Kano Lawmaker Shot Dead At Relaxation Joint

Danladi Isah Kademi

By Saharareporters, New York

A lawmaker representing Gaya constituency on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)  was killed today by unidentified gunmen in Hotoro area of Kano city.
Danladi Isa Kademi was shot dead around 6.30 pm Nigerian time by Islamist militants operating on a motorcycle.
Mr. Kademi was a  former chairman of the association of Local Government Chairmen in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris confirmed the killing of the lawmaker to the media, but said the police had warned the lawmakers to stay away from relaxation joints.

Traffic Brought to a Standstill as President Jonathan Attends Redemption Camp

Reports from the Vanguard newspaper have revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan has paid an unexpected visit to the ongoing RCCG at Redemption Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
The visit has however, caused a lot of discomfort for road users along the axis as commuters complained bitterly, the Vanguard reported. While passengers were stranded at different Bus Stop for several hours, as security officers attached to the President closed the roads from Marina axis of the state on the Lagos Island to Lagos- Ibadan expressway.
Excerpt of the complaints of some of the road users as reported by the Vanguard are presented below:
One Mr. Adewale Adekoya, a motorist, lamented,” I closed from work early today but to my surprise, I was told that I cannot make use of the road now because the President I elected into office want to pass. This is appallin… I have been this traffic for hours and due to this, I am hungry here now because I did not eat at work hoping to get home early and eat.”
Another affected individual, Simeon Anthony, a commuter, said “I had no option than to trek because I cannot say when the traffic would subside. And for me, I cannot wait at the Bus Stop for a commercial bus that I do not know when it would arrive.”
InformationNigeria.org

“We insisted we won’t pay any ransom” – Governor Uduaghan speaks on Kamene Okonjo’s release

Kamene Okonjo, the mother of finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, released Friday after five days in captivity, was dropped off the road by her captors, the BBC reports.
The BBC quotes Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, as saying 82-year-old Mrs. Okonjo was let off on a main road near her home. The driver of the car was detained, he said.
But hours after the dramatic release, said to have occurred about 10 a.m., the police are yet to provide details of the incident.
Police authorities in Delta State said the details were still being put together and would only be available later.
“We are still piecing the information together,” spokesperson, Charles Muka, was quoted by NAN.
Mr. Uduaghan claimed Mrs. Okonjo’s abductors had probably decided to let her go because of the intense pressure they faced.
But those claims are being tested by allegations that ransom was paid for the release as is often the case with kidnappings where payments are secretly made, and never officially admitted.
Mr. Uduaghan told the BBC the government’s policy of rejecting ransom demands did not change on this case.
“For this one we also insisted that we would not pay any ransom [and] as a government we would not negotiate with anybody,” he reportedly said.
Mrs. Okonjo was kidnapped last Sunday in Delta State.
Earlier, Special Adviser on Media to the Finance Minister, Paul Nwabuikwu, confirmed the release in a statement.
“I can confirm that Professor Mrs. Kamene Okonjo, wife of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Chukuka Okonjo and mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was released this morning, five days after her abduction.
“The Okonjo Family is full of thanks to the Almighty for this happy development. The family is also highly appreciative of the support and encouragement of President Goodluck Jonathan; the Country’s security services for their excellent operations; Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Peter Obi of Anambra, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and other Governors as well other friends and well wishers within and outside government for their prayers and encouragement during a very difficult period. May God bless you all,” Mr. Nwabuikwu said.
He did not offer any further explanation on how her release was secured, nor how much ransom was paid.
Prior to the release, speculations were rife that Mrs Okonjo’s abductors had made various demands, including an initial demand for the payment of about N1billion, which later reportedly reduced to N200 million, claims the police said they were not aware.
It was also reported Thursday that the abductors later reviewed their catalog of demands to include a call for the immediate resignation of the Minister, apparently because of her principled stance on the issue of the investigation of petroleum subsidy payments to marketers, which has attracted a lot of acrimonious attacks from some affected persons.
Kidnappings, including that of relatives of public officials, have been on the increase in Nigeria with families of victims paying huge ransoms to secure their release without admitting the payment publicly.
 DailyPost

