Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma on Monday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has proven his love for the people of the southeast.
He said the President has demonstrated his love and respect for the people of the region with the construction of the second Niger Bridge which is nearing completion.
According to Uzodinma, what all previous administrations have been given are only promises that have failed to materialize but Buhari since assuming power in 2015 has demonstrated his commitment to see the project completed.
The Governor, therefore, submitted that it would be unfair to say Buhari has neglected the region.
Speaking on Monday in an interview with Channels, Governor Uzodinma said: “Today, whether you like it or not, the party to beat is APC. I come from the south-east. Since after the civil war, the only gateway out of the south-east — the entire old eastern Nigeria — was that old river Niger bridge,” he said.
“Government after government came, made promises and paid lip service to the promises. From 1979 to 1983 — the second republic — we were promised the second Niger bridge.
“From 1999 to 2007, we were promised the second Niger bridge. Until 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari, as I speak to you, has spent over N360 billion.
“Only last week, I was watching television. I saw the chief of staff to the president, minister of works, minister of labour and productivity inspecting the joining of the bridge for commissioning within the next three months.
“It would be a thing of ingratitude for anybody to come from that region to talk about President Buhari neglecting the old eastern bloc.”
Naija News reports that during an inspection visit to the bridge on March 8, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, promised that the second Niger bridge will be completed in April this year.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has declared that many factors will be considered before deciding on who will emerge as the 2023 presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
The Governor expressed his opinion when he was asked about the probability of the APC zoning its 2023 presidential ticket to the southeast.
He said apart from just the zoning consideration, the APC has to give its ticket to someone capable of winning elections.
Governor Uzodinma added that the party would have to take a decision on its eventual presidential candidate after considering both covert and overt factors.
“This ticket is not an airline ticket. We are talking about having a presidential candidate. It is a decision of the party. It has to be a collective decision,” he stated during a Channels TV interview on Monday.
“Nobody will get the presidential ticket because he spoke good English on the television. Nobody will get the presidential ticket because he was abusing people on television. It is a decision of the party and many factors will be responsible — covert and overt factors — because at the end of the day, the ticket will be given to a name that can win the election. Winnability is the name,” he added.
According to him, there is nothing to worry about as Mai Mala Buni remains the authentic APC Caretaker chairman and he would soon be back to reclaim his seat.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has distanced himself from the report that he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his presidential ambition.
The media aide to Osinbajo, Laolu Akande described the report as false and mere speculation.
According to AIT, Akande in a chat with its correspondent said the report is not factual.
Earlier on Monday, there were reports that the Vice President had informed his boss about his intention to succeed him.
It was reported that a source claimed that President Buhari gave his blessing to his Vice as he has done for other presidential aspirants who have informed him of their intention.
The source further stated that President Buhari is been careful of publicly supporting a presidential aspirant ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The Nigerian Police Force has denied trending reports that its operatives have chosen a date to commence nationwide strike action over poor welfare issues.
The Police in a statement on Monday evening signed by the Acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi rubbished the planned strike action, describing the publication to that effect as fake and mischievous.
Naija News recalls the statement follows earlier reports that operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have fixed March 26 as a date to begin an unprecedented two-week warning strike across the country.
According to the report, the police officers are going on a warning strike to protest against their poor working conditions, poor salaries, lack of genuine welfare benefits, and outdated weapons.
But the statement from the Force PRO said there is no truth in the report and those behind it are only trying to misinform the public and heat up the polity.
Adejobi stated that Police operatives are aware that any form of strike action from them is equal to mutiny which is contrary to their rules of engagement.
He added that the IGP is committed to the welfare of the police officers and efforts are ongoing to ensure the full implementation of the increment of salaries and allowances as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The statement urged the Police officers to remain committed to securing the lives and property of Nigerians.
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has lambasted the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, describing him as a serial betrayer and ungrateful person.
