Ukraine has vowed not to accept certain conditions from Russia as the only way to end the ongoing war between them.
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, there is but a little hope for negotiation but his country is worried that Russia may manipulate plans, Naija News reports.
Kuleba described the conditions by President Vladimir Putin’s government as ‘unacceptable’.
“There is little space for diplomacy in Putin’s mind,” the Minister was quoted as saying in a conversation with US policy forum.
“We have to keep the channel of diplomacy open, while being aware of the attempts of Russia to publicly manipulate this track,” Kuleba added.
He explained further that negotiations are ongoing but Russia still puts forward demands which are unacceptable.
“We will not make any compromises on the existential issues for Ukraine,” he said.
Naija News understands that Kuleba’s statement is coming after a French official had told CNN that Putin seemed still to be “determined to achieve his objectives in Ukraine”.
The official’s comment is coming after the French President, Emmanuel Macron had a phone conversation with the Russian leader.
In his submission, Kuleba said the removal of President Putin as Russian president would be enough to stop the ongoing rift between the two European countries.
He was grim about the consequences of the war, saying it will make Ukrainians hate Russia. “We will not forgive them for generations,” he said.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has again threatened it may go on an indefinite strike.
Naija News understands that the National Executive Council of the academic body are meeting today in Abuja and feelers to newsmen suggest the union may extend its current industrial exercise.
Sharing a brief of today’s meeting agenda with newsmen on Sunday afternoon, one of the NEC members told newsmen that “Yes, we are meeting today on the ongoing strike and other matters.”
Asked if there could be a good news for the Nigerian students after the meeting, the source who spoke with the PUNCH replied, “Not likely. There is no positive development that I know of.”
Meanwhile, ASUU president, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke had also confirmed the meeting will hold today but gave no further explanations.
Naija News reports that ASUU’s emergency meeting is coming a day to the expiration of the one warning strike by the union.
Recall that the academic body had on Monday, February 14, 2022, declared a total and comprehensive four-week warning strike.
The strike, according to the union, was due to the failure of the government to implement the agreement the Federal Government signed with the union in 2009.
ASUU had also accused the Federal Government of working against the deployment of the UTAS, a payment platform designed by ASUU in lieu of the IPPIS payment system.
While the two body maintain a status quo, parents and varsity students are lamenting bitterly over the educational system in the country, faulting both the government and the union of lecturers.
In an interview with Channels Television earlier on Saturday, Osodeke said, “Nothing tangible has been done so far. We have met with the Minister of Labour twice.
“We gave a room for them (NIREC) to intervene and they did. What we see is a lack of will and lack of interest in the public university system.
“The strike didn’t need to last more than one week if the government had taken it seriously. When they had a problem in Ukraine where the sons of the rich were studying, we saw how fast they released money, but in the country where the children of the poor are studying, nothing has been done.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Two children, identified as Wasiu Dauda and Al-Ameen Ibrahim, have been abducted by an unknown man in Ijesha area of Lagos.
The boys, who are both four years of age went missing around 4pm on Friday, March 11, two hours after they returned from school.
One of the parents informed Daily Trust that a man lured the children into a tricycle under the guise of getting them biscuits while they were playing.
She said that a boy of 10 identified as Sunday who was with the children when they were playing told them what had happened.
“The children came back from school around 2pm on Friday. They ate and went out to play. After some time, I saw Sunday and asked him about Wasiu and Al-Ameen’s whereabouts. He said he left them at where they were playing,”
“After about an hour, Al-Ameen’s mother rushed to me and said she was looking for her son. I told her she should go and look for him and that they would soon come back home. I became worried when I didn’t see Wasiu 30 minutes later.
“Sunday told us that one man asked them to follow him to where he would buy biscuits for them but he declined. A mallam who sells confectionery within our area said he saw both of them enter a tricycle. They are both four years old.”
Confirming the incident, Spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said search parties has been deployed to search for the boys.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a leader who promotes religious tolerance.
According to Osinbajo, though Buhari is a very committed Muslim, he understands and promotes religious tolerance.
