Militocracy in action !! Restructuring: Southern leaders barred from flying to Makurdi

Some members of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum (southern flank) led by Chief Edwin Clark, were on Monday stopped from traveling to Makurdi to attend the Middle Belt conference on restructuring.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja after they were disallowed from flying, the group said they were told they could not fly to Makurdi because of security reasons even after securing a charter aircraft.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the Secretary General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, John Nwodo, said the elders spent about five hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja trying to obtain clearance to make the journey but were refused by the Commandant of the Makurdi Airport whose name was given as Lt. Commander A. Audu.

He said: “We arrived in time for our flight today at 12 noon; the airport commandant disallowed us from flying and said we needed to go and get permission to land in Makurdi.

“We consider this fundamental infringement on our democratic rights of freedom of movement and freedom of association. There is nothing in our law precluding us from moving to wherever we like, from holding an opinion in so far as we do not breach any law in Nigeria.

“What has happened to us today expresses a lot of doom for fundamental human rights in our country, for the free exchange of ideas as unavoidable instruments of achieving growth and development of our polity.

“We deprecate the treatment that we were given today, which treatment prevented us from physical joining our brethren in the Middle Belt in a common view which we all hold, a very patriotic view, which we think will be the only way to guarantee the future of our country.” he said.

Nwodo, who joined other southern leaders to watch the live transmission of the conference in Chief Clark’s residence, said that they wanted to show solidarity with the Middle Belt people who he said had been supportive to the forum.

He added: “Please publicize this for many reasons. One, the teeming crowd that you saw on television in the Middle Belt is our brethren who showed us solidarity in other zonal summits. The fact that we were barred from showing them this solidarity is bound to hurt them.

“Through this press conference, we want to express our solidarity with them. We want them to know that we are one and the same in our views of the restructuring of the Federation” he said

The group also faulted the recently signed Executive Order 006.

He said “Secondly, to deprecate this new tendency. Not too long ago, the President signed into law an Executive order, which gives him the right to seize people’s assets. This is almost like a military government. And we think that this is an intrusion into the principles of separation of powers in our country.

“It is the responsibility of the legislature to make law, of the executive to implement the law and the judiciary to interpret the law. I do not think that Section 5 of the Constitution gives the President such Executive authority to make laws.

“The right to property is a fundamental right in a democracy. It cannot be expropriated here without decision of the court. What has happened to us today shows a continuing tendency to slide into a dictatorship in a democratic government. That is condemnable.” he stated

Asked if the forum suspected any deliberate attempt to sabotage their participation at the Makurdi summit or for other technical reasons, Mr. Yinka Odumakin said “The first jet that was to take us started this funny game of saying that there was a bad weather to Makurdi and that they could not fly. Until we got to other airlines and I asked what’s bad about the weather. They said they were ready to take us.

“As we were about to make payments, they now said there was landing permit issues. They called the commandant in Makurdi, who said they should send application.

“The Chief of Staff to the Benue State Governor said we should fax the application to him and to the commandant. We waited at the airport for hours. Eventually, the Chief of Staff had to contact the commandant in Makurdi and was told that the landing permit requested by the first airline was still on their table. At that stage, General C. Ariyo Niege, a veteran ex-soldier, who was head of Nigerian military forces in Sudan, went to the commandant in Abuja.

Speaking on his encounter with the commandant in Abuja, Niege said he was told they would not be able to fly to Makurdi due to security reasons.

He said “I pleaded with him that we were having issues in flying to Makurdi for the summit and he told me that for security reasons civilian aircraft were no longer allowed to fly into Makurdi airport.” - The Nation

Nigerian prisons below UN standards – Dambazua

Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau on Tuesday said the Nigerian prisons are still below United Nations minimum standard even as he revealed that efforts were being made to meet up with the UN requirement.

The Minister who disclosed this in Abakaliki while inspecting the new prisons being constructed by the Ebonyi state government regretted that over 70 percent of prisons inmates in Nigerian prisons are awaiting trials.

He was in the state on a two days working visit.

Dambazau said the Nigerian Prisons Service, NPS, was working hard to ensuring that prisons are decongested across the country.

He however, noted that the task of decongesting the prisons did not squarely rest on NPS as the Nigeria Police and the Judiciary have enormous role to play.

“We need to get to the UN minimum standard of rehabilitation of prisoners. But one of the most important things is to make sure the prisons are decongested, because 70% of inmates in Nigeria prisons are waiting trials. We need to deal with that issue but this cannot be done by the NPS.

“Nigeria prisons are just a ware house for inmates who are either convicted or awaiting trials. If a warrant is given to them they cannot reject it. So, they have to keep the inmates. But we are working on how to decongest the prisons.

