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PSC defies ‘damning’ Salami Panel report, considers Magu for promotion
Ibrahim Magu, former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is being considered for promotion to the rank of assistant inspector-general (AIG) by the Police Service Commission (PSC), TheCable understands.
Presidency is said to be worried about the “defiance” of PSC which may create the impression that Magu is being rewarded despite the damning report by a presidential panel on him.
Magu, who was promoted to commissioner of police in 2018, had been recommended for removal as EFCC boss by the Justice Ayo Salami panel, which also asked that he be prosecuted over allegations of abuse of office.
The panel had specifically recommended that Magu should be removed “for failing to properly account for N431,000,000.00 security votes/information fund released to the office of the Executive Chairman of EFCC between November 2015 and May 2020”.
He was also accused of causing “disappearance of evidence, stoppage and suppression of cases under investigation and prosecution, and omitting to arrest suspects” in cases involving a former deputy senate president and a former MD of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC).
Magu was further accused of supressing high profile cases involving four former governors, one of whom is currently a senator.
The panel recommended that Magu should be referred to the inspector-general of police for “necessary disciplinary action”.
Advertisement However, since the panel submitted the report in November 2020, only a few of the recommendations have been implemented.
A new chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was appointed in February 2021 while several police officers were recalled to the headquarters.
Magu, who has been in limbo since his probe by the panel, is believed to be in the good books of the PSC chairman, Musiliu Smith, a former inspector-general of police from Lagos state.
Some senior police officers are reportedly grumbling over the failure to discipline Magu, who has always denied the allegations against him.
It was revealed in August 2020 that the panel, in its interim report, recommended Magu’s sack and prosecution over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
In July, TheCable had also reported that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) was preparing charges against Magu. Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation, had petitioned the president, levelling allegations of corruption and insubordination against Magu.
Magu was arrested on July 7, 2020, detained and suspended as the acting chairman of the anti-graft agency.
Communique Issued at the Conclusion of the Meeting of the Governors of Southern Nigeria at the Lagos State Government House Ikeja Lagos on Monday, 5th July, 2021
The Southern Governors Forum at the end of the meeting held on Monday, 5th July, 2021 reviewed the situation in the Country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following:
Re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people.
The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.
Security a. The Forum reviewed the security situation in the country and commends security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserates with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty; b. Re-emphasised the need for State Police; c. Resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed; d. the forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights; e. Set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States; and f. Resolved that Funds deducted from the Federation Account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund should be distributed among the States and Federal Government to combat security challenges.
Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law: i. The Forum commends the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB; ii. the Forum rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives; iii. the forum also rejects the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins; iv. However, the forum rejects the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). The Forum disagrees that the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance but should be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of Government have stakes in that vehicle.
In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum reject the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.
The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the Governor of Lagos State for the wonderful hosting of this meeting while commending him for his good work in the State.
Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN Governor, Ondo State and Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum
Tension, anxiety, mounts over EFCC refusal to release detained suspect despite court Order
… as Akwa Ibom Lawyer Urges State Assembly, Civil Right Organizations, others to Wade into EFCC frequent abuse of Power
… Says EFCC refusal to grant client’s bail despite court order is wrong
… EFCC official, Nwandu Ukoha verbally abused judge for granting my client’s bail – Ewa Okpo
The last may not have been heard about the illegal arrest and detention of a University of Calabar undergraduate, Mr. Noble Tamunoateli Dainge, arrested a week and some days ago by officials of the EFCC Zonal Office, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to a legal practitioner, Barr. Ewa Okpo, in a press conference on 3rd July, he said that his client, Mr. Noble Tamunoateli, a student of the University of Calabar, was arrested by the EFCC on allegations of committing fraud popularly referred to as ‘Yahoo-yahoo’, but that despite forcefully getting the suspect bank statements against court order and not finding any incriminating evidence against his client, the agency still keep and torture his client so as to coerce him into making statements under duress and in the absence of any legal representative.
According to the legal luminary, Tamunoateli had on the 22nd June gone to his bank (UBA) to make enquiry about his inability to make withdrawals, an effort the bank couldn’t solve on the fateful day. Tamunoateli was asked by the bank officials to come back the following day for rectification of the issues, Tamunoateli without any premonition or fear, went back the following day and was told that his account was freeze and on the order of the Economic financial crimes commission, an agency of the Federal Government mandated to fight financial crime related cases. The Nigerian Police Force as narrated were invited and Tamunoateli was arrested and handed over by the police force to the anti-graft agency and was quickly moved to its Uyo Zonal Office.
According to reports, Tamunoateli without his solicitor was taken forcefully to his bank and made to obtained his bank statement under duress by the agency. But despite having gone through Tamuno’s account without any incriminating evidence, the officials of the agency refused to either charge him to court nor release him.
Okpo, himself, a human’s right activist said that having been briefed about the suspect predicament had approached the agency for a first hand brief on the matter by anti-graft, an effort he said was frustrated by officials of the agency. According to the Uyo Popular human rights activist, the bailiff who was mandated to serve the EFFC with the court order was physically abused, tortured with his clothes torn apart by the EFCC’s lawyer, one Nwandu Ukoha Kalu Esq despite the bailiff wearing a JUSUN inscripted dress.
Okpo Stated that despite court order which mandated the EFCC to release Noble Tamunoateli Dainge, officials of the Uyo Zonal Office have refused to release his client, rather resorting to verbal abuse of the Justice Ntong Ntong led high court.
Okpo said that he was worried about how officials of the anti-graft agencies will arrest and detain suspects without any recourse to law, saying that its frequent abused of power should be discouraged completely to avoid anarchy. He further appealed to Akwa Ibom State house of Assembly, civil right organization and other agencies of Government to call on EFCC to respect court orders and the fundamental human rights of Nigeria citizens. Attempt at reaching out to officials of EFCC proved abortive. Meanwhile, concern Nigerians have questioned why EFCC keeps violating the rights of innocent citizens of the country, saying that if nothing is done against constant abuse of power, Nigerians with resort to self help, the said.
Over time, there have been some arguments over the states which should be included in Nnamdi Kanu’s Biafra Nation as seen in his map.
Included in the map are some South-South states like Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers and Rivers state and these are states where most of the indigenes have openly denounced their membership of any Biafran struggle.
Over the years, since the civil war, Biafra has been seen as an Igbo struggle owing to the fact that the leader was Igbo and the region that suffered most from the attacks of the Nigerian forces is the southeast region, the Igbo states.
It, however, came as a surprise to note that one of the leaders of the Biafran Nations League is from Akwa Ibom and based in Ikot Ekpene, one of the popular local governments which is also a senatorial district.
The name, Henry Edet may not be that popular but by virtue of association, it may be very popular within the ranks of the Biafran group.
As seen in a statement this evening, the group had announced that it will not be joining the protest on the 26th of July to call for the release of the arrested IPOB leader.
This statement was signed by Henry Edet as the operations head of the Biafran national league.
This revelation should be a cause of worry for the Akwa Ibom state government.
Recall during the same period the ESN unleashed mayhem in the southeast, there was a spate of violence which erupted in the state leading to the destruction of several police stations and the death of at least, 5 police officers.
There was a day about 3 police stations were attacked all at once and all these happened in the same Ikot Ekpene senatorial district where the BNL Operations Head, Henry Edet operates from.
The affected Local governments where Police stations and officers were severely hit during attacks in the state are Abak, Essien Udim and Ini
Just recently, on Saturday, the 4th of July, the daredevil gunmen stormed the Eket senatorial district where they launched an attack on a police station in Udung Uko local government area injuring three police officers.
The attacks on police facilities have become the trademark of the agitators as this was their mode of operation in the southeast and some parts of Akwa Ibom earlier this year.
The presence of the Biafran Nations League in the state should get the governor, Udom Emmanuel very worried as this does not portray good news at all.
As we are aware, the Nigerian government has proscribed the IPOB group and any other group which seems to tow the same path would also get the same pronouncement.
It is, however, pertinent that the government steps up its game to curb every form of agitation in the state before the mayhem which started in Imo state, happens in Akwa Ibom.
Akwa Ibom is a south-south state made up of the wonderful people of the Niger Delta and has no reason to agitate for secession.
Re:SOUTHERN ATLANTIC POLYTECHNIC INITIATE STUDENTS INTO CULT AT AIRPORT ROAD!
The aforementioned banner headline was flashed on THE SERMON Newstabloid…a local tabloid here in Uyo the state capital published on Thursday 1st – Tuesday 6th July,2021 and known for carrying fallacious/sensational news stories with no basic journalism substance and ethics.They just meted this falsehood on the entire management, staff,students and parents of the school and those in the pipeline of registering their wards there.
