26 states owe workers one to 16 months salaries –NULGE

Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) said yesterday that 23 states of the Federation currently owe local government workers’ arrears of salary ranging from one to 16 months.

NULGE National President, Ibrahim Khaleel, stated this in a statement, in Abuja, yesterday.

Khaleed was, however, full of praises for Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Cross River, Niger and Anambra that are up to date in payment of local government workers.

According to Kaheel, Bayelsa State is leading in indebtedness to local council workers with between 10 to 16 months, followed by Kogi, between seven to 15 months; and Delta State with eight to 14 months.

“Kaduna, 12 months;  Oyo three to 11 months; Edo 10 months; Abia five to nine months;  Kwara two to nine months; Benue nine months and Nasarawa seven months.

“Ondo, Ekiti, Imo with six months; Zanfara has not been implementing the minimum wage, Adamawa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Plateau owe four months, while Taraba and FCT owe three months.

“While Osun State has been paying half salaries for 24 months and few, staff are owed few months in Enugu,” he said.

The union noted that Ekiti has refused to remit union dues for the past nine months and Ogun has not also remitted its deduction for seven months.

The national president also said that 700 staff were owed between one to three months in Cross River State.

He called on the governors of the states to offset the salaries and other allowances of local government workers with the second tranche of the Paris Loan Refund released to them.

He said that failure to do so, the union would be forced to mobilised and shut down all local government councils in the country.

Khaleel urged state governors not to divert or tamper with the second tranche of the Paris Club Loan refund but deploy it to offset the entitlement of the workers.

He, however, said the union is aware that some state governors were already claiming that the amount released was not in conformity with the published figure.

“We want to state in strong terms that no governor should either divert or tamper with the funds.

“This should be an avenue where the backlog of arrears of salaries owed local government workers and some other welfare packages should be settled; such as leave bonus, arrears of promotion benefits, arrears of annual increment and non implementation of minimum wage most especially in Zamfara State are resolved and paid.

“We, therefore, use this medium to appeal passionately that governors should use this second tranche of the Paris Club loan refund to clear arrears of salaries.

This will help ameliorate the untold hardship our staff are currently passing through due.”

SALLAH MESSAGE TO MUSLIMS REVEALS BUHARI'S SPEECH IMPAIRMENT

An edited audio message released by the handlers of President Muhammadu Buhari greeting Muslims during today's Sallah has validated SaharaReporters’ exclusive report that the president, who has spent at least 49 days in the United Kingdom for medical treatment, is suffering a speech impairment.
SaharaReporters had revealed in a report that Mr. Buhari’s speech was impaired while receiving medical treatment for what is believed to be prostate cancer. Days after the report was published, the president’s aides claimed that his speech impairment was a temporary side effect of the medical treatment he was receiving. They also said he was experiencing temporary lapses in memory.
SaharaReporters learned that, rattled by our reporting, a cabal using President Buhari to manipulate the political process at home prepared a handwritten text for him to greet his admirers in Hausa and released it to a select group of journalists. In choosing to deliver the greeting in the Hausa language, the cabal behind Mr. Buhari wanted to whip up sentiments within the northern parts of Nigeria and to create the impression that the president was in good health, contrary to the claims of SaharaReporters.
The audio recording of the greeting was released today, and the manner in which the president rushed through the text was indicative of his failing health and further proof that after 49 days in London, the president's health has not improved as much as being bandied by his handlers.
Two of the aides had told SaharaReporters that Buhari was on his way back to Nigeria, "stronger and fitter" than he was when he left the country, but the audio has proved otherwise and shows that President Buhari is in poor health.
A presidency source also told SaharaReporters that the president enjoys a few moments when he is lucid between hours of being administered drugs for his treatment. The audio recording, just over a minute long, was possibly recorded during that period.
Listen to the audio here. https://soundcloud.com/saharareporters/buhari-impaired-speech-during-sallah-greetings

JONATHAN WAS A WEAK PRESIDENT… HIS WIFE WOULD HAVE DONE BETTER - NNAMDI KANU

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a weak and incompetent leader.
In an interview with The Sun, Kanu, said the wife of the immediate past president would have been a better leader.
He alleged that Jonathan favoured the north at the expense of the southern part of the country.
“Jonathan is my uncle, yes. I was one of those who said Jonathan’s tenure was more or less an Igbo presidency; it’s on record I said that. But, he knew I never liked his regime because he was weak and incompetent,” he said.
“I don’t support evil; if you do good, I will tell you, if you do bad, I will say it the way it is; I don’t curry favours.
“He was weak, I said I wish it was aunty Patience Jonathan who was in-charge, she would have done better.
“Look at where Jonathan dropped us today; he never finished building the East/West Road, but, he built railway line from Abuja to Kaduna, so they will love him. Who told you that if they did not love Zik, that they will love you?”
On April 25, when Binta Nyako, justice of a federal high court in Abuja, granted him bail on health grounds, she ordered Kanu not to grant media interviews and to avoid being seen in a crowd of more than 10 people.
Kanu has not only addressed crowds on numerous occasions, he has also granted media interviews.
In May when he spoke with Al Jazeera, he was asked if he was worried that the interview could land him in trouble, but he snapped: “I don’t care.”
In his latest interview, Kanu said denying him his fundamental human rights to speak and to freely associate when he has not been convicted, speaks volumes about the “hopelessness” of the Nigerian judiciary

'BBC Hausa did not interview Buhari, his aides sent in the edited recorded tape' - Sahara Reporters claim

Suspected herdsmen hack 64 year old father of 7 to death in Ondo

A 64 year old father of seven, Linus Ogehee, was hacked to death by suspected herdsmen at a settlement in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Sunday June 25th.

