Nigerian Eye

Official who joined Bayelsa guber race remains REC until he resigns properly -INEC

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<div style="text-align: justify;">The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says Frankland Briyai, resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Cross River state, remains in office until he resigns formally or is sacked by the president.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Festus Okoye (pictured), chairman of INEC’s information and voter education committee, made this known this on Thursday during the national strategy meeting on capturing disaggregated data of persons with disabilities (PWDs).</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Briyai had during a press briefing at the commission’s office in Cross River, announced his resignation and intention to join politics.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">INEC opposed the announcement, saying that such political engagements are forbidden.</div>
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<a name='more' id="more"></a>Speaking at the meeting in Abuja, Okoye said Briyai did not inform the commission of his decision to join a political party but went ahead to “organise a sendoff party for himself”.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“What happened was that our REC in Cross River did not forward any letter to any of the appointing authorities, did not have any communication with the supervising national commissioner, did not have any communication with the chairman of the commission, but organised a sendoff party for himself on the 8th of August,” he said.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“There, he invited staff of the commission, invited the media, invited political parties and he used that particular opportunity in the premises of the commission, announced his resignation, announced the fact that he had joined partisan politics and announced that he has formally joined one of the registered political parties in the office and thereafter he entered an official vehicle of the commission and drove out to his official residence.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“We consider this unacceptable; we have a code of conduct that binds every national commissioner and REC. We cannot be partisan and at the same time be umpires.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Okoye, however, added that “the truth of the matter is that the commission does not have the power to sack or dismiss any REC because we are not the appointing authority.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“So what the commission has done is to withdraw the powers donated to him (REC Cross River state) by the commission but he still remains a REC until he resigns properly or until he is removed by the president who is the appointing authority.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The governorship election in Bayelsa is scheduled to hold in November.</div>
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Latest-News Official who joined Bayelsa guber race remains REC until he resigns properly -INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says Frankland Briyai, resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Cross River state, remains in office until he resigns formally or is sacked by the president. Festus Okoye (pictured), chairman of I…

VIDEO: ‘I was free in Nigeria, lived next to senate president, never in police detention…’ -El-Zakzaky

12:46 Unknown 0

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Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), has returned to Nigeria after a ‘medical stalemate’ in India.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Before his return, he alleged that the Nigerian government was making it difficult for him to get the needed treatment at Medanta hospital, India, and that he was being treated like a prisoner in the country.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">In the video, the cleric, while at the hospital, could be seen detailing his experience to an unidentified Indian official.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">He told his guest he made the trip at his own expense, but wondered why the Nigerian government was frustrating his mission.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">”They said I am the one to take myself to hospital, not the government.  We bought our own tickets, the government people with us bought their own,” the healthy-looking Islamic cleric said.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">”Somehow, when we came here,  we learnt the embassy changed the story. We learnt the Nigerian government told them they are bringing in two patients charged with a criminal offence, and they also solicited the support of the Indian government for the security of these people; they also spoke with the hospital about what to do. And they claimed they are the ones bringing us.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">He said he enjoyed some level of freedom in Nigeria unlike in India where he is in ”prison”.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">”I have been about four years in prison now; a house fully furnished. In fact, our next neighbour was the senate president; a large house. I was free to move about. Similarly, when they moved me to Kaduna I was in the best best area – government reserved area. It is a house fully furnished with large bedrooms and I was free. I have never been in detention with police there; in fact, the soldiers used to stay outside at the gate. That is what they have been doing. When we came here we were put in prison.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">”I will definitely prefer another hospital. I was told that some Shi’ite Ulama came and said I should be allowed to be treated in India.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The federal government said the IMN leader wanted to seek asylum in India and relocate to another country.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Watch video below.</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="330" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fanyPZvGbH4" width="600"></iframe>

Latest-News VIDEO: ‘I was free in Nigeria, lived next to senate president, never in police detention…’ -El-Zakzaky

Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), has returned to Nigeria after a ‘medical stalemate’ in India. Before his return, he alleged that the Nigerian government was making it difficult for him to get the needed treatmen…

Senate President to presidency: We expect to get 2020 budget by September

12:46 Unknown 0

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<div style="text-align: justify;">Senate President Ahmad Lawan says the national assembly is expecting that the 2020 budget proposal will be submitted by September.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">This, he said, would ensure that the budget is passed before December ends.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking at the Katsina Government House after paying a visit to the state governor, Lawan said: “The process would return Nigeria to the annual budget of between January and December and guarantee fiscal discipline.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">He assured that the ninth assembly would also pass the petroleum industry bill (PIB) to ensure the oil and gas sector is given the desired reform.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Lawan further expressed the resolve of the two wings of the national assembly to work harmoniously for the rapid reformation of education, agriculture and other sub-sectors of the economy.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">During the visit to Aminu Bello Masari, Katsina governor, Lawan was accompanied by some members of the leadership of the senate as well as senators representing Katsina south, Bello Mandiya, and that of Katsina north, Ahmad Babba Kaita.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The senate president and his delegation had earlier paid Salah homage to President Buhari in Daura.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The delegation later joined Masari, his deputy and Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, secretary to the government of Katsina state, for Jumma’at prayer at Modoji Mosque.</div>

Latest-News Senate President to presidency: We expect to get 2020 budget by September

Senate President Ahmad Lawan says the national assembly is expecting that the 2020 budget proposal will be submitted by September. This, he said, would ensure that the budget is passed before December ends. Speaking at the Katsina Government House a…

Suarez suffers leg injury in La Liga opener

11:02 Unknown 0

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Barcelona striker Luis Suarez suffered a right leg injury during his side’s defeat at Athletic Bilbao in Friday’s La Liga opener, the Spanish champions have confirmed.<br />
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Suarez joins Lionel Messi on the sidelines after hobbling off in the 37th minute at San Mames, leaving Barca without their two premium strikers.<br />
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Messi sustained a calf injury in training earlier this month and was not deemed ready for the match.<br />
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Barcelona did not reveal how long Suarez would be out of action for, saying on Saturday he had a “right leg” injury and that his availability depended on his recovery.<br />
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The Uruguayan was replaced in the central striker’s role by new signing Antoine Griezmann, but Bilbao veteran Aritz Aduriz stole the show by coming off the bench and snatching a 1-0 win with a spectacular scissor kick.<br />
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As well as Messi, Suarez and Griezmann, Barcelona have Ousmane Dembele as another option in the front three while the club are negotiating with Paris Saint-Germain over re-signing Neymar.<br />
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Philippe Coutinho, however, looks set to leave the club. Barca director Guillermo Amor told Movistar on Friday that there was an “agreement in principle” for the Brazilian to join Bayern Munich on loan.

Latest-News Suarez suffers leg injury in La Liga opener

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez suffered a right leg injury during his side’s defeat at Athletic Bilbao in Friday’s La Liga opener, the Spanish champions have confirmed. Suarez joins Lionel Messi on the sidelines after hobbling off in the 37th minute …

Army urges calm in South-East, Cross River over troops movement

11:02 Unknown 0

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The Nigerian Army has urged South-East and Cross River state residents not to panic over massive movement of troops, military vehicles and weapons as it holds a week-long military exercise.<br />
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The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 82 Division, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, made the appeal in a statement issued on Saturday in Enugu.<br />
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Yusuf said that “the exercise is the 2019 Combat Proficiency Competition for Formations under the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.<br />
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“The 82 Division Garrison will host 2019 Combat Proficiency Competition for formations under the 82 Division from Monday, Aug. 19 to Friday, Aug. 23 between 8 a.m. and 5p.m. daily.<br />
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“The exercise, which is a routine military activity in line with Army Headquarters 2019 Training Directive, aimed at fostering esprit-de-corps, improve physical fitness and cultivate healthy rivalry among the competing formations within the Division.<br />
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“Participants for the exercise will be drawn from the Division’s Headquarters and all formations under its command,’’ he said.<br />
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The Deputy Director said that all activities for the exercise would take place within Enugu except the shooting competition to be held at 34 Artillery Brigade Range in Owerri.<br />
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He noted that the exercise would necessitate movement of military vehicles, weapons and contingents for the exercise from the different Brigades to Headquarters 82 Division in Enugu and subsequently, to and fro 34 Artillery Brigade Shooting Range in Owerri.<br />
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“In view of this, residents of Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River and Imo States including states where other formations under the divisions are located, should please go about their daily activities without panic,’’ he added.