“First, matriculation represents an achievement as it reassures the student of his possible acceptance in the academic world to study to become a graduate,with vital skills to developthe nation with.
The second reason matriculation evokes joy and celebration is that it is one of those ceremonies by which all freshmen (new students)are officially “initiated”into the prestigious and desirable”cult”of the educated class”.
The tabloid quoted the Rector Dr.Innih Ntah as saying during his 1st matriculation ceremony held to open up the academic year.
Now with the aforementioned quotation,does it in anyway interpret the situation such as a matriculation being described by this forsaken soul as cult recruitment.
Does it mean that Journalism has gone this watered down the drain? Someone will just sit fourth and thrash out whatever comes into his head.
The collosal damage done to the person (s) reputation, business, career, relationship and relevance does not exist in their memory.
All what matters is the trash and tantrums successfully executed to pull someone down.
It doesn’t just end at this unprofessional standard of writing/publication…The Sermon news tabloid had approached one Pastor Bassey James,Founder/Chairman Governing Council of SAPOLY to keep blabbling that tbough the cover page/banner headline is somewhat damaging that their aim was attract readership to the detriment of someone else’s venture.
Sad and just too terrific a being,I urge the management team to all in emergency sort themselves out to give a prompt apology to the school,management, student and entire staff!
You can’t in one false and damaging publication crash down a castle that was built with enormous sweat…
The publisher too needs to stay on board and focus more on the need to create good content rather than be an agent of falsehood, blackmail, character assassination, speculations,postulation and the pull him down syndrome.
He needs to henceforth use his tongue to count his broken teeth.
Enough of all this refreshed attack on a man whose contribution so far to the lofty #Dakkada ideology of the UDOM EMMANUEL administration is ❤️ heart warming!
Pat Reuben is a public affairs analyst writes in from Awantong Etinan-Nigeria!
Ensure you register to vote, EARCOM Boss urges Akwa Ibom people
Chairman of the Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission, EARCOM, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Dorothy Thompson, yesterday called on Akwa Ibom people to turn out in large numbers to register to vote.
In a statement by Dr Thompson, made available to our newsroom, she noted that, “the future of our country lies in the hands of the citizens as the power to shape our future is entrenched in our rights to vote.”
Dr Thompson stated that, as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will commence a nationwide continuous voter registration on June 28 across the 774 Local Government Areas of the federation, eligible adults who are yet to register and those who have attained voting age should ensure they go out and register so that, they can exercise their civic rights to vote in the next election.
The EARCOM Chairman harped that, the registration exercise will be carried out continuously, according to INEC, for over a year until the third quarter of 2022, and charged responsible citizens of the State to participate in the exercise.
Dr Thompson explained that, the voter’s card is the most important tool to shape our destiny as a nation right now, adding that, we can complain as much as we want about bad governance but those words cannot be counted during elections.
She maintained that, while “Talk is cheap, voting is free; and citizens can translate their talk to positively change the course of the nation by taking their Voter cards to the polls.”
While warning that, staying indifferent to the extent of losing the opportunity to get registered to vote is dangerous for our future. Quoting former US President Barack Obama, the EARCOM boss observed that, “The consequences of anybody here, not turning out and doing everything you can to get your friends, neighbors, family to turn out, the consequences of you staying home would be profoundly dangerous to this country, to our democracy.”
She therefore said her Commission will vigorously mobilize citizens to go get their voters card and encourage people to bring their friends and relatives who dont have have the PVCs to turn out to and get registered.
Dr Thompson stressed that, those who want to register should follow the online portal and register for voter cards rather than waiting in line for long periods of time at the INEC office and should visit http://www.cvr.inec.gov.ng or http://www.cvr.inecnigeria.org on their phones and computers.
She disclosed that, registrants on visiting the portal should create an account with a valid email address to begin the registration. A link will be sent to your email during registration. Click on the link to continue with your registration and they fill the online form with the relevant information and avoid mistakes.
Afterwards, the registrant should visit the INEC office for biometric data capture after submitting the application and generating an application slip with an ID number and barcode which will appear on your screen.
The applicant should thereafter print the application slip and visit the INEC office on your scheduled date for data capture, after which a registration slip will be issued to the applicant which will be kept and presented to collect your permanent voter’s card.
The EARCOM boss also called on all young Nigerians of voting age to see the next round of election as a test of the strength of their numbers, adding that, if they pull the advantage of their numbers and vote massively in the polls, they will most definitely determine the political colouration of the country being the most crucial voting bloc.
Dr Thompson said EARCOM will also help to sensitize the masses to identify and support candidates that will sustain the peace, industrial revolution and socio economic growth Governor I Udom Emmanuel has so far accomplished in the State.
She sued for total citizens support for the Completion Agenda of the governor and prayers for the success of not only the INEC Voter registration but the next elections in the State and the country.
ORUK ANAM LGA CAN BE THE OIL PALM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AGAIN
Every local government area in Akwa Ibom State should be known for something under the Agropreneurship drive of His Excellency, Gov. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. If Ini Local Government Area is known for rice production, Mkpat Enin for Coconut plantation then Oruk Anam Local Government Area should be the focus for oil palm production.
This is more than a suggestion, it is a wake up call to first, the indigenes of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, her critical stakeholders and investors to remember that we are a wealthy people, blessed with a large landmass and the best soil type for Oil Palm production in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and unarguably globally.
From Oruk Anam Local Government Area, we can feed the world, we can feed Nigeria and we can feed Akwa Ibom State, if only we realize that the oil palms that grows in our backyards, with or without any extra care or fertilizers are not ordinary trees of economic important, but one of the most treasured trees in the global economy. The economies of countries like Malaysia and Indonesia are run almost completely by revenue from oil palm products.
The economic versatility of the oil palm cannot be overemphasized. The oil has been a near constant ingredient for food production and preservation globally. It is stable at high temperatures and so is ideal for use in cooking and frying, while its high melting point makes it a cost-effective replacement for animal fats in products such as spreads and baked goods.
Palm oil is used to manufacture sodium lauryl sulfate, which is used as a foaming agent in many body care products such as soap and toothpaste, and is also often added to household cleaning products. Its fat content also makes it an ideal emulsifier for moisturisers, makeup and even candles.
Beyond the ‘red oil’, it is the case that the Oil Palm tree is wholly useful with economic relevance from it’s leaves to its roots. The centre stick of the palm tree leaves are used for toothpick productions (as an alternative to bamboo) in some economies of the world, the kernel oil is useful for the production of all kinds of cosmetics and is more valuable in today’s global market than crude oil. The kernel grind itself can be used for the production of feeds for pigs and other livestock. The kernel shell is the major ingredient for the production of break pads and the sifts after the extraction of the oil is often used for the production of rug carpets and foot mats. The long stems is useful both for construction purposes and fuel for cooking. There is absolutely nothing that goes to waste from this particular tree.
This exposition on the economic advantage of the palm tree and the need for Oruk Anam LGA to become the oil palm capital of the world is not a mere propaganda or wishful thinking. It is born out of research that proves that history repeats itself in Oruk Anam. Again, we can be what history shows that we have been before.
The Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) is situated in Oruk Anam Local Government Area. History confirms that one cannot tell the Malaysian Oil story without a mention of Oruk Anam Local Government Area. We have all it takes to take on the world and win it in this area and the time to begin is now.
Government at all levels, Stakeholders from Oruk Anam Local Government Area, both political and otherwise must rise to the occasion and set things in motion to help towards the realization of our full potentials as the Oil Palm capital of the world – WE HAVE BEEN BEFORE AND WE CAN BE AGAIN, THE GLORY OF THIS LATER BECOMING WILL EVEN BE GREATER THAN THAT OF THE PAST.
EVERYONE NEEDS SOMETHING FROM THE OIL PALM TREE….SO EVERYONE NEEDS ORUK ANAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.
Lai Mohammed Opens Kwara APC Factional Office, Says Battle Line Drawn With Governor
The All Progressives Congress will soon organise a fresh registration/revalidation of members in Kwara State, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said. Mohammed, who spoke at the unveiling/launch of a parallel secretariat of the APC in Ilorin, the state capital, on Saturday, said the recently concluded registration exercise conducted for members in the state was not genuine in that it did not capture every member of the party.
Nationnewslead reports that the state government and a faction of the APC led by the minister had held a parallel rally to mark the two-year celebration of the party in power in the state.
While Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq’s faction of the party has its party secretariat located at the Tanke area, the minister’s faction unveiled its secretariat at GRA, Ilorin.
Mohammed said, “The recently concluded membership registration exercise conducted in the state is a charade as most members of the party were not given the opportunity to register as the registration documents were not made available to them.
