Wike blames Nigeria’s woes on nepotism, others

The Rivers State Governor , Chief Nyesom Wike, has said the country
is in crisis due to poor governance , nepotism and marginalisation .
Speaking on Thursday while declaring open the 13 th All Nigeria
Editors Conference holding in Port Harcourt , he said , “ We are only
pretending ; we think that all is well with our country .
“ The country is in crisis as poor governance , nepotism,
marginalisation and state - sponsored repression continue to do
violence to the nation ’ s unity and cohesion .
“ At times like this, the country needs forthright leadership and
consensus building to steer the ship of state from the wrong
direction it is headed to safer grounds .
“ Nigerians of goodwill must therefore call the Minister of Information
to stop stoking the ambers of disharmony and divisions in the polity
with his irresponsible utterances and wild allegations against
members of opposition political parties . ”
The governor noted that the clamour for political restructuring, fiscal
federalism , state police and guarantee for free and fair elections had
never been so determined across the country .
“ It is becoming clearer by the day that to ignore this call is
pretentiously dangerous to the unity and peaceful co- existence of
this country .
“ For some of us, therefore , there is nothing nobler than being
counted on this path and as long as God gives us breath , we shall
remain in the trenches fighting for our democratic rights and
freedom until victory is ultimately achieved .
“ But we also believe that this is a fight that should and must be led
by the media for full effect and agenda setting . This calls for greater
vigilance and courage in giving effective voice to the contending
issues and taking personal responsibility for factuality . It can ’ t be
otherwise , ” he said .
In her address , the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors , Mrs.
Funke Egbemode , said that this year , the editors would focus on
how to reinvent the journalism profession and make it profitable for
practitioners and society .
The Chairman of the conference , Mallam Ismaila Funtua , urged
editors to promote professionalism for the good of the country .
The Publisher of ThisDay Newspaper, Mr . Nduka Obaigbena , called
on media managers to develop strong brands to overcome the
challenge posed by the existence of the social media .