According to Sahara Reporters, the deceased was killed on his farm which he had been cultivating on for over 20 years. Narrating what happened, his wife, Roseline Ogehee, said

"It was almost getting too dark and my husband had not returned from the farm, so I decided to trace him down there. As I stepped into the farm, I saw the lifeless body of my husband with cuts, bruises and bullet wounds on his corpse. I feared and immediately ran back to the village and also raised alarm to the villagers that they (Fulani herdsmen) have killed my husband".

The gruesome murder has led to protests, as angry villagers and youths including school children, came out to express their outrage at the murder of the poor farmer. They demanded an immediate investigation, and the arrest of the culprits responsible for the cold-blooded murder, which took place in Oleyo, in Igbatoro area.

The protesters, armed with placards and tree branches, called on the security agencies in Ondo State to save their villages from the incessant invasions by herdsmen.

IBB okays restructuring

Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, has thrown his weight behind calls to restructure Nigeria.

Babangida, in his Eid-el-Fitri message to Nigerians, yesterday, said restructuring could no longer be wished away.

In the letter titled I am a Nigerian, the former military ruler urged the Federal Government to tinker with the constitution, to accommodate “new thoughts” in that direction as well as devolve more powers to the states.

He also slammed Arewa youths, who, three weeks ago, handed an October 1, 2017 ultimatum to Igbo, to leave the North and warned those sounding the drumbeats of war to desist.

“At 76, I have seen it all. I have seen war. I have fought war. And I have survived war, even though I still suffer the pains and injuries of war, it is part of the selfless sacrifice to keep the union afloat. We must build a country that is forward looking for our children and future generations of Nigerians. We cannot afford to toil with the destinies of the 170 million Nigerians by the shape of our discourse and the content of our interaction. We must carry out conscious attitudinal orientation that will change the mindset of our youths and the held beliefs of the elderly. We must explore the therapies of dialogue and constructive engagements in our desire to make life more meaningful for our people.

“Nigeria, my dear country, is not a stranger to crisis, nor is she immune to it.

“In a profound sense, she can be said to have been created out of crisis, a nation-state that will continue to strive to subdue and transcend crises.

“In over a century of its formalised colonial architecture, Nigeria has grown and made remarkable progress in the midst of crises.

“The most tragic and horrendous episode in Nigeria’s history has been the 30-month civil war of July 1967 to January 1970, in which many of our compatriots lost their lives. Indeed, many others also suffered terrible injuries of human and material dimensions.

“So, who really wants to go through the depth and dimensions of another civil war in Nigeria, again? Who does not know that that civil war was preceded and started by intolerance and a series of hate pronouncements, hate speeches, hate conducts and actions that were inflicted upon one another by the citizens? Today, with a deep sense of nostalgia, I still carry within my body, pains of injury from the civil war: there is nothing romantic about war; in any form, war is bad, condemnable and must be avoided.

“I need hardly say I am very worried by the current on-going altercations and vituperations of hate across the country by individuals, well-known leaders, religious leaders, group of persons and organisations.

“We need to remind ourselves that conflicts are not evidently the stuff of politics and governance, particularly so of democracy, hence, we must apply caution in our utterances, body language and news reportage.

“The management of conflicts is the acid test of maturity, of mutual livelihood and of democratic governance. We cannot and we must not allow the current hate atmosphere to continue to freely pollute our political landscape unchecked.

The former military ruler warned those fanning the embers of war, through hate speeches, to desist as it was of no benefit to anybody. Rather, he advocated tolerance for the democratic process, which he acknowledged is evolving in Nigeria.

“Personally, I reject the proceedings of hate and their dissemination and urge my fellow citizens to strongly condemn the scourge and orgy of the current crisis which, in my view, is an outcome of vengeful appetites within the multiple contexts of our democratic governance and the profound inequalities that have distorted our social relations.

“Nonetheless, it is not the place of leaderships to fuel and hype conflicts nor should we allow losers and gainers of our governance regimes to make pronouncements and threats that exploit our ethnic, religious and geopolitical construct.

“Democracy, anywhere in the world, is a work in progress and one that is subject to constant evolution and debate. The drums of war are easy to beat, but, their rhythms are difficult to dance.

