Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Friday 13th August 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 13/08/21
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Tinubu Visits Buhari In London With Walking Stick After Second Surgery Confirming SaharaReporters’ Story
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, has visited President Muhammadu Buhari in London, the United Kingdom, where the President is receiving medical treatment.
Tinubu visited the president with a walking stick, after undergoing a second surgery in one month in the United States, confirming SaharaReporters’ story.
SaharaReporters had on Monday reported that Tinubu underwent a knee surgery at the John Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, US.
The APC chieftain, it had been learnt, left the US for the United Kingdom on crutches, a few days after the surgery.
On Thursday, Tinubu visited Buhari leaning on a walking stick.PHOTONEWS: @AsiwajuTinubu Visits @MBuhari Using Walking Stick After Second Surgery In One Month | Sahara Reporters pic.twitter.com/q8HvNvmtIi— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) August 12, 2021
“You see he couldn’t hide that he had difficulty walking after undergoing his second surgery. He went to UK on crutches but took a walking stick to see Buhari,” a source revealed.
SaharaReporters had also reported that sources close to Tinubu said he wanted the surgery in Paris, France but changed his plan over rumours of his death.
“Tinubu had his second surgery at John Hopkins University in Maryland recently. He was accompanied by a popular Nigerian doctor in Chicago. He had wanted the surgery in Paris but when rumour was rife about his death, he hurriedly left for Nigeria and went to John Hopkins,” one of the sources had said.
“He left the US for the UK on crutches,” another source revealed.
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EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Lagos Governor, Tinubu Undergoes Second Surgery In US Hospital, Returns To UK On Crutches
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SaharaReporters had on July 31 reported that Tinubu, who has had several medical trips this year alone, had a surgery about two weeks earlier and could be billed for another one.
The APC National Leader has been off official and party functions in the country for a while, amidst talks that he is being positioned for the 2023 presidency to succeed the incumbent repressive regime of Muhammadu Buhari.
“Tinubu is hospitalised in Maryland, US. His health is failing. He couldn’t participate in launching his Arewa library, and he couldn’t participate in the Local Government Area elections last week. He could not attend today’s APC congress due to health reasons.
“He had a surgery last week,” an authoritative source had disclosed.
A few days after the story, photographs of Tinubu hosting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state in London surfaced where the duo were seen together in a room.
Reports have it that the meeting was held to put an end to speculations surrounding the APC National Leader’s health status.
In January 2021, Tinubu was also reported sick and hospitalised in Paris, France.
Tinubu had earlier complained of exhaustion and travelled out to rest before the news of his collapse went viral.
He was flown to Paris for medical attention in the first week of January.
SaharaReporters had on June 15 reported that Tinubu was also in Paris, battling some old age ailment.
“Tinubu is in Paris, France for a medical checkup. His health is deteriorating. Old age and other stuff, but he still wants to be president. This could mean another medical tourism presidency for our country,” a top source had at that time revealed.
SaharaReporters had reported the conspicuous absence of Tinubu during the one-day working visit of President Buhari to inaugurate various projects in Lagos State.
Earlier, the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, had tried to downplay the obvious rift between the two leaders and their camps, saying the interview the President granted to Arise Interview where he mentioned Lagos was not about Buhari.
“You cannot sit there in Lagos, for instance, and decide on the fate of APC on zoning,” Buhari had said while responding to a question during the interview.
“The hope of this administration is to see APC last beyond it. Therefore we should allow the party to decide. The restructuring of the party has begun from the bottom to the top with the membership card registration. Every member of the party must be involved. We will soon conduct our convention. No single member of the party will be allowed to go against the wish of the party.”
Shehu had maintained that there was no rift between the two leaders and the reference to Lagos was not to Tinubu.
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BREAKING: Nigeria Shuts High Commission In London Over Continuous Anti-Buhari Protests
The Nigerian High Commission in London, the United Kingdom, has shut its offices over the continuous protests by Nigerians who joined the #BuhariMustGo and #RevolutionNow struggles and gathered at the commission daily.
SaharaReporters learnt that the Nigerian Mission, embarrassed by the gatherings which were putting President Muhammadu Buhari and his aides under pressure, announced its closure for 10 days.
In a release, however, the Mission blamed the closure on COVID-19 virus.
