It should be noted that the meeting was called on the instance of the transition committee of the party.
It should be noted that the meeting was called on the instance of the transition committee of the party.
It should be noted that the meeting was called on the instance of the transition committee of the party.
According to a statement signed by Comrade Dele Abiola on behalf of the concerned Stakeholders, the meeting will hold at Plaza de Arun Hotel, Alaka, Oyo Town. This contrary to the peddling and false narrative that the Party's Congress was slated for the venue.
This is the authentic information about the meeting while any other one differing should be jettisoned.
Full Statement :
Concerned LP Stakeholders/Obidatti meeting with Transition Committee Holds in Oyo Town
Date: Thursday 25th July, 2024.
Time: 9 am prompt.
Venue:
Plaza de Arun Hotel, Alaka, Oyo Town
PLEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN CONTACT THIS NUMBER . 09079999460 , 0708 446 3719
09157294858
09077439927
E—Signed
Comrade Dele Abiola
For the Concerned Stakeholders
According to a statement signed by Comrade Dele Abiola on behalf of the concerned Stakeholders, the meeting will hold at Plaza de Arun Hotel, Alaka, Oyo Town. This contrary to the peddling and false narrative that the Party's Congress was slated for the venue.
This is the authentic information about the meeting while any other one differing should be jettisoned.
Full Statement :
Concerned LP Stakeholders/Obidatti meeting with Transition Committee Holds in Oyo Town
Date: Thursday 25th July, 2024.
Time: 9 am prompt.
Venue:
Plaza de Arun Hotel, Alaka, Oyo Town
PLEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN CONTACT THIS NUMBER . 09079999460 , 0708 446 3719
09157294858
09077439927
E—Signed
Comrade Dele Abiola
For the Concerned Stakeholders
The Republican candidate Trump who recently escaped assassination remains a favorite to return to white house.
The Republican candidate Trump who recently escaped assassination remains a favorite to return to white house.
Joe Igbokwe in the service of his master decided perhaps without deep research to do the greatest disservice to the present watch. In threatening the Igbo in Lagos and across the Country, Citizen Joe Igbokwe has forgotten that hunger and poverty are indiscriminate of Region, Religion and ethnicity. He has forgotten that unemployment and want are indiscriminate of Creed and Clan. And he has forgotten that playing the ethnic card ala threatening a Tribe in the face of pain, penury and poverty is but an invitation to anarchy. He has forgotten that he who is down needs fear no fall.
Citizen Bayo Onanuga is himself caught by a disease I would call Obi-neurosis, a fear I would call Obi-Phobia, and a complex that fixates him to everything and anything Peter Obi, and the Obidient Movement. I pity him.
The two citizens here mentioned and their fellow travelers in the path of infamy are obsessed with the spoils of power that they cannot see. They are blinded by filthy lucre that they cannot read the times, and their soul is sold to Mammon such that they cannot perceive the ominous tide that romances our space.
They are without an ounce of equivocation Pseudo-Progressives swimming against a deluge. Joe Igbokwe can threaten the Igbo for all he cares. Bayo Onanuga can accuse Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement for all he cares, one infallible fact is that the clock is ticking, that time is running out, and like Kenyans the Gen Zee generation are tired, and have elected to trounce the tranquilizing drug of gradualism choosing proactive action over siddon look.
The Looming Protest has nothing to do with Ethnicity, Region or Religion, deceive yourself for all you care, the Truth is before us. The Looming Protest has nothing to do with Peter Obi or the Obidient Movement, lie to yourselves for all you care, the Truth is lucid. Continue to make matters worse for Tinubu with your sycophancy, continue to gaslight the gullible, and continue to delude and denude the hapless. Truth is that Nigeria is at the precipice and that our Country is hanging dangerously at the tipping edge.
Rather than advise their Master to work the path of caution, discretion and propriety, they sing his praises and nudge him further down the path to Golgotha. They see no wrong in wanton profligacy and wanderlust. They see no wrong in a Presidency that pours out 100m US Dollars for a new Presidential Jet in the face of harrowing poverty. They see no wrong in the spate of job loss and inflation. They see no wrong in the scarcity of food, the hike in price of Fuel, and the suicidal hunger that confronts the Nigerian hoi polloi. All they do is hail their Master as though he is infallible. All they do is blame Buhari as if their Master didn't promise to continue with Buhari's policies that saw Nigeria going in out of inflation, today Nigeria is enmeshed in the worst inflation in our history. Seeing the glaring comeuppance of failure, seeing that the Young are gearing up to challenge for the soul of our nation, Joe Igbokwe, Bayo Onanuga and their cohorts in the cult of Court-jesting are busy shifting the blame, are busy gaslighting the ignorant, and are busy throwing darts at the innocent, but it won't work.
It was Frantz Fanon who said long time ago that every generation out of relative obscurity discovers it's mission, Fulfills or betrays it. If the Gen Zee across Africa have risen, to ethnicise this rising is like pouring water on the Crocodile, I pray Joe Igbokwe, Bayo Onanuga and Co knows this. If the Gen Zee is planning the Nigerian version of the Kenyan uprising, the right thing to do is to begin quickly to address their grievances and proceed with some immediate Reforms and not to threaten, insult, over-awe, harass and harangue them.
I must close this effort with the ageless lines of John F. Kennedy to wit, those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable. The Truth is that those threatening the Young people hatching and planning a peaceful protest for the soul of Nigeria come August 1st to August 10th, 2024 are the enemies of democracy, enemies of the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, and the enemies of Nigeria QED. And Nigeria shall most definitely outlive them.
I believe in Nigeria. I believe that the Eagle shall yet Soar. And I believe that this period of darkness shall yet pass.
I'm CHUKWUDUMEBI.
Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT.
Joe Igbokwe in the service of his master decided perhaps without deep research to do the greatest disservice to the present watch. In threatening the Igbo in Lagos and across the Country, Citizen Joe Igbokwe has forgotten that hunger and poverty are indiscriminate of Region, Religion and ethnicity. He has forgotten that unemployment and want are indiscriminate of Creed and Clan. And he has forgotten that playing the ethnic card ala threatening a Tribe in the face of pain, penury and poverty is but an invitation to anarchy. He has forgotten that he who is down needs fear no fall.
Citizen Bayo Onanuga is himself caught by a disease I would call Obi-neurosis, a fear I would call Obi-Phobia, and a complex that fixates him to everything and anything Peter Obi, and the Obidient Movement. I pity him.
The two citizens here mentioned and their fellow travelers in the path of infamy are obsessed with the spoils of power that they cannot see. They are blinded by filthy lucre that they cannot read the times, and their soul is sold to Mammon such that they cannot perceive the ominous tide that romances our space.
They are without an ounce of equivocation Pseudo-Progressives swimming against a deluge. Joe Igbokwe can threaten the Igbo for all he cares. Bayo Onanuga can accuse Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement for all he cares, one infallible fact is that the clock is ticking, that time is running out, and like Kenyans the Gen Zee generation are tired, and have elected to trounce the tranquilizing drug of gradualism choosing proactive action over siddon look.
The Looming Protest has nothing to do with Ethnicity, Region or Religion, deceive yourself for all you care, the Truth is before us. The Looming Protest has nothing to do with Peter Obi or the Obidient Movement, lie to yourselves for all you care, the Truth is lucid. Continue to make matters worse for Tinubu with your sycophancy, continue to gaslight the gullible, and continue to delude and denude the hapless. Truth is that Nigeria is at the precipice and that our Country is hanging dangerously at the tipping edge.
Rather than advise their Master to work the path of caution, discretion and propriety, they sing his praises and nudge him further down the path to Golgotha. They see no wrong in wanton profligacy and wanderlust. They see no wrong in a Presidency that pours out 100m US Dollars for a new Presidential Jet in the face of harrowing poverty. They see no wrong in the spate of job loss and inflation. They see no wrong in the scarcity of food, the hike in price of Fuel, and the suicidal hunger that confronts the Nigerian hoi polloi. All they do is hail their Master as though he is infallible. All they do is blame Buhari as if their Master didn't promise to continue with Buhari's policies that saw Nigeria going in out of inflation, today Nigeria is enmeshed in the worst inflation in our history. Seeing the glaring comeuppance of failure, seeing that the Young are gearing up to challenge for the soul of our nation, Joe Igbokwe, Bayo Onanuga and their cohorts in the cult of Court-jesting are busy shifting the blame, are busy gaslighting the ignorant, and are busy throwing darts at the innocent, but it won't work.