Latest-News Army urges calm in South-East, Cross River over troops movement

The Nigerian Army has urged South-East and Cross River state residents not to panic over massive movement of troops, military vehicles and weapons as it holds a week-long military exercise. The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 82 Division, Col…

FG to appeal British court order on $9bn judgment

10:56 Unknown 0

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<div style="text-align: justify;">The federal government says it has instructed its lawyers to appeal against Friday’s judgment by an English court which gave Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) the go-ahead to seize Nigerian assets worth $9 billion.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">In a statement released on Friday evening, Dayo Apata, the solicitor general of the federation and permanent secretary, federal ministry of justice, said Nigeria will seek for a stay of execution.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Read the full statement below:</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Please recall the dispute that led to Arbitration between Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and Process and Industrial Development Ltd which arose from a 20 year Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) entered in 2010 between FGN (through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources) and P & ID in respect of an accelerated gas development project in Nigeria’s OMLs 67 and 123. P&ID never began the construction of the project facility although it alleges it incurred about $40 Million in preliminary expenses.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>P & ID’s claim in the arbitration proceedings was mainly for loss of profit for the entire twenty-year term of the GSPA, initially claiming the sum of US$1.9 Billion and later increasing its claim to US$5.9 Billion.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Arbitral Tribunal on 31st January 2017 rendered its Final Award against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the sum of US$6.597 Billion together with pre-award interest at the rate of 7% per annum effective from 20th March 2013 and post-award interest at the same rate till date of payment.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>In granting the huge arbitration award against Nigeria the tribunal decided the following:</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>that the project would operate at 93% uptime during the twenty-year of the GSPA despite the well-known risks of operating such a project in the Niger-Delta.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>that the average price of Natural Gas Liquids (the main revenue earner for P&ID assuming the GSPA had been implemented), should be based on an average oil price in excess of $100 per barrel over the twenty-year life of the project;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>to apply a discount rate to P&ID’s supposed lost profits of 2.65 %, the same interest rate paid on United States treasury notes thereby adjudging P&ID, a start-up company that never commenced any physical work on the project but planned to operate in the midst of the Niger-Delta crisis, using a novel and unproven technology, a virtually “risk free” investment.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Upon the Award, P & ID commenced recognition and enforcement proceedings of the arbitration award against FGN in March 2018 in both the United Kingdom (“UK”) and the United States of America (the “United States”).</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The FGN is duly represented in the proceedings in the United States by the Law Firm of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP which also represented it in the UK proceedings of which judgement was given on 16th August 2019 in favour of the P&ID to commence enforcement proceeding against the FGN assets in the UK.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Recall further that this matter was inherited from the previous Administration by the present one. Upon inheriting this matter, this Government engaged the renowned US Law Firm of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP to defend the interest of the FGN. The Law Firm has taken a step to defend the proceedings in the United Stated by urging the District Court to dismiss the P&ID application for enforcement of the award on the ground that Nigeria as a sovereign state has an absolute right to obtain an authoritative determination of its sovereign immunity. The FGN, therefore, demanded that the jurisdictional issue must be conclusively resolved before Nigeria may be required to litigate the merits of P&ID’s petition.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>P&ID has variously challenged Nigeria’s position urging the District Court to direct Nigeria to file both its jurisdiction and merit defenses as a consolidated defense so that the proceedings may be disposed of by the District Court summarily.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The FGN has however pursued the validity of its jurisdictional defense as a preliminary matter which must be conclusively resolved prior to any consideration of the merit argument up to the Court of Appeal.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>In a ruling on 9th October 2018, the District Court granted a stay of proceedings pending a determination of the appeal.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>P&ID has also subsequently filed motions to have Nigeria’s appeal certified as frivolous and to have proceedings in the District Court continue pending determination of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>On 1st November 2018, the US District Court issued a decision in favour of FGN denying P & ID’s further attempt to certify Nigeria’s appeal as frivolous and denied P&ID’s attempt to lift the stay of proceedings.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>On 15 February 2019, the Court of Appeal issued a decision in favour of FGN by dismissing P&ID’s motion requesting the court to dismiss Nigeria’s appeal for lack of jurisdiction or to summarily affirm the scheduling order of the District Court.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The proceedings, therefore, are currently on-going in the United States and the FGN will ensure that its interest and that of the people of Nigeria are vigorously defended.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>As regards the recent Judgment of the English Court of 16 August 2019, the Federal Government’s Counsel has been instructed to pursue an appeal on the judgment of the English Court dated 16 August 2019 and at the same time seek for a Stay of Execution of the said judgment.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>In view of the above, please be informed that the Federal Government of Nigeria is making vigorous efforts to defend its interest in this matter and would not relent in exploring every viable option in doing so.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dayo Apata, Esq.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja.</i></div>
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Latest-News FG to appeal British court order on $9bn judgment

The federal government says it has instructed its lawyers to appeal against Friday’s judgment by an English court which gave Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) the go-ahead to seize Nigerian assets worth $9 billion. In a statement rel…

Lady strangled in Port Harcourt hotel wrote UTME, agreed to N10K sex romp

10:51 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x5UZ6yHohw_ajh07XT-0C2mMmhIf11cN_xDHTN3kU1v_PDJCCh_-GBKcwWv28fw2Tvg1iooRvO6jwxirrJWjE1IAzjs0s190FA7wDqOG6Hhv9jr_YDH0kJ6zuG9RsR2Zoi0vS7xDE5ZI/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x5UZ6yHohw_ajh07XT-0C2mMmhIf11cN_xDHTN3kU1v_PDJCCh_-GBKcwWv28fw2Tvg1iooRvO6jwxirrJWjE1IAzjs0s190FA7wDqOG6Hhv9jr_YDH0kJ6zuG9RsR2Zoi0vS7xDE5ZI/s400/2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The Lady who was found dead in a Port Harcourt hotel on 15 August, after being strangled by a stranger, has been identified.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">She was Jennifer Nwokocha, from Omoku, headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni council area of Rivers state. She was found dead Thursday morning in a room at Grand Venice Hotel on Woji Road,</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Her friends who identified her claimed that she was lured into agreeing for a night romp with a yet-to-be identified man for a fee of N10,000 and the Nigerian barbecued beef, popularly called Suya, as an extra.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Jennifer Nwokocha wrote the last UTME conducted by Joint Admission and Matriculation Board,JAMB and nursed hopes of gaining admission into University of Port Harcourt, her friends said.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">According to them, the alleged killer came to the hotel at about 10 pm on Wednesday night and offered to pay Jennifer N10,000, which to her was a big deal.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The late Jennifer’s friends later raised alarm at about 8 am the next day.The killer had also stolen her phone and her money before fleeing the hotel.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">According to one of her friends,” when the killer came into the hotel, he requested that Jennifer be called for her, describing her as “that neat girl”.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“Later Jennifer came and whispered to me that they had negotiated and settled for N10,000 for the night. I left them as the late Jennifer said the man had opted to sleep with her in her room.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“The next day, at about 8am, we found out that Jennifer had not woken up and when her door was opened, she was found naked with her hands tied behind her back with pillow case and another pillow case was used to tie her neck, perhaps to strangle her.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Detectives from the homicide department of the state police command promptly arrested Jennifer’s friends for interrogation.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Her manner of her death was similar to the killing of Precious Ewuru in a hotel in D/Line about two weeks ago.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Nnamdi Omoni DSP and spokesman of the Rivers Police Command said a Task Force would be set up by the Command to enforce the directive that CCTV Cameras be installed in all hotels.</div>

Latest-News Lady strangled in Port Harcourt hotel wrote UTME, agreed to N10K sex romp

The Lady who was found dead in a Port Harcourt hotel on 15 August, after being strangled by a stranger, has been identified. She was Jennifer Nwokocha, from Omoku, headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni council area of Rivers state. She was found dead Th…

Your presidency stinks -PDP tells Buhari

10:51 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHzzJtiNkkKKIGGz0hPoFqx4S09JQo-RjKrpBbsyqxyi1mTOuN9BaxVg6_ac7KxjU06WjAS1Xx4JFGVxFXx8PyZOZZq5nacb8A2bVyJ9plivJJcYB_GzwoXfjqP3E24Pd1qU9hyphenhyphenyh9XMy/s1600/buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHzzJtiNkkKKIGGz0hPoFqx4S09JQo-RjKrpBbsyqxyi1mTOuN9BaxVg6_ac7KxjU06WjAS1Xx4JFGVxFXx8PyZOZZq5nacb8A2bVyJ9plivJJcYB_GzwoXfjqP3E24Pd1qU9hyphenhyphenyh9XMy/s400/buhari2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Against recent allegations of corruption against aides of President Muhammadu Buhari, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has passed an interim verdict on his presidency, saying “it is rotten and reeks of incurable corruption, festering up to every level”.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Kola Ologbondiyan, the party’s spokesman said the shocking revelations of multi-dimensional sleazes, bribery, stealing and extortions in President Buhari’s Special Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property as well as in the office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF) are just a tip of the iceberg of the earthshaking corruption deeply entrenched in the Buhari Presidency.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The party said Nigerians are aware of how the indicted Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel, Okoi Obono-Obla and the Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, enjoyed the protection of the cabal in the Buhari Presidency in its brazen burglary of our common patrimony.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“Nigerians can also recall how the PDP had severally raised the issue of humongous fraud going on in the Special Investigation Panel under Obono-Obla as well as the Chairman’s certificate forgery allegation, and how President Buhari condoned him and refused to take immediate action.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“The Buhari Presidency should therefore know that Nigerians are not carried away by this new attempt to hoodwink them through the usual holier than thou script.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“If President Buhari is indeed serious about exposing corruption, he should immediately allow a system-wide probe into the activities of his administration in the last four years, particularly the trillions of naira sleazes in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, where he was minister.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“The PDP demands that President Buhari allows an inquest into the stolen N9 trillion as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, the reported stealing of N1.1 trillion worth of crude by interests connected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as alleged diversion of billions of naira meant for security and social welfare in our country.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“Our party now expects President Buhari to allow an investigation into the revelation by the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, that the N500bn Social Investment Programme and the N16bn Mosquito Net Project of his administration were diverted to private purses.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“This is in addition to persons close to him, who as former ministers and former governors are facing corruption charges in various panels and courts, including a former minister indicted in the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) N2.5 billion fraud case.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“Furthermore, the PDP asks President Buhari Presidency to speak out on the allegations in public space that Obono-Obla’s investigation activities at the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF), which the Presidency cabal is desperate to conceal, is what is being punished.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“More over, the PDP holds that now that President Buhari appears resolved to take the right step to investigate Obono-Obla’s certificate forgery scandal, it has also become incumbent on him to purge his conscience by owning up on his own certificate saga,” the statement concluded.</div>
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Latest-News Your presidency stinks -PDP tells Buhari

