Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Monday 1st November 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 01/11/21
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E2%80%99s-supporters-stage-7-day-protest-against-central-bank-governor-emefiele-over-e Buhari’s Supporters To Stage 7-day Protest Against Central Bank Governor, Emefiele Over E-Naira, Bad Economy, N500Billion Scandal
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
A pro-Muhammadu Buhari group, Nigeria First Movement has called for the resignation or sacking of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele.
According to the supporters of the President, doing so will save the nation from further economic meltdown.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
Group Coordinator, Augustine Richard in a statement said the latest introduction and subsequent launch of the digital currency, eNaira by Emefiele is the “final nail in the country’s already doomed economy.”
Since the release of the eNaira, the app has received negative reviews from Nigerians, who were disappointed with the tedious registration processes as part of the requirements.
The group also urged the CBN Governor to resign over his alleged inability to stabilise the country’s bleeding economy.
It threatened to mobilise over 200 other pro-Buhari groups across the globe for a ‘mother of all protests’ that would hold simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and London, UK against Nigeria’s poor economic posture if Emefiele failed to resign or get sacked.
“Emefiele may have made history as the only governor to be re-appointed for a second term in office since the nation’s return to a democratic rule, however, he is best known for surrendering much of the bank’s independence, running a monetary policy that had record negative impact on the economy,” Richard said.
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“The introduction and subsequent launch of the digital currency, eNaira, is perceived as the final nail in the country’s already doomed economy.
“We are ready to champion the call for Emefiele’s removal by staging a one-week protest that could potentially cripple economic activities in Abuja. We’re also ready to mobilise over 200 other pro-Buhari groups across the globe in the ‘mother of all protests’ that would hold simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and London against the nation’s poor economic posture.
“Emiefele played a pivotal role in the collapse of the economy since his appointment as the CBN chief and before his arrival, the economy was said to be one of the fastest growing in the world. Shortly after his reappointment in 2019, Emefiele announced a five-year plan that targets double-digit growth in one of Africa’s largest economies.
“His approach to policy implementation, however, has left many in doubt, raising questions on how his key policy move, especially in the context of management of the exchange rate, benefits the economy, and the naira he sought to protect.
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EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria’s Anti-graft Agency, EFCC Probes Central Bank Over Multi-billion Fraud As Attorney-General, Malami, Emefiele Battle To Stop Investigations
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“On July 24, 2020, the CBN launched a series of non-intrant loan schemes under the AGSMEIS, MSMEDF, AADF and other loan schemes. The program attracted a lot of Nigerians, with millions of them seeking to join the program through all due process. For more than a year now, nothing has been done. The CBN under Emefile has shirked its primary responsibility of ensuring price stability and has embraced a more developmental role, in the hopes of naira stability.
“As confirmed by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Rt. Hon. James Faleke, the CBN has failed to submit its Audited Account to the Office of the Auditor General (OAGF) for review, from 2010 to date.
“According to Kalu Ajah, chief executive officer at AfriSwiss Capital Assets Management Limited in Abuja, the CBN has pursued a strong naira policy and had sought to dampen imports. Well, imports have not declined and the naira is far from strong. One wonders if the import restrictions on items and capital controls were necessary or if the CBN should have devalued the naira earlier. I will say Nigeria did not benefit from the capital controls regime.
“The regulatory bank’s aggressive lending policy has been called into question as well, causing some concerns over the bank chief’s stewardship of the banking sector. The CBN is forcing banks to lend, and penalising non-lenders. These are shareholders funds being deployed via fiat.
“In October last year, the Central Bank fined 12 banks, including Citibank, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank N499 billion for failing to meet lending targets. It is another move that attracted criticism across the board.”
Richard added that the N500 billion which was stolen in a private Dubai investment towards the end of 2018 should be investigated by the President as well as other funds that went missing during Emefiele’s administration.
SaharaReporters had in May 2019 made public a phone conversation of Emefiele; his deputy, Edward Lametek Adamu; Director for Finance, Dayo M. Arowosegbe and one of the Special Advisers to the CBN Governor, Emmanuel Ukeje discussing how to cover up the loss of over N500 billion stolen from the CBN in a private investment that collapsed.
