Banjo, the accidental Biafran By Dare Babarinsa

The arrest and trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed IPOB, is going to dominate the news for many months to come. The trial promises to be a cause celebre, one of those rare cases in which politics, criminality and sensation are mixed with high drama. It is indeed a fitting irony that Kanu, despite his frenzied rhetoric, including referring to his country as a zoo, he was still sober enough to carry a Nigerian passport. We look forward to many more sting operations that would bring to justice leaders of Boko Haram terrorist group and other outlaw organisations. Many of the young supporters of Kanu roaming the streets of Igboland, believe that they are campaigning for the rebirth of the ill-fated state of Biafra. They think that the last Biafra War has ended. It has not. The last Biafran War cannot and would not be truly concluded until the leaders of the Igbos decide to return the body of Colonel Victor Banjo to Yorubaland. Banjo was an accidental Biafran. He died for Biafra. Banjo was executed on September 22, 1967 at the end of a secret trial ordered by Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Head of State of Biafra. He was 37. Banjo’s dark end was the sorry denouement of a brilliant career in the Nigerian Army. Those executed with him were Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Phillip Alale and Sam Agbam. Banjo was at the centre of a web of events that climaxed in the Biafran invasion of then Mid-West State (formerly Mid-West Region and later known as Bendel State and now divided into Edo and Delta states). Ojukwu, the Head of State of the Republic of Biafra, had asked Banjo to lead the invasion as the commander of the Biafran 101st Division. The invasion ended badly and that may have been what earned Banjo his death sentence. By 1966, Banjo was one of the few Yoruba officers in the Nigerian Army, which was then dominated by soldiers from the North and officers from the East. After the first coup of January 15, 1966, Major-General J.T.U Aguiyi-Ironsi, became Nigerian first military Head of State and the Supreme Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He decided to work with younger officers of the rank of lieutenant colonels whom he appointed as military governors. That action might have been due to the fact that all the senior officers of Northern Nigerian origin have been killed in the first coup. The lone survivor was Lt Colonel Yakubu Gowon whom Ironsi quickly appointed the Chief of Army, a position that was vacated by Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo who had now gone on an overseas course. All the surviving colonels and senior lieutenant colonels were retained in the Defence Headquarters in Lagos to work with Ironsi. Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, the most senior officer, became Ironsi’s deputy. Colonel Shittu Alao moved to the fledgling air force. Banjo had earlier been appointed as the first Nigerian commander of the Engineering Corps of the Nigerian Army. That appointment was to be his passport to hell. On January 17, 1966, two days after Ironsi came to power, Banjo was invited to State House Marina, ostensibly, to meet the new ruler. There he was seized by soldiers, led by Lt. Colonel George Kurobo and Major P.A Anwuna and detained at the Army Officers Mess. He had told his wife and children that he was going to work. He never returned. For some days, he was kept in the comfortable environment of the Army Officers Mess. Then he was transferred to the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Apapa. Banjo felt he had been unfairly treated and he petitioned Ironsi. Ironsi ignored him. Then on July 29, 1966, Ironsi was in Ibadan for a meeting with traditional rulers across the country. After the