“When we observed this, myself and two former governorship aspirants, Prof Oba AbdulRaheem and Alhaji Tajudeen Audu, went to the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, and he assured us that a fresh registration would be done for party members in Kwara.
“We didn’t know him before, he has no campaign office. The battle line is now drawn; without you, members, there would be no APC in the state. I want to assure you all that no party congress will hold in Kwara State until the fresh registration/revalidation exercise is conducted for all APC members in Kwara State.”
AbdulRazaq, on June 26, alleged that a cabal within the party who received hundreds of millions of naira as donations for the Kwara struggle, did not deliver a kobo to him.
But Mohammed denied receiving donations from any minister or governor of the party as campaign funds for the 2019 general elections in the state, saying, “I never diverted APC 2019 general elections campaign funds for my personal use as alleged by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
“By the grace of God, I single handedly, with the support of friends and family, raised all the monies for the Oke-Ero/Isin/Ekiti/Irepodun Federal Constituency by-election of November 2019 that brought Tunji Olawuyi to the House of Representatives.
“And I challenge anybody here to say he gave the party one penny apart from what I gave them. I challenge anybody here to say he gave logistics support to the party. I did that by the grace of God.”
The minister said he distributed 500 motorcycles and 20 vehicles, adding that many of the beneficiaries were in attendance to buttress his claim.
He added, “I want them to explain to Nigerians what happened to the N70m that Mr Olawuyi kept that the governor refused to give us during the by-election. But for the grace of God and some friends, there would have been no election in November 2018, because when we raised money, we gave them, but two days before the election, we could not reach them on their phones anymore.
“I had to go to friends to raise another N150m to prosecute that election. I remember very well that there are 42 wards in that constituency. We thank God today that was the beginning of our success. When elections proper came, we did not see our governorship candidate. We could not wait.”
Mohammed stated “without any fear of contradictions” that the money raised from friends, colleagues and associates were used to finance the four elections, adding that the party in the state scored 100 per cent.
“I remember a governor calling me when we won the first election to ask if it was true we won the by-election. And I told him ‘yes sir.’ He said, ‘I want to apologise to you, when you came to me for money, they told me not to give you money. They told me you are a Lagos politician and nobody could defeat Saraki.’
“But then, we did not know that God brings more wonder. That is how we won all the elections. But today, they have got there and forgotten the people that put them there. If we did not give money to the party, how did he think the party won?” he asked.
All efforts to get the reaction of the governor to the alleged non-accountability for the campaign funds proved abortive as the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, neither picked calls to his phone nor responded to questions sent to him on WhatsApp.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Political Communication, Mr Bashiru Adigun, however, said, “It is a matter concerning the party and the party will issue a statement soon.”
Factional Chairman of the party, Bashir Bolarinwa, urged members of the party to register and revalidate their membership when the exercise begins in the state and also reminded them to renew their voter registration cards.
Other party leaders who spoke at the gathering included a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and former governorship aspirant, Prof Shuaib AbdulRaheem and a member of the House of Representatives, AbdulGaniyu Cook-Olododo.
Others were a former governorship aspirant, Tajudeen Makama; Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo; and a member of the state House of Assembly, Prince Saheed Popoola, who backed the minister’s claims on the campaign funds
SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE GOVERNOR ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT VISITS IITH
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism Development, Mr Tamaramiebi Abiri and his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Dave Ikiedei Asei paid a courtesy call on the management of the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Yenagoa on Tuesday 29 June 2021.
Mr Abiri expressed appreciation to the management of the Institute for their warm reception that depicted a tremendous sign of Hospitality.
The SSA firmly stated that the essence of his visit is to see the areas lagging in the Institute and support by imparting his knowledge and expertise for free as a Tourism Professional , which in turn will enable the Institute to gain more publicity and training opportunities. He stressed the importance of Tourism to be taught and studied properly, to understand its business curve and the right place is the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa. In the words of the SSA, “Without proper knowledge of Tourism business, money can not be generated.
The Registrar of the Institute, Dr Ovienadu Torutein commended the SSA to the Governor on Tourism Development for his kind gesture. He communicated that the Institute has two major parts which are National Diploma and Vocational training but the ND programmes were stalled due to the inability to get the institute accredited earlier. Presently the Vocational facet of the institute is running smoothly.
Dr Ovienadu Torutein enumerated the efforts and progress made so far to get the Institute accredited and one major stride out of many, is the Resource Visit to the Institute by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) scheduled to hold on the 2nd-6th of August 2021.
The Registrar asserted that the successful outcome of the supposed Resource visit will kick start the process of Admissions for the National Diploma Programmes.
Speaking earlier, the Registrar stated that the institute is facing poor individual patronage as past trainings have been from the Government and NGOs.
Dr Ovienadu Torutein emphasized that the Institute offers refined services to its clients than any other vocational training outside because entrepreneurship is embedded in the trainees curriculum to educate them on how to manage and market their skills for profit-making after the training.
The Registrar sent his words of appreciation to the Governor through the SSA for setting up the accreditation committee and giving the charge that all higher institutions in the state get accredited sooner than later. The visit came to a close with a guided facility tour by the Registrar of the Institute.
Signed Igbori Opuere Sonia Senior Public Relations Officer. June 29, 2021
The instruction was simple and extremely precise, “Get into Maiduguri and to Hotel X. At the reception, ask for Room XYZ. Give them your name, and your key will be given to you. Please follow every instruction carefully”.
I did, and everything worked exactly as was said. As I got into the room I saw a note on the bed that read “Please there’s a phone under the pillow. Turn it on and dial the only number there, and you’ll be told what next to do”. I did and was asked to be ready for a pickup by 10am the following day. At 10am on the dot, the phone rang. I picked and was given a very simple instruction, “There’s a van parked outside. Please get into the van. Carry nothing, I repeat, nothing, nothing”. I stepped out of the hotel and there was a van parked just as directed. Its glasses were tinted. As I approached the van, the back door opened and I got in. It was very comfortable but, though it was tinted from the outside, internally it was completely sealed from the outside light or view, except for the inner lighting. The air conditioner was good so I was extremely comfortable.
From the movement, it was clear that our journey was within the city. I had carried NOTHING, not even my watch, so, I could not tell exact timing, but I suppose we must have driven for 30minutes, (definitely within the city).
Before we got to a stop, I noticed that there was a special facemask by my seat. I had been allowed to carry my facemask, and the driver (whom I could not see), spoke to me through what appeared more like an intercom. He told me that I could maintain my own facemask and wear the second mask on top, or I could make do with just the provided mask as it was very safe and very clean. The second mask was larger than normal and it seemed to be in two parts. The lower part that covered up to the nose was normal, while the upper part was dark, I could not see through it. As we came to our destination, I was asked to step out wearing the mask. I did and was escorted by a helping hand. I got in to the house, and into a particular room.
It was at that point I was asked to remove the second mask so I could see everything and anything. I did, and I was there for a few minutes. I heard voices in the house and the conversations were pleasant, regular and normal. It was not by my estimation up to 10 minutes when a young lady stepped in. Before she did I was asked through an intercom to wear my mask and that I would be told when to take it off. I did, and then I heard the door open. From the conversation I could tell the person that came inside was a young lady and she sat down and gave very simple instructions.
“Sir, you have been brought here at my request. You had written something about me and on my birthday I was shown the article that you wrote about me. As a show of kindness to me, I was asked to pick someone that I would like to talk with, so I picked you to talk with you. Sir, I am Leah, Leah Sharibu.”
At that point, shivers ran down my spine. I had an idea of what this was all about before leaving Abuja in the first instance. Though I had expected this, it was surreal when I actually heard her voice. She continued “Sir, I want to assure you that you’re extremely safe. Before you take off your mask, this is the last instruction I’ll like to give. As we discuss, please always watch my left hand as carefully as you can. If I raise my left hand, it means we should leave that topic. Please obey. We are being watched. You are safe as long as you keep to their instructions. I will sincerely appeal that you please follow the instructions. There should be no form of body contact. You can wave, you can gesticulate but please do not move as much as 2 meters. If possible, do not even stand up until our conversation is over and I exit. I will talk freely and audibly, nothing must be whispered. Whatsoever we discuss should be extremely open and for your safety I would advise again, we should do nothing whatsoever that is against their instructions. Sir, you may please take off your mask now.” Again, like someone about to pass out, I froze for a moment. Then the story started.
“Leah, it’s like a dream come true, I honestly can’t believe that I am talking to you.” She smiled the most beautiful smile I’ve seen in a very long time and said “Thank you, Sir it’s my pleasure to have you here.
