ON POINT !!! Apply Aburi Accord, divide Nigeria now – Agbakoba tells Buhari

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and human rights activist, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has told President Muhammadu Buhari to divide the country into eight regional structures.

Agbakoba, one of the greatest heroes of democracy in Nigeria, noted that there are so many unclear issues in Nigeria about how people of the country want to organize themselves and how they want to live together.

The senior lawyer told reporters at the weekend that insecurity and other serious issues facing the country “can’t [be] fully arrested,” if the central government remains so strong as it is now.

He added that, “This is because community policing or state policing is a tactical tool to deal with the problem, but the strategic tool is the bigger question of the national question.

“There are so many unclear issues in Nigeria about how we want to organize ourselves, how we want to live together, this is what some people have called the restructuring question, some call it the national question, but I call it devolution of powers question.

“Whatever it’s called that is the central issue that needs resolution so that even if you use tactical tools like community policing, but the bigger issue remains then I don’t know if we can resolve it.

“What Nigeria needs is space, there are diverse ethnicities and they are living in such close proximity that one ethnic community is in the face of the other with counter-cultures, counter-religious beliefs and that is not healthy. Even in America in spite of all their advanced democracy, they take care of diversities.

“So, I think if I were to advise the president, for instance, the first thing to do is create space…,identify the ethnic regionalities, create eight big blocs, even though we have 6 to make it 8.

“And then I will give them the power to do things at their own local level, it’s called the principle of subsidiarity; let them work at their own local level. Subsidiarity is where people engage themselves at the local level such that you find in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England.

“Part of the challenge they had when they were living closely was to create an act of settlement of 1705, that was when peace began to come and each of the regions recognized themselves.

“They all had their own prime ministers and they call them first ministers, so the prime minister of the UK is the one we see internationally, but on local matters like school, refuse collection, education, agriculture, employment, health issues, it’s local.

“So, imagine where eight of the regional structures in Nigeria were fending for themselves at their local level and not depending on federal allocation from Abuja, things will be different.

“Immediately they will take control of what is around them, they will create state police, they will create the relevant security apparatus to deal with any threat, therefore, you don’t need one Chief of Army Staff, and they don’t need one Inspector General of Police to be running around entire Nigeria.

“For instance…say in the South-south region, they will have all the relevant apparatuses to deal with whatever situation that they need to survive as a region.

“They could have courts; they might like to have a Supreme Court of the South-south where cases end in the Supreme Court of the South-south, so they do not have to go to the Supreme Court of Nigeria because the Supreme Court of Nigeria has no business dealing with issues arising from there.

“That is the kind of space I think that should be paramount in the issue concerning where Nigeria is heading to.

“Because that discussion is not on the table, all these ethnic issues flare up as major national insecurity challenge. So, that is what I will do or suggest if I had the opportunity to advise on it. The Federal Government is too strong.

“The Federal Government is actually not a Federal Government, ours is a unitary government because the states have no power on the legislative list so there are 68 items on the Exclusive List and as the name implies in Exclusive List only the Federal Government handles it.

“There is 30 on the Concurrent List, concurrent is between the federal and the state to legislate, but if the Federal Government legislates then pursuant to what is called the doctrine of covering the field the state is not allowed to do anything. In other words, the states have no legislative authority, that creates a problem.

“Why should the Federal Government be dealing with Universal Basic Education for primary schools? What is the Federal Government responsibility with that? I don’t understand.

“What is the Federal Government responsibility with setting up a JAMB process so that you equalize educational activities, but if my grandchild from Anambra scores 282, but my friend’s grandson from Zamfara scores 100, my friend’s grandson gets into the university, but my own does not get in. Why don’t you simply say ….look each region can just organize itself and take your examination?

“So, it is this centrifugal federalism, that means federalism that has a pyramid that has only one leader that is our problem.

“We just have to blast the structures and allow regional leaders as we had under the 1960 Constitution. So, when you have regional leaders you will have people who will like to play regional politics or regional law.

“There is no reason, for instance, in my own profession the eight regions I propose should not be awarding SAN to their best lawyers. Why must it only be Abuja? In the UK, the SAN in England is different from the SAN in Scotland.

“So, the formula that worked for Nigeria was to recognize the differences and I think the best example of the agreements that we can apply is the Aburi Accord.

