Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, has assured Igbos in the state of the readiness of his administration to continue to protect their interests, saying Nigeria will continue to be a united entity.

Speaking in Lokoja on Thursday, June 8, 2017 through his spokesperson, Kingsley Fanwo on the backdrop of events in Kaduna where a group of Northern youth threatened the Igbo community, the governor said he supports the stance of the Kaduna State Governor to protect the Igbos in the state.

“As a nation, our strength has always been embedded in our unity in diversity. Nigeria is home to all and we must continue to see ourselves as brothers and sisters in a united nation. Ethnic segregation is unacceptable to humanity and we must continue to wax stronger and unbroken as a nation. The God that created Nigeria is a God who believes in the strength of unity.

“The Kogi State Government under the leadership of Alh. Yahaya Bello wishes to assure all Igbos that they are not only safe in the state, but that the administration will continue to consider Igbos resident in the state as partners in the New Direction Agenda of the government. Igbos should go about the legitimate businesses in the state as they continue to contribute to our economy as a state and a people.

“With the appointment of Igbos into strategic positions in Kogi State, we are making a strong case for social integration in Nigeria. Let me once more salute the courage and nationalism of the Kaduna State Governor who has shown with his recent actions that Kaduna will remain the home of all nationalities.”

Bello tasked the Northern leaders to continue to defend the interests and safety of non-Northerners living in the North, insisting that unity is more of an action than word.

“As we strive to move out of the economic recession in Nigeria, bloodshed would only compound the situation. We are the same before God and we should always play up the factors that unite us. We can only be strong when we are united.”

Governor Bello called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the full recovery of Mr. President, saying the health of the President is “quite reassuring and encouraging.” He said the President is sacrificing a lot for the “greatness, prosperity and unity of Nigeria.”

“President Buhari has sacrificed a lot to ensure we remain a respected nation in the comity of nations. Nigerians should pray for his full recovery as he is determined to tame corruption and drive the nation toward prosperity, responsibility and respectability.”

Leave The North By October 1 – Arewa Groups Warn Igbos

A coalition of prominent groups in Northern Nigeria on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 issued an ultimatum to Igbos living in the north to return home by October 1, 2017 or else they will face a situation similar to the pre-civil war pogroms visited on their kin in the 1960s.

The order was contained in an error-ridden statement, obtained by The Trent, issued after a meeting in Kaduna State. The groups, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum, and the Northern Emancipation Network, asked the Igbo residing in the region to “start making plans to leave.”

The chilling statement condemned the renewed call for the independent republic of Biafra and also expressed disdain for the Igbos and their culture saying that “the Igbo people of the South-East, not repentant of the carnage it wrought on the nation in 1966,  is today boldly reliving those sinister intentions connoted by the Biafran agitation that led to the very first bloody insurrection in Nigeria’s history”.

In 1966, the Igbos were the victims of the largest genocide in Nigeria’s history with over 100,000 of them killed in Northern Nigeria by northern mobs. This pogrom led to the declaration of the Republic of Biafra which led to the Nigerian civil war in which over 3 million Igbos died.

Barely 18 hours after the deadly attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday, June 8, 2017 defied the presumed security threat, paying a one-day working visit to the troubled town.

The acting president, who is in the state to commence the distribution of 30,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-east, landed at the Maiduguri International Airport in a presidential jet at about 12:30pm.

The acting president was received by the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, members of the state executive council, traditional rulers and politicians.

It was observed that security was beefed up across the town, with heavily armed personnel from the army, navy, airforce, police, DSS, immigration and other para-military agencies deployed in major roads and streets.

Similarly, several Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) were stationed in all the routes the acting president is expected to take, with assault helicopters and military fighter jets providing aerial surveillance.

Buhari Defeats Boko Haram?

Late December 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari declared victory over the Islamist terrorist group after Nigerian troops announced that they have recaptured Camp Zero in Sambisa forest, the base of the deadliest terrorist group in the world.

The Nigerian Army later presented the president with the flag belonging to the terrorist group in a “mission accomplished” ceremony.

Since the declaration a week ahead of Christmas Day 2016, Boko Haram has launched a number of deadly attacks in the North Eastern region of the country where the terrorists have murdered at least 50,000 since they began their campaign to establish an Islamic caliphate in the country.

Additional reports by ThisDay.

The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance, APDA, welcomes with delight the registration of five new political parties, one of which is the APDA, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, a statement by the party on Wednesday, June 7, 2017.

“By this action, the commission is fulfilling one of its statutory obligations-that of registration of political associations seeking registration as political parties,” the statement signed by Asandia Hogan, the interim national publicity secretary said.

“Beyond that, the registration of the new parties will broaden the political space and give Nigerians more latitude to choose among political parties. We thank the commission for living up to its constitutional mandate and urge it to do more in our collective quest to enthrone a viable and enduring political culture.

“It is worthy of note that the registration of APDA or any other political party for that matter did not come easy.

“It is the outcome of a rigorous selection exercise. We at APDA congratulate ourselves for meeting the requirements for registration as a political party within the shortest possible  time ever.

“It is on record that our application succeeded even before those of others who applied before us. Our early success in this regard is, no doubt, a product of our diligence and hard work as well as the impartial and fair disposition of the electoral body.

“We wish to state here again that APDA is the true party of the Nigerian people. We are determined to redefine partisan politics and political administration in the country.

“We have  a social contract with Nigerians and this is driven by a deliberate , conscious and patriotic conviction that the time has come for us to institute a national political platform that will accommodate all of us as we strive to meet our individual and collective dreams and aspirations.

“We say this in recognition of the fact that APDA as a political movement arose out of the despondency in the land. Nigeria as a country is saddled with an inactive and inept behemoth masquerading as a ruling party.

“It is an indisputable fact that the government of the day has failed the people. Hunger and poverty are ravaging the land and there is no hope for a better tomorrow under the present order.

“Much more regrettable is the fact that there is no viable opposition in the land to put the failing government on its  toes.

“A situation like this calls for redress and APDA is offering itself to undertake this rescue mission. To achieve our broad goals and objectives, we have put together a holistic manifesto which will be the basis of our social contract with the Nigerian people.

“We wish to assure Nigerians that APDA will introduce values that are premised on an inclusive Nigerian society that is founded on the principles of freedom, equality, solidarity and fairness. All we ask of you is to trust and believe in us.

“Together, we can make Nigeria the country of our dream. As we say in APDA, we are truly stronger together,” the statement ended.

Rescue teams were on Thursday, June 7, 2017 making the grim discovery of bodies and aircraft parts after a Chinese made plane went missing off the southern coast of Myanmar with at least 120 people on board.

Four children were among the ten bodies which have been found by navy and civilian ships after the Shaanxi Y-8-200F aircraft vanished on Wednesday, Myanmar’s military said on Thursday. Other reports said 20 bodies have already been brought ashore.

The military transport plane, which disappeared en route from Myeik to Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, was carrying 35 soldiers and their families, which included 15 children, Reuters news agency said.

Reuters said the total number of passengers was 122, which included 14 crew members, while other reports said 120 people were on the plane.