“To deal with decongestion, we have to work with the police and the law court. The police must have to properly investigate before charging a matter to court. Otherwise, if you charge a matter to court without it being properly investigated,it certainly hamper speedy dispensation of justice; and the law Court we have to deal with unnecessary court adjournment”.

“But what the NPS will do is to concentrate on the issue of rehabilitation of prisoners,because it doesn’t make sense when you send one to prison and he returns worse than he came”.

Dambazau said NPS was also working hard to improve the welfare of both prisoners and the prisons officials as especially on the areas of training and capacity building.

“Also, we are working on the welfare of prisoners and the prisons officials. Another thing is capacity building. The issue of capacity building was a serious when we came to office and we have been able to deal with it though the challenge is still there. But we have come up with trainings and capacity building”.

He further disclosed that the days of indiscriminate promotion in NPS was over as every promotion would now be based on merit no matter your rank.

“As a matter of policy, now, we have said nobody can be promoted from one rank to another without certain requirements. What you find is that we have two groups of persons who form the majority of the service.  One group, you find somebody within 1-2-3 years is getting promotions up to three times without working for it; and you have another group who stay for 10 to 15 years without promotion”.

“And you will find out that both groups don’t have motivation. The first group will say, after all I can be promoted any time, why do I need to work hard; and the other group will say, I have been there, no promotion; why do I need to work. But now, we want to remove that, so that merit will determine who gets promotion. These are some of the reforms we are doing in the NPS”.

While commending Ebonyi state government for their cooperation and support to NPS especially for embarking on the ultra-modern prison, Mr Dambazua urged other states to emulate the state’s gesture so as to improve the living standards of prisoners in their states.

“So, we need cooperation and support from the state government. After all, if we check the prison, you will find out the majority of the inmates are Ebonyians and if you go to Kano, you will find out that the majority of the prisoners there are from Kano.

“So, we need more of this and we thank you for this support. I have an idea of how much you spent on this project because I am also involved in this building process. That is why I know that Ebonyi state government is putting huge resources into this project and we really appreciate. I will even ask the Comptroller General to write letter of appreciation if he has not done that to Ebonyi state government”, he concluded. - The Nation

Gunmen kill couple in Anambra community

Gunmen suspected to be assassins, have killed a couple on Saturday night in Obosi, Idemili North local government of Anambra State.

The couple, who were identified as Mr and Mrs Charles Ifekandu, were killed in their apartment while they were asleep by yet-to-be-identified persons.

Residents of Obosi community, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, said that the couple had gone to bed after meal on Saturday night, but the neighbourhood was awakened by sounds of gunshots, and upon checks, Mr Ifekandu and his wife were discovered dead in their room with gunshot wounds.

One of the sources, who claimed to know Ifekandu well, stated that his family has been enmeshed in a tussle over land, and that it was suspected that his death had something to do with the disputed land.

He said, “The husband and wife were last night (Saturday) murdered by yet-to-be-arrested assailants.

“We suspect their killers were contracted by some people believed to have land issue with the man.

“The assailants operated without the intervention of either the police or the local vigilance group just a few meters to the palace of the traditional ruler.”

The source added that, “The couple after taking their dinner, went to bed without suspecting any misfortune but the devil came to work at the late hours of the night when the deceased including their neighbours heard some gunshots.”

The suspicion of the couple being killed by assassins was further fueled by the fact that only the couple were attacked in the entire compound, while their property were all intact as nothing was taken from them.

Another source said, “I’m aware that there have been age long differences in the family of the deceased and one is left to suspect that what happened may not be unconnected with the crisis.”

Reacting to the incident, the Anambra state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Haruna Mohammed said he was aware of the murder, while adding that investigation was ongoing.

Mohammed urged members of the public, who had credible information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits, to assist the police with such to unravel the mystery surrounding the killing of the couple. - Daily Post

4 policemen killed in Edo

A gang of armed men killed four policemen in Sabongida Ora, a community in Owan west local government area of Edo state.

The security operatives were said to be on a routine patrol when the bandits swooped on them around 6pm.

The four policemen were ambushed, killed and burnt in their patrol van.

Three of the victims were burnt beyond recognition.

Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police, has directed a thorough investigation into the killings.

Jimoh Moshood, acting spokesman of the force, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Moshood said the police would pay N5 million naira to anyone who provided information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining perpetrators of the Abuja killing and Sabon Gida Ora attacks.

Seven policemen on stop-and-search duty on July 3 were ambushed and killed by suspected gunmen at a roundabout in Galadimawa area of Abuja.

