GLORIFIED VILLAGE !! Lagos is the world’s most dangerous city

A newly released report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has ranked Lagos as the world’s most dangerous city.

The report, named Safe Cities Index, ranked 60 cities across the world based on digital security, health, infrastructure and personal security.

Tokyo, Japan’s capital city, was ranked the world’s safest city.

Singapore, Osaka, Amsterdam and Sydney occupy the second to fifth spots on the ranking.

“Urban management will play a fundamental role in defining the quality of life of most human beings in the coming years. A key element of this will be the ability of cities to provide security for their residents, businesses and visitors,” the report read.

“A look at the top five cities in each pillar—digital, health, infrastructure and personal security—yields a similar message. In each area, leading cities got the basics right, be it easy access to high-quality healthcare, dedicated cyber-security teams, community-based police patrolling or disaster continuity planning.”

Lagos occupied the 56th spot on the digital security ranking and placed 58th on the infrastructure security ranking.

Nigeria’s most populous city ranked the least on the health and personal security tables.

Some of the items which cities were ranked on are:

Digital security: Privacy policy, citizen awareness of digital threats, public-private partnerships, level of technology employed, dedicated cyber-security teams, percentage of computers infected, percentage with internet access.

Infrastructure security: Enforcement of transport safety, pedestrian friendliness, disaster management/business continuity plan, road network, power network, rail network, the percentage living in slums, air transport facilities.

Health security: Environmental policies, access to healthcare, number of beds per 1,000 population, number of doctors per 1,000 population, access to safe and quality food, quality of health services, air quality, water quality, emergency services in the city.

Personal security: Level of police engagement, community-based patrolling, available street-level crime data, use of data-driven techniques for crime, the prevalence of petty crime, gender safety (female homicide), level of corruption, rate of drug use.

The cities who did not factor in disaster risk in their city-level urban plan were listed as Cairo, Riyadh, Lagos, Bogota, Caracas, Baku.

The report also estimated that more than half of Lagos’ population live in slums; a development that Alioune Badiane, president of the Urban-Think Tank Africa (TUTTA), says is due to poor or insufficient planning.

“The main driver of insecurity is the extent of informal settlements. This arises not from a growing population per se, he adds, but poor or insufficient planning. It is not acceptable,” he said.

“We have a lot to do, but the number one priority is improved urban planning and better city management.”

This is the first time Lagos is featuring on the index.

-THECABLE

6 dead, 24 injured in Lagos-Ibadan highway crash

An accident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday in Ogun State claimed the lives of six persons, while 24 others sustained various degrees of injuries, DAILY POST reports.

The Federal Road Safety Corps in Ogun State said the road crash occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Highway, around Isara area of Ogun.

According to the Ogun FRSC, the traffic crash involved two commercial buses having a head-on collision.

A total of 30 persons, made up of 19 male adults, nine female adults, one male child and one female child were involved in the accident.

The crash reportedly led to the death of six people, made up of three male adults and three female adults.

A statement signed by Ogun FRSC Public Education Officer, Florence Okpe, said a white Toyota Bus with registration number ABC932XJ collided with a white passenger Mazda bus with registration number FST820XD.

The fatal crash, Okpe said, “was caused by excessive speed and wrongful overtaking when the Mazda bus travelling from Lagos left its lane while overtaking dangereouly and collided with the Toyota bus coming from Abuja which was travelling on the opposite direction of the expressway.”

The injured victims, it was learnt, have been rescued to the nearest hospitals in the area, while the remains of the dead victims have been deposited in the mogue.

“11 injured victims were rescued to Victory Hospital Ogere, six other victims were rescued to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OSUTH) Sagamu. The seven other victims were rescued to Idera Hospital Sagamu for medical attention.

“The corpses of the six passengers killed in the crash were deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital ( OSUTH), Sagamu Mortuary and FOS Ipara Mogue.

“The FRSC Ogun State Sector Commander, Clement Oladele has commiserated with the families of the deceased victims and wished those injured quick recovery.

“He has also informed members of the public to contact the FRSC Commands in either Ogere or Ogunmakin for details of the crash. They may also contact the aforementioned medical facilities for details of the incident,” Okpe explained.

- DAILY POST

Twitter CEO and co-founder’s account hacked

Twitter co-founder and chief executive Jack Dorsey’s account was hacked on Friday, and used to post a series of erratic and offensive messages.

A group referring to itself as the Chuckling Squad said it was behind the breach of Jack Dorsey’s account.

A spokeswoman for Twitter told the BBC that the site was urgently investigating.

The news comes with Dorsey and Twitter moving aggressively to clean up offensive and inappropriate content as part of a focus on “safety.”

The account, which has more than four million followers, tweeted out a flurry of highly offensive and racist remarks for about 15 minutes.

The messages – some posted directly by the @jack account, and others retweeted from other accounts – used the n-word and made anti-Semitic comments referencing the Holocaust.

A chat channel on Discord, a separate website, was apparently set up by the group to discuss and joke about the attack – but was quickly shut down.

The Chuckling Squad has taken credit for a number of attacks on high-profile Twitter accounts recently, including @Etika, an account belonging to YouTube personality Desmond Amofah, who died earlier this year in an apparent suicide.

It is as yet unclear how the attackers gained access, though it appears a vulnerability in a third party app could potentially have been to blame.

