The Editorials

Oredola Adeola| President Muhammadu Buhari has dismissed claims that his association with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has diminished his commitment to the war against corruption, affirming that his zero tolerance for corruption has remarkably improved Nigeria's image in the eyes of world leaders. Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday on the backdrop of President Buhari's campaign tour to Kano State. President Muhammadu Buhari's campaign in Kano President Buhari in the statement however claimed that there is a difference between perception and reality, challenging critics of his administration to prove that those facing corruption allegations are innocent. In the statement which was released in reaction to comments that greeted the President Buhari's proclamation of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congr

Oredola Adeola | The Code of Conduct Tribunal has fixed Monday, February 4, 2019, for resumption of alleged Non-asset declaration trial against Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria. Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, suspended CJN This is coming against the backdrop  Wednesday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed the tribunal to proceed with the hearing after refusing a request by Mr Onnoghen for the trial to be suspended. Recall that the CJN  was charged by the Code of Conduct Bureau for allegedly omitting details of his domiciliary accounts in one of two forms submitted to the bureau in 2016, among other offences. The CJN has failed to appear at the two hearing sessions when the matter was called at the tribunal. Following an order of the Court of Appeal, the tribunal chaired by Danladi Umar suspended the trial indefinitely at the last adjourned date on January 22.  The tribunal however disclosed that its decision followed a request

By Fredrick Nwabufo One thing is certain; tyranny will always have cheerleaders. When Adolf Hitler was asphyxiating Jews in death chambers, there were people who cheered him on. When General Sani Abacha was drawing blood from all who opposed him, there were people who kissed his bloody dagger, and even worked for him to become “eternal” president. Deji Adeyanju recently during a protest in Abuja  Deji Adeyanju has been in the fiery pits of hell for 50 days now. Anyone who has been to a Nigerian prison knows that it is not fit for swine. This man, a lone voice of opposition, is languishing in prison for only daring to look in the eye of the cliques of doom. Initially,  police arrested Mr Adeyanju on November 28, 2018 at a protest that urged security agencies, especially the police, to be nonpartisan during the upcoming elections. The protest took place at the police headquarters in Abuja. A court granted him bail on December 6 but he was rearrested on December 13 and c

Oredola Adeola | Alhaji Atiku Abubakar , Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next month’s election, has proposed the establishment of feedlots as one of the measures to address farmers/herdsmen’s crisis. He suggested this while responding to question on “The Candidates” , a political talkshow on Wednesday anchored by Ms Kadaria Ahmed. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi at The Candidates  Feedlot, it would be recalled, is a confined yard area with watering and feeding facilities, where cattle are fed for the purpose of production. Cattle raised on pastures are 'finished' in feedlots on a highly nutritious diet of grain, prior to slaughter or live export. According to Atiku, feedlots will be established across the country to meet the yearnings of the herdsmen across the country. He said, “Farmers/Herdsmen crisis is an old problem, dating back to the days of the prophets. America faced the same problem. Eventually, the solution is the establishm

The Ondo state Police Command has arrested one, Adejoh Ojonugwa, a 25-year-old, who works as a panel beater, for stealing underwear belonging to his elder brother's wife. He was arrested by the Police after the case was reported. He was arrested alongside popular priest, Prophet Olajide Ogunleye, (53) of the Celestial Church of Christ, Ibanujemidopin Parish in Uso Local Council Area of the state. The suspect during interrogation said, “I went to seek spiritual cleansing from Prophet Ogunleye and when I got there, he prayed fervently for me. In fact, he asked me about the job I do, and I told him that I am a panel beater, which has been my trade for a very long time. "Later, he asked me to open my hand, and he dropped something on it for me to swallow, which I did. After I swallowed it, he prayed for me and I left his place. But when I got home, I became unconscious. "I then began to look for my brother's wife underwear and I took them to the Prophet fo