Against recent allegations of corruption against aides of President Muhammadu Buhari, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has passed an interim verdict on his presidency, saying “it is rotten and reeks of incurable corruption, festering up…

I am innocent, Samson Siasia breaks silence on FIFA ban

10:51 Unknown 0

<div style="text-align: justify;"><img height="225" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Samson-Siasia-e1565993060535.jpg?resize=700%2C394&ssl=1" width="400" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Former Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia has broken silence on his life ban by the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, saying he is innocent of the allegations.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">FIFA had on Friday slammed a life ban on Siasia. In addition, he has been fined $50,000 for agreeing to ‘the manipulation of matches.’</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Siasia was coach of Nigeria between 2010-2011 and for a spell in 2016. He was also coach of Under 20 and Under 23.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">FIFA did not state when he committed the infractions, but said the ex-Nigeria international has been notified.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Siasia is the third African to be banned by FIFA. Former Sierra Leone FA official Abu Bakarr Kabba and former Botswana FA official Mooketsi Kgotlele were suspended in July for five years and for life respectively.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The sanction stems from an ongoing ‘large-scale investigation’ FIFA is conducting into the behaviour of Wilson Raj Perumal, a convicted match-fixer from Singapore.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">However, Siasia said he was shocked that FIFA could take such action without hearing from him.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">He spoke with ex-Media Officer of the Eagles, Colin Udoh on Friday.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Udoh, on his twitter handle said he had just spoken with Siasia and that he said he did nothing wrong and had not received any letter from FIFA.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">He wrote: “I have just spoken to Siasia. His words “I don’t know anything about this. I did nothing wrong and I have not received any letter from FIFA.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">According to him, Siasia would fight this and clear his name.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Udoh added: “Siasia also told me -very angrily – that he was never invited to defend himself and is hearing about all of this for the first time.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Udoh said Siasia would address a press conference at 12 noon Nigeria time on Saturday at the National Stadium, Abuja.</div>

Latest-News I am innocent, Samson Siasia breaks silence on FIFA ban

Former Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia has broken silence on his life ban by the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, saying he is innocent of the allegations. FIFA had on Friday slammed a life ban on Siasia. In addition, he has…

El-Zakzaky chose Indian hospital to ‘spread his group’s activities’

10:16 Unknown 0

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<div style="text-align: justify;">The Initiative to Save Democracy, a political group, has alleged that Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), chose the Indian hospital he left to return to Nigeria on Friday for a reason best known to him.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">In a statement on Friday, Peter Oladele, secretary of the group, said the suit filed by El-Zakzaky’s lawyer which resulted in his release for medical treatment, stated the hospital where he ought to receive treatment.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The IMN had accused the federal government of frustrating El-Zakzaky’s treatment abroad but Oladele said the Nigerian Shi’ia leader and the IMN “are only trying to be mischievous by politicising” his abrupt return to Nigeria.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“The facts are there and they are clear, Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his lawyers picked the Medanta hospital so he has no reasons to complain,” he said in the statement.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Quoting Grace Gekpe, permanent secretary of the ministry of information, Oladele said the Indian authorities were irked by the “unruly behaviour of El-Zakzaky”.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Oladele said El-Zakzaky refused to subject himself to preliminary medical checks after officials resisted pressure to give him his international passport.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“He demanded free movement and access to visitors of all kinds and also requested to be allowed to be checked into a five star hotel instead of being admitted in a hospital,” he said.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“The request was rejected on the ground that he came into the country for medicals, and not as a tourist, especially with the visa issued on medical grounds and not tourism.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“Against medical ethics and standard practice, he requested to nominate doctors of his choice to join the ones tasked by Medanta Hospital to perform medical treatment on him and his wife.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“That demand created a stalemate as the hospital insisted that he would not dictate to it on the choice of medical personnel to carry the required medical treatment.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">“Frustrated by his antics, the Indian authorities have expressed willingness to return him to Nigeria with immediate effect. This is on the account that they will not allow him use their country to internationalise his group’s activities.”</div>
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Latest-News El-Zakzaky chose Indian hospital to ‘spread his group’s activities’

The Initiative to Save Democracy, a political group, has alleged that Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), chose the Indian hospital he left to return to Nigeria on Friday for a reason best known to him. In a stateme…

How ex-governor Yari looted Zamfara dry in eight years – ICPC

09:41 Unknown 0

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed findings from its preliminary investigation of allegations of money laundering and diversion of public funds against the immediate governor of Zamfara State, Abdulazeez Abubakar Yari.<br />
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The ICPC, in documents filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja gave details from the report of its interim investigation of Yari’s asset declaration before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB and accounts linked to him in two banks – Zenith and Polaris banks.<br />
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The agency, while accusing Yari of not being truthful in his assets declaration, claimed that the ex-governor diverted Zamfara State’s funds, using some companies in which he allegedly has interest – Kayatawa Nigeria Limited and B. T. Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.<br />
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The ICPC also claimed that it found that Yari, who was the then Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum transferred funds from the group to one of his firms.<br />
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It alleged that on June 18, 2015, the 3rd respondent i.e B.T. Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited received a transfer of the sum of N150, 000, 000.00 from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum through the 1st respondent when (he) the 1st respondent was the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum<br />
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Yesterday, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja granted an ex-parte motion by the ICPC, in which it sought to temporarily freeze the accounts allegedly linked to Yari and both companies in Zenith and Polaris banks, pending the conclusion of the investigation.<br />
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ICPC’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, had argued that motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/916/2019 on Wednesday following which Justice Taiwo fixed ruling for August 16, 2019. The motion has Yari, Kayatawa and B.T. Oil and Gas as respondents.<br />
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Justice Taiwa, in the ruling yesterday, granted the nine reliefs sought by the ICPC. He ordered the agency to make the order public by publishing it in a national daily within 14 days, and for any part affected by the order to respond within seven days by justifying their ownership of the affected funds and convincing why the money in the accounts and other affected assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.<br />
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The reliefs granted by the court, and as prayed by the ICPC are the following, among others:<br />
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An order of interim forfeiture of the sum of N12, 912, 848.68 being proceeds of some unlawful activity allegedly stashed in Zenith Bank Plc with account number: 1001381684 in the name of Abdulazeez Abubakar Yari.

Latest-News How ex-governor Yari looted Zamfara dry in eight years – ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed findings from its preliminary investigation of allegations of money laundering and diversion of public funds against the immediate governor of Zamfara State…

I have killer curves; I have to flaunt them- Destiny Etiko

09:41 Unknown 0

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Rising Enugu based actress, Destiny Etiko is one role interpreter who isn’t just talented but also s3xy.<br />
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Etiko who turned a year older on Monday, August 12  got a car gift on her day.<br />
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The car gift stirred a myriad of controversies on social media, with many doubting If she truly bought it with her hard-earned money.<br />
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In a chat with The Sun, Etiko said: “I’m still super excited about my birthday. I feel happy knowing fully well that people I didn’t expect to show me love showed me so much love, so I’m happy. As for the car gift, well, I work so hard for it. Yes, but then I cannot cough out money to buy such a car; it’s not that I can’t buy a car for myself. This particular Mercedes Benz is a gift. I don’t care what people say, I won’t mention who bought it for me. That’s exactly what happened last year when my boyfriend bought me a Venza; people kept saying all sorts of things. People will always talk and I don’t care.”<br />
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Reacting to a question on why she loves to flaunt her curves on social media, she said:”I have the curves, yeah! And I’m a brand ambassador of killer curves, and our waist trainer is one of the best. So, if I wear it, it brings my curves out and takes my waist in. It’s what God gave me. I didn’t do surgery to have such killer curves, so I have to flaunt it. People are saying my curves will attract all kinds of men to me on social media, but funny enough, I don’t even read my DMs (Direct Messages). I don’t go to my DM, so anybody that doesn’t contact me personally can’t have access to me.”