It is an embarrassing incident for Mr Dorsey, with many security experts questioning whether he, of all people, should have had the appropriate protections to stop such an attack being possible.

- PM NEWS

Solskjaer reveals negative impact Sanchez’s move to Inter has on Man Utd squad

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has admitted that Alexis Sanchez’s exit, has left his squad a striker short.

Solskjaer sanctioned Sanchez’s loan switch to Inter Milan, because he was not part of his first-team plans.

United considered a number of forwards, including Juventus pair Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic and Solskjaer claims they did not find any attractive propositions.

“As I said on the way back from tour, we were still looking for one replacement for Romelu if he went.

“We are one down to be fair, but we didn’t just find the right one. We didn’t find the answer that we wanted.

“I’m still happy. We might be one down in the attacking line-up but we just didn’t get the right answers we wanted,” Solskjaer told reporters on Friday.

- DAILY POST

Five shot dead, houses burnt as southern Kaduna boils again

At least five persons have been shot dead and many houses burnt in an attack in Kaura local government area of Kaduna state.

Bege Katuka, interim management committee chairman of the local government, confirmed the incident in Kafanchan on Friday.

Katuka said the attackers stormed the village around 4pm on Thursday.

“Five persons were killed, while two others are still missing. A number of houses, including the new police outpost, were vandalised and burnt,” he said.

“We have urged the people to remain calm and have confidence in the security agents that have already secured the area, while investigation is ongoing.”

Yakubu Sabo, police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, who also confirmed the incident, said it occurred at Kiri village bordering Plateau.

“One Daniel Monday who initially sustained injury later died while four other corpses were discovered,” Sabo said.

“No police station was burnt although a few houses were touched.”

Sabo further said the police area commander in Kafanchan led a team of policemen to the affected area.

He said: “On sighting them, the hoodlums fled to a hilltop near Ryom local government in Plateau state. Preliminary investigation revealed that they came through Plateau state, but investigation is ongoing.”

Editor’s note: This picture was used for illustrative purposes

- THECABLE

PAPER WORK DECISION !!! Nigerian govt orders Immigration to issue passport within 48 hours

The federal government has directed officials of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure issuance of international passports to genuine and qualified applicants within 48 hours.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said this on Friday in Lagos while flagging off the NIS Management retreat.

He also asked the NIS to scale up its facilitation at the airport to reduce long queues for arriving passengers.

Aregbesola said: “From information available to me, it is possible with the right technology in place for Nigeria Immigration Service to issue international passports to applicants who have paid the official fees after forty eight hours. If there is any delay, the officials should communicate to the affected applicants .

“One of the ways to achieve this is to deploy the right technology and eliminate human contact in the passport issuance process. This way, we eliminate sharp practices and racketerring built around the process. This is the way to go and all officials should shun all forms of corruption in the discharge of their duties.

“The primary role of the Immigration Service is the Security of the border and migration management. No unwanted , suspicious and criminal person must be allowed entry into our nation just as we are to prevent the exit from Nigeria of all known domestic real felons and or domestic potential felons from leaving Nigeria to tarnish our image abroad .

“All officers of the Service must as a matter of urgency, embrace the digital tradition and be technology/computer compliant, particularly at the senior and management level. Our officers must shun all forms of corruption through openness and transparency in the discharge of their duties.

“Should there be justifiable delay in delivering on this commitment, there must be a mechanism to communicate, such reasons (s) within a period as agreed in the retreat to such applicant for the passport which must not be later than 72 hours, after discovering such reason.

“With technology, it is possible to process and obtain the passport within 48 hours, if the application does not have any issues. Nigerian passport should be available within 48 hours maximum after application and at the official fee, the same goes for entry visa, resident permit, seamen license, as well as application and processing of other services.”

- DAILY POST

Nigerians will still pay more for visa, says US

The US embassy says for now, the additional cost for visa application still applies to Nigerians.

On Tuesday, the embassy announced an increase in the cost of applications for Nigerian citizens seeking visas to the US.

It explained that the additional cost US citizens incurred when seeking visa to Nigeria, necessitated the action.

The US had said effective from August 29, 2019, Nigerians applying for tourism, student and business visas will not only pay the $160 fee but will have to pay an extra $110 after the visa had been issued to them.

Less than 24 hours after the action of the US, the federal government announced a slash in the visa fee for US citizens.

But in a statement on Friday, the US embassy said it had not received an official communication from the Nigerian government on the issue.

“The US Embassy looks forward to receiving official diplomatic communication regarding a new fee schedule for Americans seeking Nigerian visas,” the statement read.

“Until such time, and confirmation of implementation, the reciprocity fees for approved visas to the United States will remain in place.”

- THECABLE

LAND OF SCAMMERS !! EFCC arrests operators of Wonder bank over alleged N2bn scam

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Office, have arrested 19 staff of a fake investment company allegedly floating a Ponzi Scheme, with which they have defrauded members of the public N2,000,000,000.

It was learnt that the suspected company called Bluekey Investment Club, operating from Sonia Mall, 42 Woji Road, YKC Junction, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission( CAC) as a Software Development and General Contracting Firm, but allegedly veered into an interest-yielding Ponzi Scheme with ten percent (10%) weekly returns on investment over (6) Months.