Wike while unleashing words against the Edo State Governor said former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomole who warned him about Obaseki’s behaviour has been vindicated.
Naija News recalls both Wike and Obaseki have been involved in a war of words over the crisis plaguing the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike in his latest outburst on Monday where he responded to the Edo State Governor, said he had been warned but ignored the warnings about the character of Obaseki.
Speaking at an event in Rivers State on Monday, Wike said he regrets supporting Obaseki in the Edo 2020 governorship election, describing him as the most ungrateful person he has met in his lifetime.
He added that he has personally invested in PDP and his state has also contributed resources to the well-being of the party but he denied threatening the party.
Wike challenged Obaseki to unveil what he has done for the party since joining the PDP after he was shown the exit door in APC.
The chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema has warned that all Airlines in the country would shut down in three days time over the non-availability of Aviation fuel to run their operations.
Nigerian Airline Operators are urging the federal government to grant them operational licenses so they can import fuel following the recent fuel scarcity across the country.
We have only three more days, all airlines in Nigeria will shut down. We are not threatening this country, it is a fact”, Onyema said.
Onyema stated this while at a meeting of oil marketers and Airline operators at the National Assembly.
Also in attendance at the meeting is the NNPC CEO, Mele Kyari and other stakeholders.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has extended its warning strike for another two months.
Naija News reports that the union’s National Executive Council, NEC met over the weekend in Abuja to discuss the way forward over the industrial action as it could not receive a positive response from the Federal Government over its demands.
After hours of deliberation, the union decided to extend the strike by two months.
Osondu Victor Igwilo, a suspect wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since 2018 has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The development was confirmed by the spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, adding that Igwilo was the alleged leader of a criminal network of “catchers”.
Uwujaren noted that Igwilo was arrested alongside Okafor Nnamdi Chris, Nwodu Uchenna Emmanuel and John Anazo Achukwu at a studio in the Sangotedo area of Lagos.
The suspects were accused of fraud, money laundering, and identity theft to the tune of about $100millon.
It was gathered that the suspects allegedly perpetrated a scheme involving false promises of investment funding, impersonating United States bank officials in person and via the internet.
There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday during the bail hearing of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and six others.
During court proceedings, a lady identified as the wife of the former commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) fainted inside the court and caused panic.
She slumped on the ground shortly after trial Justice Emeka Nwite deferred ruling on applications that Kyari and six other persons facing drug trafficking charges with him, filed to be released on bail pending the determination of the case against them.
The lady, who wore a black Hijab, fell on the floor while armed operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, were leading Kyari and the others away from the court premises.
The final list of candidates for the Ekiti governorship election has been released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Naija News reports that the country’s electoral agency had fixed June 18, 2022, for the governorship election in the South West state.
In a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Festus Okoye, INEC said it released the full list of candidates for the election after it had published their personal information last month.
The INEC spokesman said the final list is published in the agency’s State and Local Government offices in Ekiti as well as its website and social media platforms.
Okoye added that the agency complied with the Electoral Act 2022 and the constitution by releasing the list of the contenders for the much-anticipated event.
President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on Monday reacted to the extension of the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Naija News had earlier reported that the union extended the strike by eight weeks due to the failure of the Federal Government to address the issues it raised in a 2020 FGN/ASUU agreement.
The union’s National Executive Council, NEC met over the weekend in Abuja to discuss the way forward over the industrial action as it could receive a positive reply from FG.
The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba in reaction to the decision of ASUU, noted that the government met all the demands of the union.
Nwajiuba while speaking with newsmen at the end of the commemoration of the 2022 Commonwealth Celebration in Abuja said all earned allowances, as well as the revitalization funds demanded, had been released.
Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Britain’s health secretary Sajid Javid has revealed the grounds on which Britain will go to war with Russia.
Russia launched missile strikes just 12 miles from the Polish border with Ukraine over the weekend, which has led to fears of a global conflict.
