Witnesses Against Dasuki Must Not Be Allowed To Testify Openly, DSS Tells Court

Witnesses billed to testify against former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, must be protected and not made to testify in open court, the Federal Government insisted on Thursday.
Mr. Dasuki is being tried in court by the Department of State Services, DSS, for alleged unlawful possession of fire arms.
Making the argument before Justice Ademola Adeniyi of a Federal High Court, Abuja, prosecution lawyer, Dipo Okpeseyi, claimed that allowing the witnesses to give their testimony in open court may pose a risk to their lives by loyalists of the former NSA, who are currently serving in the military.
According to the prosecution, the defendant, who is a retired colonel of the Nigerian Army and prince of the Sokoto Caliphate, is a well-known figure in all spheres of Nigeria’s military, therefore, allowing the witnesses to testify openly against him in court could portend grave danger to them.
Mr. Okpeseyi further alleged that sophisticated firearms were discovered from the defendant – evidence that he was constituting a threat to national security.
Reacting to the argument by the prosecution, counsel to the defendant, Joseph Daudu (SAN), prayed the court to dismiss the application, as there was no basis for the allegations.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Adeniyi adjourned to September 13 to 15 for ruling.
It would be recalled that since the beginning of Mr. Dasuki’s trial last November, the prosecution has had three of its applications before the same court, demanding the protection of its witnesses thrown out

EFCC Not Probing Me – Obaseki

The candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has dismissed reports on social media that he was under probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The APC flag bearer said he has never been involved in any fraudulent activity nor stolen from anyone before.

Speaking to newsmen in Benin City, the state capital on Thursday, Mr. Obaseki explained that issues raised by the late Humphrey Idisi family against a German firm have nothing to do with him.
He said he was simply a shareholder and board member of the company.
“I don’t have a case with the EFCC. I am on the board of several companies. This is a German company that owns rig in Nigeria. They have a partner who died many years ago and unfortunately, his estate has not been properly managed.
“His other businesses have gone bankrupt. The company saw a petition by some of the children claiming that the company was owing their father.
“There was an agreement that showed that the company paid everything due to the man. The family has been having quarrels and internal issues.
“There has also been some scam. If somebody is owing you, why go to the EFCC? There is a civil process to do so. It has nothing to do with me. I didn’t manage the company. I am just a shareholder and on the board of the company. I didn’t take money from anybody. I have never stolen, I have never taken anybody’s money before”.

Fayose’s Aide Rips Through Falana Over Bank Account Restriction

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, has been labeled a mischievous lawyer by Special Assistant to Governor Ayodele Fayose on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka.
Mr. Olayinka said the former President of the West African Bar Association is a lawyer, who is always out to defend any position that aligns with his “selfish desire”.

“Falana is only deceiving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Governor Ayodele Fayose’s matter because of his ambition to contest the Ekiti State Governorship election in 2018, thinking that he can achieve what he used the EFCC to achieve against Governor Fayose in 2006 ten years after”, Mr. Olayinka said.
The media aide was reacting to a widely circulated statement by Mr. Falana titled “The Limit of Gov. Fayose’s Legal Immunity” on Thursday, in which he argued that the EFCC acted within the ambit of the law in freezing the personal bank account of his state governor.
Citing various legal jurisprudences to back his position, the lawyer further called for the prosecution of the governor for treason, arguing that the immunity, which Mr. Fayose claims to enjoy, “has been watered down” by reason of his (Fayose) admission that he partook in the “coup which occurred in Ekiti State which culminated in his emergence as the Ekiti State governor”.
Mr. Olayinka, however, said it was shameful that a lawyer of Mr. Falana’s standing could make such arguments.
“Even though this comment coming from Femi Falana ought to have been ignored like we have always done because his hypocrisy has become so legendary that he should no longer be taken seriously by sane minds, it was shameful that Falana, a Senior Associate Nigeria (SAN) could say that EFCC can freeze Nigerians bank accounts and obtain a court order later even when Section 34 of the EFCC Act provided that a court order must be obtained (ex-parte) and made available to the bank manager before a bank account can be frozen”.
Olayinka said further; “Court Order is a condition precedent before a bank account can be frozen and Section 34 of the EFCC Act is very clear on this. It is unambiguous. It presupposes that EFCC cannot freeze the bank account of any Nigerian, no matter the status without first obtaining a court order and making same available to the bank manager.
“This position was also expressed by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday when he ordered the EFCC to pay N12.5 million damages to the son of former Governor Murtala Nyako, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako for unlawful freezing of his account and illegal detention.
“It is therefore strange that a SAN could tell Nigerians that EFCC can carry out an action first and obtain court order to justify the action later.
“If I may ask, was Falana called to the Bar before he attended Law School and passed his Call-To-Bar Exams? Was Falana’s LLB Certificate given to him before he got admission to the University? Was Falana’s BL Certificate issued to him before he attended the Law School? Was Falana’s Birth Certificate issued before he was born? Was Falana’s Marriage Certificate issued before he got married? Has Falana ever travelled to UK or USA and obtained Visa later? Can I, Lere Olayinka, because I can now quote some laws begin to practice as a lawyer and go to University to study law later?
“Obviously, opinions of lawyers like Femi Falana are better left in the trash cans and Nigerians should begin to thank God that he was not made Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
“It is also important to tell Falana to seek the face of the Lord for forgiveness of his sins against Ekiti and Governor Fayose in particular, because it appears God deliberately frustrated his bid to be appointed Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice because of what he would have used the position for.
“For instance, over ten Ekiti indigenes were murdered during the APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi, Falana kept silent. He also kept silent when the future of Ekiti State was being mortgaged to frivolous loans and deductions from workers salary were not being remitted. It also made no meaning to Falana that democratically elected local government chairmen and councillors were sacked and council election was not conducted throughout the four years of APC government in Ekiti State.
“Instead of hiding under human rights activism to perpetrate evil against Ekiti and its people as he has always done, Falana should be bold enough to declare his governorship ambition, which is not hidden and let’s see how far he can go this time around.
“Like we have maintained, this is 2016 and 2006 that Falana and his criminal collaborators used EFCC to remove Governor Fayose whose impeachment was later declared illegal by the Supreme Court”.

