Fani-kayode Has Met Bail Conditions – Aide

Jude Ndukwe, the Special Assistant on Media to Femi Fani-Kayode, the detained Director of Media and Publicity of the 2015 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Campaign Organisation claimed that his principal has met his bail conditions as set by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC but the anti-graft agency has refused to release him. He alleged that the aim of the agency is to forcefully extract statements from the the former minister of Aviation, that would implicate former President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP chieftains.
“It is even more worrisome that the activities of the anti-graft agency has reached an all-time low as they are insisting that the former Minister of Culture and Tourism should name publishers, editors, journalists and bloggers he allegedly gave money to during the election campaigns.

“What has journalists who covered the PDP campaign as much as that of APC got to do with this? This is the height of it all!” Ndukwe said.
“The further insistence by EFCC that Chief Fani-Kayode should deposit a sum of $1m before he could be let go shows how desperate the agency is to keep him in their custody and deny him his fundamental rights as guaranteed under Sections 33,34,35,37 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended)  and Articles 4, 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap 10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.
“This further confirms our position that even though he has met his bail conditions, the EFCC have no intention of letting him enjoy his bail nor do they have any intention of playing by the rules.
“While we have copiously acknowledged in the past and still do that EFCC have a constitutional and mandatory duty to carry out their statutory function as empowered by our laws, it is also our sincerest belief that these functions can be carried out within the ambit of the law and without being tainted with vendetta, vindictiveness and politics. These are what discredit the agency and cast doubts in the minds of Nigerians about the sincerity of the fight against corruption,” Ndukwe said.

Woman Trader Beheaded By Angry Muslim Youths In Kano Over Blasphemy

Less than a week after four persons, including a 24-year-old trader were killed in religious violence that broke out in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, a woman trader has been beheaded by angry Muslims youths in Kano over allegations that she blasphemed Prophet Muhammad.
The victim, whose identity was not disclosed but said to be of Igbo extraction, was accused of blasphemy during a religious argument at the popular Wambai market on Thursday evening.
The woman, who deals in plastic wares at the local market, was reportedly in company of her husband when she was attacked by the angry youths and beheaded.
But for the intervention of the police, the same fate could have befallen the husband, who witnessed the unfortunate murder of his wife by the youths.
Contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, DSP Musa Magaji, confirmed the incident.

He said ” At about 4 30 pm, there was a disagreement between the murdered woman and some traders bordering on religion.
”The woman was said to have blasphemed Prophet Mohammed, which did not go down well with the mob”

Troops Kill 11 Boko Haram Militants In Borno

The Nigerian Army said it has killed 10 Boko Haram fighters in Borno State.
A statement issued by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman says that a soldier was killed while three others sustained injuries during the encounter with the terrorists.

According to Colonel Usman, troops arrested one terrorist who had since been handed over to the Brigade Headquarters for further interrogation and processing.

Britain Cautions FG Against Using Military To Tackle Boko Haram Crisis

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, has cautioned the federal government against the use of military option as a measure to tackle the resurgence of militancy and other criminality in the Niger Delta region.
British High Commissioner said this in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, shortly after his courtesy visit to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.

He advocated for dialogue as part of a comprehensive approach that should be adopted by the Nigerian government to address the situation, adding that force alone may not bring about a lasting solution to the Niger Delta issue.
The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), in its latest attack, today blew up Shell’s exportline in Forcados, Delta State, one of three new attacks in the Niger Delta region the group claimed to have perpetrated.
The federal government, tired of the incessant attacks, had responded by deploying troops to the area, but the attacks have continued.

Openly gay Nigerian plans November wedding with lover

Nigerian gay rights activist, Bisi Alimi (born Ademola Iyandade Ojo Kazeem Alimi), has hinted that he will be tying the knot with his white partner, Anthony in November, 2016.

The 41-year-old HIV/LGBT advocate who gained international attention when he became the first Nigerian to come out of the closet and declare his se*uality on television, took to Instagram to announce that he and his soon-to-be husband, Anthony, visited the UK registry to give notice of their wedding coming up in 5 months time.

Two soldiers and six civilians have been killed during attack on soldiers’ houseboat at Efe-Ugbokodo area in Delta state – Death toll is expected to rise, as the details of the fight between military officers and gunmen remain sketchy Vanguard reports about a sudden attack launched by a group of armed men on a military houseboat operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company on Wednesday evening. The unidentifed militants allegedly killed two soldiers and sank the houseboat at Efe-Ugbokodo area in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta state. READ ALSO: Who are the Nigeria’s newest militants Niger Delta Avengers? According to several media sources, the onslaught occurred during a routine patrol conducted by the soldiers deployed to safe-guard oil facilities around 6.30pm and 8pm. An anonymous military officer confirmed the attack and added: “I cannot give you details of the incident but I can confirm to you that a military houseboat was attacked by suspected militants. I cannot confirm the number of causalities to you right now as details of the incident is still trickling in, but am sure that later today, we would get details on the true position of things.” READ ALSO: Buhari is afraid to face Niger Delta militants? Read who will launch Ogoni clean up Meanwhile, Punch reports about 15 people killed, including ten soldiers. Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack security sources believe it was carried out by the Niger Delta Avengers members.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/847888-just-scores-feared-dead-militants-attack-soldiers-delta.html

