A coalition of 140 civil society groups and non-governmental organisations, with members across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, has pulled out from the planned nationwide protests.

The groups under the aegis of the Rivers Good Governance Coalition said on Thursday that the protest scheduled for August 1 to 10 would cause more chaos in the state and other parts of the nation.

In a statement signed by its president, Nwogu Moses, the coalition declared that protest should not be seen as a solution to the country’s challenges, stating that it would potentially lead to more hardship.

While admitting the economic crisis bedevilling the nation, Moses urged Nigerian youths to engage in constructive dialogue with the government, stressing that dialogue would have more positive impacts than the planned protest.

Part of the statement reads, “We believe that protest will only lead to more chaos and destruction, rather than solving the problems facing the country.

“We believe that dialogue and engagement are better than ignoring the concerns of the people.

“We also urge Nigerians not to protest, but rather to engage in constructive dialogue with the government and other stakeholders. We believe that this is the best way to address the issues facing the country.

“We are dedicated to working through lawful and democratic channels to bring about positive change.

“Furthermore, we are concerned about the safety of our members and the general public, and we do not want to put anyone in harm’s way”.

Eight school children have survived a ghastly motor accident in Lokoja the Kogi State capital.

Eyewitness account told our correspondent that the children are pupils of Kingdom Heritage Nursery and Primary School Lokoja.

It gathered that the children were returning from school when the sad incident occurred on Thursday at the popular Lokongoma market in Lokoja.

It was further gathered that a heavy-duty truck carrying a container load fell on two small vehicles which trapped the Children.

Through the combined effort of the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies, the children were rescued.

The Kogi State Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara Rtd. who was on ground to ensure the rescue of the school children confirmed this to our Correspondent.

Efforts are still in place to ensure that the truck is evacuated from the road to ensure free flow of traffic.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the death toll in the building collapse at Arowojobe Estate in Maryland area of the state had risen to five person.

The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in a statement made available Newsmen.

He said the total number of death was now five adult males while the rescued persons were now five.

“The first three victims that were rescued were taken to the Gbagada General Hospital.

“The other two victims who were rescued were ferried to the Trauma Centre at Gbagada after being stabilised.

“In all, the five adult male victims who were recovered dead have been handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit for further processing.

“A search and rescue operation is still ongoing to ground zero,” he said.

LASEMA had earlier received a distress call regarding a collapsed building at No 13 Wilson Mba Str., Arowojobe Estate, Maryland, Lagos, at about 3.49 a.m yesterday.

This prompted the immediate activation of the agency’s response team to the scene of the incident at 3.58 a.m. while operation is still ongoing.

The Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, has expressed immense happiness and gratitude to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for signing a bill for the creation of Southeast Development Commission into law.

Expressing heart-felt joy in Owerri over this positive development, Rt Hon Olemgbe pointed out that more than 50 years after the coming into existence, of federal government-sponsored development commissions in other regions of the country, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration under Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), has now favoured Southeast geo-political zone with a development commission.

According to Chike Olemgbe, the commission which he described as a very powerful Instrument of development, would fasttrack infrastructural and economic development in every segment of Southeast economy, including education, health, insurance, marine (seaport) and transport sectors.

Thanking President Tinubu for kick-starting measures to heal the wounds of Southeast occasioned by decades of neglect and marginalisation , Speaker ChikeOlemgbe gave kudos to the National Assembly for being fair and patriotic enough to pass the bill for Southeast development commission into law.

Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe doffed his cap for Imo State Governor and Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma (CON, GSSR) for vigorously and relentlessly following up the bill at the National Assembly until success was achieved.

” The Man piloting the affairs of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma who by the grace of God, is also, the chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum and Chairman, Southeast Governors Forum is a man who does not give up easily on a course he believes in. When the bill was still at the National Assembly, I was confident that with Hope Uzodimma on the chase, success would be achieved and, it has happened. To God, be the glory”, Chike Olemgbe posited

The Speaker further, expressed optimism that under the watch of Governor Hope Uzodimma, Imo state and entire Southeast geo-political zone would attract surplus dividends of democracy from the Ahmed Tinubu administration.

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, has been reported dead.

The development was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by Jide Iwuanyanwu, the son of the late Chief Emmanuel.

According to the statement, the 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, after a brief illness.

The statement reads, “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr. Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82. Chief Iwuanyanwu, before his death, was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.”

Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife, Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu, many children and grandchildren.

The statement stated that the burial details would be announced later by the family after due consultations.

Also confirming his death, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in a statement described his death as a rude shock and sorrow.

The statement reads ” Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide received the sad news of the passing of one of the most outstanding Igbo Leader, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, CFR, OFR, MFR, GCSI, FNSE, FNIST, FNICE, KSC. (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. The sad news was broken by Mr. Jude Iwuanyanwu, the son of the legend. According to the son, Chief Iwuanyanwu passed on Thursday, July 25, 2024 after a brief illness at the age of 82.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu assumed office as the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on April 30, 2023. He was the Ninth leader of the Igbo group since its inception in 1976. Evidently, each leader or President General has one remarkable or distinctive characteristic for which he is often remembered. While other past leaders had limited their perspectives on Nigerian contemporary issues, Ahaejiagamba introduced strategic and visionary dimension to the modus operandi of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“In the first place, Ahaejiagamba had a towering personality with an impressive record as one of the most successful business men in Nigeria. He deployed his prodigious intellect, political, administrative and political acumen, vast knowledge and invaluable contacts in the selfless service of Ndigbo. The transformative leader lifted Ohanaeze Ndigbo far from its familiar habitat and provenance to an enviable pedestal.