“The Aburi Accord recognized that Nigeria’s problems were as a result of our diversity not being well managed. We need to manage our diversity that is the way we can move forward.”

- DAILY POST

SERAP sues CCB over claim on privacy of Buhari’s assets

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a suit against the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over its claim that details of President Muhammadu Buhari’s assets cannot be disclosed on the grounds of privacy.

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP deputy director, in a statement, said the suit was filed at the federal high court in Lagos on Friday.

.A freedom of information (FoI) request by SERAP had asked the CCB to urgently provide information on asset declaration submitted to the bureau by successive presidents and governors from 1999 to 2019.

The bureau in its response stated that the information requested cannot be provided on the grounds of “invasion of privacy’

In the filed suit, the civil society organisation argued that the assets declaration form is a public document and not private information as claimed by CCB.

The suit number FHC/L/CS/1019/2019 filed by Adelanke Aremo, SERAP counsel, is seeking a court order directing CCB to make public details of asset declarations submitted to it by successive public officials.

“Asset declarations of presidents and state governors submitted to the CCB are public documents. Public interest in disclosure of the details of asset declarations sought by SERAP clearly outweighs any claim of protection of the privacy of presidents and state governors, as they are public officers entrusted with the duty to manage public funds, among other public functions,” the suit read.

“A necessary implication of the rule of law is that a public institution like the CCB can only act in accordance with the law, as to do otherwise may enthrone arbitrariness. The CCB does not have reasonable grounds on which to deny SERAP’s FOI request, as it is in the interest of justice, the Nigerian public, transparency and accountability to publish details of asset declarations by presidents and state governors since the return of democracy in 1999.

“Disclosing details of asset declarations of public officers such as presidents and state governors would improve public trust in the ability of the CCB to effectively discharge its mandate. This would in turn put pressure on public officers like presidents and state governors to make voluntary public declaration of their assets.

“Sections 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 20 and 31 of the FOI Act are clear and unambiguous, stating a clear intention to make public information such as details of asset declarations by presidents and state governors more freely available to the members of the public and a clear obligation on the part of public institutions to proactively keep proper records in a manner that facilitates public access to such information or record.”

SERAP is therefore seeking the following reliefs:

“AN ORDER granting leave to the Applicant to apply for judicial review and to seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the Respondent to compile and make available to the Applicant information on specific details of asset declarations submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau by successive Presidents, Vice Presidents, Senate Presidents, Speakers of House of Representatives, State Governors and Deputy Governors from 1999 to 2019 and to publish widely including on a dedicated website, any such information,” it read.

“AN ORDER granting leave to the Applicant to apply for judicial review and to seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the Respondent to compile and make available to the Applicant information on the number of asset declarations so far verified by the Code of Conduct Bureau and the number of those declarations found to be false and deemed to be in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by the Bureau and to publish widely including on a dedicated website, any such information.

“AN ORDER granting leave to the Applicant to apply for Judicial Review and to seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the Respondent to immediately take cases of false asset declarations to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for effective prosecution of suspects, and include banning the politicians involved from holding public offices for at least a period of 10 years and seeking refund of stolen public funds as part of the reliefs to be sought before the Tribunal.

“AND for further order or orders as this Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

- THECABLE

How Cele prophet allegedly impregnated, killed girl taken to him for deliverance

Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 72-year-old Prophet Jacob Adegboyega Farinmade, of Celestial Church of Christ in Ipaja area, for allegedly killing a female undergraduate he impregnated.

The deceased, Bunmi allegedly died during childbirth, while the clergyman secretly buried her, The Nation reports.

Bunmi was said to have been taken by her father to live with her mother following her rustication in 200 level at Babcock University in Ilisan Remo, Ogun State in 2014.

Bunmi’s mother, Derayo Omisipi, thereafter took her to the embattled cleric for spiritual deliverance and protection.

The cleric broke the news of the girl’s death to her mother after he had buried her in a shallow grave near his church premises.

The father of the deceased became curious and reported the matter to the police, who was arrested.

The matter is being handled by the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where the prophet is currently detained.

Spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Bala Elkanah, said the suspect had been charged to court for murder.

Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 72-year-old Prophet Jacob Adegboyega Farinmade, of Celestial Church of Christ in Ipaja area, for allegedly killing a female undergraduate he impregnated.