It was also gathered that the Scheme promised total returns of invested capital after six months.

The anti-graft spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He added, “Nineteen members of staff of the company were rounded up on Friday, August 30, 2019 in Port Harcourt.

“Among them are five Principal Officers: Princess Tsaroigbara( Public Relations Officer) ; Onwusa Frances Chineze( Accountant); Naabe Gunugu( Payment Confirmation Staff), Tambari Success( Customer Service) and Anorue Maureen( Receptionist). The Chairman of the company: Neenwi Swanu was at large as at the time of arrest”.

EFCC said Princess Tsaroigbara, Public Relations Officer ( PRO) of the Company told interrogators that her company was into “Digital Financial and other Technological Services” and was not sure if the company was fully registered with the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Further, EFCC disclosed that scores of alleged defrauded customers thronged the premises of the Company seeking the intervention of the Commission.

Items recovered from the company are computer units and a sum of N459, 300.

Uwujaren affirmed that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

- DAILY POST

Who do ‘Magu boys’ work for? EFCC or an Emperor?

By Fredrick Nwabufo

A scathing detraction to professionalism in Nigeria is the customisation of public offices. Institutions are built around personalities rather than on principles and service.

The corrugation of Nigeria’s public offices and institutions has a long history. But of significance is the brazen privatisation and deployment of public office to insular ends by Michael Aondooakaa, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) under Umaru Musa Yar’adua, in 2009.

Aondooakaa was AGF and in the same breath, counsel to George Akume, then Benue state governor, who was being investigated by the EFCC for alleged corruption to the tune of N2 billion.

Being Nigeria’s chief law officer, Aondooakaa, who naturally should have recused himself from the case, went to work undermining and frustrating the EFCC. In fact, prior to his appointment he had filed a suit at the supreme court seeking the dissolution of the anti-graft agency. And he refused to withdraw this case or his representation in the matter even after his appointment until the apex court dismissed it.

That was the standard-bearer of Nigeria’s law begriming the constitution. Earlier, in 2007, he attempted to retard the arrest of James Ibori in the UK – an action which led to a diplomatic scuffle with the country. Nuhu Ribadu’s unbending stance in this case, led to his mortifying discharge weeks after.

There are analogous cases in the Buhari administration – one of which is the ‘’cleansing and empowerment’’ of Abulrasheed Maina, former pension chief, who was declared wanted by the EFCC for corruption, by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation.

I believe the office of attorney-general of the federation has been one of the most abused of all offices in the country.

In the same vein, the tagging of top staff of the EFCC as ‘Magu boys’ by the agency accents the execrable customisation of public office in the country. It is the reason the institutions function with human frailties; that is, if the head of an institution is incompetent or corrupt, the entire body necrotises.

This is the lamentable piece of hagiography the agency footnoted in a photo on social media.

‘’#Photo Magu Boys, led by EFCC’s Lagos Head of Operations, Mohammed Rabo, on the move as they continue to tame the corruption monster from the Lagos axis of the battlefield. With the acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, giving orders and directing affairs, the war is winnable.”

The reluctance of public officers to distinguish themselves from their offices is the reason abuse of office is rife here. There is Ibrahim Magu and there is the EFCC. Two separate entities. Personal foibles and interest must be detached from public office.

If Magu leaves as EFCC chairman, will those agents still be ‘Magu boys’? Will they be working for him or the agency? Whose interest are they serving, Magu or Nigerians? And do they work for Magu or for Nigerians?

It is a downing reality how individuals expropriate public offices, design them in their own image and build a temple in them for everyone to worship.

A few days ago, after the inauguration of ministers, a herd of staff members of the ministry of finance abandoned duty and stayed out in the rain to welcome Zainab Ahmed. They formed a doughnut around the minister and chanted, ‘’mama oyoyo’’ as she sauntered into the premises with an insufferable gait. She soaked in all the praise and sycophancy.

But did the minister not realise that it was wrong of them, the jamboree being during work hours? And is there no regard for professionalism?

Also, the privatisation of institutions like the police and the DSS, which are sometimes deployed in witch-hunt, is the reason their performance is underwhelming. Until public institutions truly become public; they cannot serve Nigerians.

EFCC arrests 12 apprentice Yahoo Yahoo boys

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested 12 suspected Internet fraudsters in Lagos, probably still learning the ropes as apprentices.

The suspects—Oluwaseun Ogunbunmi, Haruna Yusuf , Olubori Hassan, Wasiu Idowu, Basit  Adeniran, Aina Olajuwon, Okafor Joseph, David Ado, Olamide Ogunseye, Opeyemi Ahmed , Monsuru Amao, Taiwo Rasak- were arrested on Thursday, August 29, 2019  in a rented three-bedroom apartment in the Ikotun  area of Lagos, which they used as a Yahoo Yahoo school.

The arrest followed intelligence reports received from concerned members of the public about their alleged criminal activities.

During the operation,  some of the suspects attempted to flee by hiding on the roof of their apartment.

Items recovered from the suspects include laptops and mobile phones.

The suspect will soon be charged to court.