“As members of the NEC, we were always amazed by the brilliant initiatives, elephantine memory, oratory, including the frequency with which the Igbo Leader enunciated robust ideas. Looking back, Ndigbo all over the world were delighted that a jinx-breaker, business icon, moral edifice, mobilizer, harmonizer of diverse interests and an accomplished achiever in the person of Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, was at the helm of affairs as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. It is therefore very painful that Chief Iwuanyanwu has passed on with all the ideas that were at his disposal.

“It is indeed a sad denouement for the Igbo that both Professor George Obiozor and Chief Iwuanyanwu died in office. We are also worried at the rate we are losing the brightest of the brightest among the Igbo in a close sequence at a time their wise counsels are mostly needed. It was Prof Ben Nwabueze, and later,His Majesty, Igwe Joseph Chike Edozien, Dr. Sylvester Ebiwei, Professor Joe Irukwu, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, amongst others.

“Before he Iwuanyanwu was a philanthropist par excellence, focused creative thinker, brave soldier, accomplished engineer, astute business mogul, industrialist and a sagacious politician, and the former highest employer of labour at least in the entire East of the Niger.

“Iwuanyanwu was the Chairman of the Iwuanyanwu Foundation which offered scholarships to over ten thousand indigent students across the country. He donated to universities to create conducive environments for learning; built Churches and other community facilities.

“Over forty years ago, Chief Sam Mbakwe, the former governor of Old Imo State conceived the idea of an International Cargo Airport at Owerri, it was Iwuanyanwu who made the highest donation of Two million Dollars (2M US Dollars), among others.

“In politics, Ahaejiagamba produced several Chairmen of Local Governments, Commissioners, Senators, Ministers and Governors most of whom are still alive.

“The Iwuanyanwu trajectory is an admonition to the present day selfish and mundane leaders who perceive legacy as leaving enormous wealth behind for one’s offsprings; rather, it’s about laying invaluable foundation among the populace, especially for younger generations.

“Iwuanyanwu’s life mission transcended self; rather he was devoted to charity, humanity and service to God.

“Nigerians across board had viewed with immense delight and awe the various courageous successful adventures Ahaejiagamba had made in diverse fields of endeavour. He was a man who used his ingenuity and talent to found over twenty limited liability companies that employed thousands of Nigerians. Some of the companies include: Chairman, Hardel & Enic Construction Ltd; Champion Newspapers; Oriental Airlines; Oriental Shipping Lines Ltd; Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club of Owerri, which won several national and international championships (now Heartland F.C of Owerri); Enic Advertising and Marketing; Sunrise Insurance Brokers; Benhol Farms Limited; Magil Agricultural & Animal Health Products Limited, among many others.

“Iwuanyanwu held many public offices: they include: Board Chairman, Federal Road Maintenance Agency; Board Chairman, Nigerian Investment Promotion; Founding Chairman, Raw Materials Research and Development Council of Nigeria; Chairman, National Productivity Merit Award; Chairman, Nigerian Sports Development Council; Founding Chairman, Nigerian National Lottery; Chairman, National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos; Pro-Chancellor, the University of Calabar, Cross River State.

“What has kept the cynics gaping was the extra-ordinary brain power and the exceptional grace of God to coordinate the above activities without weary, taint, tarnish or blemish.

“In spite of his amazing height in society and busy schedules, he devoted quality time in service to Ndigbo. He served as Chairman in the following Ohanaeze Committees: State Creation Committee, Planning and Strategy Committee, Political Committee, Constitution Drafting Committee and currently, the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

“The Iwuanyanwu persona is a veritable and inspiring tribute to virtues of hard work, sincerity, heroism, sacrifice, ingenuity, philanthropy and mentorship to the people. For instance, when his people needed his services most, he volunteered to serve as a Biafran soldier, rising to the rank of a Captain at a very young age.

“Apart from his gallantry and exploits in the theatre of war, he was among the engineers that invented the multi-purpose Biafran bomb, called the Ogbunigwe. His prodigious intellect, character comeliness, generosity, frontier spirit, perseverance and tenacity portray the infinite capacity of human beings to shape their own destinies; and a caution to the dangers of self-delusion, arrogance and get-rich-quick syndrome which have become the contemporary social variables amongst today youths.

“Ahaejiagamba was an unassailable trail blazer who was honoured with Chief Executive of the Year, Business Education Executive Council in 1985 and the Business Person of the Year Award in 1999; Member Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR), Officer Federal Republic of Nigeria(OFR) and Commander Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR); and a Knight of the Order of St. Christopher.

“Several communities across Igbo land and beyond have conferred chieftaincy titles on Iwuanyanwu. Numerous corporate bodies have also honoured the philanthropist of our time.

