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Court Summons Bank Over Alleged N14.2m Withdrawal

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The managing director of a new generation bank has been ordered by Justice E. A. Andow for failing to comply with an order to refund N14.2 million to a bank client.

The summons came after an endorsement of the Form 49, captioned “Notice to Show Cause Why Order of Committal Should Not Be Made,” dated October 20, 2021.

The committal order was obtained from a suit filed by Jacinta Uloma Ibe (now Jacinta Uloma Agha Orji) against Zenith bank plc (1st defendant), the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command (2nd defendant), and Nnaemeka Magnus (3rd defendant/applicant) in the case KDH/KAD/888/ 2021.

The ruling came after relatives of Florence Ngozi Aguwa, who died in January 2020, allegedly made unauthorized withdrawals from her account without the agreement of her husband, Magnus Nnaemeka Aguwa, the 3rd defendant/applicant.

The order further reads, “Take notice that the 3rd defendant/applicant will on the 9th December, 2021 in the afternoon apply to this court for an order for your committal to prison having disobeyed the order of this honourable court made on 5th day of October, 2021 requiring you to pay the sum of N14, 216,107.34k (Fourteen million, two hundred and sixteen thousand, and seven hundred naira, thirty four kobo) from account number 1003005241 belonging to Mrs Florence Ngozi Aguwa and domiciled with 1st defendant/respondent into account no. 0230780257 belonging to Mrs Flornce Ngozi Aguwa domiciled with Guaranty Trust Bank Nigeria Plc pending the determination of the motion on notice filed by the 3rd defendant/applicant before this honourable.”

Also ruling on the motion on notice brought against Jacinta Uloma Ibe (now Jacinta Uloma Agha Oji) by Aguwa’s counsel Oteiku Asekome, the judge directed the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State to commence investigation into the circumstances behind the withdrawal of the sum from the deceased’s bank account.

The contempt proceedings were initiated by Mr Aguwa after police investigation found that the relatives of the deceased woman obtained the letter of administration from the Probate Registry of the Kaduna State High Court after she was blocked at the FCT High Court Probate Registry and the Manager’s Cheque issued to her withdrawn by the bank.

Police investigation revealed that the deceased sister concealed information about her being survived by a husband and two children aged seven and five years old. 

Osinbajo Who Snubbed by Tinubu In London, Set To Face Jagaban In Biggest Presidential Fight Of His Life.

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Following a collision of ambitions with Senator Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is prepared to wage the presidential battle of his life.

After being snubbed in London by the former Governor of Lagos State, Osinbajo was left with no choice but to throw his hat into the ring, according to a recent article in one of the sales.

Tinubu returned to Nigeria earlier this month following a medical vacation in London that lasted over three months.

The two-term governor of Lagos State, whose health has been a point of contention, is said to have had knee surgery in London.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Umar Ganduje (Kano), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) were among the leaders who paid him a visit in London.

The House of Representatives’ northern caucus, led by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Wase, also paid a visit to the APC national leader and endorsed his candidacy for the presidency in 2023.

However, a source close to Osinbajo said yesterday night that Tinubu ignored him during his medical vacation in London.

“Essentially, Osinbajo arrived London to attend a conference and then, see Tinubu. As he arrived, he was supposed to see Tinubu the next morning but Tinubu left town by 6 a.m. the next morning to avoid seeing him. Even Adeboye (General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye) had arrived a day earlier and they planned to see Tinubu,” the source said.

The source further disclosed that the vice president has to make up his mind after his failed bid to see Tinubu.

“Tinubu has ramped up his campaign and Osinbajo also wants to be president and both cannot be president.

“So, now the die is cast for the battle of his life. He has not decided to run but a lot of people are mobilising him to run,” the source explained.

However, according to a source close to Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State had been in London for two and a half months, adding that if Osinbajo wanted to come and see him, he had enough time.

“The president came to see Asiwaju; other leaders came; Osinbajo did not come. If Osinbajo had wanted to come, he had enough time to do so. Tinubu wanted to return because he wanted to avoid the crowd in Lagos. And he returned when he did,” he explained.

Strong indications that Osinbajo may part ways with his political mentor over the 2023 presidency had emerged during his birthday in March 2020 when Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who delivered an address on behalf of the APC Progressives Governors Forum, hinted that Osinbajo is a good candidate to succeed Buhari.

Osinbajo’s supporters, under the aegis of the Progressives Consolidation Group (PCG), were the first and only support group that has received the approval of the APC to canvass support for his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

The approval was contained in a letter titled, ‘Letter of Recognition as a Support Group,’ dated October 4, 2021, and signed by the Director of Administration of the APC, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman.

