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Oru West Chairmanship seat: Okolieogwo picks forms, promises to enhance development

Hon. Willie TC Okolieogwo

 

As Imo State goes to Council Election on 21st September 2024, a core administrator, polished politician, development- minded and kind-hearted human, Hon. Willie TC Okolieogwo, has vowed that he will intensify good leadership with a view to improving social development, economic prosperity, unity, peace, security and relaxation in Oru West if he is elected Executive Chairman of Oru West Council.

Okolieogwo made the promise when he addressed the mammoth of supporters and party members shortly after obtaining the nomination and expression of interest forms at APC State Secretariat last week.

Okolieogwo who deeply expressed joy over the encouragement and love shown to him by the people of Oru West, his supporters, friends and relatives, stressed that he will deploy his wealth of experience to render effective service to the people to improve social, economic development, peace, orderliness, good living and conviviality at the agrarian area.

The former Interim Management Committee Chairman and immediate past Sole Administrator of Oru West LGA, stated that he is coming back to the Council to improve goodness and progress of the locality, saying good turn deserves another.

While appealing to the people of Oru West to consider him fit and worthy of the exalted Executive Chairmanship position and elect him, Okolieogwo reiterated his commitment and desire to strengthen good governance therein in line with the 3R Agenda of the APC and Governor Hope Uzodimma led administration to advance better living.

Thanking the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Hope Uzodimma, for availing him opportunity to gain administrative/political experience through those capacities, the immediate past Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Imo State Chapter, lauded the Governor for governing the people efficiently and humanely, hence his landmark achievements on road construction, rehabilitation, youth skill empowerment, health, among other goodies.

Commissioner for Youth Devt pays visit to Director, DSS, 34 Artillery Commander. …Hails Uzodimma’s peace restoration in Imo

Dr Emeka Mandela

By Fred Njoku

The 19th day of July, 2024, was historic as Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Hon. (Dr.) Emeka Ukaegbu Mandela undertook a familiarization visit to the Department of Security Services (DSS) Imo headquarters.

The visit coming on the heels of the Commissioner’s one month in office, was aimed at exploring avenues for collaboration with the DSS, to establish collaborative framework between the ministry and the DSS, seeking to leverage their strengths in enhancing youth developmental initiatives, for the strengthening of the security of the state.

The Commissioner provided an overview of the DSS organizational structure, mandate an ongoing initiatives relating to national security and youth engagement. Also, talked about several areas of mutual interest, including town hall meeting in all local government areas aimed at reorienting the youths, educating them on security challenges, cyber threats and measures they should adopt for personal safety and national security.

The DSS director who appreciated the visit assured the commissioner of his support and availability of his department for the successful activities of his ministry and implementation of policies. While agreeing to scheduled regular meetings between them periodically in order to review progress, exchange insights, and address emerging challenges promptly.

They talked on forging strategic bonding for collaboration which they emphasized helds immense potential to the harnessing of creativity, energy, and potential of the Imo youths towards nation-building and safeguarding their collective future.

The Commissioner expressing his gratitude to the leadership and staff of the DSS for their warm reception said, he looks forward to a more fruitful understanding benefitial to Imo youth and the nation at large.

In a bid to foster collaboration and synergy for youth developmental initiatives, the Commissioner for Youth embarked on a courtesy visit to the Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze. Brigadier General UA Lawal, aimed at exploring avenues for collaboration with the military on the occasion of the Commander’s one year in office. The Commissioner applauded the command for their seamless effort towards maintaining peace and tranquility in the State.

While highlighting on the importance of harnessing youth potential through structured programmes to promote skill development and talent discovery across the state, pointed out some aspect of his ministrys activities and seeking for partnership with the command towards actualizing them.

Responding, UA Lawal expressed his gratitude for the visit which he said coincided with his one year in office as brigade commander of the 34 artillery brigade, emphasized the critical role of collaborative efforts in addressing youth related challenges and the harnessing of their capabilities for national development. He underscored the need for strategic interventions for youth empowerment, in order to steer them away from vices detrimental to societal progress.

“The collaboration between the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt and the 34 Artillery Brigade is timely,” General Lawal, remarked.

“Together, we can achieve significant milestones in nurturing the talents and potentials of our youth, thereby contributing positively to our community and nation.”

Pledging their support towards any activity of the ministry that will benefit the youth, not forgetting there are youths in the military. He highlighted on the fact that the Ministry Of Youth Development and Talent Hunt is a strategic ministry giving the fact it deals with the youths as workforce and drivers of the nation. The commander said it’s regrettable that South East is shortchanged in the military because of her youths not willing to join the military.

The Commander added that the command is ready to be fully involved in any activity of the youth ministry, by identifying areas of mutual interest such as vocational training, reorientation of the youths through town hall meeting and mentorship programs. Outlining their interest to establish joint initiatives that would engage youths in productive activities, promote peace building efforts, and enhance national unity.

The Commissioner who expressed optimism about the prospects of future collaborations, stated, “This visit marks the beginning of a fruitful partnership aimed at creating opportunities and pathways for the youth to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.”

The meeting came to a close with the Honorable commissioner receiving a gift as compliment from the Commander as award.

Those at the meeting are the Chief of Staff, senior military officers, the permanent secretary, Director and PRO of Ministry of Youth Development.

NSCDC, Oil marketers partner to fight pipeline vandalism in Imo

NSCDC

The Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Imo state command, and the state chapter of the Independent Crude Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, have vowed together to fight pipeline vandals in Imo.

The NSCDC state Public Relations Officer, PRO, Chimeziri Lowell, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Owerri yesterday.

According to the command, It was historic and unprecedented at the state headquarters of the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) lmo state command as the chairman, Independent Crude Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (ICOMAN) Imo State Chapter, Engr. Obi Chuks Ifeanyi and his executive members paid a reserved courtesy visit to the state commandant, Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) lmo state command, Commandant Mathew S. Ovye.

The visit was centered on establishing a synergy between the two organizations and to ensure maximum protection of government critical national assets and infrastructure, especially in the oil sector.

Mr. Obi highlighted the need for ICOMAN to partner with NSCDC in the fight against oil theft, since it is the mandate of NSCDC to protect oil pipelines across the federation. He further asserted that his team as a matter of importance will never hesitate to give or release relevant intelligence to NSCDC regarding to oil theft and vandalism across the State. In his words, the state chairman said we have come to seek for your collaboration and cooperation because ICOMAN will not thrive or function effectively without your support.

Mr. Obi concluded by commending the efforts of officers and men of the Corps for always displaying a high level of professionalism in discharging their duties in the state.

Responding, Imo NSCDC Commandant Matthew Ovye, who granted the request of the ICOMAN boss for partnership, said: The fight against oil pipeline vandalism is a battle of no going back, we must sanitize the oil sector, we are leaving no stone unturned, it is the mandate of NSCDC and theres no room for compromise. Imo State is one of the oil producing states in Nigeria, therefore, we are ever ready to fight these economic saboteurs.

Ikwuazom kicks as Osigwe wins NBA presidential election

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr. Afam Osigwe, has emerged as the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

Osigwe, SAN, who previously served as General Secretary of the association, polled a total of 20, 425 votes to defeat his major challenger, Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe who polled 10, 998 votes, while a former Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the NBA, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), got 9,018 votes that were cast for the position.

Other national officers of the NBA that emerged from the election that commenced by 12am on Saturday, July 20 and ended by 11:59pm, are: Mr. Sebastine Anyia as the 1st Vice President of the association, Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun as 2nd Vice President and Mrs. Zainab Garba as the 3rd Vice President.

Others are: Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara as the General Secretary, Mr. Henry Ehi the as Assistant General Secretary, Mrs. Blessing Udofa-Poroman as the Treasurer, Mr. Nyada Auta as the Welfare Secretary, Mrs. Bridget Edokwe as the Publicity Secretary, while Miss Ebiere Ekpesie polled 26, 955 votes to emerge as the Assistant Publicity Secretary.

Whereas Mr. Augustine Ike, Mr. Daniel Ka-Ayii Kip, Mr. Ejia Ibe, Mr. Micheal Onuorah and Mr. Obi Anizoba, were elected as representatives of the General Council of the Bar (Eastern Zone), Mr. Tijjani Magaji was elected the sole representative of the Northern zone in the Council, while Mr. Isreal Lagbamue, Mr. Kingsley Asagba, Mr. Olukunle Edum, Mr. Precious Nwadimuyah and Mr. Sulayman Dawud, were elected as representatives of the Western zone.

Announcing the election results yesterday, Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA, ECNBA, Mr. Oluseun Abimbola, SAN, who is a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, noted that though a total of 72, 059 lawyers were eligible to participate in the electoral process, however, only 40, 656 ballots, representing 56.4%, were cast.

He disclosed that a total of 3,945 ballots were opened but never cast during the election that was done electronically.

Abimbola, SAN, said a total of 233, 524 text messages were exchanged between the committee and the voters, a total of of 655, 652 emails sent out, with 3,923 calls received from the help lines.

The ECNBA Chairman said his committee never received any official communication that any of the candidates that contested in the election, withdrew before the process was concluded.

In his speech, the outgoing President of the NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, implored those that lost at the poll to take the outcome in good faith and join the winners to move the association forward.

On his part, the incoming President of the legal body, Osigwe, SAN, while appreciating his opponents, said he would run an inclusive administration that would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the protection and promotion of rule of law in the country.

Meanwhile, one of the presidential candidates, Ikwuazom, SAN, had midway into the election, announced his decision to withdraw from the process which he alleged was compromised to favour predetermined outcome.