“Some universities decorated Iwuanyanwu with doctorate degrees, honoriscausa. They include: D.Sc. Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Doctor of Laws, LLD, Shaw University Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Doctor of Business Administration, DBA, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Doctor of Science, D.Sc, University of Jos; Doctor of Science, D.Sc, University of Calabar; Doctor of Technology, D.Tech, Federal University of Technology Owerri; Doctor of Business Administration, DBA, Edo State University and a Doctor of Science, D.Sc, Imo State University, Owerri.

“Several other bodies also added to his garlands: He was a Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Science & Technology; Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers; Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants; Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations; Fellow, Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students; Fellow, Chartered Institute of Transport of Great Britain; Fellow, Solar Energy Society of Nigeria; Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Sales Management (FNISM); Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria; Fellow Institute of Purchasing and Marketing Administration; Fellow, AkanuIbiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana (FAIFPU); Fellow, The Nigerian Academy of Education; Fellow, Nigerian Entrepreneurs Association; Fellow Institute of African Studies, UNN. “Iwuanyanwu is cited in Who is Who in Nigeria; Who is Who in Africa; Who is Who in Commonwealth and Who is Who in the World.

“He was indeed larger than life; and the best President Ohanaeze Ndigbo ever had. We have lost a gem.

“While we send a heartfelt condolence to the amiable wife, the Children, the people of UmuohiriAttah community and the Imo State government, we ask the Almighty to grant the soul of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, an eternal rest in his bosom.

In the wake of growing hardship in the country and calls for a nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Federal Government has pleaded with Nigerians for more time, promising to handle the protest as a ‘’family matter.”

It also pledged to resolve all issues in a manner that will ensure the peace and stability of the nation.

The government’s position came on a day South-East governors advised aggrieved Nigerians not to go ahead with the nationwide protests, saying the country was too tense for such protests.

This is even as the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, asked both the federal and state governments to listen to the cries of the people and warned against the use of brute force to suppress the protest.

Similarly, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to dialogue with planned protesters to address their concerns, while human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, warned the government against threatening organisers of the planned protests.

Speaking after a meeting of members of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at the instance of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a brief interview: “We came together to discuss. You can see that this is not happening at the council chambers, it is happening in the office of the SGF and many of the ministers are here.

“We have discussed issues of national interest and all of us are working for Nigeria and we hope and believe Nigeria is going to be great again.

“No one is going to sleep. Those who are agitating and asking for protests are Nigerians, they are our brothers, they are our sisters, they are all Nigerians and those in positions of authority – the ministers, the President, everybody, we are all Nigerians too.

“So, this is a family matter. This is a Nigerian family issue and all of us are looking at this issue very well and we hope that peace will prevail at the end of the day.”

Asked if the government had been engaging with the stakeholders and organizers of the planned protest, Idris said engagement had always been an ongoing thing.

“This is not a peculiar situation, engagement has been ongoing. The President has met severally with all key stakeholders. I have also been meeting with stakeholders, other government functionaries have also been meeting with other key stakeholders.

“Engagement is going to continue and in the interest of Nigeria, we will continue to engage. We know this is the only country that all of us have and at the end of the day, Nigeria is going to be better for all of us for it,” he stated.

On alleged insistence by some top Nigerians, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, that the protests must go on, Idris said the senior lawyer is entitled to his opinion in a democracy.

“He (Falana) is an individual. This is a democracy, everyone is entitled to his opinion. The protesters are also Nigerians, this is a democratic situation. What I keep saying is that we are all Nigerians and we are all acting in the interest of Nigeria, but suffice to say that yesterday, (Tuesday) Mr President said there is no need for any protest, let us calm down.

“A lot is happening, Nigeria is going to move and march on and we believe that whatever government comes out with will be in the interest of Nigeria. We don’t think there is need for any protest, we are appealing for calm, we are appealing for a peaceful resolution or peaceful approach to any issue.

“If you have anything you want to put out there, you are free to put it out there but government is insisting that we are all Nigerians, we have to be calm, we have to be patient and suffice it to say let us give peace a chance.

The Department of State Services yesterday warned against the planned nationwide protest against hardship in the country.

The agency said yesterday that it had already identified the sponsors of the planned protest and warned them not to proceed with it as it is not in Nigeria’s interest.

The warning is contained in a press statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr. Peter Afunanya, and made available to newsmen.

The security outfit warned that it had intelligence that the planned protest would be hijacked by hoodlums to cause chaos and extreme violence in the country.

The statement alleged that the goal of the planners is to cause regime change, especially at the centre.

Part of the statement reads: “The DSS has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in the public as leaders of the plot.

“While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land. It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political.

“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses. The long term objective is to achieve a regime change especially at the Centre.

“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors and collaborators of the plot. “However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line action in the instance, in handling the emerging scenario. It has instead, variously applied non kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective.

“Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy and spoliation.

“While the different levels of Government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, the Service urges the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason, good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities, in the interest of peace.

“This has become important given that violence begets destruction of lives and property as well as serve as a distraction to governance. “The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.

“The Service calls on people of goodwill, leaders of thought, captains of industry, labour unions, student associations, youth leaders, the civil society, clergy, NGOs, women groups, civil servants and politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any orchestrated violence, deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country.