The deceased, Bunmi allegedly died during childbirth, while the clergyman secretly buried her, The Nation reports.

Bunmi was said to have been taken by her father to live with her mother following her rustication in 200 level at Babcock University in Ilisan Remo, Ogun State in 2014.

Bunmi’s mother, Derayo Omisipi, thereafter took her to the embattled cleric for spiritual deliverance and protection.

The cleric broke the news of the girl’s death to her mother after he had buried her in a shallow grave near his church premises.

The father of the deceased became curious and reported the matter to the police, who was arrested.

The matter is being handled by the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where the prophet is currently detained.

Spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Bala Elkanah, said the suspect had been charged to court for murder.

Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 72-year-old Prophet Jacob Adegboyega Farinmade, of Celestial Church of Christ in Ipaja area, for allegedly killing a female undergraduate he impregnated.

The deceased, Bunmi allegedly died during childbirth, while the clergyman secretly buried her, The Nation reports.

Bunmi was said to have been taken by her father to live with her mother following her rustication in 200 level at Babcock University in Ilisan Remo, Ogun State in 2014.

Bunmi’s mother, Derayo Omisipi, thereafter took her to the embattled cleric for spiritual deliverance and protection.

The cleric broke the news of the girl’s death to her mother after he had buried her in a shallow grave near his church premises.

The father of the deceased became curious and reported the matter to the police, who was arrested.

The matter is being handled by the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where the prophet is currently detained.

Spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Bala Elkanah, said the suspect had been charged to court for murder.

- DAILY POST

Police tell parents how to know if their children have joined cults

The Police in Anambra state have warned parents to look out for seven signs which they described as tell-tale signs that their wards were getting involved in cultism.

The Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Haruna Mohammed, in a press release made available to DAILY POST, identified seven early signs that show a young person was taking to cultism.

They include: late night, love for music, love for specific colours, difficulty in exposing the body, isolation, anger and smoking, and making new friends.

Mohammed said, “Early detection of a child’s engagement in cultism can help stop the full involvement of that child in the evil act and also save the life of the child from impending dangers that lies ahead.

“Bad friends contribute a lot to joining cultism. Try to know the friends your child goes out with most times, find out their details and find out where they hang out. Doing this will help you to be sure your child is not in the company of friends that are cultist because sooner or later the child may join them in their evil acts.

“If your son or daughter is the jovial type that loves keeping company but suddenly starts keeping to him or herself watch out. This is very common among some cultists as they love to be alone.

“You can do a check on the type of music your child has gotten newly and loves listening to over and over again. Some of these songs are fraternity songs containing their chants and anthems.”

Haruna added that, “Some parents are not aware that their children smoke under their roofs even in their private rooms. Check your children’s rooms when they are not around and do it into detail, checking every corner in the room. You can also check the fingers or lips of the child to see any strange darkening. If your child gets angry at the slightest provocation that is not usual with the child, it can be a sign.

“Take note of your child if he or she has suddenly fallen in love with a particular color. For example, the child can wear a color for a week or can’t do without the color in any form of dressing. This can be a danger signal you need to look into.

“Cultists don’t like to expose their body especially the back because they have some wounds they don’t like to expose to people around them. Watch if your child suddenly finds it hard to undress in your presence or goes to the bathroom with clothes on and come out of the bathroom.”

- DAILY POST

Ohanaeze youth demand immediate sack of Fulani gatemen in Igboland

Following the plan of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, to establish vigilante group in the Southeast region, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide on Sunday demanded an immediate sack of Fulani youths serving as gatemen for Igbo in the zone.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural group made this known in a statement signed by its President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and made available to DAILY POST, in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital.

The statement reads in part: “The truth must be told that Fulani Youths Vigilante groups have been existing here in the South East Nigeria for decades unofficially, and we appreciate the Comments of Chief Nwodo Jnr that he will resist the establishment of Fulani Youth vigilante group.