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CAUGHT ON TAPE: How Central Bank Governor Emefiele, Deputy Adamu And Top Officials Discussed How To Cover-Up N500bn Which They Stole From The CBN
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Two audio files, exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, revealed how the governor and top officials of the apex bank discussed plots to conceal the loss of huge sums of money in a Dubai investment.
The CBN claimed the audio conversation was genuine but no money was missing from the bank.
Isaac Okoroafor, the then Director of Corporate Communications had said: “The selective conversation being circulated was simply a discussion to ascertain why the auditors took that position and next steps to resolve it. Obviously, it soon became clear that a state government’s loan cannot be classified as ‘bad’ or ‘irrecoverable’ when the state still exists and getting FAAC allocations.”
However, in a petition written by Emefiele to the Inspector General of Police, he confirmed that the audio was authentic and this time raised the alarm that his phone had been bugged and that there was a breach of security at the apex bank.
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N500 Billion Scandal: CBN Governor, Emefiele Confirms Missing Money, Says Phone Bugged, Writes Police To Investigate Sahara Reporters
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He also asked the Inspector General of Police to investigate the audio leak.
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Adamawa Deputy Governor, Seth In Over N100Million Contract Scandal, Threatens Lawyer For Demanding N8Million Professional Fee
Adamawa State deputy governor, Crowther Seth, has been enmeshed in multiple contract scandals amounting to over N100 million.
In Nigeria, it is against the law for public officials to get involved in public procurement of any kind.
Sections 5 and 6 of the code of conduct prohibits the government from awarding contracts to companies belonging to government officials to check conflict of interests
The deputy governor was also reported to have allegedly threatened a lawyer, Danbaba Rigange, for demanding N8 million professional fee.
Seth’s company, Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited was allegedly awarded multiple contracts by the Adamawa State government between 2019 and 2020.
Documents seen by SaharaReporters show Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited was awarded four different contracts from 2019 to 2020, by the Ahmadu Fintiri-led administration.
The breakdown of the awards by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs indicates that Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited got two separate contracts for Christmas decorations in 2019 and 2020, costing the state a total of N85.9 million.
Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited was also awarded contracts for the electrification of Hadiyo village at the cost of N30 million and provision of an electricity transformer at Lafiya at the cost of N18 million, both in the Lamurde local government area by the same Local Government Ministry.
Trouble started when Seth allegedly refused to pay the 10 percent legal/documentation fees, agreed upon between Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited and a lawyer, Danbaba Rigange.
Accordingly, Rigange told SaharaReporters that he was not only heading to court against the deputy governor but will also petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security operatives.
Further to that, Ifegwu Mbonu, a law firm, wrote Seth, demanding payment for professional services rendered in connection to the said contracts.
A copy of the letter obtained by SaharaReporters reads “that at different times in the years 2019 and 2020 you instructed him (Rigange) to act as Secretary of your company, Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited.
“Which company you are the alter ego for the purposes of contracts awarded to your said company, Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited by the Ministry for Local Government Affairs of Adamawa State, for Christmas decorations, beautifications, etc.
“That our client drafted and franked the contract agreement and equally signed as the Secretary of your said company and it was agreed that our client will receive 10 percent of the contract sum as his professional fees.
“That so far, you have only paid our client the sum of N150,000, leaving a balance of N7.850 million.
“It is, therefore, our client’s instruction to write you this letter to demand the payment of the sum of N7.850 million, being the amount you presently owe our client for services duly rendered for your benefit.
“Take notice that if our demand is not complied with within the period stipulated in this letter, we shall proceed to take all necessary actions we deem appropriate to ensure that our client receives the said money, including but not limited to petitioning the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) and the DSS (Department of State Services).”
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IPOB Reacts To Arrest Of Suspected Member With ‘Arms, Military Uniform’ By Nigerian Army
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said the operatives of its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) do not wear army or police uniforms for operations.
IPOB also said the man, Mazi Udubuan Sage Chubueze arrested on Saturday by men of the Anambra State Police Command is an IPOB member and not an ESN commander.
The group stated this in a statement by its group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, which was made available to SaharaReporters on Sunday.
SaharaReporters earlier published that, “the Anambra State Police Command has arrested a man who is allegedly a top member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and also commands its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN)”.
The man, identified as Udebuan Sage Chubueze was arrested in Ekwukobia in the Aguata Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, October 30.
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Chubueze was arrested in his house following a tip-off and was said to have sustained bullet wounds.