Godwin Obaseki, the governor, the unprovoked attacks on men and women of the police force and sister security agencies was unacceptable.

He said the state’s security architecture would create roles for communities and local groups as well as the organised private sector to support security agencies in eradicating crimes across the state. - TheCable

You can’t zone my constitutional right, Donald Duke tells PDP

Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River state, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot zone his constitutional rights, stating that he has the right to aspire, win or lose the party’s presidential ticket.

Duke, who was governor from 1999 to 2007 says he had always wanted to be president since 2005, with the plan to solve Nigeria’s productivity problem.
He said about two thirds of the total population of the country — about 132 million people — are unproductive.

Speaking in an interview with Osasu Igbinedion on The Osasu Show, Duke said the lack of productivity is responsible for the insurgency, insecurity and unemployment in Nigeria.
Duke had in February 2017, announced his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election.
He said the lack of will by leaders is another factor responsible for the challenges plaguing the country, adding that he has this will to offer.

“I have had interest in the presidency since 2005. It has always been there. The reason is that there is a certain level of frustration; we seem not to be making the requisite progress we ought to be making as a nation and we all know that we are better than what we are today,” Duke said.
“And to me, the answers to our problems are not far-fetched. What I find missing is the will to make it happen and this is what I bring to the table.

“What I would like to do, to move our nation forward, we need to address the productivity of a Nigerian. Here you are, a nation of almost 200 million people. Two-thirds are not productive. Two-thirds actually depend on one-third.
“When you see the problems we are having, whether it is Boko Haram, the militancy, the kidnapping it is all born of the fact that …people are discontent and the discontent is a result of not being able to fend for oneself. So, we have to address the productivity. If every Nigerian were productive, believe me, we won’t have Boko Haram.”

Duke further said the statistics of unemployment and failure of leadership in Nigeria “is what fuels my interest” to run for presidency.
According to him, the education system needed to be reformed to provide for skill acquisition for every graduate.

“That is what fuels my interest. We talk the talk, we know what to say, we know our problems but do we have the will, do we have the strategy to make it happen. I went into the numbers. This is a developing country where many thighs ought to be done are not being done,” he said.
“So the reason for people not having jobs is a bit off because people should have a lot of jobs. For example, we have 20m housing shortage and that in itself can engage about 15m people.

“The four things that I would immediately address, we talk about education but in today’s world, it is more than just reading and writing. Education should leave you with a skill.
“So, for me, every brain must be trained because an untrained brain is a drain on the nation, because that brain will be dependent on another brain for its own subsistence. So, we need to invest heavily on education and skill development.”

He also said he would give priority to the areas of infrastructure, health and technological advancement.
Commenting on the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Duke said the government is distracted.
He said the government was addressing the symptoms of the problems, not the problems themselves.

“This administration, I think they are being distracted. I think they came into office not really appreciating the totality of the picture and the fixation on corruption and security they don’t look at the broader picture. Those are symptoms of a problem, not the problem itself,” he said.
“There are two types of corruption: corruption of greed and corruption of need . corruption of greed, we can deal with it institutionally, having a strong judiciary but corruption of need, a policeman who has 8 children at home, a family back in the village and is paid a pittance will find a way of making money on the side. That you can’t stop. 

So, they didn’t think of the totality and this is a recurring problem, not just with this administration.
Asked his chances of contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the party has zoned the presidential ticket to the north, Duke said: “ You cant zone my constitutional right”.

“I have a right to aspire, I have a right to win, I have a right to lose. How realistic is dependent on the electorate. They would realise my ambition. I believe there is enough frustration in Nigeria to take the scales off our eyes and say ‘look, who is gonna solve our problem’?
“If I run, I might lose, if I don’t run, I am guaranteed to lose. So, I will give it a shot, I will give Nigerians the option of Donald Duke. The worse that would happen is that I lose. For me, the bigger loss is not offering myself.” - TheCable

Transfer news :Ajax and Man United agree on Daley Blind

Daley Blind's return to Ajax is edging closer after Manchester United confirmed the two clubs have agreed terms on a transfer.

Blind joined United in 2014 after impressing with Netherlands at the World Cup under Louis van Gaal, who was behind his move to Old Trafford.

His versatility made him a dependable asset for Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho afterwards, playing in a variety of positions including centre-back, left-back and defensive midfield.

But, since Mourinho's arrival, Blind has rarely been considered an integral part of the starting XI, with the Portuguese coach seeming unsure as to his best position.

Transfer news : Arsenal and Liverpool up against each other over Brazilian midfielder

Arsenal are reportedly set to go up against Liverpool in the race to sign Bernard on a free transfer this summer.