“Starting wars or political upheavals comes with the slightest provocation, but ending them becomes inelastic, almost unending with painful footages of the wrecks of war. I have been involved and its ripples are tellingly unpalatable, with gory details of destruction and carnage. I am a Nigerian, a citizen, patriot and concerned stakeholder.

“It is my strong belief that Nigeria can attain greater greatness if we all nurture our minds in the direction of building a nation, and accepting responsibility for its successes and failures.

“We cannot deny or repudiate our progress at nation-building, in spite of the limitations and challenges that we have continued to experience. As a people, we need proper study and understanding of our history, in order to correct the warped perceptions of our past, so as to minimise the dangers of badly skewed stories of our democratic experience in governance; and to regenerate mutual confidence and uphold the tenets of living together as one country.

“No one government or administration can provide all the answers to the myriad of problems and challenges confronting us as a country; no matter how determined, resolute, committed and motivated such a government is. The citizens have their roles to play, and their obligations to fulfill, in order to motivate government in achieving its stated goals and objectives. “Governance is a function of the leadership and the followership. It is a two-way traffic that demands certain responsibilities from those involved…”

The former military president subtly slammed the Arewa youths, who, three weeks ago, handed October 1 ultimatum to Igbo to leave the North.

Such notice, he noted, negates the labours of past heroes who struggled to weld and nurture Nigeria as a country.    

“As a Nigerian, I have had the rare privilege to benefit from robust relationships from different people across the socio-political divide; East, West, North and South. I have also immensely interacted with persons from all the numerous tribes, cultures and ethnic configurations dotted across the entire gamut of Nigeria’s expansive lands. I have made friends, built alliances, nurtured relationships and sustained linkages amongst Nigerians of all shades and opinions. In fairness, Nigerians are great people…

“The inalienable fact that Nigerians can live in any part of the country to pursue their legitimate aspirations is a strong indication that we have accepted to invest in the Nigerian project, and are no longer driven by mutual suspicion but mutual respect. That we have not fully realised our potentials as a great nation is not enough reason for us to want to demolish the foundation of our nationhood or rubbish the labours of our heroes past; both of which are borne out of our collective efforts to build a truly great nation, and great people.

“If we have repeatedly done certain things and not getting the desired results, we need to change tactics and approach, and renew our commitment. It is our collective responsibilities to engender a reform that would be realistic and in sync with modern best practices.”

Harping on restructuring, Babangida urged the federal government to tinker with the constitution, to accommodate “new thoughts” in that direction as well as devolve more powers to the states. He, however, canvassed the central government should oversee Nigeria’s foreign policy, defence and economy.

“For example, restructuring has become a national appeal as we speak, whose time has come. I will strongly advocate for devolution of powers to the extent that more responsibilities be given to the states while the Federal Government is vested with the responsibility to oversee our foreign policy, defence, and economy.

“Even the idea of having federal roads in towns and cities has become outdated and urgently needs revisiting. That means we need to tinker with our constitution to accommodate new thoughts that will strengthen our nationality.

“Restructuring and devolution of powers will certainly not provide all the answers to our developmental challenges; it will help to reposition our mindset as we generate new ideas and initiatives that would make our union worthwhile. The talk to have the country restructured means that Nigerians are agreed on our unity in diversity; but that we should strengthen our structures to make the union more functional based on our comparative advantages.”

Advocates of state police got a boost as Babangida urged government to allow the 36 states, in the spirit of restructuring, have their police, away from the one in Abuja.

Babangida warned those sounding the drumbeats of war to desist and reiterated his call for dialogue, to resolve differences as Nigeria, with the highest population in Africa, can not afford war now.

“Added to this desire is the need to commence the process of having state police across the states of the Federation. This idea was contained in my manifesto in 2010 when I attempted to contest the presidential elections.

“The initial fears that state governors will misuse the officers and men of the State Police have become increasingly eliminated with renewed vigour in citizens’ participation in, and confidence to interrogate power.

“We cannot be detained by those fears and allow civilisation to leave us behind. We must, as a people, with one destiny and common agenda, take decisions for the sake of posterity in our shared commitment to launch our country on the path of development and growth. Policing has become so sophisticated that we cannot continue to operate our old methods and expect different results…

“On a final note, I really wish we see strength, determination, commitment and confidence in our diversities rather than adversities. As a heterogeneous country with flourishing skills and numerous endowments, we should dictate the pace in Africa and lead by example of what is possible amongst a people that are focused and determined to pursue common national goal.

“As a former military president who had the rare privilege to travel around Africa, to sustain the African cooperation through peace-keeping operations, I have come to the conclusion that nations are driven by a common ideal and not by the homogeneity of their race.

“I saw Somalia, such a homogeneous conclave yet one of the most troubled countries in Africa today. I saw South Sudan, which broke away from the old Sudan, but peace and stability have eluded them. Rwanda genocidal experience is not romantic either.

