenges so as to strengthen their efforts in tackling the rape cases in the state,” he said.
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BREAKING: Suspended Acting EFCC Chairman, Magu, Released From Detention
Magu
Suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has been released on bail.
His release comes few hours after the Nigeria Police Force denied detaining him.
Magu
The police had claimed that Magu was being held by a presidential panel probing him for mismanaging recovered loots.
He was arrested on July 6, 2020 by security forces to answer questions by the panel headed by a former Appeal Court judge, Ayo Salami, and had remained in detention since that period.
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BREAKING: Police Deny Detaining Magu, Say He Is Being “Held” By Presidency
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Group Tells Nigerian Senate To Prioritise Electoral Reforms Over Recess
A group, Raising New Voices Initiative, has called on the Nigerian Senate to give priority to the current amendment to the Electoral Act, 2010 over recess, which the lawmakers will soon embark on.
The group in a letter dated July 8, 2020 to the Senate called for the acceleration in the passage of the bill.
According to the letter jointly signed by the Executive Director, Jude Feranmi Adejuwon, and Convener, Banke Ilori Oyeniyi, respectively said any attempt to delay the passage of the bill would spell doom for the electoral process in the country.
The letter reads, “We wish to notify your leadership that in this critical case of reforming our election process, delay will mean denial with impact that would reverberate for years in various constituencies in Nigeria and especially the youth demographic.
“It is for these reasons and many more that we must implore your leadership to prioritise the passage of the electoral reforms over the recess that the people’s representatives are about to embark on.
“For the first time, the people of Nigeria and most especially the youth of our country will be able to say that the verbal commitment to Electoral Reforms has now become flesh and all skepticism will be quashed.”
The group urged the lawmakers to shelve or postpone the planned recess to enable them focus on electoral reforms in the interest of Nigerians.
The group added, “Delaying the reform of this important national assignment denies young people who may have creative solutions to the multi-faceted problems that our country face today and at such a time as this.
“This denial will be felt in every local constituency, not just for the year but for the entire term of those who will get elected under the current laws.”
Other groups also agitating for the passage of the bill include Center for Liberty supported by Open Society Initiative for West Africa and YIAGA Africa.
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House Of Representatives Uncovers How NDDC Embezzled N81bn In Four Months
Members of the Nigerian House of Representatives have unearthed how the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission mismanaged N81.5bn between February and May 2020.
Findings by the lawmakers revealed that N81.5bn left the account of the NDDC without due process.
It was also discovered that the money was not released for the implementation of any project.
Recall that the 2020 budget defence of the Niger Delta Development Commission ended abruptly at the Senate on Tuesday as its Interim Management Committee failed to account for a shortfall of N143bn in its 2019 budget.
Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the ongoing investigation hearing into the alleged financial recklessness at the commission.
The House of Representatives had on the 5th May, 2020 deliberated on a motion on the need to investigate the alleged financial malfeasance and other activities in the NDDC.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Tunji-Ojo said the investigative hearing was not targeted at witch-hunting anyone, but rather as part of patriotic services of the lawmakers to get to the root of some illness bedeviling the NDDC, which was established 20 years ago.
“The visionary eyes of forerunners in our hallowed chambers caught the dire need to develop the Niger Delta region to mitigate the impact of national economic activities in the area. In year 2000, the National Assembly established the Act that birthed the Niger Delta Development Commission with a clear mandate to develop the land and the people.
“20 years after, we must ask ourselves some critical questions as the baton of preservation falls on us, today,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The lawmaker gave the breakdown of the spendings at the NDDC to include N1.3bn for community relations; N122.9m for condolences; N83m for online media consultancy; N31.4bn for COVlD—19 palliative and N486m as DTA in the period of four months.
Also within the same period, Tunji-Ojo claimed the NDDC spent the sum of N790.9m as impress; N1.956bn to fight the spread of Lassa fever; N900m for legal services; N220m for maintenance and another N85.6m for oversea travel.
The IMC also spent the sum of N1.121bn for project public communication; N744m on security; N8.8bn for staff payment related expenditure and N248m for what they described as stakeholders engagement from February to May 2020.
Although the NDDC officially communicated the inability of the management team to appear before the House Committee on Wednesday, a Director of Funds from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Sabo Mohammed, could not controvert the findings of the lawmakers, admitting that his office was a signatory to the NDDC account with the CBN.
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Engr Babatunde Kuye, on his part confirmed to the panel that the NDDC’s spendings were not in conformity with the procurement guidelines, neither was a certificate of ‘no objection’ issued to the management to embark on such spendings.
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