“We observed that over 90% of the mansions and houses owned by igbo politicians, Igbo businessman and opinion leaders are keeping Fulani Youths as GATEMEN and WATCHMEN, including the house of Chief Nnia Nwodo at Enugu, we now wonder, how can someone be shouting about resisting Fulani Youths Vigilante groups when he had been paying the same Fulani Youths as GATEMEN for decades.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth council worldwide observed that except We get rid of those Fulani Youths as Our GATEMEN and WATCHMEN, Our outbursts against the Establishment of Fulani Youths Vigilante groups are amount to nothing, when the Fulani Youths Vigilante groups are unofficially operating in Our midst for Decades and Even most Tenants in the South East prefer the Fulani Youths Vigilante guarding their streets than our local Vigilante groups.

“Except Igbos do the needful, the Fulani Youths Vigilante groups are unofficially operating in the South East, and that’s what gave the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria the effontery and Audacity to look at Our Leaders Face to Face at South East Security Summit Enugu, and demand the official recognition of these Fulani Youths operating as GATEMEN and WATCHMEN at Our houses as Vigilante groups,they are fully aware of those guarding our Mansions in the South East are enough to constitute a Militia to deal decisively against the people of the South East, in our local adage” Oke nno n’ulo gwara Oke nno na ohia na Azu nno na ngiga,” Ohanaeze youths stated.

- DAILY POST

2 ATM Robbers In Police Net

Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two members of a syndicate which specialised in robbing people of money withdrawn from ATM machines.

The police in a statement said their mode of operation is to lurk around banks and observe those withdrawing substantial amounts of money and trace such persons with their standby motorcycle to a convenient area for them to rob him/her.

Luck ran against them when the Area Commander of Ota Police Division, ACP Monday Agbonika and his men of operation PUFF ADDER sighted three men on a Bajaj motorcycle around First Bank in Ota, during one of their routine patrols.

The area commander asked his men to stop and search them.

On sighting the policemen, the men jumped off their motorcycle and took to their heels, but they were chased and two of them were apprehended while the third escaped.

Those arrested were identified as Ebenezer Olubukola, 30 and Olajide Oladejo, 29.

The police recovered one locally made pistol with five live cartridges and a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number AKM 490 WT from them.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police Bashir Makama has ordered the transfer of the suspects to the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) for discreet investigation.

He also ordered a manhunt for the fleeing member of the gang.

- PM NEWS

Buhari seeks death penalty for kidnappers

Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo North) on Sunday recommended capital punishment for kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes in order to tackle growing insecurity in the country.

Buhari told newsmen in Ibadan that the spate of kidnapping and killings across the country would continue unabated if such a drastic measure was not taken.

Buhari was the former Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, in the 8th National Assembly.

The lawmaker lamented the upsurge in kidnappings and killings across the country, saying violent crimes were becoming a lucrative business for those involved.

“These heinous crimes against humanity have gone beyond the normal Fulani herdsmen attacks and have become a real trade for those who engage in them.

“Let me be honest with you, the situation is nationwide and very worrisome. I believe and I am afraid because Nigerians themselves are yet to take drastic measures.

“I believe by the time anyone caught in the act faces death penalty other people will learn and stop.

”Kidnappers have been arrested, nothing has been done to them. I believe taking them to court is a longer process,’’ he said.

He recalled how increasing rate of drug peddling was stemmed in the 80s through drastic measure, adding that lots of people abandoned the trade as soon as government made those caught in the act to face the firing squad.

The lawmaker said that the absence of such punitive measure give those involved in the recent inhuman activities liberty to continue recruiting young people.

”Today, going to Saudi Arabia, Bangkok, Singapore or India with drugs or to commit other forms of crime attracts death penalty and such had to an extent stemmed the trend.

“Nigerians are very stubborn people; they won’t change except there is a deterrent. These people collect cash from victims and take it to banks but the banks have not been reporting receipt of strange money accounts,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to collaborate with security agencies by providing them vital information on strange persons and movements around them.

Buhari recalled the recent abduction of a former minister’s son in Oyo State, noting that the hoodlums could not have operated without information.

“I am sure some people would have supplied information to the culprits on the movement of the former minister’s son and the location of his farm.

”Nobody will tell me that Fulani herdsmen came from Niger Republic to abduct him without information,’’ he said.

The lawmaker also called on the current administration do the needful, saying the major function of any government was security of lives and properties.

He gave an assurance that the National Assembly would deliberate on the insecurity in the country when it reconvened, adding that it would seek expert opinion and give the necessary backing.