Reacting in a statement titled, ‘Army Shot And Arrested IPOB Member Not Top ESN Commander In Ekwulobia – IPOB, the group revealed that Chubueze was betrayed by an insider.
The separatist group also stated that no weapon was retrieved from him as he had attended his mother’s burial.
The statement read, “The attention of the great family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our prophet and indefatigable leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU has been drawn to the fallacious statement from Fulani controlled military and police that they arrested a top commander of ESN in Ekwulobia Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“We declare without equivocations that there is no iota of truth in the said fallacious statement.
“Mazi Udubuan Sage Chubueze is only a member of IPOB. He is not one of the ESN operatives let alone being a top commander of ESN.
“What transpired was that he came to his home in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA to bury his dead mother and soldiers acting on a tip-off from a traitor stormed his house. Yes, he is an IPOB member but not ESN Commander. But those who sabotaged him shall reap the reward of treachery!
“The wicked Nigerian soldiers shot him in the leg and forced him to wear army camouflage and claimed it was what they got from him. They also lied that they recovered ammunition from him. How can a man burying his mother be doing so with ammunition? This is another blackmail to hang an innocent man.
“We want to make it categorically clear to all and sundry that ESN does not go with army uniforms or police because we are different people. Again ESN has nothing to do with pump-action rifles.
“The Army forced all those items on him just to implicate him but God will vindicate the just! The claims by the Army that he has bullet wounds are all lies. We call for a forensic examination to deflate this lie. It was the Army that shot him in his compound and claimed he had bullet wounds.
“We once again call on the United Nations not to give a blind eye to the atrocities of the Nigerian security agents against Biafrans. The world should hold Nigeria accountable for all the inhuman treatments and secret genocide against innocent people of Biafra.”
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E2%80%99-story-announces-buhari-travelling-scotland Again, Presidency Confirms SaharaReporters’ Story, Announces Buhari Travelling To Scotland, France
File Photo: Buhari medical tourism
Two days after returning from Saudi Arabia where he attended a summit and also held prayers for Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari is heading for Glasgow, Scotland, as earlier exclusively reported by SaharaReporters.
Buhari will leave Abuja for Scotland on Sunday to attend the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu said in a statement.
File Photo: Buhari medical tourism
Shehu added that the President would also travel to Paris, France, on an official visit to reciprocate an earlier one to Nigeria by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and also attend the Paris Peace forum 2021, the fourth edition to be hosted by the French President.
He however failed to mention the date Buhari would return to the country.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari will Sunday, October 31 depart Abuja for Glasgow, Scotland to attend the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“The President is scheduled to deliver his national statement at the High-Level segment for Heads of State and Government at the conference on Tuesday, November 2.
“President Buhari’s address is expected to highlight Nigeria’s key priorities and action to tackle climate change as well as progress on the country’s transition to low carbon economy, consistent with achieving the Paris Climate Agreement.
“The conference, hosted by the United Kingdom in partnership with Italy, will bring parties together to help accelerate action towards the Paris Agreement as well as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“Given Nigeria’s leading role in taking climate action and as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, COP 26 will afford a unique opportunity for the Nigerian delegation to work with other parties to make progress on the main goals of the conference including securing global net zero by mid-century and keeping 1.5C within reach; adapting to protect communities and natural habitats as well as mobilising the much-needed finances to meet the set targets.
“In Glasgow, President Buhari will participate in some side-line events hosted by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of State, Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd) and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
“President Buhari will thereafter travel to Paris, France on an official visit to reciprocate an earlier one to Nigeria by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and also attend the Paris Peace forum 2021, the fourth edition to be hosted by the French President.
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“It will have Heads of State and Government and CEOs of major multinationals, as well as several civil society actors, gathering to advance concrete solutions to the enormous challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to improve global governance in times of COVID-19.
“The Summit will focus on spurring a more solid and inclusive recovery by addressing the various gaps in global governance, offering initiatives to better tend to the global commons, and putting forward new principles of action for the post-COVID world.
“While the President is in Paris, the Nigerian government will organize the Nigeria-Paris Forum. The event is expected to pull a crowd of Nigerian and French investors, government and business leaders, diplomats and the media in the hope of showcasing opportunities on both sides as well as bringing enlightenment to bear on the prevailing security, economic and investment climate in Nigeria. President Buhari is expected back in the country after the engagements.”