“But, a president from the minority ethnic group has repositioned the country to assume its pride of place in the comity of nations. That a people share common identity, language, history, doctrine, culture, mores and values is not synonymous with development, growth, stability and peace. When we went into peace-keeping operations in Sierra Leone, Somalia, Liberia and Congo, we had in mind to sustain oneness in Africa even though we are a continent of different countries all bearing different logos and identities. Our motivation was simply that we are Africans.

“I am, therefore, appealing to the sensibilities of all of us, young and old, leaders and followers, groups and organisations, that in the interest of peace and stability of our country, we need to sheathe the sword.”

Heads to roll in police over Evans’ armed robbery case

ollowing the disclosure of a senior police officer that he arrested billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamdike, aka Evans, was arrested in 2006 for armed robbery but was freed soon after, the police high command has ordered a full investigation into the matter.

The investigation became necessary as Evans had allegedly owned up to the allegation of being involved in armed robbery.

A senior police officer had alleged that, in 2006, a gang of armed robbers attacked a commercial bank in Lagos and went somewhere around the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, to share the loot, where they had some issues.

According to him, “the robbers had a disagreement over sharing formula and shot one another. Seven members of the gang died on the spot. Three of the suspects, including Evans, were arrested. If you look at his chest there is a scar.”

The officer said the case was transferred to the Lagos State Anti-Robbery Squad, and: “We investigated and discovered that they were armed robbers. Evans led the gang. We also went to Mgbidi Police Station, Imo State, for investigation, where we arrested two gang members.

“There was a police woman at the band section of Police College, Lagos, Tina, who insisted that we dropped the case, as Evans was her brother.  She travelled to Imo State thereafter. Not long after she returned, we got a message from the Imo State Police command that Evans was needed. We transferred the case.”

The officer said when he saw Evans’ pictures in the media, he recognised him as the man he investigated for armed robbery.

On the current investigation of this fresh fact, a senior police officer, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Evans has confessed to the 2006 armed robbery attack on a bank and the shooting of seven persons. Following his confession, the police authorities want to know how Evans was freed over the armed robbery offence. The police want to know who the police woman, Tina, is and whether she played a vital role in the release of Evans. We want to know whether other officers were also involved or if the court freed Evans.

“We suspect that Evans was released without due process. The police officers who were involved, whether they are still in the force or not, would be fished out and made to face the law. We will get to the root of the matter. The police do not joke with indiscipline. I am telling you, heads will roll, if policemen were responsible for shielding an armed robber.”

No mosquito net, no wedding- new Sokoto state government law proposes

As part of efforts to curb the spread of diseases in the state, the Sokoto state Ministry of Health says it plans to send a bill to the state House of Assembly where suitors would be compelled to add a well treated mosquito net as part of their bride price they would pay before they get their brides.
The state Commissioner for health, Balarabe Kakale, disclosed this Sunday. According to Kakale, the proposed bill if passed will compel intending couples in the state to undergo HIV/AIDS, genotype and Hepatitis B tests.

Kakale however stated that the proposed law would be sent to the house after the cultural, Islamic implications of the premarital testing are extensively considered. He noted that the measures were meant to reduce the spread of diseases in the state.

Bangladesh landslides death toll rises to 149

Authorities in Bangladesh began relief operations on Wednesday after rain-triggered landslides killed at least 149 people in the country’s south-east, officials said.

The government allocated 375 metric tons of rice and 5,000,000 taka (62,000 dollars) to distribute among the affected people as an emergency response to the tragedy, said Hammadul Baqui, an official at the disaster management control room in Dhaka.

At least 105 bodies were found in the district of Rangamati, 36 in Chittagong and six others in neighbouring Bandarban after 48 hours of ceaseless rains that lasted until Tuesday, he said.

Baqui added that the firefighters have retrieved the bodies of a young child and her father after they were buried in fresh mudslide in Cox’s Bazar district, more than 300 kilometres south-east of the capital Dhaka.

Manzarul Mannan, Chief of Rangamati District Administration, said the rescuers have reached most corners of the affected areas on the second day of their search operations in spite it was terribly difficult.

“They had to walk for long miles or to travel by boats to the remote areas as road communications in the hills were cut off at many places because of the mudslides and toppled trees,” Mannan said.

He hoped to lunch a full-fledged damage assessment mission by Thursday.

The government pledged to provide essential support to help victims overcome the disaster, senior minister, Obaidul Quader told a meeting in Rangamati hill district after distributing cash and food support to the families of those killed in the landslides.

Quader, the second in command in the ruling Awami League party, also ordered an assessment of damages to homes and crops, said disaster management official Harun-ur Rashid.

Rescuers pulled at least 100 bodies from beneath chunks of mud that buried hillside homes at different parts of Rangamati, said Rashid earlier.

The death toll may rise as disaster response teams began a second day of rescue operations in the remote areas, he added.

More than 4,000 people who lost their homes were evacuated to shelters run by the local administrations.

Yobe APC expels NEMA DG, Maihaja

The Yobe State Chapter of the All Progress Congress (APC) has expelled the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja, for alleged abuse of the party’s constitution and procedure.