The letter, which was addressed to the PCG, read in part, “We write to inform you that the National Chairman, His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni, has approved your recognition as a support group of the party.”

Even though the supporters of Osinbajo and Tinubu have insisted that the alleged attempt to pit the two leaders against each other will fail, there are no indications that any of them will drop his presidential aspiration.

Reacting to a report where groups said to be supporting Tinubu and Osinbajo were pitted against each other over the 2023 presidency, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, had stated in a statement that neither the vice-president nor his office will endorse “this kind of a divisive engagement and news reports”.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are members of the same party,” the former senator said.

“Osinbajo regards Tinubu as a respected leader of a political family to which he belongs and will therefore not for any reason endorse an endeavour that seeks to pitch them against each other.

“We are not unaware of some people who may want to foist a crack among our leaders. Such an attempt is abortive. Osinbajo and Tinubu relationship dates way back and it shall continue to wax strong,” Ojudu reportedly explained.

Buhari to ASUU: Another Strike Will Destroy Our Universities

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President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leadership to constantly embrace dialogue in the country’s drive for better education.

On Saturday, Buhari made the request while giving his address at the University of Ilorin’s 36th Convocation Ceremony.

Professor Ignatius Onimawo, who represented the President, informed the ASUU leadership that communication is preferable than fighting.

According to him. “Let me also use this opportunity to appeal to members of the academic staff of our universities to embrace peace.

“They should realise that dialogue is always better than conflict. No one gains from crisis. While government alone cannot solve all challenges facing a society, this administration is willing to listen to complaints and alternative points of views to managing a situation.

“The university system cannot withstand any crisis now considering the time it had lost to Coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

The President, however, appealed to the leadership and members ASUU to give always give peace a chance.

On the issue of the COVID-19 pandemic, the President said our universities have a role to play in the efforts at combating the scourge.

“I expect our universities to conduct researches targeted at discovering an antidote to it. Universities are expected to focus their research on challenges facing our societies and find practical solutions within the context of national development.”

“I therefore challenge the Universities to give their best in the fight against this common and unrelenting enemy of humanity. I enjoin our researchers to collaborate among themselves and look forward to bringing an effective solution to this medical challenge.

The nation expects University of Ilorin to play a leading role in the research efforts to develop Covid 19 in Nigeria.

“The nation expects nothing less from the Nigerian University system”, he added.

4 Police Commissioners To Be Deployed To Anambra By 2021,Says Yiaga Africa

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…Says Security Concerns Could Lead To Low Voters Turnout

The deployment of a large number of security officers to Anambra State ahead of the next election on November 6, 2021 has been criticized by an election monitoring group under the auspices of Yiaga Africa.

Since February 2021, the state has had four Commissioners of Police, according to the report.

According to the Observer organization, the state has had three different Commissioners of Police in three months, with the most recent resuming in October 2021.

Yiaga further stated that, with the governorship election in Anambra scheduled for November 6, 2021, the state’s ongoing insecurity issues continue to raise major worries about the election’s conduct.

It linked the state’s instability to secessionist agitators’ actions, as well as political attacks and overlapping criminality seen in the run-up to the election.

Despite repeated assurances from security services, the group expressed reservations about their ability to ensure the safety of people and property in the state.

“While the security agencies have consistently assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the people of Anambra state and Nigerians that they will provide adequate security for the election, there still remains a major lapse in the management of the insecurity in the state.

“Yiaga Africa has observed heavy deployments of more security personnel and equipment to Anambra in recent weeks, while this is intended to assuage citizens and build confidence ahead of the elections, we expect more coordinated and professional engagements in a manner that will encourage and not discourage participation.

“Beyond the security challenges in the state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is consolidating its preparatory activities towards the conduct of the elections”.

“The Commission convened a meeting with the 18 recognised political parties that are taking part in the forthcoming gubernatorial election on Thursday, 7th October 2021.

“The meeting was held at the Commission’s headquarters in Awka, to provide updates on the election preparatory activities and issue electronic copies of the voter’s registers to the political parties in line with its timetable and schedule of activities.

“At the meeting, the Commission put the total number of voters registered in the state at 2, 525, 471. The resident electoral commissioner stated that the commission had registered 138, 802 in the CVR exercise in the state, although it has removed 62, 698 registration details for double/duplicate registrations,” a statement by the group noted.

Makinde Orders Deployment Of Security Personnels To Critical Assets Over Jailbreak

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…Confirms Killing of A Soldier, Amotekun Operative

On Saturday, Governor Seyi Makinde responded to the gunmen’s attack on the Abolongo Correctional Facility in Oyo via a live State broadcast.