Reacting to the incident, the health secretary told LBC’s Nick Ferrari at Breakfast that there would be a severe response if there is an attack on any country in the NATO alliance.
Mr Javid said: “We’ve been very clear from the start, with our NATO allies, that if there is any kind of attack on NATO territory then it will be war with NATO and there will be a severe response.
“Even if just a single toecap of a Russian soldier steps into NATO territory, then it will be war with Russia and NATO would respond“.
Sometime last week, the minister of armed forces, James Heappey, a former Army Major said Putin was being desperate to avoid a face-off with NATO.
He said the Alliance would “completely overmatch the Russian military both in terms of technology and mass”.
NATO allies including Britain and the US have massively bolstered deployments to Eastern Europe in recent months.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma says despite everything going on in the All Progressives Congress (APC), it remains the party to beat in 2023.
Uzodinma also added that Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni remains the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and will take over the leadership once he returns from his medical trip.
Naija News reports Uzodinma made the submissions on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The Imo Governor’s position comes after recent confusion about the leadership of the APC with the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello declaring himself acting chairman of the party last week.
He went ahead to declare that he has the support of President Muhammadu Buhari to take over the leadership of the party.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai also declared that Bello has the President’s support as well as that of 19 Governors and Buni is as good as gone.
However, Uzodinma on Monday declared that if there will be a leadership change, then due process must be followed.
According to him, nothing has changed and Buni will continue as the APC Caretaker Chairman once he returns from his medical trip.
“APC is a very serious party,” he said.
“Everything going on at the secretariat now are going on with the knowledge of Mai Mala Buni. And as soon as he comes back, he will also take over the realms of the party.”
He said for Buni to be removed, a meeting of the National Executive Committee must be convened, and the Independent National Electoral Commission must be present at the meeting.
“The right organ of the party to take and implement such decisions is the National Executive Committee. Have we summoned that committee? Because if we do, INEC will be invited to observe. And if they observe, whatever decision taken will be known to them,” Uzodinma added.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Venus Amimo, a middle-aged man has set himself ablaze at Koru in Kisumu County of Kenya on Friday, March 11, over persisting marriage crisis.
According to K24TV, Venus Amimo who has been reportedly working as a civil contractor returned home on Thursday night and couldn’t find his wife, he allegedly waited till about 2:00 am when he reportedly left his house.
A police report read; “His marriage has been having doldrums lately. He went home on Thursday night and found that his wife had not returned home and the children were all alone. He later left the house at 2:00 am in an apparent search for her and when he failed to get her, he returned to the house and set himself ablaze inside his green car”
A neighbour revealed that his wife returned home after she was informed of her husband’s death.
He said; “His body was found outside his house by neighbours”
It was also learned that the deceased sent a suicide text message to a close friend, saying his wife had caused his suffering and that he was going to leave her and the children.
The body was moved to the morgue as police officers launched investigations into the whole incident.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a 14-year-old nanny, Chiamaka Odo for strangling her employer’s 6-month-old son to death.
The state commissioner of police, Abiodun Alabi, disclosed this on Monday at a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in the Ikeja area of the state.
Alabi, represented by the spokesman for the police in the state, Adekunle Ajisebutu, stated that the accused revealed that she was a member of the Ogoloma cult group in Enugu State.
During preliminary investigation, the suspect claimed that members of her cult group asked her to bring the blood of the baby to the spiritual realm.
He said: On 6/2/2022, a 14-year-old female nanny strangled her mistress’ son, Jayden Osokolo, kept in her custody to death. The suspect, Chiamaka Odo, confessed to be a member of the Ogoloma cult group in Enugu, Enugu State.
“During interrogation, she disclosed that members of the cult group requested her to bring the blood of the deceased to the spiritual world hence she carried out the dastardly act.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
It was gathered that the deceased was killed by her former and current boyfriends, Mustakeem Balogun and Soliu Majekodunmi.