meeting, Ironsi retired to the Government House, where his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, the young military Governor of the West, treated him to a lavish dinner. That night a group of coup makers, stormed the Government House and kidnapped both Ironsi and Fajuyi. For three days, Nigeria had no government. Then on August 1, 1966, Lt. Colonel Yakubu Jack Gowon, a lanky bachelor of 32, was announced as the new Head of State. Banjo was happy with the development. Gowon was his friend and old mate. He believed he would soon be out of prison. He was wrong. He petitioned Gowon for his freedom, but Gowon ignored him also. Instead, he was moved from Kirikiri Prison to a prison in Eastern Nigeria. When Ojukwu declared Eastern Nigeria as the independent Republic of Biafra, he ordered the release of Banjo and made him the General Officer Commanding a Biafran army division. At the beginning of hostilities, the West and the Mid-West had tried to maintain some neutrality, not allowing troops to be deployed from their territory against Biafra. However, Ojukwu ordered a blitzkrieg against the Mid-West and within 24 hours almost the entire region was occupied. The invasion was led by Colonel Banjo. The mission of Banjo however was beyond Mid-West. He was to lead the Biafran invasion of the West and Lagos and proclaim the independence of Western Nigeria from the Federation. The success of that invasion was to cause serious rift between Ojukwu and his old friend Banjo. Banjo objected seriously to the appointment of an Igbo man, Lt. Colonel Albert Okonkwo, as the Military Governor of the new Republic of Benin. Banjo felt a soldier of Mid-West origin should have been appointed. Ojukwu disagreed. In his letter to Banjo, dated August 22, 1967, Ojukwu had made it clear that he intended to hold on to all the aces. Three points in the letter were especially disagreeable to Banjo: 1.You will have nothing to do with the Military Administrator of the Mid-West territory during your sojourn there prior to your move to the West. 2.During the period of Biafran’s troops presence in your territory, all political measures, statements or decrees, shall be subject to the approval, in writing by myself or on my authority. 3. Should our troops arrive and liberate Lagos, the government of the Republic of Biafra reserves the right to appoint a military administrator for the territory. Ojukwu promised that Banjo would be proclaimed the military governor of the new Republic of Western Nigeria. Banjo believed that such a governor should be a partner and not a subordinate to the Head of State of Biafra. Ojukwu disagreed. Of course, Banjo would not concur that Ojukwu should appoint a military administrator for Lagos. He regarded Lagos as part of the West. The disagreement between the two men was protracted and ultimately costly. Ojukwu insisted on having his way and in the end Colonel Okonkwo was made the Head of State of the new Republic of Benin. The delay in Benin allowed Gowon to rally Federal troops and Colonel Murtala Muhammed led the Second Division to confront Biafran forces at Ore, Ondo State. They were joined by troops from the Ibadan Garrison Command (IGC), led by Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo. The Biafrans were routed and the new Republic of Benin was quickly buried. It is time for Igbo leaders to identify where Banjo was buried and return his body for proper burial in the land of his ancestors. Despite the travails and tragedies that befell him, Banjo stood for principles that only heroes could have espoused in the face of serious personal peril. No true lover of freedom would agree to all those conditions that Ojukwu tried to impose on Banjo. Rather than the lion to carry the hunting bag of the tiger, let each hunter hunt alone. © 2021 Guardian Newspapers.