The plane lost contact  about half and hour after takeoff while flying at 18,000 feet (5,485 metres) over the Andaman Sea, the military said.

Read more at Telegraph.

The National Bureau of Statistics has said that the number of Nigerians who became unemployed rose by 2.1 million to 11.55 million at the end of 2016 from 9.48 million at the beginning of the year.

The NBS stated this in its unemployment report, which was released on Monday, June 5, 2017.

The NBS report stated that the unemployment rate was highest for persons in the labour force between the ages of 15-24 and 25-34, which represents the youth population in Nigeria.

For instance, it stated that the unemployment rate was highest for those within the age bracket of 15 to 24, rising from 25 per cent to 25.2 per cent.

For the 25 to 34 age group, the unemployment rate, according to the report increased from 15 per cent to 15.4 per cent.

It noted that unemployment and underemployment were higher for women than men in the fourth quarter of 2016.

For instance, 16.3 per cent of women in the labour force were unemployed as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2016, according to the report.

On the other hand, it added that 12. 3 per cent of males were unemployed in the fourth quarter of last year.

The report stated, “The economically active population increased from 108.03 million to 108.59 million; this represents a 0.5 per cent increase over the previous quarter and a 3.4 per cent increase when compared to fourth quarter 2015.

“In the fourth quarter of 2016, the labour force population increased to 81.15 million from 80.67 million in the third quarter of 2016, representing an increase of 0.6 per cent in the labour force during the quarter.

“This means about 482,689 persons from the economically active population entered the labour force during the quarter, that is individuals that were able, willing and actively looking for work.”

The Nigerian police has taken measures to protect the lives of Igbos living in the North following the disturbing threat issued against Igbos living in Northern Nigeria by a coalition of prominent youth groups.

In a statement signed by Jimoh Moshood, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, the 3-month ultimatum is viewed by the police “as illegal, unlawful, provocative and capable of causing breach of the peace currently being enjoyed across the country”.

The full statement, which was e-mailed to The Trent on Thursday, June 8, 2017, below:

RE: -JOINT POSITION PAPER BY THE AREWA CITIZENS ACTION FOR CHANGE, AREWA YOUTH CONSULTATIVE FORUM, AREWA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, AREWA STUDENTS FORUM AND NORTHERN EMANCIPATION NETWORK ON THE IGBO PERSISTENCE FOR SECESSION

The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publications in the media accredited to the Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum and Northern Emancipation Network on the Igbo Persistence for Secession, on their alleged ultimatum to Nigerians of Igbo extraction residing in the Northern Nigeria to relocate within three (3) months.

The Nigeria Police Force sees this ultimatum by the above mentioned groups as illegal, unlawful, provocative and capable of causing breach of the peace currently being enjoyed across the country.

Consequently, the Inspector General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police in charge of Police State Commands in the Country and their supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the Zonal Commands of the Federation to beef up security in their respective States and ensure that the alleged ultimatum is not actualized.

They are under strict instructions to maintain law and order and to sustain the protection of fundamental rights of every Nigerian as provided for by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, particularly sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 which are very sacrosanct and must be protected.

Every Nigerian including the Igbo or any other ethnic group have the rights to life, personal liberty, freedom of movement and the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria. No individual (s) or group (s) under any course, guise or excuse have the right to issue any ultimatum or warning to compel any Nigerian to leave or relocate from or to any part of the country without their wish.

The Nigeria Police Force is imploring all well meaning Nigerians most especially the People of Igbo extraction to disregard the alleged ultimatum and go about their lawful engagements and other activities without fear or apprehension as adequate security arrangements have been put in place by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to protect them and their properties across the Northern States and other parts of the Country. They should report any suspicious/untoward happenings observed in their neighbourhoods to the nearest Police station.

As a result the Force is calling on Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum and Northern Emancipation Network on the Igbo Persistence for Secession, to desist forthwith the ultimatum and any further act that can precipitate tension and cause breach of the peace anywhere in the country.

The Nigeria Police Force is closely monitoring the activities of these groups and will apply full weight of the law on any violator of the law or anyone who attempt to molest, mistreat, panic and cause fear in the mind of any other Nigerian anywhere in the country.

The Force wishes to advise traditional rulers, opinion leaders, religious leaders, parents and guardians to prevail on their subjects, adherents, children and wards not to allow themselves to be used by any group (s) to cause disturbance of public peace, and unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians anywhere in the country.

The Nigeria Police Force will continue to respect the diversity of the people and ensure that the rule of law prevails everywhere in the country.

Leave The North By October 1 – Arewa Groups Warn Igbos

A coalition of prominent groups in Northern Nigeria on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 issued an ultimatum to Igbos living in the north to return home by October 1, 2017 or else they will face a situation similar to the pre-civil war pogroms visited on their kin in the 1960s.

The order was contained in an error-ridden statement, obtained by The Trent, issued after a meeting in Kaduna State. The groups, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum, and the Northern Emancipation Network, asked the Igbo residing in the region to “start making plans to leave.”

The chilling statement condemned the renewed call for the independent republic of Biafra and also expressed disdain for the Igbos and their culture saying that “the Igbo people of the South-East, not repentant of the carnage it wrought on the nation in 1966,  is today boldly reliving those sinister intentions connoted by the Biafran agitation that led to the very first bloody insurrection in Nigeria’s history”.

In 1966, the Igbos were the victims of the largest genocide in Nigeria’s history with over 100,000 of them killed in Northern Nigeria by northern mobs. This pogrom led to the declaration of the Republic of Biafra which led to the Nigerian civil war in which over 3 million Igbos died.

The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) on Friday, June 9, 2017 expressed support to the call by a coalition of Northern youth Groups for Igbo to leave the region within three months.

The group made its position known despite widespread condemnation that followed the ultimatum earlier handed by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum.

The forum expressed disappointment with the northern governors’ forum for disowning the youth groups.

Ango Abdullahi, spokesman of NEF, told journalists in Zaria on Friday that it was hypocritical for the Igbo to continue to live in other parts of the country while agitating for Nigeria’s break up.

“I am disappointed in the decision taken by northern governors’ forum disowning and condemning the agitation by this young agile and progressive youth groups,” he said.

“Let me ask these northern governors, who are they representing? Are they representing spirits, ghost or people of the north?

“Recently, people from eastern part of this country, specifically Igbo, were busy calling for the sovereign state of Biafra and from all indication their leaders including governors are behind them.”

According to him, whoever feels Nigeria “is not conducive for him” let him quit, adding that what the northern youth groups did was not a sin.”

He lamented that none of the northern governors reacted to the persistent call for the actualisation of Biafra and other agitations.

Abdullahi said when Nnamdi Kanu was released on bail recently, over 100 vehicles escorted him to his residence including big personalities from the south-west and south-east.

“This is somebody who has been agitating for the breakup of Nigeria but his people were behind him, therefore, I am behind the youths,” he said.

“This is because the northern youths are pushed to the wall, we have been calming them down in any event similar to this,”

Speaking specifically on the Igbo, Abdullahi said the people from the south were always pretending that people from the north were cheating them.