The teenagers while speaking on the incident disclosed that Sofiat was killed for money ritual, adding that they learnt it on Facebook.
Two others that were arrested over the death of Sofiat include, Oladeinde and Abdulgafar Lukman.
The Magistrate Court on Monday discharged Oladeinde, who was earlier remanded at the Oba correctional centre in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government.
The Chief Magistrate I.O Abudu, in his ruling noted that Oladeinde was discharged on the legal advice of the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
According to Abudu, “no charge was recorded against Oladeinde in the legal advice.”
Abudu further stated that he ruled based on a police investigation, which he said proved his innocence in the crime.
He adjourned the case till April 22 for further hearing of the charges against the remaining three boys.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Nigerian Police Force has denied trending reports that its operatives have chosen a date to commence nationwide strike action over poor welfare issues.
The Police in a statement on Monday evening signed by the Acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi rubbished the planned strike action, describing the publication to that effect as fake and mischievous.
Naija News recalls the statement follows earlier reports that operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have fixed March 26 as a date to begin an unprecedented two-week warning strike across the country.
According to the report, the police officers are going on a warning strike to protest against their poor working conditions, poor salaries, lack of genuine welfare benefits, and outdated weapons.
The police officers are ready to also protest the continuous killing of their colleagues by armed robbers and terrorists, without adequate compensation for their families.
In a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, the aggrieved police officers accused the Federal Government of lying about the increment of police salary and other promised benefits.
They, however, demanded improved conditions of service, particularly salary increase and provision of modern weapons as they tackle the security challenges facing the country.
But the statement from the Force PRO said there is no truth in the report and those behind it are only trying to misinform the public and heat up the polity.
Adejobi stated that Police operatives are aware that any form of strike action from them is equal to mutiny which is contrary to their rules of engagement.
He added that the IGP is committed to the welfare of the police officers and efforts are ongoing to ensure the full implementation of the increment of salaries and allowances as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The statement urged the Police officers to remain committed to securing the lives and property of Nigerians.
Below is the full statement.
“The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a news making the rounds on social media alleging that some members of the Force will be embarking on a strike action with effect from March 26, 2022.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state unequivocally that the alleged publication is fake and a mischievous attempt by unscrupulous individuals to bring the Force to disrepute, misinform the general public and heat up the polity.
“It is pertinent to restate that the Nigeria Police Force is a regimented and disciplined organization with laid down rules and guidelines for addressing grievances and in no circumstance is a strike action one of such means.
“The men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are fully aware that a strike action or other deliberate disruption of law enforcement services by any security organization is mutinous and the personnel of the Force would not degenerate at any point to that level of disloyalty and indiscipline, as policing services are paramount and essential in the maintenance of orderliness and peace in the nation.
“It is pertinent to emphasize that the IGP is accelerating efforts to ensure the full implementation of the increment of salaries and allowances proposed by the President and approved by the Federal Executive Council.
“It is important to accentuate that it was the President’s initiative without any demand from the Police to direct the process of increasing salaries and allowances. The Federal Government is therefore fully committed to the implementation of the new salary package.
“Since that approval, the Salaries and Wages Commission has issued an implementation circular, the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs and the IGP have been working with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to ensure the stoppage of tax deductions as directed by the President and approved by the Federal Executive Council. Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police reiterates that police officers under his leadership are well motivated with the ongoing reforms, especially the provision of kits, accoutrements, body armor,the cooperative society’s housing scheme, the renovation of training schools, upgrade of police training curriculum, procurement and deployment of technology to boost ICT-driven policing.
“The IGP equally assures that the police are committed to discharging their duties to the nation as expected and renew their commitment to ensuring public safety, and the protection of lives and property of all and sundry.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
When Nigerians thought the trend of corps members proposing to themselves has ended, a corps member pulled the stunt a few days to the end of their time on the campground.
Corps members are expected to report to their primary place of assignment after their deployment at the end of three weeks of orientation.
