Daniel Joshua, an honest Nigeria, who will not defraud the national treasury has been praised by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Twitter.

Joshua, who lives in Taraba State, has earned the plaudits of Professor Osinbajo for doing what many Nigerians wouldn’t do: by returning the money paid to him by the N-Power programme, two months after he disengaged.

Daniel returned N60,000, paid to him in May and June, though he exited the programme in April.

Acting President Osinbajo found the symbolic act commendable and remarkable and took Daniel to the Twitter, to praise  his integrity.

“A story of integrity. Daniel refunded payments of N-Power stipends credited to him for the period he had already disengaged from #NPowerNG,” Professor Osinbajo wrote.

A story of integrity.
Daniel refunded payments of N-Power stipends credited to him for the period he had already disengaged from #NPowerNG pic.twitter.com/LqF01Q1roj

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) July 1, 2017

Three suspected members of a gang popularly known as Badoo were on Sunday morning lynched to death at Odogunyan in Ikorodu, Lagos state, by residents of the community.

The suspected cult members were said to have been apprehended in the early hours of Sunday, July 2, 2017 and “they were caught and butchered” along Shagamu expressway.

Marcuochukwu Nwosu, a Facebook user, who posted videos from the scene on Sunday morning, said their jeep was also burnt by the irate community members.

“Below is the vehicle in which the Badoo cult used in operation, as soon as they were caught, their jeep was set ablaze by angry mob in front of odogunyan Bale’s office while the cultist were taken to Shagamu express way and lynched,” he wrote.

Community members were also said to be celebrating the capture of the gang members.

In the video, they can be heard chanting ‘no more Badoo,’ ‘Badoo must go’.

The Facebook user further said “family members” of one of the suspects arrived at the scene while the community was at its “boiling point”.

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“This jeep drove in four people three women and a man. One of the women was identified as the wife of one of the suspected cultist while the other two were identified as mother and sister of the cultist and the man as the father,” he wrote.

“We could not ascertain where they drove in from, but info reaching us says that one Tobi called them to inform them of the death of some young men, hence they have come to identify the vehicle and the young men murdered to ascertain if one of them was their son and husband.

“The mixed reaction here is that, their stories could not be synchronized with the actual facts on ground. They claimed their son went out with an ash color Audi jeep, but the local vigilantes that arrested them said burnt jeep was a black Toyota Jeep.

“The angry members of the community, almost transferred their aggression on these individual, as some were ranting that they should be held back to confirm they ain’t sponsors of the cult.

“Thanks to wise counsel of some people who advised that the family should go and come back later in the day for their enquiry.”

The development is coming little over 24 hours after residents of the area lynched a suspected member of the gang on the Ikorodu-Mile 12 express road.

Read more at TheCable.

Rochas Okorocha, Imo governor, says his successor may be stoned by the people because it will be difficult to replicate his achievements.

Okorocha said he has spoilt Imo people with “developmental works” at a scale never seen before.

The governor was quoted by The Nation as saying this on Saturday, July 1, 2017 while speaking with state house correspondents in Abuja.

He said the people of Imo will definitely miss him and his projects.

“The only problem I have is that anybody that comes after me and does not perform will be stoned. Because you cannot come to Imo State now and say you want to abolish free education from primary to university, they will not accept,” he was quoted as saying.

“I have spoilt Imo people believe me. You cannot come to Imo State and say you want to give them a single lane road when they are used to eight lane road in the city, they won’t accept it.

“You cannot come there and tell the children to go to schools that the floors are not tiled. They will not accept because all the schools have been rebuilt.

“I have rebuilt 450 schools. You can no longer take them to those ramshackle hospitals. Those shanties they called hospitals because I have built ultramodern 27 to 200 bed general hospitals. You can no longer tell them those stories. All the infrastructure is there.

“You cannot tell them that there are criminal activities anymore and that your hands are tied they will not accept it because we know where we brought Imo from, from unsafe place to a safe place right now.

“And you can no longer tell our workers to dress shabbily they will not. They will want to dress in their suits and tie and white shirts. So Imo has changed believe me.

Okorocha further said that none of his predecessors achieved as much as he has in the six years he’s been in office.

“I stand to be challenged and corrected by anybody that what we have done in Imo State in this six years can be comparable to what any governor in that state living or dead has done,” he said.

“And whether if we put all of them together can match what we have done. Have you seen me sounding boisterous? That is the truth.”

Read more at TheCable.

