Jonathan To Freeze Tinubu’s, Amaechi’s Accounts - APC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQOqvB0CeQIdgu03zGAqnnaHetjpiwlxh_kpCFT7FRj4o3V2-KoCdWAXesBeNhV6kDVZN4IbYVdARc4mfJOmuk8mxiPgfq1_mx9CjGPUarynDPfm0kgBfTHg2icSaIpU5YD1MscbSlDI-/s1600/Tinubu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQOqvB0CeQIdgu03zGAqnnaHetjpiwlxh_kpCFT7FRj4o3V2-KoCdWAXesBeNhV6kDVZN4IbYVdARc4mfJOmuk8mxiPgfq1_mx9CjGPUarynDPfm0kgBfTHg2icSaIpU5YD1MscbSlDI-/s1600/Tinubu+Buhari.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APCPCO) has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are plotting “to clip the electoral wings of the APC” by grounding of aircraft and freezing of bank accounts of party stalwarts”.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “In as much as we understand politics to be a game of wits and guts, yet the desperate way and manner the PDP and its henchmen are going is anathema, criminal and inimical to our nascent democracy and civilised human behaviour,” Garba Shehu, director of media and publicity of APCPCO, said in a statement on Saturday.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Hence, any attempt by anyone to cripple the APC and its presidential candidate will be foiled by the citizens who have taken over the movement of change as symbolised by Muhammadu Buhari.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “The hint we gather from sources is that the government, through its agents, is plotting to ground aircraft and freeze bank accounts of APC stakeholders. But history has shown that the forces of evil can never succeed against the zeal of men and women of virtue and good deeds,”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Information at our disposal has uncovered the ruinous plan by the Jonathan administration to use the aviation ministry and secret arm of the Security Service to hound and clamp down members of the APC, by prospecting obnoxious means that would ground private jets belonging to senior members of our party, in order to halt and slow down Buhari’s world-acclaimed phenomenal popularity as president-in-waiting.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “There is also a plot to block or freeze the bank accounts of APC chieftains like Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rotimi Amaechi (director-general of APC Presidential Campaign Organisation), and other prominent leaders believed to be funding the general’s campaign; and availing him their aircraft for electioneering purpose”, a report credited to <b>CableNews</b> reveals.</div>

Jonathan To Freeze Tinubu’s, Amaechi’s Accounts - APC

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APCPCO) has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are plotting “to clip the electoral wings of the A…

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Buhari Visits Gordon Brown, British Ex-Prime Minister

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih19Jp_GVtxoy7Ia4mOCGrQO7c3PNmf0SWc5q4tagwpyTjFE6GcR_lc2zgFFgbO_Hn-botAt6OfvjTKDHCab5uNs5eDY7-_nvch2q6qI3HaclRrWSLAzPrHNkTEm-yE6NkKkJACEkzdJtw/s1600/GMB+GBrown2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih19Jp_GVtxoy7Ia4mOCGrQO7c3PNmf0SWc5q4tagwpyTjFE6GcR_lc2zgFFgbO_Hn-botAt6OfvjTKDHCab5uNs5eDY7-_nvch2q6qI3HaclRrWSLAzPrHNkTEm-yE6NkKkJACEkzdJtw/s1600/GMB+GBrown2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, has been welcomed by a former Prime Minister of the UK, Mr Gordon Brown.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> According to a photo posted by ace journalist, <b><a href="https://instagram.com/delemomoduovation/">Dele Momodu</a></b>, on his Instagram page this evening, General Buhari was seen been ushered in by Mr Brown.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Bob Dee as Dele Momodu is fondly called by admirers captioned the photo with the words: "A superb welcome for General Buhari from former British Prime Minister The Rt Hon Gordon Brown"</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Q_Cud4JYronPZi7baBQc3MAlh_hpVI5-Djfn8WIA0CNaBasgK5JFKRazsSXxTGM0Hy3Taspxcfcb1DsR-3CVjJN4CyKv64ATWFLqDci6Hfl-lJp4lo_mzXSZDg0FitptDH7LgZkfVOX/s1600/GMB+GBrown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Q_Cud4JYronPZi7baBQc3MAlh_hpVI5-Djfn8WIA0CNaBasgK5JFKRazsSXxTGM0Hy3Taspxcfcb1DsR-3CVjJN4CyKv64ATWFLqDci6Hfl-lJp4lo_mzXSZDg0FitptDH7LgZkfVOX/s1600/GMB+GBrown.JPG" width="606" /></a></div>