Top government officials, politicians contract us – Sea pirates

*Suspected Pirates

By Evelyn Usman
The Task Force Team constituted by the Nigerian Maritime And Safety Administration Agency (NIMASA), to checkmate the menace of attacks on vessels on the nation's waterways, recently arrested four suspected members of a dreaded gang of vessel hijackers on both the Nigeria waters and neighboring West African countries' waters.
But to the great surprise is - the suspects displayed an unrepentant and nonchalant attitude towards their arrest, bragging instead.
In their confessional statement, it was observed that the war against illegal bunkering and attacks on vessels on the nation's waterways by the federal government, may never be won unless urgent and stringent measures, beyond mere political statements are taken to checkmate this worrisome trend.
This is because two of the suspects identified as Bless Nube and Sola Sam, alleged that key players in the political and government corridors were their sponsors. Aside this alarming revelation is the temptation of the huge amount each member of the gang gets at the end of a successful vessel hijack.
According to the 27-year-old Bless, who claimed to be the commander of the dreaded syndicate, " I have nothing to hide again. I am the gang's commander and I am second to none in terms of hitting targets. Even Wazo, earlier arrested, is my boy and he can attest to what I am saying"…
He kept mute for a while and when he continued, he said, " I can't remember how many operations I have led, I have lost count of the number of vessels my gang hijacked".
I made N10 Million from the last operation
He confessed to have led his team to several operations some of which took place in the African continent's territorial waters. One of such hijacks took place in Lome, the capital of Togo,involving the vessel, MT Energy Centurion. Hear him: " The last vessel we hijacked was in Lome, Togo and I made N10 Million from that operation". To the amazement of all, he revealed, " that particular operation was sponsored by some powerful people in Nigeria whose names I will not want to mention… Some of them are even in the Presidency.
Government Officials are our informants
He disclosed further that some top government officials usually gave his gang information on vessels before it struck. " We do not work in isolation. We have a network of ministries' workers. What they do is to give us information on the location and content of the vessels to be hijacked. After furnishing us with the information, they would make part payment and after the hijack, they would pay us the balance.
"Once we complete the assignment , we would inform the pointsmen who thereafter, contact the cabal that takes charge of the hijacked vessels. We usually meet at a designated point on the high sea, from where they would offload the contents from the hijacked vessels and thereafter, deposit them in various oil facilities for distribution by oil marketers.
"We are not directly involved in the sale of the product. We only assist to convey the product to the designated point by acting as escorts in case of any confrontation. My gang has about 3000 various weapons which are kept in different parts of the country", he stated. But he did not say where the weapons were precisely.
We kill during hijack
He likened the operation on the high sea to a theatre of war, saying "at times our victims are killed in the process. This is usually when the crew members try to put up resistance", he said, adding that sometimes,the crew members who were armed opened fire on the gang thereby leading to a shoot-out, during which some of them were killed. " So far we have about 1250 trained pirates across the country. And the truth is, no successful vessel hijack operation takes place in Africa without the knowledge of my gang.''
Piracy is a lucrative business
Asked why he had not left the illicit business for a genuine one, he said he was carried away by the huge amount of money made on each operation which usually runs into several millions of naira.
"The code name for piracy is COJA and it is very lucrative just as it is dangerous because one may be confronted by security agents in the process, or even get arrested as I am now. But it will be difficult for the president to win the war. If he must win, then he has to look inward. Lagos state for instance, is a major coastal place where we meet to discuss on our next target . So, government must first search its big men if it is serious in winning the war".
I begged to be enlisted into the gang- Sam
Also arrested was Sola Sam, who claimed he was tempted to join the gang because of the huge amount of money they received. Preliminary investigation revealed that Sam was initially the gang's errand boy.
"But I had to plead with them to enlist me into vessel hijacking when I saw the money they made on each operation. Whenever they were sharing their loot, they would give me just a token. So, I begged them before Bless agreed to enlist me into the group", recalling that "his first operation with the gang fetched him the sum of N2.7 million, out of which he bought a new car."
I was deceived -Olu Ade
On his part, the third suspect, 28-year-old Olu Ade, claimed he was deceived into joining the gang.
Hear him, " It all happened in November 2011, when I was called to carry out repair on the engine of a vessel in Ondo state. But on reaching there, the gang members told me their plan and I could not go back because I was scared they would kill me.
"They took me into a vessel and I watched them arrest the crew members on board. We thereafter, discharged 2000 metric tons from the vessel named MT ROSTARS. After that, another vessel came to receive the product. The receiving vessel's name was CLEAN. After the transaction, we moved to Ondo State and lodged at Wazo's house to collect the money for the transaction and at the end I was paid N1.8 million"
On receiving the money, Olu travelled to Lagos state from where he intended processing a visa to study in Ukraine. But he was reportedly swindled.
Crime Alert gathered that they were arrested in a hotel in Festac Town, while planning for another operation in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Arrested at last
Bless and members of his gang have been having sway for a long time until they were arrested in a hotel in Festac Town in Amuwo odofin Local Government area of Lagos. Bless as gathered was in the company of some sex workers in the hotel when he was apprehended.
The gang as gathered, was at the final stage of its preparation for an attack on a vessel in Cotonou before they were arrested.
The first person to be arrested as gathered was Sam. He was reportedly lured to Lagos, on the pretext that there would be a meeting prior to the operation. Unknown to him, the call was made by a security operative. Next, was Mike, who reportedly called Sam on his mobile phone to know his whereabouts. He was again lured to a designated place in Lagos, only to fall into the arms of the security operatives and thereafter, Olu.
The gang confessed that the foiled operation was contracted to them by a top player in the oil industry for the sum of N16 Million. 
Vanguard