#HallelujahChallenge, the viral midnight worship/prayer session on social media reached a climax with the Hallelujah Festival, an event held at The Glitz Events Centre in Lagos on Wednesday, 28 June, 2017.

Convened by popular gospel artiste, Nathaniel Bassey, participants in the challenge grew from 4,000 in the first week to over 70,000 live worshippers at its peak.

The session sparked a frenzy on social media, successfully breaking religious and interdenominational divide, with several Nigerian celebrities participating in the session and sharing testimonies.

The Instagram Live worship session wrapped up with a concert attracting worshippers in their thousands.

Speaking at the event, Nathaniel Bassey said the miracles and testimonies experienced during the challenge was just the beginning of greater things to come. He added that God is set to do mighty things upon the earth through the church.

Music ministers at the festival came from across the country to fellowship as they led worshippers to extol the majesty of God.

Artistes who performed at the event include Victoria Orenze, Chingtok Ishiaku, Olumide Iyun, Glowriah Braimah, Mairo Ese, and Kaystrings.

The Hallelujah Festival, is an off shoot of the #HallelujahChallenge, a prayer and praise time from 12am to 1am throughout the month of June 2017, led by Nigerian gospel artiste, Nathaniel Bassey.

It is a live Instagram session where followers tune in to worship God in fellowship. #HallelujahChallenge is currently the most widely circulated praise and worship movement on social media.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Notorious billionaire kidnap kingpin and criminal mastermind, Chukwudumeme George Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans has revealed that he will rather remain in detention than go home if he’s granted bail.

The notorious kidnap kingpin who claimed he made over N7 billion from the illegal trade further added that he will be in more trouble if released on bail.

Evans whose lawyer lost the case filed against against the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris and three others last week over the continued detention of his client revealed that he knows nothing about the lawsuits filed on his behalf.

Recall that Evans’ lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, had filed a case before the Federal High Court in Lagos against the IGP, Ibrahim Idris, Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos Command and the Nigeria Police Force seeking the release of his client along with a N300 million demand for alleged illegal detention and unconstitutional media trial.

Reacting to the suit filed on his behalf, Evans during an interview with Channels Television said the attempt to get him out of jail will put him in more trouble.

He said: “I have no hand in any case filed against the police and I did not speak with any lawyer or my father to fill a case on my behalf. All I will say is that they should temper justice with mercy.”

He further added that he would deny his bail if allowed to go home by the police because those whom he had kidnapped and collected ransoms from would come after him and most likely attempt to kill him.

Read more at Herald.

President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on the media Sunday, July 2, 2017 tweeting a video that seemed to endorse violence against journalists.

#FraudNewsCNN #FNN pic.twitter.com/WYUnHjjUjg

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2017

Doyin Okupe, who served as a spokesperson to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has announced his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In a statement on Sunday, July 2, 2017, Dr. Okupe cited the leadership crisis in the party as one of the reasons he is leaving what many people regard as the main opposition party in the country.

“It is with deep regret that I publicly announce my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party,” he said.

“It has to be public because the PDP no longer exists in my ward as a single unified party; it was when I joined it.”

He said that political parties have lost their importance and identities because of nepotism.

“Today, political parties have lost their importance and identities. Once the candidate is Northern, his party is immaterial, all northerners irrespective of their professed party affiliation will vote for him,” Dr. Okupe said.

“This is the major reason why there has been a total absence of opposition in the country in the last two years, and may probably be responsible for the polarisation and sharp ethnic divisions we are currently witnessing in the country.

“In the east, there is intense anger and loud call for secession, in the south-south, there is absolute indignation and very resolute demand for total control of their resources, while the south-west is bellicose and hell bent on true federalism and restructuring which many prominent Northerners openly oppose for good or for bad.

“Under these circumstances, political parties have lost their flavour and relevance. Certainly, a party like my former party, PDP has no future in the evolving Nigerian political circus.”

He lamented that the leadership crisis of the PDP was worse in Ogun state as he could not fit into the groups of Ladi Adebutu or Buruji Kashamu.

“The situation in the country may in the nearest future require that matured men of goodwill standby to play a unifying role for political stability of the country. My membership of PDP may directly or indirectly preclude me from gratifying such noble and patriotic desire.

“Undeniably, I have been one of the major beneficiaries (not financially) of the PDP. But for a fact, the PDP and the APC are political platforms that have now expired or in the process of being so.

“Therefore, no matter my commitment and passion for this great party, the PDP, it has become menopausal and can no longer bear fruits. I have therefore decided to withdraw a bit and study the political situation more critically and thereafter take a decision soonest on my next political move.