Rather than wait for them to get out of the camp, the male corper took the opportunity to propose to his colleague to the amazement of other corps members who cheered them up.
The female corps member was happy as she accepted the proposal and gladly wore the engagement ring.
This is not the first time a corps member would be proposing at the campground.
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri over the weekend joined members of his alumni association to celebrate the Golden Jubilee night of Government Secondary School Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Diri played host to members of the alumna at an event held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House Yenagoa, urging them to be grateful to God despite many challenges they might have experienced.
He said the school in its years of existence, has turned out great people who have grown to become useful in the society and beyond Nigeria.
Naija News understands that at the event, funds were raised to be used in further developing the school’s infrastructure including equipping its science laboratories.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Bayelsa State emphasized that, “they have had a long tumultuous 50 years journey that they all can attest to, it is a journey worthwhile, and in this journey some of them have left, from 1972 down to 2022, not all of them who went through that school are still alive. They have lost some very intelligent classmates and schoolmates, (a minute silence was observed for the departed souls), but by the grace of God, they are surviving here today to celebrate 50 years of existence as a school, urging them to thank God, first of all, for keeping them alive and allowing their school, Government Secondary School Odi (GSS), to continue in turning out, very useful man power for our society and even beyond the shores Nigeria”.
Diri also recalled the role played by King Alfred Diette Spiff who, as former Military Governor, initiated the policies that gave children in the rural areas access to education.
He also praised the president of the GSS Odi Alumni Association, Prof. Ebimiowei Etebu, past, current Executives Council and members of the Alumni Association, products of the institution who have excelled and distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavour, and impacted the society amongst whom is Dr. Tonye Isenah, the state commissioner for works and infrastructure, Rtd. Rear Admiral Godfrey Yanga, Mr Moses Teibowei, Mr Franklin Aganaba, and Brig. Gen Eric Angaye as well as many others.
The Bayelsa State Governor commended the current executive of the Alumni Association for their initiative and efforts in putting the 50th anniversary together.
He thanked all those who contributed to the funds meant for developing the school’s infrastructure including the chief launcher, High Chief Emonena Victor Wayles Egukawhore (JP), and other co – launchers.
In his remarks during the event, the Chairman De Wayles Group of Companies, Chief Egukawhore who apart from being the chief launcher, also doubled as the special guest of honour appreciated Governor Diri and his deputy, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, both of whom are members of the alumna.
Not done, the special guest of honour also had kind words for the Wife of the Governor, Justice (Mrs) Ebibumor Diri, Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Honorable Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Co – lunchers, award recipients, members of the alumni association, and other dignitaries present.
He appreciated them all for their generous contributions and support for the school alumni and for maintaining strong cordial relationships.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Nigerian Police Force has denied reports of a planned strike action. This was contained in a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA on Monday signed by Force PRO, Muyiwa Adejobi. The statement read in part; “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a news making the rounds on social media …
Multiple award-winning Nigerian singer, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido has declared that he won’t tolerate any form of attack on his children.
The singer who took to his Twitter account on Monday evening made it clear that he’s not too bothered about those talking about him but won’t allow his children to be brought into the issue.
Though Davido in Monday’s tweet didn’t reveal any particular person the statement was targeted at, he once again exhibited his protective behaviour over his children.
He wrote: “Say all you want about DAVIDO …. but DO NOT MENTION MY CHILDREN.”
Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Davido has disclosed that his father recently gave him a land gift in Lagos State.
Davido is the son of billionaire businessman, Adedeji Adeleke, Naija News reports.
Taking to his Twitter account on Sunday evening, Davido revealed that his dad gifted him a piece of land in the prestigious Banana Island area of Lagos State.
He wrote: “Woke up to another Land from popsi in banana again ! Such a dope father ! Love u pops.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the system collapse of the national electricity grid leading to power outages across the country.