“This afternoon, the Head of Immigration Section and two other officials went for a meeting at the Home Office. At the entrance, Covid test was administered on them and one of them tested positive to COVID-19. The affected officer immediately isolated while the other officials, who tested negative will also isolate for the next 10 days.
“In response to this challenge, the Mission embarked on testing all officials of the Mission after which another official tested positive. In line with the COVID-19 regulation, and the need to adhere to the rules and regulations of the host country, the Mission will close down for the next 10 days, in order to observe the mandatory isolation of those who were in contact with the affected officials,” the Missions said.
“Nigeria has temporarily shut its UK Embassy due to embarrassment by #BuhariMustGo protesters. They, however, claimed it was COVID-19 related. #RevolutionNow,” human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, tweeted.
SaharaReporters had on Tuesday reported that Buhari and his aides, in the wake of another round of protests by Nigerians in the UK, again invited the London police to prevent protesters from gatherings at the Trafalgar Square in London.
SaharaReporters had reported that the protesters refused to leave the ground, when the High Commissioner also came to persuade them.
The protesters had laid a 14-day siege to the embassy, asking Buhari to return to Nigeria and attend to the health and security issues.
SaharaReporters had obtained a video of the London policemen who chatted with the Nigerian protesters and were reportedly friendly.
“Buhari again calls UK Police on #BuhariMustGo protesters laying siege on the Nigerian Embassy in London. But the protesters are adamant. The ambassador came and invited them to come inside they refused.
“They insisted that President Buhari must go as he had failed. He must leave office. They have laid siege on the embassy for 14 days – since Buhari left for the UK without handing over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“The UK police have been polite and friendly. The protest was led by Gbola Owoborode of #RevolutionNow in London,” a source had revealed.
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PHOTONEWS: Tinubu Visits Buhari Using Walking Stick After Second Surgery In One Month
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E2%80%93-lawyer Nnamdi Kanu Calls For More Prayers, Yet To See Family Members – Lawyer
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has appealed to the members of the group, his supporters and well-wishers to be unwavering and prayerful concerning his present predicament.
He also expressed his profound gratitude to all of them that have stood by him since his travails began towards the end of June.
These were contained in an update sent to SaharaReporters by his lead counsel, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, after a team of lawyers had visited the IPOB leader in the custody of the Department of State Services on Thursday.
The pro-Biafra agitator has been in the detention of the DSS since June, though he briefly appeared in court, blindfolded, handcuffed and chained in the legs before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court on June 29.
Operatives of DSS did not bring Kanu to court for trial slated for July 26, and Nyako adjourned the case till October 21.
His lawyers had prayed the court that his legal team should have access to him and that he should be transferred to a prison facility, but while the former application was granted, the latter was not.
In the routine visit by a team of lawyers on Thursday, Ejiofor disclosed that Kanu was in high spirits, although none of his family members had yet been able to visit him.
The statement reads, “Routine visit to Our Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was just concluded now. He is still very strong in spirit, resolute and firm.
“His warm greetings and compliments go to millions of Umuchineke and followers worldwide. He is profoundly grateful for the massive show of support and solidarity, and consequently urged all and sundry to remain resolute, and prayerful particularly in this trying moment.
“Victory is sacrosanct and it cannot be too long. Your prayers are paramount now. Other highlights border on professional interaction which shall remain private. Thank you all and God bless.”
When asked whether Kanu’s family members were in attendance during the visit, Ejiofor said, “Not yet. We are on it.”
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Police Release YouTube User Detained For Exposing Apostle Suleman’s Money Miracle Scam
The Nigeria Police Force Force has released a Youtuber, Israel Balogun, who was earlier detained for exposing a money miracle ‘session’ performed by Apostle Johnson Suleman, founder of Omega Fire Ministries.
The police had through a letter dated 3rd August 2021 with reference No. CR:3000/×/FHQ/SEB/ABJ//T3/VOL.3 signed by ACP Y.Y Abubakar, Special Enquiry Bureau, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, had invited the 38-year-old for interrogation on Wednesday but detained him, after being given stringent bail conditions.
Balogun had passed the night in police custody but his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, while addressing the press on Thursday in Abuja, announced his release after his detention for over 24 hours.
The Youtuber was also seen beside the lawyer during an address streamed on Facebook.
“Finally, we have Mr Israel Balogun here with us. He has just been released from the custody of the FCIID in Abuja over the petition filed by Apostle Johnson Suleman. He had petitioned the police and got him (Balogun) arrested over alleged cyber-stalking and defamation,” the lawyer said.