“I will miss my friends, associates and co-travellers on this tortuous political journey and adventure. However, it is also still possible that our paths cross in the nearest future, which will be a delight.”

He said that if it is God’s will to continue to participate in national politics “he will be back”.

Security operatives on Saturday arrested 100 suspected members of the notorious Badoo gang in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

A statement issued on Sunday, July 2, 2017, Folarin Famous-Cole, the state police spokesperson, revealed that that the suspects were arrested in a joint operation carried out by operatives of the Lagos state police command, rapid response squad (RRS), Odua People’s Congress (OPC), as well as local vigilantes.

Members of the gang were said to have been terrorising residents of the state, especially in the Ikorodu axis.

The arrest is coming few hours after three suspected members of the gang were “lynched by residents in the area” – a day after one of them had been “burnt to death” in the same area.

The statement noted that the security team, led by Imohimi Edgal, the state police command deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations, combed the suspected hideouts of the members in Ikorodu, arresting the suspects for questioning.

“The combined security team specifically combed black spots and suspected areas like Ikorodu, Ibeshe, Ita Maja, Ijede, Ipakodo and other areas,” the statement read.

“The exercise was a follow up to a meeting which the national coordinator of OPC, Gani Adams and Onyabo leaders held with security chiefs in the state last Friday.

“Government is on top of the situation and we like to use this medium to caution the people to desist from jungle justice.

“We also like to assure residents that they are free to go about their normal activities without let or hindrance, as the police and other security agencies in the State are poised to make the State uncomfortable and hot for criminal elements to perpetrate their nefarious activities.”

Read more at TheCable.

Chelsea Clinton pointed out the disturbing timing of the video over the July 4th weekend.

July 2, 1776: Continental Congress votes for independence
July 2, 2017: Trump auditions for @WWE https://t.co/in4xXfCQeG

— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) July 2, 2017

And then there was this tweet from attorney and University of New Hampshire law professor Seth Abramson:

Please RETWEET THIS if you want Twitter to suspend Trump's account for repeated crimes, civil offenses, and violations of terms of service. pic.twitter.com/qHlwsJ1XaG

— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) July 2, 2017

Read more at HuffPost.

A hateful audio recording by a man who gives his name as Ibrahim Muhammad Jajere, which calls for the Northern people to “rise up against the Igbos” using “a match stick and a litre of petrol” and other dangerous weapons to attack them on October 1, 2017 has gone viral.

The message, narrated in Hausa language, was received by The Trent’s Editors on Whatsapp on Sunday, July 2, 2017. It echoes the same intolerant rhetoric that was recently published by a coalition of Arewa youth groups calling for the eviction of Igbos from Northern Nigeria.

The Arewa quit notice, which has been condemned by political and religious leaders in the country, is considered as a pre-genocide notice and it is important that security agencies under the command of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo intervene to secure the lives and properties of all Nigerians.

Below is the direct transcription of the audio message which is published below in the interest of public safety.

My name is Ibrahim Muhammad Jajere I want to use this medium to tell Northerners, especially the youth that the Igbo are not your brothers therefore let no one deceive you because enough of the deceit.

We need to arise and drive them out.Imagine you accommodated this person gave him a shop and secured his property then he insults you and calls you an animal. In their region  you cannot even own land or property

Go to the Aba and Onitsha markets and you won’t find even one Hausa man who owns a shop or even a house they would not allow that to happen.  But come to the North we have accommodated you (Igbos) this is enough.

The quit notice issued for 1st October is still in place the Igbos must leave the North or else we the Northerners especially the youth  should just arise we do not need AK47 or explosives the thing needed is a match stick and a litre of petrol which is very cheap.

Then anywhere you see the property of the Igbos just burn it and burn them too if they refuse to leave by 1st October. They have corrupted our society and our youths because they are the ones that provide intoxicants in the north. They also bring arms. What do we need the Igbos for?

I call on all Northern youth, to arise, who is afraid of the Igbos.If not for our useless nothern leaders,in fact we need to rise up against them because even in my state Kaduna and the 19 northern states you find Igbos executing contracts supplies and the rest.

Are there no northerners to execute these contracts? Our state allocations are returned to the Igbos, are northerners awarded contracts in the South? No northerner can get a contract in Imo, Anambra, Abia, Enugu. They would not allow it this we know. And one bastard governor called [Nasir] El Rufai will say our youth should be arrested, let him go and fuck his father.