The party in the state, in a statement signed by its secretary, Abubakar Bakabe, in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, on Wednesday, said the NEMA boss dragged the state governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, to court over the 2015 governorship primaries without exhausting all political measures to resolve his grievances.

Maihaja, who was appointed Director General of NEMA, in April, had moved to contest the Yobe State governorship primaries with the incumbent Governor Gaidam, but said his expression of interest and nomination forms were allegedly rejected by the APC both at the national and state levels, prompting him to approach the court on Gaidam’s nomination and candidature for a legal battle.

The case was, however, decided in favour of the governor, last week, by the Supreme Court. The APC in the state, however, frowned at Maihaja’s action, maintaining it was an abuse.

“The constitution of the party; section 21’D’ sub-section (V) of the APC constitution empowers the State Executive Council of the party to take punitive measures against erring party members. Section 21’D’ sub-section (V) also states that any member who files an action in court of law against the party or any of its officer on any matter relating to the discharge of the duties of the party without first exhausting the avenues for redress provided for in this constitution shall automatically stand expelled on filing such action and no appeal against the expulsion is stipulated in this cause shall be entertained until the withdrawal of the action from court by the member.

“Maihaja acted against section 21 ‘A’sub-section 10 of the party Constitution which warned members against, “filing an action in a court of law against the party or any of its officers on any matter relating to the discharge of the duties of the party without first exhausting all avenues provided for in the Constitution shall automatically stand expelled on filing such action and no appeal against the expulsion is stipulated in this cause shall be entertained until the withdrawal of the action from court by the member,” the party said.

The party scribe said that Maihaja acted against section 21 ‘A’ sub-section 10 of the party’s Constitution which warned members against, “filing an action in a court of law against the party or any of its officers on any matter relating to the discharge of the duties of the party without first exhausting all avenues provided for in the Constitution.

“In view of this therefore, the party has expelled Mustapha Maihaja indefinitely and is hereby advised from this day to desist from parading himself as a member of the party,” the party stated.

Sunnewspaper

London: Death toll rises to 12 in tower blaze

The death toll in the blaze that engulfed a residential tower in west London early on Wednesday has risen to 12 and “will rise further,” Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy said.

Emergency services are continuing a “long and complex operation’’ in the building, and the “incredibly challenging’’ task of confirming how many people are missing.

“It is very, very challenging to put a number on those unaccounted for,’’ Cundy told reporters.

More than 200 firefighters battled the inferno, which officials called an “unprecedented incident.”

Smoke billows from a tower block severely damaged by a serious fire in north Kensington, West London.

Witnesses reported seeing residents throwing babies and small children from high windows to people on the sidewalk in a desperate effort to save them from the flames.

(Source: NAN)

FG inciting workers against govs over Paris Club refund – Bayelsa govt.

The Bayelsa State Government has deplored the attempt to incite civil servants across the country against state governments over the Paris Club refund money.

The state’s deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboriobiogha John Jonah, who said this during the monthly transparency briefing held at the Government House, Yenagoa, explained that state governments were angry with the Federal Government because its recent statement on the Paris Club refund was intended to pitch state workers against their governors.

He disclosed that though there was an initial agreement approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on the release of the Paris Club fund to states, the excuses given by the Federal Ministry of Finance on the effect of excess funds into the economy and the pronouncements over amount released were heating up the polity and fuelling crisis of confidence between state workers and the governors.

According to him, Ministry of Finance officials were the ones causing the confusion as they advised against carrying out the directive of President Buhari.

His words “There was an understanding that the money should be refunded to the states. So, the chart was drawn up and the entitlement from every state was written. Please, it is not a gift from the federal government to states to pay salaries. It is States’ owned money that must be refunded. The way the Federal Government is trying to play it out, states are blaming the Federal Government for inciting workers against them. It was then decided that they will pay the money in two halves”

“The Federal Ministry of Finance and CBN said that if the money was released at once, there will be too much money in circulation, so let it be divided into four parts and released twenty five percent at a time. When the first part was released, Bayelsa would have gotten N21.168billion but when the money came they could not release the 25%, they released to us N14.5billion. But the first tranche was supposed to be N21.168billion but the initial released was N14.5billion and it was announced immediately. But I want to say that the entire money was not for the state government alone, N1.3b was for the local government councils. The state government used the balance of N13.2b to offset some part of salaries and also for contractors we owe.”

Jonah noted that as deputy governor of the state and representative of Bayelsa State at the Governors’ Forum and National Economic Council meetings where the Paris Club issue were discussed, the facts of the matter were been slanted to favour of the Federal Government.

Notorious kidnapper, Evans says his mother knew he was a criminal

Notorious billionaire kidnapper, Evans, while confessing to his crimes, made a number of revelations, one of which confirms what his father said about his mother misleading him. Evans revealed that his mother was aware that he was involved in illegal activities but hastened to add that she was not in support.

He said: "My mother does not come to my house and she also knows that I am into crime but she is not in support."