In a statement, Ikwuazom, SAN, said: It is with a heavy heart that I, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, (SAN), announce my decision to withdraw from the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association Presidential race.

“This decision has not been made lightly but is necessitated by a series of alarming developments that have compromised the integrity of the electoral process. Since the commencement of voting earlier today, my supporters and I have observed disturbing patterns that do not align with the actual votes cast.

“It has become increasingly evident that the integrity of the electoral process has been compromised. Despite the overwhelming support from my dedicated supporters, the reported figures do not align with the true expression of our votes.

“It would appear that the system has been manipulated to favour a predetermined outcome, consistently placing me in third position.

“As a candidate committed to upholding transparency and the rule of law, I cannot in good conscience continue to participate in a compromised electoral process.

“Therefore, I am withdrawing from the presidential race effective immediately. While today marks a sombre moment for our bar, let us remain resolute in our commitment to upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and integrity within our noble profession.

“Together, we must continue to strive for a bar association that is free from manipulation and true to the aspirations of its members”, Ikwuazom concluded.

Afam Osigwe emerges NBA president

Afam Osigwe-- NBA president

A senior advocate of Nigeria and former general secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, emerged as the president-elect in the 2024 NBA election.

The 2024 NBA election was held online and was monitored by our correspondent.

The Voting began at 12am on Saturday and ended at 11.59 pm with the live results for all positions presented at https://go.ecnba.org/results/

As of the final compilation at 12:40 am on Sunday, Osigwe secured 20,435 votes, defeating his closest rival, Chairman of the NBA-Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, Tobenna Erojikwe, who garnered 10,998 votes while former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), got 9,018 votes.

Afam Osigwe– NBA president

Osigwe is set to succeed the outgoing president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN).

In other positions, Sabastine Anyia emerged as the 1st Vice-President with 12,114 votes, while his closest rival, Bartholomew Aguegbodo, garnered 6,864 votes.

Mrs Bolatumi Animashaun won the 2nd Vice-President position with 26,534 votes, defeating Pius Oiwoh, who scored 11,121 votes.

For the 3rd Vice-President position, Mrs Zainab Garba won with 23,550 votes, while her closest rival, Michael Olorunmola, got 13,897 votes.

Dr Mobolaji Ojibara emerged as the General Secretary with 25,713 votes, while his rival, Abdulwasiu Alfa, received 11,730 votes.

Henry Ehi won the Assistant General Secretary position with 28,552 votes, defeating Oluwaseun Aka, who got 8,317 votes.

Mrs Blessing Udofa-Poromon secured the Treasurer position with 17,998 votes, defeating her closest rival, Mbamala Chukwuemeka, who garnered 9,825 votes.

Also, Nyada Auta won the Welfare Secretary position with 18,369 votes, defeating Oaikhena Osagie, who scored 12,855 votes.

Mrs Bridget Edokwe won the Publicity Secretary position with 19,542 votes, defeating Charles Ajiboye, who scored 10,989 votes. While, for the Assistant Publicity Secretary position, Miss Ebiere Ekpese won with 26,955 votes, defeating Lawrence Ayewa, who scored 9,690 votes.

Peter Obi: Onanuga will destroy Nigeria if you dont restrain him Obidigbo to Tinubu

Elder statesman, Dr Chike Obidigbo, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to restrain his aide, Bayo Onanuga, from making intemperate public statements that could destroy Nigeria.

Obidigbo regretted that the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Strategy has been making inciting remarks and provocative hate speeches that could not only damage Nigeria’s feeble national cohesion but also set the nation on a needless conflagration.

The industrialist condemned Onanuga’s recent statement claiming that the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP), Peter Obi and his supporters called the Obidients should be blamed for the planned national protest against bad governance.

In a statement released to journalists on Sunday, Obidigbo lamented that despite Onanuga’s experience in media practice and knowledge of Nigeria’s troubled political history, the presidential aide continues to spew hate and divisive utterances.

Many people still remember Onanuga’s role during the military era, when the Nigerian press adopted guerilla tactics to call attention to the oppressive regimes in the country. But, having witnessed and currently benefiting from the nation’s democracy, this veteran journalist has thrown caution to the wind.

“Onanuga has formed the habit of talking down on Nigerians as if he is at the head of a military junta. When he is not withdrawing ill-conceived communication, he churns out statements dripping with deep-seated bile and hateful innuendos sentences.

“His latest attempt to link the former Governor of Anambra State with the youth-propelled national protest comes as one of the unthinking statements unbefitting a presidential aide. Onanuga should be reminded that when the dark clouds he is invoking bring down rain, nobody’s roof will be safe”, Obidigbo stated.

He regretted that at a time when countless multinational business organisations were leaving the country due to unstable economic indices, the likes of Onanuga should find time to gloat about the last presidential election.

Obidigbo stated: Onanuga and indeed all those in public offices should reckon that Nigeria is at a tricky crossroads and show some level of empathy to Nigerian masses who are going through excruciating hardship compounded by insecurity, rising food prices and cost of living challenges.

“In his heart of hearts, Bayo Onanuga knows that Mr Peter Obi has been exemplary in conduct and character and has remained focused on the issues of economic development, especially mitigating mass poverty and giving a helping hand to the poorest of the poor.

“During the electioneering, Mr Peter was elegant in his public communication and campaign messaging. He resisted provocations and attempts to be drawn to divisive rhetoric that bedevilled Nigerias partisan politics.

“But, Onanugas attempt to single out Igbo for hate by his dangerous innuendo is not lost on well-meaning Nigerians. This is not the first time the veteran journalist should descend so low to promote bigotry and ethnic baiting against the Igbo. And it is high time President Tinubu calls him to order unless Igbo bashing is at the core of the presidential communication”

Obidigbo said the myriad of socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria trumps the continuing efforts to isolate Igbo through nepotism and ethnic bashing, adding that the day equity and justice become the hallmark of national reconciliation, Nigeria will begin the process of national healing.

“Denying Igbo of political offices could be excused but trying to despoil their reputation and dependence on self-help could end up as the last straw that breaks the Camels back”, he cautioned.

Joe Biden drops out of re-election race and backs VP Kamala Harris to replace him on ticket

President Biden said Sunday that he would withdraw as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee following weeks of criticism after a poor debate performance and a revolt from high-profile Democratic donors.

In a letter posted on his X account, Biden recounted his accomplishments while in office and said he would address the nation later this week.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President”, he wrote.

“And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term”, he added

In a subsequent post, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, with the Democratic National Convention just weeks away.

“She has become an appealing option for donors and lawmakers. The Biden campaign has also quietly tested whether Harris would be a viable choice against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump in a survey of voters”, the New York Times reported last week, citing three people informed about the effort.

Since Bidens uninspired performance in the first presidential debate, questions have abounded about the president’s mental fitness and ability to beat Republican nominee Donald Trump in the November presidential election. A mass of influential supporters, donors, and Democratic lawmakers have called for Biden to step aside.

Heiress Abigail Disney said last week that she and her family would withhold their donations to the Democrats until Biden is replaced. Over the Fourth of July weekend, Biden’s Wall Street backers, including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, privately discussed whether the president should step aside. And on July 10, actor George Clooney, who just last month hosted a giant fundraiser for Biden’s reelection wrote in a New York Times op-ed that Biden should bow out for the good of the party.

“We are not going to win in November with this president”, Clooney wrote.

The eventual nominee at the top of the Democratic ticket faces a tough task to win back voters disillusioned with the party. Following Biden’s poor debate performance, which he later blamed on a cold, Trump grew his lead over the president by three percentage points, according to a New York Times and Siena College poll.

Killings in South East: Repatriate Simon Ekpa now, Gov Mba tells Finland

Enugu state governor, Governor Peter Mbah, has accused a Finland-based Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, of murdering and terrorising residents of Nigerias South-East.

Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the IPOB, has been allegedly linked to some deadly attacks and enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders in the region.

The governor, who received members of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence in Enugu, accused the Biafra agitator of being a scammer who has been feeding fat on the suffering of Igbos.

“It is surprising that the Finnish government allows this man to reside peacefully in their country and then, perpetrate terrorism in Nigeria.

“And I think, this is something your committee may have to wade into and see how this guy can be repatriated and then be brought to justice.

“Through his (Ekpa) statements and his actions, a lot of people have died and he continues in that trajectory. So, this is a tragedy that we must all work as a country to end. He doesnt represent the Igbo interest”, Mba said.

According to the governor, his administration has ended the illegal sit-at-home situation in the state and will remain determined to ensure the safety of all residents.

He also called on young people in the South-east not to yield to Mr Ekpas antics and vowed that the state government would not be intimidated by the agitators threats.

“As you may also have noticed recently, they have continued to make attempts, particularly, that megalomaniac (Ekpa), who ironically resides with his family peacefully in Finland, a country where the rule of law reigns, but he encourages anarchy here and goad some of our youths to their self-destruction.

“This is also a business for him (Ekpa), pretending to be fighting for Igbos interest, but does not know anything about the Igbo or have their interest at heart”, he stated.

NSCDC parades 8 over illegal Petroleum Products dealing in Akwa Ibom

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC), on Saturday, paraded a total of nine suspects over illegal dealings in petroleum products and vandalization of armoured cables in Akwa Ibom State.

The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Eluyemi Eluwade, who paraded the suspects before the press on Saturday at the Command headquarters in Uyo said the operatives also impounded three trucks conveying 135,000 litres of petroleum products.

He said, “the Anti-vandal Unit of the command made the arrests on July 14 along Ikot Abasi- Port Harcourt Expressway in Akwa Ibom.