As part of efforts to curb the menace of computer-based frauds, the EFCC is calling on members of the public to report any suspicious activities of internet fraudsters in their neighbourhood through Info@efccnigeria.com or  +23499044752

- PM NEWS

Out of school refugees: Educate them or pay the price – UN

Less than half of the world’s refugee children are getting a school education, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said Friday, warning of negative consequences for host countries.

“We need to invest in refugee education or pay the price of a generation of children condemned to grow up unable to live independently, find work and be full contributors to their communities,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees.

An estimated 3.7 million among 7.1 million school-age refugees do not go to school, the Geneva-based UNHCR said in a report that was published as children across the northern hemisphere are heading back to class after their summer vacations.

Only 63 per cent of refugee children attend primary school, compared to the global rate of 91 per cent.

The rate drops sharply in high school, as 24 per cent of refugees get an opportunity to receive secondary education, far below the global 84 per cent.

The UNHCR called on governments and donors to fund a new initiative to build secondary schools, train teachers and cover education costs for refugee families.

Without school or job prospects, “adolescents are more vulnerable to exploitation and more likely to turn to illegal activities out of desperation,” the UNHCR report said.

It noted that children from host communities also stand to profit if additional schools are built.

Only 3 per cent of refugee youths attend university, compared to 37 per cent of their global peers.

The UNHCR urged universities to be flexible about education certificates, which many refugees leave behind as they flee violence or persecution, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

- PM NEWS

Airtel overtakes Globacom to become Nigeria’s second largest network

Airtel Nigeria is now the second-largest telecommunications service provider in the country.

According to the July subscriber data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Airtel gained a total of 906,400 customers in July to become second.
Airtel currently has 123,327 subscribers more than Globacom that has occupied the position for years.
In total, there are now 174,668,626 active GSM lines in the country.

In the month under review, MTN gained 1,379 new subscribers with another 118,442 subscribers from Visafone, a CDMA network it acquired.
Globacom gained 118,087 new subscribers to reach a total of 46,713,068 GSM users while 9mobile was the only operator that lost subscribers.

It lost 225,283 subscribers, dropping to 15,739,967 mobile users.
In terms of market share, MTN retains the largest share of the market at 37.43% with Airtel at 26.81%.
Globacom holds 26.74% share of the market while 9mobile holds 9.01%.


The total number of subscribers on the two Voice over Internet Protocol networks (VoIP) increased from 165,333 users in June to 172,111 active users in July.
Smile Communications network added 6,543 users to stand at 167,555 customers while Ntel added 235 users to stand at 4,556 subscribers.

- THECABLE

Immigration ‘gets access’ to Interpol database, vows to track fraudsters

Muhammad Babandede, comptroller-general of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), says the agency has been granted access to the international police (INTERPOL) database. 

Speaking on Thursday at a seminar organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in Abuja, Babandede said the move will curb the activities of fraudsters in the country.

He said access to the information on interpol database will enable the NIS to track and prevent wanted criminals from entering or doing business in Nigeria.

The CG urged Nigerians to desist from cyber crime and stop patronising fake recruitment sites for jobs.

“This notice became necessary due to the increasing activities of fraudsters that have remained unrepentant,” he said.

“After several arrests and arraignment they continue to open fake recruitment sites through which they defraud unsuspecting citizens of their money.”

Ibrahim Arabi, director-general of the bureau, said the immigration service has implemented most of the recommendations made by the bureau.

Arabi noted that this has improved the quality of service delivered by the NIS, which no longer relies on conventional approaches.

“Hence there is need to leverage on ICT to plan and execute government policies, programmes and projects,” he said.

- THECABLE

Unemployed man nabbed after ‘buying’ N2m car with fake bank alert

The Niger State Police Command has arrested an unemployed man, Luba Udoka Jonah, who allegedly specializes in defrauding people by sending them fake bank transaction alerts.

Jonah was arrested after trying to defraud a car dealer in Minna.

The car Dealer, Abubakar Yahaya of TK Motors reported Jonah to the Police after the suspect sent him a bank alert which did not reflect in his bank account.

According to Yahaya, the suspect came to car stand to buy a Mercedes Benz C240 model which they agreed at the rate of N2 million. He deposited N50, 000 before taking the car for test running.

However, after two days, the seller retrieved the car from the suspect following his refusal to pay the balance even though the suspect took his account details to pay the balance of N1.950 million.

Upon receiving the alert from the suspect, Yahaya went to the bank only to be told that no money had entered into his account.

This made Yahaya to report the suspect to the Police, which led to his arrest.

The suspect confirmed that he sends fake alert to his unsuspecting victims upon transacting business with them adding that this was made possible with an application which he uses to manipulate bank accounts.

He said he uses the fake bank alert to buy expensive things and leave the area immediately before the person can discover that he or she has been duped.

“There is one application I downloaded which I use to manipulate any bank account number that comes my way. I have been defrauding innocent people of their money without them knowing about it.

“I can buy goods worth millions of naira in somebody’s shop, once I complete the fake transfer, the person will get alert on the spot and I leave the area immediately.”

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar urged the public to be discreet with their banking transactions in order to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.

He said that the case would be charged to court soon.

- DAILY POST

P&ID to Nigerians : Justice Minister Malami cause of $9b nightmare

The Irish company, P&ID trying to make Nigeria Nigeria poorer with a charge of $billion on national assets said the country should hold . Attorney General, Abubakar Malami responsible.