I swear they must leave the North, let them go and do the restructuring.  If not rascality  80% of their Investment is not in Igboland. I swear and call on our youth to arise  and destroy their properties  and kill them.

No one will arrest you, anyone that wants to arrest you should first arrest Apostle [Johnson] Suleman who asked for the killing of Fulanis.

Nnamdi Kanu threatened everyone in this country and was walking around freely and he should not be  arrested? Let them try to arrest the Arewa youth and then the war will start. I call on the people of the North, this is your last chance.

If you do not take advantage of it and deal with the Igbos once and for all you will regret it. I charge all Northerners not to touch the Yorubas because they are peace loving, just allow them enjoy their ceremonious lifestyle do not touch them but the Igbos we must burn and destroy them.

I leave you in peace.

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.

An upcoming Nigerian comedian, Chinedu Paul, who uses the stage name MC Think Twice, has been murdered by an angry mob in Ikorodu Lagos after he was mistaken for a member of the deadly cult, Badoo.

The sad incident happened on Sunday morning, July 2, 2017, Paul was one of three persons who were accosted by local vigilante in the troubled Lagos suburb and burnt to death.

According to a Facebook user’s account of the incident, the three of them were found in an SUV after midnight with a “stone” used for Badoo operations.

A friend to the comedian narrated to journalists how his friend met an untimely and violent end.

“Paul’s car had broken down at Odogunyan area at midnight. He had just returned from the filming of IK’s Talk Show. He went with two others to seek help to tow the car from the area when they were accosted by an angry mob,” the unnamed source said.

“Apparently, the mob claimed they found Engine Oil, Cutlass and a grinding stone in the car.. and they descended on them.”

Paul is a graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu.

What a sad day!

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3 Men Lynched Suspected as Badoo Cult Members

Three suspected members of a gang popularly known as Badoo were on Sunday morning lynched to death at Odogunyan in Ikorodu, Lagos state, by residents of the community.

The suspected cult members were said to have been apprehended in the early hours of Sunday, July 2, 2017 and “they were caught and butchered” along Shagamu expressway.

Marcuochukwu Nwosu, a Facebook user, who posted videos from the scene on Sunday morning, said their jeep was also burnt by the irate community members.

“Below is the vehicle in which the Badoo cult used in operation, as soon as they were caught, their jeep was set ablaze by angry mob in front of odogunyan Bale’s office while the cultist were taken to Shagamu express way and lynched,” he wrote.

Community members were also said to be celebrating the capture of the gang members.

In the video, they can be heard chanting ‘no more Badoo,’ ‘Badoo must go’.

The Facebook user further said “family members” of one of the suspects arrived at the scene while the community was at its “boiling point”.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the timetable and schedule of activities for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District.

The commission released the timetable in a statement issued by Augusta Ogakwu, secretary of the commission, a copy of which was made available to the press on Monday, July 3, 2017 in Abuja.

The statement said that on July 10, INEC would issue verification notice to be pasted at Melaye’s constituency and at INEC Local Government Office in Lokoja.

It said that July 30 is the last day for submission of application by interested observers at the commission’s headquarters office.

According to the statement, INEC has fixed Aug. 10 as the last day for submission of names of verification agents for the member to be recalled and the petitioners.

It said that commission would schedule stakeholders meeting for the recall to be held on Aug. 15 at the electoral body’s Lokoja office.

The statement said that on Aug. 19, INEC would conduct verification of the signatures of the petitioners demanding the recall, submitted to the commission from all the polling units in the constituency.

It added that on the same day, INEC would declare the outcome of the verification at its Local Government Office in Lokoja.

The statement said that INEC would issue the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of referendum subject to the outcome of the verification exercise.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after submitting the petition for Melaye’s recall on June 24, Chief Cornelius Olowo, said the move  was based on the senator’s “abysmal performance’’.

Olowo led the constituents of Kogi West to INEC headquarters in Abuja to submit the petition.

He accused Melaye of distancing himself from his constituents since he was elected to represent the district in 2015.

He said that no fewer than 180,500 registered voters out of the 360,000 voters in the senatorial district endorsed Melaye’s recall.

Ayodele Fayose, the governor of Ekiti State, has lamented that President Muhammadu Buhari has spent more days abroad for medical treatment than he has stayed in the country.

Ayodele Fayose made this statement in Lagos, Monday, July 3, 2017 while addressing journalists, asking the President to resign so that the country will not experience what happened during President Umaru Yar’Adua‘s time.

“Today is the 184th day of 2017. Out of these 184 days, our president has spent 107 days abroad taking care of his health,”Fayose said.