The Vice President added that the religious tolerance of President Buhari is easily exhibited in the relationship between the two of them as they have not had any problem working together since coming into leadership in 2015.
The spokesperson for Vice President Osinbajo, Mr. Laolu Akande in a statement on Sunday, quoted his principal to have made the submission when he received the Senegal-based Grand Khalifa of Tijjaniya movement, Sheikh Mahi Ibrahim Niass.
“President Buhari is a serious Muslim and I am a pastor, both of us have worked together for about 7 years, we have not had any issues,” he said.
“The President has shown great leadership, he has shown that he wants a country where people of different faiths live in harmony and with love for one another.
Furthermore, Prof Osinbajo was quoted to have emphasized the need to promote religious tolerance and ensure the people of the country and Africa at large, live together in harmony despite having different religions.
“We must use our faiths to promote peace and prosperity for our people. We need to work together to ensure that our people benefit from religion,” he added.
“We tend to underestimate the importance of religion even though it plays a key role in the development of the society, not just in the spiritual aspect but physical.
“There are many nations of the world that have benefitted from the impact of religion both spiritually and physically. So, we must use religion in our countries (in Africa) to help our people to live better lives because, in other parts of the world, leaders of faith have used religion to better the lives of the people.
“No matter what the situation may be, we in Africa must be able to sit together and talk. We must never allow situations where we cannot sit together.
“With what is going on across the world, people of faith must continue to emphasize that both major religions (Islam and Christianity) promote peace and we must allow our people to practice whatever religion they want to practice.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
A young bride whose wedding was supposed to hold on the 12th of March has reportedly died after a brief illness.
According to Salmgists, the supposed joyfully day turned to sorrow and tears for the bride’s family and friends who was identified simply as Hajara.
It was gathered that the wedding was to take place today at Masaka Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, before the sudden death of the deceased.
A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Hajara died on the 11th of March after she complaint of headache.
The decease was buried today, according to Islamic rites.
See photos below;
Meanwhile, a group of unknown gunmen recently abducted a newly wedded bride, killing eight persons, and leaving several others injured in recent attack in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger state.
According to a resident of Ndakogitu community, who spoke the Punch on the condition of anonymity, the banditsarmed to the teeth and numbered over 100 came into the town on Saturday night, ravaging the community through to Sunday morning.
“They (gunmen) came into our community and went to the venue of a wedding; they stole all the money realised at the ceremony and other valuables.The rampaging gunmen also rustled a number of cattle belonging to the villagers.”
Another source disclosed that the bandits shot at resident scampering for safety and were unable to escape with the stolen rustled cattle as the only bridge linking the community with Akare had collapsed, leaving them with no option but to abandon the animals and escape
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
A lady simply known as Vanessa, who is alleged to be the girlfriend of Nigerian singer Davido, has made some shocking allegations concerning his babymama Chioma.
Vanessa called Chioma a pretender and alleged that she is not the saint that she makes out herself to be.
She insisted that the reason Davido engaged Chioma was because she got pregnant.
Vanessa explained via various post on her Insta story that Chioma has been trying to force David to marry her and contrary to popular belief she is not drama-free.
She also alleged that Chioma calls her and other Babymamas, while also claiming that she opens fake account to troll others.
Below are social media users reactions to Vanessa claims;
misslilsunshin: “Assurance dey pain this one…periodt.”
queenethfab: “Aunty even you wey dey talk,you go soon collect your share from Davido. No be Chioma be first o”
_barbieluxury: “She sound like a bitter girl who has been abandoned. Apparently she was thinking Davido and Chioma would never get back together again so the thing is really paining her.”
Ego_oyibo29: “make our assurance no spoil again.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
A popular Nigerian Pastor has been arrested with 54 sticks of hard drugs at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos. The General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, Rev. Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ekwem was captured by eagle-eyed NDLEA operatives on his way to a three-week crusade in Nairobi, Kenya, with 54 sticks of drugs wrapped around …
The General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, Rev Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ekwem has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport for drug peddling.
NDLEA arrested Ekwem while on his way to a three-week crusade in Nairobi, Kenya, with 54 sticks of drugs wrapped around his body.