Latest-News I have killer curves; I have to flaunt them- Destiny Etiko

Rising Enugu based actress, Destiny Etiko is one role interpreter who isn’t just talented but also s3xy. Etiko who turned a year older on Monday, August 12 got a car gift on her day. The car gift stirred a myriad of controversies on social media, w…

BBNaija: I don’t care about your lineage Frodd tells Seyi [VIDEO]

09:31 Unknown 0

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BBNaija Housemates, Frood and Seyi on Friday night engaged in a heated argument, raining invectives on each other.<br />
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The fight began when Biggie provided alcohol for housemates after Friday arena games.<br />
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Frodd quizzed Seyi over the availability of enough drinks and alcohol in the house, and the manner its distribution was being handled.<br />
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Seyi who was not having it with Frodd said: “I’m a big man where I’m coming from, I can’t fight about alcohol. I’m bigger than it.”<br />
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Frodd in response slammed Seyi, adding that he does not care about his lineage as they all have equal rights in the house.<br />
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“Wetin you come dey do for here, you be big man, you con follow me come this place!<br />
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“What is my business with your lineage?<br />
Seyi is the grandson to Obafemi Awolowo.<br />
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Recall that Seyi had on Thursday during rehearsal for the task given to them by Biggie got into an fight with Mike which did not go down well with other housemates.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBNaija?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBNaija</a>...frodd my brothers from the UK ask me to send me ur AZA so they can appreciate u for exposing SEYI SILLY A**....he say na wentin concern me with OLOWO...😂😂 <a href="https://t.co/dE4lLA07jY">pic.twitter.com/dE4lLA07jY</a></p>
— Lexzy (@lexzysmile) <a href="https://twitter.com/lexzysmile/status/1162485501313597441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Latest-News BBNaija: I don’t care about your lineage Frodd tells Seyi [VIDEO]

BBNaija Housemates, Frood and Seyi on Friday night engaged in a heated argument, raining invectives on each other. The fight began when Biggie provided alcohol for housemates after Friday arena games. Frodd quizzed Seyi over the availability of enou…

$12m fraud: FBI tracked, arrested Forbes’ celebrated Nigerian young billionaire, Obinwanne Okeke

09:11 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxUNu2lSskIeCeHsSpVOjT2oh_9xh_UW28xudXwrHE7dP5O-0vSUby6AbQ_SIaxIOhbnD2ayIIcTEvGLwKhSJCU5TD_mbEUkyMU_Jq7K54KJPSN5R7WpB66p1RKf9S-qWAHw5PLdYvfE/s1600/obi-n-750x430.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxUNu2lSskIeCeHsSpVOjT2oh_9xh_UW28xudXwrHE7dP5O-0vSUby6AbQ_SIaxIOhbnD2ayIIcTEvGLwKhSJCU5TD_mbEUkyMU_Jq7K54KJPSN5R7WpB66p1RKf9S-qWAHw5PLdYvfE/s400/obi-n-750x430.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nigerian entrepreneur, Obinwanne Okeke of conspiracy to commit fraud running into the sum of 12 million US dollars.<br />
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This was disclosed in an affidavit made available to the press on Friday, August 15, by Marshall Ward, a special agent employed by the United States Department of Justice.<br />
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According to the information disclosed, the investigation was premised on a complaint lodged by representatives of Unatrac Holdings Limited for being victimized in the fraud.<br />
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The story has gone viral on social media with political commentator, Tolu Ogunlesi tweeting about it with the caption, “NEWS: The FBI is charging this young Nigerian ‘Entrepreneur’ with conspiracy to commit Computer Fraud & conspiracy to commit Wire Fraud. BEC stuff. Amount involved appears to be around ELEVEN MILLION US DOLLARS.<br />
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“The FBI evidence against him is damning!!!”<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">NEWS: The FBI is charging this young Nigerian ‘Entrepreneur’ with conspiracy to commit Computer Fraud & conspiracy to commit Wire Fraud. BEC stuff. Amount involved appears to be around ELEVEN MILLION US DOLLARS.<br />
<br />
The FBI evidence against him is damning!!! <a href="https://t.co/Q6ZauTYv07">https://t.co/Q6ZauTYv07</a> <a href="https://t.co/OCv9Yhc88q">pic.twitter.com/OCv9Yhc88q</a></p>
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) <a href="https://twitter.com/toluogunlesi/status/1162418493381402624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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</script>Obinwanne Okeke (born 9 November 1987) is a Nigerian entrepreneur and the founder of Invictus Group.<br />
<br />
In 2016, he was named by Forbes as one of ‘30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 to Watch’.<br />
<br />
He was also listed among 100 Most Influential Young Africans 2018 which included Davido, Falz, Ahmed Musa.<br />
<br />
Obinwanne Okeke has been extensively involved in sourcing, structuring, implementing and monitoring various private equity investments in African and Australian markets and has over 10 years of investment experience.<br />
<br />
Prior to founding Invictus Group, he assisted with founding and running other entrepreneurial establishments.<br />
<br />
He holds a Bachelors and a master’s degree (MA) in International Relations and Counter-Terrorism (cum laude) from Monash University, Australia.<br />
<br />
He has received several leadership honorary awards from local as well as international organizations.<br />
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Obi’s business interest span across a number of sectors, which include mainly real estate development, energy and construction. Invictus Group operates in three African countries, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia.<br />
<br />
Recently, Obi’s focus has been on building energy-efficient houses that feed exclusively from solar power.

Latest-News $12m fraud: FBI tracked, arrested Forbes’ celebrated Nigerian young billionaire, Obinwanne Okeke

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nigerian entrepreneur, Obinwanne Okeke of conspiracy to commit fraud running into the sum of 12 million US dollars. This was disclosed in an affidavit made available to the press on Friday, A…

How we use sticks to cut burglary proof during operation — Robbers

06:02 Unknown 0

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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="680" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgQ2yY0tbvCc9ZXq5IbNL1KfCnmZcWSE3EBW8zeaxIf0CgxVU70JjJmLbZ85uMB27Pep2dOnDlYKbg5ZL-KKtpzv_mOZnxT6lcOVTx6tJJozNwTIii5NuasAkU9xBoMXsUiPLZY7W4FEf/s640/Robbers.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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Every day, robbers device new means to beat security measures put in place by owners of property or security agents in order to ensure easy access during operation.<br />
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The latest devise is the use of sticks by robbers to cut burglary proofs fixed on windows and doors, instead of the commonly used saw. This was disclosed by two suspected members of a robbery gang that specialized in invading people’s homes at the wee hours of the day, both in Lagos and Ogun States, dispossessing them of cash, telephones and other valuables.<br />
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<a name='more' id="more"></a>The suspects: Taiwo Ogunba, 26 and Samuel Adetunji, 22, were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Lagos State Police Command, and two vehicles recovered from them which were forcefully collected from their owners at gun points, in Mowe area of Ogun state and Abule-Egba area of Lagos. The vehicles were recovered in far away Jos, Plateau and Jigawa states.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Victims recount ordeals</b><br />
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Elated victims who stormed the SARS office, when news of their recovered vehicles reached them, expressed surprise that stolen vehicles that had left the shores of Lagos, could still be recovered. They were full of praises for the CSP Peter Gana-led unit, especially the victim who was yet to register his newly purchased Toyota Pontiac car. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the four-man gang that evaded his Fagba residence, on May 21, 2019, Mr Segun Oluwabi said, “they broke into my apartment through the louvers from the toilet and ordered us to lie down at gun point. Three of them came inside, took our phones, our children’s clothes, home theater, Plasma television and sales from our recharge card business. They parked everything inside our car, a Toyota Pontiac which I bought a month ago and was yet to register it. Before then, they had beaten me mercilessly because I refused to drop my phone and the car keys”. Continuing from where her husband stopped, Mrs Oluwabi said that while returning home from the shop the previous night, she passed by one of the suspects, whom she said turned to take a second look at her, fixing his gaze on the bag she was carrying.<br />
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<b><br /></b><b>Suspects’ confessions</b><br />
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The suspects did not deny the statements by the victims when they were interviewed. When asked how they entered the apartment, one of them, Samuel Adetunji, said, “We used sticks to cut the burglary proof. Asked how that was possible, he demonstrated it on a burglary proof fixed on a door around. He said, “We used a two- by-two stick, usually two. We would place them between the edge of one of the iron and start filing it. Before you know it, it would cut and we will pull that section out, thereby creating a passage through which we would enter and begin operation. This method is better than using saw which usually caused noise and attract victims. We also used this method because we are not with guns. We operated with toy guns. Also, whenever the power generating sets are on, the noise helps us to gain access into apartments because occupants would not even know about our presence until we are already inside.<br />
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Why I joined robbery gang</b><br />
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“I live in Iyana Ipaja, where I pay N71,000 as rent. The money realized from robbery was used to rent the apartment. I joined the gang this year through one of the gang members, Ogunba, whom I met at Abattoir, Agege. We started by stealing keke marwa (tricycles) from where they were parked . All we did was to disconnect the wire and drive it away, for onward sale at Mushin. I was selling ram for a man but the money realised was nothing to write home about. I was a footballer, I travelled to Kano state for screening in a club but I did not succeed. I returned in April and was looking for what to do to eke out a living when I met Ogunba”.<br />
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We only attack occupants of flats</b><br />
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His partner in crime, 26-year-old Taiwo Ogunba, from Ogun State, stated that their targets were mainly occupants of flats. He also said that they only attacked those on the ground floors. According to the Primary school drop out, “We don’t usually know who these victims are. Before we operate, we would go round the area at night, looking for flats to to rob and then come back when everyone would be sleeping.<br />
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We only attacked occupants on the ground floor. We settled for those in flats because we believe they would have what we need, unlike those in ‘face-me-I face-you’ (single room) who usually gave us ‘kpalasa’ phones (low quality ones). The two cars stolen at Mowe and Fagba were sold by Adetunji for N250,000 each and the money was shared between four of us”.<br />
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But when the 27-year-old receiver of the stolen vehicles, Isiaku Suleiman, was arrested, he revealed that he gave one of the suspects, Adetunji, N400,000, for each cars, as against N250,000 he(Adetunji) declared to his members. Asked if he was aware that the cars were stolen, Suleiman, who resides in Jos, the Plateu state capital, nodded his head. He said, “I sold them for N900,000 but the market value is almost twice the amount I sold them. Yes, I bought them for N400,000 but Adetunji asked me to tell his colleagues that I bought them for N250,000 each”.