Continue Reading

Profs, SANs, others disagree on court order banning IPOB

Opinions of legal experts were sharply divided on Thursday on the
order of the Federal High Court , Abuja proscribing secessionist
group , the Indigenous People of Biafra , which also classified the
agitators as a terrorist organisation .
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Mr .
Abubakar Malami ( SAN ) , had , on Wednesday , on behalf of the
Federal Government , obtained an interim order proscribing IPOB and
declaring the secessionist group as a terrorist organisation .
The order was granted by the acting Chief Judge of the Federal High
Court , Justice Abdu Kafarati , in chambers.
The judge held , “ That an order , declaring that the activities of the
respondent ( Indigenous People of Biafra ) in any part of Nigeria ,
especially in the South - East and South - South regions of Nigeria ,
amount to acts of terrorism and illegality , is granted . ”
The immediate past Lagos State Solicitor - General, Mr . Lawal Pedro
( SAN ); a human rights advocacy group, Access to Justice ; activist
lawyer , Mr . Ebun - Olu Adegboruwa , and IPOB faulted the order of
Justice Kafarati , saying it had no legal precedent .
But two professors of Law , who are also Senior Advocates of
Nigeria , Yemi Akinseye - George and Fidelis Oditah; other SANs –
Yusuf Ali and Tayo Oyetibo – and the Special Assistant to the
President on Prosecution , Mr . Okoi Obono- Obla , argued that the
order of the court was valid and backed by law and fact .
IPOB is not a juristic person , can ’ t be sued – Pedro , Olu - Adegboruwa
In a statement on Thursday , Pedro wondered whether IPOB was a
juristic person that could be sued.
He also observed that though the order proscribing IPOB was
granted pursuant to an ex parte application , the pronouncement of
the court sounded rather declaratory and final .
Pedro , who described the issue of IPOB agitation as important,
advised the AGF to assemble a competent team to handle the case
in order not to jeopardise it .
Pedro stated , “ I observe that many things are wrong with the order
and can easily be challenged , so as to set it aside .
“ In the first place , is IPOB a juristic person to be sued and for the
court to exercise jurisdiction upon ?
“ Secondly , this looks like a final order or judgment granted on a
motion ex parte . This cannot be right in law . A different procedure
should have been used to achieve the desired result .
“ Thirdly , the order or judgment is in breach of the fundamental right
of the named respondent ( assuming it is a juristic person ) to fair
hearing . It is , therefore , unconstitutional null and void .
“ Lastly, the main relief is a declaratory order or judgment which
should not be granted vide a motion either on notice or ex parte .
“ It is my advice that the AGF should review its strategy on the
subject and may consider a proper and better legal team to advise
and handle this important and sensitive case . ”
Pedro , however , said that the order , having been made by a
competent court of law , had legal weight and remained binding until
it was set aside .
Also , a human rights advocacy group , Access to Justice , in a
statement by its Deputy Director , Dr. Adenike Aiyedun, shared
Pedro ’ s views , arguing that the order was against the principle of
fair hearing .
On its part , A 2 J also raised concern as to whether the constitutional
principle of fair hearing was respected in the handling of the case .
The group said , “ The court ’ s ruling is hard to rationalise and it will
send many scratching their heads as well as fan the flames of an
already volatile political situation .
“ It is disturbing because the ruling – which is a determinative, and
conclusive statement on the legality of the Indigenous People of
Biafra , as far as this court goes – was arrived at ex parte , when the
other side – IPOB – was not given an opportunity at all to be heard
or to oppose the application . It is at odds with basic tenets of
justice and fairness .
“ The ruling of the Federal High Court does not stand up to
respectable scrutiny and we fear that it would further damage public
trust in the Nigerian judiciary. ”
In a similar vein, activist lawyer , Mr . Ebun - Olu Adegboruwa ,
described the Federal Government ’ s application and the order made
by the court as an abuse of court process .
Adegboruwa argued that the court order had no foundation in law
because IPOB , not being a registered organisation , was not juristic
and could not be sued.
He added , “ Legally speaking , the suit filed, the order granted and
indeed all the proceedings in this case , constitute a gross abuse of
the process of the court as the court has no jurisdiction to entertain ,
let alone adjudicate upon the case .
“ The suit was not initiated following due process of law , as stated by
the Supreme Court in the locus classicus case of Madukolu v
Nkemdilim ( 1962 ) 2 SCNLR 341. The suit filed and the orders
granted have no foundation upon which they can stand and be
maintained or enforced .
“ The supposed defendant in the case is the Indigenous People of
Biafra , which is not a registered entity in law . And even if it is
registered , it can only be sued in the name of its incorporated
trustees or indeed its accredited representatives . Furthermore,
unlike other associations like the Nigerian Bar Association, IPOB is
not recognised or mentioned or legitimised in any existing statute .
“ For a suit to be competent , there must be proper parties before the
court . In this case , the supposed defendant , IPOB , is a no - juristic
person against which no action can be maintained in any court of
law . ”
Profs , Ali, Oyetibo, Buhari ’ s aide disagree
But a professor of Law , Yemi Akinseye - George ( SAN ) , while
admitting that an unregistered organisation was not juristic and
could not be sued, recalled that a precedent had been set by the
court in the case of Boko Haram , which was not registered , yet
proscribed .
Akinseye - George stated , “ You cannot sue an unregistered
organisation . I ’ ve not seen the ruling but if the organisation is not
registered , but Nnamdi Kanu was joined as one of the defendants,
the application is valid .
“ Again , we can take precedent from the Boko Haram case ; a similar
order was obtained against Boko Haram to declare it a terrorist
organisation and the order took effect ; so, there is precedent .
“ In the first place , terrorist organisations cannot be registered by
law , so, you cannot say because they are not registered , they cannot
be proscribed . ”
Another professor of Law , Fidelis Oditah ( SAN ) , affirmed that though
he did not know the status of IPOB , only a juristic organisation could
be sued.
He explained that if IPOB was not a juristic person , the Federal
Government would still have been able to proscribe it without going
to court but by the President , obtaining power from the legislature to
declare the group illegal .
Oditah added , “ I don’ t know about the status of IPOB , whether it is a
juristic or non- juristic person . Assuming it is a non- juristic person ,
then , there is no person capable of being the subject of legal rights
or obligations. That is the way that a lawyer will look at it . But that
is not a complete answer because there are many amorphous
organisations that can be clamped down upon notwithstanding that
they have no legal existence .
“ The reason that this issue has arisen is because the Attorney
General went to court to obtain an order and one assumes that an
order can only be directed at a legal person. But if it had been the
legislature giving the President power to proscribe by a declaration ,
it might be possible for the government to proscribe an organisation
such as IPOB even if it ’ s not a legal person . ”
Aligning with the opinions of the dons , a SAN , Mallam Yusuf Ali ,
argued that IPOB could be proscribed in Nigeria even when the body
was not registered in Nigeria .
He said a group existing “ as a fact ” , with its activities affecting the
lives of other persons, could be proscribed even when such body
was not registered .
He said , “ IPOB is not registered but it is mobilising Nigerians
against other Nigerians .
“ Should we just fold our arms ? Shouldn ’ t the doctrine of necessity
come to the aid of the law to proscribe it ?”
Ali recalled that although the Ibrahim Zakzaky - led Islamic Movement
of Nigeria ( also known as Shi ’ ites ) was not a registered body in
Nigeria , the group was proscribed by the Kaduna State Government
after its members clashed with the Army in December 2015 .
He said , “ In law , it is not all the time that a non- registered body
cannot be subjected to a legal action. The question is does the body
have the ability to affect the lives of other people ?
“ There has been an old case in which the issue was determined . The
court said in the case that although the body was not registered, its
activities were affecting the lives of other people .
“ It is a notorious fact that IPOB is not a body that could have been
registered because it was a body set up to operate outside the law .
“ So, IPOB exists as a fact even if you are closing your eyes to it
because the law says it doesn ’ t exist . ”
Another senior advocate , Mr . Tayo Oyetibo , stated that the
proscription of IPOB was legal because of its activities , despite the
fact that the group was not registered under the law .
Oyetibo said , “ The assertion that the group is not registered cannot
be a correct reason for attacking the proscription . This is because if
a body, even in the guise of a masquerade, goes out to infringe on
peoples’ rights, you can drag the masquerader in the form it is and
deal with it .
“ Can you allege some facts against a person, and on the basis of
those allegations , come to a conclusion without hearing the parties
concerned as to whether those factors are correct? It is not the
registration but the activities that make an organisation seen to be
carrying out illegal activities . You can hide under non- registration
and carry out nefarious activities ; that does not stop the law from
dealing with you . ”
But the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecutions , Mr . Okoi
Obono - Obla , on Thursday , defended the order made by the Federal
High Court in Abuja proscribing IPOB .
Obono - Obla said in a statement that IPOB was an unlawful society
within the contemplation of Section 62 ( 2 ) of the Criminal Code ,
adding that the proscription order did not infringe on the members ’
right to freedom of association .
According to the presidential aide , the Federal Government ’ s
application requesting the proscription order was filed under the
Terrorism ( Prevention ) Act , and not based on the principles
applicable to civil proceedings .
The presidential aide stated , “ It beats me as to how the argument
put forward by Ebun - Olu Adegboruwa, an experienced and tested
legal practitioner of many years standing , could use the principles of
law designed and applicable to civil proceedings to argue that the
order of proscription of IPOB is faulty because the body is not
registered in Nigeria and therefore cannot sue or be sued !
“ It is beyond argument that the application for an order, proscribing
IPOB , was brought pursuant to the Terrorism ( Prevention ) Act ,