“The trucks were halted for a routine inspection of documents by NSCDC personnel who insisted on sighting relevant papers including the licence to buy, sell and convey petroleum products as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act.

“The inability of the suspects to produce complete relevant documents led to their arrest and their trucks impounded for illegal dealing in petroleum products, an offence punishable by section 17 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

“Two of the trucks were conveying about 45,000 litres each of Automotive Gas Oil, (AGO), popularly known as Diesel. The third truck was conveying about 45,000 litres of Petroleum Product suspected to be Crude oil or used engine oil, a petroleum by-product for which a license is also required to buy, sell or transport.”

Speaking on the suspected vandal, the state commandant said the operatives of the Agency on July 15 in Idu Uruan, Uruan LGA arrested a suspect for criminal conspiracy, tampering and theft of Armoured Cable in a transformer at the Nigeria Medical Association Center in Uruan.

He said the suspect, who is currently under investigation was believed to have connived with criminals who breached the security of the facility where he was providing security and vandalised and stole armoured cables.

Eluwade restated the commitment of the NSCDC to curtail all forms of illegalities, including; illegal bunkering, adulteration of petroleum products, operating without license, and illegal refining to the barest minimum assuring that the suspects would be charged to court at the end of investigations.

Hold Obi responsible for planned nationwide protest —Onanuga

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has alleged that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and his supporters are behind the proposed nationwide protest.

The presidential aide claimed that the organizers are the same individuals who hijacked the #EndSARS protest in 2020.

There recurrent reports that youths and groups are planning nationwide protests over the state of the nation, slated for August 1, with viral hashtags and promotional flyers circulating on social media.

Onanuga made this known in a length post on X on Saturday.

He wrote, “Obi should be held responsible for anarchy. Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action.

“The protest planners are also the same people who were instigated by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to launch the destructive ENDSARS protest in Nigeria in October 2020

“ENDSARS began as a genuine protest by youths against the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, notorious for its high-handedness.

“IPOB members planning to extricate the South East region from Nigeria infiltrated the protest and hijacked it for their own agenda.

“Lagos still bears the scar of the malicious destruction by IPOB elements until today. Two years after ENDSARS, the IPOB and the gullible innocents joined the Labour Party in 2022 to support Peter Obi, a sympathiser of their cause. They are the people spreading the hashtags ‘EndBadGovernance’, ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ and ‘Revolution2024’.”

“They are not democrats but anarchists. They are attempting to call out our people via propaganda because their Messiah, Peter Obi, failed to win the Presidency in the 2023 election,” he said.

“As bad losers, they don’t have the patience to wait for another election in 2027; they would rather destabilise Nigeria by staging a civilian coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“If they understand the meaning of their hashtags, they will realise they are clarion calls for treason. Wanting to end an elected government is high treason.

“Wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason. I have been on the trail of one of the protest planners, who is nameless but claims to have an internet radio station, PTM100.88 Abuja.”

Onanuga stated that the federal government has implemented several measures to address the economic hardship in the country, including increasing the minimum wage, disbursing student loans, and rolling out palliatives.

He wrote, “President Tinubu has a four-year mandate to run his agenda. Those calling for protest should wait till 2027 to either re-elect him or elect their Messiah, Mr Peter Obi.”

Rivers crisis: Wabara backs PDP govs over resolution to support Fubara

Former Senate President and Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT), of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP,) Senator Adolphus Wabara, has commended the PDP Governors over their resolution to stand by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State against forces behind the raging political crisis in the state.

The PDP Governors had in their recent meeting in Enugu, vowed to support Fubara against masterminds of the ongoing political hiccup in the oil-rich state.

They advised those fanning the embers of conflict and crisis to distract Fubara and destabilize his government to desist and allow him to deliver good governance to Rivers people unimpeded

“The Forum has resolved to stand by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State; while at the same time employing wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution and thus find a lasting solution to the crises”, the forum’s Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State read in a communique.

Wabara, in an exclusive chat with newsmen commended the PDP Governors “for courageously rising as one people against the anti-democratic forces masterminding the crisis in Rivers.”

He said that the solidarity demonstrated by the Governors was quite commendable “and a confirmation of the historic fact that PDP will never abandon its own.”

Wabara added that the position of the PDP Governors’ Forum on the Rivers political crisis as well as other national issues represented the position of the BoT, the national leadership and the entire membership of the party.

“‘I sincerely commend the PDP Governors for speaking with one voice and solidariszing with one of their own. This is a strong message that PDP is united and will not waver it its resolve to defend democracy”.

The former Senate President further said “it is highly provocative, undemocratic and unacceptable for anybody to think a sitting Governor will be turned into a puppet for whatever reasons”.

Wabara who had earlier urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore those calling for emergency rule in Rivers State, restated his opposition against the call.

I don’t belong to APC, but appreciate Tinubu’s bold reforms –Okupe

DR OKUKPE

A former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Doyin Okupe, says he is not a member of the ruling APC but appreciates the bold reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu.

Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, disclosed this on his X handle (formerly Twitter) while reacting to criticisms over his appreciation of Tinubu’s initiatives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okupe has been criticized for always supporting, advising, and praising every government in power since 1999.

Okupe had served as an aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and then Goodluck Jonathan as a PDP member.

He later joined Labour Party to support the presidential bid of Peter Obi for the 2023 elections.

Okupe said, “I am neither a member of the APC nor an adviser of the administration.

“I appreciate the bold initiatives President Bola Tinubu took to remove fuel subsidy, which was assented to by all candidates during the campaign. I also fully support the sectoral equalisation of our forex market.

“Both reforms are responsible for the hardship our people are currently experiencing, but which I believe will be temporary judging by the strenuous efforts the government is making towards ameliorating them.

“This is not praise singing. I do not count myself as a member of the opposition; hence, I am able to be objective and understandingly supportive.

“I may not have had a hand in installing this govt but it is my country, and I am a stakeholder in it. I do not pray for it to crash or go down. This cannot be an offence.”

He urged his critics, especially a PDP chieftain, Mr Dele Momodu, to stop being personal in their criticisms.

“We are all practitioners, players, and known actors in this amphitheater, no need to go personal. Let’s keep criticism rational, mature, and professional,” he added.

Okupe said that it was not true that he had been praising every government since 1999.

He said that he only acted as adviser in Obasanjo’s administration, which he described as one of the most successful since the advent of the fourth republic.

Okupe said that he did not play any significant role in the succeeding administration of late President Umaru Yar Adua.

According to Okupe, his association with former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Peter Obi is in no way different from Momodu’s current association with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

CBN to channel dormant account funds into Nigerian treasury bills

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced its intention to invest funds from dormant accounts, unclaimed balances and other financial assets into Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) and other government securities.

This plan is part of the new “Guidelines on Management of Dormant Accounts, Unclaimed Balances, and Other Financial Assets in Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria” released on Friday.

According to these guidelines, the CBN will create an “Unclaimed Balances Trust Fund (UBTF) Pool Account” to manage unclaimed balances and establish a committee to oversee its operation.

This committee will issue guidelines, monitor compliance, manage funds, and handle claims and complaints.

It will also annually publish the list of unclaimed balance owners and procedures for reclaiming funds on the CBN website and in national newspapers.

Also, the guidelines ensure that the principal and any interest from these investments must be refunded to beneficiaries within ten working days of a request. If an extension is necessary, the requesting financial institution will be notified with reasons for the delay.

Eligible accounts and exemption

The CBN’s guidelines state that eligible accounts include dormant account balances that have remained with financial institutions (FIs) for ten years or more.

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Malaysia honors new king in coronation marked by pomp

The 17th king of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, lifts a ceremonial dagger as Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah looks on during his coronation at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 20, 2024.

Traditional pomp and cannon fire yesterday marked the coronation of Malaysia’s billionaire King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who pledged to govern fairly during the five-year term he will serve under a unique rotating monarchy system.

Ibrahim, 65, was sworn in on January 31.

Saturday’s coronation at the national palace formalized his role as Malaysia’s 17th king in a ceremony steeped in Malay culture and pageantry.

Nine ethnic Malay state rulers take turns as Malaysia’s king for five-year terms under the country’s rotating monarchy, which began when Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957.

Malaysia has 13 states but only nine have royal families, some which trace their roots to centuries-old Malay kingdoms that were independent states until they were brought together by the British.

Donned in black and gold traditional ceremonial outfit and headgear, Ibrahim and Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah were greeted by military salute before they proceeded to the throne.

The 17th king of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, lifts a ceremonial dagger as Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah looks on during his coronation at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 20, 2024.

The heads of the other royal families, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Bahrain King Hamad Isa al Khalifa were seated on a stage beside the throne.

At the start of the proceedings, a copy of the Quran was presented to Ibrahim, who kissed it.

The monarch received a gold dagger, a symbol of power.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim then pledged his government’s loyalty and said the royal institution was a pillar of strength for the nation. He then proclaimed Ibrahim as Malaysia’s new king.

“God willing, I will discharge my duties faithfully and honestly, and to rule fairly,” Ibrahim said in his coronation speech. He also urged Anwar’s government to step up efforts to improve the livelihood of the people and bolster the nation’s development. After the sultan took his oath, guests in the hall chanted “Long live the king” three times.

Ibrahim, from southern Johor state bordering Singapore, is one of the country’s richest men, with a business empire spanning from telecoms to real estate.

He is known for his collection of luxury cars and motorbikes and is the only state ruler with a small private army — a concession granted to his state when it joined modern-day Malaysia.

He is vocal about Malaysian politics and has spoken out about corruption and racial discrimination.