Ekwem was apprehended by operatives of NDLEA during outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight to Nairobi via Addis Ababa.
The cleric has his church headquarters in Isuaniocha, Mgbakwu road, Awka, Awka North LGA, Anambra state and two other branches in Lagos and Abuja
The spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement titled, ‘Church General Overseer arrested with drugs at Lagos airport’, the NDLEA said when the drugs were tested, the 54 sticks proved positive to cannabis.
Babafemi disclosed that the cleric during preliminary interview revealed that he packed that quantity of illicit substance on his body to use during his three weeks crusade in Kenya.
The statement read, “On the same day, another passenger, Nnakeanyi Chukwuka King who arrived the airport on Ethiopian Airlines flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Addis Ababa was intercepted during the inward clearance of passengers at the E-Arrival Hall of the MMIA. During a search of his luggage, forty (40) parcels of Cocaine concealed inside bottles of body cream with a gross weight of 9.70kg were recovered from the suspect.
“Three days later, Wednesday 9th March, another passenger on Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy, Mr. Edo Blessing was intercepted at the Departure Hall of the airport with 2, 090 tablets of Tramadol 225mg and Flunitrazepam. The suspect who hails from Edo state but lives in Italy claimed ownership of the recovered psychotropic substances.
“Also on the same day, operatives arrested a freight agent, Rafiu Abbas at the NAHCO Export Shed of the airport when he presented a cargo containing 19.15kg cannabis going to London. The illicit substance was concealed inside plastic containers labelled as “African Dishes” and packed in a bag.
“In a related development, a 63-year-old Vincent Obimma was on Friday 11th March arrested with 350grams of cocaine and 150grams of heroin by NDLEA operatives at a park in the Apapa seaport corridor in Lagos. The drugs were hidden in industrial torch packets heading to Kano, Kano state.
“Meanwhile, a drug dealer in Kaduna state, James Okenwa has been arrested in a follow up operation at Central Market, Kaduna. He admitted the ownership of 1,807 bottles of cough syrup with codeine that were earlier recovered from two suspects at tollgate. At the point of his arrest, another 152 bottles of the drug were recovered from his vehicle. He has accepted ownership of all the 1,959 bottles of the codeine syrup.
“In Yobe state, two fake security agents: Akalonu Justin and Azimbi Festus who were coming from Onitsha and heading to Maiduguri, Borno state have been arrested with 25 blocks of Cannabis Sativa weighing 12 .5kg and 1, 598 bottles of Codeine Syrup weighing 159.8 Liters, while 85kg of cannabis was also recovered from the warehouse of a notorious drug dealer in Pawari area of Damaturu, the state capital on Thursday 10th March.
“In Anambra state, a total of 38,605 tablets of assorted opioids were recovered from a 29-year-old drug dealer, Awoke Friday at Nkwelle junction, Onitsha on Friday 11th March with the support of men of the Nigeria Police.
“While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Apapa Port, Kaduna, Yobe and Anambra Commands of the Agency for the impressive seizures and arrests in the past week, Chairman/ Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their colleagues across the country to stay focussed and intensify efforts to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs and substances.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Federal Government has extended the licence validity of operators in free trade zone areas for five years.
Naija News reports that the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo confirmed this in a statement dated Friday, March 13.
Speaking at a stakeholders forum organised by the Nigeria Economic Zones Association in Lagos themed: “Streamlining Free Zone Operations for Global Competitiveness”, Adebayo recalled that the ministry had in 2020 temporarily suspended the issuance of new free trade zone licences, due to the need to overhaul the system.
According to the minister, yearly returns must be made by the operators following the directive on the licence validity extension.
Adebayo urged the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority to fully digitalise its operations before the end of the year,
A statement credited to the Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, Martins Odeh quoted the minister as saying, “Globally, free trade zones plays a critical role in stimulating industrial activities, boosting the manufacturing sector and growing the economy.
“Their performance impacts three main areas of job creation, diversifying government revenue and generating foreign exchange as a well functional free trade zone in Nigeria can create 300,000 direct jobs.