“Similarly, parents, guardians, heads of traditional and academic institutions are respectively urged to advise their children, wards, subjects and students not to take part in the planned protest. Let us all join hands to build a Nation without rancour, bitterness or stained banner.

“The Service will work with other sister security and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace. It will, where necessary, apply all legitimate methods to achieve this,” the DSS said.

Stakeholders from the South East under the platform of South East Youth Development for Good Governance and Better Development have pleaded with youths in the zone to shun the planned August 1 nationwide protest against the President Bola Tinubu administration.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting of the Stakeholders yesterday in Abuja, signed by its National Coordinator, Hon. Henry Ejiofor, they opined that the region should not pay good with evil as President Bola Tinubu had recently assented to the South East Development Commission Bill.

The group, which comprises of political figures across different political parties, professionals, businessmen and women, emerging leaders, students and Diasporans, said the real motives of the organizers of the protest and their identities are not known, hence the people of the region should be circumspect and not participate.

The group reminded the people of the zone to bear in mind the efforts of their governors and individuals in trying to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

Ejiofor said the bill assented to by the President will amplify the commitment to the real rehabilitation and reconstruction of the South-East, 54 years after the civil war.

According to him, recent developments in the South East by both the federal and state governments, especially the commissioning of Abia Power Projects, which is one of its kind, will make Abia state to enjoy a 24-hour electricity supply which will revive major industries in the region.

He said; “As a forum, we are making this national call to South East youths and others across Nigeria not to allow faceless individuals use them.

“As a region, we are grateful to President Bola Tinubu for signing the South East Development Commission Bill and also to South East leaders who facilitated the bill.

“We are out today to discourage South Easterners from involving themselves in the well-publicised nationwide protest for the major reason of the ongoing developmental strides that the present government has put in place, and the good work the present crop of Governors in the region are doing.”

On the economic situation in the country, the stakeholders urged Nigerians to understand that President Tinubu needs more time for all his promising policies to come to fruition.

“We are discouraging our kinsmen against the protest because most of the sponsors are faceless and, quiet, unlike other protests that the organizers are known.

“Again, we do not know the real intentions of the organizers, therefore, we will not support violent protests that can lead to the loss of lives of our hardworking brothers and sisters as a result of the protest.

“Also, aside from distracting the governments at all levels, this action will create more hunger while many people may lose their means of livelihood”, the forum stated.

The statement urged Nigerians, especially the South Easterners to give President Tinubu the benefit of the doubt based on his recent promise to end the suffering of the masses through some of his policies and programmes.

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies has queried the West African Examination Council, WAEC, Nigeria over a N5 billion loan it obtained in 2022 for the purchase of a customised calculator.

Chairman of the Committee, OforjiOboku, during an investigative hearing with the Registrar of the examination body on Tuesday demanded that relevant documents in respect to the loan be made available at the next sitting.

The Register was represented by Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, Head of National Office, WAEC Nigeria.

Other WAEC officials at the hearing were Angus Okeleze, Senior Deputy Registrar; Victor Odu, Acting Director of Finance; and SegunJerumeh, Deputy Director of Finance, WAEC.

Dangut had earlier in his presentation to the Committee posited that WAEC was not an agency of government, hence not accountable as other agencies.

However, the lawmakers insisted that WAEC Nigeria was a creation of an Act of the National Assembly and hence must account for all their activities to them.

They pointed out that the National Assembly makes appropriations for WAEC.

The lawmakers also pointed out that WAECs convention dictates that they must submit to the legislation of any of its member countries.

The Committee Chairman said they must bring the audited statement of accounts of the examinations body from 2018 till date.

The Chairman said WAEC cannot operate outside the supervision of the National Assembly.

You are not different from any other agency, saying you are not an agency of the government. We are not here to witch-hunt you. WAEC is subject to Nigerias laws. We have reviewed the position and we have all the powers to oversee you. You cannot come here and say WAEC is not an agency of government, he said.

He said WAEC would be invited at a later date.

He insisted the WAEC officials bring the requested documents, else there would be sanctions.

Nigerias former First Lady, Hajia Mariam Sani Abacha and her son, Mohammed Sani Abacha, have dragged the President, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two others before the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking recovery of an alleged unlawfully revoked property of former Head of State, Late General Sani Abacha.

The property located in the Maitama District of Abuja was said to have been revoked by the Federal Government and sold to a private company, Salamed Ventures Limited, without the knowledge of the Abacha family.

The Abacha family is praying the Court of Appeal to void and set aside the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which on May 19, 2024, dismissed their suit on the property.

Listed as 1st to 4th respondents in the appeal are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT), Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Salamed Ventures Limited.

Mrs Abacha and her son, on behalf of the family, are also praying the Appellate Court to invoke Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act to take over their legal battle as a court of first instance and do justice to the matter.

In their notice of appeal against the judgment of the High Court, the Abacha family held that Justice Lifu erred in law and miscarried justice in his findings and conclusions in their case on the property.

The notice of appeal filed by Reuben Atabo, SAN, on their behalf was predicated on 11 grounds and two major reliefs.

Among others, they claimed that Justice Lifu erred in law when he held that their claim at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/317/2006 and that of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/A/197/2010 were dismissed whereas they were struck out for lack of jurisdiction.

