I HAVE NOT RESIGNED YET - OSIBANJO

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has reacted to rumours making the rounds that he has allegedly threatened to resign his office.

Reports on social media suggest that Osinbajo was allegedly barred from an emergency security meeting that President Muhammadu Buhari held with Security Chiefs and some governors on Tuesday.

The Vice President was quoted on social media as allegedly saying, “I wasn’t informed of the meeting, when I heard, I was refused entrance. Yet, Governors were allowed to attend”

But reacting to the reports, Osinbajo said: “Misleading/FAKE news is on the rise especially in this season when Nigerians will make a choice about who will govern them for the next four years.

“I have not resigned! I remain committed to the service of the Nigerian people under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said in a tweet accompanied with a video.

MAY GOD PUNISH ALL WHO DO NOT LUV BUHARI - Religious Preacher

Check out @buba_galadima’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/buba_galadima/status/1097125050359132160?s=09

BREAKING..... APC CALLS FOR AN EMERGENCY CAUCUS MEETING

The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has scheduled an emergency caucus meeting for Monday.

This, according to reports, is to enable the party restrategise after the postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

APC The meeting, slated for 11am would, breaking from tradition, hold at the national secretariat of the party as opposed to its usual venue, the Presidential Villa, Vanguard reports.

Court Grants Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal Speedy Bail

AFederal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the former Secretary-General of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and two others.

Recall the Ex-SGF who has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had yesterday applied for bail over a 10 count charge of fraudulent diversion of funds meant for the clearing of evasive plants on the North East.

Justice Jude Okeke who presided over the case, granted Babachir and two others bail in the sum of N50m each with one surety.

CCT ORDERS ARREST OF WALTER ONNOGHEN

The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, has Issued Bench Warrant Against  the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen,

The tribunal on Wednesday further ordered top securities in the country to arrest and produce him for trial on Friday.

This is a developing story…

NIGERIAN JUDICIARY UNDER THREAT - UN

The United Nations, UN, has warned thatthe suspension and replacement of theChief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen is in contravention of International Human Rights standards on independence of the judiciary and separation of powers.UN Special Repporteur on theindependence of judges and lawyers, Diego Garcia-Sayan, who stated today ina statement, noted that: “International human rights standards provide that judges may be dismissed only on serious grounds of misconduct or incompetence. Any decision to suspend or remove a judge from office should be fair and should be taken by an independent authority such as a judicial council or a court.

“The dismissal of judges without following procedures laid down by the law and without effective judicial protection being available to contest the dismissal is incompatible with the independence of the judiciary.”

Garcia-Sayan noted that the Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen was suspended on 25 January 2019 and replaced by Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, adding that four separate Nigerian courts – the Court of Appeal, the National Industrial Court and the two Federal High Courts – had already ordered a stay of proceedings in the Tribunal.

The statement further noted that : “The President of Nigeria said he had acted in compliance with an order issued two days earlier by a tribunal established under the Constitution to decide on alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials. Moreover, the said order upon which the suspension was based, was issued ex-parte while the motion on notice on the same subject was adjourned the day before by the issuing court.

“All State institutions must abide by the decisions of national courts and tribunals. In the case of Chief Justice Onnoghen, four national courts hierarchically superior to the Code of Conduct Tribunal had already ordered a stay of proceedings, and the Tribunal had in a previous case, 8 months earlier, held that it lacked jurisdiction over cases involving judicial officers, which should be processed by the National Judicial Council.”

Some of the judges handling the case of the Chief Justice and the defence lawyers, Mr Garcia-Sayan disclosed, have been subject to serious threats, pressures and interferences. “I am seriously concerned at such allegations, which may constitute, if proven, grave attacks to the independence of the judiciary and the free exercise of the legal profession.”

“One of the senior advocates defending the Chief Justice was arrested on Wednesday by security agencies. Lawyers play an essential role in securing access to justice, and should never suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or other sanctions for action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics,” added Mr. García-Sayán.

The UN expert expressed his concerns to the Nigerian Government, noting that he will continue to the follow events.

ARMY REDEPLOYS SENIOR OFFICERS

The Nigerian Army top Hierachy has approved the redeployment of Military senior officers.

Col. Sagir Musa was appointed as acting Director Army Public Relations. He replaces Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who voluntarily retired from the service on Thursday.

Musa’s predecessor, A.A. Yusuf, was transferred to Nigerian Army 82 Division in Enugu after spending barely four days as acting army spokesperson.