“He spent the night in custody which was unnecessary.”
Balogun had, in one of his videos on Wholeness African Initiative, condemned a miracle service organised by Suleman where the cleric was heard telling members that he would command angels to drop money into the bank accounts of those who believe.
The programmes were held in Edo, Nigeria and Atlanta, the United States, in June and July, 2021 respectively.
In reaction, Suleman’s solicitors sent a letter dated 27th July to Balogun demanding a retraction of the posts (video and write-ups) alongside a written apology to the minister.
They stated that Balogun’s action was a case of defamation of character against Apostle Suleman whose church, Omega Fire Ministries has members in 52 countries of the world.
In the letter, Balogun’s statements were described as “hate speech, cybercrime terrorism, unsubstantiated and threat to his (Suleman’s) social and religious image.”
They stated explicitly that failure to do as requested will attract a full lawsuit against Balogun.
The video of the controversial programme shows Suleman saying, “The Holy Ghost just whispered to me, I’m going to pray and make declarations, after that you will check your account.”
Another voice said, “Papa (a term used by church members for Suleman), there is a miracle alert here, she just got her alert of $1,000.”
Suleman said again, “Miracle alert, as you get it, run here. Angels begin to put money in your account.”
In his analysis that has now brought about threats, Balogun had said, “Apostle Suleman is destroying the gospel of God, why would a man begin by telling people there will be miracle money in their accounts, you are using the name of Christ to do Miracle or Magic?
“This is not the gospel, this man stood in the midst of the people, in the church in Atlanta and in his church in Nigeria asking people to bring out their phones and there would be miracle money in their account. You must not fold your arms and allow such a thing to continue, Nigerian Christian leaders must dissociate themselves from something like this, they must tell the world that they are never part of the gospel that this man is preaching.
“This is not Christ, this is not Christianity, this is voodoo, this is magic, this is not from God and it can never be from God. God does not deposit money in people’s accounts, angels do not share money. It is either this guy has some people behind the scenes who have pre-collected people’s bank details, who do not even know they wanted to use it for anything.”
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E2%80%94-feminist-group-slams-bishop-oyedepo Did Feminists Cause Unproductivity Of Your Pastors? — Feminist Group Slams Bishop Oyedepo Over Comments On Marriage
David Oyedepo
The Nigeria Feminist Forum has condemned a recent statement attributed to the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, on feminism and marriage.
The forum’s reaction is to Oyedepo’s criticism of women who identified themselves as feminists as he advised them against getting married.
David Oyedepo
The clergyman, who gave the advice during a sermon to his congregation, specifically warned women against joining the feminist movement as he stated that feminism would lead to frustration and devastation.
But his disposition did not sit well with members of the feminist movement who asked him to explain if feminists in Nigeria were responsible for his disengaged “unproductive pastors.”
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NFF, through its Communications Officer, Angela Nkwo, said its members were not happy with Oyedepo’s view that the “Feminism movement leads to frustration and devastation.”
The group advised Oyedepo to focus on suggesting solutions to how the challenges confronting Nigeria could be subdued.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF) has condemned the comments credited to the celebrated cleric and founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo on feminism, saying he should proffer solutions to insecurity, inflation, amongst others confronting the nation.
“Casting huge aspersions on being a woman, its definition and expectations therein when he advised women against joining the feminist movement because it leads to frustration and devastation; contrary to the claims spread by people, feminism is about demanding gender equity, justice and access to equal resources for everyone, which will benefit families, communities and the wider society as a whole.
“The cleric’s comments justified the notion that women do not lead branches of the church popularly called Winners chapel, saying it is condemnable as women form a followership of the congregation.”
The group queried if feminists were the cause of his disengaged Pastors who failed to meet their assigned targets by the church even as they maintained they were males, who did not advance feminist principles.
“We need to ask the eminent cleric, did feminists and the coalition’s cause the unproductivity of his pastors, or the insecurity and high inflation that have enveloped the nation?” they queried.
Recall that some pastors of the church were sacked recently for allegedly not generating enough income for the church.
However, Oyedepo justified the sacking of the pastors, saying they were “unfruitful”. He also debunked claims that the church was sourcing for income.