Vanguard reports that in a chat with newsmen, Evans promised to give up his evil ways and become a born again Christian if freed. He spoke of how he went into kidnapping after being introduced to it by a friend known as Hunchman. Hunchman was eventually killed during the failed kidnapping attempt on the life of the owner of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo. He began kidnapping in Anambra state, during Peter Obi's tenure but was later forced to leave the state from where they relocated to Edo and grew the kidnapping syndicate, getting more boys from Warri, Delta State to join them. From there, he moved to Lagos and continued in the illegal business.

“We carried out two big kidnappings where our victims paid N80m and N100million respectively. In 2013, I came to Lagos and I went straight to Festac Town. Before I came to Festac, I had already established contacts with some boys. One of the jobs we did was that of the owner of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo," Evans confessed.

He continued: "One guy, known as Emeka, brought the job and we were five that went for that operation — Hunch Man, Nmamdi, Uche, Nwoke and I. I was the one driving and our target was to kill Young Shall Grow’s driver and his police orderly. Hunch Man, Uche Nnamdi and Nwoke were carrying guns and they were the people who fired at Young Shall Grow. Hunch Man and Uche were killed during the attack, while Nnamdi, Nwoke and I survived. That operation was my most bloody operation. I didn’t know it was going to turn out that way. I usually don’t know names of people I kidnapped in Festac. But if I see them,  I will tell you what I did to them. I have people who gave me information about my victims. The pharmacist job is the only one that gave us a problem.

"The highest ransom I collected was $1million dollars from somebody living in Festac. I keep my victims for months because I want their people to pay the ransom I demanded. I have people cooking for my victims, one of who stays in the house; his name is Uche. The other boy is from Aguleri. The boy is a new person, but Uche is old. I usually pay Uche N20million for every operation. I usually make the calls for the ransom. I have six boys in Lagos.

There is also a WhatsApp viral message claiming to be more confessions from the kidnap kingpin. In it, it was revealed that he fled from Opi, Nsukka Local Government of Enugu State to Lagos in the year 2000 after stabbing his fiancee because she decided against marrying him.

The broadcast message further claimed that prior to kidnapping, Evans was doing drugs and also worked as a driver though he ended up stealing large sums from his bosses.

Evans allegedly said: "The first job I got in Lagos was at Johnbulls Ikoyi as a driver to the CEO. One day we were going to his office and my boss said that he wanted to visit a friend. The moment he stepped into his friend’s house, I took the sum of N350,000 he had in the car and ran away to Ghana. I later returned to Nigeria after few months and avoided Ikoyi where my ex-boss office is situated. I then got a new job as a driver in the fashion I did before.  I also stole N600,000 and eloped to Ghana again.

"I returned to Lagos in 2000 and used my old method to secure another job as a driver at the home of the first family I kidnapped their daughter. When I realised that they are very rich and loved their daughter deeply. I took the girl to Ghana from where I demanded a ransom of only N20m but the girl’s father paid N22m instead. I then freed the girl in Ghana. Once I got this money, I ventured into an extravagant lifestyle and bought a house in Ghana. Then, I bought over five exotic cars and a truck. I began to show prominently in social functions where people hailed the way I was spending money.

"I spent over N2m on orphanages and local primary schools in Ghana. The Deputy Nigeria Ambassador to Ghana and other prominent Nigerians were also in attendance at the handing over ceremony of my donations. Early this year, I was arrested along with my wife, in Lagos. We were brought to the court but we later regained our freedom due to the power of my money and connections."

AISHA BUHARI DID NOT SEE THE PRESIDENT DURING HER LONDON VISIT, SOURCE SAYS Sahara Reporters reports

President Muhammadu Buhari was not allowed to see his wife during her recent visit to the United Kingdom, presidency sources informed SaharaReporters on Tuesday. In the stunning disclosure, the sources affirmed that the president has been kept away] from several of his aides and even those bodyguards who supposedly traveled with him.
The President's Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari who also frequents London to take care of himself, is still the manipulator-in-chief, according to the sources. 
 Furthermore, SaharaReporters learned that Mr. Buhari has not spoken to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for several weeks following his departure from Abuja for a second round of medical treatment for an undisclosed medical condition suspected to be cancer.
The sources gave the example of Wednesday last week when members of Buhari's cabal called the Acting President and asked him to await a call from the ailing President, pointing out that no such call was received except one that was just a few seconds of hellos before the person hung up the phone.
SaharaReporters also learned that the public declaration by Orji Uzor Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State, that he met Buhari in London is a complete fabrication as Buhari did not at any time receive the Mr. Kalu, who recently decamped to the president’s All Progressives Congress party. One particular presidency source told SaharaReporters they suspect Kalu was using that gimmick to intimidate the judge who is trying him for corruption, considering that he wore a turban to court a few days later.
Our sources confirmed that Buhari is incommunicado, and is only reached by two aides, Tunde Saburi and Sarki Abba, who have maintained stoic silence about his condition.
It is notable that when Mrs. Buhari returned from her recent trip, she sent messages to her family members in Adamawa claiming her husband was recovering fast but asked for intensification of prayers.
The cabal reportedly reduced access to Buhari in an effort to control information leaks to the public. They cabal reportedly as far as forging Buhari's signature so as to give the impression that he is still in control even after Buhari himself had handed over power to his vice, trying to create the impression that he is still in charge. 
Mr. Kyari is said to be in charge of all the behind-the-scene moves. It was he, they claimed, who a few days ago passed a fake document to Garba Shehu, one of Buhari's spokespersons, claiming that Buhari had given Osinbajo the go-ahead to sign the 2017 budget. 
 According to their account, Osinabjo had already decided on the date he would sign the budget, a decision that was delayed only by a last-minute discussion to include some projects such as the Lagos-Apapa Port road repairs. They said they were not surprised at Mr. Shehu's fake statement claiming Buhari sent a letter granting the Acting President the right to sign the budget.
Buhari is said to be rather unaware of his environment, his memory somewhat affected. For instance, on his way to the UK, he was said to have asked if he was on his way to Sokoto. Our sources said that the cabal working with Buhari might bring him back the same way he was returned in February, in a scheme to use his presence to perpetrate more fraud and control power.