Makinde verified the execution of a Nigerian Army corporal and an Amotekun Corp. member in a live broadcast on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Saturday evening.

Recall that armed men stormed Abolongo Correctional Facility in Oyo town on Friday around 10:30 p.m. with explosive and dangerous weapons, freeing some inmates and killing two security operatives on the spot.

The following is an excerpt from the program as watched by newsmen:

Broadcast by His Excellency Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, After the Jail Break at Abolongo Correctional Centre, Oyo Town on Saturday, October 23, 2021

My Good People of Oyo State,
I am addressing you today to update you about recent happenings affecting the security of our state.

Last night, security operatives responded to a distress call about a jailbreak in the Abolongo Correctional Centre, Oyo Town. The correctional facility had been attacked with explosives, and some inmates were set free. Our security men were ambushed.

As a result, we lost two of our security agents a corporal of the Nigerian Army attached to Operation Burst, and an Operative of the Oyo State Amotekun Corps, Tijani Sadiq Babatunde.

Aside from the two lives lost, we had several operatives injured. I must mention that one of our Amotekun female volunteers, Shukurat Omoba, is presently in critical condition.

I have visited her at the hospital, and we are deploying all state resources to ensure that she survives this.

Please, let us all join in prayer for her speedy and complete recovery.

“Although some inmates have been recovered and taken back into custody, some are still at large. All security agencies have been placed on high alert to ensure that all that escaped are rearrested and returned to custody.

“I am therefore using this opportunity also to put the citizens on alert. There is no better time to repeat the call to action: if you see something, please say something.

“These criminals would want to go to areas where they will not be easily rearrested. If you spot any unexplained strangers in your community, please call the 615-security emergency number immediately, and make a report.

“I have directed the security agencies to deploy personnel to critical national assets within the state and to monitor all entrance and exit points across the state.

“I appeal to you, the good people of Oyo State, to remain calm. We are aware of the various speculations going round especially on social media regarding the reason for this attack. I urge you all to disregard any such rumours as the authorities are still investigating the matter.

“Rest assured that we will continue to do everything we are constitutionally allowed to do to secure our state”.

Oyo Prison Attack: 837 Inmates Escaped , 262 Were Recaptured – NCS

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The Nigerian Detention Service (NSC), Oyo State Command said, 837 awaiting trial detainees escaped from the Abolongo correctional institution.

It was recalled that several unidentified gunmen assaulted Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo town on Friday about 10:30 p.m., blowing their way in with dynamite.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Ibadan, the Public Relations Officer, Olanrewaju Anjorin, said the attackers freed all 837 awaiting trial inmates, pointing out that the cell housing the convicts and inmates was not vandalized.

He did say, though, that 262 fugitive inmates had been apprehended, while 575 remained on the loose.

The intruders arrived to the center fully armed with sophisticated weaponry, and after a fierce battle with the on-duty officers, they gained entry into the yard by blasting the wall with explosives.

“All the awaiting trial detainees were forced out of custody, the cells housing the convicts and the female inmates were not vandalised.

“Meanwhile, a total of 262 of the escapees have been recaptured leaving 575 still at large.

“Following the directives of the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, the State Controller, Noel Ailewon, has commenced the process of search and recapture after visiting the scene of the incident,” Anjorin said.

He said the state controller had assured the public that no effort would be spared to recapture the fleeing inmates.

According to him, the controller-general has solicited for credible intelligence to assist the security agencies in tracking down the fleeing inmates.

He said that the Oyo Custodial Centre was established in 2007 with a capacity of 160 inmates, but had a total population of 907 at the time of the attack.

“Of this number, awaiting trial persons were 837 representing 92 per cent with just 64 convicts,” Anjorin said.

2023: Forum Of Political Parties In Lagos Supports Tinubu For Presidency

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The Forum of Political Parties in Lagos State has voiced support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of the state and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in his bid for the presidency in 2023.

The organization praised Tinubu as the most qualified candidate for the nation’s top job, promising him of their support for the next eight years in a statement released on Saturday, a copy of which was made available to Sunday Independent.

While officially welcoming the APC Leader back from his recent medical trip abroad, the group stated in a statement signed by Hon. Kola Ajayi, its Coordinator, that his return had naturally ignited political activities in the state, demonstrating his political sagacity and relevance come 2023.

It expressed hope that Tinubu would be around for a long time, even after his two terms as Nigeria’s president, each of which lasted eight years.

According to the forum, Tinubu pioneered the BRT bus scheme, which has helped passengers in the state enjoy their travel.