I said “May I ask you some questions?” She said “Yes but, please like I said earlier, speak audibly”. I then asked “How did you get the strength to make the decision that you did?” She said “Sir, it’s a long story. God is wonderful because He prepares you before, without you knowing. Just before the kidnapping, I had visited a Christian sister. We prayed together and she shared something about “The 5 Attributes of God”. It was so very impactful and I didn’t know I’d be needing it later. So when it happened, those attributes of God came back to me and they helped me not just to make the decision, but to hold on till today.”
“Whatever it is that was such a revelation, trust me, I want to know. Being a Christian Born again for upwards of 40 years, I really doubt that I could have taken the decision that you took. So please, share these secrets with me, if it’s okay by you. Then I quickly added, “Much as I want you to talk to me, just like you advised I really would not want you to be in harm’s way in anyway.”
She smiled again and said, “Sir, they know and want me to talk with you freely.
The first thing I learnt is that God is Omniscient, this means that God knows EVERYTHING, He knows who I am, and everything about me, and I don’t have to wonder at any point if He knows what’s going on because he’s Omniscient, he knows EVERYTHING! .
The second is that God is Omnipotent, which means that God has all powers, that He could tell me to disappear from here now and it will happen. He could close the eyes of everybody here and I’ll walk out of this place. He can do anything and everything. He can make the sun shine in the middle of the night and to go back in the middle of the day and everywhere becomes dark. God has all the power.
The third thing is that God loves us PERFECTLY. Wow! Whoever knows everything about me, has all the power to do anything and everything for me, and loves me perfectly is somebody that makes sense for me to know.
Besides the three, God is perfectly TRUTHFUL, truthful in the sense that whatever He says can be relied upon 100%.
The last is that God will never change His mind. If He says anything, we can hold unto it and know that He’ll never change His mind. God will never change, never change. It’s possible that somebody promises you something today and the next time he says “Well, I changed my mind. God will never change His mind”. For instance, He says He is with me always even till the end of time and because He knows everything about me, He has the power to do anything and everything, He loves me perfectly and will never change His mind, it means that whatever situation that I find myself in, so long as I hold on to these 5 pillars of truth about God, everything works out for my good. That’s what God says Himself – that verything works together for my good. So these are the 5 things and because of the freshness of that meeting and the import of these 5 pillars of God, when we were taken captive, I held on to them and I hold unto them till today.”
I responded, “You know this brings not just goosebumps, but tears from my eyes and I pray that I will learn and hold unto these 5 Pillars of the Attributes of God that you, a younger person, have held on to.”
“I don’t think you’d be at liberty to discuss your stay in this place,” I proceeded to ask her. “No Sir, I will not, as indeed it is not necessary. Whatever God wants to do is more than okay with me and what He said is so true that He’ll never leave me. He’s been with me everyday and I know He’ll continue to be with me” she replied.
For a moment, I discovered I didn’t hear her anymore as I was momentarily lost in thought, thinking about my life. It was a pretty long meeting as I kept asking questions and watching her left hand for no-go areas. When I asked if she was disappointed at our President, she was silent for a while, tried to lift her left hand, but quickly dropped it. “As a human being, I have my moments. From your article, I read all the comments and was so comforted at the overwhelming show of affection, goodwill and prayers of Nigerians. Please tell them that I sincerely appreciate”.
Our conversation was pretty long, but at all times, my eyes never left her left hand. On some of the things that she said, she said she trusts me to keep strictly to myself. There was a cough which was more of a sign that our time was up. Rather than pray for her, I found myself asking my little daughter to pray for me! She smiled and simply said “Lord Jesus, please keep your five attributes ever before us, in Jesus name” I was about to say AMEN, when the usual happened!
What happened???
Since September 1, 2017, I join an online prayer group (Global Prophetic Prayer Alter GPPA) which takes place every weekday 5-6am, led by Apostle Goodheart Ekwueme @ http://www.rhogic.radio.org Besides my body clock having adjusted to it, I also have an alarm clock that is set to ring by 4:55am. It was this alarm that came immediately after my AMEN to Leah’s prayer. Throughout the one hour prayer, I could hardly pray, or hear the pastor as I was ever lost in thought trying to understand what I had just gone through. Was it a dream, vision, visitation, or what?
Whatever it was, it’s definitely a defining moment of my Christian life! Leah, I LOVE YOU!!!
In her own way of worshipping God and winning souls for Christ through her encouragement to Christians and the church, irrespective of the location or “level” of the church, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet today Sunday, 4th July 2021, paid a surprise worship visit to the Apostolic Church, Asang Nsit Assembly, Obotim Nsit District and The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Ikono Road Mission Station, Ikot Ekpene Parish, where she encouraged members of the two churches to be steadfast in their services to God, assuring them that God is a rewarder of those who deliligently seek Him.
The Agric Boss promised to support the work of God in the two churches to have a better place of worship. She added that it is the responsibility of Christians to give God the best. This she stated was in appreciation of the love God has shown her and her entire family.
PRESS RELEASE/ INVITATION NIGERIAN ARMY DAY CELEBRATION 2021
The Nigerian Army Day celebration ( NADCEL) is an annual event held on 6 July every year to celebrate the Army achievements and also to showcase other Nigerian Army’s transformation strides in innovation, research and development, civil military relations and technological advances. The theme for this year’s NADCEL is ” A Professionally Repositioned Nigerian Army: A Prerequisit for Successful Operation in a Joint Environment”. The line up of activities for the celebration of the event in AkwaIbom State include;
• Juma’at prayer Date: 2 July 2021 Time: 1330hrs( 1:30pm) Venue: 2 Brigade Mosque Security Village Idu Uruan Uyo and 6 Battalion Mosque Wellington Bassey Barrack Ibagwa.
• Interdenominational church service Date: 4 July 2021 Time: 0930hrs (9:30am) Venue: St Micheal Military Protestant Church Wellington Bassey Barracks Ibagwa
• Medical outreach Date: 5 July 2021 Time: 900hrs (9am) Venue: Uwa Junction and Central Town Hall Ikot Otu in Essien Udim Local government Area of AkwaIbom State
Additionally the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) 2 Brigade Chapter would be carrying out humanitarian outreaches in Mother Charles Walker Orphanage Home Uyo, Wellington Bassey Barrack Ibagwa Abak and Mboho Orphanage Home, Hospital Road Abak on 5 July 2021.
Abakpa Godfrey Anebi Captain Assistant Director Army Public Relations 2 Brigade Uyo Akwaibom State Friday 2 July 2021.
AMINU BAYERO’S TENURE AS EMIR WILL USHER PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN KANO
The newly installed Emir of Kano, His Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano is a leader, whose elevation to the exalted position of an Emir, would bring about peace and development in Kano in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
This was my view at the Sanni Abacha Stadium in Kano, as I witnessed the installation and presentation of staff of office to the new Emir by the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Umar Ganduje.
The newly installed Emir is a chip off the old block and I know he will do his best to maintain the peace his late father stood and lived for. His installation today, is a watershed in the history of the Emirate and Kano State.
We know the late Bayero, who was the father of the newly installed Emir, lived for his people and built bridges across the country. I also expect the newly installed Emir, to continue in that way, consolidate on his father’s achievements and break new grounds for the people of Kano and the nation generally.
I pray God to give the new Emir, long life in good health on the throne of his forebears. It is also my prayer that the new Emir will bring to bear, in this new responsibility, his experiences garnered over the years in his public and private lives, in the handling of the affairs of the emirate and the state. God will grant him good wisdom.
ONENESS OF NIGERIA : EMEMOBONG TASKS FED GOVT ON A UNIFYING COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
With spates of insecurity, impunity and disunity ravaging the Nigerian polity, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy has called on the Federal Government to come out with a Communication strategy that will help to unite and keep Nigerians as one.
Comrade Ini Ememobong gave the task Friday, 2nd July in Uyo, during the 7th Chief O.W. Udoh Memorial Lecture /Dinner /Award night of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, held at Duellaz Event Centre at Ewet Housing Estate in the capital city of Akwa Ibom State.
The Information Commissioner opined that, when the different component states of Nigeria continue to see and speak with discordant tunes due to insecurity challenges and varying degree of impunity mounted on them, there is bound to be dissenting voices which may dovetail into disagreements and may degenerate into disintegration.
He therefore called on the Federal government to come out with an all-encompassing well designed communication strategy that will assuage the bitterness of Nigerians in some parts of the country and give them a sense of belonging and hope as a people living in one united country where the interest of all parts are taken into consideration.
The Akwa Ibom State spokesman wondered how the people in some parts of Nigeria like Bornu, Benue, Imo and Enugu states, who feel the heat of bandattry, killings, rapping and genearal insecurity will be able to paint the picture of Nigeria as a united country with oneness, in the same way and manner as the people from states in the North central part of the country.