ONLY IGBO PRESIDENCY IN 2019 WILL STOP BIAFRAN AGITATION – OHANEZE YOUTHS

THE Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, has declared that the South East zone will not accept anything other a president of Igbo extraction in 2019, saying that it is the only panacea to Biafran agitation raging in the zone.

Rising from its meeting in Enugu, the group said it has activated all machineries towards the actualization of the project.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by the Secretary General of OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the group said Ndigbo would no longer play second fiddle in Nigeria politics. According to the Ohaneze Youths “it is Igbo president 2019 or Biafra 2020”. The group described as a “sheer injustice and hatred, a situation where no Igbo has been allowed close to the seat of power for decades of years, whereas other geo-political zones have been taking turns either as military or civilian presidents. “More annoying is the fact that the North, a major beneficiary in this direction has bluntly refused to heed the call for restructuring, which has been identified as the panacea to the many socio-political problems plaguing the nation. “Besides, they have also not only continued to express disdain over the demand for Biafra by IPOB and MASSOB, but have also ordered Ndigbo out of the North based on these agitations. “Remember that former President Obasanjo had urged Nigerians to beg Biafra agitators; and only Nigeria president of Igbo extraction will appease Igbos or Biafra agitation will be inevitable. “If there is any conspiracy against President of Igbo extraction, that will surely bring Biafra into existence. One now wonders why Ndigbo will continue to be treated in this manner. ‎ “Two days ago, the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo re-echoed the fact that Nigeria is in a marriage. He was quoted as saying that our nation has been in marriage for a while now. Sometimes, there are quarrels within that marriage. Sometimes there is disagreement. What is important is that you must remain together. You must remain united. “It does appear from the above that Ndigbo have perpetually remained the sacrificial lamb to keep this forced marriage together. They have remained victims of an abusive marriage, often beaten, cheated by the husband. “We have resolved today that this grave injustice cannot continue. It is Igbo presidency in 2019 with a Vice President from the North or nothing. “We are not ready any longer to be treated with levity and disdain in this country and for that we are calling on all Igbo sons and daughters both at home and in the Diaspora to key into this project”, the communiqué stated.

Bello to Senate: Get rid of Melaye

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has urged the Nigerian Senate to check members that lack proper upbringing in their midst to save its image from hurt.

Bello spoke to State House Correspondents after he had a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as he briefed him on political incidents in his state.

Political crisis involving Bello and the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye is said to have resulted in the death of two persons hit by police bullet but could not be identified to know whose camp they belonged.

Melaye’s recall is set to have commenced with the collection signatures at the weekend.

The governor who denied there was crisis in the state also refuted allegations that he has budgeted N1 billion for Melaye’s recall, saying the people of West Senatorial District have learnt from a bitter mistake of not taming and curbing what he called “social deviance” and have decided to take lawful steps in recalling him.

Bello told newsmen that, “I came to brief the Acting President of development in my state. We all know Mr. President is taking a rest and the man at the helm of affairs needs to be periodically briefed.

On the crisis between him and Melaye, he said: “I would rather admonish Nigerians that when a child lacks proper parental care and upbringing, such becomes a problem to the society. And if the society does not take steps to correct such child, at such time the government would be faced with the task of controlling such. That is what is happening in Kogi State.

“Then talking of the Senate, let me rather admonish the Senate that, that is an institution that is held in respect and I think the Senate and indeed the National Assembly is made of men of integrity and good character. I think it is necessary it checks any social deviance within it.

“But sincerely speaking Kogi State is living in peace, projects are on, we are all happy over there, salaries are paid at the right time.”

On Melaye’s allegation that he has a war chest of N1 billion to remove him from the Senate, the governor said: “That is his imagination. The good people of Okunland and indeed west senatorial district have learnt from a bitter mistake of not taming and social deviance early enough and they have decided to take lawful steps in recall their senator.”