Two soldiers and six civilians have been killed during attack on soldiers’ houseboat at Efe-Ugbokodo area in Delta state – Death toll is expected to rise, as the details of the fight between military officers and gunmen remain sketchy Vanguard reports about a sudden attack launched by a group of armed men on a military houseboat operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company on Wednesday evening. The unidentifed militants allegedly killed two soldiers and sank the houseboat at Efe-Ugbokodo area in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta state. READ ALSO: Who are the Nigeria’s newest militants Niger Delta Avengers? According to several media sources, the onslaught occurred during a routine patrol conducted by the soldiers deployed to safe-guard oil facilities around 6.30pm and 8pm. An anonymous military officer confirmed the attack and added: “I cannot give you details of the incident but I can confirm to you that a military houseboat was attacked by suspected militants. I cannot confirm the number of causalities to you right now as details of the incident is still trickling in, but am sure that later today, we would get details on the true position of things.” READ ALSO: Buhari is afraid to face Niger Delta militants? Read who will launch Ogoni clean up Meanwhile, Punch reports about 15 people killed, including ten soldiers. Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack security sources believe it was carried out by the Niger Delta Avengers members.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/847888-just-scores-feared-dead-militants-attack-soldiers-delta.html

Nobody Has The Right To Deny Herdsmen Access To Any Part Of The Country – Ango Abdullahi

The spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, Wednesday declared that nobody has the right to stop Fulani herdsmen from going about their lawful business in any part of the country.
The former Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was speaking against the backdrop of the Ekiti Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose’s ban on cattle grazing in the state over a week ago.
According to Prof. Abdullahi, not only is the freedom of movement of the cattle rearers guaranteed under the Nigerian constitution, they are like businessmen, who like other people, cannot be denied access to the resources they need.
The NEF chieftain spoke in Bauchi yesterday.
He said, “If for any reason, somebody in one section of this country will deny him access then we have to take measures to response to that. We are not saying that if a herdsman encroaches on a farm land . . . and this has been the tradition here for years; when they do some crops get damaged and an assessment is made and they pay. So why all the petty attitude?
“I see what is happening today as a new dimension to political and ethnic cleansing that if not carefully handled may lead to other big things. The Herdsman is a Nigerian his rights must be exercised as a Nigerian he has free movement like everybody else to pursue legitimate business and he cannot be denied access to any part of the country.
“I am a Fulani man my ancestors were in the bush, but we find reasons to settle in one place. I have cows and anytime they cause damage I pay compensation and so that is the way it will be.
“The Fulani man is a Nigerian he has rights like any other Nigerian he works freely to access legitimate economic resources of this country like land. Land is common thing for all Nigerians. In fact, what really amazes me there is no Nigerian I know that works as hard as a herdsman; he sleeps on the branches of trees he has no permanent abode, he toils day and night with his animals”.

Alleged False Asset Declaration: Orubebe Opens Defence Before CCT

A former Minister of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, on Thursday opened his defence before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The former minister is being tried on one count criminal charge of alleged false declaration of asset.
He was specifically accused by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) of failing to declare his ownership of a landed property in Abuja.
The Federal Government on May 24 closed its case before the CCT against Orubebe after calling only one witness to testify against him.
The case was adjourned to 31st May, 2016 for the defendant to open his defence, but the CCT did not sit yesterday and fixed today for further hearing.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the federation, Mr. Moses S. Odiri appeared for the prosecution while Selekowei Larry (SAN) appeared for the defendant.
Orubebe’s first witness, Akinwunmi Ajibola is presently giving evidence before the CCT.
Mr. Orubebe was minister between 2007 and 2011