which to all intents and purposes is a criminal legislation!
“ It is well settled that the rules of procedure that regulate criminal
proceedings in the Federal High Courts and the High Court of the
Federal Capital Territory , Abuja , is the Administration of Criminal
Justice Act , 2015 ( not the Federal High Court ( Civil Procedure ) Rules
or the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja ( Civil
Procedure ) Rules , 2004 . ”
He also said in another statement that IPOB remained
constitutionally proscribed as the Terrorism ( Prevention ) Act 2013 ,
under which the court order was issued , did not make registration of
a group in Nigeria a precondition for proscribing such body.
“ The purpose of this treatise is to correct the impression that the
order is unconstitutional .
“ The Terrorism ( Prevention ) Act does not stipulate that a body must
be registered in Nigeria or elsewhere before it can be proscribed ,
within the contemplation of the provisions of Section 2 subsection 1
of the Act .
“ It follows that the proscription order granted by Justice Kafarati is
lawful, constitutional and proper . ”
Northern Elders Forum backs proscription
Also , the Northern Elders Forum expressed support for the decision
of the Federal Government to proscribe IPOB .
According to the group , the decision was taken in the best interest
of Nigeria’ s corporate existence .
Convener /Leader of the forum, Chief Paul Unongo , said this while
addressing journalists on the state of the nation , in Abuja on
Thursday .
Unongo reiterated that northern elders were of the opinion that
responsible governance and the rule of law were the fundamental
prerequisites for the realisation of peaceful and prosperous societies
as well as the protection of human rights and dignity.
The former Minister of Steel Development during the Second
Republic noted that members of the forum were disturbed about
recent developments in the polity which had titled towards the
subversion of the Nigerian state .
While condemning the recent unprovoked attacks against
northerners in some states in the South - East and South - South of
Nigeria , the NEF commended the maturity of northern leadership ,
represented by the Northern Governors’ Forum , among others .
Unongo added , “ The NEF commends the readiness and willingness
of the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all necessary measures
that are permitted under the law and by the constitution of the land
to check all these existential threats to Nigeria.
“ The NEF also welcomes the presence of Nigeria’ s military and other
security personnel in all of the country where peace and security are
severely threatened .
“ The President , Commander - in - Chief has the prerogative of
deploying the Armed Forces for the purpose of keeping the peace.
This prerogative should be respected by all well - meaning Nigerians.
“ The NEF welcomes and commends the decision taken by the
South - East Governors to denounce the activities of the organisation
known as Indigenous People of Biafra and its proscription in their
respective states . ”
He added that the North would remain vigilant on the security and
welfare of northerners in the South - East , South - South and other
parts of Nigeria.
“ It will not sit idly and watch the nation sink into chaos under new
and additional threats. It is in this regard that we strongly support
the Federal Government official proclamation, proscribing IPOB and
its activities throughout the territory of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria , ” he added .
Perhaps in a veiled reference to the ongoing agitation for the
restructuring of the Nigerian federation , Unongo said the North
recognized and acknowledged that there were demanding and
legitimate questions on the current operations of the Nigerian state .
“ The North will demand a respectful and responsible approach to its
participation in the search for answers to the many questions
confronting our country , ” he stated .
We ’ ll come back stronger, says IPOB
But IPOB , on Thursday , condemned its proscription by the Federal
High Court in Abuja on Wednesday .
In a statement by the group ’ s Media and Publicity Secretary , Emma
Powerful , IPOB stated that President Muhammadu Buhari had
betrayed what it described as his secret agenda of exterminating the
people of the South - East by what it called his skewed and despotic
decisions against IPOB .
It urged the Biafra people not to lose any sleep by the proscription
order , saying the group would come back stronger than ever .
The group said , “ IPOB is recognised and operating lawfully in over
100 countries and territories around the world . Our conduct in each
of these countries has remained impeccable and exemplary.
“ We urge Biafrans to be resolute because we are almost at the gate
of freedom which the Nigerian government cannot stop . ”
It said by granting the order proscribing and labelling IPOB a terrorist
group , Justice Kafarati had placed his judicial reputation on the line
by openly siding with evil .
It wondered how an organisation that was pronounced a lawful
organisation in March by a Federal High Court , presided over by
Justice Binta Nyako , would, in less than six months , be declared a
terrorist organisation .
It vowed to challenge the proscription order, saying it could not
stand in law and in fact .
Justice Nyako had , in her ruling, stated that the allegation in Count 3
in the case of the FG vs . IPOB , relating to “ managing of unlawful
society punishable under Section 63 of the Criminal Code Act ” could
not be substantiated by the proof of evidence .
She held that the prosecution failed to show that IPOB was indeed
an unlawful organisation as its proof of evidence was unable to
exhibit any evidence that the organisation had been proscribed or
that it was not registered either in Nigeria or in the United Kingdom .
IPOB added , “ Unarmed , peaceful IPOB should never and cannot be
labelled a terrorist organisation when Fulani herdsmen from Buhari ’ s
tribe , with their Hausa - Fulani soldiers in the Nigerian Army , are the
ones killing IPOB family members .
“ We are not terrorists and can never be because our struggle for
Biafra self - determination is our undeniable right under the United
Nations and African Charter which Nigeria is a signatory to. ”
Every group like IPOB ’ ll be proscribed – Presidency
The Presidency, on Thursday , said every other group that operated
like the secessionist group , Indigenous People of Biafra , would also
be proscribed and tag a terrorist organisation .
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,
Garba Shehu , said this during a live television programme titled ,
‘ Sunrise Daily’ on Channels Television .
Shehu said IPOB operated like Boko Haram by declaring an
independent state and hoisting a foreign flag on Nigerian soil.
He also accused the secessionist group of printing Biafran currency ;
issuing Biafran passports and extorting money from people under
the guise of compulsory tax collection .
When asked what the Federal Government would do if a similar
group emerged following the proscription of IPOB , Shehu said , “ If
another group comes up and produces passports and produces
currency and sets up an intelligence agency and a para - military
organisation of sorts , the law will apply to them as it did to IPOB . ”
The President ’ s spokesman said groups like the Movement for the
Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra , would not need to be
proscribed because they were not as violent and unruly as IPOB .
He said the Arewa youths , who issued a notice to quit to Igbo , were
not given the IPOB treatment because they had withdrawn their
threat and had succumbed to the voice of reason .
Shehu , however , said the same could not be said of IPOB .
The President ’ s aide also rubbished arguments that the Federal
Government was treating the herdsmen crisis with kid gloves.
He said , “ There is a criminal activity and terrorist activity . Yes, the
Fulani herdsmen are a criminal gang and they are being dealt with in
accordance with the law but IPOB , like Boko Haram , has carved out
a territory as a sovereign state and they have raised concerns in
Kogi and Benue and have boasted that they will take over Bayelsa
and Rivers.
“ That was exactly what Boko Haram did and the taxation system
and hoisting of flags . This is not acceptable . ”
When asked why the government was able to quickly identify the
source of IPOB ’ s funding but had failed to trace that of Boko Haram ,
Shehu said IPOB ’ s case was easier because they usually canvassed
funds openly .
He said , “ Funding is canvassed for IPOB openly in some Western
countries and traders of Nigerian origin in these countries send
money back home. Why is the government not able to identify the
source of funding for Boko Haram ?
“ It is perhaps more complicating than we are seeing and if you look
at the President ’ s message at the United Nations , he asked for the
funding of Boko Haram be traced and blocked. ”
We ’ ve no knowledge of IPOB activities , says France
Meanwhile , the Republic of France has expressed surprise over
allegations by the Federal Government that IPOB has its financial
headquarters in France .
It denied knowledge of IPOB ’ s activities and presence , saying it was
ready to examine any information that could support the Federal
Government ’ s claims .
The Minister of Information and Culture , Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had
alleged that IPOB was being funded by some sympathisers in
France and other foreign countries.
He also accused the United Kingdom of allowing Radio Biafra to
“ operate in the country ” under the guise of freedom of speech .
“ We have the records . We know IPOB collects money from many
people in diaspora . They collect money from many people in Nigeria ;
they collect money from some foreign countries, this is clear . Let me
tell you , the financial headquarters is in France , ” he stated on
Wednesday .
But the Embassy of France spokesperson , Claude Abily , in her
reaction on Thursday , noted that the Federal Government never
raised the issue with the French government before going public
with it .
Abily said , “ The Embassy of France was surprised by the statement
made yesterday ( Wednesday ) by the Minister of Information and
Culture , indicating that the “ financial headquarters ” of IPOB were in
France .
“ We don’ t have any knowledge of a particular presence of IPOB in
France and the Nigerian authorities never got in touch with the
Embassy on this point .
“ We stand ready to examine any information which could support
this statement . ”
“ Furthermore, we would like to reiterate that France actively
cooperates with Nigeria in the field of security and that we strongly
support the unity of the country . ”
The United Kingdom , in the same vein , said it was not aware of any
representation by the FG on Radio Biafra .
The Press Officer, UK High Commission in Nigeria , Joe Abuku , said
the British government would consider request to shut down Radio
Biafra on the basis of available evidence .
“ Were we to receive any such request , we would, of course , consider
it carefully on the basis of the available evidence , recognising that
freedom of speech and expression carries responsibilities , ” Abuku
added .