Latest-News How we use sticks to cut burglary proof during operation — Robbers

Every day, robbers device new means to beat security measures put in place by owners of property or security agents in order to ensure easy access during operation. The latest devise is the use of sticks by robbers to cut burglary proofs fixed on wi…

Why we brought El-Zakzaky back to Nigeria — FG

03:11 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="606" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0Clw33cr3SlIvmd1yc3Fm2ZTURqBA4KgT8tlmiI1zamyePDnB1Px7ONlEBuIQLRcGT4MXfpRD-jeHxm6_p8loPKMfyVTEGHHBPpdfIRuVIM32rIyvXjTOz9Yc3oCyMX-nW9Wqc-scbRE/s400/Ibraheem-El-Zakzaky1+shiite+2.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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The Federal Government on Friday raised the alarm over alleged plans by the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, to seek asylum.<br />
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The government specifically said his actions in India demonstrated malicious intents that were capable of embarrassing the governments of Nigeria and India.<br />
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A statement issued in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Isu Gekpe, entitled: “The repatriation of Ibraheem El-Zakzaky from India”, said the wife of the IMN leader also antagonised the Indian and Nigerian security agencies and accused them of killing her children to win international sympathy as well as disparage the Nigerian government.<br />
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The statement reads: “The Federal Government wishes to inform the public about the latest development in the Ibraheem El-zakzaky medical trip controversies to India. The government notes with dismay the acts of misconduct exhibited by El-Zakzaky that necessitated his repatriation.<br />
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“The earlier statement of August 14, 2019, by the government addressed the issues that would have raised some questions with the latest occurrences and particularly the uncelebrated return of El-Zakzaky from India.<br />
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“The public may note that El-Zakzaky’s actions in India demonstrated malicious intents that were capable of embarrassing the governments of Nigeria and India. With total disrespect and complete loss of decorum for international procedures while in India, he initiated contacts with a team of lawyers led by Ali Zia Kabir Chaudary and Gunjan Singh in that country.<br />
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“He also contacted some Non-Governmental Organisations, such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission and other Shiite groups. His aim was to seek asylum and eventually relocate to another country. It is important to note that if an Indian court had granted El-Zakzaky asylum or leave to travel to another country, it would have violated the Nigerian court order that granted him permission to travel for medical treatment.<br />
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“However, he used the opportunity of being in India to attempt to internationalise his cause by mobilising the Rights groups. Even most unfortunate and rather embarrassing as earlier stated, was his quest to be relocated to a 5-Star hotel to receive visitors instead of being admitted in the hospital as a sick person he claimed to be.<br />
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“In spite of his misconduct, El-Zakzaky’s spouse went further to antagonize the Indian and Nigerian security agents and accused the latter of killing her children. These acts were aimed at winning international sympathy as well as disparaging the Nigerian government.<br />
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“Having subordinated the quest for medical treatment to other ulterior motives, it became obvious that El-Zakzaky was focused on realising some sinister motives, thus the decision to return him to Nigeria.”

Latest-News Why we brought El-Zakzaky back to Nigeria — FG

The Federal Government on Friday raised the alarm over alleged plans by the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, to seek asylum. The government specifically said his actions in India demonstrated malicious intents that wer…

