Ogun: We killed our victim for N500,000 – Suspects tell police

 

Two suspects who were arrested over the death of one Rasaq Shotunde have told the police that they were contacted to kill him for a reward of N500,000.

Men of Ogun State Police Command said it arrested the two suspects, Daniel Ikwe and Micheal Tedungbe alongside one Idowu Shorunke, who they described as the mastermind.

DAILY POST learned that Rasaq Shotunde was murdered in cold blood on Christmas day, December 25, 2020 at Solomo Village in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun State.

A distress call was reportedly received by the policemen at Owode-Egba divisional police headquarters that the deceased was found dead along the road leading to Baseye village, with his head smashed with a heavy object suspected to be a club.

This, it was gathered, caused the DPO of Owode-Egba, CSP Mathew Ediae, to mobilize his detectives to the scene, from where they commenced investigations.

The Ogun police image maker, Abimbola Oyeyemi told DAILY POST on Wednesday that they succeeded in nabbing one of the suspects, with the help of residents of the community.

The arrested suspect, Oyeyemi said, led the police to his accomplice and he was also apprehended.

“The two suspects there and then informed the police that it was Idowu Shorunke who contracted them to eliminate the deceased.

Their confession led the police to his house where he was promptly arrested, it was said.

Oyeyemi quoted Daniel Ikwe and Micheal Tedungbe as confessing that they killed the deceased on the order of Idowu Shorunke who promised to give them N500,000 if they carried out the assignment successfully.

“They confessed further that they laid ambush for the deceased on his way to the village from Abeokuta, where he had gone to visit his son and used a heavy stick to smash his head.

“On his own part, Idowu Shorunke admitted being the one who contracted the two others to kill the deceased because of an issue over a portion of land which has been lingering on for a while,” the police spokesperson confirmed.

The three suspects had been transferred to the homicide section of the State CIID as directed by the Ogun Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, for further investigation and prosecution.

- DAILY POST

ACF spokesman: We supported Buhari because we thought he could secure Nigeria

 Emmanuel Yawe, national publicity secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), says he has lost faith in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Yawe, who made this comment when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, said the people are depressed and sad about the incessant attacks and killings in the north.

He said during the 2015 elections, the people considered the two major candidates’ “history” and were impressed with Buhari’s records and decided to go for him.

He said the belief was that Buhari had the capability to secure the country as a result of his past actions as a military man.

“When the elections were to be conducted in 2015, the two principal candidates — Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari — some of us looked at the two candidates,” he said.

“What was disturbing the north then, there were feelings of insecurity. So when we looked at these two candidates, we said well Jonathan was a university lecturer before he went into politics, before he became local government chairman, governor of his state, then vice president to president …all by luck…. his name stuck to him.

“But Buhari was a general who fought in the war to keep Nigeria in the 60s and 70s, then head of state.

“And some of us even had personal testimonies to give. I remember I was a reporter with New Nigerian Newspaper in 1983 when some Chadians invaded Nigeria and took some Nigerian land. As a young man in my 20s, I was sent to cover him, he did very well; he chased away those rascals.

“And we were impressed with this. We said this is the man who is going to secure Nigeria but what has happened? On a daily basis when we hold our meetings in Kaduna, we keep receiving reports …every state in the north…. Every state in the north is not secure.

“Is it not the man we had so much faith in? If he couldn’t do any other thing, at least he will be able to secure the north and the country.

“How can I have faith in someone who presides over this kind of …this state of affair…? When he was coming to become president, I had faith in him because I witnessed how successful he was in chasing away enemies coming to Nigeria.

“But now, 300 people kidnapped in his home state.”

The ACF spokesman said he does not feel safe travelling to his home state in Taraba as a result of frequent attacks.

“I can’t go to my home state of Taraba, the whole place is in chaos. They are killing people every day, that one is not publicised because there is no oil in Taraba,” he said.

“What can I say is you have seen what has been happening to our people. I used to drive from Maiduguri sometimes to Sokoto alone in the car, sometimes at night, nothing will happen to me. Even at the worse of this in Abacha days, I used to drive alone all over the north. I have never felt unsafe like the way I feel now.”

- THECABLE

Christmas message: ‘Bishop Kukah gave a true reflection of Nigeria’ – Gov. Ortom

 

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Wednesday, observed that the Christmas Day message by Bishop Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, gave a true reflection of the current situation in the country.

He, therefore, enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to words of wisdom and disregard sycophants who might tell him that all is well with the country.

