Bill To Raise Retirement Age Of Military Personnel To 65 Passes Second Reading

 

A bill seeking to raise the retirement age of members of the armed forces, has passed second reading at the House of Representatives.

Gaza Gbefwi, a lawmaker from Nasarawa State and seven other lawmakers sponsored, the bill which proposes to raise the retirement age of members of the armed forces from 60 to 65 and — from 35 to 40 years in service.

The bill also seeks to amend section 18 of the Arm Forces Act 2004 as well as insert a new subsection 4 to section 30.

The proposed legislation will make it mandatory for service chiefs; army staff, air staff, and naval staff, to be appointed from among the respective services, while the Chief of Defence staff can be picked from any of the armed forces.

Information Nigeria understands that generals are often forced to retire if their juniors are appointed as service chiefs.

To ensure that they still render their services to the nation, the bill will make it mandatory for military officers “compulsorily” retired following the appointment of their subordinates as service chiefs — to be engaged by the chief of defence staff as senior technical consultants for the training of officers in defence college, armed forces staff college or any related institution.

During a debate on the bill on Thursday, Gbefwi said: “The objective of the bill is to ensure that serving military officers learn from the wealth of experience of senior military officers compulsorily retired as a result of the appointment of their juniors as chief of defence staff or service chiefs.

“It also aims to provide for 40 years of service or 65 years of age, whichever comes first, as the new retirement age for members of the armed forces.”

The bill, however, excludes those who are retired as a result of a disciplinary measures or on health grounds.

93 Unexploded Bombs Recovered In Lagos — Army

 

The Directorate of Explosives Search and Disposal, Nigeria Army has recovered 93 unexploded bombs (ordnance) at the Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos, in the ongoing ‘Exercise Clean Sweep.’

The exercise was flagged off on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, to disinfect the epicenter of the 2002 bomb blast at the cantonment.

The recovered bombs, according to the Army, were in various calibers and descriptions.

The Director at the Directorate of Explosives Search and Disposal, Nigeria Army Engineers / Coordinator of the Exercise, Colonel Abdulrazaq Kazeem, who made the disclosure at his maiden brief on the update of the exercise, on Thursday, said among others, “So far, a total of 93 unexploded ordnance have been recovered from the site.

Despite past clearance and disposal exercises at the site, there have been several reports of the discovery of remnants of (Unexploded Ordnance) UXOs within and around the vicinity of the bomb blast much to the detriment of the safety and security of the inhabitants of the Cantonment and environment.

“The moment we reach maximum limits of explosives within our holding area, such ordinances will be moved to the range. If we get to the explosive limits today, I will move to the range today. We would not exceed a kilogram above the explosive limits because it is measured in kilogram. We wouldn’t cross that line. At 93, we have not yet reached the limits,” he reiterated.

On his part, the Safety Officer, Lt Col Oluseyi Oladapo Bamikole said necessary measures had been put in place “for the safety of personnel as they have made adequate equipment available including demarcations and trained personnel to identify UXO before recovery from the site.”

Court Acquits Seven IPOB Supporters, Fines Police N130 Million As Damages

 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged some supporters of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The court, in different suits, discharged about seven of Kanu’s supporters and also awarded fines amounting to N130 million to security operatives as damages.

According to Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in the charge marked ‘FHC/ABJ/CR/475/2021, Justice M.O. Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja discharged Maria Ezediaro “of all frivolous criminal allegations/charge brought against her before the court.”

Ejiofor, in a statement, said, “She was arrested on February 26, 2021, when she visited the State CID, Owerri, Imo State Command to give food and medication to her friend who was detained there, and was subsequently transferred to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team detention facility in ‘Abattoir,’ Abuja, where she was subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment, severe torture and degradation.

“However, following the refusal of the police to release her or charge her to court, we filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit on her behalf before the Federal High Court Abuja.

“Still on our application, she was granted bail by the court on April 21, 2022, and consequently released to us upon perfection of the bail conditions.

“On October 10, 2023, following our application and submissions before the court, the Federal High Court, Abuja, per Hon. Justice M.O. Olajuwon, struck out the four counts of terrorism filed against Mrs Maria Ezediaro and consequently discharged her.”

According to him, Justice V.S. Gaba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja discharged the Pastor of the Holy Trinity Sabbath Church, Orlu Imo State, Cletus Nwachukwu Egole; his wife, Ifeyinwa Egole, a prophet of Jewish Faith, Michael Uba, Ugochukwu Samuel; and Raphael Idang.

He said, “The court also granted them N100m compensatory damages against the police.”

Narrating the circumstances around their arrest, Ejiofor noted that they were arrested and subsequently paraded by the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police on March 21, 2021, and later transferred to the IGP Intelligence Response Team detention facility in “Abattoir,” Abuja.