“These people always pretend that the north is cheating them, not minding the fact that southern Nigeria was developed by resources from the north,” he said.

“Please, look for a book written by Adamu FiKa, the Waziri of FiKa on Nigeria’s budget before and after independence.

“Each year, up to the time Nigeria gained its independence, none of the two regions was able to provide for itself.

“I mean none of the western and eastern regions had the money to effectively run the affairs of its region until they get financial support from the Northern region.”

He recalled that the tradition had remained during the colonial masters and nothing changed after they left the country.

Abdullahi said it was the same money from the north that was used to construct Nigerian Railways, refineries and other facilities.

“First oil exploration was conducted using money from groundnut pyramid, cotton, hide and skin among other cash crops from northern Nigeria,” he said.

“However, these people tend to forget all these goodies provided by the North toward ensuring the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.

“They always look down on us, feeling that Northerners are parasites in this country.”

Leave The North By October 1 – Arewa Groups Warn Igbos

A coalition of prominent groups in Northern Nigeria on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 issued an ultimatum to Igbos living in the north to return home by October 1, 2017 or else they will face a situation similar to the pre-civil war pogroms visited on their kin in the 1960s.

The order was contained in an error-ridden statement, obtained by The Trent, issued after a meeting in Kaduna State. The groups, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum, and the Northern Emancipation Network, asked the Igbo residing in the region to “start making plans to leave.”

The chilling statement condemned the renewed call for the independent republic of Biafra and also expressed disdain for the Igbos and their culture saying that “the Igbo people of the South-East, not repentant of the carnage it wrought on the nation in 1966,  is today boldly reliving those sinister intentions connoted by the Biafran agitation that led to the very first bloody insurrection in Nigeria’s history”.

In 1966, the Igbos were the victims of the largest genocide in Nigeria’s history with over 100,000 of them killed in Northern Nigeria by northern mobs. This pogrom led to the declaration of the Republic of Biafra which led to the Nigerian civil war in which over 3 million Igbos died.

Additional reports by News Agency of Nigeria.

The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, has said that Nigeria will continue to remain one in spite of its multi-ethnic diversity.

Kabir made the assertion on Friday, June 9, 2018 at his palace in Katsina, when he addressed leaders of Igbo community and other Nigerians residing in Katsina State.

“I am responding to the quit notice given to some Nigerians residing in the North by some group of people who are enemies of peace.

“Here in Katsina, I am ready to sacrifice my last drop of blood to ensure peace and protect all Nigerians residing in the state,’’ he said.

The emir urged the different communities residing in the state not to panic as the Emirate Council and state government would take all necessary measures to ensure peaceful coexistence.

‘’You are Nigerians, because some of you were born here and you don’t have better place than Katsina.

‘’So, continue to conduct your lawful business activities, we are behind you.

‘’You are my sons and daughters like any other person, Katsina is your home, so, feel free do not go anywhere,’’ Kabir said.

The emir also urged them to continue to pray for peace and unity in the country, to ensure sustainable development.

Leave The North By October 1 – Arewa Groups Warn Igbos

A coalition of prominent groups in Northern Nigeria on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 issued an ultimatum to Igbos living in the north to return home by October 1, 2017 or else they will face a situation similar to the pre-civil war pogroms visited on their kin in the 1960s.

The order was contained in an error-ridden statement, obtained by The Trent, issued after a meeting in Kaduna State. The groups, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum, and the Northern Emancipation Network, asked the Igbo residing in the region to “start making plans to leave.”

The chilling statement condemned the renewed call for the independent republic of Biafra and also expressed disdain for the Igbos and their culture saying that “the Igbo people of the South-East, not repentant of the carnage it wrought on the nation in 1966,  is today boldly reliving those sinister intentions connoted by the Biafran agitation that led to the very first bloody insurrection in Nigeria’s history”.

In 1966, the Igbos were the victims of the largest genocide in Nigeria’s history with over 100,000 of them killed in Northern Nigeria by northern mobs. This pogrom led to the declaration of the Republic of Biafra which led to the Nigerian civil war in which over 3 million Igbos died.

Additional reports by News Agency of Nigeria.

Army has allegedly killed three, injured one person in a face up between the army and civilians in Kaduna.

The killing of the first triggered a protest that resulted to the killing of two others, with one other sustaining injury around Command Secondary School Junction, Nnamdi Azikwe Way in Kaduna.

The first victim, identified by his relations as Solomon Andi, 35, was allegedly shot while packing sand from a gutter between a burial ground and the Command Secondary School building around 9am on Friday, June 9, 2017.

“Solomon was packing sand in a gutter in front of the military school when he was asked to stop by the soldier, but he pleaded with him to allow him pack the sand since the gutter is not anyone’s belonging,” John Simon, an eyewitness, told our reporter.

John Paul, another witness who spoke to journalists, alleged that two other people who were among irate youths who attempted to break through the Command main gate were also shot dead by soldiers, with one other person injured.

Samson Andi, the deceased’s younger brother who spoke to our reporter on phone, insisted that his brother “was killed by the soldier who was smoking weed.

“Solomon, my late brother, lives at Baka Street, Television, and has no specific job. He does every menial job ranging from brick layer, carpentry, packing sand and so on, to feed his family.

“Solomon was at that area to pack sand inside gutter in between burial ground and command when this soldier who was smoking weed, started harassing him (Solomon) and punishing him with frog jump and then shot him. He died on the way to Saint Gerald Hospital and the body is deposited there,” Mr. Andi said.

“Our mother and I are at the Television Garage police post since around 11am to make report. Up till now the police we don’t know what they are doing.

“My sister also told me that two other people who are among some people who tried to protest my brother’s death were also shot dead and another person was injured,” he added.

1 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, said the shooting of the man was by a soldier of the Division Internal Security Force deployed at Command Secondary School Kaduna.

The army in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Colonel Kingsley Umoh, said the matter is being investigated.

He said the General Officer Commanding the Division is appealing to law abiding citizens to remain calm and go about their lawful duties.

The army didn’t however confirm the death of two other youths allegedly killed during the protest of Mr. Solomon’s killing.

“The attention of Headquarters 1 Division Nigerian has been drawn to tension arising from an incident that occurred at about 10:00am today 9 June 2017,” the statement said.

“A soldier of the Division Internal Security Force deployed at Command Secondary School Kaduna opened fire on some youths suspected to have encroached into the school premises.

“One of the youths was hit and died at the spot. Officers have been deployed to the scene of the incident in response and the Police have also been invited to take control of the situation.

“The matter is being investigated and details will be made available as they become available.

“The general officer commanding appeals to law abiding citizens to remain calm and go about their daily lawful activities, while assuring that 1 Division remains committed to security in its area of responsibility in conjunction with other security agencies.”

Read more at News Express.

The Chediya Chief Magistrates’ Court in Zaria, Kaduna State, has adjourned till July 4, 2017 continuation of hearing in the case of 53 accused persons arrested for gay marriage.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the police in Zaria had on April 18 charged the accused persons for conspiracy, unlawful assembly and belonging to a gang of unlawful society.