Continue Reading

Negotiate with Kanu, Obasanjo tells Buhari

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised President
Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with the leader of the Indigenous
People of Biafra , Nnamdi Kanu , to curb the secessionist agitations
instead of the deployment of soldiers in the South - East .
Obasanjo said this during an interview with the Newsweek
Magazine .
The former President said , “ I don’ t see anything wrong in that
( Buhari meeting with Kanu ) . I would not object to that ; if anything, I
would encourage it .
“ I would want to meet Kanu myself and talk to people like him,
people of his age , ( and ask ) ‘ What are your worries ?’ Not only from
the South - East but from all parts of Nigeria ( sic ) . ”
Obasanjo, who led the final offensive that brought the civil war to an
end in 1970 , said he had seen too many wars and it was time for
Nigeria to move on .
He said he believed that enough dialogue had not been done by both
the government and several groups .
The former President , however , said secession was not the answer .
He said , “ Those who fought in the war in Biafra will not want to fight
any other war . I fought in that war and it was an unfortunate war and
I said I had fought one war too many in Nigeria ; I don’ t want to see
another .
“ The heavy boot is not the solution. I believe also whatever may be
the frustration of any youth in any part of Nigeria ; I believe secession
is not the solution. ”
The former President , who was also the military head of state from
1976 – 1979, said economic development in the country was the only
way to solve the various agitations across the country .
Some Igbo leaders have complained that President Buhari , who hails
from northern Nigeria, has prioritised the development of other parts
of the country to their detriment .
“ We need to satisfy the youth in job creation , in wealth creation , in
giving them a better , fulfilled life , in giving them hope for the future.
There ’ s no easy way out , ” he said .

Continue Reading

2019: Osinbajo disowns campaign group

ENIOLA AKINKUOTU
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday disowned a group known
as Osinbajo Volunteers, which is campaigning for his election as
president in 2019 .
Distancing himself from activities of the group , Osinbajo , through his
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande,
asked Nigerians to disregard the group , adding that he had nothing
to do with them .
“ Please , disregard this website created by faceless people for
mischievous purposes . It has absolutely nothing to do with the Vice
President , ” Akande said via his Twitter handle on Saturday .
The group was canvassing Osinbajo as a presidential candidate in
the 2019 election .
In a veiled reference to a former vice president turned president who
was described as “ clueless , ” the Osinbajo Volunteers noted that
Nigeria now has a “ leader who has a clue what to do and ( how to )
turn Nigeria the beloved to the land of our dreams. ”
The group featured the activities of the vice president on its website ,
while calling on members of the public to volunteer for Osinbajo .
It however noted that it did not receive the endorsement of the vice
president, noting that it had never met him.
“ Note that Osinbajo did not endorse this volunteer group . We have
never met him. We are strong believers in the fact that he is the
right ruler for Nigeria and must create a peoples volunteer base for
him, ” the volunteers stated on their website .

Continue Reading

Gov. Fayose steps out in a turban, to join Muslim faithfuls for the 2017 Eid Kabir prayer in Ekiti State

Continue Reading

President Buhari Host Saraki And Dogara At Abuja House In UK

Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on Thursday, August 18, visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Abuja House, London.
The visit came over 100 days after Buhari left Nigeria for the British capital for his second medical vacation since he assumed office in May 2015.
He had left the country on May 7, 2017, shortly after receiving the Chibok girls who were released by their abductors the previous day.

Continue Reading

“Obasanjo Is A Weak Man And An Opportunity” – Fayose Slams Former President

Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a sadist, who “would rather put a weakling in position.”
In a recent interview with Punch, Fayose said Obasanjo trampled on the nation’s constitution while he was President.
He said;

“I’m not attacking him. I’m only saying things I know about him because I’m a living witness of Obasanjo’s life.