“Justice Z.B. Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Abuja also ordered the release of Ngozichukwu Ada-Dav and awarded N30m compensatory damages in her favour.

“Ada-Dav was arrested in June 2021 by a team of fully-armed operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and, after that, taken to the IGP/IRT located in Ikeja GRA, where she was detained in unlawful custody till July 3, 2021, when she was transferred to the Garki Command of the Nigeria Police, notoriously known as the Abattoir,” he added.

Tinubu Appoints New CEOs For CAC, ITF, SON, 11 Others

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday approved the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of several agencies and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) including the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement said the appointments are in line with Tinubu’s resolve to base Nigeria’s economic revival on the foundation of trade expansion through small, medium and large-scale industry facilitation in the country.

The appointments are as follows: CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji; ITF, Afiz Ogun Oluwatoyin; National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Kamar Bakrin; Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Olufemi Ogunyemi; Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni; Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi; Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Bamanga Usman Jada.

Others are the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii; SON, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke; Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), Rabiu Olowo; Nigeria Commodities Exchange (NCE), Anthony Atuche, CFA; Lagos International Trade Fair Complex (LITFCMB), Veronica Safiya Ndanusa; Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board (TBSMB), Lucia Shittu and National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin.

According to Ngelale, President Tinubu expects all new appointees in this critical sector to optimally deliver in accordance with new key performance indicating benchmarks as established by FMITI.

He added that by this directive of the President, all of the above-listed appointments take immediate effect.

Too Much Jealousy, Envy Amongst Igbos – Yul Edochie

 Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has expressed disappointment with the high rate of jealousy among Igbos.

The controversial actor made this known in a post on his Instagram page on Wednesday where he questioned the reason for their hatred among themselves.

Yul Edochie also mentioned how some Igbos who are succeeding have their family members as their biggest critics and urged them to do better.

He said, “Too much jealousy and envy amongst Igbos.

“Why??, If you’re doing well as an Igbo person, your biggest haters are your fellow Igbo person.

“Sometimes even your family members. Igbos we need to do better. We’re great.

“Stop the envy. Stop the competition. Things change when we address them”.

Why I Begged God Not To Give Me Girl Child – Real Warri Pikin

 

Popular Nigerian Comedienne, Anita Asuoha, better known as Real Warri Pikin, has revealed that she begged God not to give her a girl child before getting married.

She said she made the request because of her childhood experience.

The thespian said she had thought raising a girl child would be tough and complicated.

She, however, said as God would have it, he blessed her with two daughters and she couldn’t be more proud of herself so far.

Real Warri Pikin disclosed this while celebrating her daughters on the occasion of the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child via her Instagram page on Wednesday.

She wrote, “Happy International Day of the Girl Child to my Daughters and to Every Girl child out there.

“Before I marry, na so I dey beg God make im nor give me girl pikin’ because I dey reason say to train girl pikin too hard and dey very complicated based on one or two things I see growing up.

“Boom! God dash me 2 because im see wetin I nor see den

“I am sooooo damn proud of myself so far. Dear God, please continue to give me the grace to mother them for you Amennnnnnnn.”

BBNaija All Stars: “My Boyfriend Dumped Me Because Of Neo” – CeeC

 

Former Big Brother Naija All Stars housemate, CeeC has stated that her boyfriend dumped her after she openly admitted her feelings for colleague, Neo Akpofure.

The reality star made this known in her latest interview with popular media personality, Toke Makinwa.

Recall that CeeC had during the reality show expressed her romantic interest in fellow housemate, Neo and disclosed that she slept with him in her dream.

When asked about her experience outside the Biggie’s house, she revealed that she’s now single after her boyfriend ended their relationship because of her confession to Neo.

Toke asked: “How did he do that, did he block you?”

CeeC responded: “No, he didn’t block me. He just sent me all the links to everything that I have said in the house.”

“My Dad Was Assassinated” – BBNaija Star, Cross

 

Former Big Brother Naija All Stars housemate, Ikechukwu Sunday Okonkwo, better known as Cross, has revealed that his father was assassinated.

He said losing his dad early in life and his mum raising him and his siblings with a lot of love taught him not to take things to heart.

Speaking in a recent interview with Arise TV, the reality TV star said he also knows that there’s an inevitable end for all so he doesn’t take life too seriously.

He said, “I don’t hold grudges. I got that part of love from my mum and siblings. After my dad got assassinated, it was more or less like we need to protect ourselves. So, right there, we became one another’s protectors. By sticking together and protecting ourselves, we realised that you shouldn’t take life too deep. You should put it on the surface, and what will happen will happen.”

Cross also disclosed during the interview that he thought Soma would win the just concluded Big Brother Naija All Stars season.

17-Year-Old Caught Burying Younger Brother Alive In Kogi

 

A 17-year-old boy, identified as Goodness Oshodi, has been arrested for allegedly burying his younger brother, Friday Oshodi alive in Kogi State.