The offences contravened sections 97, 100 and 197(a) of Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

At the proceeding, the prosecutor, Mannir Nasir, told the court that at the last sitting, the accused persons (numbers 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 20, 21, 26 and 54) were in court.

Mr. Nasir then applied for a bench warrant and a separate trial of accused person number 2, 3, 9, 12, 14, 20, 21, 26 and 54 under Section 259 of the criminal procedure code.

The lead counsel to the accused persons, Kimi Appah from TS, a Kaduna-based NGO, argued against the bench warrant.

He, however, did not object to the second application for a separate trial.

The court ruled that counsel to the accused neither gave any point of law nor cogent reason in view of the application by the prosecutor.

“The court hereby granted and summoned the surety to come to the court and show cause why accused persons were not in court.

“The court therefore granted the application by the prosecutor for a separate trial under Section 259 of the CPC,” the court said.

After cross-examining Abdul-Aziz Mohammed, one of the witnesses, Mr. Appah filed an oral application for a definite hearing to facilitate accelerated hearing.

The prosecutor, however, objected to the application, saying most of the witnesses were police officers and may be officially engaged elsewhere.

He then applied for continuation of hearing and asked for another date.

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Auwal Musa-Aliyu, adjourned the case till July 4, for continuation of hearing.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will assent to this year’s Appropriations Bill into law next week, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said according to a report by The Guardian.

On his part, Osinbajo said the executive would continue to engage the legislature in line with democratic principles to ensure that Nigerians enjoyed dividends of democracy.

In his address to mark the 2nd anniversary of the 8th House of Representatives, he expressed delight that the House has kept to its promise to carry out a budget reform that would ensure that this yearís Appropriations Bill was processed in a transparent manner.

He said: “On issue of budget, we kept our promise to Nigerians at the beginning of the legislative session to ensure transparent deliberation and passage of the 2017 Appropriations Bill, which will be signed into law early next week.

“We have also carried out significant budget reforms. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a public hearing was conducted in the National Assembly to get the input of Nigerians in the budgetary process.

Further reforms introduced include the details of the Appropriation Act being available to all members before passage in plenary; the requirement that members of each committee should sign the report of their committees before being sent to the Committee on Appropriations.

“All these novel measures are unprecedented in the history of our parliament and ensured that the houses debate and consideration of the budget proposal presented by the President was evidence-based and geared towards galvanising the economy for greater growth.”

The acting President, represented by Senator Ita Enang, Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, said the executive would not confront the legislative arm in their dealings.

We appreciate the powers of the legislature; we will in our relationship with you, continually relate on the basis of honour for each other.

Read more at Signal.

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 ordered the release of the passport of a former minister of state for finance, Nenadi Usman, to enable her travel to the United States of America to seek medical attention.

Usman, who is being tried for an alleged N4.9 billion fraud, had told the court that she was suffering from breast cancer.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa, in a ruling on Wednesday, gave Usman permission to travel for three weeks between July and August to the US but ordered her to surrender her passport to the court not later than August 31, 2017.

Usman is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside a former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode; one Danjuma Yusuf and a company, Joint Trust Dimensions Limited. The entire care is based on campaign funds for the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, presidential campaign of 2015.

The defendants were first arraigned on June 28, 2016 on 17 counts before Justice Muslim Hassan of the same court.

But Fani-Kayode objected to being tried before Justice Hassan on the grounds that he would not get justice because Justice Hassan was a lawyer with the EFCC before he became a judge.

The case was later transferred to Justice Aikawa.

At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), urged Justice Aikawa to first determine the prayer by his client to have the case transferred to Abuja.

“Practice direction is clear on this matter. This is what the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, in his wisdom, has formulated. The rule is recognised by Section 490(d) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (2015). Rules of the court are meant to be obeyed,” Quakers argued.

But the EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, relying on Section 396 of the ACJL, argued, among others, that Quakers’ position was incorrect in law.

“I submit that it would amount to turning the law upside down to say that the substantive issue, which is the allegation as contained in the charge, cannot be taken without determining the application. Section 396 of the ACJL is higher in hierarchy and takes precedence over the practice direction,” he argued.

Ruling, Justice Aikawa upheld Oyedepo’s argument after which the prosecution proceeded to call its first witness, Olusegun Idowu.

Read more at Signal.

Panic has gripped the Igbo community in Kaduna and the Northern communities over the October 1 ultimatum given them by the Northern youths to vacate the North, as the Igbo leaders have called for calm and restraint in fleeing from the region.

Many Igbos resident in Kaduna are under panic situation as they are equally undecided whether to start moving their families back to the eastern states on the strength of the threat by Northern youths that all the Ibos should leave the region.

President general of Igbo Community Welfare Association, Kaduna, Chief Chris Nnoli, has, however, urged all Igbos resident in Kaduna and other parts of the region not to panic and begin to move their families and property back to the East, saying that the Governments in the North and elders are already on top of the situation.

The leader of Igbo community in Kano, the Eze Ndigbo, Chief Boniface Ibekwe, has also urged the Ndigbo in the state to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation, saying Igbos are committed to unity and stability of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) has condemned the Kaduna declaration of the Northern youths, asking the Igbos to go back to the eastern states, while requesting the Federal Government and the international community to facilitate the referendum for the creation of a Biafran State.

The Igbo Community President-General in Kaduna, Nnoli, while urging the residents to stop panicking and resist the temptation of moving their families back to the South East said: “We have told everybody not to panic. We have told everybody to remain calm.”

“The assurances we have received from the Government of Kaduna State, and the leadership of Northern Nigeria and even the IG has told us to remain calm. And the elders of the north have also told us their stand and we believe them. So we have told our people to remain calm and not to panic in any form, as to rushing back home.”

Ibekwe also told The Guardian that over three million Igbo people resident in Kano are peace-loving and would not do anything to jeopardise the unity of the country.

Ibekwe, who is also the Eze Diorama IV and President General of all the Ezes in the Diaspora, maintained: “We believe and based on my understanding as a major stakeholder in the North, that the northern leaders are never in support of the threat, so they should ignore it and go about their day-to-day businesses and activities.

“If they want to issue such a threat, it must be with numerous consultations, which I am aware was not. So, as far as we are concerned, we know and have faith in the ability of Nigerians to solve their problems. Whatever their grievances are, the appropriate authorities would look into it, so they should not take the law into their hands.

“I want to advise the Ndigbo in Kano to simply ignore the threat and go about their normal businesses.” He added: “Already, the threat has heightened tension in some areas of Kano, particularly in the Sabon Gari area of the city predominantly occupied by non-indigenous community and some are already being inundated with phone calls from their respective hometowns to relocate to avoid being trapped in the impending crisis.

“A lady received a call from her husband, who is based in the Southeast, requesting her to ensure that she wraps up her business within three months and rush back home,” Ibekwe lamented.

He promised that Ndigbo in Kano would soon summon a meeting of stakeholders and northern elders to channel their grievance to appropriate quarters.