Alleged false declaration: CCT clearing me has vindicated me

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has released a statement on his discharge by the Code of Conduct Tribunal CCT. According to him, this development has vindicated him. Read the statement after the cut...

Today, June 14, 2017, the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja discharged and acquitted me on a case of false declaration of assets, which started in September 2015. You would recall that at the beginning of the trial, I maintained that I will clear my name. The conclusion of this trial has vindicated my position.

With the outcome of this case, our faith is renewed in our courts and our hope is restored that the judiciary in our country could indeed provide sanctuary for all those who seek justice. I thank the Almighty Allah, the ultimate Judge and the repository of all powers. He alone has brought about this victory. I am immensely grateful to all my colleagues in the National Assembly for their abiding support. All through my trial, they demonstrated their strong conviction about the choice we all decided to make two years ago. I thank members of my family for their unflinching support. I thank all friends and supporters back home in Kwara State and across the length and breadth of our country for their prayers and their sacrifices.

My gratitude also goes to all members of my legal team for their tireless efforts to ensure the cause of justice is served. After undergoing the crucible of a tortuous trial, my vindication today calls for celebration. It is my belief however that if there should be any celebration at all, it should be a celebration of the hopes that this judgment gives us as citizens that despite all the challenges that we face as a country, we are well on our way to building a country where the innocent needs not be afraid. I therefore urge all my supporters to refrain from any unbridled triumphalism. The challenges that our country faces today are enormous and do not allow for wanton celebration. Instead, we should all reflect on the significance of this moment and what it meant for our democracy. On a personal note, I harbour no grudge against anyone, regardless of the role they might have played in the persecution that I had endured in the last two years.

I believe that If my trial had in anyway given hope to the common man that no matter the forces arraigned against him, he can still get justice in our courts, then my tribulation had not been in vain. Once again, I thank my colleagues in the 8th Senate for standing firm. Regardless of the distraction of my trial, we have achieved more as legislators than the previous Senates. Now that this distraction is over, we can even achieve so much more. We must now proceed from here with greater vigour to deliver on the expectations of Nigerians and show that this 8th Senate can indeed play a central role in improving the quality of lives of our people. Lastly, I thank all the gentlemen of the press for your abiding interest in this case, which I believe had contributed in no small measure in ensuring that truth and reason ultimately prevailed.

Lagos LG polls: Makarfi-led PDP faction announces alliance with LP

The Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, says its members would contest the scheduled Local Government poll in the state under the banner of the Labour Party (LP).

Speaking during a press conference, on Wednesday, chairman of the faction, Moshood Salvador, explained that the party made the decision to have an alliance with the LP in order to create a platform for its candidates to contest the elections pending the judgement of the Supreme Court over who the authentic national leader of the party is.

He said: “Political alliance is an agreement for cooperation between different political parties on a common political agenda, often for the purpose of contesting an election and we remain committed members of the PDP any day and anytime. We only have a pre-electoral alliance with Labour Party to contest this coming Local Government election only.

“Our members who aligned with the Labour Party contested for the primary at the Labour house and they won. The primary was supervised by officials of the Labour Party and monitored by the Lagos State Electoral Commission, so their candidatures are authentic.

“The Ali Modu Sheriff group of Lagos PDP, that they are less than 10 percent of the PDP membership in Lagos State while the Makarfi group has over 90 percent of the real membership of the party. The People of Lagos are very ready to vote PDP into power at this Local government election, because the All Progressives Congress (APC) did nothing to the people at the Local government level, this is why we are determined and ready to make the positive change in all the local government areas and the local council development areas.”

He also claimed that the Makarfi-led group of the party had more members than the Sheriff-led group and as such the faction was confident of victory in the forthcoming polls.

“We appeal to all lovers of PDP in Lagos State to cast their vote for the Labour-PDP alliance and vote for Labour Party. This arrangement does not mean we have decamped to any party. In this pre-electoral alliance, we have 342 councillorship candidates and 52 chairmanship candidates. At all our candidates must start pasting their posters, commence the house to house campaigns and educate electorates on the circumstance of our using Labour Party for this council election only,” he said.

I mean well for Imo state indigenes - Gov Okorocha says

Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha this morning received in audience, the Imo state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, led by Apostle Ifeanyichukwu Godson Ibeji and his executive at the state house in Owerri. At the meeting, Okorocha said despite the criticisms he has suffered from residents of the state, he indeed means well for them.

"My prayer is that the Imo people understand me. When I started free education, they initially misunderstood me, when I built a chapel it was called a mosque and so on. I mean well for Ndi Imo. Our government intends to relocate the Police headquarters and Prisons to a more conducive environment. I am more interested in dedicating projects to God than commissioning them. I encourage you to introduce a Day of Peace, Reconciliation and Love in Imo. I am the most tolerant governor in this state. The press, our people and my opponents are free to talk and even insult me. No one under my watch has been disturbed for airing their views. Those who honor God, God honor them" he said