SaharaReporters had recently reported that Buhari would leave the country for Saudi Arabia and later proceed to France and Scotland where he is expected to begin a fresh round of medical checkups and attend some conferences before the end of 2021.
Sources said the President would spend up to two weeks on his medical tour in Europe but his first point of call would be Saudi Arabia for Umrah, otherwise known as the Lesser Hajj.
“Baba (Buhari) is going to Saudi Arabia, France and Glasgow from Tuesday. The date is set and part of it is for his medicals. The trip will not exceed two weeks but the first stop is Saudi Arabia. He will go for the Umrah before heading for Paris and Glasgow,” one of the sources had revealed.
“Buhari to visit Glasgow, Scotland, Paris, France and Dubai, UAE before the end of 2021 amidst strong rumour of third term agenda,” another source had said on Wednesday, October 6.
Meanwhile, the President’s health has been a source of concern for many Nigerians.
SaharaReporters in December 2020 reported how the inability of President Buhari to make critical decisions on insecurity and the depressed economy had become worrisome to many Nigerians – a situation that his dementia and other undisclosed ailments he is treating could have contributed to.
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Six Months After Afenifere Spokesman Odumakin’s Death, Wife Gives Birth To Twins
Almost seven months after the death of Yinka Odumakin, his wife, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin was on Wednesday delivered of twins – a boy and a girl – at a hospital in the United States of America.
Odumakin, a former spokesperson for pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere died on April 3, 2021 at the COVID-19 Isolation Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital due to complications from COVID-19.
SaharaReporters gathered that both mother and the babies are in excellent health condition.
In a statement by Okei-Odumakin, her late husband had left the names he wanted for the babies.
The statement read in part, “He had, however, prophetically left words concerning what the baby or babies should be called if his wishes materialised.
“YO, as he is fondly called, was so accurate in his predictions that they could be twins (and their s**) that he gave the names of the babies and told me how he would raise them.
“While many may interpret this to mean that YO had a premonition about his death, it was only a strong desire expressed by him to have babies that he would dot over and who would possibly step into his ‘Aluta’ shoes. It’s a dream come true!”
The couple who got married in 1997, had their first baby girl in 2000 and the second, a boy, in 2003. The girl was named after Joe, while the boy was named Abraham after the late Afenifere leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya.
However, the twins are coming 18 years after the birth of their last child.
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Nigerian Court Orders Interim Forfeiture Of Convicted Fraudster, Invictus Obi’s Abuja Houses, Cars
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of houses and cars linked to convicted internet fraudster, Obinwanne George Okeke, also known as Invictus Obi.
Justice Peter Lifu made the order on October 29, 2021 sequel to an ex parte motion filed and argued by the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chineye Okezie.
Invictus Obi is serving a 10-year prison sentence in the US for his involvement in a computer-based intrusion fraud scheme amounting to $11 million.
The houses are “All that property lying, being and situate at House 4 Oakville Estate, Kado Kuchi, Abuja.
“All that property lying, being and situate at 5 bedroom duplex at Standard Estate, Kabusa, Abuja.”
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The vehicles are a Toyota Corolla with Registration Number: RBC6238N and an unregistered Toyota Corolla Sport.
According to the EFCC, the properties will be used to restitute foreign victims of Invictus Obi’s fraud through the US Consulate.
Justice Lifu said: “I have listened to the submission of the counsel for the applicant vis-a-vis affidavit filed in support. I hold in my considered view that this application is meritorious and ought to be granted
“Consequently this application is hereby granted as prayed.”
The judge also ordered that the Commission should publish the order in a widely read newspaper in Nigeria within 14 days for any interested party to show cause why the order should not be permanently made.
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He adjourned till November 30 to make a final decision on the forfeiture motion.
The EFCC supported its application with an affidavit sworn by one of its investigators, Usman Abdulhamid.
Abdulhamid noted that Obi had already forfeited N280,555,010, N240,250,904.46 and N40,304,106.19 to the Nigerian Government.
He said: “On further investigation by the Commission, two more properties were traced belonging to the convict, along with two vehicles parked in the residence.
“This application is pertinent in order to restitute the victims of the fraud through the United States of America Consulate.
“This matter is of very urgent public interest and concern as it directly tarnishes the image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Nigeria among the comity of nations.