“Expanding Nigeria’s export capacity needs under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area mitigates the risk of Nigeria becoming a dumping ground for imports while also boosting our foreign currency reserves.”
Adebayo stressed that is necessary to adopt strategies that would transform the export capacities into a dynamic instrument for economic growth.
In the report, Adebayo also estimated cumulative investments in the 30 years of operations of the free zone scheme in Nigeria at $20bn.
The minister who spoke on Friday at the official commissioning of the Nigeria EconomicProcessing Zones Authority Lagos office said that with the generous fiscal incentives associated with the free zone, the scheme remained a veritable source of economic development.
He said that the free zone, in 2021, generated N250bn in both Foreign and Local Direct Investments; N35bn in Customs duty payments and N65bn in local import/backward linkage.
The minister said that the scheme generated N500m in Pay as You Earn, 25,000 in new employment and 5,000 transfer of skills.
“The Free Zone Scheme is one of the prime initiatives of the Federal Government, for diversification of Nigeria’s economic base, to achieve our vision of growing the economy, creating jobs and generating wealth.
“I urge you not to relent in giving it your best in your service to promote the economic development of our great country, Nigeria,” he said.
On his part, the Managing Director, NEPZA, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, said that the choice of Lagos as its liaison office was based on purely economic considerations.
This, he said, was because 80 per cent of the special economic zones were located in Lagos and within 100km of its radius.
“Accordingly, this is our way of bringing NEPZA closer to our investors for sustained customer service, to continually attract and retain investors,” Adesugba said.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC headquarters and refineries under its control reported a deficit of N123.64bn within the space of nine months.
As contained in an operational report released by the company, the said deficit was recorded between January and September 2021.
The three refineries included in the report are the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, Port Harcourt Refining Company and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, Naija News reports.
The refineries mentioned are observed to have recorded deficits of N46.52bn while they cooperate headquarters of the oil firm posted a deficit of N77.12bn.
The report, however, stated that the budgeted deficits for the corporate headquarters and the refineries during the nine months were N151.12bn and N49.8bn respectively.
According to the NNPC, the deficit posted by its corporate headquarters in September 2021 alone was N5.956bn, down from the N10.226bn recorded in August same year.
The report showed that while the corporate headquarters made revenue of N11.101bn in September, its expenses were valued at N17.057bn.
For the refineries, the facilities made revenue of N207m in September 2021, while they incurred a cumulative expense of N6.059bn in the same month.
The struggle to get fuel from petrol stations is gradually becoming a daily routine for citizens as the scarcity lingers on.
The country’s refineries have been dormant for several years.
However, the Federal Government in 2021 approved funds for the rehabilitation of the facilities and promised to get the PHRC running before the end of the current administration.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Justin Dean, the husband of Nigerian dancer Korra Obidi, has spoken on the DNA of his daughters.
Recall that Naija News earlier reported that Justin announced that he and Korra were getting a divorce. He hinted on her being a cheat as the reason for their separation.
This outburst made some people suggest he carries out a paternity test on the girls to make sure they are biologically his.
However, the father of two has taken to his Instagram account to speak on his daughters paternity, stating in no uncertain terms that they are biologically his.
He uploaded a picture of himself together with his first daughter and his new born with the caption: “My flesh, my blood and my heart.”
Meanwhile, controversial Nollywood actor and producer, Uche Maduagwu has berated star actress, Genevieve Nnaji for claiming that mental health is spiritual.
Naija News earlier reported that the actress took to her Instagram story to claim that mental health is more spiritual than physical.
She went further to urge people to rededicate their lives to God, serve Him so as to create stability and balance.
Reacting to her post, Uche took to the markets to stage a dramatic stance on the development. Read more
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it lost the 2015 presidential election to propaganda and lies sold to unsuspecting Nigerians by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The main opposition party was reacting to a statement by President Muhammadu BuhariPresident Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday.
Buhari had in a message to APC members called for steadfastness in the party, while asking members to look at the once-powerful, ‘’main opposition Peoples Democratic Party now enfeebled and adrift and learn lessons in disunity, mismanagement and corruption.”