Buhari further cautioned Nigerians against politicisation of whatever measures were evolved to stem the trend, saying insecurity knows no political party, tribe, religion or status.

- PM NEWS

Envoy makes an important announcement to Nigerians travelling abroad

The Nigerian Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Toko Gongulong has advised Nigerians travelling to that country or other countries to endeavour to visit the country’s missions to register their presence.

Gongulong gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Malabo.

He said visiting the Nigerian missions would allow for easy interventions should they encounter any difficult situation during their stay.

“We are not going to monitor you or your activities; it is just for us to know that you are around.

“Again, the event you are attending, if it is difficult for you to do so, we can assist you to facilitate easy attendance and also ensure access to most organisations and media as well.

“In Equatorial Guinea, when you visit, we can assist you to access many places and things you need to do,” he said.

The envoy said the Nigerian community in Equatorial Guinea had largely reduced from more than 100,000 in the 1960s prior to the country’s independence to about 2,500.

Gongulong attributed the reduction to the government in power at the time.

“Prior to independence of Equatorial Guinea in 1968, there were more than 100,000 Nigerians here.

“After independence, the first Equatorial Guinea president was so hostile to Nigerians, and they were so xenophobic that they exploited Nigerians forcing them to leave.

“Nigerians have been part and parcel of the development of Equatorial Guinea.”

He further advised Nigerians intending to travel to or already living in Equatorial Guinea or other countries to abide by the laws.

The envoy added that abiding by the laws of the countries they found themselves will make the jobs of Nigerian missions’ officials easier.

“You came in here, nobody forced you, so come here and obey their laws, respect their culture and live by their laws, that is the only way we can help you out.

“If you are living by their laws and culture and you are still arrested or harassed, then you can come to us and we will assist to protect your interest.

“That is the main function of any ambassador but you also have to help us by living by their laws, it will make our task easier.”

On the volume of trade between the Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, the ambassador said most of the trade between both countries was informal.

He added that businessmen intending to invest were usually informed of investment prospects and expectations.

“Trade between both countries is small because the market here is a small one.

“We always let Nigerians know so that they do not get into trouble with their Equatorial Guinean partners here.”

He advised that Nigerians planning to invest in Equatorial Guinea should do a feasibility study to know what areas to invest in.

- PM NEWS

Disaster averted as Air Peace Plane overshoots runway in Rivers

A major disaster was averted on Saturday as an Air Peace Plane overshot the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State.

The incident occurred during a heavy downpour.

One of the passengers on board said the incident occurred as the plane was landing at the airport.

The plane was said to have come to a halt some 200 meters in the bush by the runway.

It was gathered that all passengers have been evacuated and driven to the arrival area.

- PM NEWS

One-storey building collapses in Oshodi

A one-storey building has collapsed in Oshodi, Lagos with two people reportedly injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

The collapsed building is located at 35, Adesanya Street, Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos.

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, on its Twitter page, the building collapsed with two people trapped.

It said the building was undergoing illegal repair when it caved in.

“A storey building at the address suddenly came down with two people said to be trapped and rescued and taken to a nearby hospital by neighbours before the arrival of the Agency’s LRT.

“The building was undergoing illegal renovation before it collapsed this morning. There is an urgent need for complete demolition of the building before it causes any further disaster,” it said.

- PM NEWS

Ethiopia’s army chief Gen. Seare assassinated in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has confirmed the assassination of General Seare Mekonnen, chief of staff of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces, along with retired Major General Gezal Abera.

In an update provided on the botched coup attempt in Amhara region on Saturday, Abiy said the military men were killed on Saturday night within Seare’s residence, by his bodyguard, who has been arrested.

Earlier reports had indicated that Seare was wounded and not dead.

Prime Minister Abiy also confirmed the killing of Dr. Ambachew Mekonnen, president of Amhara Regional Government and his advisor Ezez Wassie.

“The regional attorney general Migbaru Kebede also sustined heavy injuries and is currently undergoing medical treatment”. Abiy said.

The statement blamed the botched coup on Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige, head of the regional government’s Peace and Security Bureau, acting in collaboration with some other people, not identified.

“Many of the individuals involved in the attacks have been arrested and there is an ongoing operation to arrest the remaining`”, Abiy said.

- PM NEWS