“The properties sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria by the Applicant were not procured through legitimate earnings of the Respondent but are reasonably suspected to be part of the fraudulent activities which the Respondent has been convicted for.”
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Despite Obvious Failures, Ex-Lagos Governor Tinubu Calls Buhari Exceptional Leader During Visit To Aso Villa
Despite failing Nigerians in terms of fulfilling his campaign promises, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu on Sunday described President Muhammadu Buhari as an exceptional leader.
Tinubu disclosed this after a meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa.
According to the former Lagos State Governor, he was at the villa to thank the President for visiting him in London where he sought medical treatment.
“I came to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for visiting me in London when I had a knee surgery. He demonstrated empathy. He is an exceptional leader,” he said.
During campaign ahead of the 2015 presidential election, Buhari had promised to curb corruption and fix insecurity and unemployment.
But after over six years in office, Buhari has failed to keep his promises to Nigerians.
SaharaReporters had reported how Buhari visited Tinubu in London, United Kingdom in August.
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Buhari Visits Tinubu in London As Ex-Lagos Governor Recuperates With Use Of Walking Stick After Second Surgery
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His close aides were however not happy with the pictures released by the Presidency showing the former Lagos State Governor with a walking stick during the visit.
Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad had posted some photos on Facebook and captioned them, “President Muhammadu Buhari this evening in London, the United Kingdom, visited Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the photos, Tinubu was seen leaning on a walking stick as he posed for shots with the President.
“Tinubu and his people are not happy that President Buhari brought NTA (Nigerian Television Authority- government-owned station) and others to visit him,” a source had told SaharaReporters.
“When Lagos governor, (Babajide) Sanwo-Olu and (Abiodun) Faleke (federal lawmaker) visited him, nothing revealed he had a surgery or was sick. But the way Buhari had his photo ops handled by the Villa was not what he (Tinubu) bargained for.
“They felt betrayed that such pictures showing him with a walking stick would be released. Note that all the pictures were released by the Presidency.”
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ISIS Releases Video Of 12-year-old Terrorist Executing Two Nigerian Soldiers
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as Daesh (Arabic) has released a video showing a 12-year-old member of ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province), the breakaway Boko Haram faction executing two Nigerian soldiers.
In the 17-minute long video, the soldiers were shot dead by the insurgent with his AK-47.
The video which was called “Makers of Epic Battles” also covered other attacks from ISWAP’s spring campaign in Borno and Yobe states in 2021.
Analysing the footage, Tomasz Rolbiecki, a researcher on Islamic State’s attacks worldwide described the execution as “awful.”
“There are no words to describe how awful it is,” Rolbiecki posted on Twitter.
He continued, “In general, the video is mainly covering the attacks from ISWAP’s spring campaign in northern Borno and Yobe, although there are also clips from southeastern and southwestern parts of Borno state.
“Most of the footage had been published in photo reports long before this video was released. Daesh has been doing it for years. However, there is also some new material.
“ISWAP confirms the militants are using an APC (seems like a Mowag Piranha variant) for the first time in a long time, if not ever. News of them using APCs and MRAPs have been circulating for a while now, but we have not seen a confirmation until now.
“The attack on Gajiram is next. It is difficult to say which one is it since there were several in the last year, and the footage was not released previously in any form.
“Then ISWAP shows an IED attack which must have happened in Mallam Fatori (I do not have the exact date). A video shot by one of the soldiers attacked by that IED is used by the militants to show the aftermath. That is a technique sometimes used by Daesh.
“After that, a clip from Geidam, in Yobe State, is shown. This was the attack from 23 April, in which ISWAP briefly established control over the town. We have seen most of that footage previously as well.”
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Malabu Scandal: Anti-graft Campaigner, Suraju Files Preliminary Objections To Nigerian Government’s Charges Of Cyberstalking Ex-Minister Adoke
The Chairman of Human and Environmental Development Agenda, (HEDA Resource Centre), Olanrewaju Suraju, has filed a Notice of Preliminary Objections at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to quash charges of cyberstalking preferred against him by the Attorney-General of Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Former Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke, one of those accused of and charged with fraud in the OPL245 scam, also referred to as the Malabu scandal, had petitioned the police, accusing those behind petitions resulting in his prosecution for corruption and money laundering of circulating fabricated evidence against him to unduly incriminate him in the multi-million dollar scandal.