Meanwhile, in most part of the metropolis in Kaduna where the Igbos have their businesses such as Ibadan Street, Ahmadu Bello Way, Katsina Road, Oriapkata and Panteka Market, several of them were seen gathering in groups to discuss the declaration by the northern youths.

One of the traders at Panteka Market, who gave his name as Obi Okonkwo, told The Guardian, “Many of us are already discussing how we can charter vehicles to carry our families back to the east as a result of the ultimatum by these northern youths”.

“We cannot fold our hands and watch and say it cannot happen. So, we are also preparing to save ourselves from dangers in this place,” he added.

However, Nnoli, while lamenting the unfolding scenario about the threat posed by the Arewa youth’s declaration, said “the whole thing is unfortunate and coming at this stage of our national development”.

According to him, “Our people are very disturbed. But, with the timely intervention of the Governors in the North by trying to stop some of the activities of the northern youth and ordering their arrest and prosecution, and also the intervention of ACF, the elders of the north, they have also intervened. So far we are telling everybody to remain calm, especially our people, they should remain calm and go about their lawful business and also be law abiding.”

He also said: “As far as I know there are processes in going about the referendum. The issue of this referendum depends on whether it is there in our constitution. And again, it all depends on the people. I think all we need to do as a country and people is to sit down and find solution to this emerging problem of the country.”

“As far as I am concerned not every Igbo man buys into the idea of the creation of the state of Biafra. And it should not be generalised as if everybody is looking for that. I think it is not fair for everybody to begin to target the entire Igbo in the north as if that is their position.”

Nnoli stressed: “We have never in any way come out to demonstrate in support of the Biafran State and also state that that is our position.

“In the entire northern Nigeria we have never come out to do any demonstration in favour of the creation and in support. And you can also cross-check, even last week, when there was a declaration of sit-at-home in support of Biafra State, all of us here in the North went about our duties. So, that is to show you that everybody has his own way of looking at his problem.”

Leave The North By October 1 – Arewa Groups Warn Igbos

A coalition of prominent groups in Northern Nigeria on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 issued an ultimatum to Igbos living in the north to return home by October 1, 2017 or else they will face a situation similar to the pre-civil war pogroms visited on their kin in the 1960s.

The order was contained in an error-ridden statement, obtained by The Trent, issued after a meeting in Kaduna State. The groups, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum, and the Northern Emancipation Network, asked the Igbo residing in the region to “start making plans to leave.”

The chilling statement condemned the renewed call for the independent republic of Biafra and also expressed disdain for the Igbos and their culture saying that “the Igbo people of the South-East, not repentant of the carnage it wrought on the nation in 1966,  is today boldly reliving those sinister intentions connoted by the Biafran agitation that led to the very first bloody insurrection in Nigeria’s history”.

In 1966, the Igbos were the victims of the largest genocide in Nigeria’s history with over 100,000 of them killed in Northern Nigeria by northern mobs. This pogrom led to the declaration of the Republic of Biafra which led to the Nigerian civil war in which over 3 million Igbos died.

Additional reports by The Guardian.

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, on Saturday, June 10, 2017 called on the federal government to arrest Professor Ango Abdullahi, the spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF.

This call follows Abdullahi’s public support for the pre-genocide quit notice issued by a coalition of Northern ‘youth’ groups under the umbrella of Arewa organisations asking that Igbos living in the northern region of Nigeria vacate the region by October 1, 2017.

The northern groups’ threat to Igbos is now widely referred to as the Kaduna Declaration and has been widely condemned by public officials and political groups. However, it has also received wide support from northern elements like Professor Abdullahi.

The NEF spokesman told journalists in Zaria on Friday that it was hypocritical of the Igbo to continue to live in other parts of the country while agitating for Nigeria’s break up.

Addressing a world press conference in Kaduna on Saturday, the NYCN distanced itself from Abdullahi’s standpoint.

Isah Abubakar, president of the group, said should there be any crisis as a result of the uncivil declaration, Abdullahi and his family will fly out of the country and leave the innocent to pay with their blood.

“We are surprised with statement credited to our renown elder and academic, Professor Ango Abdullahi supporting the uncivil and illegal declaration that Igbos should vacate the north, Abubakar said.

“NYCN want to use this medium to dissociate itself from anti-Nigeria agenda for selfish reason. We are not happy with the development in all its ramifications.

“We are calling on federal government to extend its arrest order to Professor Ango Abdullahi and other people who must have sponsored the perpetrators of such a huge inciting statement capable of throng the country into another civil unrest while the country is yet to fully recovered from the previous one several decades after.”

Isah said the declaration does not in any way represent the collective voice or decision of any legitimate coalition of youth groups from the region as the council remains the apex youth organisation that has the right to announce any resolution of youths from the region.

He noted that any Nigerian citizen has the right to live and own property anywhere he or she chooses.

Leave The North By October 1 – Arewa Groups Warn Igbos

A coalition of prominent groups in Northern Nigeria on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 issued an ultimatum to Igbos living in the north to return home by October 1, 2017 or else they will face a situation similar to the pre-civil war pogroms visited on their kin in the 1960s.

The order was contained in an error-ridden statement, obtained by The Trent, issued after a meeting in Kaduna State. The groups, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum, and the Northern Emancipation Network, asked the Igbo residing in the region to “start making plans to leave.”

The chilling statement condemned the renewed call for the independent republic of Biafra and also expressed disdain for the Igbos and their culture saying that “the Igbo people of the South-East, not repentant of the carnage it wrought on the nation in 1966,  is today boldly reliving those sinister intentions connoted by the Biafran agitation that led to the very first bloody insurrection in Nigeria’s history”.

In 1966, the Igbos were the victims of the largest genocide in Nigeria’s history with over 100,000 of them killed in Northern Nigeria by northern mobs. This pogrom led to the declaration of the Republic of Biafra which led to the Nigerian civil war in which over 3 million Igbos died.

A popular secessionist group operating in South East Nigeria, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has expressed gratitude to Arewa groups for having the courtesy to give the Igbo an advance warning to vacate northern Nigeria.

The group, led by Nnamdi Kanu, also requested for “more time” for the Igbos to pack out of the North.

The northern groups’ threat to Igbos is now widely referred to as the Kaduna Declaration and has been widely condemned by public officials and political groups. However, it has also received wide support from northern elements like Professor Abdullahi.

Emma Powerful, one of the spokespersons of IPOB, issued a statement on Saturday, June 10, 2017 assuring the northern groups that the Igbo people “will   heed the warning and leave northern Nigeria”.

IPOB went on to call on all southerners living in the North to start exiting the region as soon as possible.

“We the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and it’s leadership worldwide wish to sincerely thank the Arewa Elders Forum(AEF), Arewa Youths and Arewa Consultative Forum for seeing sense in what IPOB has been saying about the need for a referendum to be conducted in Nigeria to decide the fate of the component ethnic nationalities criminally lumped together by the British in 1914,” the statement said.