“How does a nation move forward when its president is spending the better part of his time abroad for Medicare?

“For how long can Nigeria and its people wait for a president who is incapacitated? For how long can our people continue to suffer just because some people want to hold on to power at all cost?

“That was the reason I raised the issue of President Buhari’s age, health and mental capacity in 2015 and warned against electing President him.

“Nigerians should be reminded that in 2010 when there was uncertainty over the health of the then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, President Buhari called on the National Assembly to impeach Yar’Adua.

“The minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who was the spokesperson of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) also said Nigerians should be briefed daily on Yar’Adua’s health status. Lai Mohammed said then that ‘the health of the president, as a public figure cannot be of interest only to his family and friends. Nigerians have a right to know’.

“Just the same way President Buhari asked the National Assembly to remove Yar’Adua in 2010; I am also insisting that the president must be made to bow out of office so that Nigeria and its people can be saved from this state of uncertainty.

“No doubt, it has been argued that since Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is already functioning as acting president, President Buhari can be bedridden for as long as his illness last, but the reality that Nigerians must accept is that the acting president cannot fully exercise the powers of the president.

“However, pending his resignation, I am also aligning myself with what Lai Mohammed said in 2010 on Yar’Adua’s health by demanding that he (Lai Mohammed) should begin a daily briefing of Nigerians based on authentic details provided by the president’s doctors.

“Nigeria belongs to all of and its collective interest remains greater than those of any individual or group and together, we must save Nigeria.”

Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West, has declared that the on-going recall process to remove him from his seat will not work.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, meanwhile has published a timetable for the controversial senator’s recall proceedings. This follows the receipt of 185,000 signatures calling for Melaye’s recall.

In a series of tweets on Monday, July 3, 2017, the senator prayed that the ploy by his enemies against him would “scatter by fire!”

He said that God was the one who called him into the National Assembly and thus no one can recall him.

“Those who did not call me cannot recall me… Every joint effort to pull me down, I declare be scattered by fire in Jesus name. Father uproot every institution that has been empowered to see to my frustration in Jesus name,” Dino Melaye wrote on the social media platform.

“Mighty God give an uncommon blessing that will draw people’s attention to my life.

“God I am grateful for everything. By the Grace of God my enemies will remain under my feet.

“I thank God because He is my Compass. Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the Fowler. I am saved and secure.

“Brethren fear not, you will not be put to shame because I’m a child of God.”

Every joint effort to pull me down. I declare be scattered by fire in Jesus name

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 2, 2017

Father uproot every institution that has been empowered to see to my frustration in Jesus name

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 2, 2017

By the Grace of God my enemies will remain under my feet.

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 2, 2017

Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the Fowler

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 2, 2017

Because I'm a child of God. Am above reproach and reticule

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 2, 2017

Brethren fear not,you will not be put to shame

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 2, 2017

In another of tweets on Tuesday, Senator Melaye sought to further reassure his supporters that he would obtain victory in the process.

1)To all my constituents good morning. Let not your heart be trouble. There are storms on our way but we will sail through.

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 4, 2017

2 ) God is with us so nothing to fear. The fake recall will fail and very soon. Please maintain peace as every lie has an expiry date.

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 4, 2017

3) I will not stop speaking d truth or being voice for the voiceless. We shall win yet again. Yahaya Bello must pay salaries and pensioners.

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 4, 2017

4)Sing the song of victory with me because we shall surely overcome the agents of darkness. In God we trust and not in naira.

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 4, 2017

5)The battle to salvage Kogi state from financial Scavengers and economic cankerworms is a batle of no retreat no surrender. – Dino Melaye

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 4, 2017

Matthew Willsher, who resigned as CEO of Etisalat Nigeria on Monday, July 3, 2017 will stay on as special adviser to the new man, Boye Olusanya.

According to The Cable, this arrangement is part of the “seamless transition” arrangement brokered by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to keep the mobile network on the path to management stability.

Meanwhile, the NCC, in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, has announced that Etisalat and its creditors “have successfully reached an amicable resolution of key issues pertaining to its indebtedness”, and that “a smooth transitional process is currently ongoing on mutually agreed terms”.

Willsher, whose contract as CEO was to expire in December 2017, will still enjoy all his benefits and help with a smooth transition process before exiting the company, insiders informed TheCable.

All the agreements reached at a meeting on Thursday involving the CBN, NCC, creditors and the Etisalat management have now been implemented.

Keem Belo-Osagie resigned as chairman, as agreed, the following day, while the CEO and CFO resigned on Monday, paving the new for the new CEO and CFO to assume duties at 7.45pm same day.