I worked with him and know that Obasanjo is a sadist, an opportunist – a man who would rather put a weakling in position (of power).

How would he ask Yar’Adua that he knew was sick to be president? I wonder why some media (organisations) celebrate Obasanjo. Obasanjo has no character. Obasanjo was the first president that trampled on our constitution in all ways using brute force.

That is why Obasanjo does not have a (foot-) hold, in terms of human beings, in party politics in the South-West. Obasanjo is only left with the clout of being a former president. When you say human support, Obasanjo does not enjoy such in the South-West.”

Fayose stated that Obasanjo was a “weak man”, who runs away when his opposition stands up against him.

He added that Obasanjo disobeyed the rule of law and removed governors at will.
He added;

“At the time I was the governor, I was a young man. I was avoiding Obasanjo because he was from the same zone as me.

One thing I have known is that Obasanjo will run away if you can stand up against him. Obasanjo is a weak man; the moment you can stand up against him, he will chicken out. Look at Orji Uzor Kalu and late governor of Niger State.

At that time, I couldn’t stand up (against Obasanjo). I have now found out that, sometimes, it is good to confront monsters.

We are guided by the constitution and respect for the rule of law. Obasanjo messed up by disobeying the rule of law and removing governors at will.”

Continue Reading

President Buhari holds meeting with Obasanjo in London

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja House, London..
According to The Sun Newspaper, Obasanjo was accompanied on the visit by a former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
The meeting between the two leaders, it was gathered, lasted only 40 minutes.
A source told The Sun;
“After the exchange of courtesies, Buhari and Obasanjo left for another room in the house where they held a 40-minute meeting.”
The leaders were said to have stepped out of the meeting a few minutes before 10.00 p.m.

Continue Reading

Obasanjo visits President Muhammadu Buhari in London

Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, visited President Muhammadu Buhari in the Abuja house in London, on Saturday, around 9.00 p.m.
It was gathered that former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, accompanied the former president, and arrived the Abuja House to check the ailing president who has been on medical vacation in London for 87 days.

A source disclosed that the two leaders exchanged pleasantries and embraced each other before entering the house, with Obasanjo telling Buhari that he was happy to see him fit again.

Buhari, who was said to be elated expressed gratitude to Obasanjo and Oyinlola for the visit.
“Excellency, you are looking really fine,” Buhari told Oyinla, with both Obasanjo and Oyinlola also replying that they were happy to see that the president was looking fine too.
“After the exchange of courtesies, Buhari and Obasanjo left for another room in the house where they held a 40-minute meeting,” the source said.
It was learnt that the details of the meeting were still sketchy, a source, however, told Nigerian Tribune that the meeting was likely on the development of the country.

The leaders were said to have come out of the meeting a few minutes before 10.00 p.m., following which the former president and Oyinlola were seen off by President Buhari.
Recall that there have been various visits to the president with reports saying he would return to the country very soon.
Meanwhile, the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari just returned from her visit to London.
Recall also that last week, seven governors were in the Abuja House to see Buhari and wish him well.

Continue Reading

Lagos will become Africa’s third largest economy before I die – Olusegun Obasanjo

– Olusegun Obasanjo revealed that his prediction would come to pass within the stipulated period as the Lagos state government is working towards making the state an economic hub – The former president further stated that though people say Africa is poor, the continent is only poor by choice – Obasanjo appealed to Africans to focus on job opportunities and wealth creation instead of complaining so much about poverty Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, has stated that in a very short period of time, Lagos would become the third largest economy in Africa, Premium Times reports. Obasanjo made his comments on Wednesday August 2, at a book launch of a book authored by him and 3 other authors titled ‘Making Africa Work’. READ ALSO: Emir of Kano tells FG how to win the war against corruption The other co-authors are Greg Mills, Director of Brenthurst Foundation; Jeffrey Herbst, President of Newseum and Dickie Davis, a retired major general. According to Obasanjo, this would happen before he dies as the Lagos state government is working to make the state a hub for economic activities. He stated: “(Even though) People said I look like someone who is in the departure lounge, Lagos will become the third largest economy before I take my boarding pass.” According to the former president, people say Africa is poor; but the continent is only poor by choice. He stated: “Africa is poorly managed. “We are poor by choice (and) we will also get out of that poverty by choice.” While stating that the continent should not complain about poverty so much, Obasanjo appealed to Africans to focus on job opportunities and wealth creation.

Continue Reading

In a get-rich-quick attempt, a young boy of 19-year old ran mad in a bid to go into ‘Yahoo Plus’ In case you don’t know, Yahoo Plus is an elevated form of Yahoo Yahoo, one of the traditional modes of cyber fraud. It involves performing various rituals, including sleeping in a cemetery and bathing in a river to brighten the swindler’s chances of getting his victims hypnotised. Once this is successfully done, the victim is guaranteed to keep remitting money from wherever he or she is in the world. The said 19-year-old boy who visited a babalawo (native doctor) for the process of yahoo plus which involves rituals, but reportedly ran mad because he couldn’t finish his task. He was asked to finish 3 eggs or something terrible will happen to him, He was unable to finish it, then he ran mad. Twitter user, Oluwafunminrie, who disclosed he was called to join the boy’s family for prayers, revealed this in a series of tweet. Read below:

All commercial and vehicular activities in Imo state, Friday, came to a halt, following the visit of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Continue Reading

BREAKING: End Of The Road As Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Atiku, Release Statements On Their Immediate Defection To PDP

Report on Friday night, revealed that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; may be among those considering a return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The move came over the Supreme Court judgement, that put to an end the power tussle within the opposition PDP.

However, one of our sources was quick to exonerate Amaechi’s move to jettison the ruling party, saying: “Except for people like Amaechi, who are serving, and who you don’t expect to quit the cabinet, most new PDP members will go back ‘home’, where they belong”, he said.

Another highly placed party member, who is in the know of the latest twist, disclosed that most, if not all the members of the new PDP, may be on their way back to the PDP.

According to the female source, the rebirth is coming at a time when the APC was no longer living up to its billing, in meeting the socio-political and economic yearnings of Nigerians.