A tanker carrying 33,000 litre of Diesel fell and exploded at Barracks bus stop, Ojo military cantonment, along Mile 2, off Badagry expressway on Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of no fewer than two persons, while five vehicles were burnt, with several wounded. Traffic on the ever busy  Mile 2 / Badagry expressway has been completely brought to standstill, forcing commuters to come down from public vehicles to cross the scene of the accident to continue their journey. Residents and eye witness attributed the tanker accident to the bad portions of the Apapa/Mile 2/ Badagry road network, according to them similar incidents had happened in the past The Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Musibau Rasaki confirmed the incident , saying that his men had been battling to put off the fire from spreading to other areas. “Two persons were burnt to death, one other person sustained injury and was taken to the hospital. Five vehicles were also burnt, including the tan

A group of pro-Ambode protesters demonstrated on Wednesday at the entrance of the Lagos State House of Assembly on plan by lawmakers to impeach Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, over allegation of gross misconduct. Recall that the lawmakers had on Monday accused Gov.Ambode of not signing into law the 2019 budget among other infractions.  Out of the 34 lawmakers who spoke at the Monday plenary, 28 of them called for the impeachment of the governor while six others called on the governor to resign. Ambode was alleged to have issued warrant to   spend up to 25% of the preceding budget before the approval of that of the new year. The protesters however called on the lawmakers to allow the Governor complete his mandatory four years term successfully. The agitators warned that the removal of Ambode would disrupt the peaceful conduct of the general elections.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki  Dr Kayode Ajulo (Esq.), a lawyer based in Abuja has faulted the suit filed by Senate President Bukola Saraki on behalf  of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, according to him, the suit is entrapped by legal and constitutional barriers, which robs the Supreme Court of jurisdiction to entertain the action for which Jurisdiction is vested in the Federal High Court. It would be recalled that the Senate approached the Supreme Court on Monday, 28, January, 2019 for the interpretation of the constitution in respect of suspension of Onnoghene JSC by the President Muhammadu Buhari. Dr.Kayode Ajulo Mr Ajulo however disclosed that the constitution only empower the Federal High Court and not the Supreme Court the jurisdiction to hear the suit by virtue of schedule to the Supreme Court, s...251. which States that (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contained in this Constitution and in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferre

Femi Adesina, spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that most of the comments against the Buhari’s administration are from the Churches in the country. He disclosed this at the weekend , while addressing participants at the meeting organised by the Christian Press Association of Nigeria (CPAN). Presidential spokesman, despite the criticisms,  called on Christians to pray for their leaders. According to him, “How frequent do you pray for your leaders and how much support do you give them? Instead of criticising people in government and judging them, pray for them.” “Before the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the late Ocholi, died, we had more Christians in the cabinet than Muslims and after his death, the number became equal…Unfortunately many of the comments I have heard against the government are from the church,” Adesina said. Advertisement The SA Media & Publicity to President Buhari however charged Christians in governments and oth

Oredola Adeola | Acting Inspector-General Muhammed Adamu has elevated Ibrahim Lamorde, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) and five others from Commissioners of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General to Deputy Inspectors-General of Police. IGP , Muhammed Adamu The promotion as new DIGs was sequel to the compulsory retirement of seven DIGs by the Acting IG, who incidentally were his senior. This was done in order to constitute new management team who would work with him.  Lamorde who hails from Adamawa State, and Ogbizi Michael, former Abia State Police Commissioner are the two CPs who were elevated to the rank of DIGs. Advertisement The AIGs who were promoted DIGs, are Usman Tilli Abubakar, who joined the police from Kebbi State in February 1986; Abdulmaji Ali, who joined the police from Niger State in February 1986; Taiwo Frederick Lakanu, a serving Force Secretary, joined the police from Lagos State in February 1986 and Godwin

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have commenced an impeach move against Governor Akinwunmi Ambode , alleging him of  gross misconduct. Speaker LHA Rt.Hon. Obasa and Governor Ambode  The lawmakers who discussed the issue at the plenary session on Monday, however gave the state Governor a one-week ultimatum to appear before them to defend allegations of misconduct and infractions levelled against him. Advertisement They vowed to proceed with the impeachment process at the expiration of the ultimatum.