The appellants said that the judge erred in law when he relied on Section 39 of the Land Use Act to hold that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction under Land Use Act to recover land contrary to the decision of the Court of Appeal which held that the proper court to handle such case is the Federal High Court.

Other grounds are that Justice Lifu erred in law when he suomotu held that they have no locus standi to file the suit on behalf of the Estate of late General SaniAbacha and decided the case without calling on parties to address the court, contrary to the principles of fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999.

According to them, Mohammed Sani Abacha, the 1st Appellant, disclosed his status as the eldest surviving son of late General Sani Abacha while the 2nd Appellant, Mariam Sani Abacha, also disclosed her capacity in the suit as the Widow of Late General Sani

Abacha.

They claimed that they are sufficiently clothed with the capacity to institute the action either with or without letters of Administration to the property of the late Army General.

Similarly, the Abacha family said that the judge erred in law when he held that their case was statute barred at the expense of the exceptions to the applicability of Public Officers Protection Act.

According to them, the originating summons leading to this instant appeal was filed at the Federal High Court on May 25, 2015 after the Court of Appeal decision of May 18, 2015 adding that the judge failed to disclose in his judgment where their cause of action lapsed.

They also faulted the Judge for erring in law when he recognisedSalamed Ventures limited as 4th respondent who derived title to their property in dispute during the pendency of their case between the FCT Minister and the Federal Capital Development Administration.

According to them, a party to a proceeding cannot transfer title to a 3rd party during the pendency of an action adding that the 1st 3rd Respondents purportedly sold the property in dispute to the 4th Respondent during the proceedings of their suit which commenced on March 1, 2006.

The abducted corps members from Ondo State who were released by the kidnappers on Monday said the family of each of the victims paid a sum of N1m before they were set free.

The five victims who include four corps members and one artisan were kidnapped by the bandits at about 11pm last Thursday at Omi Alafa Village in Ifon, Ose LGA and dragged into a nearby forest.

The corps members were said to be going back home after the three-week National Youth Service Corps Orientation camp in Enugu and Abia states. It was gathered that the driver and one passenger sitting in front of the vehicle were shot dead by the bandits.

Narrating their ordeal to our correspondent on Tuesday, one of the corps members, Patience Andrew, said the bandits contacted their families and demanded the sum of N30m each for ransom but after much negotiation, they agreed to collect N1m each.

She described the four-day experience in the den of the bandits as horrible and hellish, saying they were beaten black and blue by the kidnappers while they were given garri and dirty water to drink once a day.

Andrew said, “We boarded a bus from Abia State to Onitsha, Anambra State, but our driver was not fast enough. One of the park drivers took us to where we boarded another bus going to Akure.

“We arrived around 2pm but the driver did not take off immediately, so we left Onitsha Park around 5pm with nine passengers in a Sienna bus. We got to Ondo State around 10pm which was where the incident happened. The bandits flashed a torchlight on the driver and he said, “Oga, I no see you”

“They immediately fired at him twice the moment he made that statement. He and the woman sitting next to him were immediately killed. One guy too was stabbed. Two other people died but we don’t know about the guy who was stabbed because he ran away. Then, they brought us out of the vehicle and took us inside the bush. We trekked from past 10pm till around 7am the following day in the bush. The kidnappers were five in number and their age range should be around 25 years. They were speaking Hausa/Fulani language and they had one interpreter.

“They tortured us and we were only given garri and water once a day. At first, they asked for N30m per person but as the negotiation was going, they brought it down to N3m. So, they now asked us to bring N1m each. We slept inside the bush throughout the day, we heard the bark of a dog and the sound of a cow in the bush and we also passed through farmland when we were coming out, and we didnt meet anybody on the road then our brothers came with the N1m.

According to her, some of the items demanded by the bandits and were taken to them included three packs of Hollandia yoghurt, two loaves of bread, one carton of Peak milk, one pack of malt, bottles of Fearless drink, one pack of cigarette and 10 packs of cooked rice and chicken and N1m each, totalling N5m.

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, in a statement, said the victims were abandoned before the police picked them up and took them to the Police Medical Services Owo briefly before reuniting them with their families.

She said, The command this day, July 22, has found victims of the Ose/Ifon area kidnap which occurred July 18, 2024.

The victims were abandoned by their assailants after the police mounted pressure on them.

Policemen drawn from the tactical squad led by the Area Commander of Owo, ACP Olufemi Awoyales continuous combing of the bush with sustained technical support frustrated the assailants and they were forced to abandon the victims at the Oyinbo/ Sanusi Camp.

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has uncovered and seized a private residence converted to an illegal refinery in the Okwuzi community in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers state.

The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, led a military team to tour the illegal refining site on Wednesday.

He said over 200,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel was confiscated and that two suspects were arrested during the operation.

Igbo said the discovery was in line with the mandate of the Chief of Naval Staff to combat crude oil theft and other related vices in the Niger Delta region.

He said: My men at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, through credible intelligence, were able to discover this place. The whole of this compound is being used as an illegal refining site.You will recall that the Nigerian Navy, a few weeks ago relaunched the third phase of Operation Delta Sanity which is aimed at halting crude oil theft in the Niger Delta and sanitizing the region from the menace of illegal oil bunkering and other related activities.