JUST IN: Drama as Senate passes PIB By Sanni Onogu

...Demons of PIB defeated - Lawan The Senate on Thursday passed the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) with a provision that granted the use of 30 per cent of oil and gas profits of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to fund oil exploration activities in frontier basins. But this was not without drama at plenary on what percentage of operating expenditure of oil companies should constitute funds earmarked for host communities’ development in the Bill. Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the passage of the historic bill marks a watershed for the 9th Assembly, saying: “PIB demons have been defeated.” The passage of the Bill followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Joint Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector; Petroleum Resources (Upstream); and Gas on a “Bill for an Act to provide Legal, Governance, Regulatory and Fiscal Framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, the development of Host Communities and for related matters, 2021,” popularly called the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The lead Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Sabo Mohammed Nakudu presented the report. The Senate, after due consideration, approved that host communities would henceforth enjoy 3 per cent ($502.8million) of annual operating expenditure of oil firms to be contributed into the host community development trust fund. However, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, in his contribution, pleaded with the Senate to increase the 5 per cent proposed for the development of host communities in the Bill. Nakudu said: “The Joint Committee’s recommendation recognises the need for the country to urgently and aggressively explore and develop the country’s Frontier Basins to take advantage of the foreseeable threats to the funding of fossil fuel projects across the world due to speedy shift from fossil fuel-to other alternative energy sources. “To this end, the Committee recommends funding mechanism of thirty percent (30%) of NNPC Limited’s profit oil and profit gas as in the production sharing, profit sharing, and risk service contracts to fund exploration of frontier basins.” On funding for host communities, the joint Committee had earmarked five per cent but the Senate slashed it to three per cent operating expenditure of oil firms. Nakudu said: “This chapter highlights the effective and efficient administration of the Host Community Trust Fund which is to be anchored by the settlor, i.e. the oil and gas companies operating in the host communities. “The various recommended provisions when passed into law, will ensure a peaceful operating environment that will have a positive direct impact on the cost of oil and gas production which has been the bane of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. “After extensive engagements with various stakeholders and on-the-spot assessment visits to host communities across the country, the Joint Committee recommended strengthening measures and saddled the host communities with responsibilities with a view to reducing or completely eradicating interferences and tampering in the country’s oil and gas production assets. “Furthermore, to ensure adequate development of the host communities and reduction in the cost of production, the Joint Committee recommends five per cent (5%) of the actual annual operating expenditure of the preceding financial year in the upstream petroleum operations affecting the host communities for funding of the Host Communities Trust Fund.” Earlier, Omo-Agege said even though the 5 per cent provision for host community development in the Bill was arrived at after due consultation, he called for a slight increase to assuage the feelings and pains of oil bearing communities. He noted that while the Niger Delta people want a deal, “a no deal is better than a bad deal.” Omo-Agege said: “Today I speak not as the deputy Senate President but I speak as the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District. “For us in the Niger Delta there are three areas that are of much interest to us. I’m sure my other colleagues will speak to it. “On the whole, the major thrust, the rationale for pushing for this Bill which has eluded this country for so many years is for us to get a law in place that will create an enabling environment for foreign investors coming with their money to invest in the sector before as we were told, our oil will go out of fashion. “Some of us have this belief that no matter the thinking of the investment community, oil will always be relevant. Some of them have made the case that in the next 10 to 15 years, there will be no use for oil. “Mr. President, this may be acceptable to a lot of people in this country but in my Senatorial District and indeed in most of Niger Delta, they are prepared to let this oil remain on the ground until may be another 40 to 50 years when there may be need for oil again. “What does that mean? Mr. President, they want a deal but they want a good deal. Sometimes Mr. President, no deal could be better than a bad deal. “Mr. President, when we raise these issues, I want to thank you most especially. I want to thank the Senate Leader and the leadership for the leadership role you played in arranging for our colleagues to meet and engage and come with some sort of accommodation. “And Mr. President, this Bill as originally conceived provided only 2.5 per cent contribution by sector companies to the host communities trust fund. This is not the first experiment or first attempt. “Mr. President, I will still make a case if possible that we go a little more than the five per cent already agreed. “I understand we cannot meet the 10 per cent. But that is the clamour at home. I need to plead that if there is a chance we can go a little more than the five per cent, we will be grateful.” Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, noted that the 5 per cent provided for host communities in the Bill connotes that property and equipment of oil companies will be secured by host communities or part of the trust fund would be used to remedy any damage or theft. However, it was learnt that the Senate decided to reduce the five per cent earmarked for host community trust fund to three per cent following the closed door briefing of lawmakers by the Minister for State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari. However, efforts by Omo-Agege, Senators George Sekibo and James Manager to get a better deal for the development of host communities failed. During the clause by clause consideration of the Bill, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), proposed an amendment to the effect that if the contribution to host communities trust fund is pegged at three per cent, government will ensure security of oil firms’ equipment but if it is five per cent, communities would be responsible for securing production equipment in their domain. When it was put to voice vote, the 3 per cent sailed through. Apparently, peeved by the development, Sekibo called for a division of the Senate citing order 73 of the Senate Standing Orders. Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, prevailed on Sekibo to withdraw his motion in view of the “existing unity in the Senate.” Sekibo withdrew his motion and pleaded that the three per cent be increased by retaking the vote on the amendment earlier proposed by Kaita. Lawan thanked Sekibo for his statesmanship in withdrawing his motion but declined to call for a fresh vote on Kaita’s motion. “We have already ruled and it is against the provisions of the Standing Orders of this chamber to revisit a matter already ruled upon by the Presiding Officer,” Lawan said. Senator Manager in his remarks described the three per cent of operating expenditure of oil firms earmarked for the host communities’ development trust fund as a “bitter pill to swallow.” Senator Nakudu later told Senate Correspondents that the three per cent provision is “a lot of money”. He said the three per cent translates to over a half a billion dollars annually. He said the percentage was reduced from five to three to encourage investors. He added that the three per cent was in addition to other statutory funding arrangements already accruing to the Niger Delta region. Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, said the three per cent amounted to $502.8million annually.