Recall that no fewer than eight states including Lagos will again experience blackouts, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company confirmed.
The states affected include Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and the Imo States, among others.
While the issue persists, EEDC in a terse text to its customers on Monday said that the system collapse occurred on the national grid at 10:40 am today.
Meanwhile, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company had also confirmed the grid collapse to its customers, assuring that power would soon be restored.
Also briefing its customers about the pressing issue, the Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC said that the system collapse affected supply in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and the Imo States.
Following the development, Nigerians have now taken to Twitter to react to the collapse of the national electricity grid which led to a blackout across the country.
Gretta Vedler, 23, was killed one month after she posted on social media calling Vladimir Putin a “psychopath” and forecasting his drive to “enhance the integrity of Russia” would end in tears The corpse of a Russian model has been found stashed in a suitcase more than a year after she went missing following her
The National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs), Dr Umar Bindir, on Monday advised npower batches A and B beneficiaries to take advantage of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loan package, to be self-reliant. POLITICS NIGERIA reports that at the end of the ongoing five-day NEXIT training, npower beneficiaries who qualify will …
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has stated that Russia might begin to target North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, countries soon.
He said that Russia might plan an attack on NATO countries if the body refuse to take action and close the Ukrainian sky.
Zelensky said this after an airstrike hit a Ukrainian military base close to the Polish border.
In a video address made on Monday, the president once again stated the need for a no-fly zone sanction over Ukraine.
“If you do not close our sky, it is only a matter of time before Russian missiles fall on your territory, on NATO territory, on the homes of NATO citizens.
“Last year, I clearly warned NATO leaders that if there were no harsh preventive sanctions against the Russian Federation, it would go to war. We were right.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) has fixed a date to resume tolling on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge and the Lekki-Epe plazas.
Naija News recalls that the two tollgates have been closed for eighteen months by the company due to the #EndSARS protest in Lagos State that turned bloody on October 20, 2020.
Following the attacks on the protesters by security operatives, the toll plazas on the Lekki-Epe expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge were destroyed by youths.
In a statement on Monday by LCC’s Managing Director, Yomi Omomuwasan, the company said it will begin resumption of tolling on both tollgates by April 1, 2022.
Omomuwasan said the commuters will not have to pay any toll for the first two weeks until 15th April 2022 as this period would be toll-free to all motorists plying the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.
He said the resumption of services at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza was coming after extensive consultations with, and the support of key stakeholders.
The LCC boss noted that the company consulted with the Residents’ Associations, Traditional Rulers and Community Leaders, professional bodies, as well as the Lagos State Government.
He said, “We have introduced new technology and innovations to make passages at the Toll Plaza seamless and faster for commuters. We are replacing old toll devices with upgraded ones for faster throughput at the Toll Plaza. “The new devices have been configured to synchronize with the newly upgraded tolling systems and will improve functionality while enabling a better experience at the Toll Plaza.
”The LCC stated that it would continue to provide essential services, including free 24/7 emergency assistance, vehicle breakdown, and recovery services, and security patrol to all road users along the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway corridor.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
On 13th March 2022, it was widely reported in the media that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation issued a Legal Opinion/Advice exonerating DCP Abba Kyari from the allegation of money laundering, which forms the main basis upon which the United States of America is seeking Kyari’s extradition to America. One of such publications in a well-respected national daily was captioned “Hushpuppi: New Legal Advice from AGF’s office exonerates Abba Kyari of money laundering allegation”.