It blamed Malami’s inaction and dilly dallying for the turn of events and not even past governments as Nigeria had ample time when Buhari took over to settle matters, when the reparation costs stood at just $850m.

In a statement today that it said was its effort to set the record straight, P&ID chastised Malami for trying to revise history and introducing allegations of contract fraud.

Read the full statement:

Malami’s Revisionist History

It is another day, and with it comes another attempt from the Nigerian Government to create a fictional history of the P&ID case.

This week’s series of desperate conspiracy theories point to something deeper: the Buhari Administration is refusing to admit its own role in the P&ID case from 2015-2019 after it came into office.

Appearing on CNBC Africa, Attorney General Abubakar Malami sought to wipe his hands and the hands of the Buhari Administration clean when he stated, “[t]he government as a unit was delicately involved. And that was the government in 2010, the award was in 2012, and then three years thereafter the current administration under the leadership of Muhammadu Buhari came into place. So the time when this administration came to place in 2015, the award was over three years, there was no appeal, no application for execution, no application to set the award aside.”

Attorney General Malami seems to have a case of amnesia.

Let’s set the record straight:

May 3, 2015: P&ID offers to settle the dispute with the Nigerian Government for $850mm. President Goodluck Jonathan indicates they are handing over the negotiations to the incoming Buhari Administration.

May 29, 2015: Muhammadu Buhari is sworn in as the 15th President of Nigeria, but fails to appoint a cabinet for five months.

July 17, 2015: The Arbitration Tribunal found in favor of P&ID (i.e. – the Liability Award). The new Buhari Administration did not make any attempts at settling or negotiating with P&ID, and did not make any effort to challenge the decision.

November 11, 2015: Attorney General Malami was sworn in November 11, 2015, just under three months after the Liability Award.

May 27, 2016: The Arbitration Tribunal wrote to the Nigeria Government confirming that: “As the parties will be aware from Procedural Order No 12, the Tribunal has decided that the seat of the arbitration is England. It follows that the Federal Court of Nigeria had no jurisdiction to set aside its Award.” Neither Attorney General Malami, nor any representative of the Buhari Administration did anything in response other than continue with the proceedings, thereby tacitly accepting the analysis of the Arbitration Tribunal.

June 24, 2016: Having failed to set aside the Liability Award by falsely claiming the seat of arbitration was in Nigeria; not England, Attorney General Malami wrote personally to the arbitrators to say “my office has taken over the handling of the above arbitration on behalf of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.” He asked for and obtained an extension of time to file a defence to quantum, and appointed his own legal team in place of the Ministry of Petroleum Resource’s legal team.

August 30-31, 2016: The Quantum Hearing (i.e. – amount of damages payable) takes place in London. Attorney General Malami’s legal team conducted Nigeria’s defence at the quantum hearing. Expert witnesses as to quantum were called to give evidence and were cross-examined.
 After the Quantum Hearing, Attorney General Malami instructed his lawyers to request a standstill agreement, which would take effect from the date of the Award.

This fact has never been publicly reported until today. 

January 31, 2017: The Arbitral Tribunal issued a final award, ordering Nigeria to pay P&ID $6.5 billion plus $2.3 billion in uncollected interest as of March 2018.

February 17, 2017: The Award on Quantum was delivered to the parties on February 17, 2017. Despite the 60-day standstill having been agreed by P&ID, Attorney General Malami made no attempt to negotiate with P&ID during the 60 days following the handing down of the Quantum Award.

April 28, 2017: After the 60 days had expired, Attorney General Malami instructed his lawyers to write to P&ID’s lawyers and explained that “The delay was occasioned by the bureaucracy of the Federal Government in a bid to determine a reasonable strategy after receipt of the Arbitral award.” The Attorney General’s lawyers added: “we now have the authority of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to meet with the Claimant to negotiate the Terms of the Arbitral award.”

Today: In the lead up to the judgment by the English Commercial Court, Attorney General Malami allowed the time for acknowledging service in both the United States and London to lapse without filing any response. In both jurisdictions, Nigeria’s lawyers Curtis Mallet had to apply for ex post facto extensions of time and make the necessary apologies and explanations to the court.

In London, a senior Curtis Mallet partner explained that the Claim Form was “immediately filed and not passed up the chain of command” at the Ministry of Justice. The partner pleaded that “the delay was neither deliberate nor intended to be disrespectful to the Court.”

In the US, Curtis Mallet explained that the deadline was missed because they were in the process of being formally retained by the Nigerian Government and had been instructed to enquire about the potential for a settlement

The Attorney General’s pronouncements in the Nigerian press are a clear attempt to cover up his own incompetence and that of the Buhari Administration. This is a matter, which could have been settled shortly after he took office in November 2015 for $850 million. Instead, he personally took the decision to gamble on the arbitration and turned an $850 million liability into a $9.6 billion liability.

And at no time since has Attorney General Malami assumed responsibility has he raised any allegation of fraud or scam, either in the arbitration or in the subsequent enforcement proceedings. The reason for this is that there was no fraud. All of this raises serious concerns for foreign investors in Nigeria, whether you are investing in a commercial enterprise or buying Eurobonds. Not only will Nigeria deliberately refuse to pay an international arbitration award backed by an English Court, but they are prepared to launch sham investigations and character assassinations when all else fails.