Mbaka blasts Govs for ‘selling’ out Kanu By Damian Duruiheoma

Fiery Catholic priest and founder of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria, Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka, has blamed unnamed Governors for re-arrest of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The cleric did not mention any Governor or directly mention Kanu throughout the message, during his popular Wednesday weekly ministration titled: ‘E no dey again. However, it was very obvious he was making reference to the IPOB leader and his latest travails as well as Southeast Governors. Mbaka jolted the congregation when he alleged Governors had lured the IPOB leader into the hands of his traducers. He chided the unnamed Governors over their role in Kanu’s arrest and current travails, describing such action as selfish. While blessing inmates and correctional centres across the country, Mbaka said: “Don’t sell your sons and daughters because of political promise that you are not even sure will materialise tomorrow. “Don’t sell your son because you are governors today! Live and let live. “Let the leaders listen. The solution is not in arrest and handcuff, the solution is in job creation! “Leaders beware! Their(leaders’) stubbornness will collapse this country one day. If care is not taken, it will happen like an earthquake! “Even if you arrest 100 people, it will not stop the agitation. If anything, it will worsen the situation,” he warned. While cautioning those celebrating Kanu’s arrest, Mbaka said it was just a matter of time and everyone, including clerics would feel the heat if care was not taken. He said: “Many people are clapping for them now. But when the heat becomes unbearable when the sun riots, when heavens shake you will understand. “When they killed Jesus Christ and put him in the prison-grave – Jesus’ prison was in the grave – they thought it was all over for Him, that the end had come. “Whoever that you have in heart now that is in the prison, may the Lord be with that person. May the Lord show such persons mercy. May they receive favour; favour for my people. “May the Lord show him favour, even from the prison warders that would be protecting him”. Mbaka also flayed the Federal Government for worsening poverty, hunger and insecurity. He charged the present administrations and leaders at all levels to act fast and address the country’s woes before it was too late. “Our suffering in Nigeria is unnecessary. There is no reason, apart from wickedness, why people should suffer in this country. “I remember when we were growing up. You would hardly hear that people stole. Politics was not about amassing wealth at that time. But today, kidnapping has become a multi-billion business. And if you come to the Southeast, the zone has become the hub of hardship. “If our leaders do not find a way to put Nigeria in a good platform, one day, this country will collapse! “If they do not do what they should do, they do not provide jobs but rather continue to amass wealth and millions of Nigerian youths keep watching them. “Time shall come when what we are experiencing today would appear like mere biscuit. “Our leaders are not ready to utilize our resources well but it cannot continue like this. Vengeance is coming,” he said.

How we re-arrested Kanu - FG By Yusuf Alli and Onyedi Ojiabor

The Federal Government has offered insights into the operation that led to the rearrest of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It said some countries and intelligence agencies, with which it has obligations, assisted to arrest Kanu. But the government did not name the affected countries or intelligence agencies. Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed who spoke with reporters in Abuja simply described those countries and Intelligence agencies as those with which Nigeria shares obligations. He said: “Finally, there have been speculations on how this re-arrest was pulled off and in which country the hitherto fugitive leader of the proscribed IPOB was nabbed. “What we can tell you, once again, is that the re-arrest was made possible by the diligent efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, in collaboration with countries with which we have obligations. We continue to respect and honour the obligations. ” Read Also: Security probes Kanu to uncover IPOB financiers He said Nigeria had been on the trail of Kanu for two years. According to him: ” It will interest Nigerians to know that for over two years, our security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of the proscribed IPOB leader as he lived a five-star life across several countries, travelling on chartered private jets, living in luxury apartments and turning out in designing clothes and shoes. “Of course, as we all saw, he was wearing an attire made by Fendi, a luxury Italian fashion brand, when he was arrested.” Mohammed explained that many security agencies worked to effect the arrest of Kanu. He added: “As you are aware, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, has been rearrested and repatriated to Nigeria to resume his trial. “This was made possible through the collaboration of Nigerian security and intelligence agencies. “Kanu, who is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, jumped bail in 2017 and left the country. “On Tuesday, Kanu was re-arraigned in court and ordered to be remanded in the custody of the DSS, while the case was adjourned till July 26-27, 2021 “Gentlemen, the Federal Government wishes to commend the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies, who collaborated to re-arrest the proscribed IPOB leader in one of the most classic operations of its type in the world. “We commend the professionalism, diligence, patriotism and painstaking efforts of our security and intelligence agencies. “We also thank the sister international agencies that collaborated with us to pull off this arrest.”