Buhari Visits Gordon Brown, British Ex-Prime Minister

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, has been welcomed by a former Prime Minister of the UK, Mr Gordon Brown. According to a photo posted by ace journ…

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Fani-Kayode Talking "Nonsense", Says Osinbajo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzssyPR6ACm88VNB4E6QVe0osO0jrGU0wLb7MbYP9uWqtFRhNdW-xPkzkU97ZbVUzgrrPGhTk4pNMCtkjA3s-Z2BR-wOI_RzOR0AMJkJqsbpbLH6jUZqxrKHrbAbJZeMk1aoJu7pkTRJ5U/s1600/Osinbajo12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzssyPR6ACm88VNB4E6QVe0osO0jrGU0wLb7MbYP9uWqtFRhNdW-xPkzkU97ZbVUzgrrPGhTk4pNMCtkjA3s-Z2BR-wOI_RzOR0AMJkJqsbpbLH6jUZqxrKHrbAbJZeMk1aoJu7pkTRJ5U/s1600/Osinbajo12.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Yemi Osinbajo, the running mate to Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied swearing any oath to step down for Bola Tinubu, his benefactor and national leader of APC. </b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Speaking on Saturday during a programme tagged <i>Conversations for Change</i>, Osinbajo said Femi Fani-Kayode, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP presidential campaign, who made the allegation, was only saying "nonsense". </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/02/tinubu-scheming-to-be-president-pdp.html">Fani-Kayode had alleged that Osinbajo had a secret pact with Tinubu to hand over power to him</a></b> if APC wins the forthcoming presidential election. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Tinubu, according to our information, has compelled Osinbajo to swear to an oath that after six months in office, he would resign as the vice president, in the unlikely event that their party wins,” he had said. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But according to a report by <b><a href="http://www.thecable.ng/fani-kayode-talking-nonsense-says-osinbajo">TheCable</a></b>, Osinbajo described the allegation as the handiwork of a mischief maker. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “I never entered any negotiation with any person to hand over six months after, if APC is elected,” he said. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Those behind the allegation have exhausted their thinking faculties.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Osinbajo further accused the federal government of being incapable to pilot the affairs of the country in the right direction. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “The major problem this country has is corruption,” he said. “A current minister spent $10 billion to maintain a private jet and questions are not being asked. Every single day, 400,000 barrel of oil is stolen and the government is not asking questions. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Our Naira is on a free fall because our foreign reserves is steadily falling. Every aspect of our lives is affected by corruption. I’m not surprised that they cannot find money for social welfare programmes. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Everyone knows the issues but the discipline to apply solutions has been the problem. The change we seek is absolutely very important and that change must come.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He clamoured for state policing as a practical solution to the problem of insecurity, accusing the current administration of politicising insecurity. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “There must be the local police. It is the only logical way to police. You cannot police without understanding the local language of the people. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We need the state police,” he said “Policing is an important part of security. It is completely impossible to run an efficient policing system from the centre. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “The federal government mishandled and politicised Boko Haram insurgency. When the bomb goes off, it doesn't care what religion you practice. It murders.”</div>

Fani-Kayode Talking "Nonsense", Says Osinbajo

Yemi Osinbajo, the running mate to Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied swearing any oath to step down for Bola Tinubu, his benefactor and natio…

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Disquiet In The Army Over Promotions