He warned, “They (the PDP) failed in 16 years in power and a failure as opposition. Yes, we are entitled to our own share of dissent and intra-party discord. These are common in all parties, left and right all over the world.”
Speaking to The PUNCH, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba described the ruling party as harbinger of bad omen to the country.
He said the lies told the nation during the electioneering had exposed the incapability of the APC to rule the nation.
According to Ologunagba, the APC should instead be remorseful and beg Nigerians for forgiveness.
He said, “The claim made by the President about the PDP is laughable. APC used lies and propaganda to clinch power and that is what the PDP lost to in 2015.
“APC is a special-purposeful vehicle used to bring Buhari to power. In doing that, the party also brought chaos, deaths, unemployment, sorrows and blood, fuel scarcity, hunger and other vices to the country.
“Imagine a country whose universities are shut due to lecturers’ strike, experiencing serious fuel scarcity and its President who is also the minister of petroleum jetting out to London to relax and take medication? It can only happen in an APC regime. That tells you how the party and its leaders love Nigeria and its people.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The flag bearer for Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State has been confirmed as Rasaq Adejumo.
Naija News reports that the former Odo-Otin local government area council chairman emerged as the candidate for the party after gaining a higher number of votes at the Saturday primary election.
Recall that the Osun State 2022 gubernatorial election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 16.
In this regard, parties are already presenting their flag bearers for a possible take on the state’s highest political position in the next few months.
On Saturday, March 12, 2022, in a primary election held in Osogbo, Adejumo won 55 votes against his close contestant, Architect Goke Omigbodun who polled 45 votes to emerge runner up, Naija News understands.
The election result was announced by the Secretary of the Committee, Oladele Ogunbameru.
The exercise was conducted under the supervision of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the watchful eyes of personnel of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigerian police and other security agencies.
Meanwhile, Busuyi Ayowole also polled 71 votes on Saturday to emerge the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Osun State.
Ayowole was presented as the sole aspirant of the party in the state by the Chairman of the Osun State PRP gubernatorial primaries, Haruna Buhari.
Buhari who doubles as the National Treasurer of the party said the candidate scored the highest number of votes during the party’s primaries on Saturday.
Speaking after winning the ‘massive’ votes, Ayowole asked the state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola to start preparing his handover note.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) plunged into a massive crisis that threatened the foundation of the party; The Nigerian Senate rejected President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to amend the newly signed Electoral Act; The UK Govt sanctioned Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich over ties to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
We are reviewing these and many more this past week…
APC: Buni Sacked, Niger Governor Bello Takes Over
[caption id="attachment_488600" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Mai Mala Buni and Abubakar Sani Bello[/caption]
The Governor of Yobe State and Chairman caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress, Mai Mala Buni was reportedly removed from his position in the ruling party last Monday.
Naija News gathered that the Governor of Niger State took over as the chairman caretaker committee of the party.
This is coming after a Southern Governor elected on the platform of the party confirmed the removal of Buni as the Chairman caretaker committee of the party.
The Governor whose name was not stated disclosed that Buni was removed following a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari who is the party leader.
Buni Not Coming Back As APC Chairman – El-Rufai Declares
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has declared that the fate of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has been sealed and can’t return as the Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports El-Rufai made the submission on Wednesday evening while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He added that the same thing applies to the CECPC Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe.
Governor El-Rufai submitted that Buni can only return as the Yobe State Governor and not as the APC Caretaker chairman.
He added that Bello has the backing of President Buhari and 19 governors.
Buni Remains APC Caretaker Chairman – Umahi Insists
Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi on Wednesday insisted that the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni remains the caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
Umahi while speaking with some party member over his sack by an Abuja court on Tuesday, said the Governor of Niger State, Sani Bello is only acting till Buni returns from his medical trip.
The Ebonyi State Governor disclosed this at Udusi Roundabout in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Wednesday.
APC Crisis Deepens As INEC Rejects Governor Sani-Bello’s Leadership
It was gathered that INEC made this known on Thursday in a letter sent to Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger, who is the acting chairman of the party’s caretaker committee.