Known as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, or He Who Is Made Lord, the king plays a largely ceremonial role, with administrative power vested in the prime minister and Parliament.

The monarch is the nominal head of the government and armed forces and is regarded as the protector of Islam and Malay tradition.

All laws, Cabinet appointments and the dissolution of Parliament for general elections require his formal assent. The king has the power to proclaim an emergency and pardon criminals.

Trump speaks to Zelensky, pledges to ‘end the war’ with Russia

A week after surviving an assassination attempt, US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday said he spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by telephone, and pledged to end Ukraine’s war with Russia.

Trump has repeatedly claimed he would end the war quickly if elected but his frequent praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin, reluctance to directly criticise the Russian invasion and suggestions to back away from NATO deeply concern Ukraine’s allies.

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Friday he had spoken by telephone with Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky, and pledged to end the European country’s war with Russia.

“I appreciate President Zelensky for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity.”

The United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military assistance for Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Though a Trump victory in the November election would put Washington’s continued support into question.

Zelensky confirmed the call, during which he congratulated Trump on formally becoming the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, as well as wishing the 78-year-old well after an attempt on his life a week ago.

“We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting,” Zelensky said in a post on X.

“I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our nation’s freedom and independence,” he said.

Trump has repeatedly claimed he would end the war very quickly, without offering details as to how.

Last week, the ex-president hosted at his Florida estate Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month.

Trump’s frequent praise for Putin and reluctance to outright criticize the Russian invasion have stirred concerns among Ukraine’s allies that he would force the country into accepting partial defeat.

He has also repeatedly suggested backing away from NATO, even undermining the alliance’s collective defense guarantee by saying he would encourage Russia to attack any members not who had not met their financial obligations.

Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance leads the isolationist wing of congressional Republicans, who argue the United States should drop aid to Ukraine.

Vance was one of the fiercest opponents of the approval of $61 billion in new military aid for Ukraine, which was stalled by Republican lawmakers for months earlier this year — a time in which Russia made battlefield gains.

Trump told the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday that he would bring an end to raging international crises, saying he could “stop wars with a telephone call.”

“I will end every single international crisis that the current administration has created, including the horrible war with Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said, without elaborating on how.

Zelensky said earlier this week that he and Trump would “work together” if the Republican won the White House.

Dhaka protesters defy curfew in worst unrest in decades

Weeks of escalating student protests over a quota reform for government jobs have spiraled into Bangladesh’s worst unrest in living memory with over a hundred deaths in the past few days.

The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed the military, following clashes between demonstrators and police during student protests.

Most local news outlets have not updated their online editions since Thursday night, after the government largely cut off internet, telephone, and SMS connections.

After several attempts, DW’s Bengali service managed to communicate with its correspondents in Dhaka to get a firsthand experience from the city cut off from other parts of the country and the rest of the world.

Correspondent Harun Ur Rashid Swapan said Saturday that protesters who were protesting in several areas of Dhaka on Friday were still holding their positions even after the curfew was announced.

“Army and security forces took positions in those areas. But the protesters are large in number,” he told DW. “So, there is a risk of casualties if security forces try to disperse the protesters.”

Samir Kumar Dey, another DW correspondent based in Dhaka, said that the protesters refused to back down even when police opened fire: “The situation has reached a level that the protesters don’t back down even when shots are fired. What I have noticed since yesterday is that the involvement of activists of political parties is more visible in the student protests.”

The student groups are demonstrating against a high court order announced last month to reinstate quotas for government jobs. The quota system had been abolished in 2018, following massive student protests.

Under the quota system, more than half of civil service jobs are reserved for specific groups. For example, 30% of government jobs are reserved for family members of veterans who fought in the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.

“Most of the students want to have a government job in Bangladesh. Social security is one of the reasons behind this,” Lamia Rahman Supti, a Dhaka University student who has been participating in the protests, told DW.

She said protesters do not see the logic in reserving government jobs for the grandchildren of people who fought in the liberation war more than 50 years ago, commonly called “freedom fighters” in Bangladesh. Other groups, like women and the disabled, are allotted a smaller percentage.

Some 3,000 such government jobs were open to nearly 340,000 graduates last year, according to government data.

Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu, a well-known freedom fighter and cultural personality based in Dhaka, also thinks the quota system should be reformed, but he opposes reducing it drastically, which the quota reform protesters demand.

”The quota system should be reduced to 20% from the current 56%,” Bachchu told DW. “The 10% quota we have for women should be increased to 15% as we still need to see more women in government jobs. Also, we need to keep quotas for ethnic minorities, persons with physical disabilities, and marginalized communities.”

Veteran journalist Harun Ur Rashid Swapan says he hasn’t seen such wide and violent unrest for many decades. In his experience, no protests can compare to the scale of the ongoing quota reform protests that have seen many casualties and attacks on government properties. In one case, protesters managed to release prisoners from jail.

“I have seen a mass uprising against Ershad [military dictator in the 1990s],” Swapan told DW. “Considering the current movement’s pattern and activities, I think it’s a big one. The violence has reached a high level.”

Bridge collapse flash floods kill 12, leave 60 missing in China

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a collapsed bridge is seen in Zhashui County in Shangluo City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Chinese authorities say several people have died in the partial collapse of a highway bridge in the northwest following heavy storms and flooding

At least 12 people were killed in a bridge collapse and more than 60 others went missing in flash floods in China’s Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, officials said on Saturday.

The highway bridge collapse triggered by torrential rains in northwest Shaanxi Province killed 12 people and left 31 others missing, local authorities said.

The bridge, located in Zhashui County in Shangluo City, partially collapsed around 8:40 pm on Friday due to a sudden downpour and flash floods, according to the provincial publicity department.

So far, rescue workers have found 12 dead bodies and rescued one person, said the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s provincial committee.

The collapse caused 17 cars and eight trucks to plunge into the Jinqian River below the bridge, according to initial investigations.

Rescue officials have recovered seven vehicles that had fallen into the swollen river.

Thirty-one people remain unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a collapsed bridge is seen in Zhashui County in Shangluo City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Chinese authorities say several people have died in the partial collapse of a highway bridge in the northwest following heavy storms and flooding

Separately, more than 30 people remained missing after flash floods struck Xinhua Village in Sichuan Province at around 2:30 am Saturday, local authorities said.

The floods triggered by torrential rains also damaged over 40 houses in the village in Hanyuan County, Ya’an City, according to the county’s emergency management bureau.

The disaster also disrupted roads, bridges, and communications, and rescue operations are currently underway, the report said.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged all-out rescue and relief efforts to safeguard people’s lives and property after the collapse of the highway bridge.

“The immediate priority is to carry out rescue operations, make every effort to search for the missing and minimise casualties,” Xi said in his instructions to the officials.

He also urged efforts to assist the families of those affected, emphasising the importance of well-planned rescue and the prevention of secondary disasters.

Abia LP lawmaker commissions waste bins as constituency project amidst praises, criticism

By Henrietta Ashikodi

The Labour Party law maker, representing Aba Central state constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu has faced series of criticism with a few commending him for commissioning waste bins he donated as a constituency project.

The Labour Party law maker, representing Aba Central state constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu

The Commissioning witness the presence of top staff of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) law makers and special guests. The waste bins, were positioned at Azuka Road in Ogbo Hill area and at Ekeoha Market, Ehi Road in Aba,

The criticism started when the Commissioning was highlighted through the social media and through a letter addressed to the Director General of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, Mazi Ogbonnaya Okereke which was sighted, by journalists. Hon. Ucheonye said the the Commissioning of the Refuse Disposal Bins which is his Constituency Project, will also be one of the activities to mark his one year in Office.

However, the lawmaker has come under attack from many critics in the state, for promoting the waste bin as a big achievement.

Some of the critics who have taken to social media and radio programs to criticize the lawmaker, said that such a donation should not have attracted a large crowd.

According to the critics in social media said the law maker should not count the donation of waste bins as a big achievement.

But an environmental activist, Chizobendum Elias said instead of criticizing the law maker he should rather be applauded. He said what he did was for the overall good of his Constituency.

Elias, said that the health benefits of what the lawmaker did were more important to the Aba population than sharing of money or food items.

“The attack on the lawmaker is uncalled for. Some of those who in the past described Aba as the dirtiest city are still the people criticising the legislator now for promoting a good environment,”

Defending the law maker further, Mr Chidi Asonye said “If u know how much it costs to build one of this in today’s Nigeria, u wouldn’t ridicule the honourable member who received just 10m for constituency projects. I’m sure u know he wouldn’t provide just one of these for the constituency and may not put all the money on waste disposal buckets alone as there are other things.

” If one calculates all that he did with the money and the exact record of what he used the money for, there may not be any need to put him to ridicule.

Imo North Senator, Ndubueze briefs Clergymen

The Senator representing Imo North in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, Hon. Patrick Ndubueze, has presented his scorecard to Anglican, Catholic, Methodist Clergymen in Okigwe Zone, promising to reach out to the Pentecostal Priests with his briefing very soon.

At the Interactive Session with the Clergymen, which took place separately at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cathedral Okigwe, for Catholic Priests, and the Methodist Cathedral Okigwe for the Methodist and Anglican Priests, Senator Ndubueze, disclosed that through lobbying he ensured that Okigwe Zone benefited from his Representation.

According to him, he had all together sponsored 9 Bills and one Motion as well as Co-sponsored seven Motions, notable among which where; the Federal University Okigwe Bill, Which would soon be subjected to Public hearing, the Federal Medical Center Okigwe bill, which is awaiting Mr. President’s assent and the Motion condemning the destructive nature of sit at home demonstration in the South East of Nigeria.