The  National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has charged all its members to boycott the courts nationwide for two days (Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 January 2019) in protest against what it tagged as  "constitutional infractions in the suspension of Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria". This was the decision of the NBA at an emergency meeting of its NEC held at the NBA Auditorium, NBA House, Plot 1101 Muhammadu Buhari Way, Cadastral Zone A00 Central Area, Abuja on Monday. The emergency meeting was attended by statutory NEC members of NBA, comprising, all the national officers, past presidents, past general secretaries, branch chairmen, branch secretaries, branch NEC representatives and chairmen and secretaries of sections. The NBA through the boycott plans to register it dissatisfaction with the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend Justice Onnoghen as the CJN on Friday and swore in Tanko Mohammed in acting ca

The Ekiti Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja has confirmed Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the duly elected governor of Ekiti State, thereby, striking out case instituted by Professor Olusola Eleka of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP). The victory of Dr. Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the  July 14, 2019 Governorship election was challenged by Prof. Eleka. The PDP Candidate had filed a petition against him, alleging series of election irregularities and malpractices. Advertisement  The PDP candidate, who scored 178,223 against Fayemi’s 197,459 votes, is praying the tribunal to upturn APC’s victory based on alleged cases of vote buying, alteration of results, falsification and ballot snatching. However, in the 3-hour judgement delivered by the three-man panel headed by Justice Suleiman Belgore, the Tribunal ruled that the petition of the PDP's candidate, Olusola-Eleka lacking merit and there is no enough evidence to declare him (petitioner) w

The Police authority have  sealed off the office of the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari, last Friday. The action was taken on Monday, as part plan to deny Justice Onnoghen access to his office, at the Supreme Court premises. Justice Walter Onnoghen Policemen were said to have sealed the office and ejected all administrative staff in the axis of the CJN office as early as 7am on Monday. One of the sources reportedly claimed that officers and men of the Police went to the administrative staff offices at about 7am and ordered clerical and other staff who were already at their desks to leave after which they locked up everywhere.

After surviving the injury sustained on his neck as a result of the bloody clash with rival members of National Union of Road Transport worker, NURTW, during the official flag-off of APC campaign at Ikeja, Lagos, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called, “MC Oluomo,”  is set to stage a Thanksgiving party in Oshodi, Lagos. MC Oluomo who was said to have been discharged after receiving treatment in the hospital,  posted on his official Facebook page that the thanksgivings ceremony tagged Idupe Nla , will hold at the Jalisco Stadium, Oshodi, on Thursday January 30, 2019. The short statement dropped on his page urged all his followers and lovers to be ready for the big thanksgiving, noting that security has been put in place for the success of the event. He however cautioned that everyone would be thoroughly searched before gaining access to the venue. Advertisement A source close to the NURTW Chairman in Oshodi disclosed that two native doctors and medical doctor extracted the

Following the public reaction of the international community to the controversial suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government has warned the United Kingdom, United States of America and the European Union, against interference in the nation’s affairs. Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, gave the warning in a statement in Abuja on Saturday. Recall that the FG suspended Justice Walter Onnoghen  on Friday, and immediately swore-in the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko, pending final determination of the cases against Onnoghen. In the statement Garba Shehu revealed that the Nigerian Government will not allow  meddling capable of creating apprehension, distrust among citizens or undermining the transparency and acceptability of outcomes of the nation’s electoral process. The statement further stated that the Federal Gove

Tope Fasua, Presidential candidate of Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) has called for a thorough review of the case instituted against the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. He charged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the process of prosecuting the case against the suspended CJN reflects great caution and balance. The candidate of the computer tech party stated this in a statement released on Saturday. According to him, timing of the suspension on the eve of our elections, the speed with which the petition against the Chief Justice was fast-tracked to culminate in his suspension within two weeks, with all the details of the case in the public space, leaves a bad taste in the mouth and plays into the hands of many people who have alleged partiality and deliberate victimization of the said Chief Justice. Tope Fasua, ANRP Presidential Candidate He urged the Federal Government to, In the interest of peace, unity and togetherness, consider

The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed, has just inaugurated 250 members of the election petitions tribunal. The inauguration was held at the Supreme Court Complex, Abuja on Saturday. Inauguration of the election tribunals members The new election tribunals are expected to handle the 2019 National Assembly, Presidential, Governorship and state assembly election petitions. Addressing the new tribunal members, Justice Mohammed urged them to cautious of the fact that they are accountable to God under the oath they have just sworn. Advertisement He said, “I implore you to discharge your onerous duty diligently and with the fear of the Almighty God. The judiciary is in trying times, and you must uphold the integrity of the judiciary. Interestingly , contrary to the tradition of the inauguration,  where Justices of the Supreme Court always join the CJ to conduct the event, only one of the Supreme Court justices, Justice A. Jauro witnessed the