Governor Ortom made his observation in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, lamented that it is unfair and repressive of the Federal Government’s reaction to the message of the cleric whom the government accused of stirring hatred against the President.

Governor Ortom enjoined the Federal Government not to muzzle what he called “patriotic Nigerians who are raising genuine concerns over the worsening security situation in the country because all is not well”.

Governor Ortom said that Bishop Kukah is a selfless Nigerian who only seeks to unite the nation and speaks his mind frankly on national issues calling on the government to serve the people.

He advised that instead of politicizing the views of the Bishop and castigating him, the Federal Government should take a second look at the things he raised in the message to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

The governor noted that Nigeria is practising democracy which guarantees the freedom of speech to all citizens and not a military regime which suppresses the right of the people to voice their opinions on challenges facing their country.

According to him, it is incumbent on the Federal Government to listen to the views of the people and take steps to address the worrisome security situation and other problems confronting the country rather than combatively engaging anyone who dares to hold an alternative opinion.

Governor Ortom opined that at this challenging time in the country’s history, the people expected their leaders to be tolerant, patient, humane, sincere, and always seek to address the issues that affect shared interests of citizens.

The governor Ortom noted that many Nigerians have given their views on the situation in the country, stressing that Bishop Kukah was not the first to say that hundreds of innocent Nigerians were being killed in cold blood by bandits, kidnappers, armed herdsmen and other terrorists.

The Governor noted that even under the worst dictatorships, courageous citizens expressed their views on issues of national interest, stating that Nigeria which is a democratic nation cannot be an exception.

He noted that whipping into silence, men and women of honour who speak against injustice would not take the country to greater heights, stressing that the government needs critics who make constructive observations and recommendations for it to work in the interest of the people.

Governor Ortom opined that great nations of the world got to their enviable heights by harnessing and utilizing ideas of their citizens, not by discouraging those who made bold submissions on the development of their countries.

The governor expressed his conviction in the unity, growth and potential of Nigeria to overcome its current economic and security challenges and live up the true meaning of its title as the Giant of Africa.

- DAILY POST

250 Navy retirees evicted from homes after 35 years of service

 

No fewer than 250 retirees of the Nigerian Navy residing at the Federal Government owned 28 blocks of flats located on Roads 34, 41, 411 and 412 of the Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos have been evicted from their homes.

They currently hang their belongings with family members and friends, PM NEWS gathered.

The retirees, who are of the rank of warrant officers, petty officers, leading hands, able seaman and ordinary seaman, lamented that the incident was in violation of the Federal Government’s housing policy on occupants.

According to them, the federal government landed property alienation policy says occupants of the various blocks of flats should be allowed to pay for the flats after ten years of occupancy.

In a letter dated 9 March 2020 and sent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the retirees stated that officers of other Federal Government agencies such as Nigeria Police, Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Airways, Nigeria Shipping Limited and News Agency of Nigeria have enjoyed the benefit of the monetization policy.

In another letter dated 30 September, 2020 to the Minister of Defence, Abuja and the Senate President through Senator Olamilekan Solomon, and captioned: ‘Petition On Fraudulent Collection Of N200 Million Per Annum From 400 Flats/Obstruction Of Sale By Nigeria Navy Authority/Presidential Committee On Sales Of Federal Government Landed Property Of 28 Blocks Occupied By Navy Personnel Located At Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos’, the Nigeria Navy Blocks Residents Association, Gowon Estate narrated its story which it said began in 2005.

“The Federal Government set up the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Sale of Federal Government Landed Property.In 2012, forms were given to Navy authorities for distribution to occupiers of the 400 flats and other government organizations. Only that of Navy was confiscated.

“In 2018 efforts were made by the above residents association to prevail on the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Sale of Federal Government Landed Property to carry out physical verification and were blocked by the Nigerian Navy Authorities.

“The Nigerian Navy generates N200,000,000 annually at an average of N50,0000 on over 400 flats from each personnel monthly. Each Navy personnel has housing deduction of N600,000 per year deducted from their salary.

“It is against this background that we, over 400 members of the above association, wish to appeal to you to use your good office to prevail on the Navy authorities to allow owner occupiers of these flats to purchase them like their counterparts in Nigeria Army and Police”, the association said in the letter.

The retirees also appealed to the Nigerian Senate to prevail on the Presidential Implementation Committee on Sale of Federal Government Landed Property to implement the policy.

They demand that, just as the policy has been implemented on the officers of other Federal Government agencies, they should also be allowed to pay for the flats they occupy.

However, the Director of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Defence, Abuja, Suzan Ochida, who spoke through an aide, Mr. Kola Adeyemi, has promised that the ministry would look into their case.