This is a serious assault on the Rule of Law by a demonstrably dishonest administration.

Meanwhile, P&ID is now focused on vigorously enforcing its legal rights in the UK, including seizing Nigerian assets to satisfy the award. This will begin as soon as possible.

- PM NEWS

Rivers: Why we need state police – Wike tells UN

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has highlighted the need for the establishment of state police across the country.

Wike said the creation of state police would help to resolve the current insecurity facing the country, stressing that the present security structure makes it difficult for the Federal Police to respond quickly to security challenges.

Speaking when the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Ms. Agnes Callamard, visited him at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the governor said: “We believe that there should be state police for us to effectively fight crime in the country.

“Our system is fashioned towards the United States, which has Federal, State and Local Police. Each of them has their responsibilities. In the present situation, if a crime is committed, the Commissioner of Police will first report to the Inspector General of Police, before taking any action.”

The governor also stated that his administration established the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency to support security agencies with information, but the agency was frustrated for political reasons.

“We established the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency which would have helped the security agencies with information, but it was politicised by the Federal Government when they sent the Army to ensure that it did not come to fruition.

“If the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency was allowed, probably we would have solved part of the security problems,” he added.

- DAILY POST

Nigerian govt acquires $8.5m calibration aircraft

The Nigerian government on Thursday said it has taken delivery of a calibration aircraft worth $8.5m to make the air space safer.

Hadi Sirika, country’s Aviation Minister said on his twitter account on Thursday evening that he just received new calibration aircraft for the country.

He said the make of the aircraft is King Air 350i and cost $8.5m.

According to him, the acquisition of the aircraft had saved the nation the agony of contracting it to South Africa or Niger at about $500K every 6 months.

Sirika said the nation’s airspace is safer now and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for purchasing the aircraft/

“Just received new calibration aircraft for the country. Make is King Air 350i. Cost $8.5M. The agony of contracting it to South Africa or Niger at about $500K every 6 months is over. Our airspace is safer. Thanks Mr President, we started & finished during your regime,” he wrote on his twitter page.

- PM NEWS

Police provides graphic details of how slain OOU student was killed, thrown into Osun river

The police in Ogun State said the remains of Ahmed Obisanwo, a 400-Level student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, who was reportedly killed by some vigilantes, were thrown into Osun River to flow freely into the lagoon.

DAILY POST earlier reported that the Ogun police command arrested three members of a community vigilante group for the alleged murder of the final-year student.

It was learnt that the vigilante group, which the suspects claimed they belonged is known as ‘Yaluwon’ in Ijebu-Igbo.

According to the Police Spokesperson in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, “After killing their victim, the suspects stripped his corpse naked before throwing it into Osun river for it to flow freely into the lagoon.”

DAILY POST gathered that efforts are still ongoing by the police to search for the corpse of the 24-year-old Obisanwo from the Osun River.

The police also said, “efforts are on top gear to apprehend other members of the group connected with the case.”

It will be recalled that the three suspects in police net, Idowu Ayodele (a.k.a Olori Odo), Segun Ogunbanwo (a.k.a Kikisore) and Salisu Akeem were arrested following a petition written to the Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama, by the father of the victim, Surakat Obisanwo, who complained that his son had got missing after he and a friend were arrested on August 8, 2019 at Ijebu-Igbo by the local security outfit on allegation that the two friends were members of Eiye cult group.

Obisanwo’s was, however, released, but he was nowhere to be found; prompting his father to petition the CP.

- DAILY POST

Biafra: Kanu discloses why Nigerian President will not return from Japan

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has again come up with some claims about President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nnamdi Kanu, in a statement he personally signed, said that President Buhari, who he described as Jubril-Buhari, has been encircled and trapped by members of IPOB in his (Buhari) hideout in a Yokohama hotel, adding that there is no escape for the Nigerian leader.

The pro-Biafra leader, who claimed that the real Buhari was buried in Saudi Arabia, vowed that his group knows where the President’s presidential jet is and will never allow him to leave Japan.

The IPOB leader claimed that even if they try to smuggle ‘Jubril-Buhari’ out by hiding him in a diplomatic bag, that they (IPOB) shall get hold of him.

Kanu added, “How come all of their so-called Elites, Intellectuals, Professors, Academics, Opinion Leaders, Politicians, Royal Fathers, Pundits, Pastors, Native Doctors, are silent as their government keeps on dishing out lies upon lies, deceit upon deceit, fake picture after fake picture, fake video after fake video, but are busy worrying about IPOB confronting their dirty murderous politicians abroad?

“Whether shame will allow them to admit to it or not, the fact remains that Buhari is dead, buried in Saudi Arabia and replaced by Jubril Al-Sudani an impostor. That is why they have this elaborate dance of shame going on in Japan with fake pictures.

“We have now made sure that every government of the world is aware of this national disgrace and most heinous and despicable act being perpetrated by Fulani cabal. No amount of badly photoshopped pictures, fake videos lies and doctored images will save Jubri-Buhari.

“Those that claim custody of societal morals and values have suddenly lost their tongue, paralysed by fear of the killer Fulani cabal in Aso Rock. In front of them is a national fraud of immense proportion being perpetrated by a bunch of criminals in high political office but out fear and ingrained cowardice, they have chosen to keep quiet in the face of evil. This scale of deceit is not only historic but unprecedented, yet these people that claim to know it all are gravely silent.