It was Frantz Fanon who said long time ago that every generation out of relative obscurity discovers it's mission, Fulfills or betrays it. If the Gen Zee across Africa have risen, to ethnicise this rising is like pouring water on the Crocodile, I pray Joe Igbokwe, Bayo Onanuga and Co knows this. If the Gen Zee is planning the Nigerian version of the Kenyan uprising, the right thing to do is to begin quickly to address their grievances and proceed with some immediate Reforms and not to threaten, insult, over-awe, harass and harangue them.
I must close this effort with the ageless lines of John F. Kennedy to wit, those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable. The Truth is that those threatening the Young people hatching and planning a peaceful protest for the soul of Nigeria come August 1st to August 10th, 2024 are the enemies of democracy, enemies of the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, and the enemies of Nigeria QED. And Nigeria shall most definitely outlive them.
I believe in Nigeria. I believe that the Eagle shall yet Soar. And I believe that this period of darkness shall yet pass.
I'm CHUKWUDUMEBI.
Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT.
The high level of corruption experienced under APC and PDP in Nigeria is unimaginable and it has crippled every business and activity and killed the economy. Members of these two parties have not only supervised corruption to its optimal level but have also engraved it into Nigeria’s system and imbibed it as a culture. The way they are still stealing the collective wealth of the country without any consequence makes the Nigerian youths believe that fraud and ill-gotten wealth pay. This mentality has killed moral value, encouraged fraud (419) and destroyed the future of the young generation. A group of heartless people siphoning public funds meant for maintaining roads, building schools and equipping hospitals etc. – the most common things every government should dutifully provide for her citizens – are wickedly wicked, and such groups ought not to be in the corridor of power.
The only business that is still flourishing optimally, very attractive and rewarding in Nigeria is corruption and Nigerian youths see it very viable and are joining en masse. The menace is so rooted in the country that every government sector has its own ugly style. The deep corrupt practices and indiscipline instilled into Nigerians by these politicians portray the country as one that may never function as a normal society. The whole system has been overwhelmingly messy in bribery and corruption. And if at all we will ever have the opportunity of reversing the vice and the ills, it will definitely not be under these two cancerous parties called PDP and APC as currently constituted.
A Nigerian politician will proudly tell Nigerians during election campaigns that he/she will deliver his/her polling booth, constituency or state for his/her political party. Such a rascal and arrogant proclamation is an intimidation to electorates, a threat to a free and fair election and anti-democratic. But the erroneous statement that invokes fear has been unfortunately made to look normal in Nigeria. Truth be told, anyone who makes such a statement should be closely watched, because the person will desperately do everything including falsification of election results in achieving that delivery. How can someone deliver a whole state or LGA to a candidate who is contesting an election if not through the instrumentality of fraud, thuggery and brutality – even killing? No individual has the capacity to singlehandedly deliver any candidate anywhere. Is that person the electorates that will vote? Definitely, if a man has got a good name, has integrity and is respected, he will surely influence people to vote anyone he supports. But to say that he will deliver a state for a candidate is an indirect threat and a warning that he will compromise the election. It is a place like Nigeria that a man will boldly tell people that he delivered his state to a candidate and he is hailed. Contestant’s records should do the delivery and not one criminal and his/her gangs who are good at moving around with armored vehicles and bullet proof cars from ward to ward on election days rewriting results, intimidating and snatching ballot boxes.
At this juncture it has become imperative to remind Nigerians that if we must get it right in 2027, we must demand the sack or resignation of the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The last election he conducted was a total failure and the worst in the history of Nigeria. Like Obasanjo once said, “We cannot reinforce failure”. If we want a functional society, the votes of citizens must count. Any year that starts to happen will begin our genuine walk to a total political freedom from the cobwebs of some criminal politicians called “godfathers”. It will throw up ample of good candidates with the required capacities and integrity that will patriotically lead for the interests of the people. A Nigerian politician who is evil knows that the day electorates’ votes count, will be the end of his/her reign of brutality and terror in Nigeria's treasury. But these groups of political vultures are shameless and will never give up, at least not willingly. It is either Nigerians accept the status quo or forcefully reject it. The choice is open.
APC and PDP members have made politics in Nigeria to be seen as a profession where the more one is horrible, brutal and manipulative, the more the person is recognized, highly respected and encouragingly rewarded with money, political positions or contracts. Additionally, the person could also be forcefully imposed on the people as their elected representative through shabby and manipulated elections. How unscrupulous and deeply corrupt a person is seems to be the standard of measurement set by these people that determine how successful a person will be in Nigerian politics. They reward evil and made corruption so attractive by establishing it as a well-paid flourishing enterprise. This has in return damaged the psyche of Nigerian youths and destroyed patriotism.
APC and PDP always go for each other’s throat during elections, but do not be deceived for after every election, whichever party that manipulatively overpowers another, the majority of the members of the subdued party switch allegiance immediately on flimsy excuses and continue the same game of fraud and corruption etc. How many Nigerian politicians have been punished for budget padding? Who was arrested and prosecuted for the scandalous huge amount of monies reported to have been found in a house somewhere in Ikoyi, Lagos State? How many times have they constituted committees to look into allegation of corruption against some of them and how many of their reports saw the light at the end of the day? So, make no mistake of an absolute established fact that there is no difference between PDP and APC. Many of them are stinkingly rotten in corruption. They are the same bitter contents of agony and calamity every patriotic Nigerian is tired of and craves to get rid of. Results of affluence some of them display within short periods of going into politics are testimonies that make many believe the narrative that politics in Nigeria is a dirty that ought to be reserved solely for those without integrity and honor.
Typical Nigerian politicians are greedy and politically fraudulent. The moment they become victims of gang ups and evil they incubated, hatched and once enjoyed they ignite sentiments and religion, and gullible Nigerians will jump out like table tennis to defend the thieves. These groups of people are using us. We even sometimes quarrel and have problems with our relatives and friends in their defense. Some people are permanent enemies with some of their family members because of a politician. When are we the ordinary citizens going to stop defending them? The less privileged in the north are suffering like the ones in the south, east and west. Therefore, the problem is not we the ordinary citizens but these politicians who are in authority. When it comes to thieving and sharing our common wealth, their political zones, parties and religious backgrounds become irrelevant. When are we the ordinary Nigerians also going to learn and unite against these small groups of political Buccaneers and parasites for our liberation? How much stolen money have these shameless people who do not care about us invested in our various communities for the benefit of all? Is it not because of their greed and criminality that we do not have constant electricity, standard hospitals/schools and good roads? They have compromised and made kidnapping a lucrative business that forced many to flee their villages for the fear of their lives. Even those who do not have the resources to relocate have been forcefully sacked from their ancestral homes by internationally recognized terrorists but named bandits locally by the Federal Government. Can one justify the silence and inactions of defending us from aggressors by this group of unpatriotic bunch? The effects of the evil perpetrated by APC and PDP against Nigeria and Nigerians are so terrible. They have corrupted every institution even including the judiciary.
Since 1999 APC and PDP have been the two cancerous parties holding Nigeria down. It has always been reported that NNPC is one of the most corrupt sectors in Nigeria. Why do we lack the zeal and the patriotism to ask Nigerian past presidents who made themselves ministers of petroleum to give account of the oil Nigeria produced daily under their ministry and where the money went to? How can Nigeria’s soil be said to have uranium and the allegations of mining and theft of the resources by foreigners in collaboration with some indigenous criminals becomes the order of the day and yet we claim to have patriotic leaders?
For us to have a prosperous country that functions like a normal society and to be respected internationally APC or PDP is not a choice for Nigeria in 2027.
Succinctly, corruption has been embarrassingly institutionalized in Nigeria, stealing and dishonesty shamelessly made trendy and attractive. In a nutshell, Nigeria is a hijacked project and its steering wheels have been been firmly gripped by some sadistic assemblies of criminals in APC and PDP. The majority of these people who are supposed to be chained in different prisons for various offences against Nigerians are sadly in leadership positions dictating what happens in Nigeria’s affairs. It is a tragedy no one – high or low – will escape from.