Alleged Forgery: Group Warns Senate Against Blackmailing Buhari

The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has asked the Senate to put the interest of the nation above personal interest and stop blackmailing President Muhammadu Buhari over the alleged forgery charges leveled against its principal officers by the Federal Government.
The BMSG said it was disappointing that the upper legislative chamber wants to blackmail the president into submitting to its whims and caprices by stampeding him into interfering with the court summons of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

A federal high court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday postponed the arraignment of Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu till Monday summon for alleged forgery of Senate Standing Rules that was used to elect them as Senate president and deputy Senate president, respectively last year June.
Messrs. Saraki, Ekweremadu will be arraigned alongside a former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi, on two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery of the Standing Rules.
While the defendants deny the charges leveled against them, the PDP Senate caucus yesterday said it withdrew its support for the Buhari administration over the pending arraignment of the presiding officers.
But the BMSG, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Muhammad Labbo, and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke and made available to newsmen in Abuja, said that as lawmakers, the senators ought to be on the same page with the president and his administration to uphold the laws of the land.
They further stated that rather than constitute themselves into obstacles in the quest to reposition the country and ensure obedience to the rule of law, the senators should be seen to show good example to the citizenry.
The statement said: “we wish to remind the Senate that President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn to an oath to uphold the nation’s constitution, and no attempt should be made by any individual or group to undermine this sacred responsibility.
“Additionally, it needs to be restated that the summons emanated from the petition raised by some senators over the forgery of the Senate standing order, a ground norm for conducting business in the hallowed chambers of the Senate.
“The BMSG strongly believes that the individuals mentioned in the summons will have an opportunity in the court to prove their innocence, rather than using the hallowed chambers of the Senate to fan embers of division, and ill-feeling against the President.
“The BMSG implores that as the representatives of their various constituencies, the senators should always work together with the executive to address the myriad of problems besetting Nigeria.
“We therefore urge the Senate to immediately withdraw their uncouth language against the president and render an unreserved apology to Nigerians”.

Suicide Bomber Foiled By JTF In Maiduguri

A suicide bomber attempted to detonate a bomb this morning behind CBN Quarters, Damboa road.

According to the Nigerian army, the attack was repelled by the Civilian JTF.

Hundreds Of Christians Convert To Islam In Delta State

According to a Twitter user by the name, Saleem Abdulqadir, 104 Christians yesterday converted to Islam  in Delta State. An obviously elated Abdulqadir, who posted the pictures revealed that the conversion took place in Delta State.

He wrote:
Total of 104 Christians accepted the light of Islam in Delta state,Nigeria. Ya Allah grant them your infinite mercy.

Boko Haram Opens Fire On Mourners In Adamawa Village, Kills 20

At least twenty persons were killed and several others injured in Kuda village, Madagali local government area of Adamawa State when suspected Boko Haram insurgents opened fire on them.
Witnesses said the suspected insurgents walked into the village from the direction of Sambisa Forest around 9pm on Thursday and opened fire on the villagers, who were gathered at a square to mourn the 40th day since the demise of some tribesmen.
They added that the gunmen fired at the crowd, killing 20 people before attacking several houses where they executed men and carted away foodstuff.
A former Chairman of Madagali LGA, Maina Ularamu, who confirmed the attack, called for the deployment of soldiers to villages connecting Sambisa Forest so that pockets of attacks by remnants of the insurgents, who he said are hunger-stricken and hiding in the area, could be effectively checkmated.
Mr. Ularamu, however, commended the Nigerian military for their impressive performance in the war against insurgency.
Also confirming the attack, the Adamawa Police Command spokesman, DSP Othman Abubakar, said 18 villagers died in the attack.