“Biafrans in general also wish to thank these vocal Northerners for at least having the courtesy to issue advance warning this time before embarking on their routine massacre of Igbos and other Biafrans living in Northern Nigeria; unlike what their fathers did in 1966 when death, destruction and mayhem were unleashed upon unsuspecting innocent civilian populations from the South comprising of mostly Igbo men, women and children.

“Igbo massacres in Northern Nigeria has occurred so many times that it has almost become some sort of an annual sporting activity for blood thirsty Northern youths. That is why we are particularly grateful to Arewa Youths and Elders for having the decency to give us prior notice before the slaughter commences.

“We promise to adhere to your warning to leave Northern Nigeria because a word is enough for the wise. Biafrans and other Southerner should start packing their properties to come down to the South. We also advice the Northern youths and their Elders to keep it on because all they have done is exercise their right to free speech which is not a crime under any law known to man. We are therefore against those calling for the arrest of these Arewa Youths and their Elders.

“It is abundantly evident from the genocidal statements coming from certain influential segments of Northern Nigeria that the British socio-political experimentation and economic fraud we know today as Nigeria, should not have been created in the first place. IPOB is very much aware of the covert blackmail and implied threat inherent in the utterances emanating from Islamic Northern Nigeria.

“Furthermore, the assumption that economic investments of Biafrans in the Northern part of the contraption called Nigeria is an impediment to Biafra restoration project is misguided and most definitely misplaced. This is cheap blackmail designed to trigger rancour among Biafra populations because the North have always assumed and wrongly too, that Igbos will place economic well being over and above their life. This assumption is based on a false premise and one we are determined to prove same as events unfold in the coming weeks and months.

“IPOB under the divine leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is the instrument Chukwu Okike Abiama (God Almighty) is using to restore Biafra, therefore we are not afraid of our enemies, neither will any threat or violence from any quarter deter us. We remain peaceful in our noble quest to restore Biafra but we must caution that we always retain the right as a people to defend ourselves should the need arise.

“The civilised world is aware that we IPOB have been adopting peaceful means to restore Biafra since 2014. It is the Arewa Islamic Northern Nigeria dominated Army, Police, Navy and Civil Defence that has brought torture, killings, massacres and mayhem to communities and populations in the South. Till date, nobody has been held to account despite the existence of a comprehensive Amnesty International report to this effect.

“We are aware that these Northern youths and their sponsors Britain, have perfected plans to begin another round of killing of innocent people as the did in 1966. We advise them not to make this mistake because Britain will no longer protect Islamic Northern Nigeria because in this digital age, the world is watching. Allow Biafrans time to relocate peacefully back to Bafraland, that is all we ask.”

Leave The North By October 1 – Arewa Groups Warn Igbos

A coalition of prominent groups in Northern Nigeria on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 issued an ultimatum to Igbos living in the north to return home by October 1, 2017 or else they will face a situation similar to the pre-civil war pogroms visited on their kin in the 1960s.

The order was contained in an error-ridden statement, obtained by The Trent, issued after a meeting in Kaduna State. The groups, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum, and the Northern Emancipation Network, asked the Igbo residing in the region to “start making plans to leave.”

The chilling statement condemned the renewed call for the independent republic of Biafra and also expressed disdain for the Igbos and their culture saying that “the Igbo people of the South-East, not repentant of the carnage it wrought on the nation in 1966,  is today boldly reliving those sinister intentions connoted by the Biafran agitation that led to the very first bloody insurrection in Nigeria’s history”.

In 1966, the Igbos were the victims of the largest genocide in Nigeria’s history with over 100,000 of them killed in Northern Nigeria by northern mobs. This pogrom led to the declaration of the Republic of Biafra which led to the Nigerian civil war in which over 3 million Igbos died.

A coalition of militants in the Niger Delta on Friday, June 9, 2017 called on the federal government to return all oil blocs being controlled by northerners to the people of the region.

The agitators explained that their action was based on the ultimatum given by some northern youth groups to the Igbo to vacate the North within three months.

A statement by leaders of eight militant groups who made the demand said that the Niger Delta region shall declare its independence on October 1, 2017 and free itself from enslavement by the North.

The coalition comprises Niger Delta Watchdogs, Niger Delta Volunteers, Niger Delta Peoples Fighters, Niger Delta Warriors, Bakassi Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Movement for Justice, Niger Delta Fighters Network and Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.

The militant leaders are General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener: Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators), General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers) General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).

Others are Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters), Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice), Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network), and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams (Niger Delta Freedom Mandate).

In their statement, which was said to have been issued shortly after their meeting in Port Harcourt, the militant leaders warned all companies operating such oil blocs to vacate within three months.

“A coalition of the Niger Delta militants met today (Friday) in Port Harcourt to review the recent call by the Arewa Youth groups that the Ndigbo should vacate all the Northern states within three months.

“We see the declaration by Arewa Youths as well coordinated. The northern elders, leaders, political elite, security heads from the North and governors were fully aware of it.

“We demand 100 percent control of our resources. We demand that the Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the northerners to Niger Delta indigenes. All the companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate within three months.

“The Federal Government should immediately relocate NNPC and all the offices that have to do with oil/gas sector back to Niger Delta states and an immediately replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of Niger Delta.

“All northern indigenes working in NNPC and any other Board that has anything to do with oil/gas should be sacked with immediate effect.

“We demand an independent and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta. We are tired of living with the North under Nigeria. We are tired of the President’s sentiments to the Niger Delta people.

“The President can have time to receive the Chibok girls, but could not have time to meet with the Representatives of the Niger Delta agitators. Our money has been used to fund Boko Haram, a problem created by the Northerners in order to use it as conduit pipe to siphon the resources of Niger Delta.

“On October 1, 2017 we shall declare our independence come rain, come shine. We shall take our destiny in our hands and free ourselves from the slavery of the North as they are tired of one Nigeria.”

They maintained that all the companies and businesses owned by the northerners in Niger Delta should be vacated within three months, saying, “From 1st October 2017, we don’t want to see any northerner close to Niger Delta; any attempt to penetrate shall meet fierce resistance. This time, we are not going to play defend, but attack.”

They also called on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region with immediate effect, adding that the measure was aimed at ensuring zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.

They said, “We also demand the Federal Government should immediately replace the Inspector General of Police with an indigene of the South West, the Director General of DSS with an indigene of South East, and the National Security Adviser with an indigene of South- South. The Speaker, House of Representatives should voluntarily resign and hand over to an indigene of the South-South.” 

Read more in Saturday Sun.

The children of late Chief A.O. Ezeoke of Obinabo village, Nkpologwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, has accused the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, of confiscation of their late father’s property, threatening their life, intimidating and oppressing them.

Speaking at a press conference in Awka, the head of Ezeoke family, Dr. Sylvester Ezeoke, said that the Catholic Bishop has confiscated all the properties belonging to their late father including money which was entrusted in his care, claiming it was given over to the church by their late father.