The officials pleaded not to be named disclosed that Sani-Bello had on Wednesday written to INEC in his capacity as the acting national chairman of the APC’s Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) inviting the commission to their National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for next week Thursday via zoom.
Court Sacks Governor Umahi, Deputy For Joining APC, Orders PDP To Produce Replacement Immediately
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, for dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
Delivering judgement on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered Umahi and his Deputy to immediately vacate their officer, asking INEC to replace them with a candidate from PDP.
He held that the total number of 393, 042 votes Umahi secured during the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Ebonyi state, belonged to the PDP and cannot be transferred to the APC.
Ekwo said that following the outcome of the governorship election, the office of the governor and deputy governor in Ebonyi state, “belong to the Plaintiff and no other political party”.
Senate Rejects Buhari’s Request To Delete Clause In Electoral Act
The 9th Senate led by Senator Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday rejected the request of President Muhammadu Buhari calling for a clause in the newly-signed electoral act to be deleted.
The lawmakers rejected the request of the president through a voice vote when it was tabled to be read a second time.
Recall that President Buhari after signing the electoral act amendment bill into law had complained about clause 84 (12) which disenfranchises political appointees.
Buhari thereafter forwarded a formal request to the national assembly for it to delete the clause.
Dotun Babayemi has been declared as the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party by a High Court sitting in Osun State.
Naija News had earlier reported that Ademola Adeleke won the primary which was endorsed by the National leadership of the party, while Babayemi emerged as the winner of the parallel election held at WOCDIF Centre, Ring Road, Osogbo.
Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe in his ruling on Friday stated that the 215 Wards Executive Officers that participated in the parallel gubernatorial primary held at WOCDIF Centre were authentic and authorized Ward Executive Officers permitted to vote as delegates.
The judge also restricted PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing any other governorship primaries of the PDP in Osun State.
UK Govt Sanctions Roman Abramovich, Stops Chelsea Sale
[caption id="attachment_218440" align="alignnone" width="619"] Roman Abramovich.[/caption]
The UK Government has sanctioned Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich in the latest crackdown on Russian assets in the country.
Naija News reports that the billionaire is one of seven wealthy Russian individuals who had sanctions placed on them by the government on Thursday.
Also affected by the sanctions are billionaires and allies of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Igor Sechin and Oleg Deripaska, Andrey Kostin and Alexei Miller.
Others affected by the sanctions are Nikolai Tokarev and Dmitri Lebedev, whose business empires, wealth and connections are closely associated with the Russian president.
That will be all for this week! Next week is another time
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Senator Ademola Adeleke has stated that he remains the authentic Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate.
Naija News reports that the Osun guber election is scheduled for Saturday, July 16.
Recall that an Osogbo High Court had declared Dotun Babayemi as the governorship candidate of the PDP.
Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe in his ruling on Friday stated that the 215 Wards Executive Officers that participated in the parallel gubernatorial primary held at WOCDIF Centre were authentic and authorized Ward Executive Officers permitted to vote as delegates.
The judge also restricted PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing any other governorship primaries of the PDP in Osun State.
Reacting in a statement to newsmen on Saturday, Adeleke that his emergence as the party flagbearer followed constitutional processes.
While describing the ongoing legal tussle instituted by Babayemi as usual, Ademola Adeleke said those that have headed to the courts to seek legal redress and those who have filed petitions against him were only exercising their rights.
He said, “The leadership rejected frantic bid to disenfranchise us. The NWC insisted on due process and tradition. I am a product of due compliance with PDP and Nigeria’s constitution. By law and tradition, I remain the flagbearer of our great party and I am ready with God and men to lead PDP to victory.
“The ongoing legal tussle is nothing unusual. Those who headed to court and those who filed appeal petitions are only exercising their rights. In due course, the will of party delegates leading to my candidature will be embraced by all.
“I once again call on my fellow aspirants to let us unite to secure victory for the party. Our team is open to all and we promise we will run an inclusive campaign and government in the best interest of the people of Osun state.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Saturday distanced himself from the report of working with the Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mai Mala Buni to undermine the ruling party.