Unless something drastic happens and urgently too, and Nigerians stand up in unity against this bunch of criminal conglomerates, we will continue to gnash our teeth in lamentation in the midst of abundance. My consolation has always been that karma is a bitch, for whatsoever one sows one reaps.
My heart bleeds for Nigeria!
Uzoma Ahamefule, a concerned patriotic citizen and a refined African traditionalist, writes from Vienna, Austria.
+436607369050 (Please SMS messages only)
The high level of corruption experienced under APC and PDP in Nigeria is unimaginable and it has crippled every business and activity and killed the economy. Members of these two parties have not only supervised corruption to its optimal level but have also engraved it into Nigeria’s system and imbibed it as a culture. The way they are still stealing the collective wealth of the country without any consequence makes the Nigerian youths believe that fraud and ill-gotten wealth pay. This mentality has killed moral value, encouraged fraud (419) and destroyed the future of the young generation. A group of heartless people siphoning public funds meant for maintaining roads, building schools and equipping hospitals etc. – the most common things every government should dutifully provide for her citizens – are wickedly wicked, and such groups ought not to be in the corridor of power.
The only business that is still flourishing optimally, very attractive and rewarding in Nigeria is corruption and Nigerian youths see it very viable and are joining en masse. The menace is so rooted in the country that every government sector has its own ugly style. The deep corrupt practices and indiscipline instilled into Nigerians by these politicians portray the country as one that may never function as a normal society. The whole system has been overwhelmingly messy in bribery and corruption. And if at all we will ever have the opportunity of reversing the vice and the ills, it will definitely not be under these two cancerous parties called PDP and APC as currently constituted.
A Nigerian politician will proudly tell Nigerians during election campaigns that he/she will deliver his/her polling booth, constituency or state for his/her political party. Such a rascal and arrogant proclamation is an intimidation to electorates, a threat to a free and fair election and anti-democratic. But the erroneous statement that invokes fear has been unfortunately made to look normal in Nigeria. Truth be told, anyone who makes such a statement should be closely watched, because the person will desperately do everything including falsification of election results in achieving that delivery. How can someone deliver a whole state or LGA to a candidate who is contesting an election if not through the instrumentality of fraud, thuggery and brutality – even killing? No individual has the capacity to singlehandedly deliver any candidate anywhere. Is that person the electorates that will vote? Definitely, if a man has got a good name, has integrity and is respected, he will surely influence people to vote anyone he supports. But to say that he will deliver a state for a candidate is an indirect threat and a warning that he will compromise the election. It is a place like Nigeria that a man will boldly tell people that he delivered his state to a candidate and he is hailed. Contestant’s records should do the delivery and not one criminal and his/her gangs who are good at moving around with armored vehicles and bullet proof cars from ward to ward on election days rewriting results, intimidating and snatching ballot boxes.
At this juncture it has become imperative to remind Nigerians that if we must get it right in 2027, we must demand the sack or resignation of the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The last election he conducted was a total failure and the worst in the history of Nigeria. Like Obasanjo once said, “We cannot reinforce failure”. If we want a functional society, the votes of citizens must count. Any year that starts to happen will begin our genuine walk to a total political freedom from the cobwebs of some criminal politicians called “godfathers”. It will throw up ample of good candidates with the required capacities and integrity that will patriotically lead for the interests of the people. A Nigerian politician who is evil knows that the day electorates’ votes count, will be the end of his/her reign of brutality and terror in Nigeria's treasury. But these groups of political vultures are shameless and will never give up, at least not willingly. It is either Nigerians accept the status quo or forcefully reject it. The choice is open.
APC and PDP members have made politics in Nigeria to be seen as a profession where the more one is horrible, brutal and manipulative, the more the person is recognized, highly respected and encouragingly rewarded with money, political positions or contracts. Additionally, the person could also be forcefully imposed on the people as their elected representative through shabby and manipulated elections. How unscrupulous and deeply corrupt a person is seems to be the standard of measurement set by these people that determine how successful a person will be in Nigerian politics. They reward evil and made corruption so attractive by establishing it as a well-paid flourishing enterprise. This has in return damaged the psyche of Nigerian youths and destroyed patriotism.
APC and PDP always go for each other’s throat during elections, but do not be deceived for after every election, whichever party that manipulatively overpowers another, the majority of the members of the subdued party switch allegiance immediately on flimsy excuses and continue the same game of fraud and corruption etc. How many Nigerian politicians have been punished for budget padding? Who was arrested and prosecuted for the scandalous huge amount of monies reported to have been found in a house somewhere in Ikoyi, Lagos State? How many times have they constituted committees to look into allegation of corruption against some of them and how many of their reports saw the light at the end of the day? So, make no mistake of an absolute established fact that there is no difference between PDP and APC. Many of them are stinkingly rotten in corruption. They are the same bitter contents of agony and calamity every patriotic Nigerian is tired of and craves to get rid of. Results of affluence some of them display within short periods of going into politics are testimonies that make many believe the narrative that politics in Nigeria is a dirty that ought to be reserved solely for those without integrity and honor.
Typical Nigerian politicians are greedy and politically fraudulent. The moment they become victims of gang ups and evil they incubated, hatched and once enjoyed they ignite sentiments and religion, and gullible Nigerians will jump out like table tennis to defend the thieves. These groups of people are using us. We even sometimes quarrel and have problems with our relatives and friends in their defense. Some people are permanent enemies with some of their family members because of a politician. When are we the ordinary citizens going to stop defending them? The less privileged in the north are suffering like the ones in the south, east and west. Therefore, the problem is not we the ordinary citizens but these politicians who are in authority. When it comes to thieving and sharing our common wealth, their political zones, parties and religious backgrounds become irrelevant. When are we the ordinary Nigerians also going to learn and unite against these small groups of political Buccaneers and parasites for our liberation? How much stolen money have these shameless people who do not care about us invested in our various communities for the benefit of all? Is it not because of their greed and criminality that we do not have constant electricity, standard hospitals/schools and good roads? They have compromised and made kidnapping a lucrative business that forced many to flee their villages for the fear of their lives. Even those who do not have the resources to relocate have been forcefully sacked from their ancestral homes by internationally recognized terrorists but named bandits locally by the Federal Government. Can one justify the silence and inactions of defending us from aggressors by this group of unpatriotic bunch? The effects of the evil perpetrated by APC and PDP against Nigeria and Nigerians are so terrible. They have corrupted every institution even including the judiciary.
Since 1999 APC and PDP have been the two cancerous parties holding Nigeria down. It has always been reported that NNPC is one of the most corrupt sectors in Nigeria. Why do we lack the zeal and the patriotism to ask Nigerian past presidents who made themselves ministers of petroleum to give account of the oil Nigeria produced daily under their ministry and where the money went to? How can Nigeria’s soil be said to have uranium and the allegations of mining and theft of the resources by foreigners in collaboration with some indigenous criminals becomes the order of the day and yet we claim to have patriotic leaders?
For us to have a prosperous country that functions like a normal society and to be respected internationally APC or PDP is not a choice for Nigeria in 2027.
Succinctly, corruption has been embarrassingly institutionalized in Nigeria, stealing and dishonesty shamelessly made trendy and attractive. In a nutshell, Nigeria is a hijacked project and its steering wheels have been been firmly gripped by some sadistic assemblies of criminals in APC and PDP. The majority of these people who are supposed to be chained in different prisons for various offences against Nigerians are sadly in leadership positions dictating what happens in Nigeria’s affairs. It is a tragedy no one – high or low – will escape from.
Unless something drastic happens and urgently too, and Nigerians stand up in unity against this bunch of criminal conglomerates, we will continue to gnash our teeth in lamentation in the midst of abundance. My consolation has always been that karma is a bitch, for whatsoever one sows one reaps.
My heart bleeds for Nigeria!
Uzoma Ahamefule, a concerned patriotic citizen and a refined African traditionalist, writes from Vienna, Austria.
+436607369050 (Please SMS messages only)
A study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2018 found that 46% of Nigerians attend church services at least once a week. Yet, the same country is plagued by rampant corruption, ranking 149 out of 180 countries on the 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index. Additionally, Nigeria faces alarming crime rates, with kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes remaining pervasive.
Some argue that churches have become overly focused on promoting prosperity theology and accumulating wealth, neglecting their responsibility to address the societal ills that plague the nation. With pastors living lavish lifestyles and amassing fortunes, it is reasonable to question whether these religious leaders are genuinely committed to advancing the well-being of their congregations and communities.