He therefore advocated for a round table confab by all Commissioners of Information in the 36 States of the country with the Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammad, where a communication Strategy can be evolved, tailored at quenching the fiery dissenting voices of some aggrieved Nigerians as well as broker peace and oneness among all sections of Nigeria.
Comrade Ini Ememobong congratulated the State NIPR, under the leadership of the two-term Chairman, Mr. Nsemeke Udoakpan for the successful outing especially in bringing together such crop of personalities to the event like Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, who presented the memorial Lecture, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, who chaired the occasion as well as the National President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo.
Speaking, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Mr. Nsemeke Udoakpan, said the dinner which came after the Annual General Meeting, AGM of the Institute, was an annual ritual of the institute for self appraisal as well as an avenue to strategize for the future.
While acknowledging that the event marked the end of his first term and the commencement of his second term as Chapter Chairman of the Institute, Mr. Nsemeke Udoakpan expressed appreciation to all who have contributed towards the successful hosting of the ceremony and the guests for coming out to add pep to the Award/Dinner night.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of a memorial lecture on the theme – “Strengthening Nigeria’s Unity Through Effective Strategic Communication: A Public Relations Approach” by the President of African Public Relations Association, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya and award presentation to eminent Akwa Ibom people including: the Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Opulupum Ette, (Award of Excellence in Capacity Development) the Director General of the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC, Pastor Anietie Ukpe (Award of Excellence in Professionalism), and the Coordinator of the Uyo Study Centre of NIPR, Mr. Uduak Obot (Award of Excellence in Human Capacity Development) among others.
Among those who attended the event were: Senator Effiong Bob; Sir Emem Akpabio; Obong Kingsley Mbre; Mkpisong Ememobong Essien, Obong Kingsley Peters, Mr. Daniel Udo (North-South) and the State Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk.
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Constitution review: Gbajabiamila seeks collaboration between Nass, state assemblies
…says legislature remains most important arm of govt
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for collaboration between the National Assembly and the 36 state Houses of Assembly to make the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution successful.
Gbajabiamila, who spoke at a meeting of the Conference of Presiding Officers of Nigerian Legislatures (COPON) in Abuja at the weekend, also stated that the Legislature remained the most important arm of government in any democratic setting.
He said the intention of the “wholesale review of our nation’s constitution” was “using the constitutional amendment process to address the foundational deficiencies in our constitution that continue to mitigate against the attainment of an honourable, peace and universal prosperity in our country.”
The Speaker said once the National Assembly was done with its part, it would forward the constitution review document to State Houses of Assembly for their own constitutional inputs.
“That process of constitutional review cannot succeed without strategic collaboration between all of us who are here today.
“So, I ask of you that we take the opportunity of this conference to agree on the things we wish to achieve so that we can begin now to devise the strategies through which we can achieve our objectives”, he added.
Gbajabiamila said by virtue of its roles, which included coming together to protect the interests of the diverse people in the country, the legislature had a more direct and immediate connection with the people at the grassroots.
The Speaker urged legislators to remain true to their constitutional roles.
He spoke further, “I believe that the legislature is the most important arm of the government. Some might say I am biased, having spent most of my political career in the legislature. And they will be right. But the fact remains, that by design, it is only the legislator that has the constitutional obligation to come to work each day and advocate for the interests of the people on whose behalf we serve.
“This is both a high honour and a heavy responsibility. And I am pleased that at this time in our nation’s history, we have as presiding officers of parliament across the country, capable people who recognise the importance of this moment and are equal to the task of nation-building at this critical time.”
Gbajabiamila noted that though there are three arms of government with the Judiciary and the Executive having their roles clearly understood by all, there is usually a misconception about the role of the Legislature.
“In governance, there is a role for the Legislature. Unfortunately in our clime, and perhaps in most climes, the role of the Legislature is often conflicted and bungled together to include the role of the Judiciary, the role of the Executive, and even the role of a private organisation.
“We have to play all these roles as legislators. What I find solace in is the fact that this misconception and misunderstanding of the role of the Legislature is a worldwide phenomenon. It is universal, and it is not peculiar to Nigeria alone”, he said.
On the conference, Gbajabiamila said since the last meeting of COPON 12 years ago, “…our democracy has changed. We have matured and improved, yet in many important ways, and on many important issues, there is still a lot of work left to do.
“As legislators, our ability to do what is required of us in this joint task of nation-building depends, in some measure, on how well we can work together within the federal legislature, and across the legislatures of the thirty-six states.”
Signed: Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
NATFORCE will assist Buhari in solving Insecurity/ Unemployment
A security expert, Alhaji Aninu Kofor Soro, has explained that the motive behind the establishment of the National Taskforce on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation/ Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE), was to assist President Muhammadu Buhari solve the problems of security challenges and unemployment in the country. Speaking in an interview in Lagos, Soro said the two major objectives of the agency were to secure the nation and provide jobs for the teeming youths.
He stated that; “With a secured country and gainfully engaged youths, acts of criminality in the country would be a thing of the past.” According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of the group’s activities and loved them, pointing out that the president would fall in love with any initiative that can eradicate insecurity and keep the youth away from the streets.
Soro, therefore, lauded the Director-General of the organisation, Dr. Baba Mohammed, for the initiative that was structured in a way that would guarantee eradication of crimes and finding gainful jobs for the youth with a view to keeping them away from acts of criminality, enthusing that President Buhari would support it because he knew the benefits accruable from such. He reasoned that; “Buhari would not want a situation where anybody would be kidnapped in this country, he would not want a situation where banditry would continue in this country and that is why he has been spending money to fight and that these things must stop.”
Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, today 3rd July, 2021 attended the funeral service of Late Mrs Mary Maria G. A. Ubom, mother to Fr. Godwin Ubom at the St. Thomas Catholic Church (Aquinas), Owotuta, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Her Excellency who represented her husband, Governor Udom Emmanuel at the service, delivered the condolence message on behalf of the State government.
Also in attendance were the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, National Assembly member, Rt Hon Nsikak Ekong, and members representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency and Ukanafun State Constituency in AKHA, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko and Hon. Dr. Charity Ido, respectively.
The Hon. Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Idongesit Etiebet, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Foreign Direct Investments, Mr. Gabriel Ukpe also registered their presence.
Fr. Godwin (Nsikak-Ubom) Asuquo, is the founder of ImaBridge Africa, a faith-based charity organisation dedicated to building “bridges of love” between dismilar constituencies, the privileged and the underprivileged.
describe the Retiring Chief Judge as high handed, despotic
Chief Judge won’t join issues with allegations – AIDE
Judges, Magistrates, Dispute Resolution Officers (DROs), Chairmen of District Courts (CDCs) and several lawyers in Akwa Ibom State Judiciary have showed continued disagreement with the retiring Chief Judge, Justice Godwin Abraham, over what they describe as abuse of office, high handedness, financial misappropriation as well as vindictive characteristics exhibited by the Chief Judge during his four years tenure.
The most recent action taken against the retiring Chief Judge by the Judges which THE INK understands may require divine intervention for the Chief Judge to recuperate from, is the boycott of the dinner and special thanksgiving service to mark his retirement by Judges of the State Judiciary.
The Dinner and Special Thanksgiving Service held during the weekend took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo and Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Dominion Mega Parish, Akwa Ibom Province 1 Headquarters, Ibesikpo Asutan, respectively.
The absence of judges hours into the dinner, it is learnt, had sent bad signals of a looming public show of shame of the Chief Judge whom many have noted lacked the moral strength and character to put the judicial house in order since he assumed office in 2017 or at least even days to his retirement event.
THE INK reporter gathered that it only took the intervention of some top Government officials begging judges to at least register their presence at the dinner which was organized by the State Government. Despite the various pleas, only few judges later turned up.
Similar scenario played out at the church service as most Judges and staffers of the Judiciary did not show presence at the Special Thanksgiving Service and the subsequent reception which took event at Emerald Event Centre, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo.
Justice Abraham was also reportedly stoned, yelled at and publicly humiliated when he went for commissioning of the new High Court in Mkpat Enin as the Commissioning of the empty ”Court building” eventually did not hold.
Investigation on the state of the Judiciary under the leadership of Justice Abraham during his four years tenure by THE INK Newspapers reveals that the retiring Chief Judge had been locked in a war of trust by judicial officers, lawyers and staffers of the judiciary who eventually accused him of falsifying some documents to allow him remain in office till 29th June, 2021.
Some members of the Judiciary who spoke with our reporter quipped that Justice Abraham had no business remaining the Chief Judicial Officer of the State till this time as he was meant to have retired since June, 2019, stressing that the maximum age provided for a judicial officer who is either State Chief Judge or Judge of any State Judiciary to hold office is 65.