In a statement signed by Tony Ojobo the NCC director of public affairs, the regulator said the “amicable resolutions” will also strengthen Etisalat.

THE FULL TEXT OF NCC’S STATEMENT

Following our Press Release of June 20, 2017 on the above, and in response to stakeholder enquiries regarding the current position on Etisalat Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) wishes to state as follows:

• The Commission is pleased to note that Etisalat and its creditors have successfully reached an amicable resolution of key issues pertaining to its indebtedness, and that a smooth transitional process is currently ongoing on mutually agreed terms.
• The Commission is confident that the amicable resolutions reached by the parties will further strengthen Etisalat’s capacity to continue to provide services to its over 20million customers and to fulfil its obligations to its other stakeholders as a going concern, regardless of any changes that the parties have agreed to Etisalat’s Ownership, its Board and/or its Executive Management.
• We further wish to assure that as empowered by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Commission will continue to work assiduously with all industry stakeholders to ensure that the Nigerian telecommunications industry remains capable of playing its critical role as a key driver of national socio-economic development. NCC is mindful of the need to sustain the industry’s significant contribution to National GDP, employment and infrastructure roll-out at all times. The Commission’s intervention in the matter was informed by these considerations, and we arepleased at the success of the ongoing process.
• The Commission also wishes to acknowledge the pivotal role of the Central Bank of Nigeria in resolving the matter in a manner that protects the interests of all stakeholders – especially the creditor banks and Etisalat’s over 20million customers.

Read more at TheCable.

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of N500 million and $500,000 said to have been looted from the Paris Club refunds made by the federal government in favour of the 36 states of the federation.

The sums of money, said to have been recovered from two firms, First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited, and Gosh Projects Limited, were allegedly linked to Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, Punch newspaper reports.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleged that the sums of money were fraudulently diverted from the NGF’s bank account on the instruction of Governor Yari, who is also the chairperson of the Nigerian Governors Forum.

The commission also alleged, in an affidavit filed in support of its ex parte application seeking the interim forfeiture of the sums of money, that the N500m was diverted to offset Yari’s personal loan obtained from the First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.

It also alleged that the second firm, Gosh Projects Limited, utilised most of the proceeds of the alleged loot, transferred to it for the purchase of building materials for Yari’s 100-room hotel project in Lagos.

Gosh Projects was also said to have used part of the looted funds for the purchase of treasury bills and transfers to offshore accounts.

Punch learnt on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 that Justice Nnamdi Dimgba made the interim forfeiture order of the sums of money to the Federal Government in a ruling delivered on June 30, 2017.

The judge also ordered that any person(s) or body with interest in the funds must, within 14 days of the publication of the interim order of forfeiture in any national daily, show cause why an order of final forfeiture to the Federal Government of the funds should not be made.

The ruling was delivered in an ex-parte application jointly filed on June 19, 2017, by the Federal Government of Nigeria (the first applicant) and the EFCC (the second applicant).

First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited and Gosh Projects Limited, from whom the allegedly looted funds were recovered, were joined as respondents.

After the application was moved by the EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Ben Ikani, on June 30, Justice Dimgba granted the three prayers sought by the two applicants.

The judge granted prayers, including “an order of interim forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria (the first applicant) of the sum of N500,000,000.00 recovered from the first respondent (First Generation Mortgage Bank Ltd.) and presently in the possession of the second applicant (EFCC) in its Recovered Funds Account domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“An order of interim forfeiture to the Federal Republic of Nigeria (first applicant) of the sum of US$500,000.00, recovered from the second applicant (Gosh Projects Limited) and presently in the possession of the second applicant (EFCC) in its Recovered Funds Account domiciled with the CBN.”

In an affidavit filed in support of EFCC’s ex parte motion, an operative of the anti-graft agency investigating the case, Mr. Osas Azonabor, alleged that investigation had revealed that the Paris Club refund involved “complex case of money laundering.”

According to him, firms that had no contract with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, which was holding the Paris Club refunds in its account on behalf of all the states government, were used to divert about N2.2bn from the NGF account.

The investigator alleged that the sum of N500m, recovered from First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited, was part of the N2.2bn “fraudulently transferred by the NGF to BINA Consults and Integrated Services Limited on December 23, 2016.

He accused Yari of giving the instruction for the transfer of the N500m out of the N2.2bn to the First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.

On how the alleged fraud was discovered, the investigator said the commission, sometime in January 2017, received intelligence in respect of a case against the NGF.