Moreover, churches in Nigeria have historically shied away from directly confronting political corruption, often focusing on spiritual matters while avoiding engagement in political discourse. However, as institutions with significant influence and reach, churches have the potential to serve as powerful platforms for addressing corruption and promoting good governance.
Here are some scriptures that can be relevant to the topic at hand:
Matthew 7:15-16 - "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits."
Romans 16:17-18 - "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people."
1 Timothy 6:3-5 - "If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain."
As Nigeria navigates its complex challenges, it is crucial for religious institutions to reflect on their role in shaping society and addressing its most pressing issues. By moving beyond a focus on individual prosperity and actively engaging with political and social challenges, churches can become catalysts for positive change and contribute to building a more just and equitable nation.
*I’m Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor otherwise known as Ultimate Equal, President One Love Foundation*
A study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2018 found that 46% of Nigerians attend church services at least once a week. Yet, the same country is plagued by rampant corruption, ranking 149 out of 180 countries on the 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index. Additionally, Nigeria faces alarming crime rates, with kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes remaining pervasive.
Some argue that churches have become overly focused on promoting prosperity theology and accumulating wealth, neglecting their responsibility to address the societal ills that plague the nation. With pastors living lavish lifestyles and amassing fortunes, it is reasonable to question whether these religious leaders are genuinely committed to advancing the well-being of their congregations and communities.
Moreover, churches in Nigeria have historically shied away from directly confronting political corruption, often focusing on spiritual matters while avoiding engagement in political discourse. However, as institutions with significant influence and reach, churches have the potential to serve as powerful platforms for addressing corruption and promoting good governance.
Here are some scriptures that can be relevant to the topic at hand:
Matthew 7:15-16 - "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits."
Romans 16:17-18 - "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people."
1 Timothy 6:3-5 - "If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain."
As Nigeria navigates its complex challenges, it is crucial for religious institutions to reflect on their role in shaping society and addressing its most pressing issues. By moving beyond a focus on individual prosperity and actively engaging with political and social challenges, churches can become catalysts for positive change and contribute to building a more just and equitable nation.
*I’m Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor otherwise known as Ultimate Equal, President One Love Foundation*
In one of the photos published by The New York Times, a bullet can be seen flying near Trump's head. He sustained an injury to his right ear.
👀 The shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
photos: cnbc
Source: The First
In one of the photos published by The New York Times, a bullet can be seen flying near Trump's head. He sustained an injury to his right ear.
👀 The shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
photos: cnbc
Source: The First
![]() |
KUNLE AJAYI |
In it's lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the refusal of state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades.
The Supreme Court also said Local governments has since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the state governors who act in their stead. The supreme court therefore ordered that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.
This is also a great victory for the National Association of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and workers generally in Nigeria as their long fights has now come to success.
The AAC candidate believes that Local Government is the closest to the people and should be the centre point of development. Sadly, governors have been usurping this for primitive accumulation of wealth and power. So, the position of the Supreme Court will engender democracy and help more Nigerians to hold their Leaders accountable.
This judgement is also a great loss to Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other governors who had gone to court to battle against Local Government Autonomy. We warned them that the truth will prevail. These governors hate democracy and believe that Nigerians must be exploited more in order to satisfy their greed. Now, they have lost woefully!
We call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to dissolve Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) immediately. The agency is more or less a section of the ruling party and it's quite anti-democratic!
We remember with nostalgia how our party, the African Action Congress (AAC) was robbed in the last Ondo State Local Government Elections in 2020. And we are happy that we protested this in a long and well detailed petition, but sadly, the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu never constituted the Elections Tribunal to look into our grievances. Such is the tyrannical methods governors use in hoodwinking democracy from below.
Finally, the African Action Congress (AAC) urge INEC to immediately meet with all Local Government stakeholders and draw a timetable for a uniform Local Government Elections nationwide. We will continue to push for real democracy even when rogue forces are so reluctant to give up!
Signed,
Abiodun Lijofi,
Spokesperson,
Ajayi/Dada IrapadaOndo Gubernatorial Campaign Committee.
11th July, 2024.
![]() |
KUNLE AJAYI |
In it's lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the refusal of state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades.
The Supreme Court also said Local governments has since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the state governors who act in their stead. The supreme court therefore ordered that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.
This is also a great victory for the National Association of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and workers generally in Nigeria as their long fights has now come to success.
The AAC candidate believes that Local Government is the closest to the people and should be the centre point of development. Sadly, governors have been usurping this for primitive accumulation of wealth and power. So, the position of the Supreme Court will engender democracy and help more Nigerians to hold their Leaders accountable.
This judgement is also a great loss to Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other governors who had gone to court to battle against Local Government Autonomy. We warned them that the truth will prevail. These governors hate democracy and believe that Nigerians must be exploited more in order to satisfy their greed. Now, they have lost woefully!
We call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to dissolve Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) immediately. The agency is more or less a section of the ruling party and it's quite anti-democratic!
We remember with nostalgia how our party, the African Action Congress (AAC) was robbed in the last Ondo State Local Government Elections in 2020. And we are happy that we protested this in a long and well detailed petition, but sadly, the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu never constituted the Elections Tribunal to look into our grievances. Such is the tyrannical methods governors use in hoodwinking democracy from below.
Finally, the African Action Congress (AAC) urge INEC to immediately meet with all Local Government stakeholders and draw a timetable for a uniform Local Government Elections nationwide. We will continue to push for real democracy even when rogue forces are so reluctant to give up!
Signed,
Abiodun Lijofi,
Spokesperson,
Ajayi/Dada IrapadaOndo Gubernatorial Campaign Committee.
11th July, 2024.
Supreme Court Orders FG To Pay Allocations Directly To LGAs
Bars Governors from sacking LG Chairs
The Supreme Court has also barred governors from dissolving democratically elected officials for Local Governments.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court has, today, delivered judgement in the case brought to it against the 36 state Governors by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government .
— President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre (@PBATMediaCentre) July 11, 2024
1. The court held that it is illegal for Governors to dissolve democratically elected Local… pic.twitter.com/3XELwPZSMr
In most of the states of the federation , governors are running the local governments by caretakers or elections are Long overdue but we're not conducted .
These are the states running local governments with caretaker committees;
1. Rivers – Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara appointed caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas as he continues his battle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for the control of the political structure in the oil-rich state.
2. Jigawa – On June 28, 2024, the government of Jigawa State dissolved the elected council chairmen of the 27 local governments.
3. Anambra – On June 20, 2024, Governor Charles Soludo, through the House of Assembly, confirmed the appointment of transition committee chairmen and councillors for the 21 local government areas.
4. Zamfara – In Zamfara, the last grassroots poll was held on April 27, 2019, and the State returned to appointees after the chairmen’s tenures expired. In May 2024, the Assembly approved a six-month extension for the caretaker committee.
5. In Benue, however, elections are scheduled to be held on July 6, 2024, for LG council chairmen.
6. Bauchi – Last year, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, sworn in 20 appointed local government area caretaker committee chairmen with their deputies.
7. Plateau – June 2023, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau inaugurated the Interim Transition Committee chairpersons for its 17 local government areas at Government House Jos.
8. Abia – In December 2023, Abia Governor Alex Otti, inaugurated the 17 local government transition council chairpersons.
9. Enugu – In March 2024, Enugu State Government ordered local government chairmen in the 17 councils to hand over administration to heads of personnel management after the expiration of their tenures.
10. Katsina
11. Kano – In March 2024, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State recommended names of Interim Management Committee members for Local Government Areas of the state to its House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
12. Sokoto
13. Yobe – In April 2024, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, approved the dissolution of all the 17 local government councils of the state, and also directed all local government chairmen to handover the affairs of their respective local governments to Directors of Personnel Management.
14. Ondo – Ondo State Government also constituted Caretaker Committees for the 18 Local Councils and 33 Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA).
15. Osun – In February 2024, Osun Assembly extended the tenure of office and re-appointed caretaker committees of 30 Local Government Areas and 39 others running Modakeke Area Office and Local Council Development Areas in the state.
The extension was subsequently secured for the caretaker chairmen, vice chairmen, scribes and their members’ fresh six months tenure, beginning in February and ending in August 2024.