Senator Ndubueze informed the people that using his position, he has assured the inclusion of four important interconnecting Roads in the Zone in the 2024 Appropriation Act and he is following up on their construction. The Roads include; Umuelemai/Ikpem /Ore/ Umualumoke/ Enugu/ Port Harcourt Express Way with two Bridges and the Isinweke / Uboma, Ugwuaku/ Ezinnachi / Ogii Enugu Express Way Road with one Bridge among others.

He said through his efforts and the fatherly support of the State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma work had commenced for the restoration of Electricity to Okigwe Zone, which had been in the dark for the past fifteen years.
However, in the Area of Human Capital Development, the Senator said he has; facilitated an all expenses paid international capacity building program in China for seven Youths in the Zone and counting, engaged 82 Constituents as his Aids and working towards securing Appointment for 20 Youths in the Zone in various Government Organs.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of over five hundred Priests at the occasion, Rev. Fr. Paschal Onyemelusi, Very Rev C. N. Eze and Ven. Dr Innocent Ezeji, all lauded Senator Ndubueze for his thoughtfulness in briefing the Clergy on his journey so far.

They described Senator Ndubueze as a pragmatic and focused Legislator who is determined to meet the needs of his Constituents.

According to them, the Senator’s achievements within a short period of one year in the Senate depicts him as a pragmatic and selfless person who is focused on lifting Okigwe Zone to a Developmental height that would be an envy of other Zones.

Motorists cry out over deplorable state of Umuahia Ikot-Ekpene road

By Henrietta Ashikodi

Residents and motorist plying Umuahia Ikot-Ekpene road which is undergoing reconstruction by the federal government have cried out over the deplorable state of the road and slow pace at which work was ongoing.

Speaking with journalists, some residents and motorists who ply the road including Mr. Paul Okafor, Mrs Nkechi Williams, Mrs Amanda Onoh and Miss Sandra Akpan said some portions of the road are impassable and source of worry to them.

They appealed to the contractors to expedite work on the road, to first fill in the deep potholes that are visible at the Ohokobe, Ihie Ndume axis of the road to enable free movement of vehicles and people.

Speaking further, Nkechi Williams disclosed that the road has immense economic importance to the people of South East and South South zone of the country.

She underscored the need for the Federal Government to adequately mobilize the contractor handling the roads, as well as carry out necessary supervision on the job to ensure quality work and timely delivery of the contract.

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti while addressing members of Christ Embassy church in Umuahia last Sunday said his administration was set to partner with the Federal Government to reconstruct roads around that axis, Ariam/Usaka Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene.

He further noted that Abia state government was are also partnering with the Federal Government on the Ikwuano Road all the way to Akwa-Ibom while assuring that very soon work will commence.

Group applauds Tinubu over New Minimum Wage …make case for journalists

By Henrietta Ashikodi

The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, (CONYL), the umbrella body of all the youth groups across the six geopolitical zones in the country has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving N70,000 as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers with a promise to review it after every three years.

The group which spoke through its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem said the new minimum wage was truly a living wage that will put smiles on the faces of Nigerian workers while also encouraging them to put in their best at their respective place of work.

“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention in the negotiations, knowing the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians, and the need to provide urgent succour to workers.

“We call on the Federal Government to ensure that the various State governments are assisted and mandated to pay the new minimum wage because if it’s not properly handled, most states will be unable to pay their workers the approved new wage.

“We urge Mr President to give the needed necessary support and assistance to private establishments most especially media houses in the country to pay the minimum wage to their workers and journalists who risks their lives on daily basis to perform their duties which is pertinent to the growth and development of the nation.

*We thank the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero and that of the Trade Union Congress, (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo for coming into an agreement with the federal government on the way forward.

“President Tinubu has truly shown that he is a father to all Nigerians by this wonderful gesture”. CONYL disclosed

The president general reiterated that the nation was surely heading on the path of progress and development.

Otti approves disbursement of Funds to 23 communities for development

Gov Otti

By Henrietta Ashikodi

The governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has approved the disbursement of funds to 23 communities from 10 LGAs of the state picked to benefit from the Abia state Agency for Community and Social Development Project.

The projects which were submitted to the state government as their most important needs in their localities, are to be constructed under three weeks period, from the day of the disbursement.

Speaking at the event, Governor Alex Otti who was represented by Rev Fr. Christian Anokwuru, his Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions, said he is in a hurry to develop every part of the state.

He said they have earlier gone round various communities in the state to find out their immediate needs adding that all communities will benefit.

Also speaking during a training programme for members Community Project Monitoring Committee (CPMC) comprising 14 persons each from the 23 benefitting communities, the General Manager of Abia CSDP, Mazi Ekejiuba Ekpo, said that the agency would carry out strict monitoring and evaluation of the construction of projects in the communities, to ensure that the funds giving to them are not embezzled or fraudulently diverted.

According to him, Abia state government was contributing 95% of the funds while the benefitting communities were contributing 5% counterpart fund even as he said that community development officers from LGAs have been deployed to also monitor the projects.

He noted that Governor Alex Otti is interested in developing every part of the state, especially the rural communities where basic amenities were lacking.

The General Manager who tasked the members of the Project Monitoring Committee to ensure transparency, accountability and dedication, warned that the funds would be thoroughly audited to ensure that it tallied with the quality of jobs executed.

The 23 benefitting communities were Amaeke-Alayi, Uhabiri, Ohokobe, Umuode Nsulu, Ndiaku, Ugwunagbo, Ogbuebele, Oria Na Agu, Abala and Nunya.

Others are Avonkwu, Ndiokereke Abam, Amaeke Isiegbu, Ajata Okwuru, Umuodeche , Ndiudumukwu, Nsukwe, Amato Isingwu and Umuawa Alaocha.

The rest are Umuajiji Isieke, Mbato Ofoeme and Mbom Afarata communities.

The projects to be executed include primary health centres, water boreholes, reconstruction of school buildings, event halls among others.

Italian judge orders journalist to pay damages for making fun of Meloni’s height

Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni during the European Political Community meeting

A judge in Milan has ordered an Italian journalist to pay 5,000 euros (£4,200) in damages to premier Giorgia Meloni for making fun of her height in social media posts.

The judge ruled on Wednesday that two social media posts by journalist Giulia Cortese, who was also handed a suspended fine of 1,200 euros (£1,000), amounted to “body shaming”.

In October 2021, when Ms Meloni was still in opposition, Ms Cortese posted a digitally altered picture on X, showing the far-right politician standing in front of a bookshelf with an image of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in the background.

Ms Meloni reacted on Facebook by saying that the fake image was of “unique gravity” and announced that she would take legal action.

In the exchange that followed, Ms Cortese described Ms Meloni as a “little woman”.

She then wrote in a separate post: “You don’t scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you’re only 1.2 meters tall. I can’t even see you.”

Italian media reports that Ms Meloni’s height is between 1.58-1.63 metres (5ft 2ins and 5ft 4ins), though she has never officially disclosed it.

Reacting to the judge’s verdict, Ms Cortese said that the Italian government has a “serious problem with freedom of expression and journalistic dissent”.

She added that she may consider appealing against the verdict.

It is not the first time that Ms Meloni has taken legal action against a journalist or someone who had criticised her publicly.

Her far-right government has been accused by the centre-left opposition of using legal action to put pressure on journalists and critics.

Ms Meloni’s lawyer said she would donate the 5,000 euros to charity if the sentence against Ms Cortese is confirmed and the money is paid.

Bangladesh security forces fire at protesters demanding government jobs

Police and security officials in Bangladesh fired bullets and tear gas at protesters and banned all gatherings in the capital yesterday, as internet and mobile services were cut off after days of deadly clashes over the allocation of government jobs.

The protests, which began weeks ago but escalated sharply on Monday, represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in office after elections in January.

Main opposition groups boycotted those polls.

This comes a day after the bloodiest day of demonstrations to date when 22 people were killed, according to local media, as protesting students attempted to impose a “complete shutdown” on the country.

Authorities could not be reached immediately to confirm figures for the deaths.

The chaos has highlighted cracks in Bangladesh’s governance and economy and the frustration of young graduates who face a lack of good jobs.

The government has deployed police and paramilitary forces across the capital to lock down campuses and break up protests.

On Wednesday, universities including the country’s largest suspended classes and closed dormitories, and on Friday Dhaka police said they were banning all gatherings and demonstrations in the capital.

An Associated Press reporter saw border guard officials fire at a crowd of more than 1,000 protesters who had gathered outside the head office of state-run Bangladesh Television, which was attacked and set on fire by protesters the previous day.

The border guards shot at the right crowd with rifles and sound grenades, while police officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets.

Bullets littered the streets, which were also marked by smears of blood.

A news producer and reporter at Bangladesh Television on Thursday told the AP that protesters had broken through the main gate and set fire to vehicles and the reception area.

They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

“I escaped by leaping over the wall but some of my colleagues got stuck inside. The attackers entered the building and set furniture on fire,” the producer said by phone.

Students clash with riot police during a protest against a quota system for government jobs, in Dhaka, Bangladesh onThursday

Internet services and mobile data were widely disrupted on Thursday night and remained down on Friday in the capital, Dhaka.

Social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were also not loading. It coincided with a widespread internet outage on Friday that disrupted flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world, but the disruptions in Bangladesh were substantially greater than seen elsewhere.

A statement from the country’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission said they were unable to ensure service after their data centre was attacked on Thursday by demonstrators, who set fire to some equipment.

The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify this.