“This illegally refined product here is massive, some are bagged in sacks, some in drums, and over 62 tanks are filled up, we have over 200,000 litres of illegal products refined from crude oil siphoned or stolen from the pipelines.This is too bad, it is not good enough for our economy. This is pure economic sabotage.

Igbo said the prime suspect and owner of the compound had been arrested alongside one of his boys.

He said: We have made the arrest, the owner of this compound, being the person doing this illicit business has been arrested with one of his boys, efforts are still on to arrest everyone who is involved in this criminal act.The Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder is determined to apprehend them wherever they are, both in the water and on the land. The Nigerian Navy under the able leadership of Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has given us the mandate to end crude oil theft in our areas of operations.We are poised and determined to achieve that so that Nigerias oil output will increase and meet the OPEC quota of at least 2.5 barrels per day.

He said that the suspects would be handed over to prosecuting agencies, while the compound would be sealed till further notice.

Igbo advised youths in the region not to allow themselves to be used as a tool to sabotage the nations economy.

• Tells FG, states to listen to cries of Nigerians
• Warns against use of brute force on protesters

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has debunked the report that it has pulled out of the planned national protest over hunger and high cost of living in the country, saying that it cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise.

The NLC has also advised the federal government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the hungry Nigerian people and do the needful.

A statement on Wednesday, signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, further reiterated the earlier call by the labour movement that government should dialogue with the organisers of the protest and warned that any resort to the use of brute force would be counterproductive.

The statement entitled The Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise, partly read:

A news report of the withdrawal of the Nigeria Labour Congress from the widely discussed national protest has been brought to our attention. The Nigeria Labour Congress debunks such story as patently false.

The truth is that the Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise. It is only the organisers of the speculated national protest that can decide to pull out or continue with the protest.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has internal trade union mechanisms especially leadership decision-making processes that its industrial actions such as protests pass through before such activities are undertaken.

Yet, the fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organising the protest does not mean that Organised Labour is oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of government.

The Nigeria Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in this very trying and excruciating times.

Pursuant to proactive engagement with the issues canvassed by the protest organisers, we have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leaders of the protest movement to dialogue on their demands.

We have advised that it would be counter-productive for government to meet the widespread anger in the land with brute force.

Once again, we implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and do the needful. After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God.

The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi and President of African Development Bank, AfDB, Adewunmi Adesina, expressed concern over the feud between the Dangote Group and federal regulators over the Dangote Refinery.

While Obi in a series of tweets on his X handle, urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and other government agencies to tread with caution in handling whatever dispute they had with Dangote because of the far reaching implications of their actions on the economy, Adesina described the issue as shocking and creating bad waves for Nigeria globally.

Their reactions came on a day the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, said he didnt own a blending plant outside Nigeria, in apparent response to allegation by the Dangote Group.

Obi, who argued that the Refinery deserved full support to operate and not vilification, wrote:

“The recent conflicts between Dangote Industries and some government agencies are deeply troubling.

“This issue transcends political affiliations and personal grievances. It is fundamentally about Nigerias economy, future, and the well-being of its citizens. Given Alhaji Dangotes significant contributions to Nigeria, these disputes must be resolved swiftly.

“Government agencies should be directed to offer the necessary support for the seamless launch and operation of the Dangote Refinery and its associated enterprises.

“The refinery has the potential to generate approximately $21 billion in annual revenue and create over 100,000 jobs, with numerous additional positive impacts on the economy.

“Its strategic importance in addressing Nigerias fuel crisis, boosting foreign exchange earnings, and fostering economic growth cannot be overstated.

The refinery is too vital to fail and must not be hindered, considering its crucial role in our national welfare.

The Federal Government and its agencies need to recognize the significance of Dangotes contributions. Alhaji Dangote is not just a businessman; he is a national and African brand symbolizing patriotism, commitment, and impactful entrepreneurship.

Despite operating in a challenging business environment, he has established a remarkable industrial hub in Nigeria, encompassing over 15 sectors, including cement, sugar, salt, fertilizer, infrastructure, tomatoes, automotive, energy, petrochemicals, rice, poly sacks, real estate, mining, logistics, and maritime.

Alhaji Dangotes unwavering dedication to Nigerias industrialization, job creation, and economic growth, despite adversities, warrants full support and protection.

With economic indicators like unemployment, inflation, forex scarcity, and debt worsening, every sensible and patriotic government should regard enterprises like Dangote Industries as national treasures, meriting robust support and protection.

In the interest of Nigeria and its citizens, as well as Africans at large, I urge the federal government and its agencies to provide Dangote Industries, especially the refinery, with all necessary support.

On his part, Adesina, said the disparaging of Dangote was uncalled for, saying it is self-defeating and very bad for Nigeria.

Who will want to come and invest in a country that disparages and undermines its own largest investor?

Adesina said investing was tough, but noted that pettiness was easy, adding that what was happening was sending a signal that the price for sacrificing for Nigeria was to get sacrificed.

The AfDB boss said: Competition is good for everyone but is Dangote refineries anti-competitive? What is the evidence?

He said monopoly often existed where there were high barriers to entry or high capital costs.