16. Delta
17. Akwa-Ibom – Governor Umo Eno last year through a letter with reference number GHU/AKS/S/104/VOL.1/607, addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Udeme Otong, informed the House of Assembly that there was no provision in the 2023 budget for the conduct of local government elections.
He urged the Assembly to pass a resolution authorising him to set up interim administration at the 31 local government areas at the expiration of the tenure of the elected council officials.
18. Cross River
19. In Imo State, the last council poll was conducted on August 25, 2018, which was the first in seven years.
20. In Kwara State, the last council election was in November 2017 with caretaker committees in charge since 2020.
Supreme Court Orders FG To Pay Allocations Directly To LGAs
Bars Governors from sacking LG Chairs
The Supreme Court has also barred governors from dissolving democratically elected officials for Local Governments.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court has, today, delivered judgement in the case brought to it against the 36 state Governors by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government .
— President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre (@PBATMediaCentre) July 11, 2024
1. The court held that it is illegal for Governors to dissolve democratically elected Local… pic.twitter.com/3XELwPZSMr
In most of the states of the federation , governors are running the local governments by caretakers or elections are Long overdue but we're not conducted .
These are the states running local governments with caretaker committees;
1. Rivers – Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara appointed caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas as he continues his battle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for the control of the political structure in the oil-rich state.
2. Jigawa – On June 28, 2024, the government of Jigawa State dissolved the elected council chairmen of the 27 local governments.
3. Anambra – On June 20, 2024, Governor Charles Soludo, through the House of Assembly, confirmed the appointment of transition committee chairmen and councillors for the 21 local government areas.
4. Zamfara – In Zamfara, the last grassroots poll was held on April 27, 2019, and the State returned to appointees after the chairmen’s tenures expired. In May 2024, the Assembly approved a six-month extension for the caretaker committee.
5. In Benue, however, elections are scheduled to be held on July 6, 2024, for LG council chairmen.
6. Bauchi – Last year, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, sworn in 20 appointed local government area caretaker committee chairmen with their deputies.
7. Plateau – June 2023, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau inaugurated the Interim Transition Committee chairpersons for its 17 local government areas at Government House Jos.
8. Abia – In December 2023, Abia Governor Alex Otti, inaugurated the 17 local government transition council chairpersons.
9. Enugu – In March 2024, Enugu State Government ordered local government chairmen in the 17 councils to hand over administration to heads of personnel management after the expiration of their tenures.
10. Katsina
11. Kano – In March 2024, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State recommended names of Interim Management Committee members for Local Government Areas of the state to its House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
12. Sokoto
13. Yobe – In April 2024, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, approved the dissolution of all the 17 local government councils of the state, and also directed all local government chairmen to handover the affairs of their respective local governments to Directors of Personnel Management.
14. Ondo – Ondo State Government also constituted Caretaker Committees for the 18 Local Councils and 33 Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA).
15. Osun – In February 2024, Osun Assembly extended the tenure of office and re-appointed caretaker committees of 30 Local Government Areas and 39 others running Modakeke Area Office and Local Council Development Areas in the state.
The extension was subsequently secured for the caretaker chairmen, vice chairmen, scribes and their members’ fresh six months tenure, beginning in February and ending in August 2024.
16. Delta
17. Akwa-Ibom – Governor Umo Eno last year through a letter with reference number GHU/AKS/S/104/VOL.1/607, addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Udeme Otong, informed the House of Assembly that there was no provision in the 2023 budget for the conduct of local government elections.
He urged the Assembly to pass a resolution authorising him to set up interim administration at the 31 local government areas at the expiration of the tenure of the elected council officials.
18. Cross River
19. In Imo State, the last council poll was conducted on August 25, 2018, which was the first in seven years.
20. In Kwara State, the last council election was in November 2017 with caretaker committees in charge since 2020.
Ukraine says 37 killed in Russia missile strike ![]() |
Putin |
According to President Putin: "When our troops were near Kiev, we received a proposal and even a plea from our Western partners to cease fire and stop hostilities in order for certain things to be done on the Ukrainian side. We did it."
"There was a moment when we did it. The Ukrainian side did not cease hostilities. Later we were told that the official Ukrainian authorities could not control all their military units, because there were allegedly those that were not subordinate to the central authorities. This is what we were told, no more and no less. This is first."
" Second, we were asked to move our troops away from Kiev in order to create conditions to finally sign a peace treaty. We did this and faced deception once again: all the agreements reached in Istanbul were thrown in the trash. Such things happened repeatedly."
"Therefore, we cannot just declare a ceasefire hoping that the opposing side will take some positive steps."
"We also cannot allow the adversary to take advantage of this ceasefire to improve its positions, rearm itself, fill up its army through forced mobilization, and get prepared to continue the armed conflict.We must ensure that the opposing side agrees to take steps that would be irreversible and acceptable to the Russian Federation."
" Therefore, a ceasefire is impossible without reaching this agreement" , Putin said .
President #Putin on a possible ceasefire along the contact line with Ukraine:
— Russian Embassy in South Africa 🇷🇺 (@EmbassyofRussia) July 8, 2024
When our troops were near Kiev, we received a proposal and even a plea from our Western partners to cease fire and stop hostilities in order for certain things to be done on the Ukrainian side. We did… pic.twitter.com/m5qutq84nv
In Ukraine today, 37 people were killed, three of whom were children, and 170 were injured, including 13 children, as a result of Russia’s brutal missile strike.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2024
A Russian missile struck the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, targeting young cancer patients. Many were… pic.twitter.com/V1k7PEz2rJ
Ukraine says 37 killed in Russia missile strike ![]() |
Putin |
According to President Putin: "When our troops were near Kiev, we received a proposal and even a plea from our Western partners to cease fire and stop hostilities in order for certain things to be done on the Ukrainian side. We did it."
"There was a moment when we did it. The Ukrainian side did not cease hostilities. Later we were told that the official Ukrainian authorities could not control all their military units, because there were allegedly those that were not subordinate to the central authorities. This is what we were told, no more and no less. This is first."
" Second, we were asked to move our troops away from Kiev in order to create conditions to finally sign a peace treaty. We did this and faced deception once again: all the agreements reached in Istanbul were thrown in the trash. Such things happened repeatedly."
"Therefore, we cannot just declare a ceasefire hoping that the opposing side will take some positive steps."
"We also cannot allow the adversary to take advantage of this ceasefire to improve its positions, rearm itself, fill up its army through forced mobilization, and get prepared to continue the armed conflict.We must ensure that the opposing side agrees to take steps that would be irreversible and acceptable to the Russian Federation."
" Therefore, a ceasefire is impossible without reaching this agreement" , Putin said .
President #Putin on a possible ceasefire along the contact line with Ukraine:
— Russian Embassy in South Africa 🇷🇺 (@EmbassyofRussia) July 8, 2024
When our troops were near Kiev, we received a proposal and even a plea from our Western partners to cease fire and stop hostilities in order for certain things to be done on the Ukrainian side. We did… pic.twitter.com/m5qutq84nv
In Ukraine today, 37 people were killed, three of whom were children, and 170 were injured, including 13 children, as a result of Russia’s brutal missile strike.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2024
A Russian missile struck the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, targeting young cancer patients. Many were… pic.twitter.com/V1k7PEz2rJ
TrustCoin Africa Limited is out scamming across many countries in Africa and beyond. Notably the so called company is operating and receiving investments from unsuspecting citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa among others.
The company is registered in South Africa with number SA83377770, according to the website ( https://trustcoinafrica.com/about )
Aside receiving payments in a cryptocurrency Bitcoin, in Nigeria the scam TrustCoin Africa Limited is also receiving cash through a Sterling Bank account number: 8511001179. The Account Name is EDIRI VIGHOR.
For BTC, the company is using an account with Luno. It has three levels of investment circles: three days, seven days and thirty days.
TrustCoin Africa Limited claimed it's offices are located in South Africa and United States:
South Africa — 47 Openview Drive, Hogsfront, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
US — 8145 Beechwood Lane, Plymouth, MA 02360, Massachusetts, United States.
Phone: +1 5143124165
Name of the Principal Officer: Francisco David.
Reliably gathered, the site has not been paying any investors for the past 4 weeks and still counting whatever current payment claims are just computer manipulations via algorithm.
All other online reviews by the Scam Alerts clearly revealed the organisation to be a scam as it offers unrealistic returns on investments .