Student protesters said they will extend their calls to impose a shutdown on Friday as well, and urged mosques across the country to hold funeral prayers for those who have been killed.

Major universities have said they will close their doors until tensions ease.

The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan.

They argue the system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, and they want it replaced with a merit-based system.

But Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions to the war regardless of their political affiliation.

The Bangladeshi leader is credited for bringing stable growth to Bangladesh, but rising inflation — thanks in part to the global upheaval sparked by the war in Ukraine — has triggered labor unrest and dissatisfaction with the government.

Even though job opportunities have grown in some parts of the private sector, many people prefer government jobs because they are seen as more stable and lucrative. But there aren’t enough to go around — each year, some 400,000 graduates compete for around 3,000 jobs in the civil service exam.

“What is unfolding in Bangladesh is deeply unsettling for a generation that only asked for a fair opportunity in public service recruitment.

That a peaceful protest against a state policy would slip into the peak of lawlessness shows the government’s lack of farsightedness and inefficient policy governance,” said Saad Hammadi, policy and advocacy manager at the Canada-based Balsillie School of International Affairs who has advocated for freedom of speech in the country.

Pakistan police arrest Bin Laden’s former Afghan bodyguard

Aminul Haq, a former Afghan bodyguard of the late al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden

Counter-terrorism police in Pakistan have arrested Aminul Haq, a former Afghan bodyguard of the late al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Usman Akram Gondal of the counter-terrorism police said Haq, who once headed Bin Laden’s elite security unit, was arrested in the city of Gujrat.

He said that Haq’s name is on the United Nations’ list of global terrorists and he was previously arrested in Pakistan in 2007.


Aminul Haq, a former Afghan bodyguard of the late al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden

Haq went into hiding after he was released from a Pakistani jail in 2011 and reappeared in the Afghan region of Nangarhar in 2021 after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban.

Gondal said Haq recently entered Pakistan and that the purpose of his visit was being investigated.

The al-Qaeda leader carried Afghan and fake Pakistani identity documents that he used to travel with, the officer said.

The counter-terrorism police raided the compound he was staying in on an intelligence tip suggesting his presence in the Gujrat area, Gondal said.

Haq is the first high-profile al-Qaeda figure who has been arrested in Pakistan since the fall of neighbouring Afghanistan to the Taliban.

U.S. forces killed bin Laden in his residential compound in the northern Pakistani city of Abbottabad in a raid in 2011.

Several Arab, Afghan and Pakistani al-Qaeda leaders were killed in the country in U.S. drone strikes in subsequent years, resulting in the weakening of the once formidable global terror network.

According to recent UN reports, the group has been seeking a resurgence in the region since Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021.

Vietnam’s general secretary and former president Nguyen Phu Trong dies at 80

Vietnam Communist Party general secretary and former President Nguyen Phu Trong has died after a long illness, according to an official Friday statement.

He was 80 years old.

“General Secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong passed away at 1:38 p.m. Friday at the 108 Military Central Hospital in Hanoi due to old age and severe illness,” the statement, carried by Vietnam’s state-run news agency said. “Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away following a period of illness, despite the care and treatment by the Party, the state, doctors, leading health experts and his family.”

Thursday he was awarded the Gold Star, the highest honor of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

“The decision to award the Gold Star Order to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is the recognition of the Party, State and people for his great and exceptionally outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation,” the government said in a statement.

Trong came to power in 2011 and led a crackdown on corruption while also jailing journalists and activists to maintain government control.

The Communist Party arrested Labor Ministry official Nguyen Van Binh, an advocate for free and independent labor unions, in May.

The media and civil organizations were also targeted.

Vietnam under Trong was known for “bamboo diplomacy” that shifted and bent as Vietnam navigated complex economic relationships with China and the United States as it also maintained connections with Russia and India.

President Joe Biden met with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in an historic state visit in September 2023 that strengthened diplomatic and trade ties some five decades after what Biden called the “bitter past” of the Vietnam War.

Biden signed a deal with Vietnam on semiconductors and rare earth minerals and said the relationship had a “50-year arc of progress in the relationship between our nations from conflict to normalization.”

According to the U.S. State Department Vietnam “is an authoritarian state ruled by a single party, the Communist Party of Vietnam.”

The State Department cited the most significant human rights problems as severe restrictions on citizen’s political rights, limited civil liberties and corruption in the judicial system and police.

Under Trong’s leadership, Vietnam’s GDP per capita more than doubled as Vietnam entered a series of free trade agreements both with the West and Asian nations.

“He always believed in making the party clean and relevant so that the party could live with the country for another 1,000 years — that’s his quote,” said Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore Giang Nguyen in a statement to the BBC. “So he saw the fate of the Vietnamese Communist party and the nation as bound together.”

US election: I’ll carry out largest deportation in America’s history — Trump

Presidential candidate of the Republican, Donald Trump has pledged to carry out “the largest deportation operation in the history of the United States of America”.

In his official nomination acceptance speech on Thursday, Trump spoke to members of the Republican Party.

The GOP platform calls for “the largest deportation operation in our country’s history,” according to Trump.

The former President stated that crime is decreasing in Central American nations such as El Salvador because “they’re sending their murderers to the United States of America”.

Trump, who escaped an assassination attempt a few days earlier, stated that his deportations would be “even larger than that of President Dwight D Eisenhower from many years ago.”

“You know, he was a moderate but he believed very strongly in borders. He had the largest deportation operation we’ve ever had.”

Outrage as Enugu Catholic priest reportedly flogs women, choir members

A priest of the Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Linus Okwu, has reportedly flogged members of his church, including women, girls and choir members, for allegedly failing to clear grasses within the church premises.

Okwu is said to be the parish priest of St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, Agbani in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The Nation reports that the cleric allegedly whipped the parishioners, comprising mothers, young men, ladies and teenagers.

According to the report, trouble started when the angry priest, armed with canes, interrupted a choir practice in his parish and demanded an explanation on why the church field was yet to be cleared.

Not satisfied with the responses he got, he ordered the choir members to kneel and started flogging them mercilessly.

One of the victims who pleaded anonymity said she went home with bruises.

The victim further stated that the shock would continue to live with her for a lifetime.

“The Priest, who was visibly furious while addressing the choir members told us that since we hardly comply with the teaching and instruction of the church, that he would apply the stick approach to ensure compliance.

“I was sitting on a row of seats where teenage members of our choir were, so, when he started flogging, I withdrew to the back seat with the hope that he wouldn’t flog adults and mothers amongst us, but to my surprise, he flogged everybody, including myself.

“When I tried to put up resistance, he told me that if my father flogs me at home when I wrong him, he also reserves the right to whip members of his congregation as the father of the church if they falter. I was badly bruised when he finished with me,” the victim said.

The Director of Communication of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Aneke, was yet to react to the incident.

11 travellers kidnapped on Enugu-Abakaliki expressway

Gunmen have abducted 11 passengers on the Amechi-Idodo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki highway.

The area has become notorious for such incidents.

Among the victims were students from tertiary institutions in the state traveling in a commercial bus from Awka, Anambra State to Abakaliki, the state capital.

The abduction, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday, took place when the hoodlums intercepted the bus at the Amechi-Idodo area in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu.

The location has recently become a beehive for kidnappings. A relative of one of the victims revealed that the kidnappers have contacted the family demanding a ransom of N30 million.

The Ebonyi Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, stated that the command was actively working to address the situation.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, was collaborating with her Enugu State counterpart, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, to combat the surge in kidnappings along this stretch of the highway.

To stem the tide of the growing insecurity in the area, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, recently directed security agencies to intensify efforts to eradicate criminal activities in the area.

23-year-old arrested for allegedly defiling teenager

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old man identified as Abdulrazak Muftau for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl (name withheld) in the Igbesa area of Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area.

Our correspondent gathered that the suspect was arrested by the police division in Igbesa following a report made by the survivor’s father, identified simply as Babaoye.

According to a police document exclusively sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday, Babaoye told the operatives at the Igbesa Police Division that Muftau committed the offence in June 2024 but got wind of it several weeks later.

Following his arrest by the police operatives on Saturday, July 13, the suspect told the police that he and the survivor met on social media, where they had been dating for some time.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, told our correspondent that Muftau had confessed to having carnal knowledge of the survivor and insisted that the 16-year-old was his girlfriend at the time of the incident.

She said, “The suspect has been arrested. Upon interrogation, he confessed that he had been dating the girl on the Facebook app. The suspect also confessed to having had carnal knowledge of the teenage girl. He has been detained.”

few days ago a similar incidentoccured when a police officer in Lagos State was detained for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl at the Area H Command in the Ogudu area of the state.

The suspect had earlier pretended to help the survivor recover her stolen phone but allegedly seized the momentum to assault the girl.

Considering the rising cases of rape, especially against minors in Nigeria, a co-founder, and director of Action Health Incorporated, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Dr Uwemedimo Esiet, during an interview with our correspondent, urged the government and citizens to do more in ending sexual-related offences in the country.

He said, “This (sexual-related crime) is driven by social injustices, inequality, and patriarchy. The government can provide and support a pathway to redressing these, but we, the citizens, must take it upon ourselves that we want a more equitable society.”

Court stops INEC from releasing voters register for LG polls

A Federal High court in Abuja on Friday stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the purpose of conducting the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

Justice Peter Lifu issued an order of interim injunction against INEC, while delivering ruling in a motion ex-parte brought before him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The motion ex-parte was filed on behalf of the APC by a team of senior lawyers comprising Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon and Ogwu James Onoja, all SANs. It was brought pursuant to Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act, Order 26 Rules 1 and 3, order 28 rules 1 and 2, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court as enshrined in Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution.