Barack Obama rips into Donald Trump ‘you are doing the terrorists work for them’, Trump responds.

President Obama has launched his most scathing attack on Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, blasting his ‘Muslim ban’ and saying he is going against American values with his comments and propositions.
Obama said that ideas such as the Muslim ban on Immigrants were “doing the terrorists’ work for them,”
Obama’s comments on Tuesday came after a meeting with the Treasury Department with Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and other national security advisors that focused on efforts to cut off the finances of ISIS. He also said that the campaign against Islamic State is “firing on all cylinders” and that the “noose is tightening” around the group’s territory in Iraq and Syria, before launching into a lengthy condemnation of Republican rhetoric about “radical Islam.”
“Are we going to start treating all Muslim Americans differently” than other citizens, Obama asked. “Are we going to start discriminating against them because of their faith?”

‘If the U.S. goes down down that path “we would have betrayed the very things we’re trying to protect,” the president said. “And then the terrorist would have won, and we cannot let that happen. I will not let that happen. The main contribution of some Republicans has been to “criticize this administration and me for not using the phrase ‘radical Islam.’”
“What exactly would using this label accomplish?” he asked. “Would it make ISIL less committed to trying to kill Americans? Would it bring in more allies? Is there are military strategy that is served by this? The answer,” he said, is “none of the above.”
“This is a political distraction,” he said. “Someone seriously thinks that we don’t know who we’re fighting? That would come as a surprise to the thousands of terrorists who we’ve taken off the battlefield.”
Trump in his usual fashion, replied to Obama’s comments saying Obama was more angry with him than the Orlando shooter, drawing cheers from the crowd.
“He was more angry at me than he was at the shooter,” Trump said. “We’re led by the stupid people,” Trump said at one point. “We’re not going to be fools anymore.”
Source: CNN / New York Times

Nigerian Soldier Escapes Death During Battle With Boko Haram In Borno

More power and grace to our military men who have laid down their lives for the security of the country. The gallant Nigerian soldier Henry Edobor -who celebrated his birthday on a ‘low-key’ few months back at the battlefield -escaped death yesterday following a battle with Boko Haram insurgents far in the northeast. He sustained only a minor injury after his right ear was grazed by a bullet during gun battle.

Henry who shared the good news on his page wrote; To God be the glory” gun shot on my ear during exchanging fire wt BOKO HARAM today’s pls help me to thank God.

Commercial Bus Crushes Infant Over N150 Change In Makurdi

Tragedy struck in Makurdi town of Benue state when a commercial bus crush to death an infant baby over N150 change, injuring the nursing mother in the process.

LEADERSHIP gathered yesterday that the ugly incident which occurred along Makurdi-Gboko expressway happened at about 9.pm.
The father of the deceased baby who simply gave his name as Senator Anuum narrated that the mother of child had boarded the vehicle, alongside her baby, from the second gate of the Benue State University (BSU) to Coca-Cola junction located along the highway.
Anuum explained that when the mother of the child was about to alight from the vehicle at the junction, she gave the bus conductor N200 and she was supposed to be given a balance of N150 which, the conductor refused.
“The mother and her child who she carried at her back, were the remaining passengers in the bus. The conductor did not want to give her the change and they drove off, in the process she grabbed the conductor that was already on the moving vehicle, with her baby at the back and she lost balance, fell down and was dragged on the road till the baby fell off from her back, in between the back wheels and was smashed, died instantly and the driver and the conductor drove off,” Anuum said.
It was further gathered that the barbaric act drew the attention of residents and passersby who thronged to the place to catch a glimpse and rescue the wailing woman.
It said the matter has been reported to security agencies.
Source: Leadership

Why Buhari Postponed Return To Nigeria – Osinbajo

Ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anticipated return to the country today, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that the president will not return till Sunday.
Mr. Buhari had on June 6 proceeded on a 10-day leave during which he sought to rest and seek medical attention for a persistent ear infection in London.

In an interview with State House correspondents Thursday, Prof. Osinbajo assured Nigerians that President Buhari was in a perfect health condition and ready to resume work Monday morning.
He said it was just best that the president took the weekend off.
“The President will be back on Sunday. I spoke with him yesterday evening and I think it is just the best that he takes the weekend off. He will certainly be back on Sunday”, Mr. Osinbajo said.
“I think the most straightforward thing is when he will be back? He will be back on Sunday. There is no point rushing back on Friday or something like that.
“He will just take the weekend off and be back on Sunday. He is in perfect health and ready to resume work on Monday morning.
“Mr. President is in good condition, he is fine, he is very well. He should take a day or two off in London and rest a bit and come back hale and hearty on Sunday and be ready for work on Monday.
“So we expect him back on Sunday”, he said.