The Nigeria's anti corruption agencies especially the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC ) should look into how to halt the activities of TrustCoin Africa Limited in Nigeria and through interpol bring the perpetrator (s) to book.
Latest News Plus
TrustCoin Africa Limited is out scamming across many countries in Africa and beyond. Notably the so called company is operating and receiving investments from unsuspecting citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa among others.
The company is registered in South Africa with number SA83377770, according to the website ( https://trustcoinafrica.com/about )
Aside receiving payments in a cryptocurrency Bitcoin, in Nigeria the scam TrustCoin Africa Limited is also receiving cash through a Sterling Bank account number: 8511001179. The Account Name is EDIRI VIGHOR.
For BTC, the company is using an account with Luno. It has three levels of investment circles: three days, seven days and thirty days.
TrustCoin Africa Limited claimed it's offices are located in South Africa and United States:
South Africa — 47 Openview Drive, Hogsfront, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
US — 8145 Beechwood Lane, Plymouth, MA 02360, Massachusetts, United States.
Phone: +1 5143124165
Name of the Principal Officer: Francisco David.
Reliably gathered, the site has not been paying any investors for the past 4 weeks and still counting whatever current payment claims are just computer manipulations via algorithm.
All other online reviews by the Scam Alerts clearly revealed the organisation to be a scam as it offers unrealistic returns on investments .
The Nigeria's anti corruption agencies especially the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC ) should look into how to halt the activities of TrustCoin Africa Limited in Nigeria and through interpol bring the perpetrator (s) to book.
Latest News Plus
Abubakar, alongside Young Alhaji Foundation, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N950 million.
One of the counts reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Young Alhaji Foundation and Dr. Abu Omer Fawaz (at large), sometime in September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N950, 000,000 from Ano Farms Limited under the false pretence that you had the dollar equivalent of the said sum, which pretence you knew to be false."
Another count reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar and Young Alhaji Foundation, on the 20th of September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to dishonestly convert the sum of N180,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighty Million Naira), property of Ano Farms Limited to the use of Abdullahi Mohammed."
He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when he was first arraigned on February 22, 2023.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the second defendant, G. C. Ugwunweze at Monday proceedings, the first prosecution witness, PW1, Niyi Oyewole, who is the nominal complainant and Managing Director of Ano Farms Limited, again re-affirmed his testimony that Fawaz linked him up with the defendant and that he, thereafter, transferred the money to him.
He, however, stated that when the dollar equivalent was not forthcoming, Fawaz told him that Young Alhaji had been instructed to return the funds.
During the proceedings, Ugwunweze tendered some documents regarding a related case before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah as well as a letter to the bank on payment instruction.
They were admitted as exhibits p4, p5 and p6, respectively.
Justice Dada adjourned the case till October 28 and 29, 2024 for continuation of trial.
Source: EFCC
Abubakar, alongside Young Alhaji Foundation, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N950 million.
One of the counts reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Young Alhaji Foundation and Dr. Abu Omer Fawaz (at large), sometime in September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N950, 000,000 from Ano Farms Limited under the false pretence that you had the dollar equivalent of the said sum, which pretence you knew to be false."
Another count reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar and Young Alhaji Foundation, on the 20th of September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to dishonestly convert the sum of N180,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighty Million Naira), property of Ano Farms Limited to the use of Abdullahi Mohammed."
He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when he was first arraigned on February 22, 2023.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the second defendant, G. C. Ugwunweze at Monday proceedings, the first prosecution witness, PW1, Niyi Oyewole, who is the nominal complainant and Managing Director of Ano Farms Limited, again re-affirmed his testimony that Fawaz linked him up with the defendant and that he, thereafter, transferred the money to him.
He, however, stated that when the dollar equivalent was not forthcoming, Fawaz told him that Young Alhaji had been instructed to return the funds.
During the proceedings, Ugwunweze tendered some documents regarding a related case before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah as well as a letter to the bank on payment instruction.
They were admitted as exhibits p4, p5 and p6, respectively.
Justice Dada adjourned the case till October 28 and 29, 2024 for continuation of trial.
Source: EFCC
The section provides a consequential provision for the making of the local councils, a full third tier government without undue interference from the state governments.
The ammendment was one of the 22 others approved by the House of Representatives last week and ratified by the Senate on Tuesday.
Both chambers had through a conference committee harmonised versions of the ammendments into the constitution carried out by each of them last month.
By the development, the National Assembly had ratified all the 23 clauses and sections that had been ammended by both chambers.
The newly ammended document which would be sent to States Houses of Assembly, for approval, also approved the creation of the Office of Auditor General of the Local Government as well as the State Local Government Service Commission.
The section equally deleted the State
Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) from the constitution thereby vesting the powers to conduct council elections on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It however, retained the immunity clause in the constitution for the President and Governors by adopting the Senate version of the ammendments on the issue and rejected the House of Representatives version which removed the immunity clause.
The National Assembly also made provisions for Independent Candidacy in future elections in Nigeria by amending sections 65 and 106 of the 1999 constitution..."
Source: social media
The section provides a consequential provision for the making of the local councils, a full third tier government without undue interference from the state governments.
The ammendment was one of the 22 others approved by the House of Representatives last week and ratified by the Senate on Tuesday.
Both chambers had through a conference committee harmonised versions of the ammendments into the constitution carried out by each of them last month.
By the development, the National Assembly had ratified all the 23 clauses and sections that had been ammended by both chambers.
The newly ammended document which would be sent to States Houses of Assembly, for approval, also approved the creation of the Office of Auditor General of the Local Government as well as the State Local Government Service Commission.
The section equally deleted the State
Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) from the constitution thereby vesting the powers to conduct council elections on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It however, retained the immunity clause in the constitution for the President and Governors by adopting the Senate version of the ammendments on the issue and rejected the House of Representatives version which removed the immunity clause.
The National Assembly also made provisions for Independent Candidacy in future elections in Nigeria by amending sections 65 and 106 of the 1999 constitution..."
Source: social media
Justice Aikawa of the Federal High Court Kaduna sentenced and convicted the trio of Molwat Terah Sati, Zumshak Paul Wankof and Chidi Tochukwu Emmanuel, while Abraham Daniel (a.k.a Eric Wallace) and Amos Wisdom (a.k.a Laura Lute) were convicted by Justice Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court.
All the convicts were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on one-count separate charges, bordering on internet crimes.
Sati’s charge reads: “That you Molwat Terah Sati (a.k.a Helena Bialas) sometime in April, 2024 at Bankers Apartment, Reyfield, Jos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Helena Bialas on Facebook (an online social media platform) to unsuspecting members of the public with intent to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc)Act, 2015.”
That of Wisdom reads: “That you Wisdom (a.k.a. Laura Lute) sometimes between April and May, 2023 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: cheating by impersonation when you falsely represented yourself as Laura Lute (a pornstar) on Facebook (an online social media platform) and in such assumed identity induced unsuspecting victims in the public to send to you the total sum of N 3,155,340.00 ( Three Million, One Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand Three Hundred and Forty Naira ) only, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.”
They all pleaded “guilty” to their respective charges, prompting prosecution counsel M.J Argungu and M.Lawal to urge the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justices Aikawa convicted and sentenced Emmanuel to seven years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira). He handed Wankof three years imprisonment or a fine of N450,000.00, (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). He also forfeited $200( Two Hundred United States Dollars) to the federal government, while Sati got three years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).
Similarly, Justice Isiaka convicted and sentenced Daniel to three years imprisonment or a fine of N150,000.00, (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and sentenced Wisdom to five years imprisonment or a fine of N 300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira).
Additionally, Wisdom is to restitute the sum of N2,300,000 ( Two Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) to the victim.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, being the tools of their crimes to the federal government.
The road to jail began for Sati, Wankof and Emmanuel when they were arrested in Jos, Plateau State, while that of Daniel and Wisdom began after they were picked up in Kaduna metropolis, following credible intelligence on their fraudulent internet activities.
Source: EFCC
Justice Aikawa of the Federal High Court Kaduna sentenced and convicted the trio of Molwat Terah Sati, Zumshak Paul Wankof and Chidi Tochukwu Emmanuel, while Abraham Daniel (a.k.a Eric Wallace) and Amos Wisdom (a.k.a Laura Lute) were convicted by Justice Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court.
All the convicts were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on one-count separate charges, bordering on internet crimes.