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-2bqTvc6YEXrHZhL4TEOZQRO9S1Rz0yG4IihfI3j1s83h1h3pEe7CWlS23D1e8hg1IaPsg6kjxD5owvZm7lRKMVLWUQ05O_domOp-RDQGh2Xe8WYB6St2TioIea_J5AS59FCElxSd8pI/s1600/Minimah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-2bqTvc6YEXrHZhL4TEOZQRO9S1Rz0yG4IihfI3j1s83h1h3pEe7CWlS23D1e8hg1IaPsg6kjxD5owvZm7lRKMVLWUQ05O_domOp-RDQGh2Xe8WYB6St2TioIea_J5AS59FCElxSd8pI/s1600/Minimah.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Attempts by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah to boost the morale of the soldiers fighting insurgency in the northeast by automatically promoting all those who took part in the operation to liberate Baga town in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, has lead some soldiers fighting in other parts of the northeast to allege bias.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Soldiers in two of the states, Adamawa and Borno, who spoke to <b><a href="http://leadership.ng/news/414325/disquiet-in-military-over-promotions">LEADERSHIP</a></b> on condition of anonymity, said the success recorded in Baga should be hinged on the level of commitment and performance of all soldiers fighting in the northeast. They allege that the lopsided favouratism shown to those who took part in the liberation of Baga means they who have been staving off repeated attacks from the insurgents haven’t done anything commendable.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Some of the serving soldiers spoken to in Adamawa State said such preferential treatment given to a selection of Nigerian troops could only spell doom for the revered profession, as it will be difficult for sidelined soldiers to give their best when their efforts are seemingly nlocot acknowledged by the authorities.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The soldiers alleged that the gesture extended to the troops in Baga was a cheap attempt by the federal government and the military authorities to sweep under the carpet, the gory incident that led to the capture of the fishing community by Boko Haram insurgents, leading to the death of hundreds of civilians and soldiers.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While expressing disappointment over the incident, a soldier currently stationed in Mubi said the situation where some soldiers will be given preferential treatment at the expense of other equally gallant officers, is not only condemnable, but is a sure way of further decimating the integrity of the profession which was recently dented by political interference.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The soldier noted that if achievements and gallantry were the underlying factors for recognition and promotion, then the troops fighting the war on the Adamawa end ought to have been doubly promoted because they are the ones who lost the most lives and limbs in the quest to expunge the Boko Haram insurgency.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “About 7 local governments of AdamawaState where hitherto under the grip of the Boko Haram insurgents, including Mubi, the second largest town in the state, but within weeks of the commencement of our operations, we swiftly liberated four local governments, including Mubi.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “We also went ahead to liberate two other local governments despite our seeming constraints, but it seems that with the feat and successes we recorded, the military authorities did not deem it fit to promote us but went ahead with exuberance to promote soldiers that liberated only one local government. This action is highly reprehensible,” he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Another soldier who claimed to be part of the effort to liberate all the local governments in Adamawa State that fell into the hands of the Boko Haram insurgents said the new development was another low point in the noble profession, where political considerations have taken the place of merit and achievements.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “When I heard the story that soldiers who liberated Baga were promoted, I dismissed it as a lie because despite the rot in the system, I didn’t think the authorities would glaringly indulge in an action that is capable of ruining the military profession in its entirety.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Those that feel that the sanctity of the profession must be compromised for them to achieve their devious aims must be told in plain language that they are doing a great disservice to the security and wellbeing of this country.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “If they do not recant their devious ways, definitely they will incinerate the military as a profession and by so doing, incinerate the country. They should be forewarned about the negative effects of their actions because right now, many soldiers are agitated by the development and until it is reversed, the military may implode,” he asserted.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In Borno, soldiers under the 7th Division of the Nigeria army, Maiduguri have also cited unfairness and breach of due process in the blanket promotion of soldiers that participated in the Baga liberation.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Soldiers who spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend on the issue said that apart from the fact that such a promotion which involved both commissioned officers and troopers cannot be automatic, singling out only troops that went to Baga would be very unfair to other soldiers that had participated in other similar operations.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “With due respect to the COAS, it cannot be possible to promote soldiers through an administrative fiat or mere declaration,” said a ranked soldier.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Those that went to Baga comprised commissioned officers, noncommissioned senior officers and privates; and promotion for all these involved serious courses and examinations. So, how can a soldier go ahead and hang a commissioned rank without passing through due process? As far as I am concerned, the declaration is political and cannot come to pass,” said the army officer.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Another soldier, who is a noncommissioned ranked soldier, lamented that the army is not being fair in its declaration of promotion for the Baga soldiers.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “More than a hundred soldiers that I know have been killed or badly injured in many Boko Haram operations; many of us had fought bloody battles with obsolete weapons; many of us were killed; some were permanently rendered disabled because of the Boko Haram insurgency; so how can it be fair to now say soldiers that invaded Baga and Mubi with better arms and ammunition should be declared national heroes and given instant promotion, including those that had died?”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Most of us had participated in battles in Damboa, Konduga, Gwoza, Bama, Gamboru-Ngala and even some parts of Sambisa Forest, and today no one is speaking of them. This is not fair at all,” said the soldier.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Meanwhile, repeated attempts to contact the director of Defence Information, General Chris Olukolade, weren’t successful as he neither answered calls made to his cell phone nor replied to text messages sent to him requesting his reaction.</div>