Shiites kick as El-Zakzaky, wife return to DSS custody

03:11 Unknown 0

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Hostilities resumed on Friday between the Federal Government and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) moments after officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) took the leader of the sect, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, back into custody.<br />
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The couple had returned home earlier in the day from India after complaining that the medical facility made available to them in New Delhi was inferior to the one at the Kirikiri prison in Nigeria.<br />
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His Shiite followers issued an angry statement protesting “the way the security agents whisked him away upon arrival without allowing the multitude of journalists that were waiting for him for hours to have a chat with him.”<br />
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They claimed that government was not keen on allowing El-Zakzaky receive medical treatment abroad in the first instance.<br />
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They vowed to continue their “struggle to ensure that our leader gets the appropriate medical treatment he deserves.”<br />
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But the federal government in a swift reaction said El-Zakzaky’s aim was to “seek asylum and eventually relocate to another country.”<br />
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His actions in India, government added, “demonstrated malicious intents that were capable of embarrassing the governments of Nigeria and India.’<br />
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The IMN in a statement by its spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, said: “As our leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has landed safely at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport today (yesterday), we wish to set the records straight in order to disabuse the minds of Nigerians from the false claims perpetrated in some sponsored stories and articles in the media concerning his aborted medical treatment in India.<br />
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“However, before we do that, we vehemently condemn the way the security agents whisked him away upon arrival without allowing the multitude of journalists that were waiting for him for hours to have a chat with him. We urge the security agency holding him hostage to declare to the public where they are keeping him in the country.<br />
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“It is a well-known fact that the Nigerian authorities had tried all their antics to see that the Sheikh wasn’t given a medical leave.<br />
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“Distrustful of the Nigerian government’s offer of a jet to take him to the destination, having survived its attempts to poison and kill him while in detention, our leader Sheikh Zakzaky declined the offer and chose to pay for his trip through the Emirates Airline.<br />
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“Their ordeal started right here in Nigeria when they were scheduled to board the plane to Dubai. After a 2 hours’ drive from Kaduna to Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja, they were not given enough time to rest before boarding the plane.<br />
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“They endured an 8-hour flight to Dubai and another 3-hour flight to New Delhi.<br />
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“Under normal circumstances, as patients suffering life threatening ailments, they shouldn’t have been subjected to such exhaustion.<br />
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“Nonetheless, our leader and his wife endured the journey, hoping that they would get good treatment when they reached New Delhi.<br />
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“However, even though they needed rest, on arrival, they were wheeled to a hospital without their personal physician that accompanied them from Nigeria.<br />
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“They were then subjected to physical examination in the absence of the doctors that examined them in Nigeria, and when they requested for their presence, it was turned down.<br />
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“Even a physician that came from London was also denied access to them. It was at this point that Sheikh Zakzaky refused any attempt to have him forcibly treated.<br />
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“More so, the Hospital compromised its stance and medical ethics. As a result, the Sheikh lost interest in the hospital and demanded to see his own doctors for a substitute arrangement.<br />
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“It is well within every patient’s right to decide whether or not to be treated and to also decide who attends to his health. It is called ‘giving of consent’, which every sane autonomous person with capacity is entitled to.<br />
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“Contrary to the Nigerian government’s press statement that misinformed that it was against “medical ethics and standard practice,” it is in fact at the very essence of medical ethics, which every elementary medical person knows.<br />
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“The interference of the government raised suspicion that it was planning to kill the Sheikh in India, using its international connections.<br />
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“He insisted that if he would not be allowed to see the doctors that brought him to India, he would rather come back to Nigeria and seek another destination for his treatment.<br />
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“This became clear because of the government’s stance insisting on other doctors than the ones that he was in India to meet.<br />
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“They finally decided to bring him back for refusing to succumb to be treated by their chosen doctors.<br />
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“It is worth noting that the Kaduna high court allowed the Sheikh to go to India with the government only supervising.<br />
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“Instead, the federal government presented him to the Indian government as a dangerous suspect with an unknown ailment coming to India and demanded that stringent security be placed on him.<br />
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“There was even a report that the security agents in India subjected him to physical assault.<br />
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“It is glaringly clear that the Nigerian government had an ulterior motive it was nursing using its connections in India when it violated court order and interfered with the procedures of the Sheikh’s treatment.<br />
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“This can also be deduced from the way the security agents whisked him away to unknown destination after arrival at Abuja International airport, without allowing him to have audience with the journalists that were waiting for his arrival.<br />
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“The Islamic Movement will however continue its struggle to ensure that our leader gets the appropriate medical treatment he deserves as ordered by the Kaduna High court.<br />
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“And as we continue with the struggle, we wish to reiterate our call for the federal government to comply with an earlier Abuja high court that has freed him since 2016.<br />
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“We believe obedience to this court order will finally solve the crisis that has been lingering since the Zaria genocide of December 2015.”<br />
<b><br /></b><b>FG: he tried to seek asylum in India</b><br />
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The Federal Government however blamed El-Zakzaky for the stalemate, alleging that he tried to seek asylum in India.<br />
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Reacting to the IMN statement, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Gekpe, said: “The Federal Government wishes to inform the public about the latest development in the Ibraheem El-Zakzaky medical trip controversies to India.<br />
<br />
“The Government notes with dismay the acts of misconduct exhibited by El-Zakzaky that necessitated his repatriation.<br />
<br />
“The earlier statement of 14th August 2019 by the Government addressed the issues that would have raised some questions with the latest occurrences and particularly the uncelebrated return of El-Zakzaky from India.<br />
<br />
“The public may note that El-Zakzaky’s actions in India demonstrated malicious intents that were capable of embarrassing the governments of Nigeria and India.<br />
<br />
“With total disrespect and complete loss of decorum for international procedures while in India, he initiated contacts with a team of lawyers led by Ali Zia Kabir Chaudary and Gunjan Singh in that country.<br />
<br />
“He also contacted some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and other Shiite groups. His aim was to seek asylum and eventually relocate to another country.<br />
<br />
“It is important to note that if an Indian court had granted El-Zakzaky asylum or leave to travel to another country, it would have violated the Nigerian court order that granted him permission to travel for medical treatment.<br />
<br />
“However, he used the opportunity of being in India to attempt to internationalise his cause by mobilising the Rights groups.<br />
<br />
“Even most unfortunate and rather embarrassing as earlier stated, was his quest to be relocated to a 5-Star hotel to receive visitors instead of being admitted in the hospital as a sick person he claimed to be.”<br />
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In an earlier statement on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary had said: “The Court on 5th August, 2019 granted Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky leave to travel to India for medical treatment. Consequently, the Government and its relevant agencies took steps to comply with the order.<br />
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“In line with the Court Order, El-Zakzaky was approved to embark on the trip with state officials and his choice to be accompanied by his aides and personal doctors was not opposed by the government.<br />
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“On 12th August, 2019, he and other members of the entourage went to India via Dubai. It is to be noted that El-Zakzaky particularly chose Medanta Hospital, India.<br />
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“However, on reaching Dubai, El-Zakzaky began to display ulterior motives against laid down procedures.<br />
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“He requested that his passport be handed over to him but the state officials would not budge to his pressure. The situation became worse in India as he refused to subject himself to preliminary medical checks.<br />
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“In addition, he demanded free movement and access to visitors of all kinds as well as requested to be allowed to check into a 5-star hotel instead of being admitted in the hospital.<br />
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“The request was refused on the ground that he came into the country for medicals and not as a tourist (more so that his visa was issued on medical grounds and not for tourism).<br />
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“He also demanded that police protection be withdrawn from him by the Indian authorities.<br />
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“Against medical ethics and standard practice, he requested to nominate doctors of his choice to join the ones tasked by Medanta Hospital to perform medical treatment on him and his wife.<br />
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“This created a stalemate, which the Hospital insisted that he would not dictate to it on the choice of medical personnel to carry the required medical treatment.<br />
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“Frustrated by his antics, the Indian authorities have expressed willingness to return him to Nigeria with immediate effect. This is on the account that they will not allow him use their country to internationalize his group’s activities.<br />
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“Against this background, the Nigerian government wishes to commend the stand of the Indian Government as well as apologise to her for the unruly behaviour of El-Zakzaky.<br />
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“Similarly, the attention of the public and indeed the international community is hereby drawn to these unfortunate developments.<br />
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“The government also wishes to use this opportunity to affirm its readiness to undertake the prosecution of El-Zakzaky through due process if and when he is returned to the country.<br />
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“On this note, his foul cry that he is being held in circumstances worse than he was in Nigeria should be disregarded.”<br />
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‘Iranian cleric phoned El-Zakzaky in India, expressed support for treatment’<br />
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The influential Teheran Times reported yesterday that the secretary general of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought (WFPIST), Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, phoned El-Zakzaky on Thursday to assure him that Iran would do its utmost to help the process of his medical treatment.<br />
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The paper said: “Learning about the physical and mental conditions of the ailing Nigerian cleric, Ayatollah Araki voiced concern about Sheikh Zakzaky’s health, and gave him an assurance that both Iran and the WFPIST would make every effort to contribute to the process of his medical treatment.<br />
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“The Nigerian Muslim leader, for his part, expressed gratitude to Iran for its helpful efforts, saying the course of his treatment at New Delhi’s Medanta hospital has not still begun.<br />
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“According to Ayatollah Araki, Sheikh Zakzaky’s morale was high.<br />
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“Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife flew out of Nigeria on Tuesday to get medical treatment in India.<br />
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“The Arabic-language al-Ahed new agency reported on Wednesday that Sheikh Zakzaky has decided to leave India because the severe security restrictions have adversely affected the course of his medical treatment.<br />
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“The top Shiite cleric has been held in detention since December 2015 and was charged just in April 2018 with murder, culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, disruption of public peace and other accusations. He has pleaded not guilty.<br />
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“Zakzaky has lost his left eyesight in a raid by the Nigerian army on his residence in the northern town of Zaria in December 2015.<br />
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“During the raid, the cleric’s wife sustained serious wounds too and more than 300 of his followers and three of his sons were killed.”<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Falana seeks adequate treatment for sect leader at home</b><br />
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Counsel to the El-Zakzakys, Mr.Femi Falana (SAN) last night berated the federal government for its handling of the ‘critical health conditions of the El-zakzakys’.<br />
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He said: “I have just confirmed the disturbing news that the planned medical treatment of Sheikh Ibraheem El-zakzaky and his wife in India was aborted and that they have since returned to Nigeria.<br />
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“Having regards to this unfortunate episode I am of the firm view that what has embarrassed the federal government is the fact that Nigeria has become a laughing stock to the extent that her leaders and citizens (who have the financial wherewithal) have to travel abroad for medical treatment.<br />
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“For goodness sake in what way was the Indian Government offended by the insistence of the El-zakzakys to be treated by doctors of their choice?<br />
<br />
“However, in view of their critical health conditions the El-zakzakys and the federal government should urgently reach an understanding to facilitate their medical treatment in Nigeria.<br />
<br />
“In other words, since the federal government is apparently not prepared to allow the couple to seek medical treatment abroad for fear that they may seek political asylum the authorities should provide adequate medical equipment for their treatment in Nigeria without any further delay.”

Latest-News Shiites kick as El-Zakzaky, wife return to DSS custody

Hostilities resumed on Friday between the Federal Government and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) moments after officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) took the leader of the sect, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, b…

It’s a shame FG’s tolerating killer herdsmen — Fani-Kayode

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Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has described as a national shame, the refusal of the federal government to proscribe killer herdsmen despite what he termed their evil activities, stressing such travesty happen due to absence of good governance.<br />
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Kayode lamented the persistent killing of innocent Nigerians in different parts of the country, noting that in the last four years, Fulani herdsmen had killed Nigerians more than the Boko Haram insurgents had done stating that over 3, 400 deaths caused by herdsmen had been recorded.<br />
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He spoke in Jos at a public lecture organised by TEKAN, a federation of Christian churches in Nigeria with the theme “Good governance in Nigeria today: A crucial role of the Church.”<br />
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He maintained the persistent killings in the country had lingered because there was no good governance in the country but the situation must not be allowed to continue saying, “How can there be good governance when Nigerians are being killed on daily basis without anything being done by the government to safeguard the lives of the people? How can there be good governance when Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world? In all these, government had not done anything.<br />
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Those that commit these atrocities against Nigeria, God will judge them.” The former Minister added that the continued detention of Leah Sharibu and others by Boko Haram would remain a “spiritual wound” in the life of APC administration until they are freed by the government. He further urged Nigerians particularly Christians to unite and work together irrespective of their denomination.<br />
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“With over 100 million population in Nigeria, Christians have a duty to ensure good governance in the country. I am fed up with people who said we should say nothing and do nothing. With the way Nigerians are being killed, Christians have a duty to stand up and resist evil that it may flee. We must fight for the weak and speak truth to power.