Kalu in a statement released on Saturday disclosed that he has no intention of halting the national convention of the APC as claimed by former Director-General of the Progressives Governors Forum, Salihu Lukman.
He warned that the creation of a faction that denied APC victory in some elections may repeat itself.
The presidential aspirant called on party members to resolve their differences before it national convention.
The statement released by Kalu reads, “I have read the unfortunate accusations levelled against me by Dr Salihu Lukman, former Director-General of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), alleging that some party leaders are working with Mala Buni to undermine the APC national convention.
“He said there are other party leaders, including Sen. Uzor Kalu, who have actively supported Buni to undermine the decision to organize the national convention of the party.”
“It’s on this note that I consider it necessary to correct the wrong impressions Lukman must be making efforts to create.
“There has been no time I participated in any collaboration or collusion to ensure that attempts to organize the APC national convention are blocked.
“I was worried that the creation of factions which denied APC victory in so many states in previous elections may repeat itself.
“I, therefore, called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis before holding the party convention in March.
“No peaceful and tactful leader would support a terrible scenario to reoccur.
“It’s important to note that I’ve always stood for and supported the party and Gov Buni who only happened to be the chairman of the party.”
Kalu called on President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the two sides of the story in this case threatening the unity of the party and resolving issues.
A former Governor said, “There’s always a danger with a single story and I encourage President Buhari to hear the two sides of the story so that the party can win together.”
The lawmaker noted that Buni has done well for the APC and stabilized the ruling party despite challenges at the moment.
“Aside from serving as the chairman of the party, Buni is my old family friend and I can’t deny him because he is facing challenges today.
“We’ve been friends for the past 25 years.
“It’s imperative to state that Buni has done very well for the party. His sterling leadership quality is what helped stabilise our great party across the six geopolitical zones, with high profile defections in our favour.
“The APC is a very big party with several caucuses. We have the governors, National Assembly, businessmen, youths and women among other caucuses.
“The directions and concerns of caucuses should be taken into consideration at all times.
“Going forward, whether it’s Gov. Mai Mala Buni or Gov Abubakar Sani Bello, I would always give APC my maximum support and drive for stronger growth.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Naija News looks at the top happenings making headlines on the front pages of Nigeria’s national newspapers today Sunday, March, 13th 2022.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Saturday, condemned what he termed “distractions” within the All Progressives Congress ahead of its March 26 national convention, The PUNCH reports.
As the leadership crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepens leaving confusion in its trail across party lines, a former Deputy National Vice Chairman (South/South) of the party, Hillard Ntufam Ettah has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working with some conservative elements within to wreck the ruling party, TheGuardian reports.
The Nation reports that Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu, for threatening the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
No aspirant from the South can stand against the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the contest for the presidency ahead of 2023, a chieftain of the ruling party, Senator Abu Ibrahim, has said. Senator Ibrahim, who is a close confidant of both President Muhammadu Buhari and the Asiwaju, told Daily Trust on Sunday in an exclusive interview that all those being taunted for the presidency in the South-West were protégés of the former Lagos governor and would not compete against him.
President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the leaders and members of the All Progressives Party (APC) to desist from name-calling and backstabbing ahead of the oncoming March 26 Convention, as their competing egos can land them in the worst possible fate, Tribune reports.
Despite senate’s rejection of President Muhammadu Buhari’s objection to Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act on Wednesday, sources have revealed to Sunday Independent that the upper chamber of the National Assembly may shift position next week by amending the controversial section, according to DailyIndependent.
Thank you for reading, that all for today, see you again tomorrow for a review of Nigerian newspapers.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any attempts to prevent exports of fertilizers, oil, gas, and metals will have “serious consequences on this segment of the world market and for food in general.” Putin made the comments at a meeting with government members on March 10, according to the Russian state-run news agency TASS.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in a recent letter has stated that a case of money laundering has not been established against former head of the IGP Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari.
Kyari is wanted in the United States over an alleged involvement in a $1.1m scam carried out by self-confessed internet fraudster, Ramon Abass, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
The other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022 are four members of the IRT, Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu.
Two other suspects arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, were also listed as defendants.