In as much as this Legal Advice does not sit well with certain segments of Nigerians (and even the Americans that seek the extradition of Abba Kyari), it needs to be stated that the rendering of Legal Opinion or Advice comports with the constitutional powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation as preserved under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Suffice it to say that this very legal advice exonerating Abba Kyari has created a new legal connection between Abba Kyari and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The connection lies simply in the fact if Abba Kyari is deemed entitled to such legal advice that will surely impact his extradition, Nnamdi Kanu is equally entitled to any legal advice that impacts his prosecution. In other words, the pertinent provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s Extradition Act must be applied equally to all. Thus, Nnamdi Kanu is now entitled to a selfsame Legal Advice, which must include the following:
1, Under the universally-recognized doctrine, known as the ‘Doctrine of Specialty’ which pertains to extraditions, an extradited fugitive (whether renditioned or otherwise) is subject to prosecution only for those offenses for which he or she was surrendered, extradited or renditioned. Nigeria recognized this doctrine under Section 15 of Nigeria’s Extradition Act, which provides that ‘Fugitive surrendered to Nigeria is not triable for any previous crimes: Where, in accordance with the law of any country within the Commonwealth, any person accused of an offence committed within the jurisdiction of Nigeria is surrendered to Nigeria by the country in question, then, so long as he has not had a reasonable opportunity of returning to that country, that person shall not be detained (whether under this Act or otherwise), tried or otherwise dealt with in Nigeria for or in respect of an offence committed by him before his surrender to Nigeria other than the offence for which he was surrendered to or any lesser offence which may be proved by the facts on which his surrender was granted; or (b) any other offense (being one corresponding to an offense described in Section 20 of this Act) of the same nature as the offence for which he was surrendered; provided that a person falling within this section shall not be detained or tried for an offence by virtue of paragraph (b) of this section without the prior consent of the country surrendering him’.
2, To be sure, the foregoing provisions were, as regards Nnamdi Kanu, breached in all their material particulars. First, as of 19th June 2021 when Nnamdi Kanu was abducted in Kenya, he was facing 4-count Charges, none of which included or bordered on Terrorism. Today, the Charges have been expanded to 15 counts that included and bordered on Terrorism. Unarguably, this is a clear violation of the Doctrine of Specialty, especially in view of the proviso ‘that a person falling within this Section (i.e Section 15 of Nigeria Extradition Act) shall not be detained or tried for any new offense without the prior consent of the country surrendering him’. In this very instance of Nnamdi Kanu, the “surrendering country” is Kenya and there is no evidence that her consent was obtained before these new 15-count Charges were brought.
3, Conversely, the same Doctrine of Specialty is also recognized in the Kenyan Extradition Act, which at Section 6(3) states that “A fugitive shall not be surrendered, or committed to or kept in custody for the purposes of surrender, unless provision is made by the law of the requesting country, or by an arrangement made with that country, for securing that he will not, unless he has first been restored or had an opportunity of returning to Kenya, be dealt with in that country for or in respect of any offence committed before his surrender, other than (a) the offence in respect of which his surrender is requested; or (b) any lesser offence proved by the facts proved before the Court of committal; or (c) any other extradition offence in respect of which the Attorney-General may consent to his being so dealt with”. Unarguably, these provisions have extraterritorial application to Nigeria because, as regards Nnamdi Kanu, Nigeria is the “requesting country”, which fact has been affirmed by the sheer compelled presence of Nnamdi Kanu in Nigeria.
4, Interestingly, Nigeria also strictly requires the selfsame Doctrine of Specialty to be respected when it comes to fugitives extradited from Nigeria to other countries. Section 3(7) of Nigeria’s Extradition Act states that ‘A fugitive criminal shall not be surrendered to any country unless the Attorney-General (of Nigeria) is satisfied that he will not be detained or tried in that country for any offence committed before his surrender other than the extradition offense’.
In view of the foregoing, it has become necessary for the Honourable Attorney-General to revisit the matter of these new 15-court Charges presently standing against Nnamdi Kanu with a view to urgently issuing a Legal Advice to the effect that all the new Charges be withdrawn forthwith. Failure to do so will amount to a clear violation of the Doctrine of Specialty as enshrined in Nigeria’s Extradition Act and equal protection of the law as preserved in the Nigerian Constitution.
This opinion was written by Aloy Ejimakor, special counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
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