Narrating his story, Ezeoke in an emotion laden voice said: “Our father before his death was a devout Roman Catholic faithful and he raised all of us in the Catholic faith, having firmly believed that it was God that rescued him from poverty. During his lifetime, he made several sacrifices and charity works for the church, trained many priests and was very close to the successive Catholic bishops of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi Diocese.

“During his later days, he was a very close confidant to Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor to whom he frequently paid visits and sought counsel with and advices. During his last days, he firmly told us to see Bishop Ezeokafor as his friend and confidant, that if we needed any help or advice when he is gone, we should always go to him.

“Also, that he left a very important message and our belongings in his care to hand over to us when he is no more, because most of us are in different jobs. This is in order to ensure equity and fairness to all his children without preference to anybody based on age.

“During his visits to Enugu where I live, he stays with me in the same house and I am aware that on one of his visits he brought Bishop Ezeokafor to Enugu branch of UBA where he made him co-signatory to his personal account at the bank which held over N6 million and also took him to Onitsha branch of Diamond Bank where he also made him a co-signatory to his personal account holding also about N6 million and handed him other documents to keep in custody for us for onward distribution to us as all of us are not resident in Nigeria.

“When our father died, I took my siblings to see Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka diocese, to inform him on what had befallen us and to choose a date for his burial, we also asked him if there is any financial help he could offer us, we knew he had access to our father’s accounts. He told us boldly to go and borrow money if we don’t have money to bury our father. We left his office devastated.

“We got home and contributed money, sourced for some money from our friends to give our father a befitting burial. We equally took care of Bishop Ezeokafor and all the priests in attendance without minding his attitude towards the burial of his friend.”

Continuing, the Enugu based medical practitioner said that after the burial of their father, the family continued with the management of the companies left by their late father while waiting for the Bishop to call a meeting of the family members to give them the message from their late father but they didn’t hear from the Bishop for over a year.

“As a result of the long wait, some of my siblings started making phone calls to him. He reluctantly called a meeting and told us that our father had left a Will with him and that he was not experienced in dealing with such matters, that he would hand over our affairs to his legal department headed by Rev. Bar. Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora and his team, but before he would do that or unseal the Will, we should go and write a letter of undertaking that we would believe whatever he told us, being naïve to the whole situation and trusting him, not knowing it was a coercion, we did as he told us. After handing him the letter, we were told that there was another Will or the same Will at the probate court and that we would be invited by the probate for reading of the Will.

“We got invitation to the probate a few weeks later and on getting there, the Probate Registrar mentioned the existence of two Wills, an earlier one deposited by our father and another one deposited by someone a few days after his death and that she would read the latter one. I raised an objection but it was turned down by the Probate Registrar.

“After reading the Will to us, with the Bishop and his agents present, we immediately applied for a certified true copy of the will which we got, but I and my brother immediately noticed that my father’s signature on it had been transplanted or scanned unto the will, we alerted our other siblings to this and also seeing the relationship between the bishop and, his legal team and the probate registrar, we suspected something was fishy. More so, the content of the Will does not look like what our father would do, because the Will included our two  companies and its assets as things to be bequeathed by Will, and we are fully aware that our father had good knowledge of company and allied matters administrative procedures, having been in the management of other companies, including Profound Assurance Company with its shareholders, that these two companies Almart & Co. Ltd. and Nkpologwu Aguata Commercial Ltd. had shareholders, he couldn’t have made such mistakes, if he wanted to dissolve the companies he knew it could be done by transfer of shares through the CAC and not by Will.

“Puzzled by this, I and my brother placed a caveat/restriction on the grant of probate to the Will. Telling the probate that the Will contains assets of two companies which should not be there, to give us some time to find out what was going on.

“We went to CAC’s head office at Abuja for enquiries. The result showed that no changes had been made to the companies and its management. This means that somebody must have manipulated the Will. We made several attempts and efforts to reach Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor to inform him of this development but he ignored all the calls.

“Information reaching us was that he picked offence at us for not foolishly believing and following along.  The next thing was that Rev. Fr. Bar. Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora started writing threatening letters to us and to our tenants to vacate the companies, that they have the original documents of the companies.”

Ezeoke said that efforts made to reach Bishop Ezeokafor severally failed as both calls and SMS messages informing him of all the illegalities that Rev. Fr. Bar. Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora were committing was not replied to.

He added: “His silence only meant that he was aware and supports him. Reaching his agent, Rev. Bar. Edwin Chukwujekwu Obiora, on one occasion he told us that we were nobodies; that they have now taken over the companies, even though illegally, as probate has not been granted.

“We had no other option than to file a suit at the state high court, seeking an order of court not to allow probate over our companies and its assets and the Will.”

Ezeoke said the matter is still on-going at the Chief Judge’s Court at Awka. He accused Rev. Fr. Bar. Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora of still harassing the secretary of their late father’s company and their tenants even while allegedly visiting and extorting money from them.

“He is psychologically coercing our customers to stop co-operating with us. We humbly ignored him, not wanting to go into loggerheads with the church.

“We wondered whether the Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor knew about these activities of Rev. Fr. Bar. Edwin Obiora. I still have all the messages in my phone.

“The next thing was that Rev. Fr. Bar. Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora took some thugs and went to some of our properties, summoned the tenants and was issuing them letters of demand for payments to be made to him, using the diocesan law office’s (Equity Chambers) letter head, and that anyone who fails, he would arrest the person with police.

“He did the same at our buildings in both Onitsha and Enugu. Our tenants, having panicked, informed us about this, we met them and reassured them to ignore them, as they were trouble makers that are illegally seeking to possess what does not belong to them, parading the name of the church.”

Reacting to the allegations levelled against him by the Ezeoke family, Rev Fr Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu, said: “Will case on the telephone? The matter is in court. Go and tell them that the matter is in court that they can’t talk on it.

“The people that addressed you are two out of the eleven children of late Chief Ezeoke, ask them where others are.

“This matter is before the chief judge of Anambra State, and the chief judge doesn’t take it lightly when cases before him are published by journalists.

“The matter is also before a Federal High Court. I don’t have the powers to talk about it. So, go and tell them that they cannot talk on the matter, they are the most stupid set of people on earth.”

Chukwujekwu said that he spoke as the legal adviser to the executors of the Will.

Read more at News Express.

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia entered an order on June 2, 2017 authorizing ten (10) Biafran Plaintiffs to sue fourteen Nigerian Defendants for complicity in the 2016 torture and extrajudicial killings under color of Nigerian law to retaliate for peaceful Biafran protests against ethnic or religious oppression. The next step in the litigation is to serve the Torture Victims Protection Act and Alien Tort Claims Act Complaint on the Nigerian Defendants.

The Biafran Plaintiffs are seeking millions of dollars of damages to compensate for their grievous losses and suffering. The case name is John Doe, et al v. Tukur Yusuf Buratai et al, United States District Court for the District of Columbia Civil Action No. 1:17-cv-01033. It has been assigned to United States District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle, appointed by President William Jefferson Clinton.