They maintained that Abraham whose notorious leadership style had been to play fast and loose with rules or laws of operation had deliberately ignored and suppressed calls from different quarters to hand over office by virtue of his birthday which is June 29, 1954, upon attainment of due retirement age in 2019.
Trouble started for the retiring judge in 2020 when a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Barr Ekpenyong Ntekim filed a brief on behalf of his clients who were already defendants in a case with suit no: HU/LA.1/2018 filed before the Chief Judge’s Court.
Ntekim at the resumed hearing on the matter had prayed the court to declare that the Chief Judge, having clinched his retirement age, has no power to hear and decide on their case. Media investigations shows that Justice Abraham had to hands off the case involving Ekpenyong Ntekim as a result of his age, fearing that the former Attorney General may petition the NJC and follow up the petition to a logical conclusion.
Apart from the issue of age falsification to stay longer in office, our reporter who monitored the retirement service of a former judge of the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary, His Lordship Ifiok Ukana Rtd reports that Ukana had no kind words for Justice Abraham.
While making his speech, Justice Ukana informed the audience that he was maltreated under the watch of CJ Abraham now retiring. Narrating how badly he was treated under the CJship of the Chief Judge, Justice Ifiok Ukana who remains one of the most sought after judges in his time, felt forced into a position that was rather too emotional for any well accomplished High Court judge as himself.
Similarly, another judge of the State, Justice Ekerete Ebienyie who retired in March this year, rather than heap encomiums on the Chief Judge, was pouring cold thoughts on him.
He enthused that the Akwa Ibom State judiciary under Justice Abraham was brought to her knees as there have never so much division and discontent among brother judges as there have been under Justice Godwin Abraham. Justice Ekerete Ebienyie is quoted to have stated that Judges, magistrates, Chairmen of District Courts, Dispute Resolution Officers and other lawyers were treated with so much disdain and contempt.
According to Justice Ebienye, Akwa Ibom State Judiciary was a shadow of herself as the corporate dignity of that Arm of Government was dragged into endless controversies and disrepute.
Beyond the allegations of bad treatment meted out on Heads of Courts, the retiring CJ was also fingered in fraud of high proportions.
The retiring Chief Judge is said to have fingered the funds released by the State Governor for the allowances paid to heads of courts and heads of directorates.
Our reporter gathered that Justice Abraham in the most the embarrassing manner fingered the allowances meant for Judges, Magistrates, DROs as well as the CDCs.
One of CJ Abraham most embarrassing moment is said to have set in when he deducted the allowances of Judges to make up for the sum of Twenty million Naira (N20,000,000.00) allegedly stolen from the judiciary in a single robbery operation.
The affected judges stood up to Justice Abraham, challenging his authority to make judges pay for money allegedly stolen under his own nose.
The INK gathered that it took some external interventions to rescue Justice Abraham from the quagmire that was about swallowing him up.
Revelations made to THE INK reporter by some officers in the Judiciary show that a sum of money amounting to about N814, 980,000 (Eight Hundred and Fourteen Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira) due for 94 Chairmen of the State Customary Courts also known as Chairmen of District Courts as fuel allowance was hijacked by a cabal allegedly led by the retiring State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Godwin Abraham.
It is reported that all efforts to get the retiring Chief Judge to act within good conscience and release their complete allowance to them met a brick wall as he is said to have ignored all treaties to that effect.
Sources from the Judiciary Headquarters reveal that when the Chairmen of District expressed displeasure over the handling of their entitlements by the Justice Abraham’s administration, Justice Abraham immediately ordered proscription of the Chairman’s Association rather than hear them out.
When our reporter visited the Finance Department of the Judiciary, handlers of the funding initially refused to cooperate but on further probing, our reporter was made to sight a document that agrees with the submission of the Budget and Economic Planning that the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000.00) is budgeted as fuel allowances for Magistrates, DROs and CDCs.
Our reporter was also told that although CJ Abraham pays some ranks of magistrates their full fuel allowances, he keeps back 85% and 25% of the entitlements of CDCs and DROs, respectively. While in the main, retiring the full sum of Two Hundred thousand naira only as budgeted.
This is said to have opened this category of judicial offices to serious financial hardship as they struggle to keep up with the demands of getting to their various courts some of which are located in interiors of the state and in very difficult terrains.
Invariably, it would mean that in one month, the Justice Abraham led cabal goes home with nothing less than N15,980,000 (Fifteen Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira) from the allowances of Chairmen of District Courts every month.
Then in one year, a whopping sum of N191, 760,000 (One Hundred and Ninety-One Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) is gone away with.
It therefore means that between 2017 and till date, nothing less than the sum of Eight Hundred and fourteen Million, nine hundred and eighty Naira (N814, 980,000) only has so far been illegally pocketed from the allowances of Chairmen of District Courts alone. Not to talk of the ones from the Magistrates and Dispute Resolution Officers.
The budget office of the State Government when questioned on what amount of money budgeted and released as fuel allowances for those categories of Heads of Courts said, the office will not be in a position to entertain the query adding that every amount of money needed to be released to the Judiciary has been so released.
Sources in the budget office directed our reporters to the Judiciary which they said has all the information on the release and expenditure of the Judiciary.
THE INK gathered on good authority that budgetary provisions have consistently been made to cover the Customary Courts of Appeal but that justice Abraham refused establishing the Court in the State so that he will not be put in position to share power with the would have been President of the Court who is recognized in budgetary provisions as Chief Judge 2.
Justice Abraham would rather award to himself and his cronies contract for building and furnishing of new High Court complex.
Justice Godwin Abraham is further said to have ruled the Judiciary like an emperor victimizing everybody he perceived as enemy of his administration. The same treatment went to anyone who would dare claim right outside that the CJ measures out as the person’s right.
A staff in the Ministry of Justice who volunteered information to our team of reporters expressed disappointment over the treatment generally given to Heads of Courts in the State, stating “that many of them have been made to work under very horrendous conditions under CJ Abraham. Many of them, especially those of the lower bench have not been given vehicles while the CJ Abraham has fleets of cars parked on his compound, mostly brand new and unused vehicles.”
A member of the Executive of the NBA in Uyo branch while speaking on the matter expressed sadness at the level to which the Chief Judge could allow himself to descend so low to a point of making himself an object of ridicule and inflicting such financial pains on presiding officers of courts.
Another strong accusation leveled against the retiring Chief Judge is on the issue of the State Government Palliatives. It was learnt that Justice Abraham diverted the Covid 19 Palliatives given by His Excellency, Governor Emmanuel to the Judiciary for his personal use.
Those who claim to know said the Chief Judge pocketed the Palliatives and diverted them to his home town and his wife’s village.
He is said to have informed judges who confronted him on the diversion that the Palliatives were given to him as an individual and not for staffers of the Judiciary.
The Governor is said to have frowned at the action of Justice Abraham when reports got to him. The carting away of Palliatives meant for Judiciary staff contributes to the decline in popularity the CJ is having as he retires from service today.
According to some staff of the judiciary who spoke on condition of anonymity, the most disconcerting scandal involving Justice Abraham centers not just on his financial misappropriation but on sexual involvement with ladies who are mostly married women name withheld by THE INK for safety of some homes.
Our reporter gathered that some of the amorous affairs were freely and recklessly explored and serviced by the Justice Abraham who doubles as pastor in one of the renown Pentecostal churches in the Nigeria.
The retiring CJ is also accused of amassing wealth for himself as sources claim he has houses and other landed properties in choice areas in Uyo, Ibesikpo, Ikot Ekpene and Port Harcourt.
Some of the buildings said to have been bought through the CJ Abraham’s company name Covenant Heirs Ltd have been identified by THE INK as located at Shelter Afrique, Edet Akpan Avenue, Akwa Efak, Ernest Bassey Street, Udosen Street, Ikot Ekpene Road, Ikot Ekpene Town and other choice locations in town. Further details and pictures of the building will release by THE INK, if challenged.
As confirmed by some judges, lawyers and staffers in the employ of the State Judiciary, Justice Godwin Abraham will be stepping out of office as the richest Chief Judge in the history of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States combined.
According to them, Justice Abraham has risen to personal wealth at the expense of the judiciary as an institution.
The retiring CJ who is said to have used his surrogate prominent of which is one Nsidibe Essien, his nephew, to corner funds meant for the Judiciary for his personal use, is seen as a man who has risen to financial prominence through deprivations, suffering, pains and tears of others who have labored for the progress of the judiciary.
THE INK has been reliably informed that it is on ground of the unending and embarrassing controversies trailing the retiring CJ that many judicial officers in the state have vowed not to grace CJ Abraham’s valedictory court session with their esteemed presence.
As the Chief Judge bows out today, many lawyers have prayed that they do not have such a man again as Chief Judge.