- PM NEWS

Eastern Security Network will operate without support of Southeast govs – Nnamdi Kanu boasts

 Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday claimed that his Eastern Security Network, ESN, will operate without the support of Southeast governors.

Kanu said ESN revolved around the people and not Southeast governors or politicians.

The IPOB leader made the claims while dismissing Southeast governors who distanced themselves from the security outfit.

Kanu maintained that the position of the governors was of no significance to the operations of the outfit.

He spoke through the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful.

A statement by Powerful reads partly: “Now that the southeast govs have distanced themselves from the eastern security network, how can it work successfully without their support?

“We never expected the governors to support Eastern Security Network. The governors are part of our problem because of their selfish interests. They are the ones benefitting under the current one Nigeria slavery.

“But the truth remains that their dissociation from the security outfit is of no significance or consequence. ESN is the people’s movement. It doesn’t revolve around any governor or misguided political criminal masquerading as an elite.

“ESN is formidable, and can effectively operate without the involvement of any governor. The security outfit will flourish without the support of the governors in our land. I don’t think we can trust them. IPOB is the largest mass movement on the face of the earth. What would make it possible for any sane mind to think that a bunch of criminals numbering a total of 11 will stop such a global phenomenon even with the help of their Janjaweed masters in the Sahel.”

- DAILY POST

Post-Brexit bill receives royal approval, becomes law

 

The post-Brexit trade bill has received the royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said in the early hours of Thursday, meaning it is now officially law in Britain.

The legislation officially called the European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020, sets out the trade rules between Britain and the bloc from Jan. 1.

On Wednesday, it was presented to British Parliament where elected lawmakers in the House of Commons voted 521 to 73 – a majority of 448 – in support of the deal.

It then received an unopposed third reading in the House of Lords after nearly eight hours of debate.

Shortly after the House of Lords result, the Queen gave it her official stamp of approval, officially turning the bill into British law.

In response to the approval from the House of Lords, Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked lawmakers and peers for passing his post-Brexit trade deal.

“The destiny of this great country now resides firmly in our hands,” he said.

“We take on this duty with a sense of purpose and with the interests of the British public at the heart of everything we do.

“11 p.m. on Dec. 31 marks a new beginning in our country’s history and a new relationship with the EU as their biggest ally.

“This moment is finally upon us and now is the time to seize it,” he added.

The approval comes after the European Union and Britain signed the post-Brexit deal on Wednesday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel put their ink on the agreement on Wednesday morning and Johnson followed several hours later at 1600 GMT.

“It has been a long road. It’s time now to put Brexit behind us. Our future is made in Europe,” von der Leyen said on Twitter after the signing ceremony.

In a similar vein, Michel hailed the signing of the agreement as to the beginning of different trade relations with London.

“New chapter, new relationship,” Michel said.

Johnson took a more humorous tone and told reporters: “I know the question you’ll all be asking yourselves is ‘Have I read it?’

“The answer is yes, and it’s an excellent deal for this country but also for our friends and partners.”

The 27 EU ambassadors gave their go-ahead for the provisional application on Tuesday afternoon.

The deal – which provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas between the trading partners – still needs to be ratified by the European Parliament.

The European Commission proposed a period of provisional application until Feb. 28, but this might be extended if the lawmakers are scheduled to give their approval in March.

dpa/NAN

Telcos: Subscribers with NIN can now replace their lost, damaged SIM cards

 

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) says subscribers with a national identification number (NIN) can now to replace their lost or damaged subscriber identification module (SIM) cards.

This was announced in a statement signed by Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON chairman, and Damian Udeh, ALTON publicity secretary, on Wednesday.

On December 9, 2020, Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, directed all telcos to suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM cards until an audit of the subscriber registration database is concluded.

ALTON said the suspension of sale and activation of SIM cards affected SIM replacement as customers experienced challenges in getting their SIM cards replaced or upgraded.

“We empathise with people who have been unable to reactivate their phone lines as a result of the suspension,” the statement read.

“Further to engagements with the government on the matter, we are pleased to report that our members have been granted permission to carry out SIM replacement upon verification of the customer’s NIN.

“We, therefore, seek the continued patience and understanding of our esteemed subscribers as we work with all stakeholders towards speedily resolution of issues affecting SIM registration/swap and activation.

“We assure you of restoring normal services in a seamless and effective manner as soon as possible.”

ALTON further said it is working with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure seamless system connectivity for verification of NINs.

- THECABLE