The District Court’s Order noted:

“Each Nigerian Defendant allegedly committed crimes against humanity and, as regards each of the Decedents, extrajudicial killings actionable under the Alien Torts Act and Torture Victims Protection Act. The Complaint alleges that Defendants’ sole or substantial motivating force behind the extrajudicial murders and torture…was the ethnicity, religious and political beliefs of the victims which match those of each Plaintiff, i.e., Igbo ethnicity, Christian faith, and support of Biafran independence through peaceful means.”

The District Court added that the “Plaintiffs’ allege that identifying Plaintiff’s or Decedent’s would expose them, their families, and relatives to an intolerable risk of death or serious bodily injury at the hands of Defendants or the Government of Nigeria.”

Attorney Bruce Fein, of Fein & DelValle PLLC, who represents the plaintiffs with his partner W. Bruce DelValle, explained:

“This landmark lawsuit is about justice and the rule of law coming to rescue Igbos, Biafrans and their political supporters who are persecuted because of their Christian religion, their ethnicity and their political viewpoints since Nigeria’s independence from its colonial master Great Britain in October 1960.

“Nigeria’s decolonization violated the1960 United Nations General Assembly Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples. Paragraph 2 declares, ’All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.’

RELATED: The Case For Biafra Is Stronger Than South Sudan, Kosovo – US Constitutional Lawyer Writes

“Great Britain never allowed Biafrans to ‘freely determine their political status‘through a plebiscite or otherwise.

“That stands in stark contrast to the self-determination vote Great Britain afforded the Scots in 2014. Biafrans are decidedly more distinct from other Nigerians in matters of democratic culture, history, religion, language and ethnicity than the Scots are from the English.

“The time to remedy the flagrant decolonization injustice to Biafrans through peaceful means is long overdue,” Mr. Fein said.

Kwara State Director of Sports, Mr. Tunde Kazeem  has expressed disappointment over Super Eagles 0-2 loss to Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Second half goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau help to clinch victory for the visitors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Saturday, June 10, 2017.

Kazeem told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja after the match that there was no excuse for the team to have lost adding that it was a bad Saturday for the country.

Kazeem said the country was lucky to have conceded two goals only as the visitors were ready to disgrace Nigeria more.

“I am so disappointed. I can’t believe what happened today.

“There was no midfield, the defence was flat, goalkeeping zero. If not for the God of soccer, the South Africans could have scored more goals.

” I don’t know what excuse the team will give Nigerians because they have no excuse to have failed.

“We played against South Africa and this is what we get, what will happen when we play countries like Algeria.

“The expectations were high and this is what we get at the end. It is a pity, very bad Saturday for us,” he said.

The outcome of the match has made South Africa record a first ever win against Nigeria in a competitive game.

Super Eagles are now placed third in Group E ahead of Seychelles who lost 1-5 to Libya.

Libya sits  comfortably in the  top position ahead of South Africa.

Femi Okurounmu, a chieftain of the foremost southwestern socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on all Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to return home without delay.

This call is in reaction to the pre-genocide quit notice issued to Igbos living in the religion by a group of Arewa youth.

Rising from an emergency meeting held by the group to discuss the state of the nation in Lagos on Thursday, June 8, 2017, Afenifere said all Southerners should see the quit notice not as meant for  Igbo people alone, but the rest of their counterparts from the region.

The Afenifere chieftain who was present at the meeting told Saturday Sun that the quit notice by the Arewa youths should  be taken serious in view of historical experience.

“This quit notice  by the northern youths should not be seen by any wise Southerner as being meant for only people from the South-East, or that it is an empty threat,” Senator Okurounmu said.

“These northern youths meant business, and not only that, they have the  backing of the northern elders, who have  not only expressed their support for the youths, but have also affirmed their backing for the quit notice given to the South-Easterners.

“These Northerners should not be underrated, and one of the major reasons we are insisting that all Southerners should start coming back to the South now is that when these attacks on them begin, the Northerners will attack all Southerners.

“How are they going to  be  separate a Yoruba from Igbo? It is going to be difficult. Southerners shouldn’t be  gullible. They should start coming home now.

“They should not wait until the end of  the ultimatum. We don’t want  a repeat of 1966-1967 pogrom, when  hundreds of people of Southern origin, especially those from the South-East were massacred in the North.

Okurounmu further said that Southerners  should not be deceived by the  arrest order on the Arewa  youths by the inspector-general of police, Idris Ibrahim and Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, saying such order was only meant to give Nigerians the impression that action was being taken to rein in the youths.

He asked, “Have these Arewa youths  not  been walking the streets free since the inspector-general of police and Governor El-Rufai ordered their arrest?”

“The IG is a hypocrite. When crisis broke out in Osun State recently among some Hausa and Yoruba  youths, is it not this same IG that immediately under 24 hours of the crisis sent mobile policemen to arrest Yoruba youths, while he left out his Hausa kinsmen?

“Why  is the IG now unable to arrest these Hausa-Fulani youths who issued the quit notice? We are just deceiving ourselves, there is no justice in Nigeria.

“When an Hausa-Fulani man  kills another Nigerian, he has not committed an offence, but when another Nigerian kills Hausa-Fulani man, he has committed an offence and must be punished. That is the Nigeria of  today for you,” he maintained.

“However, if Nigeria wants to break up, so be it, let it break up, if it wants to break up. Nigeria will not be the first country to break up,” the Afenifere chieftain said.

“The defunct Soviet Union broke up, heavens did not fall, defunct Czechoslovakia broke up, heavens didn’t fall, and even in Africa, recently Southern Sudan broke away from Sudan and heavens didn’t fall. So, what’s the big deal if Nigeria breaks up?

“It is not compulsory that Nigerians should live together by force.

Another group, the Yoruba Unity Forum expressed concern over the development, describing the quit notice as not only provocative, but also a shameful act.

The forum, in a statement issued by its secretary-general, Senator Anthony Adefuye,  called for the immediate prosecution of  the Arewa youths.

Leave The North By October 1 – Arewa Groups Warn Igbos

A coalition of prominent groups in Northern Nigeria on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 issued an ultimatum to Igbos living in the north to return home by October 1, 2017 or else they will face a situation similar to the pre-civil war pogroms visited on their kin in the 1960s.

The order was contained in an error-ridden statement, obtained by The Trent, issued after a meeting in Kaduna State. The groups, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum, and the Northern Emancipation Network, asked the Igbo residing in the region to “start making plans to leave.”

The chilling statement condemned the renewed call for the independent republic of Biafra and also expressed disdain for the Igbos and their culture saying that “the Igbo people of the South-East, not repentant of the carnage it wrought on the nation in 1966,  is today boldly reliving those sinister intentions connoted by the Biafran agitation that led to the very first bloody insurrection in Nigeria’s history”.

In 1966, the Igbos were the victims of the largest genocide in Nigeria’s history with over 100,000 of them killed in Northern Nigeria by northern mobs. This pogrom led to the declaration of the Republic of Biafra which led to the Nigerian civil war in which over 3 million Igbos died.

The northern groups’ threat to Igbos is now widely referred to as the Kaduna Declaration and has been widely condemned by public officials and political groups. However, it has also received wide support from northern elements like Professor Abdullahi.