It was gathered that Friday had stolen N1,000, hence his elder brother decided to punish him on their mother’s instruction.

According to the Daily Post, a resident confirmed that Friday is well known in the area for stealing, adding that, to punish his criminal act, his mother asked his elder brother, Goodness to punish him.

They added that rather than giving Friday tolerable punishment, Goodness led him to a nearby bush and buried him alive.

Our correspondent further gathered that luck, however, ran out of Goodness as he was caught in the heinous crime by some vigilante members in the area who exhumed the body of Friday alive and reported the case to the police.

The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP. William Ovie Aya confirmed the incident on Wednesday afternoon, saying the Police had arrested Goodness, stressing that the Command had commenced an investigation into the case.

“The suspect has been arrested and taken into custody. The victim is seven years old. Information at our disposal revealed that the victim used to steal. When he stole money, he ran away from the house, but later came back.

“When he came back, he stole another money again. So, the mother instructed his elder brother who is a 17-year-old boy to punish him. So, the brother went ahead to dig the ground to punish him. So, they just want to deal with him, before some nearby neighbours discover what was happening and rescued him,” he said.

Court Convicts Pipeline Vandals Charged With Killing Seven DSS Officers

 

The Lagos State High Court sitting in the Ikeja area has convicted two members of a group of pipeline vandals for the 2015 murder of seven operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in the Ishawo area of Ikorodu.

Justice Hakeem Oshodi in his judgment held that the prosecution proved the offence of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and possession of firearms with intent to commit a felony against the first defendant, Clement Ododomu, while the second defendant, Tiwei Monday was convicted for conspiracy to commit murder and failure to report a felony.

The offences are contrary to Sections 223 and 298 (3) of the Criminal Law, Cap. C. A Vol. 3, laws of Lagos State 2015.

The court, however, adjourned the sentencing of the convicts to Nov. 14th.

The prosecution had told the court that in Sept. 2015, the DSS received a distress call about an alleged kidnap. They subsequently despatched a nine-man rescue team.

Saheed Adetunji, an investigation officer with the DSS told the court during the course of the trial that seven out of the nine-man rescue team were ambushed by the vandals in the Ishawo area and taken captive. The remaining two managed to escape.

“The first defendant said that they took the seven DSS personnel to their hideout, into the Ishawo Creeks, called Barracks,” Adetunji said.

The officer also identified the 2nd defendant, Monday, who confessed that he was a part of the group of vandals who used teargas and pepper spray on the DSS personnel.

“When they got to their Barracks, the first defendant said he personally shot two of the DSS personnel with a pump-action rifle, while one Agbala shot the remaining five with an AK-47.

“The dead bodies were buried in three separate graves. The first defendant said that the graves were dug by some Ijaw boys and three slim operatives were packed in one. And the bigger ones were put in twos into the other graves,” he stated.

And though the defendants pleaded guilty and denied committing the offence during their trial, Justice Oshodi in his judgment, held that the prosecution was able to prove part of the charge against the two convicts beyond all reasonable doubt.

The judge also rejected the alibi of the defendants, describing it as a ruse and an afterthought as there was no credible evidence to back up their claims of being at different places when the offence was committed.

He further held that their attempts to deny their confessional statement were not convincing and that evidence before the court confirmed that their statements were made voluntarily.

The Director of Public Prosecution, DPP has urged the court to impose the maximum sentence on the defendants to send a strong message that the state will not tolerate the killing of anyone particularly officers on lawful duty. He also used the opportunity to reiterate the call for the DSS to fish out one Agbala who was said to have shot five of their officers.

Release Nnamdi Kanu And Become A National Hero – Ohanaeze Begs Tinubu

 The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has begged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Ohanaeze also asked the Nigerian President to withdraw all charges against Kanu.

Ohanaeze, while appealing to the President, disclosed that doing that would make Tinubu a national hero.

The group made this known in a statement on Wednesday by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro in which it reacted to the release of the embattled Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho from detention in Benin Republic after about two years.

Ohanaeze while commending Yoruba leaders for securing the release of Igboho, called on President Tinubu to emulate his counterpart in Benin, Patrice Talon and free Kanu from detention.

The statement reads: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses its heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering contributions of Yoruba leaders such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Banji Akintoye, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and Pa Ayo Adebanjo towards the release of Sunday Igboho.

“The organisation recalls its October 1, 2023 Independence Day plea for the release of both Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes that this is an opportune time for President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate similar gestures and drop all charges against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, allowing him to regain his freedom.”

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo firmly believes that President Tinubu will be hailed as a national hero if he seizes this opportunity to release Nnamdi Kanu.

“The organization acknowledges that Nigerians who felt denigrated by Kanu’s actions should find it in their hearts to forgive him, as his release will mark a significant step towards national unity and reconciliation.