Efforts to get in touch with the retiring Chief Judge fell flat as his Personal Assistant said the CJ was busy with matters concerning his retirement and would not wish to be dragged into any argument by unscrupulous lawyers.
The CJ’s Assistant however referred our reporter to the Chief Registrar whom he said has all the information we may like to get. The Chief Registrar however declined comments on the matters.
CFM AND SAFI RENEWABLE LTD DONATE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO AKSG
A European Fund investor in Nigeria- Climate Managers Fund in partnership with Safi Renewable Energy Ltd yesterday, donated Medical Equipment to Akwa Ibom State Government to support its commitment to providing quality healthcare services to its people.
At the handing over event which held at Methodist General Hospital/Isolation Center, Ituk Mbang and Multi-Specialty Hospital, Uyo, the CEO of Safi Renewable Energy Ltd, Mr. Oyinka Ogundare said: “COVID- 19 affected everyone terribly world wide and we targeted places to make donation of medical equipment to and Akwa Ibom state topped the list of the select places. It is the first place in Nigeria that we are doing this”.
Mr Ogundare commended Akwa Ibom State for being a model in health care delivery as shown in the management of COVI-19, and promised continuous support for more feats in the sector.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem while taking delivery of the medical equipment on behalf of the Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, restated the Governor’s resolve to provide quality healthcare delivery to the people of the state.
Dr. Ekuwem thanked the donors for partnering the State Government in the area of healthcare development, and assured that the equipment donated will be judiciously utilized for the benefit of the society.
Twenty two medical equipment were handed over to the state government including: Aesthetic Machine 9100 NXT and Monitor, Blood Gas Analyzer Epoc, Infusion pump 600, Syringe Pump 500, Oxygen Concentrator Model, Compact 525, X-ray Film view dim, Complete Personal Protective Equipment- PPE, Infant incubator, radiant warmer among many others.
The donation was witnessed by the Commissioner for Health, Prof Augustine Umoh, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong and other major stakeholders in healthcare sector.
Nnamdi Kanu ordered us to bury Ikonso with 2,000 human heads, but we got only 30— ESN Commander
Heads of 10 girls were used to prepare our charms
•Most of police officers I killed were also Igbo
•‘We are not paid; they said we are freedom fighter’
By Ifeanyi Okolie
A 28-year-old Commander of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, that has been arrested for killing security agents as well as destroying private and government properties in the South East and South South regions of the country has revealed how his group went on killing spree in the regions.
The suspect, identified as Emeoyiri Uzorma Benjamin, alias Onye Army, was arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Team, IRT, Led by DCP Abba Kyari over his involvement in the attacks and killing of security operatives and the destruction of government and private property in Imo State also confessed to some of the attacks on security operatives on the alleged instruction of their supreme leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
When Vanguard interviewed Onye Army, he confessed that he was part of the group that attacked the Owerri Correctional Center and freed the inmates and the attack on the country home of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzordima, in retaliation to the killing of Ikonso, who he described as his top commander.
He revealed that the heads of 10 girls who they caught in Imo State, were used in preparing charms to fortify them against police bullets. Onye Army also revealed how he was recruited into the ESN. So, I started doing menial jobs and buying Nigeria Army forms and that of the Nigerian Navy, but I was not recruited because I was using my brother’s result Since I couldn’t finish my Secondary School. I had the intention of writing my own exam and get my own result when I get recruited into the army.
“I also went to Lagos where I secured a job as a security guard with a company that deals in building materials. I did that job until 2017 when I relocated to my village where I engaged in carpentry jobs.
“While I was in the village one John, who is from my town met me and told me he knew I was trying to join the military but advised me to join IPOB in 2019 so I started attending IPOB meetings in Orlu Imo state every Sunday. We used to have the meetings in a building close to the Teaching Hospital.
“I attended the meeting until November 2020 when Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, formed the ESN and said he didn’t want any security agents in the South East and that all he wanted was just ESN operatives providing Security in the South East.
“I volunteered to join the ESN and I was trained with about 4000 other members in a camp close to the Niger Bridge in Delta State, but I don’t know the name of the village. I spent two weeks in that camp with several other people who came for ESN training from several parts of the country.
“Some people had been in the camp before I joined them but I spent just two weeks in the camp. Before I went to the camp however, I was at a Sabbath Church in Orlu owned by one Alewa Nnwachuku, in Okporo area of Orlu.
“While at the camp, we were given military training and our phones were taken from us. We were not talking to Nnamdi Kanu directly but we were receiving his instructions on Voice notes from the leaders of our camp. After our training we were given boots and uniforms and were asked to go back to our state commanders.
“My state commander was late Ikonso, who was in charge of Imo State before his death. We were not given any money, we returned to our commanders with just the uniforms and the boots. When we got back to Imo State I reported back to the Sabbath Church which served as one of our camps at that time.
“Then Nnamdi Kanu ordered that he didn’t want to see any police or military check point and Police Stations in the South East. The order was given through radio and and WhatsApp Voice notes and all the ESN State Commanders asked their fighters to comply with the orders.
“Nnamdi Kanu said we should dismantle all checkpoints and even kill the security agents manning the checkpoints and attack and burn Police Stations and Army Formations because he said they were killing Igbo people. I believed him and obeyed the order because I had taken an oath to obey Nnamdi Kanu, who is the supreme leader of IPOB.
“During our first attack, Ikonso brought two AK47 rifles while two of our members brought two locally made guns which we used to attack a police check point in Orlu where we killed a police officer.
“Two of our members were also killed but the police officers ran away abandoning their vehicle which we burnt and took away one of the police rifles. After the operation, we all returned to the Sabbath church owned by Alewa but the police came and attacked the place.
“We then relocated to a farm belonging to one of our members in Eele area of Awidemili, Anambra State. From there we attacked several other police stations and checkpoints.
“Then Ikonso, Engineer Mike and Temple organized the attack at the Owerri Prison and Imo State Police Command Headquarters, where several inmates were freed and more than 50 police rifles were carted away on the instruction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, because he said no body deserved to be in the prison
“We came with over 100 fighters, but on our way back to our base, some soldiers attacked us and many of our fighters were killed at Ukorji area of Imo State. We carried out other attacks on security formations in Imo and Anambra states before Ikonso was killed. I was in his residence on the night he was attacked by security agents. I fought with my own Ak47 rifle, but I abandoned it and escaped through the back gate when I expended all the bullets in the rifle.
“After the death of Ikonso we went and burnt the governor’s house and killed a security man in the house in retaliation. It was Engr Mike that led us. I was part of those that shot at the gate.
“We also burnt a house in Awomama, belonging to someone who was believed to have given the security agents information on Ikonso. Engr Mike then took us to his village in Awedemili where we attacked a house belonging to the Commisioner of Justice Imo state, The House of a Honorouble member state house of assembly, A house belonging to a Councillor and many others whom Engr Mike said were against our struggle and we killed two persons there.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu also directed us to bury Ikonso with 2,000 human heads but we have killed only 30 so far. I then relocated to Temple’s camp and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu ordered us to attack Orlu Police Division and free our fighters who were arrested and detained there.
“We went in 10 vehicles, over 50 fighters and we had over 30 rifles with us. I was in a white sienna and late Dragon was in a red colored car, but before we got to the police station we did a shooting display that was circulated on the social media on the day we went to attack Orlu police station.
“The white and red cloths we tied on our bodies in the video were charms which we call local bullet proof and we prepared charms with the heads of 10 young girls.
“Before we proceeded to attack the Orlu Police Station, Temple and Mike brought the suggestion that we should get the girls we used for the charms and we got them here in Imo State. But before we got to the Orlu police station, a police and Army armored vehicles attacked us and killed 12 of our fighters and injured four.
“After we escaped from that attack, we went to our camp at Idiato to relax waiting for further directives. They are not paying us any money, they said we are freedom fighters.
“Most of the police officers I killed were also Igbo people. I am happy that Nnamdi has been arrested. But I am begging for amnesty from the Federal Government.”
Nigeria Battling with Worst Form of Insecurity – Masari
The Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, yesterday lamented the spate of banditry and other nefarious activities afflicting the country, saying the nation is battling with the worst form of insecurity.
He expressed worries that people who were living peacefully as neighbours, friends and were attending the same markets, weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies without conflict, were now killing themselves and raping their wives and children.
Masari, who spoke in Katsina, during the commissioning and handing over of Kafur Islamic Centre, urged the warring parties to sheathe their swords and work together to avert bloodletting bedeviling the country and for peace and development to thrive.
The centre was donated by Wagf Su’ad Al’abdul Jaleel through As-sheikh Tariq, with the support of the African Continent Committee and the State of Kuwait.