She said: “As you can see, the Supreme Court judgment has thrown up so many things. From all indications, a lot of realignment and counter-realignment, will begin to emerge to shape the countdown to 2019.

“Don’t be surprised when you begin to see the return of our PDP members, who went to APC. Yes, I can tell you that they are already thinking of a return, and this will definitely happen. This I know.”

“Atiku can never be in the APC, and still be talking of restructuring. He can’t achieve that in the party, he has to come back to the PDP.  

“But before then, I want you to recall that Atiku is a strong contender for 2019 Presidency. So, we know that Atiku is already considering this option, since he had been championing the cause for the nation to be restructured.” 

Nonetheless, one of Atiku’s Aides who craved anonymity, denied the report saying: “That is not on the table, and not on the agenda.

“The rumoured defection had been going on for some time now, we don’t know where that is coming from. But I can tell you it is not true. Atiku remains in the APC.”

Also, in a swift reaction, Kwankwaso refuted the claims through his Spokesperson, Binta Spikin, saying there was no time he muted the idea of moving out of the party that he suffered to nurture.

“Kwankwaso is not an unpopular Politician, who will go out of a party unannounced, you know the army of his followers across the country, so I don’t think he can even think of decamping, without first discussing it with his loyalists.”

The former Governor said he did not see anything good in the PDP, that would make him go back.

“It is not that simple thing for a man like Kwankwaso, who drives national loyalty and support, to just decamp to a party that still is searching for it is based.

“If truly he is going out of the ruling APC, it would have been the talk of the town by now, because he will do it in such a way that millions of his followers will be put in the know, and be prepared for the journey ahead.”

Continue Reading

Buhari's Dead Body Will Be Brought Back To Nigeria Tomorrow - Nnamdi Kanu [VIDEO]

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu  on Wednesday alleged that President Buhari’s dead body will be brought back to Nigeria tomorrow or next.

Nnamdi Kanu stated this while addressing some group of IPOB Members who visited at his home town in Umuahia.

According to him, had Nnamdi Azikiwe allowed Sir Ahmadu Bello to go when the Hausas wanted to leave Nigeria, there wouldn’t have being problems today.

The IPOB leader also insisted that the Anambra gubernatorial election will never hold, this was as he even described Ohanaeze Ndigbo; an apex Igbo socio-cultural group as useless for supporting the restructuring of Nigeria. 

WATCH VIDEO BELOW..

Continue Reading

BREAKING!! Saraki Gets Approval To Declare Buhari’s Office Vacant

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is set to declare President Muhammadu Buhari’s seat vacant, if the ailing President fails to show up, in the next 18 days.
This came into consideration on Wednesday, when a pro-democracy group laid bare plans to commence a daily sit-out at the National Assembly in 18 days, if the Legislature fails to respond to the health problem of Buhari, as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution.
In a statement released by its leader, Deji Adeyanju, and Secretary, Dr. John Danfulani, the group noted that “Buhari has now been absent from office, and from Nigeria for 72 days, and if the situation remains unchanged, it would commence the sit-out on the 90th day of his absence”.
“The Leadership of the National Assembly must choose between the Nigerian people and the cabal”, Concerned Nigerians declared.
“72 days is too long for a Commander-in-Chief to be away from his country, without any explanation to the people that voted him in”, the group said.
“We hereby, demand that the National Assembly invokes Section 144 (4) of the Nigerian Constitution, and direct the setting up of a Medical Panel, in conjunction with the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to ascertain whether the President is incapacitated”, the statement continued.
“If the President is found with any infirmity that renders him incapable of discharging his duties, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall officially declare him incapable of discharging his duties, and declare his office vacant, as prescribed in (2) of section 143”, the group declared.

Continue Reading

Why FG Plans To Ban Shooting Of Music Videos And Movies Abroad

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to issue a ban on shooting of music videos as well as movies outside the country.
The Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed made this known on Saturday in Lagos when he paid a visit to the headquarters of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON).
During his visit, Lai Mohammed said:

‘This government has agreed that henceforth, whatever we consume in Nigeria in terms of music and films, must be made in Nigeria”
“We cannot continue to go to South Africa or any other country to produce our films and then send them back to be consumed in Nigeria”
“The Broadcasting Code and the Advertising Code are very clear on this. For you to classify a product as a Nigerian product, it must have a certain percentage of Nigerian content.”

Continue Reading

Vice President Should Automatically Become President-elect Without Election – Obasanjo Advocates New System For Electing A President In Nigeria

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advocated the election of Vice President that would take over from incumbent President, rather than conducting presidential election.

Speaking at an event to mark his 80th birthday celebration by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Abuja yesterday, Obasanjo sensationally dropped Matthew from his name.

The former President stressed that the system adopted by the NSE is one where election is held into the office of deputy president, who takes over from the incumbent president upon the expiration of his term, and is also referred to as President-elect.

He added: “The system of the NSE where the deputy president is president-elect will eliminate rancour and I wish we can bring that to politics in Nigeria.”Obasanjo also used the occasion to announce that he has dropped Matthew from his name, saying: “People ask what is in a name? For me, there is so much in a name.

“When I was born, my mother and father decided to name me Matthew. I grew up being called and addressed Matthew. What is the meaning of Matthew in The Bible? He was a tax collector.

“So, when I grew up, I dropped Matthew from my name. If anyone does not want to see my eyes red, no one should call me Matthew again.”He also charged engineers to strive for perfection, as any act of imperfection of engineers often leads to monumental loss of lives, as compare to other professionals, such as doctors and lawyers.

“Doctor’s mistake often leads to the death of one patient. Lawyer’s mistake leads to the client going to jail. But if an engineer makes a mistake that leads to the collapse of a bridge or house, many people would lose their lives.

“That is why engineers must be very careful and must be efficient not to allow mistakes to be made,” he said.Obasanjo also debunked insinuations that there were five national chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during his time as President, insisting: “There were only four. That included Chief Solomon Lar, Audu Ogbe, Barnabas Gemade and Ahmadu Ali.