How many individuals or companies can do railways? How many can do refineries of the scale of Dangote Refineries? He queried.

Adesina said in a nation that had been importing refined petroleum products for several decades, the abnormal simply became very normal.

No smart investor would make a $19.5 billion investment and want it to be undermined by importers.

To manufacture is extremely expensive and risky. This is even more so in Nigeria, given the very challenging business and economic environment, fraught with policy uncertainties and policy reversals, and where the self-defeating default mode of simply import it is always so easily rationalized and chorused to solve any problem, he said.

He added that Dangote refinery was more than simply delivering the cheapest product to the market, stressing that it is about domestic supply security, driving (and yes, protecting) globally competitive industries, maximizing forward and backward linkages in the local economy, job creation, reducing forex expenses and shoring up the Naira.

He queried further: Has Dangote refinery prevented any other company from setting up refineries? Why have others not done so? How come they have not done so for several decades? Was it Dangote that held them back?

Adesina said Dangote refinery surely could not be asked to compete with importers of petroleum products.

That is not competition. Let the importers set up local refineries and compete by refining in Nigeria. That is fair and justified competition. We cannot and must not undermine, disparage or kill local industries, let alone one that is of this scale a jewel of industrialisation in Nigeria, he said.

Femi Otedola, billionaire businessman, weighing in too, said in a post on his X handle yesterday afternoon said, Aliko Dangote is also the largest private sector employer of labour in the country, and his companies are among the largest taxpayers.

In fact, the Dangote Group often pays more in taxes than the top banks combined. If not for him, we would still be importing cement. His contributions extend beyond industrial facilities to critical infrastructure, having built major roads such as the Apapa Oshodi-Owonrosoki Express Road, Wharf Road, and the Obajana-Kabba Road.

Otedola, who is also chairman of Geregu Power Plc, gave examples of countries where a few individuals laid the foundation for national development and were supported by their governments.

Countries in the nascent stages of industrialization require visionary leaders. This is why its no surprise that the United States was built by the vision and tenacity of a few remarkable individualsCornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, and Henry FordThe Men Who Built Americas industrial landscape. These men left the world without these assets but left behind a legacy that has kept their country thriving generation after generation.

Their contributions were immortalized not in the material wealth they amassed but in the enduring institutions and industries they established. These visionaries were also supported by their government, which recognized the importance of fostering local champions.

Similarly, todays tech giants like Microsoft and Tesla received substantial support from the US government. For example, in January 2010, the Department of Energy issued a $465 million loan to Tesla Motors to produce specially designed, all-electric plug-in vehicles and to develop a manufacturing facility in Fremont, California to produce battery packs, electric motors, and other power train components for powering these innovative vehicles.

This initiative is part of broader efforts, such as the federal EV-charging programme supported by the infrastructure law known as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programme, or NEVI. In India, the government has been instrumental in supporting business titans like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani.

Their companies have received significant backing to grow and expand, contributing substantially to Indias economic growth and global business footprint. There are also records of emerging market countries like Vietnam, South Africa, Brazil, and China where their governments have supported local businesses to jump-start industrialization.

In Vietnam, the government has provided various incentives to tech companies, fostering a rapidly growing technology sector. In South Africa, government support for the mining industry has been crucial in maintaining its global competitiveness. Brazil has seen substantial government investment in its agricultural sector, transforming it into one of the worlds leading food exporters. In China, government backing for companies like Huawei and Alibaba has propelled them to global leadership in technology and e-commerce, Otedola noted.

Otedola said Dangote has broken every boundary in worldwide business and industry.

In Nigeria, we have our own titans, and it is imperative that we recognize and support them. His contributions are not just a testament to his brilliance but a beacon of what is possible when vision meets opportunity. Supporting local champions like Dangote is crucial for our national development and economic independence. Let us continue to foster and support these visionaries who drive our nations progress, he wrote.

Meanwhile, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, has said he does not own a blending plant outside Nigeria.

Kyari stated this yesterday, in reaction to claims by President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, that some officials of the NNPC had blending plants in Malta.

• Ironic those stifling rights to protest in 2024 were leading protesters in 2012 Atiku
• Planned protests against hardship likely to be hijacked, UN warns

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the United Nations, UN, disagreed over the planned protest against the economic hardship in the country.

While the former vice president asked the Federal Government to allow Nigerians to exercise their constitutional rights to organise a peaceful protest, the UN United Nations Department of Safety and Security warned that the planned protests might be hijacked by groups with ulterior motives.

In a post on his X, Atiku said it was ironic that those stifling rights of Nigerians to protest in 2024 were leading protesters in 2012.

He slammed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for attempting to suppress the protesters, describing it as an exercise in futility.

The former vice-president said the governments incompetence has caused widespread suffering, affecting citizens, including supporters of the ruling party and those of the president.

He added that any attempt to suppress the rights of Nigerians to protest was not only unconstitutional but a direct affront on democracy.

Atiku wrote: For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by our courts. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.

“Chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government.

“It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012. A responsible government must ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest.

“Any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to our democracy.

On July 20, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, alleged that supporters of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, were behind the proposed nationwide protest.