Malami in January had affirmed that investigations carried out by the police indicted Kyari for money laundering.
The AGF in legal advice forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had called for further investigations, noting that a prima facie case of money laundering had been established against the DCP.
He also said the force should intensify investigation into 33 crime proceeds received by the ex-IRT commander.
The legal advice read in part, “That there exists prima facie case of conspiracy, collaboration, receipt, conversion, transfer and/or retention of proceeds of unlawful activities contrary to the provision of sections 15, 17 & 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 and Section 17 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, Cap E, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, against DCP Abba Kyari and other suspects gave the overwhelming evidence showing the nature of his disguised financial transactions and activities with Abbas Hushpuppi, Efe Martins, Usman Ibrahim Waziri, Sikiru Adekoya, Hussaini Ala and Sharon Festus, who are all confirmed members of an international Internet fraud network.
“Although the facts and circumstances of this case as contained in the case file are suggestive to money laundering offences against DCP Abba Kyari and his accomplices namely: Abbas Hushpuppi, Efe Martins, Usman Ibrahim Waziri, Sikiru Adekoya, Hussaini Ala and Sharon Festus; to successfully prosecute them, there is a need for a more thorough dissecting and tracing of the suspected 33 proceeds of crime received by DCP Abba Kyari directly or indirectly through the said accomplices.”
Malami, however, in his latest advice contradicted the directive that the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police should be probed further for money laundering.
The minister in a letter dated February 4, 2022, with reference number, DPPA/LA/814/21, had noted that Kyari has no link with the Hushpuppi gang.
The letter which was written by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, on behalf of Malami noted that the evidence contained in the case diary “was not sufficient to indicate or show that the said monies (N279mn) were laundered directly or indirectly by Kyari to disguise their origin.”
The letter was titled, Re: Forwarding of the investigation report of the Nigeria Police Force Special Investigation Team and request for legal advice with regards to allegations of criminal conspiracy, aiding and abetting Internet fraud, wire fraud, identity theft and money laundering against DCP Abba Kyari’.
It read in part, “I am directed to inform you that after a careful study of the said response wherein you stated that ‘the monies have been traced to Zenith Bank account no. 2255416115 belonging to Usman Ibrahim Waziri; Guaranty Trust Bank account no. 0130665392 belonging to Adekoya Sikiru; Zenith Bank account no. 2080537566 belonging to Hussein Ala and other funds went to Sharon Festus. The monies were withdrawn and utilised by the aforementioned account holders and the lady.
“It is our view that the above response has not linked the suspect, DCP Abba Kyari, to the offence of money laundering as the evidence contained in the case diary is not sufficient to indicate or show that the said monies were laundered directly or indirectly by Kyari to disguise their origin, more so that the aforementioned recipients or receivers exonerated him in their statements as having nothing to do with the monies.”
Malami further stated that police might have to explore their internal disciplinary measures against Kyari through the Police Service Commission for breaching the code of conduct for law enforcement officers by relating with people of questionable character.
He further stated that Kyari could be punished for violating the social media policy of the police by responding to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s indictment on Facebook; breaching the Police Code of Professional Ethics by accepting complaints and acting on such without recourse to established protocol and detaining a suspect, Vincent Chibuzor, for over a month without a valid court order and regards to his fundamental human rights.
The DPP while speaking on the new directive of the minister noted it was based on the report submitted by the police, adding that the police failed to probe the gaps identified in their investigation by the ministry.
Abubakar noted that Malami did not say there was no evidence of money laundering against Kyari.
The DPP stated, “We said in the absence of the evidence, further investigation is needed and they should go-ahead to try him on the administrative offences they have identified. We said they (police) should establish linkages – the money trail.
“Instead of them to go and investigate further the gaps we identified, they didn’t. They just wrote back to say ‘check paragraphs so and so’. We are saying no, those paragraphs did not sufficiently establish the things we say you should establish.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
Mai Mala Buni and Abubakar Sani Bello[/caption]
Nigerian Senate[/caption]
Ademola Adeleke[/caption]
Roman Abramovich.[/caption]