“I have met many Nigerians who are distinguished and I believe that if someone is found not good enough in one position, he may be useful in another. If I had not removed Gemade, he would probably not be a senator today and if Oyinlola (former governor of Osun State), who was part of the 93 military officers sacked after my assumption of office in 1999, he would probably not have been governor.

“So, where the issues concern Nigeria, I choose Nigeria above anybody and I don’t have apologies for that.”The former President urged NSE to ensure that professionalism is promoted amongst members for engineers to occupy a prime place in national development.

On his part, president of NSE, Otis Anyaeji, lauded Obasanjo for promoting Nigerian content and leading by classic example while in office.”Whilst it will be pretty difficult to bring to the fore all the achievements of this world- acclaimed achiever, I wish to mention that Obasanjo initiated the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in 2005 and directed by policy that Nigerian engineering firms must get at least 25 per cent of each project scope. “That was how out of 120 engineering firms that participated in NIPP, 83 of them were Nigerian firms. Nigerian content by example,” the NSE boss stated.

Continue Reading

Buhari’s Health: ‘I Will Expose Photos To Affirm Buhari Is Not Fine’, Fayose Spits Fire

Governor Ayodele Fayose doubted the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s claim that the President is in high spirit and recuperating.

 Shortly before the start of Federal Executive Council Meeting this morning, Ag. Yemi Osinbajo spoke with journalist on his one-hour meeting with President Buhari last night affirming that the latter is in good health.

Fayose, who is also the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum however demanded photos and video proofs from the Acting President to authenticate the story.

 On his own side, the Ekiti state Governor convincingly stated that Buhari is not fine in London and he should be declared unfit to lead the nation.

According to him:

“We pray for his ( Buhari’s) health and for him to come back in one piece.
However, the claim of the Acting President that Buhari is recuperating fast was not true. The President is incapacitated, sick. There is no iota of truth that the President is in good condition.

“In this age of technology, Osinbajo should be able to show Nigerians pictures and short videos of the President to show that he is okay. Nigerians want to see their President”, he noted.

“If they are not careful, I will release 11 photographs about the real health status of the President any moment from now”, Fayose threatened.

READ MORE HERE

Continue Reading

How Abacha Killed Yar’adua By Injecting Him With A Deadly Virus – Obasanjo Makes Shocking Confession

Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria has made a startling revelation of how former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha poisoned the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua whose younger brother later became President of Nigeria.
A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday made a baffling confession how late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha killed the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua in prison by injecting him with a deadly virus. He also said that Abacha made sure that June 12 hero, the late Moshood Abiola didn’t make it out of prison alive.
Obasanjo made the sad revelation at a dinner programme organised by an inter-denominational Christian organisation, Christ The Redeemer’s Friends International of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 39 Chapter.
He said Yar’Adua was poisoned by Abacha’s killer squad, adding that he was to be next victim, but that he was saved by God’s divine grace.
Obasanjo said, “Two people had earlier told me Abacha promised that three of us would not come out of prison or detention alive; myself. Shehu Yar Adua and MKO Abiola. And two of them did not come out alive. So, that I came out alive, maybe God has a purpose. And therefore if the purpose is for me to serve the people and by so doing, serve God, then so be it.
“Abacha claimed that I was plotting a coup. I wasn’t the first to be arrested. When Shehu (Yar’Adua) was arrested, I tried to plead for his release. When Abacha said he didn’t know about Shehu’s arrest, I said to him, ‘the number two man in this country cannot be arrested without you knowing.’ He then said he would go and find out.
“In Abacha’s plan, he left God out of it and because he left God out of his plan, it (his government) eventually failed. There is God’s hand in the life of each and every one of us and every institution. I believe that very well.
“When I was arrested, they took me to a house in Ikoyi (Lagos) and that became my abode (I was) in isolation, for three months.
“In the meantime, there were national and international pressures for my release, (former US) President Jimmy Carter was one of the world leaders that came to ask for my release. Some African leaders like Yoweri Museveni and Robert Mugabe came. I believe it was because of those pressures that I was released from isolation in Ikoyi where I was under house arrest.”
Recounting the day he was court-martialled and sentenced as one of the ‘worst days in his life’, Obasanjo said: “I must say that, that day, in a split second, it felt like the worst day in my life. What flashed through my mind was that I was forever ruined. I asked myself, ‘What did I do to deserve this? Is this what I get for serving Nigeria?’ But then, I told myself again that this was not done to me by Nigeria, but that one man did it for me.”
Narrating his time in Jos and Port Harcourt prisons, he said, “I was to go to Jos (prison) and Yar’Adua was to go to Port Harcourt (prison). In Jos, I was visited by my colleagues, including Yakubu Danjuma, Joe Garba, Domkat Bali, many of our colleagues, and then family members and friends.
“Then a decision was made that I was becoming too popular in Jos prison and I had to be transferred to. Yola prison which is a native authority prison and I don’t need to tell you what life was there.
“In Jos prison, before I was transferred to Yola prison, they had decided that Shehu Yar’Adua and myself should be poisoned. So, they took him from Port Harcourt prison to Abakaliki. In the process, he was injected with the virus that killed him. The same was supposed to be done to me. The man who came took me from the prison to a guest house in the GRA in Jos, said, ‘We know you have problem with cholesterol so I have to take your blood for a test.’ Then I said, ‘Not on your life, I don’t have any problem of cholesterol.’
“I was slightly diabetic. But God had taken care of it because I was checking my blood sugar almost on a daily basis and it had become better than normal. So, I refused him (the man) touching me with anything. So, they took me to Yola and he said, ‘when you get to where you are going, we will come again.’”
The former president said he was saved from being poisoned by a doctor and specialist in the prison.
“The doctor was a professional man in charge of the General Hospital in Yola. He listened to my case that I needed special food because I was diabetic. He said the specialist would come to see me. The specialist turned out to be somebody from Okeogun in Oyo State. Two, he was a Baptist, and three, he had heard about me and knew me. So, he looked at me and said, ‘Don’t let anybody touch you with anything.’
“Within three weeks the man that came to me earlier returned again and said he wanted to take my blood. I said, ‘No, you have to get my doctor to come and take my blood for you.’ That was the arrangement between me and the doctor. And my doctor came and he brought a syringe and he took my blood and gave it to him. He now asked the man, ‘When would we have the result?’The man said, ‘Within 24 hours of my getting to Abuja.’I haven’t heard the result till today.”
Obasanjo said after his release from prison, he gave into pressure to contest for the presidency and he ended up becoming president for two terms by the grace of God. “Nigeria that was a pariah state became a darling (of the world).
“What is the lesson for me? I developed in prison but unfortunately I was not able to sustain it. Maybe because there was nothing else to do in prison except to pray and fast. I used to fast a lot. On three occasions, I fasted for seven days, no water, no food… a unique power was given to me by God.
“In all these, God did not leave me alone, and I know that. I say to people that God has never let me alone nor disappointed me in spite of all. I am a sinner. It is not because of my goodness, but because of the grace of God, and the grace of God continues to abound.”