Azonabor stated that the intelligence alleged conspiracy, criminal misappropriation of public funds involving the sum of N19,439,225,871.11 out of the Paris Club refunds made by the Federal Government in favour of the 36 states of the federation.

According to the EFCC investigator, preliminary investigation conducted by the commission “revealed that the 36 state governments, under the auspices of the NGF, engaged the services of Bizplus GSCL Consortium”.

He said the state governments also asked Bizplus GSCL to “recover amounts due to the states from first line charge made on them from 1995 to 2002 for a success fee of two per cent payable by the NGF.”

The investigator said it was agreed that two per cent of the total amounts due to the states as payment to Bizplus GSCL Consortium.

Read more at Punch.

Controversies on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 continued to trail the communal clashes between Fulani and indigenes of Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State, with a pro-democracy organisation, Good Governance Group, claiming that it had uncovered plans by the federal government and some army generals to declare a state of emergency in the state.

The emergency rule, it said, was “to embarrass Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd) who supported the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the ruling party in the 2015 general elections.”

It was learnt that soldiers were recently deployed to restore peace in Mambila Plateau following the outbreak of communal unrest between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Nguroje Village, Sarduana Local Government Area, which had resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

But the Good Governance Group in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ahmadu Sale, said a highly placed source within the military hierarchy, had hinted of the plans which had reached advanced stage.

According to him, the group would resist all attempts to truncate democracy in Taraba state and would “not allow the mandate of Governor Darius Ishaku to be stolen through the backdoor.”

Sale appealed to all people of goodwill to “save Taraba state from this invasion”, adding that the Good Governance Group knew that the recent visit of the minister of interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Rtd), to the state “was an ill-wind and a harbinger.”

He said that because the plans for emergency rule have reached an advanced stage, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, the umbrella organisation of Fulani herdsmen, boycotted the public hearing on the anti-grazing bill which held on Tuesday.

Sale said, “We have it on good authority that the plans have gone more than half way. They want to take Taraba state by force and by all means necessary. Ever since Senator Yusuf Yusuf made a call for an emergency rule in Taraba state, he and his cohorts in the APC have been busy. As we write this, plans have reached an advanced stage to slam our dear state with an emergency rule. Yusuf made that call and now it is being seriously followed up.

“In fact, it has been finalised already by some top politicians and retired/serving Army Generals who are Fulani by tribe. Even the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, in her recent press conference, said an emergency rule would bring untold hardship to the people. Now, they have finished the plans. That’s why Miyetti Allah leaders boycotted the public hearing on the anti-grazing bill.

“They are now waiting for a state of emergency since they have been assured of this. This is also why a professor of law, gave the Federal Government a seven day ultimatum to enforce emergency rule in Taraba state.

“But they won’t succeed. You can’t impose a state of emergency on a peaceful state. This is not the first time, there has been crisis on the Mambilla or anywhere else for that matter. You don’t go about slamming state of emergency anywhere there is a flare in relationships. In any case, the Sarduana LG crises are not new and they are unrelated to the current issues of a bill that has not become law yet.”

Sale said Dambazzau’s numerous visits many years ago led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Plateau State, adding “now, they want to do the same here.”

He said, “Is this is how APC wants to reward T. Y. Danjuma? But look at this: with all the horrible crisis in Borno state, they didn’t slam a state of emergency there. With all that is going on in Kaduna state, especially Southern Kaduna, no one has said anything about emergency rule.

“When Fulani were killing people in Southern Taraba, there were no words on emergency rule. But now that Fulani are claiming to be at the receiving end of an unfortunate crisis on the Mambilla, we are suddenly hearing of emergency rule. The governor of Taraba state has asked this question and we shall repeat it here: are Fulani lives the only lives that matter to the Federal Government?

“Why is the response stamina of the Federal Government not uniform in all crisis? How come they were so swift in rushing to the Mambilla but stayed away when Fulani were killing people in Takum, Issac, Bali, Gassol and everywhere else? We shall continue to resist all attempt to truncate democracy in Taraba. We shall not allow the mandate of Governor Darius Ishaku be stolen through the backdoor.”

The groundbreaking ceremony for an ultra-modern cancer treatment centre, an event that marks a turning point in the healthcare system in Nigeria, took place at Epe in Lagos State on Saturday, June 24, 2017.

Nostra Cancer Foundation, the brainchild of Frank West, a cancer survivor, held the ceremony in which Reverend Iyke Osuji, the resident pastor of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) in Festac Town presided.