Petition to IGP Urges Reopening of Gani Fawehinmi Criminal Allegations Case Against Bola Tinubu; Lagos State Govt Declines FOI Request To Disclose Alpha Beta Payments

Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola

By SaharaReporters, New York

A medical doctor, Adegbola Dominic of Santa Maria Hospital in Lagos, has requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to constitute a unit of the force to re-open, commence, take over or conclude the 1999 into the 1999criminal allegations against Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the objective of prosecuting the former governor if need be.
In a letter dated November 1, 2012, Dr. Dominic, an indigene of Lagos State, recalled that in September 1999 when Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the Governor of Lagos State, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi lodged criminal complaints were made against him, seeking to investigate the criminal allegations of falsification of statement/declaration and documents/certificates.
“You would also recall that The Supreme Court held that although you could investigate the Governor who then enjoyed immunity under Section 308 of the Constitution, 1999, you could not prosecute him in view of the express Constitutional Governor’s Immunity provisions of Section 308 – That `no Civil or Criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this Section applies during his period of Office’.”
 The letter says that the Action Congress of Nigeria chief  left office as Governor in 2007, losing the constitutional immunity in the process, but that those serious criminal allegations, which are more serious than those for which Salisu Buhari, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives was investing, have not been investigated.
Indeed, said the complaint, “since the demise of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, your office seems to have fallen asleep over the matter,” over serious criminal allegations that should not to be swept under the carpet.
He said his request is based mainly on the duties responsibilities and obligations of the IGP as provided for under the Constitution and Section 4 of the Police Act Cap 359, 1990 Laws of the Federation which says:
“The police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and shall perform such military duties within or without Nigeria as may be required by them or under the authority of this or any other Act”.
Further pointing out that the IGP would be in violation of the specific provisions of the Constitution and the Police Act if he fails, refuses or neglects to grant his request within 14 days, Dr. Dominic warned that he would initiate legal proceedings against him.
Copies of the letter were sent to the President, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Nigeria Police Council, and the Minister for Police Affairs.
 In an earlier petition, dated October 24, 2012, Dr. Dominic sought from the Commissioner for Finance of Lagos State, under the Freedom of Information Act (2011), detailed information about the contractual relationship between the Government of Lagos State and Alpha Beta Consulting Ltd since 1999, under which the latter has collected taxes on behalf of the government for a commission of 15 per cent per month since that time.
It noted that the Government of Lagos State now boasts internally-generated revenues (IGR) of about N40 billion every month, “translating into a commission of N6 Billion due to and being paid to the Company every month, which sum I consider unfavourable and outrageous to me as a tax payer and Citizen of Lagos State,” the complaint said.
Under that arrangement, Alpha Beta Consulting, which is owned by former Governor Tinubu, will in 2012 alone corner about N72 billion of the revenues of the internally-generated tax revenue of Lagos State.
It was copied to the Board of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, The Auditor-General, the Special Adviser, Taxation & Revenue and the Attorney-General of Lagos State.
In a response dated November 5, 2012, OlanrewajuAkinsola, Special Senior Assistant to the Governor (Justice Sector Reforms) in the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, rejected the application, saying that the FOI is only federal legislation that is not binding on the States.
 