Sati’s charge reads: “That you Molwat Terah Sati (a.k.a Helena Bialas) sometime in April, 2024 at Bankers Apartment, Reyfield, Jos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Helena Bialas on Facebook (an online social media platform) to unsuspecting members of the public with intent to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc)Act, 2015.”
That of Wisdom reads: “That you Wisdom (a.k.a. Laura Lute) sometimes between April and May, 2023 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: cheating by impersonation when you falsely represented yourself as Laura Lute (a pornstar) on Facebook (an online social media platform) and in such assumed identity induced unsuspecting victims in the public to send to you the total sum of N 3,155,340.00 ( Three Million, One Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand Three Hundred and Forty Naira ) only, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.”
They all pleaded “guilty” to their respective charges, prompting prosecution counsel M.J Argungu and M.Lawal to urge the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justices Aikawa convicted and sentenced Emmanuel to seven years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira). He handed Wankof three years imprisonment or a fine of N450,000.00, (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). He also forfeited $200( Two Hundred United States Dollars) to the federal government, while Sati got three years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).
Similarly, Justice Isiaka convicted and sentenced Daniel to three years imprisonment or a fine of N150,000.00, (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and sentenced Wisdom to five years imprisonment or a fine of N 300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira).
Additionally, Wisdom is to restitute the sum of N2,300,000 ( Two Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) to the victim.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, being the tools of their crimes to the federal government.
The road to jail began for Sati, Wankof and Emmanuel when they were arrested in Jos, Plateau State, while that of Daniel and Wisdom began after they were picked up in Kaduna metropolis, following credible intelligence on their fraudulent internet activities.
Source: EFCC
Ugochukwu Chinedu, Prosecution Witness, PW3, and a former banker between November 2, 2008 to March 26, 2023, who was the account manager of the Anambra State Government accounts, including the state’s Security Vote account, told the court that he usually delivered raw cash in both Naira and US dollars to Obiano in line with the instructions given to him by Willie Nwokoye and Theophilus Meize, Obiano’s former principal secretary and accountant at the state Government’s House, respectively, who were signatories to the Security Votes account.
"I usually processed transactions with the principal secretary, either daily or weekly, mostly using the instruments of cheques. I will go to his office on Fridays to balance the account. All the transactions I carried out were usually based on the instructions given to him by the account holders," he said.
Further in his testimony, the PW3 stated that “sometimes around July 2021, I was called by the compliance officer that they received an invitation from EFCC regarding an ongoing investigation into the administration of the Anambra State Government Security Votes' account. In the course of the investigation, I was asked to provide details into some other accounts that I managed which included Udo Ventures Limited, Moment of Peace Limited, Easy Diamond Integrated Links Limited, C.I Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited, Xpressive Consult Nig. Limited, among others.”
Documents relating to those accounts were marked PW3 A1 to A215, tendered and admitted in evidence.
In the same vein, Hayatu Hassan, a businessman and Prosecution Witness 4, (PW4), who operates five Bureau de Change companies, namely: Seltris BDC Limited, Seltris Limited, Commaught International Services Limited, Holdall Limited, and Norricelea Limited disclosed that he made a total sum of N222,371,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty-two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-one Thousand) available in dollar equivalent to the Government of Anambra State under Obiano.
"Sometimes last year, I was invited by the EFCC Abuja Office and I was asked if I had any business with the Anambra State Government and I said No. Then, the person interviewing me showed me that my company Commaught International Services Limited has done some transactions with the state government. He showed me some payments in seven transactions that were done in my Commaught account. Two different transactions were in February 2018, about N172, 371,000 (One Hundred and Seventy-two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-one Naira) and it was for $465,000 (Four Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand US Dollars). The other one was in March 2018 for N50 million and it was for $135,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-five US Dollars), making a total of $600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand US Dollars) and naira equivalent of N222, 371,000.
"I sold the dollars to Ayuba Tanko, another BDC operator. As soon as the transaction was done, I handed over the dollars to Ayuba Tanko. I didn’t know it was from the Anambra State Government," he said.
Justice Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for continuation of trial.
Obiano is facing prosecution by the EFCC on nine-count charges of embezzlement and money laundering to the tune of N4 billion.
Source: EFCC
Ugochukwu Chinedu, Prosecution Witness, PW3, and a former banker between November 2, 2008 to March 26, 2023, who was the account manager of the Anambra State Government accounts, including the state’s Security Vote account, told the court that he usually delivered raw cash in both Naira and US dollars to Obiano in line with the instructions given to him by Willie Nwokoye and Theophilus Meize, Obiano’s former principal secretary and accountant at the state Government’s House, respectively, who were signatories to the Security Votes account.
"I usually processed transactions with the principal secretary, either daily or weekly, mostly using the instruments of cheques. I will go to his office on Fridays to balance the account. All the transactions I carried out were usually based on the instructions given to him by the account holders," he said.
Further in his testimony, the PW3 stated that “sometimes around July 2021, I was called by the compliance officer that they received an invitation from EFCC regarding an ongoing investigation into the administration of the Anambra State Government Security Votes' account. In the course of the investigation, I was asked to provide details into some other accounts that I managed which included Udo Ventures Limited, Moment of Peace Limited, Easy Diamond Integrated Links Limited, C.I Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited, Xpressive Consult Nig. Limited, among others.”
Documents relating to those accounts were marked PW3 A1 to A215, tendered and admitted in evidence.
In the same vein, Hayatu Hassan, a businessman and Prosecution Witness 4, (PW4), who operates five Bureau de Change companies, namely: Seltris BDC Limited, Seltris Limited, Commaught International Services Limited, Holdall Limited, and Norricelea Limited disclosed that he made a total sum of N222,371,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty-two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-one Thousand) available in dollar equivalent to the Government of Anambra State under Obiano.
"Sometimes last year, I was invited by the EFCC Abuja Office and I was asked if I had any business with the Anambra State Government and I said No. Then, the person interviewing me showed me that my company Commaught International Services Limited has done some transactions with the state government. He showed me some payments in seven transactions that were done in my Commaught account. Two different transactions were in February 2018, about N172, 371,000 (One Hundred and Seventy-two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-one Naira) and it was for $465,000 (Four Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand US Dollars). The other one was in March 2018 for N50 million and it was for $135,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-five US Dollars), making a total of $600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand US Dollars) and naira equivalent of N222, 371,000.
"I sold the dollars to Ayuba Tanko, another BDC operator. As soon as the transaction was done, I handed over the dollars to Ayuba Tanko. I didn’t know it was from the Anambra State Government," he said.
Justice Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for continuation of trial.
Obiano is facing prosecution by the EFCC on nine-count charges of embezzlement and money laundering to the tune of N4 billion.
Source: EFCC
Muri is a staff of the EFCC whose duties involve intelligence gathering, conducting surveillance, partaking in undercover operations, interacting with informants and any other duty legally assigned by the Director of investigations or Zonal Director of Kano Command.
At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, Muri while narrating how the defendant made his statement voluntarily, pointed out that the Commission did not make such promises to the defendant.
"On the 10th June, 2022, the first defendant went to our office and met the then zonal commander, Mr Faruk Dogon Daji, an Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACEI, in his office and based on this, the Zonal Commander sent for me and told me that the first defendant came to submit some documents that are linked to the investigation that was on-going concerning him and that I should take him to my office to write a about the documents", he said.
According to him, “the first defendant in company of one Lawal Badamasi followed me to my office and the office is an open office where everybody can come in and go out and there in the office, there is one Mubarak, a staff of the Commission and Yusuf Baba Yusuf,” he said.
Continuing, PW3 said, “I administered a cautionary word, I told him his rights, I wrote out the cautionary word and he said he understood and thereafter he volunteered his statement mentioning the documents one after the other and signed the documents with the date of that day.”
When confronted by the prosecution counsel, A.O. Atolagbe, with the allegation of the EFCC promising the defendant that the Commission will not prosecute him, Muri, said the Commission did not make such a promise to the defendant.
“The first defendant is alleging that this statement of June 10, 2022, is a product of promise, that he will not be prosecuted, what is your take,” Atolagbe asked.
“It is not true my Lord; I am not the investigation officer, I am just directed to take his statement,” he said. According to Muri, the former AGF was not detained in the facility of the Kano Zonal Command of the Commission.