The subject of Adoke’s petition was forgery of an email in which Nigeria, as a sovereign state was short-changed to the tune of $1.1 billion (one hundred and one billion US dollars) and HEDA and its international partners, has been involved in the advocacy for the recovery of this money and prosecution of principal actors behind the alleged fraud
However, HEDA and Suraju, have denied any wrongdoing in a series of statements issued on the matter, stating that the items they were accused of fabricating featured as exhibits in the Malabu Oil scam trials in London, UK and Milan, Italy.
The Nigerian government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Malami recently filed four counts in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/370/2021, accusing Suraju of using his social media handles as well as emails and audio interviews to circulate false information on Adoke.
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But in a preliminary objection to the suit against him, Suraju, through his counsel, M.A. Banire & Associates led by Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), sought the dismissal of the suit, stating that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the charge against him.
Among other reliefs sought by the HEDA chairman is an “Order quashing the Charge for prior engagement in trial by the media before service of the Charge on the defendant on the ground that such action is prejudicial to the right of the Defendant/Applicant to fair hearing”.
Also, the grounds for objections to the suit include, “No court has jurisdiction to embark on trial for, and no person can be charged with or tried for an offence not contained in written law or that does not otherwise constitute an offence at the time of its commission;
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“The charges filed against the Defendant/Applicant do not disclose any offence contained in a written law; by the provisions of Section 36(8) & (12) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court to arraign a defendant over a charge is activated by disclosure of an offence known to written law.
“Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) (hereafter simply referred to as the Constitution) protects the Applicant from being prosecuted or convicted for an offence not set out in a written law.”
The objection also stated that, “This Charge brought pursuant to Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 violates the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and disregards the decision of the ECOWAS Court in mandatory imperatives as set out in Suit No: ECW/CCJ/APP/53/2018;
“Engagement in media trial before service of the Charge on the Defendant/Applicant is an act prejudicial to fair trial contrary to Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); this action is an abuse of court process.”
The objection, which was to be served on the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and the Federal Ministry of Justice, also submitted that to arraign the Defendant under the present counts contained in the Charge Sheet in this matter is to charge him with an offence which is not provided for by law.
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It queried, “How does one expect a person to plead to an offence not contained in a written law? How does someone even plead to an offence already declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction?
“If a defendant can only be charged with an offence provided by law, which he needs to understand in order to appropriately be arraigned, it is not possible to achieve that under a law that has been declared invalid.
“On or about the 8th to 11th days of October 2021, the Applicant woke up to a barrage of media reports alleging that the Complainant had filed charges against the Applicant. Although the purported charges are reportedly directed at the Applicant, at no time before or after the publication of the charges which the Respondent filed did the Respondent serve the charges on the Applicant.
“We submit that the decision of the Complainant to publicise the Charges against the Applicant rather than serve it on the Applicant as required by law was calculated to do several things, notably: to prejudice the mind of the court against the Applicant so that the Court, which is not insulated from media reports in the public space will form an opinion about the charges even before the Applicant appears before Your Lordship.
“This constitutional stipulation creates a presumption of innocence in favour of every person who is charged with a criminal offence and that such a person is innocent until he is convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction. We submit that the malicious publication of the charges in this action by the prosecuting Complainant has violated the provision of section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution by negatively prejudicing this court and the pool of witnesses to be called in this case against the Applicant
“We respectfully urge Your Lordship to resolve this issue in favour of the Applicant and hold that the publication of the charges without serving same on the Applicant breached the Applicant’s right to a fair hearing, is an attempt at prejudicing the mind of the court, available counsel and the pool of witnesses in this case. We urge Your Lordship to quash the charge.
“Accordingly, we urge this honourable Court to decline jurisdiction in this case and hold that, based on Suit No: ECW/CCJ/APP/53/2018, that Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act which is the fulcrum of this action violates the provision of Article 9(2) of the African Charter on Peoples and Human Rights.”
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EXCLUSIVE: Real Reason Why Buhari Presidency Cabal Ordered Raid On Home Of Ex-Rivers Governor Odili’s Wife, Justice Mary Odili
Less than three years after assuming office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Ibrahim Muhammad may be removed.
Meanwhile, the plot by some Presidency cabal members who are dissatisfied with Muhammad’s style of leadership in the judiciary is connected to the current travails of Justice Mary Odili, wife of a former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, sources told SaharaReporters.