Port Harcourt goes agog as Victor Osuagwu weds in a truck [PHOTOS]

Port Harcourt, The Garden city literarily stood still recently for Nollywood comic actor, Victor Ifeanyichukwu Osuagwu as he officially walked down the aisle with his wife of over 12 years and mother of his four children, Roseline Nchelem.
Famously known as Adams Picolo, Osuagwu decided to add colour to his wedding by riding in a truck down to the venue of the wedding.
Earlier, the couple arrived the St. Paul Anglican Cathedral, located at Diobu Garrison Junction, Aba Road Port Harcourt in a separate Black G-Class Mercedes and Wine colour Range Rover.
The star-studded nuptial took a hilarious dimension after the couple exchanged marital vows as they both mounted the truck through a ladder alongside Nollywood actor Francis Duru and his wife, Adokiye who acted as the Best man and chief bridesmaid respectively.
The city went agog as the ‘wedding train’ led by the brigade band and a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) police team, navigated through the streets of Port Harcourt.
After the exchange of vows, Osuagwu, an ex member of the Boys Brigade, was honoured by the brigade corps in a display match during which he was awarded a badge of honour.
The well-attended event was witnessed by Nollywood A-list actors such as, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, Nollywood twins Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme of the Aki and Pawpaw fame, former President of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, (AGN) Ejike Asiegbu and music star, Muma Gee. Others include, stand up comedian Julius ‘De Genius’ Agwu and Nollywood icon Nkem Owoh, popularly known as Osuofia.

DailyPost

Tribunal grants ACN’s application for inspection of Ondo election materials

By Abimbola Ayobami

The candidates

 The Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, Thursday, granted the application of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and its candidate, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to inspect the election materials used by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the October 20 election held in the State.
The application, filed and argued by ACN’s lawyers, was granted as prayed.
The Justice A. Kaka’n led Tribunal directed INEC to make all documents used for the election available for the inspection of the Petitioners at its Alagbaka Office, Akure as from 10 a.m. every day.
The Tribunal urged counsels to maintain decorum and peace during the inspection.
The Tribunal Chairman also ordered the Police to provide security for lawyers during the said inspection.
Similarly the Tribunal granted the application of Governor, Segun Mimiko of Labour Party, LP, to inspect the INEC materials.
The election tribunal ruled that the ACN and Mr. Mimiko’s inspection at the INEC office shall run concurrently and the absence of any of the parties will not bar the other from continuing with the inspection.
The Tribunal directed INEC to allow the petitioners and 1st Respondent to inspect, make copies, certify all election materials and scan by electronic process the used and unused ballot papers.
The Tribunal overruled Mr. Mimiko’s counsel, Olumide Ayeni, objections to some of the document to be inspected by the ACN.
Mr. Ayeni claimed that some of the document itemized by the Petitioners for inspection was not used for the October 20 Governorship Election.
But, Justice Kaka’n ruled that the objection is premature at this stage of inspection and should be reserved till the trial stage of the petition.
LibertyReport