Justice Halilu Yusuf later discharged the witness after the cross-examination and adjourned the matter till October 29, 2024, for defence of trial-within-trial after the counsel to the first defendant cross-examined the PW3.
Idris is being prosecuted by the EFCC on 14-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N109, 485,572,691. The EFCC arraigned Idris before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on July 22, 2022.
He was arraigned alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.
Source: EFCC
Muri is a staff of the EFCC whose duties involve intelligence gathering, conducting surveillance, partaking in undercover operations, interacting with informants and any other duty legally assigned by the Director of investigations or Zonal Director of Kano Command.
At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, Muri while narrating how the defendant made his statement voluntarily, pointed out that the Commission did not make such promises to the defendant.
"On the 10th June, 2022, the first defendant went to our office and met the then zonal commander, Mr Faruk Dogon Daji, an Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACEI, in his office and based on this, the Zonal Commander sent for me and told me that the first defendant came to submit some documents that are linked to the investigation that was on-going concerning him and that I should take him to my office to write a about the documents", he said.
According to him, “the first defendant in company of one Lawal Badamasi followed me to my office and the office is an open office where everybody can come in and go out and there in the office, there is one Mubarak, a staff of the Commission and Yusuf Baba Yusuf,” he said.
Continuing, PW3 said, “I administered a cautionary word, I told him his rights, I wrote out the cautionary word and he said he understood and thereafter he volunteered his statement mentioning the documents one after the other and signed the documents with the date of that day.”
When confronted by the prosecution counsel, A.O. Atolagbe, with the allegation of the EFCC promising the defendant that the Commission will not prosecute him, Muri, said the Commission did not make such a promise to the defendant.
“The first defendant is alleging that this statement of June 10, 2022, is a product of promise, that he will not be prosecuted, what is your take,” Atolagbe asked.
“It is not true my Lord; I am not the investigation officer, I am just directed to take his statement,” he said. According to Muri, the former AGF was not detained in the facility of the Kano Zonal Command of the Commission.
Justice Halilu Yusuf later discharged the witness after the cross-examination and adjourned the matter till October 29, 2024, for defence of trial-within-trial after the counsel to the first defendant cross-examined the PW3.
Idris is being prosecuted by the EFCC on 14-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N109, 485,572,691. The EFCC arraigned Idris before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on July 22, 2022.
He was arraigned alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.
Source: EFCC
A statement signed by Abubakar Bawa who is the Press Secretary to the Sokoto state Governor said Sokoto State Government wondered how a responsible body like MURIC, claiming to be protecting the rights of the Muslims would descend so low and cheaply as to join hands with deluded mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate such a false and unsubstantiated story just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.
Full Statement:
The attention of the Sokoto State Government has been drawn to a malicious publication credited to the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging a plan by the sttate government to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar.
The state government wondered how a responsible body like MURIC, claiming to be protecting the rights of the Muslims would descend so low and cheaply as to join hands with deluded mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate such a false and unsubstantiated story just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.
We believe that MURIC is not the type that will be dancing to the tunes of enemies and mischief makers who are trying to take away the attention of the good people of Sokoto state and Nigerians on the transformative initiatives taking place in Sokoto State over the last one year.
We also like to assure MURIC that the present administration just like the previous administrations in the state cherishes and respects the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established.
The Sultanate Council, which has a long standing historical importance is so reverred to all the people of Sokoto State, therefore we still hold the institution in very high regards and esteem.
This is not the first time stories such as this were fabricated to show that all is not well between the state government and the Sultanate Council, as some few months back we had a similar obnoxious story which the state government categorically condemned and denied in whole.
From the look of things, those nefarious detractors and distracting enemies of progress have not relented in their failed efforts to smear the cordial relationship existing between the state government and the Sultanate Council.
MURIC should have cared to find out if there was ever any query, warning or any threatening documents served on the sultan by the state government.
We equally like to remind MURIC that promoting Islamic affairs is the second item on the Ahmed Aliyu's nine-point Smart Agenda, therefore Islam means so much to the present administration, coupled with the fact that Sokoto being the Seat of the Caliphate, is a 100 per cent Muslim-dominated society.
It is on record that no administration in the history of Sokoto State has done to Islam what the present administration has done in just one year. This we say without any fear of contradictions.
Therefore, for any one to think that the present administration could engage in acts or actions that could jeopardize the development of Islam is not only unfair but unjustifiable.
To put the records straight, we would like to tell the world that the relationship between the Ahmed Aliyu-led administration and the Sultanate Council under the leadership of our most respected monarch, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar has been very cordial.
The present administration always consulted with His Eminence, the Sultan on issues affecting the state, and his invaluable contributions and inputs are always respected and included in policy implementation.
On the issue of sacking and transfer of some District Heads in Sokoto State, MURIC should know that the affected District Heads were accused of some unbecoming behaviours, such as land racketeering, aiding insecurity as well as insurbodination to the constituted authority.
In order to give them fair hearing the committee summoned all the affected District Heads, after which it came up with a whitepaper report, advising the government on what to do. And it was based on that and also in the public interest that the state government acted in conformity with the recommendations made by the whitepaper committee.
It is equally important for MURIC to note that nobody is above the law, therefore, the sacked District Heads are just reaping what they sow, and that the action taken by the Sokoto State Government was indisputably in the best public interest.
Abubakar Bawa
Press Secretary to
Sokoto state Governor
25/06/2024
A statement signed by Abubakar Bawa who is the Press Secretary to the Sokoto state Governor said Sokoto State Government wondered how a responsible body like MURIC, claiming to be protecting the rights of the Muslims would descend so low and cheaply as to join hands with deluded mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate such a false and unsubstantiated story just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.
Full Statement:
The attention of the Sokoto State Government has been drawn to a malicious publication credited to the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging a plan by the sttate government to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar.
The state government wondered how a responsible body like MURIC, claiming to be protecting the rights of the Muslims would descend so low and cheaply as to join hands with deluded mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate such a false and unsubstantiated story just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.
We believe that MURIC is not the type that will be dancing to the tunes of enemies and mischief makers who are trying to take away the attention of the good people of Sokoto state and Nigerians on the transformative initiatives taking place in Sokoto State over the last one year.
We also like to assure MURIC that the present administration just like the previous administrations in the state cherishes and respects the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established.
The Sultanate Council, which has a long standing historical importance is so reverred to all the people of Sokoto State, therefore we still hold the institution in very high regards and esteem.
This is not the first time stories such as this were fabricated to show that all is not well between the state government and the Sultanate Council, as some few months back we had a similar obnoxious story which the state government categorically condemned and denied in whole.
From the look of things, those nefarious detractors and distracting enemies of progress have not relented in their failed efforts to smear the cordial relationship existing between the state government and the Sultanate Council.
MURIC should have cared to find out if there was ever any query, warning or any threatening documents served on the sultan by the state government.
We equally like to remind MURIC that promoting Islamic affairs is the second item on the Ahmed Aliyu's nine-point Smart Agenda, therefore Islam means so much to the present administration, coupled with the fact that Sokoto being the Seat of the Caliphate, is a 100 per cent Muslim-dominated society.
It is on record that no administration in the history of Sokoto State has done to Islam what the present administration has done in just one year. This we say without any fear of contradictions.
Therefore, for any one to think that the present administration could engage in acts or actions that could jeopardize the development of Islam is not only unfair but unjustifiable.
To put the records straight, we would like to tell the world that the relationship between the Ahmed Aliyu-led administration and the Sultanate Council under the leadership of our most respected monarch, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar has been very cordial.
The present administration always consulted with His Eminence, the Sultan on issues affecting the state, and his invaluable contributions and inputs are always respected and included in policy implementation.
On the issue of sacking and transfer of some District Heads in Sokoto State, MURIC should know that the affected District Heads were accused of some unbecoming behaviours, such as land racketeering, aiding insecurity as well as insurbodination to the constituted authority.
In order to give them fair hearing the committee summoned all the affected District Heads, after which it came up with a whitepaper report, advising the government on what to do. And it was based on that and also in the public interest that the state government acted in conformity with the recommendations made by the whitepaper committee.
It is equally important for MURIC to note that nobody is above the law, therefore, the sacked District Heads are just reaping what they sow, and that the action taken by the Sokoto State Government was indisputably in the best public interest.
Abubakar Bawa
Press Secretary to
Sokoto state Governor
25/06/2024