John Agim, a brigadier-general and spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters since January 2018, has been removed. He was replaced by Onyema Nwachukwu, a colonel who was the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army operations in the Boko Haram war.

The fresh redeployment also affected N.J. Okah, a brigadier-general, who has been posted from Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies (NAITES) to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and appointed the acting director of engineering services.

From Army Headquarters’ department of policy and plans, M.A. Masanawa, a brigadier-general, was posted to ACADA and appointed commander; while H.T. Wesley, a brigadier-general, was posted from Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and named the director of clothing and store.

Also, H.G. Tafida, a brigadier-general, was transferred from Nigerian Army Central Workshop Rigachukwu to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and appointed the director of engineering and maintenance

Another brigadier general, B.A. Ilori, has been posted to Army Headquarters department of policy and plans and appointed the deputy director of equipment procurement.

Also, A.A. Adereti, a brigadier-general, was posted to National Defence College and appointed directing staff.

A colonel, A.D. Isa, replaced Mr Nwachukwu as the spokesperson for the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole. The new acting corps commander of Nigerian Army Medical Corps is S. Adama, a colonel.

O.G. Olaniyi, a colonel, was posted from Nigerian Army School of Music to Nigerian Army Band Corps and appointed acting director; while E.I. Okoro and I.P. Bindul, both colonels, were posted to Army War College Nigeria as directing staff. Other officers who were not named were said to have been redeployed.

RMAFC: PREIDENT BUHARI CONSTITUTES NEW BOARD

President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, the names of thirty (30) nominees as Chairman and Commissioners of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

This is in accordance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),

The names were conveyed in a letter signed by the President to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, asking for expeditious consideration and confirmation of the appointments.

Below are the names, states of origin and positions of the nominees respectively.

S/N

STATE

NAME

POSITION

1.

Ebonyi

Engr. Elias Mbam

Chairman

2.

Abia

Chris Alozie Akomas

Commissioner

3.

Akwa Ibom

Ayang Sunday Okon

Commissioner

4.

Anambra

Chima Philip Okafor

Commissioner

5.

Bauchi

Prof. Isa B. Mohammed

Commissioner

6.

Benue

Samuel Adaa Maagbe

Commissioner

7.

Cross River

Ntufam Eyo Nsa Whiley

Commissioner

8.

Delta

Mr. Andrew Ogheneovo Agbaga

Commissioner

9.

Ebonyi

Barr. Patrick Nworu Mgbebu

Commissioner

10.

Edo

Mr. Victor Eboigbe

Commissioner

11.

Ekiti

Amujo Philip Ajayi

Commissioner

12.

Enugu

Mrs. Maria Chinyere Aniobi

Commissioner

13.

FCT

Hon. Musa Tanko Abari

Commissioner

14.

Gombe

Mohammed Kabeer Usman

Commissioner

15.

Jigawa

Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud Gumel

Commissioner

16.

Katsina

Alh. Kabir Muhammad Mashi

Commissioner

17.

Kano

Barr. Umar Farouk Abdullahi

Commissioner

18.

Kebbi

Rilwan Hussein Abarshi

Commissioner

19.

Kogi

Hon. Suleiman Kokori Abdul

Commissioner

20.

Kwara

Abdullahi Shuaibu Yaman

Commissioner

21.

Lagos

Dr. Wright Olusegun Adekunle

Commissioner

22.

Nasarawa

Aliyu A. Abdulkadir

Commissioner

23.

Niger

Ibrahim Bako Bagudu Shettima

Commissioner

24.

Ogun

Mr. Fari Adebayo

Commissioner

25.

Ondo

Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin

Commissioner

26.

Oyo

Kolade Daniel Abimbola

Commissioner

27.

Plateau

Mr. Alexander Shaiyen

Commissioner

28.

Rivers

Wenah Asondu Temple

Commissioner

29.

Yobe

Alhaji Modu Aji Juluri

Commissioner

30.

Zamfara

Abubakar Sadiq A. Gusau

Commissioner

ATIKU WILL UNITE NIGERIANS - SARAKI

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has assured Nigerians that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would “unite Nigerians, provide jobs and end insecurity,” if elected.

Saraki spoke during the PDP Presidential campaign rally on Friday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

He appealed to the electorate to support Abubakar’s bid by turning in “at least 2 million votes out of the 2.5 million registered voters in the state”.

Also speaking, the chairman of the PDP, Mr Uche Secondus, said that Atiku had the magic wand to end the killing and poverty in the country.

He decried the prevailing insecurity in the state and assured Nigerians that Atiku would end the killings and guarantee stability for the people.