Mr. West testified on how he overcame nasopharyngeal cancer and lived to tell his story. He was diagnosed in in South Africa in April 2006 and has been cancer free since.

“Nigeria which is the most populous nation in Africa with close to 200 million people can only boast of 7 obsolete radiotherapy machines with only two functioning,” West lamented. “The funds raised for this treatment centre, here will be used to build a world class cancer specialist hospital in Nigeria, West Africa.”

Also Dr. Ofonime Udoh, the secretary of Nostra Cancer Foundation’s board of trustees spoke at the event.

The foundation is seeking to raise $5 million to build what would be “leading cancer treatment centre in Africa.Below are photos from the event. Click on any image to enlarge.

Scores of members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 staged a rally in major streets of Owerri, the Imo State capital, chanting songs derogatory of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s opposition to their cause.

According to one of their leaders, King David, who spoke to The Guardian, the agitation for the creation of Biafra Republic was very much on course, insisting that the governor’s indifference smacks of selfishness.

“We are calling for the realisation of Biafra. Biafra is real. We are having our day today. Nobody can stop us. Everyone knows that we are serious. Biafra is a reality. Look at the number of people who are here today (yesterday). This is to show you that we want Biafra. IPOB is calling for Biafra,” Mr. David said. 

The agitators happily displayed their flags, urging the residents to identify with them.

In a spontaneous move, a solidarity group countered the agitators with its own exercise.

Tagged a ‘Three million-man march’ for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Rochas Okorocha’, the supporters said they were solidarising to uphold what they regarded as “good governance, fight against corruption, exemplary leadership and amazing achievements.”

It was learnt that the rally had been scheduled for Monday to counter the planned one-million anti-government protest originally organised by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kelechi Nwagwu.

After literarily obstructing human and vehicular movement for hours, the coordinator, Comrade Jeff Nwaoha, handed their document to Okorocha, saying the rally was in appreciation of the President’s achievements, “especially the relentless war against corruption and the governor’s monumental achievements.”

He said the state has “never had it so good”, maintaining that the governor’s six-year stewardship had surpassed the achievements of his predecessors put together.

No fewer than 30 suspected cultists who were arrested in various parts of Anambra State and subsequently counselled and freed after being investigated by the Special Anti Cultism Squad (SPACS) of the State Police Command have paid an unscheduled visit to the SPACS headquarters in the state to show gratitude for saving their lives and integrating them back to the society as responsible persons.

Speaking at the event on behalf of the counselled cult members, a 300 level student in one of the tertiary institutions in the state who pleaded for anonymity prayed for God’s blessing upon the SPACS Commander who spearheaded the counselling process.

In his words, “God will bless the SPACS Commander, Mr. Christopher Bassey, for making us to return back to normal way of living as useful members of the society through counselling, not torture.

“I was personally arrested over cultism related offence and after investigation and counselling, that lasted for three days, I was freed, so I came back with some of the counselled ones to thank Mr. Bassey and his men for returning us to a responsible life and we pledge not to deviate again.”

While stating their resolve to live a good life devoid of cultism, the 300 level student said that they were not the first batch that came with their parents/guardians saying that some came individually.

The SPACS Commander urged the students to remain of good behaviour as they have pledged.

He advised parents to always monitor the kind of company their children keep even while ensuring that they always draw them close to the home by not living apart from them.

Bassey said a minimum of ten suspected cultists are arrested on daily basis, adding that the arrests were made possible because they carry the raid to their hide outs.

His words: “Parents should endeavour to keep their children close, so as to be able to monitor their movement and associations, not when the father is in Port Harcourt, the mother is in Asaba and the children will be left alone in the parent’s home in Onitsha.

“On daily basis we arrest at least 10 suspected cultists because we go after them. We carry the raid to their hideout and that is why we have been succeeding in the war against cultism.

“The hardened ones when arrested we arraign in court and any one found

In possession of firearms, guns, we transfer to Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) those without serious involvement in cultism we counsel for days or weeks to help place them under monitoring and as you can see, after counselling they will realize that what they were involved in is not beneficial to them but will rather endanger their health as a result of the influence of hard drug they consume.

“It is not every cultist that is a kidnapper or armed robber but every armed robber or kidnapper is a cultist and every cultist has a bush name he answers.”

Bassey, who is a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), noted that those prone to cultism were mostly teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17, adding that it is hard for a14 years cultist to be a kidnapper.

He also explained that such under aged cultists when arrested are counselled and returned back to the society.

Read more at News Express.