“We smell blood and are closing in for the kill. Jubril-Buhari is encircled and trapped by IPOB in his hideout in a Yokohama hotel. There is no escape for him. We know where his presidential jet is and will never allow him to leave Japan. Even if they try to smuggle him out by hiding him in a diplomatic bag, we shall get hold of him.

“Those the government killed through their Army and Police as a result of Operation Python Dance, including those that fell at Nkpor, Onitsha, Enugu, Aba, Afaraukwu, Ngwa, Mbiama and Igweocha are crying from the grave. We must not let them down.

“Check this video posted by the President of Liberia and tell me if you can find Jubril-Buhari in it. Every other head of state is there except the Sudanese impostor Nigerians adopted as their president. Common to demand live video of the event from Femi Adeshina, they can’t. Shame on them.”

- DAILY POST

EFCC arrests another 20 ‘Yahoo Boys’ in Imo

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested another 20 suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as ‘Yahoo Boys’ in Imo State, Southeast Nigeria.

Operatives of the commission, South East Zonal office in Enugu swooped on the suspects on Friday morning in Owerri, Imo State and whisked them away.

This is coming barely six days the anti-graft agents swooped on boys suspected to be into cybercrime at their abode at the Spibat area of Owerri and arrested 30.

The EFCC operatives, who arrived Owerri on Thursday were said to have stormed Aladinma extension area of Owerri in the early hours of Friday and arrested the suspects popularly known as ‘Yahoo Yahoo boys.

The EFCC operatives struck while their targets were still asleep enthused that apart from picking the suspects, cars, expensive mobile phones and laptops were recovered by the anti-graft agents.

An EFCC source told the PUNCH that the area was known to be where cybercrime suspects lived.

According to him, no fewer than 20 suspects were arrested by the EFCC operatives while others jumped out of the windows of their rooms.

He said, “EFCC operatives on Friday morning stormed Aladinma extension area of Owerri and arrested Yahoo Yahoo boys. They were more than 20 they picked up. They also recovered cars, phones, and laptops from their targets.

“Others who were smart jumped out of the windows and fled. It was a funny scenario this morning. This is the second time these people are storming Owerri in less than one week to arrest Yahoo boys.”

Police sources who confirmed the development  said that the EFCC operatives arrived in the state on Thursday.

- PM NEWS

Seun Kuti: Nigerians should inform me when next they plan to beat up politicians abroad

Seun Kuti, Nigerian Afrobeat singer, says Nigerians should inform him when next they try to beat up any politician abroad.

He was speaking on the back of the recent attack of Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president, in Germany.

TheCable earlier reported how some members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) attacked the Igbo politician in Nuremberg during an annual cultural festival of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, an apex socio-cultural group in southeastern Nigeria.

Ever since the incident, politicians and average citizens have taken to social media platforms to criticize the secessionist group and air their opinions on measures to help prevent a reoccurrence.

Kuti, while commenting on the incident in a recent interview, joined the fray but expressed his regrets for being absent at the scene where the attack took place.

While he noted that his next course of action — if he were to have been present — is nobody’s business, the Afrobeats crooner said he would be offended when next such an attack would be staged without him being aware of it.

“What I’ll say is that next time any group of Nigerians is planning to beat up any Nigerian politician and they don’t let me know about it, I’ll be very offended. That’s the only thing I can say about it.I was there in Europe. Is it not more hands that we need?” he said.

“The more hands we have; the merrier it becomes. Something like that is going to happen and I didn’t hear about it, to be present! What I’m going to do if I were there is not anybody’s business. I mean, it should be an open invite for many Nigerians that can be there in the diaspora.”

The Nigerian embassy in Germany, in reaction to Ekweremadu’s incident, had requested a thorough investigation into the attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to book.

- THECABLE

Boris Johnson’s parliament suspension faces legal challenges

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of parliament just weeks before Britain’s EU departure date faced legal challenges on Thursday following a furious outcry from pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit.

Johnson announced the surprise decision Wednesday to dismiss parliament — known as proroguing — for nearly five weeks next month, claiming it was necessary to allow him to pursue a “bold and ambitious” new domestic agenda.

But the move sent shockwaves through the British political system, which relies on centuries of precedents and conventions instead of a codified constitution.

In a blow for Johnson, popular Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she was stepping down after eight years during which she has turned around her party’s fortunes.

Davidson, who supported staying in the EU, urged Johnson to clinch a deal with Brussels and mentioned the “conflict I have felt over Brexit” in her resignation letter.

Johnson’s opponents have labelled the suspension of parliament a “coup” and a “constitutional outrage” and it prompted immediate court bids in London and Edinburgh to halt the process.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, has also written to request an audience with Queen Elizabeth II to voice his opposition to the suspension, as has Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson.

Labour’s finance spokesman John McDonnell said his party would not allow Johnson to behave like a “dictator”.

At least two legal challenges have also been announced.

Gina Miller, a businesswoman and leading anti-Brexit campaigner, said she had applied for an urgent judicial review challenging “the effect and the intention” of the suspension.

“We think that this request is illegal,” said Miller, who in 2017 successfully won MPs the right to vote on formally starting to leave the EU in a court challenge.