Leadership Crisis: Why We Took Over PDP Secretariat – BoT

The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday moved to save the party from imminent political oblivion by taking over the running of its affairs pending the resolution of its leadership crisis.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase on Tuesday ordered the re-opening of the national secretariat of the main opposition party after sealing it for nine days to prevent breakdown of law and order by the various factions jostling for the national chairmanship of the PDP.
The BoT members, who last week tried unsuccessfully to prevail on Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to recognize the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee by withdrawing his court case against the party, arrived the Wadata Plaza national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja shortly after noon and went straight to the National Executive Committee (NEC) hall.
The BoT, led by its Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, held a meeting with the secretariat staff on latest developments in the party.
Senator Jibrin said the board remained the only legal body that is not involved in any of the court cases by the contending parties, hence, the decision to take over the affairs of the party.
“Nobody has taken the BoT to court. Today, the BoT remains the only legal body that is not in court with anybody, and that is why we are here to play our role”, Mr. Jibrin said.
“We are here to perform our duty, according to the PDP constitution, hoping that our problems will soon be resolved.
“Members of the board will be operating from the boardroom. They will not be occupying any of the offices used by members of the disbanded National Working Committee (NWC)”, the BoT chairman added.
He also explained that the sealing off of the party’s secretariat by the police on the instructions of Mr. Arase was to protect lives and property.
“We the BoT have been asked under the constitution of the party to be in charge of the assets and the liabilities of the PDP generally.
“It is in that respect that the Inspector General of Police, having considered the importance of our constitution and having considered the importance of the staff of the PDP headquarters here, that this place be opened and entrusted in the hands of the BoT”, Jibrin asserted.
While describing the party’s problem as “temporary”, the PDP chieftain disclosed that the BoT had reached out to parties in the lingering crisis, with a view to reconciling them.
He said: “We have gone very far to resolve this matter, we are making contacts and consultations and we are not here to blame anybody, but to resolve the problem.
“PDP will never die; we are only on sabbatical and once the sabbatical is over, we are going to take over our leadership. We are coming back in 2019”.
Speaking in the same vein, the BoT Secretary, Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe, said the board decided to oversee the party’s affairs to prevent a vacuum in the face of conflicting court orders.
“We are giving members opportunity to withdraw all cases in court so that PDP can rebrand”, Maduekwe said.

Nwoye, Udende Must Vacate Their Seats For Defecting To APC, PDP Caucus Vows

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives on Wednesday vowed to ensure that Tony Nwoye (PDP-Anambra) and Emmanuel Udende (PDP-Benue), who defected to All Progressive Congress (APC) on the floor of the House, lose their seats.
The affected lawmakers in separate letters they wrote to the leadership of the lower legislative chamber and read by Speaker Yakubu Dogara during the plenary session yesterday, announced their intentions to dump the PDP on whose platform they were elected, owing to the leadership crisis in the main opposition party.
Reacting to the defection of the lawmakers, the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, described their resignation letters as unconstitutional.
He argued that section 68(g) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) provides that any member who must resign on the platform where he/she was elected, must declare his/her seat vacant.
Ogor said: “I have told those who care to listen that there is no division in the PDP. Clearly the PDP is one family, and in line with the Constitution in line with Section 68(g), which I quoted on the floor is clear on this.
“We had a national convention, signed by then national chairman, Ali Modu-Sheriff.
“The party itself went for that convention in Port-Harcourt and you know that the party convention is the highest organ of the party. It has the power to elect and remove anyone, and we saw the decisions that were taken in Port-Harcourt. And no court of competent jurisdiction has today ruled that there is any faction in PDP. Neither is there any recognised faction.
“There is a Supreme Court ruling on this matter. I pity those young men. They really don’t know what they have done. But for me, I am a law abiding citizen and I can tell you that by tomorrow morning, my party will be headed to court once I have the Order Paper for the day. We will be in court to make sure we vacate those seats, then we go for an election to replace those interlopers. They think they can go to APC, so easily but they are wrong. So long as we have a Supreme Court ruling on this matter, I am sure, they are history”.
The leader of the PDP caucus in the House of Reps, who expressed surprise over the defection of Nwoye and Udende, accused the duo of failing to consult with the PDP caucus before making their decision known on the floor of the House.
“I was not really expecting this. I am so shocked. I am so disappointed with those young men. I would have thought that they would have discussed this kind of issue with me and they know that there is no faction in the PDP. But for reasons best known to them, they are trying to create a faction.
“Like I have said, there is a Supreme Court ruling on the issue of factions, that there must be a clear division in the national executive of a party for you to say there are factions. You cannot just wake up and say, you had your on convention. And if indeed some people held a convention, they did it on their own.
“They are not even members of the national executive. None of them is. Sheriff was even in Port-Harcourt, he went through clearance. So how can they say there is a faction? In fact, there is no need to over flog this issues because by tomorrow, as soon as I have a copy of the votes and proceedings for Wednesday, my prayer will head to court”, he vowed.

Orubebe: I Don’t Deserve Being Put On Trial For Alleged False Asset Declaration

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A former Minister of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Thursday stunned the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja when he declared that he regrets serving the country as a minister.
Mr. Orubebe, who served as minister between 2007 and 2011, is currently standing trial on one-count criminal charge of alleged false declaration of asset.
Speaking during the opening of his defence before the CCT, the ex-minister said it was unfortunate that after serving the country to the best of his ability, he was been put on trial for something he claims he knows nothing about.
He said: “I love this country and I served as a minister with all my heart and to the best of my ability.
“But I am pained that the same country is putting me through all the things I know nothing about.
“I slept in the creeks for two weeks t‎rying to persuade the militant to drop their weapons.
“Finally, we succeeded and we got amnesty”.
“But see what I am being subjected to today”, Mr. Orubebe lamented.

Militants give soldiers 72-hour ultimatum to leave N’Delta

The Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, a militant group in the South-South region of Nigeria, has given the Nigerian Armed Forces a 72-hour ultimatum to leave the Niger Delta region, TheCable reports.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the group threatened to declare full blown war if the military continue its operation in the region.