The judges also restrained the Rivers Electoral Commission and Rivers Attorney-General from receiving from INEC or using part of the National Voter’s Register relating to Rivers State to conduct local government elections in the state.

Similarly, Justice Lifu restrained the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Service (DSS) from participating or providing security protection for Rivers State Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections in the state.

Also, the judge issued another order directing INEC, Rivers State Electoral Commission, AG Rivers State, IGP and DSS to maintain status quo ante bellum and not to do any act or take any further steps in furtherance of the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State.

The interim orders are to remain in force pending the determination of the substantive suit in which the APC is challenging the propriety of the conduct of elections in Rivers local governments.

In granting the interim restraining orders, Justice Lifu directed the APC to undertake to pay damages to the five defendants in case its suit was found to be frivolous and that the restraining orders ought not to have been granted in the first instance.

Justice Lifu also granted substituted service of the orders and other court processes on the five defendants through publications in two major national dailies before the adjourned date to attract the attention of the defendants.

Meanwhile the judge fixed August 2 for all the defendants to appear before him for hearing of the substantive matter.

In a 13-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Tony Okocha, the acting chairman of Rivers APC, he averred that originating summons were taken out against the defendants due to failure of INEC to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act in respect of the management of the register of voters which it intends to release to Rivers electoral body for local government elections in breach and violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.

The deponent averred that it is only the voter register compiled, maintained, updated and kept in the custody of INEC that Rivers Electoral Commission can obtain and use to conduct local government polls as Rivers SIEC is not entitled to compile, maintain, update and keep in its custody any separate voters register.

The APC acting chairman further stated that its originating summons and motion on notice are pending before the court for hearing and that it has become necessary to take proactive steps to preserve the substance of the case by restraining the defendants from tampering with or dissipating the main case pending the hearing and determination of the motion.

He also averred that APC in Rivers State brought the instant application in the interest of justice for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum and preservation of the main matter.

Besides, the deponent undertook to pay damages as may be directed by the court in case the application for the interim restraining order turns out to be unwarranted and frivolous.

Meanwhile, all the five defendants have been directed to appear in court on August 2 to present their own respective responses.

Ndume breaks silence on removal as Senate Chief Whip, rejects Akpabio’s appointment

Senator Ali Ndume

The Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has spoken publicly for the first time following his sack as the Chief Whip of the Senate in the 10th Assembly.

The outspoken lawmaker, who spoke in his country home of Maiduguri yesterday, said he was unfairly treated, and his actions do not warrant his removal from the position.

He also rejected the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism, which was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, arguing that he lacks the experience and exposure to lead such a sensitive group.

Ndume added that he never wanted to be a senate whip after serving as the leader in the eighth senate, disclosing that he was given the chance to choose which committee to serve as the vice chairman, having successfully led the campaigns that brought about the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as president of the Senate.

On the recommendation of the party to leave the APC, Ndume said he is a founding member of the party.

He explained that he was one of the twenty-two senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that formed the APC when the current national chairman of the party Abdullahi Ganduje was a deputy governor in Kano State.

He, however, stated that when former President Muhammadu Buhari, in the company of President Bola Tinubu, ordered him to sign a document to join APC at the Imo House in Abuja, he informed his people before going public as such, he would consult his people before deciding on whether to leave the APC or not.

Senator Ali Ndume

Senator Ndume said he could not speak up immediately after his sack because he was mourning the death of a family member.

Dangote refinery not licensed yet, says Nigerian govt

Dangote Refinery

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA), said it has not licensed the Dangote refinery.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, who disclosed this on Thursday said the refinery was still at the pre-commissioning stage.

Mr Ahmed who was responding to reports of alleged sabotaged of the Dangote refinery expressed concerns over the consistency and standardization of the refinery’s output.

He noted that products coming from Dangote refinery are inferior compared to the imported products.

“Well, just like you rightly asked, there are lots of concerns about the supply of petroleum products nationwide and the claims by some media houses that we were trying to scuttle the Dangote refinery; that is not so.

“Dangote refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage. It has not been licensed yet. We have not licensed them yet,” he said.

According to him, the demand for the Dangote refinery cannot be met by the authorities at this time hence it could lead to energy insecurity and market monopoly.

He said: “So we can not rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation because Dangote is requesting that we should suspend or stop all importation of petroleum products, especially automotive gas oil (AGO) or jet kero, and direct all marketers to the refinery.

“Dangote refinery as well as some major refineries like Waltersmith refinery, produce between 650 to 1200 ppm. So, in terms of quality, their quality is much more inferior to the imported quality,” Mr Ahmed added.

Military rejigs operations against crude oil theft –DHQ

The Defence Headquarters says it is rejigging on-going operations to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region through comprehensive approach.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, stated this yesterday in Abuja, while giving an update on the operations of the military across the country.

Mr Buba said the redesigned strategy aims to curb the menace of oil theft in the country.

The spokesman said that the operations would be conducted through a unified command structure for all security agencies operating in the region.

He said that the operations would target specific areas that had significant capability to boost crude oil production.

The targeted areas, according to him, includes, but not limited to enforcing and ensuring transparency by International Oil Companies operating in the region.

“Others are; ensuring the integrity of the metering systems deployed at flow stations and tracking of point of loading to destination point of the crude oil.

“Furthermore, operations will also concentrate on surveillance of the pipelines, jackets and well head to forestall breaches.

“Overall, operations will galvanise the support of the people of the Niger Delta as well as the stakeholders in the oil sector to support the drive to boost the nation’s oil production.

“Importantly, operations will ensure prosecution of culprits engaged in crude oil theft,’’ he said.

Mr Buba said the military had during the week under review, apprehended 20 perpetrators of oil thieves and denied them of the estimated sum of N744.1 million.

He said the troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 11 dugout pits, five boats and 20 storage tanks.

“Other items recovered include 31 cooking ovens, five vehicles, three mobile phones and 31 illegal refining sites.

“Troops recovered 715,325 litres of stolen crude oil and 148,415 litres of illegally refined AGO,’’ he said.

IPAC rejects Senate’s move to create Local Government Independent Electoral Commission

The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has strongly condemned the proposed bill by the Senate to create the Local Government Independent Electoral Commission.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa and IPAC says the move is unacceptable and unnecessary, adding that it will lead to duplication of functions and waste of public funds.

“Creating another commission will not address the challenges faced in conducting local government elections,” the council said in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chinyere Ogekalu.

“Instead, it will lead to unnecessary duplication of efforts and resources. The proposed commission will still rely on INEC’s voter register, IREV, BVAS, ballot boxes, and other resources to conduct a successful election.

“Rather than creating another commission, we should focus on building the capacity of INEC to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections at the local level. This is especially crucial at a time when the government is grappling with limited resources to cater to the welfare of citizens.

Nnamdi Kanu heads to Appeal Court to restore revoked bail

Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has urged the Appeal Court to set aside the revocation of his bail by the Abuja Federal High Court.

Kanu also urged the Appeal Court to restore the terms and conditions attached to his revoked bail by the court presided by Justice Binta Nyako.

In a Notice of Appeal filed by his lead Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, the IPOB leader urged the appellate court to restore him to a place or custody where he would enjoy a fair trial.

Parts of the Notice of Appeal reads: “My noble Lords, in view of the totality of the arguments adduced herein by the Appellant, we respectfully urge Your Lordships to resolve this appeal in favour of the Appellant (Kanu) and grant the sought as follows:

“An Order allowing this Appeal and setting aside the decision of the trial court made on the 20th day of May, 2024.

“An Order restoring/reinstating the bail of the Appellant on same terms as earlier granted; or an Order restoring/reinstating the Appellant’s bail on any new terms and conditions.

: An Order remanding the Appellant to an alternative place of custody or home detention/house arrest that can accord the Appellant the atmosphere to have a fair trial.

“Any Order the Honourable Court of Appeal deems fit to make in the circumstances of this Appeal.”

Ejimakor informed the Appeal Court that the Notice of Appeal was lodged against the ruling of Justice Nyako delivered on the 20th day of May, 2024 refusing to restore Kanu’s bail erroneously revoked on the misrepresentations of the Nigerian government that he jumped bail.

He said: “The learned trial Judge refused to restore the bail or even order home detention in spite of the affidavit evidence and the pertinent finding of the Supreme Court before the Court.

“The Notice of Appeal bears 4 grounds from which the issues herein have been distilled. 2.0. summary:2.1. On or about 14th October 2015, the Appellant was arrested and charged, with three other suspects, for the offences relating to managing an unlawful society and other offences which were later dropped/struck out and amended to offenses relating to conspiracy, treasonable felony, false declaration of imported goods and defamation of the President.

“Upon arraignment, the Appellant was granted bail on the 25th day of April, 2017 by the trial court on grounds of ill health. See Paragraph 2.03 of the Respondent’s Brief of Argument before the Supreme Court in SC/CR/1361/2022 at page 7 of the Additional Record of Appeal. 2.2.

“The Appellant while on bail and in compliance with the terms of bail was in Afiaraukwu Ibeku, his hometown in Abia State when the Respondent devised a means of unlawfully assassinating the Appellant through a lethal military operation code named “Operation Python Dance” levied by the armed forces of the Respondent in the said Appellant’s hometown. 2.3. By providence, the Appellant escaped assassination though casualties were recorded in the operation. The Appellant was later awarded One Billion Naira in damages for this military operation and the judgment was on record before the trial court and later the Supreme Court. In the interim, and because of Appellant’s flight to safety, the Respondent deceptively approached the trial Court for the revocation of the Appellant’s bail on the ground that the Appellant had jumped bail.