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E2%80%98illegal%E2%80%99-extradition-alex-saab Russia Knocks US Over Planned ‘Illegal’ Extradition Of Alex Saab
Alex Saab
Russia has condemned the United States over its involvement in the arrest and detention of Alex Saab, a special envoy of the Venezuelan government who was arrested in Cape Verde.
Saab was arrested on June 12, 2020, after his private jet made a stopover at Cape Verde on his way to Iran for a humanitarian mission on behalf of the Venezuelan government.
Alex Saab
The Southern African Times
The businessman is caught up in a feud between Venezuela, his country, and the US.
The US put pressure on Cape Verde to arrest Saab with plans of extraditing him to face corruption charges.
But Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro who recently appointed Saab as an ambassador to the African Union (AU) kicked against the move.
Reacting in a statement by its Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of Foreign Ministry, N.T. Lakhonin, Russian government described the move to extradite the business to US as illegal.
It added that the practice of seizing citizens of other countries, including the Russian Federation, in third countries on fabricated charges by U.S. law enforcement agencies, has become the infamous “business card” of the United States.
The statement partly reads, “We would like to draw attention to the egregious situation around Venezuelan Special Envoy A. Saab, who in June 2020, despite his diplomatic passport, was detained at the request for extradition to the United States during the technical landing of his plane in Cape Verde.
“The practice of seizing citizens of other countries, including the Russian Federation, in third countries on fabricated charges by U.S. law enforcement agencies, has become the infamous ‘business card’ of the United States.
“Now Washington seems to have decided to ‘go to a new level’, setting a harmful precedent for the extradition of an authorized person with diplomatic status.
“We strongly condemn these actions, the politicized background of which is beyond doubt. We consider unacceptable attempts to apply U.S. law extraterritorially, including to settle political accounts with ‘undesirable’ governments through repression against their official representatives.
“At the same time, the humanitarian nature of A. Saab’s activities, who was fulfilling his mission to receive assistance in the fight against coronavirus infection, is ignored. This once again highlights the double standards of Washington, which tirelessly criticizes the Government of N. Maduro for ‘the suffering of the Venezuelan people’.
“We are convinced that the desire of the US authorities to extradite a third-country diplomat may have a negative impact on international relations and may have a ‘boomerang effect’ for any country, including the United States itself, as well as other states involved in dangerous games with international law.”
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E2%80%99s-arrest-june-%E2%80%93-says-family No South-East Governor Contacted Us Since Nnamdi Kanu’s Arrest In June – Says Family
Nnamdi Kanu
The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has said no South-East governor has contacted them since Kanu was arrested in June and detained by the Department of State Services.
The family added that it was not trying to hijack the leadership of the IPOB group when it spoke on the suspension of the sit-at-home order on Monday.
Nnamdi Kanu
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According to the family, the decision was taken in the academic interest of the younger generation sitting for the ongoing National Examination Council (NECO).
The family, however, apologised to those who felt offended, reiterating that it informed Kanu’s lead counsel, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Head of the Directorate of State of IPOB, Chika Edoziem.
The family, in a statement by Prince Emmanuel Kanu, explained that the action, contrary to misunderstandings in some quarters, was not taken to usurp the powers of IPOB or challenge the authorities of its hierarchy.
The statement reads in part, “We the family of the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, have noted with concern, mixed reactions that have trailed the counter-order by the family against the Monday, August 9’s planned sit-at-home order initially directed by IPOB.
“It must be understood that the action of the family was informed by the compelling need not to jeopardise the academic future of thousands of Biafran children sitting for the ongoing National Examination Council.
“Contrary to misconceptions in some quarters, the action of the family to counter the sit-at-home was not as a result of compromise or monetary inducement by the government.
“We felt it was necessary to safeguard the future of millions of Biafran children first, hence the counter order which was only a temporary suspension and not outright cancellation of the plan. We considered the decision very imperative in the overall interest of Biafra at that critical moment.
“We equally want to place it on record that the highest leadership of IPOB was privy to the decision of the family and the Directorate of State, DOS, was duly communicated by the lead counsel, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
“It’s not the intention of the family to join issues with IPOB or other concerned Biafrans that have firmly stood behind our son in this struggle, but the Head of DOS, Chika Edoziem knows very well that he was communicated by the Lead Counsel before our decision was made public.
“We equally wish to put it on record that till date no South-East governor has contacted the family since our son was abducted and detained. It is possible the governors are still planning but none of them has reached us or even spoken with us let alone inducing us contrary to insinuations in some quarters.”