Latest-News It’s a shame FG’s tolerating killer herdsmen — Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has described as a national shame, the refusal of the federal government to proscribe killer herdsmen despite what he termed their evil activities, stressing such travesty happen due to absence of good g…

How El-Zakzaky tried to seek asylum in India – Nigerian government

03:11 Unknown 0

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The Nigerian government said on Friday that Shiite leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky tried to seek asylum in India.<br />
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The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Gekpe, said this in a statement sent to newsmen.<br />
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“With total disrespect and complete loss of decorum for international procedures while in India, he initiated contacts with a team of lawyers led by Ali Zia Kabir Chaudary and Gunjan Singh in that country. He also contacted some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and other Shiite groups. His aim was to seek asylum and eventually relocate to another country,” the official said.<br />
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Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenah, returned to Nigeria from India on Friday. The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), headed by the Shiite leader, had earlier released a statement accusing the Nigerian government of frustrating his medical treatment in India.<br />
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The IMN also condemned the way Mr El-Zakzaky was rearrested by security operatives at the Abuja after his arrival.<br />
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The cleric and his wife have been detained by the SSS since December 2015 after soldiers killed at least 347 IMN members for blocking a public road.<br />
<b><br />
Read the full statement by the Nigerian government below.<br /></b><br />
<blockquote>The Federal Government wishes to inform the public about the latest development in the Ibraheem El-Zakzaky medical trip controversies to India. The Government notes with dismay the acts of misconduct exhibited by El-Zakzaky that necessitated his repatriation.<br />
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The earlier statement of 14th August 2019 by the Government addressed the issues that would have raised some questions with the latest occurrences and particularly the uncelebrated return of El-Zakzaky from India. The public may note that<br />
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El-Zakzaky’s actions in India demonstrated malicious intents that were capable of embarrassing the Governments of Nigeria and India.<br />
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With total disrespect and complete loss of decorum for international procedures while in India, he initiated contacts with a team of lawyers led by Ali Zia Kabir Chaudary and Gunjan Singh in that country. He also contacted some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and other Shiite groups. His aim was to seek asylum and eventually relocate to another country.<br />
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It is important to note that if an Indian court had granted El-zakzaky asylum or leave to travel to another country, it would have violated the Nigerian court order that granted him permission to travel for medical treatment. However, he used the opportunity of being in India to attempt to internationalise his cause by mobilising the Rights groups. Even most unfortunate and rather embarrassing as earlier stated, was his quest to be relocated to a 5-Star hotel to receive visitors instead of being admitted in the hospital as a sick person he claimed to be.<br />
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In spite of his misconduct, El-Zakzaky’s spouse went further to antagonize the Indian and Nigerian security agents and accused the latter of killing her children. These acts were aimed at winning international sympathy as well as disparaging the Nigerian Government. Having subordinated the quest for medical treatment to other ulterior motives, it became obvious that El-Zakzaky was focused on realising some sinister motives thus the decision to return him to Nigeria.</blockquote>

Latest-News How El-Zakzaky tried to seek asylum in India – Nigerian government

The Nigerian government said on Friday that Shiite leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky tried to seek asylum in India. The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Gekpe, said this in a statement sent to newsmen. “With tota…

We refused polio immunisation to get govt attention — Kano community

03:11 Unknown 0

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Members of Makuntiri community in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State, on Friday gave reasons for chasing away health workers drafted to conduct polio immunisation in the community.<br />
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The angry community members who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria said that they took the action to draw government attention to their plight.<br />
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According to them, the road leading to the community is in terrible condition, while the bridge linking them to other areas had collapsed.<br />
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Malam Ahmad Ubale, a resident, said they had done all that was necessary to notify government about the state of the road leading to the community, to no avail.<br />
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“To show you that we have been left out, people hardly come to visit our community until polio periods; so this time we have to chase the workers away.<br />
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“We did that because government has given priority to immunization more than anything else, so our rejecting it is to draw government attention to our condition,” Ubale said.<br />
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Another resident, Malam Mudi Bala, expressed concern over the collapse of economic activities in the community as people hardly visit to transact businesses because of the collapsed bridge.<br />
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“You have seen it yourself, the community isn’t easily accessible especially with vehicles. Whenever we go out of the community, it’s always difficult coming back.<br />
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“Our people suffer from other ailments and we are expected to take them to the hospitals which are far from here. How do we cope with the situation?” he asked.<br />
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Bala, however, appealed to the government for prompt intervention to improve their living condition, saying they were not asking for too much.<br />
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NAN reports that the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Health, Usman Bala, later led the immunization team back to the community and got the children immunized.<br />
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He noted the grievances of the community, but warned the residents to desist, henceforth, from injecting politics into health issues.<br />
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NAN reports that Bunkure Local Government had targeted about 62,000 children below the age of five for immunisation in the just concluded August Immunization Plus Days.<br />
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(NAN)

Latest-News We refused polio immunisation to get govt attention — Kano community

Members of Makuntiri community in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State, on Friday gave reasons for chasing away health workers drafted to conduct polio immunisation in the community. The angry community members who spoke to the News Agency of…

LA LIGA: Athletic Bilbao inflict first defeat of the season on Barcelona

03:11 Unknown 0

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Spanish champions Barcelona fell to a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in their opening La Liga game of the season thanks to a sensational late overhead kick from veteran striker Aritz Aduriz.<br />
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The 38-year-old came off the bench late in the game and soon made Barca pay for squandering several chances by acrobatically lashing an unstoppable shot into the net in the 89th minute.<br />
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The Catalans were without injured captain Lionel Messi but lined up with 200 million euros of new talent in France forward Antoine Griezmann and Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.<br />
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However, they lacked sparkle against an energetic Bilbao side.<br />
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Luis Suarez struck the near post in the first half when presented with a terrible back pass from Athletic’s Unai Lopez.<br />
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However, he was soon forced off with a calf injury, while substitute Rafinha rattled the crossbar after coming on. (Reuters/NAN)

Latest-News LA LIGA: Athletic Bilbao inflict first defeat of the season on Barcelona

Spanish champions Barcelona fell to a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in their opening La Liga game of the season thanks to a sensational late overhead kick from veteran striker Aritz Aduriz. The 38-year-old came off the bench late in the game and soo…

US denies disrupting El-Zakzaky’s treatment in India

03:11 Unknown 0

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<br />
The United States (US) has described as baseless the allegation raised by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) that it colluded with the federal government to disrupt the treatment of their leader in India.<br />
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IMN leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky travelled to India to receive medical care as ordered by a Kaduna High Court.<br />
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But he has since returned to Nigeria without receiving any medical treatment following what the Federal Government described as antics by the IMN leader to embarrass the the nation.<br />
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The group on Wednesday quoted a source as saying that before the sheikh Zakzaky’s arrival at New Delhi’s Madental Hospital, officials from American Embassy in India had “threatened” the hospital’s management not to admit the clergyman.<br />
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“Even as the doctors were enthusiastically waiting to receive the Sheikh to save his life, the American secret agents have threatened the hospital officials not to go ahead to treat the sheikh at the hospital,” the group claimed.<br />
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But the embassy dismissed thr claim saying it has no comment on the baseless allegations.<br />
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The embassy in a response to an inquiry by our reporter on the allegation raised by the group on Wednesday stated that US hold highly human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens.<br />
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“The Embassy of the United States to Nigeria has no comment on these baseless allegations. We will state that promoting, protecting, and advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms continues to be a top priority for the United States. The right to exercise one’s freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is a universal human right and bedrock American principle,” the Embassy stated.

Latest-News US denies disrupting El-Zakzaky’s treatment in India

The United States (US) has described as baseless the allegation raised by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) that it colluded with the federal government to disrupt the treatment of their leader in India. IMN leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky travelled t…

Nigerian government loses case to business partner as British court awards $9 Billion in damages to P&ID