It was also learnt that the plot to remove Muhammad and harass Justice Odili or also remove her, if necessary, is gathering steam by the day, sources told SaharaReporters.
Justice Odili, a Supreme Court judge, is being haunted to ensure she does not replace Muhammad when he is removed, as the one who is next in line to the Chief Justice.
Muhammad was appointed as acting CJN on January 25, 2019, following the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Onnoghen, who was appointed in 2016, was removed after corruption allegations were levelled against him.
But in March, Onnoghen, speaking at a book launch ceremony he attended with his wife, disclosed that was removed from office over a false allegation that he held a secret meeting with former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before the 2019 general elections.
Muhammad was sworn in as a substantial CJN on July 24, 2019, with expectations.
SaharaReporters, however, gathered that the grouse of members of the Aso Rock cabal who are also angling for the removal of Onnoghen’s replacement, Muhammad, is that he has been too slow to do their bidding.
“They are planning on removing the current CJN. He is expected to retire in 2023 but they are not happy with him. They said he’s too slow to do their biddings,” a top source told SaharaReporters.
The source said since Onnoghen was removed for him, clearly the cabal behind his good fortune had expectations of him which they think he is not delivering as anticipated.
SaharaReporters gathered that the recent illegal raid of the Abuja residence of Justice Odili of the Supreme Court is connected with the plot to remove Muhammad.
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Security Operatives Raid Supreme Court Judge, Odili’s Residence In Abuja
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Security operatives had on Friday night invaded the house of the Supreme Court Justice based on information that “illegal activities” were going on there.
Odili is next in line to Nigeria’s Chief Justice and stands to benefit from his removal should that happen before her retirement on May 12, 2022.
Sources said the raid, approved by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) was to let her know she would not be allowed to succeed Muhammad as the head of the nation’s judiciary.
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How Attorney-General, Malami’s Ministry Misled Me To Sign Warrant To Raid Supreme Court Judge, Odili’s Residence – Chief Magistrate
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Odili, who was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court on June 23, 2011, was born on May 12, 1952. This means she will be due for retirement by May 12, 2022, on turning 70.
But Muhammad, who was appointed a supreme court judge in 2006 and sworn in on January 8, 2007, was born on December 31, 1953 — meaning he is younger than Justice Odili and will not retire until 2023 when he turns 70.
Another source said, “Regarding the raid on Odili’s House, it was planned because they don’t want her to become the next CJN. Though she’s retiring in about six months, that is like six years to the cabal. They are planning to remove Tanko Muhammad before then and don’t want the woman to even act as CJN for one day.
“The most senior Justice after Odili is Olukayode Ariwoola but they claim he’s got a terminal illness. He is expected to retire soon on health grounds. The fourth most senior of the Justices who could take over as CJN is Musa Dattijo Muhammad, another Northerner from Niger State. He is also expected to retire in 2023.
“They accused Odili of being a PDP (opposition party – Peoples Democratic Party) judge and that her husband helps to fix lots of judgements at their home in Abuja. That was why the husband was also embarrassed recently.
“Forget also about Malami’s denials, he was directly in charge of the raid. He chose the day President Muhammadu Buhari arrived from Saudi Arabia to do it because he needed to impress Buhari that he is still loyal as efforts are being intensified to remove him as Minister.
“They want to force Tanko out soon and don’t want the woman to replace him. They considered her too close to the PDP, so they have to embarrass her to ensure she doesn’t get to replace him at all.”
Indeed, the passport of the former Rivers State Governor, Odili was in June seized by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
However, on October 18, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the immediate release of former governor Odili’s passport.
The court said there was no legal justification for the action the NIS took against the former governor.
Odili, who was Rivers State governor from 1999 to 2007, had approached the court to challenge the seizure of his passport by the NIS.
Meanwhile, the Concerned Senior Advocates of Nigeria, South-East chapter, has condemned the Friday raid on Justice Odili’s residence by security operatives, describing it as another frontal attack on the independence and integrity of the Judiciary.
The SANs said the consistent and systematic attacks on the Judiciary by the Executive arm of government is clearly in breach of the constitutional protection of judges and the Judiciary.
They alleged that such attacks are aimed at emasculating the Judiciary
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Professor Ilochi Okafor (SAN). Mr. Etigwe Uwa (SAN), and Mr. Chijioke Okoli (SAN).
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