Bill Cosby sexual assault cases

American comedian Bill Cosby has been the subject of publicized sexual assault allegations and was convicted of aggravated indecent assault in 2018 before the conviction was vacated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on June 30, 2021.[1] He has been accused by approximately 60 women of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, child sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct. The earliest incidents allegedly took place in the mid-1960s. Assault allegations against Cosby became more public after a stand-up routine by comedian Hannibal Buress in October 2014, alluding to Cosby's covert sexual misbehavior; thereafter, many additional claims were made. The dates of the alleged incidents have spanned from 1965 to 2008 in ten U.S. states and in one Canadian province.[2][3][4] Cosby has maintained his innocence and repeatedly denied the allegations made against him. He was asked about the allegations in November 2014 and responded, "I don't talk about it!"[5] He has declined to publicly discuss the accusations in interviews in the past, although he told Florida Today that "people shouldn't have to go through that and shouldn't answer to innuendos."[6] In May 2015, he said, "I have been in this business 52 years and I've never seen anything like this. Reality is a situation and I can't speak."[7] Following the allegations, numerous organizations severed ties with Cosby and revoked honors and titles previously awarded to him. Media organizations pulled reruns of The Cosby Show and other television programs featuring Cosby from syndication. Twenty-five colleges and universities rescinded honorary degrees.[8] Adweek reporter Jason Lynch noted that the "media landscape has changed considerably—and has now been joined by the far-less-forgiving social media arena."[9] Most of the alleged acts fall outside the statute of limitations for criminal legal proceedings, but criminal charges have been filed against Cosby in one case and numerous civil lawsuits have been brought against him. As of November 2015, eight related civil suits were active against him.[10][11] Gloria Allred is representing 33 of the alleged victims. In July 2015, some court records were unsealed and released to the public from Andrea Constand's 2005 civil suit against Cosby. The full transcript of his deposition was released to the media by a court reporting service. In his testimony, Cosby admitted to casual sex involving recreational use of the sedative-hypnotic methaqualone (Quaaludes) with a series of young women, and he acknowledged that his dispensing the prescription drug was illegal.[12][13][14] In December 2015, three Class II felony charges of aggravated indecent assault were filed against Cosby in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,[15] based on allegations by Constand concerning incidents in January 2004. Cosby's first trial in June 2017 ended in a mistrial.[16] Cosby was found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault at retrial on April 26, 2018[17] and on September 25, 2018, he was sentenced to three to ten years in state prison and fined $25,000 plus the cost of the prosecution, $43,611.[18] Cosby appealed on June 25, 2019 and the verdict was subsequently upheld and granted an appeal by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.[19][20] On June 30, 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court found that an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented Cosby from being charged in the case, and overruled the conviction.[21] The Supreme Court's decision prevents him from being tried a third time.[22]

Bill Cosby: Performer leaves prison after court overturns sex assault conviction By Amy Coles

A court ordered that the 83-year-old be freed after serving more than two years of a three-to-10-year prison sentence Bill Cosby has left prison after a court overturned his sex assault conviction. The 83-year-old former stand-up comedian and actor walked free on Wednesday after serving more than two years of a three-to-10-year prison sentence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Later he made a V-for-victory sign with his fingers outside his home in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, while his team made statements on his behalf. One of his lawyers Jennifer Bonjean said: "We are thrilled to have Mr Cosby home. He served three years of an unjust sentence and he did it with dignity and principle and he was a mentor to other people. "He was doing the time - the time was not doing him." She added: "We knew all along he shouldn't have been prosecuted for this." Cosby himself later tweeted: "I have never changed my stance nor my story. I have always maintained my innocence.

Why Nigeria hasn’t resumed flight to Dubai - Hadi Sirika By Faith Yahaya

The Federal Government on Monday explained why it has not resume flight to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika gave the explanation during the briefing by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19. He said Nigerian flights had not resumed to UAE because of the discriminatory protocol the Gulf country introduced. The minister said the protocol appeared to be targeted at only Nigerians, adding that it was not backed up by scientific reasons. ADVERTISEMENT Sirika also said Dubai was insistent that all passengers intending to visit the country must use Emirates airline or spend two weeks in the alternative carrier’s country before entering Dubai. The minister said talks were being held to resolve the matter. Giving an update of the matter, he said: “Emirates in particular and other airlines, including KLM, gave us some conditions that were not acceptable to us because they don’t make scientific sense. Read Also; ‘How ex-governors, others acquired 800 Dubai assets’ “After a review, some of the airlines, especially KLM, saw sense with what Nigeria presented, which is that you can do the test 48 to 72 hours before you leave and do another test on arrival. “Emirates, at that time, wanted us to do the test 48 hours before boarding and 48 hours is not yet the incubation time. And they expect us to do a rapid test at the airport and then fly seven hours later and still do another test in Dubai and then follow us to our hotel or our accommodation and do another test. “That dragged. In the interest of our people and cordial relationship, even though it is a commercial decision for the airline to take at any point in time, we ceded and accepted that we would do those tests that don’t make scientific sense to us at the expense of our people and our money. “We accepted what Emirates presented and proceeded, even though KLM and other airlines saw our reasons and rationale and toed the lines of Nigeria. “In this case, Emirates insisted again that in addition to the test on arrival and other tests, that Nigerians cannot fly to UAE except through Emirates airlines and that if we choose to do so through other airlines, like Ethiopia, Qatar, Turkish or other airlines, we must remain in the country of that airline for two weeks, if we are a Nigerian, before we continue to Dubai.” “Meaning that if I buy my ticket in a free market, which Nigeria and UAE practice, if I buy a ticket on Ethiopian Airline, that means I must remain in Addis Ababa for two weeks, whether I have a visa or not, before I proceed to Dubai. “So, they insisted that we must fly by Emirates, and majority of Nigerians are petty traders and the ticket of Emirates in this case may be higher than other airlines’.”