Scottish National Party (SNP) politician Joanna Cherry said lawyers had applied for an urgent interim hearing at Scotland’s highest civil court which they hoped would take place as early as Thursday.

However, arch-Brexiteer minister Jacob Rees-Mogg defended the suspension and insisted MPs would still have time to debate Brexit ahead of Britain’s October 31 EU departure date.

“The candyfloss of outrage, which is almost entirely confected, is from people who never wanted to leave the European Union,” he told BBC radio.

Thousands of people protested in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and other cities, while an online petition seeking to block the decision had garnered more than 1.3 million signatures by early Thursday.

At the biggest rally, crowds gathered near parliament in London chanting “stop the coup” and waving EU flags.

Queen Elizabeth approved the request to end what has been the longest session of parliament in nearly 400 years in the second week of September and reopen it on October 14 — just over two weeks before Brexit.

The House of Commons typically goes into recess around the annual party conference season, which kicks off on September 14 and ends on October 2, but critics slammed this more lengthy break.

Corbyn has said he may call a no-confidence vote in Johnson’s government, which commands a majority of just one seat.

The pound remained under pressure Thursday after sliding on news of the suspension.

In the seismic 2016 referendum on Britain’s EU membership, 52 percent voted in favour of leaving the bloc, a result that has left parliament and the country bitterly divided.

Johnson insists Britain must leave by the October 31 deadline — already twice-delayed — with or without a divorce deal from Brussels.

Parliament has rejected three times the withdrawal agreement struck between Brussels and the government of Johnson’s predecessor Theresa May.

Eurosceptics objected to a so-called “backstop” provision to keep the Irish border open for people and goods, which would keep Britain closely aligned with the EU.

- PM NEWS

NAPTIP : Man arrested for allegedly raping 12-year-old girl

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Benin Zonal Command has taken into custody, one Chukwudi Agustine, a 62-year-old cobbler, for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, the Benin Zonal Commander, told newsmen on Thursday, in Benin, that the victim who is a student, helps her mother to sell “Zobo”, a locally made beverage drink.

Nwanwenne said the suspect had purchased N50 worth of Zobo from the victim and gave her N500 note.

He said “The little girl, who had no change, agreed to come for her money after the day’s sales because she was familiar with the suspect and the environment.

“Two weeks later, the victim went back to the suspect’s shop to collect her money but she did not meet him there.

“She was, however, directed by the suspect’s apprentice to his house. When she knocked at his door, the suspect dragged her in forcefully and defiled her.”

Nwanwenne said that the cry of the victim attracted the suspect’s neighbours who rescued her.

According to the zonal commander, “on realising that the law would catch up with him, the suspect allegedly tried to settle the victim’s mother with the sum of N50,000.

He said, “He later reduced the settlement sum to N30,000 before he was apprehended by the men of the State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) who handed him over to NAPTIP.”

However, Nwanwenne said that the suspect, who hails from Ishiagu community in Ohazaria Local Government Area of Ebonyi, had allegedly admitted to the crime as investigation was being concluded to charge him to court.

- DAILY POST

Travel agent arraigned for allegedly defrauding clients of N9.7m

A travel agent, Adedoyin Abudu, 39, was on Thursday, arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding his clients of N9.7 million, under the pretext of helping them to secure travelling tickets.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abudu, who is facing a two-count charge of fraud and theft, pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The prosecutor, Insp. Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between June and August in Lagos Island.

He said that the defendant defrauded one Mr Olayinka Olajuwon and others introduced to him by Olajuwon of N9.7 million.

Ekundayo said the defendant collected the money under the pretext of helping them to secure travel tickets to the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates, of which he failed to do.

He said “The defendant, who was referred to the complainant, said he was a travel agent and was paid to book travelling tickets for the complainant and his friends to UK and Dubai.

“The defendant, however, converted the money to his personal use,” he said.

Ekundayo said that the offences contravened Sections 314 (1)(a) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2005.

NAN reports that section 314 (1)(a) carries 15 years imprisonment for fraud, while section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for theft.

The Magistrate, Mrs A. M. Olumide-Fusika, granted Abudu a N2million bail with two sureties in like sum.

She then adjourned the case until Sept. 2 for hearing.

- DAILY POST

Gunmen kill Catholic priest, set him ablaze

The chairman of the Kufai Adamu local government, Shiban Tikari has confirmed the killing of a Catholic priest, barely 24 hours after gunmen raided villages in Taraba.

Tikari who identified the deceased as Reverend Father David Tanko, also confirmed that the gunmen set him and his car ablaze.

He was ambushed at Kufai Amadu in Takum local government area of the state.

The cleric was said to be on his way to Takum for a peace meeting with his fellow clergymen on how to resolve the lingering Tiv, Jukun crisis when he was killed.

Tikari, alleged that the attack was carried out by Tiv militias and also blamed several other attacks that have claimed lives and property in southern Taraba on the group, noting that the reason for the attacks is still unknown.

Taraba has witnessed series of attacks lately with the most recent one in Wukari local government areas of the state. Two persons were killed while a police officer was injured in the attack.

In neighboring Donga Local Government Area (LGA), a student of ECWA Seminary School, was in the early hours of Wednesday killed on his farm.

The police are yet to confirm the report.

- PM NEWS