It also alluded to the state’s judicial reforms, which elevated the state above others in that area even as he reformed the health-care system.

The organization emphasized that health-care reform resulted in the construction of five general hospitals in the state, as well as enhanced remuneration for healthcare employees, which he claimed was among the finest in the country.

On education reforms, the group claimed that the Tinubu government had a beneficial impact on the sector, citing increased teacher salaries and the introduction of millennium schools to fulfill World and UNESCO standards.

They also claimed that Tinubu founded LASTMA, LAWMA, LIRS, and other pioneering organizations in the state, as well as the Local Council Development Authorities, which helped to bring governance to the people.

The statement reads : “With your achievements in the past, we know that if you assume the Presidency of this nation, Nigerians will sing a new song and the citizens will be better for it.”

The group stressed that the majority of the political parties in Lagos State would root for Tinubu presidency hence they want him to contest, assuring him of their unwavering and total support.

Man Faces Life In Prison Over Alleged Rape Of Minor

*NLC, ILAW Vows Justice For Victim

A 44-year-old man, Nasiru Umaru may likely face a life imprisonment, if found guilty of raping a minor at Mile 12 Market, Ketu Lagos.

The suspect who has since been remanded at the Kiri Kiri maximum prison on the order of a Magistrate Court sitting in the Ikeja Magisterial District, is accused of defiling a 16-year-old girl (name withheld on September 2, 2021.

Legal experts say under the various Nigerian laws with provisions on rape, the penalty for rape is life imprisonment.

The one count charge brought against the offender, stated that, “you NASIRU UMARU “M” 44YRS on the 2nd day of September, 2021 at LB Alaba, Mile 12 Market, Ketu Lagos in the Ikeja Magisterial District did defile one Aishyatu H’(pseudonym) “F” Age l6yrs by using your penis to penetrate inside her virginal and forcefully having carnal knowledge of her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) together with its partner Solidarity Center AFL-CIO and a network of legal practitioners known as International Lawyers Assisting Workers-Network (ILAW) have vowed to obtain justice for the victim.

The NLC with support from the Solidarity Centre AFL-CIO has been championing a workplace – based campaign to end Gender Based Violence and Harassment within the second largest perishable foods market in Lagos.

Speaking to journalists, ILAW member and attorney holding brief over the matter; Barrister Onyeisi Chiemeke mentioned that the facts available to them indicates that the suspect had carnal knowledge of the minor; a crime which carries a life sentence upon conviction.

He vowed that the ILAW network Nigeria will ensure that justice prevails.

He also urged the federal government to put in place structures that allow seamless prosecution of perpetrators of such heinous crimes.

According to him, ‘survivors of GBVH suffer multiple times in trying to get justice from the system as they are often placed with the burden of providing financial resources for law enforcement agents to carry out investigation where they manage they file a report.

“When such survivors are unable to fund investigations, the cases are often abandoned and the perpetrators walk free to continue with the crime.”

He highlighted how Mile 12 International Market leadership’s monitoring of the case also helped to ensure that suspect was charged to court and eventually remanded in prison pending the advice of the Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the trial.

In her reaction, the Lagos State Chairperson of the NLC, Comrade Agnes Sessi expressed regret that the Federal Government is foot dragging on its commitment to ratify the ILO Convention 190.

She stated the astronomical rate of GBVH violations in Nigeria’s world of work has necessitated the need to speed up ILO Convention 190 ratification process in order to ensure that the menace is mitigated.

Reacting on ongoing trial involving the defilement of a minor in Mile 12 International Market, Ketu she said, “We are going to follow up this matter at the court. We will ensure that justice is served so that by the time more perpetrators are put behind bars, offenders will know that women and girls have a right to their bodies and a right to feel protected while at work.

She appealed to the President and state governors to do more on GBVH which is a human rights issue as nobody should be harassed while working or trying to make a living based on their gender or sex.”

She mentioned that the GBVH campaign in Mile 12 International Market, Ketu is changing the face of the market as women workers in the informal economy now feel safer doing business within the market.

In her reaction, the Iyaloja of the Mile12 International market, Dupe Ojo hailed the arrest of Umaru, saying such will serve as deterrent to perpetrators of rape and other GBVH in and around the market community.

She commended the training received from the Solidarity Centre AFL – CIO and NLC, saying that it has raised a lot of awareness around root causes, impact and effective ways to prevent and protect all vulnerable persons from gender based violence and harassment within the market community.