The presidential aide alleged that the organisers were the same individuals who hijacked the #EndSARS protest of 2020. He said those instigating the protest are calling for a civilian coup.

Planned protests against economic hardship in Nigeria likely to be hijacked, UN warns

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) department of safety and security has warned that the planned protests in Nigeria might be hijacked by groups with ulterior motives.

In a threat and risk assessment finding dated July 19, the UN expressed concerns about the possibility of violence, citing past instances where similar protests in Nigeria escalated.

The threat and risk assessment read: Recall that in the February 13-16, 2023 interval, tensions generated by the paucity of new naira currency (financial crisis) reached high levels among the civilian population, which materialized in violent protests in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, in the states of Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, and Rivers.

During the civil unrest in the different states, several bank branches and ATM points were vandalized, and major roads were blocked.

As the turnout for the 10 days of rage protest is expected to be high, large-scale disruptions to normal economic and social activities cannot be discounted.

The threat assessment also showed that confrontations between groups supporting the government and those disagreeing with its policies could not be ruled out from the end of July towards August 10-15.

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to dialogue with planned protesters to address their concerns.

Speaking with reporters after a meeting in Abuja, Chairman of the Caucus, Rep Kingsley Chinda, however, discouraged the planned protest, especially amid insecurity in some parts of the country.

He said We also appealed to the government to dialogue with the planned protesters and also look at some of the messages they are raising, the critical areas that need government intervention. The government should intervene and ensure that issues are resolved amicably.

“We are not going to encourage any protesters because in the past we have observed in most cases that even peaceful protests have been overtaken by hoodlums and with the insecurity situation in some parts of the country, you may not have control of the gathering of people. So some unscrupulous people may use the opportunity to create chaos.

“So we are discouraging any protest but we appeal to the government to dialogue and also look at critical areas that are necessary and address them amicably”, he said.

He called on the government to adopt the carrot-and-stick method in addressing the problem of insecurity in the country.

“We acknowledge and observe the insecurity situation in the country and we call on the government to use carrot and stick by ensuring that let the result be seen. Let all the security chiefs do what is right to ensure that Nigerians are protected”, he said.

The Caucus also called on the government to create means to ensure citizens are self-reliant in a bid to tackle the economic downturn in the country.

“We also acknowledged in our discussion that there is hunger in the land and we appeal to the government not only to be giving palliatives but to create ways and means whereby people can be self-reliant”, he said.

He said the dinner was organised to thank all the members for their support.

“Basically the main purpose of our gathering was just end-of-year dinner. We feel it is important to organise a dinner and thank all our members for giving us the necessary support, all the minority parties in the House:, he said.

Retired Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA ) has cautioned youths against illicit drug consumption and trafficking.

Marwa, advised the inauguration of the agencys new Zonal Office in Ayingba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi on Tuesday.

Marwa, who was represented by the Zonal Commander Zone C, Mr Hassan Sakaba, said that the establishment of the zonal office at Ayingba was to help the agency in its activities to checkmate the prevalent drug abuses and trafficking in Kogi and North Central.

He called on the residents of Kogi to join the agency in its fight against illicit drug consumption and trafficking to save the youths from destruction.

“As patriots and concerned citizens of our dear country, we should rise to the occasion to ensure that we fight against the menace to keep our youths safe and sound.

“Illicit drugs are cutting short lives of our children, very promising children, who are our future leaders. We must therefore not allow that to happen”, he said.

The NDLEA boss commended Gov. Usman Ododo for his unalloyed support to the agency in the state.

Inaugurating the Office, the EJE of Dekina, Alhaji Usman Obaje, commended NDLEA for its resilience at fighting the illicit drug war in Kogi and the entire nation.

The traditional ruler said: the quantum of seizures and arrests of drug traffickers in recent times speaks volume of the enormous works your agency is doing to protect the citizens from destruction.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the NDLEA Kogi Commander, Alhaji Umar Yahuza, said that the opening of the zonal office was to ease the activities of the agency in tackling drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

He urged the people of Ayingba and environs to we endeavor to report any suspicious moves by drug peddlers for immediate action.

The five corps members who were abducted by gunmen last Thursday in Ifon axis of the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State have regained their freedom after paying N1 million each to their abductors.

The victims, identified as Oluwaseun Adewole, Feranmi Oluwadara, Patience Andrew, Taiwo Oribamise, and Lekan Ajayi, were released by the kidnappers on Monday evening.

Recall that the driver of the vehicle which the victims attacked before the abduction was killed as well as a lady who sat in front of the vehicle.

The victims were on their way to Akure from Onitsha after completing the mandatory orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) when they were abducted.

While confirming the release of the victims, the Police spokesperson in the state, Funmilayo, however, stated that the victims were abandoned by the abductors after a hot chase by the police.

The command has found victims of the Ose/Ifon area kidnapping that occurred on July 18, 2024. The victims were abandoned by their assailants after the police mounted pressure on the kidnappers.

Policemen drawn from the tactical squad led by the Area Commander of Owo, ACP Olufemi Awoyale, continuous combing of the bush with sustained technical support frustrated the assailants and were forced to abandon the victims at Oyinbo/Sanusi Camp.

The victims are currently being attended to at the Police Medical Services Owo and will be handed over to their family members after being debriefed.