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E2%80%99s-security-outfit-amotekun-over-n29million-fraud Crisis Hits South-West’s Security Outfit, Amotekun Over N29million Fraud
File photo used to illustrate story.
There is crisis in the Osun State chapter of the South-West’s security network, popularly known as Amotekun, over the mismanagement of over N29million given to the outfit.
Already, the local hunters in the state had pulled out of the security outfit, alleging financial impropriety.
File photo used to illustrate story.
Nurein Hammed, the state Coordinator of the hunters, under the umbrella of the Hunters Group of Nigeria, addressed newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday.
According to Vanguard, Hammed said its members jointly agreed they were short-changed to the tune of N29million by the Osun Amotekun’s leadership during and after last year’s lockdown in the state.
While demanding for the outstanding balance, he said the group was committed to ensuring adequate security of lives and property of the state, but could not operate under the present leadership of Amotekun in the state.
“We are unequivocally committed to working with other security agencies to protect the state against criminals. We swore on oath to do that but we cannot work with Amotekun to achieve those objectives.
“During the lockdown that was necessitated by Covid-19 pandemic and the EndSARS protest, we mounted several border patrol, as well as maintain peace across the state.
“Eventually, the state government released N44million to pay our personnel for the services as Amotekun ad hoc staff. But we only got N15million. The then leader is still within the present leadership and we cannot trust the leadership to work towards the same objective with us because they are not under traditional oath as us,” he said.
Efforts to get a reaction of Amotekun Corps Commandant in the state, Brigadier-General Bashir Adewinmbi, proved abortive.
He neither picked calls to his phone line nor responded to a text message sent to him on the incident.
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Lawless Department Of State Services Denies Family Access To Film Director Arrested Over Links With Israeli Filmmakers
A film director and cinematographer, Priye Amachree, arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged links with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and three recently detained Israeli filmmakers has been prevented from seeing his family members, two weeks after his arrest.
According to People’s Gazette, his younger brother, Tubonimi Amachree, said he travelled to Abuja upon getting the information of his brother’s arrest but he was denied access by the DSS.
“I stayed there in Abuja for one week and was going to their office to see my brother but they refused to let me see him.
“I even went with a lawyer yet they refused and demanded I write a letter to the director of SSS, requesting to see my brother which they say would take two weeks before my letter will be responded to,” he stated.
A copy of the letter addressed to the DSS Director-General signed by Tubonimi revealed the letter was received by an official of the agency simply identified as Mrs Sarah on August 4.
The letter appealed to the secret police boss to grant the family permission to see their son.
Tubonimi asked well-meaning Nigerians to help demand the release of his brother as well as allow the filmmaker to have access to his family.
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Nigeria’s Lawless Secret Police Abduct Film Director, Priye Amachree Over Alleged Links With IPOB, Recently Detained Israeli Filmmakers
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SaharaReporters had reported that Amachree, who is a Director at HomeBase Media in Jos, the Plateau State capital, was picked up by the secret police around 4.30pm on July 28 on Oshikomaya Street, off CMD Road in Lagos.
“Amachree was linked to the Israelis that were arrested, detained and recently released by the DSS but till date, no one seems to know where he was taken,” a source had said.
SaharaReporters also leant that Amachree assisted the Israelis as a tour guide and arranged logistics for them during their visit to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, according to information on Amachree on his LinkedIn page, his company “provides multimedia solutions ranging from documentary production, animation, TV /Radio production, Design + print”.
“We produce and plan your media project,” it added.
SaharaReporters had reported how three Israeli filmmakers were arrested by the DSS for alleged links with IPOB.
The Israelis, Rudy Rochman, a Zionist activist; Noam Leibman, filmmaker, and David Benaym, French-Israeli journalist, were said to be arrested on July 9 when they visited Ogidi village in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state.
They were said to have left Ben Gurion Airport, Israel, on July 5 and arrived in Nigeria the following day to film a documentary titled, ‘We Were Never Lost’, which seeks to explore Jewish communities in African countries such as Kenya, Madagascar, Uganda, and Nigeria.
The Israeli filmmakers were released on Friday, July 30 after spending 20 days in the custody of the DSS in Abuja.
It was learnt that they were released after investigation showed they had no link with members of IPOB, whose leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently standing trial for charges including terrorism and treasonable felony.
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