According to her, “The women in the market were happy to hear of the news of arrest, investigation of this crime. We have been sensitizing them on the need to speak out about such violations and break the silence holding them down. We know that with this result, workers will grow more confident to report such violations to help us kick GBVH out of Mile 12 Market for good.”

As the World Cycling Track Championships Get Underway, Team Nigeria Voted Best Outfit

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Team Nigeria’s outfit has been selected the best outfit in the Championship ahead of today’s flag off of the 111th World Track Cycling Championship in Roubaix, France.

Since Team Nigeria’s cyclists, comprising of four girls and an official, arrived in Roubaix, the gear worn by the Super Eagles at the World Cup in Russia and adopted as jersey by the Cycling Federation of Nigeria has received glowing reviews from the French media.

The Team’s clothing was overwhelmingly named the finest wear of the Championship prior of the competition, which has already begun.

After finishing the 500-meter time trial an hour ago, Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye, Team Nigeria’s medal contender, is ready to compete in the Individual Pursuit this afternoon.

Saro-Wiwa: INC Boss To FG, Apologize To Ogoni, Ijaw Nation, Niger Delta

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On Saturday, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) said the Federal Government should apologize to the people of Ogoni Kingdom, the Ijaw nation, and the whole Niger Delta for the alleged unjust assassination of Ken Saro-Wiwa in November 1995.

Professor Benjamin Okaba, INC’s president, announced this in a statement made in Yenagoa in response to the Federal Government’s proposed state pardon for the killed Ogoni activist and writer.

When leaders from Ogoniland paid him a visit in Abuja on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari indicated the Federal Government would consider granting state pardon to Saro-Wiwa to bring the “Ogoni 9 tragedy” to a stop.

On the instructions of a special military tribunal set up by the late General Sani Abacha’s government, Saro-Wiwa and eight of his relatives were executed on November 10, 1995.

For allegedly masterminding the savage murder of some Ogoni chiefs at a pro-government gathering amid the height of Saro-nonviolent Wiwa’s campaign against environmental and resource injustice, the tribunal sentenced them to death by hanging.

The assassination of Sara-Wiwa and his fellow countrymen became known as the “Ogoni 9 saga,” an occurrence that prompted the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the international community to impose sanctions on Nigeria.

Okaba in the statement titled, “The Ijaws, Ogonis And The Niger Delta Demand Apology, Not Pardon- INC President”, described the proposal as laughable and fall short of addressing the people’s right to self-determination and resource control.

He insisted that the government ought to say sorry to the people for the way and manner Saro-Wiwa and others were reportedly killed “as a result of their peaceful campaigns against economic exploration, environmental despoliation and gross abuse of the people’s fundamental human and resource rights.”

According to him , “We wonder what crime Ken Saro-Wiwa and others committed that warrant state pardon. Secondly, even if he was allowed the defence, was he given the right of appeal? What are the positive aftermaths of Ken Ken Saro-Wiwa’s agitation?

“Would there have been the UNEP Report on Ogoni clean-up if Ken Saro-Wiwa and others did not draw the attention of state and international community to various human and environmental infractions meted out to the people?

“Now that the Federal Government has suddenly realized their wrongs and equally expressed willingness to seek reconciliation and national integration, we urge them to courageously go the whole hug as follows:

“Bring to book all persons, including the presiding judge and other officers, that were directly and indirectly involved in the unfortunate incident (murder of the Ogoni 9).

“Justice should also be extended to the innocent Ogoni youths and other Niger Deltans who were unlawfully massacred by state operatives for merely displaying green leaves in condemnation of the ghastly act.”

According to him, the last few words of Saro-Wiwa, ‘You can kill the messenger, but not the message’, remained very apt several years after as Ogoniland, Ijaw nation and the entire Niger Delta continued to suffer injustices, inequalities and rape of their freedom and right to control their God-given resources.

He further said,”The people and the environment of the Niger Delta, in spite of the seeming interventions, have remained in a state of misery to the extent that the local economy has been disarticulated.

“In spite of our enormous contribution to the nation’s economy, the standard of living in our region is demoralizing and demeaning. State laws on Land Use, Petroleum Industry Act, Petroleum Act and other obnoxious policies have perpetually kept us as slaves and impoverished us in the midst of our God-given resources in the region.

“For us, true reconciliation should begin with the abrogation of these obnoxious laws and upward review of the principle of derivation to a minimum of 50 per cent. Thereafter, the envisaged apology and reparation will be functionally meaningful to also prevent a reoccurrence of injustices against persons who express their fundamental human rights to demand justice and equity.

“All the dramatis personae and others involved in Ken Saro-Wiwa’s case, dead and living, should be brought to book as a lesson for others.”