The Gunners are seemingly out to add further attacking quality to their ranks this summer and according to claims from Premium Sport commentator Andersinho Marques, they are one of three potential destinations for Bernard.

Bernard, for a number of years, performed at a high level for Shakhtar Donetsk before deciding against renewing his deal at the club this summer.

This means that potential suitors will have the opportunity to try and persuade Bernard to join them on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract in Ukraine.

Unai Emery has already insisted that Arsenal are unlikely to make any more significant signings this summer, but speculation continues to surround the club, with Bernard the latest name to be linked - Read Sport

Shocking !!! Islamic cleric woman with death vision, rapes her

One alfa, Mustapha Hammed, has been arrested by police in Lagos for allegedly raping a 29-year-old student (names withheld).

It was gathered that the incident occurred on April 7 after the Alfa told the victim, a virgin, that he saw a vision she would die within 24 hours unless a cleansing was done to avert it.

Hammed, who was paraded by the state Police Commissioner, Imohimi Edgal, on Monday, after the victim’s father reported the case on July 12, lured the woman from Bariga to Ikorodu for spiritual cleansing where he raped her and allegedly used a white handkerchief to clean her blood.

Edgal said the victim’s father had filed a complaint at the Bariga Police Station after she exhibited traits of mental disorder following the incident.

He said: “The suspect in the case is one Mustapha Hammed who claims to be an Alfa. The said Alfa was introduced to the victim through a mutual friend.

“The Alfa deceived the 29-year-old student saying he saw in a vision that she was going to die within 24 hours. He took the girl to Ikorodu, Lagos, for cleansing so that she would not die.

“At Ikorodu, he forcefully had canal knowledge of the girl said to be a virgin at the time. He thereafter allegedly wiped off her blood with a white handkerchief and since then, her father alleged that the girl has been behaving abnormally because she was completely devastated and traumatised by the incident.”

Admitting to the crime, Hammed said he had been in love with the lady but did not know how to tell her.

He said the vision, spiritual and sexual cleansing, were strategies to get in between her legs.

Hammed said: “It all happened on April 7, when I called Rukayat, a friend to my lover, to come to my mum’s house in Bariga. I told her I had seen a vision for her while I was praying that she had a spiritual husband.

“I told her the solution is to bath three times with a soap I will give her. I told her I would take her to my house in Ikorodu for the bath and she agreed.

“We went there and she went to bath the first time and while I was praying for the water to do the second bathing, I quickly put a dead frog in the water. When she got to the bathroom and saw the frog, she was afraid and ran out to inform me.

“This I said was a bad omen, that the only solution is to immediately do some prayers and then do a sexual cleansing which entails having sexual intercourse with a man.

“She was scared and said she would do all it takes to be free. So, I asked her to call her boyfriend.  She said her boyfriend was far away, she pleaded I help her.

“She did not know that I had put the frog because I have been looking for a way to tell her I love her and have a sexual relationship with her. So I deflowered her. I did not wipe her private part with any white handkerchief.”

Edgal said investigation into the case was ongoing, adding that the suspect would be charged to court soon. - The Nation

‘Spray naira notes and go to jail’ — CBN warns Nigerians

The Central Bank of Nigeria says it is a crime to spray, sell or mutilate naira notes.

Speaking in Ibadan on Saturday, Priscilla Eleje, acting director, currency operations department at the apex bank, said the offence is punishable by six months imprisonment or N50,000 fine.

Eleje was represented at the public sensitization and enlightenment campaign on CBN direct intervention on lower denomination banknotes at Alesinloye market by Olufolake Ogundero, a deputy director at the bank.

“It is a criminal offence punishable by six months imprisonment or a fine of N50,000 or both to sell, spray or mutilate the banknotes,” she said.

“It is also a criminal offence which attracts five years imprisonment without an option of fine for anybody to counterfeit the naira. Naira is our pride as a country. So respect it.”

In May, the apex bank had told bank customers to reject bad naira notes because commercial banks are sabotaging its effort in replacing mutilated notes with new ones.

Isaac Okorafor, CBN’s spokesman, had said the bank was trying another option of withdrawing the unfit notes from circulations rather than depending on the commercial banks.

The bank is now engaging various market associations to encourage traders to change genuine dirty notes for new ones at no cost to the trader.

“The bank has already taken the new measure to Kano, Kaduna and Abuja and also intends to bring it to the south.”

Ogundero said the disbursement has commenced in Abuja and will be extended to Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Onitsha, Ibadan, Yola, Gombe, Katsina and Jos. - TheCable