He said: “We are battling with the worse form of insecurity, what brought it?; People who were living peacefully before as neighbours and friends, attending the same market, weddings funerals, and naming ceremonies without any conflict.
“But today, they are killing themselves, stealing their properties, and raping their wives and children. How come they turned overnight and started killing themselves? That means we have to examine ourselves. What went wrong? We should stop blaming the government because security is everybody’s business.”
He, however, charged the management of the Islamic centre to be unbiased while giving out admissions to deserving applicants and educate residents of the host community on the need for unity to enhance harmonious co-existence.
Earlier, the representative of the African Continent Committee, Sheikh Safakirukah Jumat, said the management of the centre would operate in line with the Islamic tenets and thanked Governor Masari for purchasing the land for the building
The Epiphany summit was different from other gatherings, and that is why they went out of their way to gather speakers of substance and high level participants at Governor’s office annex, Uyo Akwa Ibom State
The idea of raising a generation of purpose is in direct value transfer from the preceding generation that KNOWS to the thirsty generation that seeks to know. This is who we are and this is why we are here. It is a platform for self discovery, self challenge and self motivation. We implore that we take just our time and the most of this opportunity, as we learn, unlearn and relearn.
We are building this organization on ideologies, ideologies that will propagate the story of youth emancipation, ideologies that are built on generational emancipation, ideologies that respect Godly people who have genuine respect for rule of law, the Constitution and public opinion.
So far we are in all the wards and Local Government areas of Akwa Ibom state, our brothers in Diaspora have also indicated interest to start the movement there and I have given them a go ahead nod.
We will not use our population strength for political gains but will not fail to support anyone who buys into our ideologies, you can see with me that the society needs men who sincerely want to change the narratives.
As 2023 draws closer, we should rather ask those contesting election to tell us the position of the youths in the next government, what development plan do you have for the State, what are your intentions for our education, health cares and what is the employment plan for the Akwa Ibom people? We should avoid the temptation of how much does he have! Such question has kept us at where we are for a long time and we are changing that narrative come 2023.
We have set a strategy to get our members sensitized, such that you can’t fool any of them, you will see them there and with God they have already become lights to their people. There is no doubt about it, Akwa Ibom Youth Congress is the next big thing that is happening in Akwa Ibom. Be part of it, be part of HISTORY for the narrative is changing and together, we shall build a society everyone will be proud of.
Nigeria’s Youngest Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Akwa Ibom Born Oil and Gas Engineer. Engr. (Dr) Wisdom Patrick Enang FNSE speaking on the panel discussion on changing the narratives anchored by a seasoned lawyer and the Chancellor, “More leadership academy” Barr. Morgan Ekanem
The Uyo Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Friday July 2, 2021 allegedly assaulted a Legal Practitioner and Human Rights Advocate, Barr. Ewa Okpo aka street lawyer at their office located along Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo.
According to the street lawyer, a Bailiff from the State High Court, Itu division, Usen Ntem, was at the EFCC office to serve an Ex Parte Motion of the Court granting bail to his client on grounds of Fundamental Human Rights.
At the EFCC office, the Court Bailiff was allegedly prevented from exercising his official duties therefore the legal practitioner as an interested party in the case had to go there personally to prevail upon them to honour the order of court and allow the rule of law prevail.
“I have been to that EFCC office over 10 times on this matter and have shown them professional courtesy so far even when my client has been detained for about 10 days as against the statutory 48 hours that the law permits. Nwandu Kalu, Esq, of the EFCC Legal Department was the one who ordered that I be thrown out of the premises. Messers Taiwo and Gaius witnessed it,” Barr. Ewa said.
“I had to approach the court as a last resort of ensuring that my client gets fair treatment under the law and thankfully Hon. Justice Ntong F. Ntong of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State, Itu Judicial Division granted our plea”, he further stated.
“The bailiff who went to serve them the order of court was prevented from doing so; I had to intervene by going there to prevail on them to honour the court order; I was physically assaulted, harassed, pushed out of the office alongside the Bailiff and terribly embarrassed”, the lawyer lamented.
The Uyo based legal practitioner cum human rights advocate expressed worry over the fate that befalls ordinary citizens in the hands of the EFCC nowadays if a legal practitioner of his standing could be so disdainfully treated by the anti-corruption agency stating that the presupposition of the law that an accused person is deemed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law still holds water in Nigeria and law enforcement agencies are under obligation to abide by it.
He called on them to exhibit professional courtesy to legal practitioners and members of other professions in the discharge of their duties and explained that he has notified the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association of his ordeal and intends to seek redress in court.
Efforts to reach the Uyo Zonal Office Spokesperson of the EFCC proved abortive as at press time.
On behalf of my family and the good people of Oruk Anam LG , I congratulate Rt. Hon. Elder Aniekan Akpan over his confinement as the tear-rubber, result-oriented and articulated State Chairman of our robust part, PDP, Akwa Ibom State Chapter.
Your administrative shrewdness and rugged determination as former Council Boss, Hon. Commissioner, Member of Parliament as well as the immediate past Commissioners 1 in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission stood you out from the masses as an exemplary leader
I have no doubt that your indefatigable leadership, rugged determinations, versatile knowledge, experience, professionalism, intelligence, strategies and transformational qualities will come to play on the discharge of your duty as our State Party Chairman
Hearty Congratulations our outstanding Chairman
Rt. Hon. (Dr) Kinsley Frank Executive Chairman Oruk Anam L.G.A
No matter the circumstances never trade your happiness for or depend on something you might loose tomorrow Let the joy and love of God shared abroad in ur hearts that nothing ealse matters. The earth is the fullness thereoff.celebrate Jesus in your life. In him there is joy, love , peace of mind and abundance.
Governor Udom Emmanuel today, 2nd July paid his last respect to Professor Etim Okon Essien at Ikot Eko Ibon, Onna Local Government as his remains were committed to mother earth.
Gov. Emmanuel, represented by His Chief Of Staff, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang -Eyen expressed his deepest condolence to the family and described the Late Patriach as a man of deep sense and one who was stern in character which led to the many laurels he received in his life time.
“Prof. Essien was a towering figure in the academic community and also one who had in the cause of his career as an academic nurture a generation of Nigerians that are adding value to their respective communities, “he added.
Akparawa Inyang-Eyen went on to expressed his gratitude to the Late academician for the kindness he meted on him some many years ago.
” I cannot forget easily how Professor offered me full scholarship to study at Cambridge many years ago, his memory forever will remain golden in my heart,” He said.
He further prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss and also the grace for them walk in the footprints of the Late Patriarch in the service of humanity.
Stop Following Politicians For Peanuts, Don Tells Akwa Ibom Youths
A professor of History and Diplomatic Studies at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Philip Afaha, has urged youths in Akwa Ibom State to develop themselves and stop pursuing politicians for peanuts.
He said such lifestyle would bring out their best to become agents of change and nation builders.
In a paper he delivered on Wednesday at the 2021 Akwa Ibom Youth Congress Epiphany Summit titled: “Changing the narratives historical perspective”, held at the Government Office Annex in Uyo, the state capital, the university don regretted that “never in Nigeria’s history have the youths and the general Nigerian populace been confronted with the present state of youth hopelessness as we are witnessing.”
Afaha who urged the youths to acquire skills and become self-reliant so that they can make meaningful contributions to the society said they should look beyond politics, engage in productive venture and change the narratives of being beggarly while following politicians for peanuts.
He said it is cheap to blame the recourse to politics by youths on lack of employment in the state, but there is no employment in Anambra and Abia states too but the bulk of their youths are actively employed in trade, fabrications, and artisanship, and urged them to align themselves with the realities of the 21st century economy which is skills–driven.
Afaha identified grey areas where the youths can change the existing narratives for the better adding that there’s a lot to do in business, in social life, in industries, in science and technology, and other aspects of life rather than politics.
The renowned historian said there had been several attempts by mischief makers to paint Akwa Ibom as different peoples saying that Ibibio, Efik, Oro, Annang, Ekid, Ibeno, Obolo all possesses strong undeniable historical affinities and their forebears have been fighting together for the same causes from the beginning of time.
Afaha also decried the antics of politicians who hoodwinked the youths to question their history and sanity. “We are one people separated by greed and struggle for resources.
“Our divisive mentality has robbed us of our prime position in national affairs. Evidences of our common ancestry and heritage are still extant,” he added. He said the histories of Oro, Efik, Annang and Ibibio attest to the submission that they both emanated from the Usakedit area in the Cameroons, and both agree that at a certain point in their migrations, they settled at Arochukwu in the present Abia State in Nigeria.
He stated that there is the need for the youths in the state to jettison the belief that they can be satisfied with home politics alone and be extremely docile in national affairs
IBOM VOICE MEDIA 