President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, pending the determination of his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. President Buhari announced the suspension at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja today. According to him, the suspension was based on the order of the CCT directing the Presidency to suspend Onnoghen, pending the completion of his trial. Advertisement The President has immediately swore in Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as the acting CJN, being the most senior justice of the Supreme Court. The ceremony was performed at the Presidential villa, Abuja on Friday.

by Oluseun Onigbinde Nigerians might have missed some important details when President Buhari presented the 2019 Budget. In the president’s words: “As at the end of the third quarter, the Federal Government’s actual aggregate revenue was N2.84 trillion, which is 40 per cent higher than 2017 revenue.” In the next paragraph, he mentioned that “N4.59 trillion had been spent by 30th September 2018 against the prorated expenditure target of N6.84 trillion.” This is what it means. By September 2018, the federal government had spent N4.59 trillion and only received N2.84 trillion in revenues. This translates to the fact that in nine months, the federal government had accumulated a deficit of N1.75 trillion. In layman’s terms, the FG has either borrowed N1.75 trillion or the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has supported it in plugging the holes. With the size of our revenues, this rise in the deficit is not sustainable. During the same presentation, the president admitted that while FG s

Thierry Henry has been suspended as Monaco coach until final decision is made on his future in the French league. Franck Passi will take charge of training the first team on Friday. The former  striker has had a miserable four months in charge – winning only four of his 20 games with Monaco remaining in the relegation zone in 19th place in Ligue 1. Advertisement He recorded  5 draws,  11 losses, 15 goals scored and conceded 35 goals.

The family of Late Dr.Nnamdi Azikwe have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for commissioning the  Zik Mausoleum in honour of country’s first President  in Onitsha Anambra State on Thursday 24th Jan 2019. President Buhari and Professor Uche Azikwe Professor Uche Azikwe, wife of the Late sage, thanked the President for honouring her late husband. Ambassador Emeka Azikwe, one of the sons of Dr Azikwe, Ambassador described the edifice as a wonderful legacy initiated in recognition of his father’s immense contributions to the nation’s independence, democracy and national development. “As we celebrate the commissioning of the Zik Mausoleum and conference center, the historic legacies left by him are numerous and vital to the revitalization of the development potentials in Africa” he said. Recall that the Mausoleum has been awarded and rewarded more than 4 times in over 16years. Speaking at the commissioning of the Mausoleum, President Buhari said the building has enormou

Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has withdrawn her candidacy in the 2019 Presidential election to help build a coalition to defeat the ruling All Progressive Congress( APC) and Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP). She made this known on Thursday morning in a series of posts on Twitter. Oby Ezekwesili In her official Twitter handle released on Thursday, she said, "I have decided to step down from the presidential race and focus on helping to build a Coalition for a viable alternative to the #APCPDP in the 2019 general elections. "This coalition for a viable alternative has now more than ever before become an urgent mission for and on behalf of the citizenry. Advertisement "Over the past three months, I have been in private extended talks with other candidates to make a coalition possible that would allow Nigerians to exercise choice without feeling helplessly saddled with the #APCPDP". Recall that the former Education and

The new Italian Right Wing Government has exposed France's exploitative colonial policies against African countries, that are fueling poverty and migration in the continent. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister , Luigi Di Malo, and Right -Wing Interior Minister , Matteo Salvini have at several occasions alleged the France of exploiting Africa and fueling migration. They both called on the European Union and United Nation to impose sanctions on France for its policies in Africa. Ever since Italy's Five Star and League parties came to power in June 2018 relations have been tense. French president Emmanuel Macron meets Mali’s president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in Mali  Much of the tension has been about migration. The two countries have argued over France sending back migrants across Italy's northern border. When France criticised Italy for not allowing rescue boats carrying migrants in the Mediterranean to dock , Italy responded by accusing France itself of refusin