01:11 Unknown 0

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<br />
A British court has ruled that an engineering and project management company, Process and Industrial Developments Ltd., has the right to seize $9bn in Nigerian assets.<br />
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The ruling, delivered on Friday (today) by Justice Butcher, bordered on a 2010 contract Nigeria signed with P&ID, to the intent that the latter would build a state-of-the-art gas processing plant to refine natural gas (“wet gas”) into “lean gas” that Nigeria would receive free of charge to power its national electric grid.<br />
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“The lucrative natural gas liquid by-products (propane, ethane, butane) of this processing would be sold by P&ID on the international market, with expected profits in the billions of dollars,” the firm stated on its <a href="https://pandidfacts.com/about-pid/"><b>website.</b></a><br />
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The agreement suffered a setback and, in 2013, P&ID won a $6.6bn arbitration case against the Federal Government.<br />
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<i>The Nigerian Tribune</i> had reported in February that the ‘P&ID V Nigeria’ case had been heard variously at the United States District Courts of Columbia, the United States Court of Appeal, as well as the Business and Property Courts of the United Kingdom.<br />
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The medium referenced a press statement made available to newsmen by Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to then Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).<br />
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The Press release reportedly stated that it was entirely proper for Nigeria to “assert all available and proper defences to the claims brought by Process Industrial Development Limited.”<br />
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It reads that: “The attention of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to series of online publications grossly misrepresenting facts of the (then) on-going litigation between Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID) Vs Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) & Anor, pending before the United States District Court of the District of Columbia (District Court), the United States Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia (Court of Appeal) and the Business and Property Courts of the United Kingdom (Commercial Court).<br />
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“The dispute that led to Arbitration between FGN and P&ID arose from a 20-year Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) entered in 2010 between FGN (through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources) and P&ID in respect of an accelerated gas development project in Nigeria’s OMLs 67 and 123.<br />
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“P&ID never began the construction of the project facility, although it alleges it incurred about $40m in preliminary expenses.<br />
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“P&ID’s claim in the arbitration proceedings was mainly for loss of profit for the entire 20-year term of the GSPA, initially claiming the sum of $1.9bn and later increasing its claim to $5.9bn.<br />
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“The Arbitral Tribunal on 31st January 2017 rendered its Final Award against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the sum of $6.597bn, together with pre-award interest at the rate of 7% per annum effective from 20th March 2013 and post-award interest at the same rate till date of payment.”<br />
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Last February 15th, the United States Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a decision in favour of Nigeria by dismissing P&ID’s motion requesting the court to dismiss Nigeria’s appeal for lack of jurisdiction or to summarily affirm the scheduling order of the District Court.<br />
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On Friday (today), P&ID secured judgment at a British court authorising it to seize $9bn in Nigerian assets.<br />
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City A.M. which published the court ruling, stated that the British judge who delivered the ruling, said that P&ID “can take 20 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign reserves.”<br />
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“The figure was calculated based on what the company was estimated to have earned over the course of the 20-year agreement,” City AM said; noting that, “P&ID now says interest accrued means it is owed $9bn.”<br />
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“Today’s decision means that the arbitration is converted into a legal judgement, allowing P&ID to attempt a seizure of the assets.” City AM said.<br />
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It reported that Counsel to P&ID, Andrew Stafford, expressed satisfaction at the court judgment.<br />
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“We are pleased that the Court has rejected Nigeria’s objections both to the arbitration process and to the amount of the award, and that it will grant permission to P&ID to begin enforcement of the award in the United Kingdom,” Stafford was quoted to have said.<br />
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“P&ID is committed to vigorously enforcing its rights, and we intend to begin the process of seizing Nigerian assets in order to satisfy this award as soon as possible,” the P&ID Counsel added.<br />
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The Federal Government has yet to respond to the judgement.<br />
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Meanwhile, P&ID has a page dedicated to the matter on its website.<br />
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According to the information on its website, P&ID was founded and led by the duo of Michael Quinn and Brendan Cahill; and the firm has “over 30 years’ experience of project management and execution in Nigeria.”<br />
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On its website, the P&ID states its relationship with Nigeria, explaining what it said was the issue that culminated in Friday’s ruling.<br />
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It stated, “P&ID conceived and planned a project that would deliver much-needed power generation to millions of Nigerians, and create profitable by-products for sale on the international market.<br />
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“Under an agreement with Nigeria, P&ID would build a state-of-the-art gas processing plant to refine natural gas (“wet gas”) into “lean gas” that Nigeria would receive free of charge to power its national electric grid.<br />
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“The lucrative natural gas liquid by-products (propane, ethane, butane) of this processing would be sold by P&ID on the international market, with expected profits in the billions of dollars.<br />
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“In 2010, P&ID entered into a 20-year agreement with the federal government of Nigeria to execute this project.<br />
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“Under the agreement, the Nigerian government was to ensure that all necessary pipelines and related infrastructure were installed and that arrangements were made with agencies and third parties to deliver gas for P&ID to process.<br />
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“However, the Nigerian government failed to meet its commitments, causing the project to flounder. This meant Nigeria would lose the opportunity of a new power supply, and P&ID would lose 20 years’ worth of profits.”<br />
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Continuing, the engineering firm stated, “P&ID attempted on multiple occasions to find a solution, and yet Nigeria refused to come to the table.<br />
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“Arbitration commenced in 2012 before a tribunal in London. Although during the arbitration Nigeria claimed to be interested in reaching an amicable settlement with P&ID, in fact Nigeria never made a serious offer and it became clear that Nigeria was attending settlement discussions only to delay the proceedings.<br />
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“In July 2015, the tribunal in London unanimously concluded that Nigeria was liable for the government having repudiated the agreement with P&ID.<br />
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“In January 2017, the tribunal ordered the Nigerian government to pay P&ID $6.6 billion in damages, plus interest that is accruing daily at a rate of over $1.2 million and now stands at $2.8 billion.<br />
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“However, because the Buhari administration refuses to pay, P&ID has brought court proceedings, in both the U.K. and the U.S., to enforce the award. If P&ID is successful, they can enforce the award against Nigeria by seizing its commercial assets.”<br />
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The firm argued that, “In addition to the significance of the debt owed, the P&ID project represents a massive lost opportunity for Nigeria.<br />
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“The P&ID project would have generated annually up to 2,000 megawatts of power for electrical generation and industrialization.<br />
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“Nigeria lacks sufficient electricity to power a modern economy and support its rapidly expanding population – the major increase in low-cost electricity supply brought by the P&ID project could have been transformative for millions of Nigerians.<br />
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“At present, the World Bank estimates that only 59% of the country have access to reliable supply of electricity.”<br />
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Furthermore, the firm accused the Federal Government of breach of contract. The co-founder of P&ID, Brendan Cahill, said, “P&ID was eager to deliver this promising project in the hope of bringing electricity to millions and helping Nigeria reach its full potential.<br />
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“Unfortunately, the government did not uphold its side of the contract, so the project failed.<br />
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“Having been unable to find a willing partner in government to resolve the matter forced us to seek remediation for the repudiation of our contract, which has resulted in an arbitration award against Nigeria.”

Latest-News Nigerian government loses case to business partner as British court awards $9 Billion in damages to P&ID

A British court has ruled that an engineering and project management company, Process and Industrial Developments Ltd., has the right to seize $9bn in Nigerian assets. The ruling, delivered on Friday (today) by Justice Butcher, bordered on a 2010 co…

Woman arrested for locking orphan in dog cage

09:36 Unknown 0

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a woman for allegedly flogging and locking up a 10-year-old orphan in a kennel.<br />
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It was learnt that the incident happened in the Surulere area of Lagos.<br />
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There had been outrage on the social media after a video went viral showing the suspect beating the boy for an unstated offence before throwing him into the kennel.<br />
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Not done, she padlocked the kennel, which was placed by others housing dogs and walked away, while a neighbour secretly filmed the incident.<br />
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Nigerians had called for the arrest and prosecution of the suspect, as a former spokesperson for the Zone 2 Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, promised to act on the footage.<br />
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In a post on her Instagram page on Thursday, Badmos said the suspect had been apprehended.<br />
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She stated, “Last week, we got the report of a woman, who beat up a lad and threw him into a dungeon of dogs.<br />
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“The domestic violence response team of the Lagos State Police Command was activated. The team went into action and the woman was arrested.<br />
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“The suspect is in custody and will be charged. The boy, who happens to be an orphan, has been rescued and kept in a shelter provided by the Lagos State Government.”<br />
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The Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic Sexual Violence Response Team, Lola Adeniyi, commended the resident, who recorded the video and gave information to security agencies.<br />
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She said the suspect was traced based on the information provided by the mandatory reporter.<br />
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Adeniyi stated, “On getting to the house, the suspect was not around. So, we dropped a letter of invitation for her and she responded yesterday (Wednesday). She was arrested and the child taken into protective custody.<br />
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“The 10-year-old is her cousin. Apparently, the boy is an orphan and had been living with her. She claimed that he stole.<br />
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“But locking him in a kennel cannot be the right thing to do. It is a violation of his right as a child. He has the right to life and dignity. “He should not be tortured. So, aside from the beating, he was debased as if he was a dog and that will not be allowed in Lagos. We have enacted the Child Rights Law since 2007 and we are ensuring that the law is enforced.”<br />
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She urged Nigerians not to keep quiet when they see children being abused in their environment.<br />
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Adeniyi applauded the mandatory reporter for being a good Nigerian.<br />
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“You can report anonymously so that your identity will be preserved. The most important thing is that when you see something, say something,” she added.<br />
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The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Bala Elkana, confirmed the arrest of the suspect in a statement.<br />
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He identified the suspect as 24-year-old Onyinye Mbadike of Trimnell Street, Aguda, Surulere.<br />
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Elkana stated, “On August 14, 2019, a team of detectives from the Gender Unit, Command’s Headquarters, Ikeja, arrested Onyinye for assault and child abuse. This followed a viral video on the social media showing the suspect torturing one Chibike of the same address.<br />
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“The video also showed the suspect locking the boy up in a kennel and sharing space with dogs. The video was widely condemned by well-meaning Nigerians.<br />
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“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Zubairu Muazu, had ordered the Gender Unit of the command to identify the woman in the video, rescue the child and make the suspect face the full weight of the law.<br />
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“The Domestic and Sexual Response Team, Alausa, Ikeja, also added its voice to the call for investigation with a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police to that effect.<br />
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“The Gender Unit traced the suspect to the Chumpe Liquor Store, Surulere, and her residence in Aguda. The boy was rescued and taken to a secure shelter. The suspect admitted that she was the one in the viral video flogging the child with a belt, but she denied locking him in a cage with dogs. She said she only locked him in an empty kennel, where bags were being kept.<br />
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“She claimed to have locked up the boy for a few hours before bringing him out. She alleged that the boy took an alcoholic drink from the refrigerator and was misbehaving and that he smashed the side mirror of her Toyota Camry car with a stone, which made her detain him in the kennel.<br />
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“Investigation revealed that the boy lost his parents and was brought to Lagos in 2012 from Anambra State by the mother of the suspect along with his two siblings. The suspect and the assaulted boy are cousins.<br />
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“The suspect’s mother is the elder sister of the boy’s father. The suspect will be charged.”

Latest-News Woman arrested for locking orphan in dog cage

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a woman for allegedly flogging and locking up a 10-year-old orphan in a kennel. It was learnt that the incident happened in the Surulere area of Lagos. There had been outrage on the social media after a vi…