Gov Samuel Ortom, in his speech, affirmed that the Benue people had not benefited from the President Muhmmadu Buhari administration.

“The APC-led administration has neglected the Benue people, especially in the area of placements.

“I want Benue to vote Atiku for president because of his sound economic knowledge; I am confident that he will deploy this knowledge into initiating policies that will create jobs,” he said.

Ortom also expressed optimism that Atiku, if elected, would ensure that the Anti-Open Grazing Law was fully implemented.

“Atiku has the capacity to deliver and will not subject his presidency to the whims and caprices of a cabal,” Ortom claimed.

GOD WILL PUNISH PDP - BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday declared that only God will punish the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for looting Nigeria’s treasury while in power for 16 years.

Buhari, however, stated that his administration will go after those it can apprehend and ensure they face the full arm of the law.

Speaking when he received local and international support groups at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the president reiterated that his administration met an empty treasury upon resumption in 2015.

He said: “With the large scale abuse of trust, only God can give them punishment. But those we can touch, we will get them prosecuted. Properties confiscated should be sold and the money put into treasury.

“I have said this for the umpteenth time and I have challenged them to prove me wrong.

“In those 16 years of PDP rule, Nigeria was getting 2.1 million times 100 (2.1 million barrels by $100 per barrel) everyday, but when we came on board, the price fell to between $37-38 and hung around $40-$50.

“I went to the Central Bank of Nigeria and asked him for money and he said there was no money.”

BREAKING.... NO APC GUBER CANDIDATE IN RIVERS - SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court has upheld a judgement by the Court of Appeal affirming the judgment of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is ineligible to field candidates in the upcoming general elections in the state.

2019 Polls. Police Redeploy Commissioners to States.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment and deployment of 37 Command Commissioners of Police for the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Their appointment came following recommendation by the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to the Commission.
With the approval, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi and other states now have new Commissioners of Police while the Commissioners of Police in charge of FCT, Borno and few other states’ appointment were revalidated.
With the approval, CP Mu’azu Zubairu will take over from CP Edgal Imohimi as the new Commissioner of Police Lagos State.
Details of the approval and deployment are contained in a statement signed by the Commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani.

The Commissioners of Police and the states they are deployed to are:

Buba Sanusi, Katsina State;
Mohammed Wakili, Kano State;
Rabiu Ladodo, Jigawa State;
Ahmed Iliyasu, Ogun State;
Mu’azu Zubairu, Lagos State;
Ibrahim Sabo, Niger State;
Alkassam Sanusi, Taraba State; Garba M. Mukaddas, Adamawa State;
Omololu Bishi, Benue State; Bola Longe, Nassarawa State;
Isaac Akinmoyede, Plateau State; Odumosu Hakeem, Edo State; Olushola David, Bayelsa State; Adeleke Yinka, Delta State;
Austin Iwero Agbonlahor,
Cross Rivers State;
Bashir Makama, Akwa Ibom State; Awosola Awotunde, Ebonyi State; Belel Usman, Rivers State;
Bello Makwashi, Gombe State and Abdulrahman Ahmed, Kaduna State.”
Bala Ciroma, FCT;
Egbetokun Kayode, Kwara State; Hakeem Busari, Kogi State;
Asuquo Amba, Ekiti state; Galadanchi Dasuki, Imo State; Suleiman Balarabe, Enugu State; Dandaura Mustapha, Anambra State; Etim Ene Okon, Abia state;
Ibrahim Kaoje, Sokoto state; Celestine Okoye, Zamfara State; Garba Danjuma, Kebbi State; Abiodun Ige, Osun State;
Undie Adie, Ondo State;
Olukolu Shina, Oyo State;
Ali Janga, Bauchi State;
Damian Chukwu, Bornu State and Sumonu Abdulmalik, Yobe State.”

According to the Commission, the CPs are expected to proceed immediately to their new commands ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, charged them to quickly settle at their new posts and ensure that the forth-coming general elections in their various commands are peaceful, free, fair and transparent.

He also stated that the country cannot afford any disruption of the elections anywhere as the world was looking up to Nigeria for a proof that its democracy has continued to mature.
The Commission also said its approval has been conveyed to the acting Inspector General of Police for implementation.

VP Osinbajo's Helicopter Crash Lands

The chopper carrying Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and members of his team crash-landed in Kabba, Kogi state.

This was disclosed by Laolu Akande, senior special assistant to the vice-president on media and publicity.

The Vice President is safe.