“The order as sought was made on the 28th day of March, 2019. 2.4. Pursuant to the order revoking the Appellant’s bail, the Appellant was abducted by agents of the Respondents and extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 and on the 20th day of October, 2021, the erstwhile charge was amended to try the Appellant separately from others with whom the Appellant was initially charged. The Respondent further amended the charge to include offences relating to terrorism, on the strength of which the Appellant filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection on the 19th day of January, 2022.

“The validity or otherwise of the charges/counts vis-à-vis the extraordinary rendition of the Appellant was contested up to the Supreme Court and in its judgment, the Supreme Court, though allowed the appeal in favour of the Respondent, agreed with the Appellant that the rendition was unlawful and in particular- that the Appellant did not jump bail but was justified in running for his life given the circumstances of the Operation Python Dance and stated that the revocation of the Appellant’s bail was erroneous and made the impartiality of the trial Court suspicious. See EXHIBIT MNK 1 at pages10 – 14 and 19-23 of the Record of Appeal.

“The Appellant was also, by the Federal High Court, awarded Five Hundred Million Naira for the said extraordinary rendition and illegal detention.”

Uzodimma has restored absolute peace in Ohaji/Egbema –Chairmanship aspirant, Lemachi

An aspirant for the Chairmanship position of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Steven Lemachi, has commended the governor of Imo state, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his pragmatic leadership, which he said, has helped to restore absolute peace in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.

Lemachi made the commendation, while fielding questions from newsmen, after returning his completed Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to the APC Secretariat, Okigwe Road, Owerri, Wednesday.

He described himself as a core member of APC who has paid his dues.

“I felt my people need me this time around, in fact, I was busy with my business, but they kept beckoning on me to come back home and see how we can salvage our area”.

He, however, called on the good people of Ohaji/Egbema to continue to sustain the peace that is currently existing in the area.

Adding his voice, Pastor Emeka Nwulu, an APC political leader in the area, who accompanied Lemachi, described him as a man to reckon with.

“We have avalanche of aspirants, but this is someone who has the weight. He has what it takes to give what Ohaji/Egbema wants. Ohaji Egbema has been agitating for his kind of person. Those who lead in the past didn’t do what we expected from them.

“Now is a new time, it’s a new face, a new dawn. Definitely, by the time he is declared winner on the 21st of September, Ohaji/ Egbema will start breathing fresh air of economic and all-round emancipation,” Pastor Nwulu enthused.

Former Reps Aspirant buries Mum, Late Ezinne Ifeanyichukwu, August 10

Obituary

All roads will lead to Umuodom , Ibeme Amaise Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state, for the burial ceremony of Late Ezinne Josephine Chinyere Ifeanyichukwu (Oso Di Emere Oha ) , who will be interred at her husband’s compound at aged 76.

Until her demise, Late Ezinne Ifeanyichukwu was the mother of a former house of Representatives Aspirant, Publisher of Masses Newspaper Abuja and owner of so many business conglomerates Hon. Chief Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu.

In a press release signed by the Son of the deceased, Hon.Chief Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu, made available to Newsmen, there will be a Christian wake -keep on the 9th of August 2024 at Late Godwin Ifeanyichukwu Onyemara’s compound, Umuodom, Ibeme Amaise Autonomous community, On the 10th of August 2024 her body will leave Rapha Mortuary Umuezefeke Ugiri for her husband’s compound, which will be followed by a requiem mass at St

Ita’s Catholic Church Ibeme Amaise Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state.

According to her biography, Late Ezinne Josephine Chineyere Ifeanyichukwu was born to the family of late Mr/Mrs Micheal Onwunali and Janeth Akuruonye Inyama of Umuokoh, Umuhu, Eziuodu Autonomous Community in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State on 24th November, 1948.

Her childhood days were riddled with challenges and obstacles, consequent upon the demise of her mother at the tender age.

Determined to succeed against all odds, she moved to Abakiliki with her uncle, late Gilbert Ewulonu, where she started primary in 1955.

Her brilliant performance and peaceful disposition in school endeared her to her teachers, pupils and those who came in contact with her during that period.

Having completed her primary school and there was nobody to sponsor her secondary as well as university education, Ezinne Josephine left Abakiliki for her hometown to stay with her immediate elder sister, Ezinne Juliana Njoku.

After a couple of years, she decided to travel to Aba, Abia State in search of a job. This time she was to live with her eldest sister late Margaret Chikere and her husband.

No sooner she arrived Aba than she secured employment in a marketing company as a typewriter. From her salary, she was able to carter for herself as well as assist her sister in providing for the family.

In 1969, Ezinne Josephine got married to late Mr Godwin ifeanyichukwu Onyemara of Umuodom, Ibeme, Autonomous Community. By His grace, their marriage was blessed with seven children: six boys and one girl. She and her husband had exemplary marital relationship, which to date, serves as a reference point to many young couples.

Economically, Mama was hard-working, diligent and resourceful. She traded in vegetables and other foods stuffs at Ahia Ohuru Market in Abia, Abia State in the 70s. Even before her death, she remained a trader at the Cemetery Market in Aba. She used the proceeds from her business to assist her husband in building their home and the training of their children.

Religiously, Ezinne was a devoted Catholic, who committed herself to the worship of our Lord Jesus Christ and honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She prayed her rosary daily, observed and kept all rituals and beliefs as enshrined in Catholic Church doctrines. She was a member of Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Catholic Biblical Movement of Nigeria (CBMN) Ezinne Nwere Ugwu, all in our lady of Lourdes Parish, Aba.

As a member of C.B.M.N, Mama went to various remote villages, communities and towns, evangelizing and winning souls for our Lord Jesus Christ, in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Socially, Mama was bold, courageous and fearless in standing for fairness and justice. She detested injustice and oppression of the downtrodden. She was peace-loving, forgiving and exceptionally philanthropic. Those who knew her and her husband closely will attest to the fact that the couple was hospitality personified.Both could risk hunger to ensure strangers were well-fed. Also, the success of her husband, as one of the pillars that held Ugiri Clan and Ibeme Town Union in Aba, would not have come easy without Mama’s backing and encouragement.

As a good family woman, Mama loved her children dearly. She did everything in her power to ensure they were brought up with the fear of God. She promoted peace, unity and good sense of brotherhood in her husband’s family; village and beyond.

On 20th March, 2024 Mama departed this world to be with the Lord.

Customs intercept bulletproof jackets, drugs worth N3.6bn

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A Ikeja said it intercepted 150 cartons of bulletproof jackets worth N1.687bn.

Addressing journalists in Ikeja on Thursday, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Kola Oladeji, said the contrabands were intercepted along the Ijebuode-Sagamu Expressway in Ogun state.

Oladeji explained that each carton contains 10 packs of the jacket, adding that these contrabands were seized in June.

He explained that under Schedule 4 of the Customs Common External Tariff, the importation of all kinds of military wares by individuals is under absolute prohibition.

“An end-user certificate is required for the importation of controlled items and products into Nigeria and it comes from the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Oladeji said.

Oladeji vowed that the unit is working on credible intelligence to get the importers of these contrabands.

“These seizures were unique because it was a breach of security, no end-user-certificate

“Because you get the certificate before you can bring your cargo and if you bring it after importation we would arrest you,” he said.

The CAC said the unit also intercepted kilograms of cannabis sativa and expired drugs within the period under review.

“Our dedicated officers also intercepted 989kilograms of cannabis sativa and 5,229 cartons of expired drugs,”

According to him, some of the interceptions took place at various times and locations within the South-Western States.

“Other items seized include, 343,750 liters of premium motor spirit, 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 32 units of used vehicles, 120 bags of sugar, 3,560 cartons of poultry products,” the CAC said.

The CAC stated that four suspects were arrested in connection with the various offenses, “including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives,”

He disclosed that the cumulative duty paid value of the various intercepted goods amounts to, N3.6bn.

Oladeji said that the unit also recovered the sum of N62m as revenue for June 20024 through documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have paid lesser amounts than the appropriate duties.

He urged Nigerians to provide the service with useful and timely information that would lead to the arrest of illegal importation of military wares, illicit drugs, and counterfeit goods.

“Importers and licensed agents are also urged to make sincere declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their goods,” he said.

Court remands fake lawyer at Correctional Centre

Court...gravel and hammer

.A suspected fake lawyer identified as Kenneth Nwuke has been ordered to be remanded at the Umuahia correctional center by a magistrate court sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

The suspected fake lawyer was arrested by the police following a tip-off while he posed as a lawyer representing a client in a murder case at the Zone 9 Police Headquarters, Umuahia.

It was gathered that the suspected fake lawyer claimed he was given the power of attorney by the father of the deceased to represent him in the murder case which the Zone 9 Police Headquarters was investigating.

A source stated that the alleged power of attorney bears the name of a popular law firm in Aba.

It was also gathered that some members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Aba branch who were at the police zonal command had alerted the police about the fake lawyer while he made efforts to negotiate with the parties in the murder case.

Nwuke was then arrested and arraigned at Magistrate Court 4, in charge number,U/449C/2024, Commissioner of Police Vs Kenneth Nwuke.

The Magistrate, Jane Mba, granted the application for a remand order by the police and adjourned the matter to August 30, for report of compliance.

The the chairman of NBA, Aba branch Charles Onuchukwu, who followed up the matter in court at Umuahia, commended the police for the arrest of the fake lawyer.

“Some of our members were at the zonal police command where the man came, posing as a lawyer to represent a client in a murder case. We alerted the police that he was an impostor. He was arrested”, he said.

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