Continue Reading

We Will Create Oduduwa Republic 6 Months After Biafra Is Created – Femi Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has claimed that Oduduwa Republic will be created 6 months after Biafra becomes a sovereign nation.
Fani-Kayode, who has been publicly supporting Biafra’s movements for secession from Nigeria, took to his Twitter page on Friday, to insist on a referendum.

He wrote: “‘Treat the surrendering Biafrans well or risk their children rising again’- Gen. Phillip Effiong, 1970. Prophetic words.
“Oduduwa Republic shall be established no more than 6 months after Biafra has been created. Then we shall be free. TIME FOR REFERENDUMS!”
Yesterday, Fani-Kayode said Nigeria should be begging Igbos for forgiveness and not threatening them.
According to Fani-Kayode, the people from the South East need to be apologized to, after “we killed 3 million Igbos in the war including 1 million children.”

Continue Reading

The Pastor Who Defrauded Me Of N918m Was My Errand Boy – Titi Atiku

Mrs Titi Atiku, the wife of former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku, told an Ikeja High Court that Akpan-Jacobs, the pastor who allegedly defrauded her of N918m, was her “errand boy”.
Titi made this claim while being cross-examined on Wednesday by Mr Amos Ibe, the defence counsel to Akpan-Jacobs.
“I paid N49m for the land used as the premises of THA Shipping, my partner Fred Holmes never contributed to the buying of the land but he contributed to the building of the property.
“The N49m was given to Akpan-Jacobs to purchase the land, but we did not know who he bought the land from.
“He never contributed a dime, he was just like an errand boy,” Atiku said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had charged Akpan-Jacobs with 14 counts bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of property worth N918m belonging to THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.
THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd, a company created in 2000, is owned by Atiku, Akpan-Jacobs and Fred Holmes, her German business partner.
Atiku was alleged to be the majority shareholder with 49 percent shares, while Holmes and Akpan-Jacobs each had 25 percent shares.
Akpan-Jacobs, who also doubled as the company’s Managing Director and Secretary, was alleged to have gone to the Corporate Affairs Commission to alter the shareholding in his favour and forged the company’s board resolutions.
He allegedly allotted 70 percent shares to himself and 15 percent shares each to Titi and Holmes.
According to the EFCC, welding a fraudulent shareholding power, Akpan-Jacobs sold a property belonging to the company to Dana Motors Nigeria Ltd for N918m.
The property is located at Plot C63 A, Amuwo-Odofin Commercial Layout along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos.
Responding to Atiku’s claim that Akpan-Jacobs was her errand boy, Ibe asked, “He was made a Managing Director (MD), how can an errand boy be made an MD?
“He was made an MD to stand in for Mr Fred Holmes because Holmes had not resigned from his job.
“When it was time for Akpan to step down as the MD, he refused because by then he had perfected his fraudulent acts.”
The wife of ex-VP denied Ibe’s claims that Akpan-Jacobs owned and promoted THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd and only brought her on board to bring in big briefs and clients.
“Is he the one who bought the land, built the building? He was merely supervising.
“My clout gave the company a lot of prestige, a lot of people wanted to do business with us and people brought a lot of containers to us,” she said.
While giving evidence on May 23, Atiku had told the court that she had used her maiden name, Florence Doregos, for business transactions because she was serving in government at the time.
She denied Ibe’s accusations that Akpan-Jacobs never forged her signature either as Florence Doregos and Titi Abubakar in company documents.
Mrs Atiku also denied Akpan-Jacobs claims that she never contributed to the construction of the building that housed the company.
“I have a breakdown of the costs used in the construction of the building, Akpan-Jacobs gave me the breakdown in 2002 but he did not sign it.
“I never said the property was built by Julius Berger, Mr Holmes was a Julius Berger staff and he might have used his connections to make the building a solid structure.
“There was a document that Akpan-Jacobs had showed me that was signed Abubakar, I told him that that was not Titi Abubakar’s signature.
“He forged Florence Doregos signature in a number of documents,” she said.
Atiku also told the court that she and Holmes on April 6, 2009, passed a resolution removing Akpan-Jacobs from the ownership of THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.
“He had sold the property by the time we passed that resolution but we wrote to Akpan notifying him of what we wanted to do.
“My lawyer, Mr Chima went to Dana Motors Ltd made efforts to stop the sale of the property because by then, they had not given Akpan much money for the sale of the property.
“When Mr Chima went to Dana Motors Ltd to tell them that the property was not for sale, they confided in him that the property
was sold to Akpan for N918m.
“I only gave power of attorney to one Ms Springerbeck, a German citizen; I, however, reverted the power of attorney to my lawyer after I noticed that she had a lot of excesses.
“Akpan used the property as a collateral for a loan from First Bank because he needed funds to run for governor of Akwa-Ibom.
“When he could not pay the loan and settle his creditors, he sold THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.
“I am not aware that a deed of assignment was signed by a secretary and director of the company, Akpan did not introduce any secretary to me,” she said.
Mr Babatunde Sonoiki, the EFCC counsel, while re-examining Atiku, asked if she signed any the company resolutions used in the alleged fraud.
“Did you ever sign board resolutions assigning anyone as company secretary, approving the sale of the property and to loan money from First Bank on behalf of THA Shipping?”
Atiku replied, “I never signed any board resolution for any of those purposes.”
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye adjourned the case until July 6 for continuation of trial.

Continue Reading