Disquiet In The Army Over Promotions

Attempts by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah to boost the morale of the soldiers fighting insurgency in the northeast by automatically promoting all those who took part in the operat…

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Jonathan Won't Sack Jega But...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SDi77Y9bvGkwAHDKs7W8GsKgH6SrQwo0wDkOptAzFAiuH1rGANSJY062LugSr_kv3jXDXMIIjSAYof0LDjVvkSBKqFp6RQlZvcocFSfBCmtgm95B0CMYHWqeOf7m1w9Ze_KZhoQPqE0c/s1600/Jega3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SDi77Y9bvGkwAHDKs7W8GsKgH6SrQwo0wDkOptAzFAiuH1rGANSJY062LugSr_kv3jXDXMIIjSAYof0LDjVvkSBKqFp6RQlZvcocFSfBCmtgm95B0CMYHWqeOf7m1w9Ze_KZhoQPqE0c/s1600/Jega3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The Federal Government on Friday further compounded fears in some quarters that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, could be sacked before the general elections.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In an answer to enquiries on government’s stand on allegation that the INEC boss would soon be asked to proceed on a terminal leave, the Federal Government through the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, gave a rather ambiguous answer.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said the exit of Jega from the chairmanship of the INEC would take a natural course. Duke, who is also the supervising Minister of Information, spoke with journalists at the headquarters of the Ministry of Information in Abuja on Friday.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While answering a question on whether the Federal Government planned to send Jaga on terminal leave before the expiration of his tenure in June, Duke said Jega would not be sacked as President Goodluck Jonathan had pledged, but added that his exit from the electoral body would be a natural sequence.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The minister said, “On the issue of the INEC chairman, I align myself with what the President said that he has no plan to sack the INEC chairman.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “That is not to say that if it is time for the INEC chairman to naturally exit his office, then the natural course of things will not take place.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “It is like saying a civil servant has done 35 years or achieved the age of 60; we now begin to say that he must not retire or he must retire. I think all of that is in the terrain of the Presidency and he has spoken. I have nothing to add to that.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Duke added, “I will also like to say once on that issue. I recall that for several weeks now; people keep threatening the President on the shift in the date of the poll. You begin to wonder that parties have a couple of extra weeks in order to reinvigorate their campaigns and try to reach as many voters as possible. Rather than do that, you begin to identify imaginary pockets of unlikely developments and then focus your attention on them and then when you lose election, you begin to complain.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But members of the All Progressives Congress in the Senate and the Northern Elders Forum said that they would resist alleged plot to sack the INEC boss.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The senators had on Thursday alleged that there was a fresh plot by the Federal Government to   prevent Jega from superintending over the forthcoming general elections.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Northern Elders Forum warned against attempts to remove Jega and insisted that the elections must hold within the timeline allowed by the law.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The APC senators, led by George Akume, <b><a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/02/pdp-jonathan-still-on-plans-to-remove.html">told a news conference in Abuja</a></b> that they heard from a reliable source that the Head of Service would direct Jega to proceed on his pre-retirement leave next week.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “We have received information from a very credible source that next week, the INEC Chairman will be given a letter from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service to proceed on a terminal leave,” they said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The opposition senators alleged that the Federal Government was trying to use a circular from the HoS dated August 11, 2010 to place Jega on compulsory pre-retirement leave.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> They threatened to resist any attempt by the presidency to either suspend or remove Jega before the March 28 presidential election.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Some of the senators, who spoke with one of our correspondents on the issue on Friday, said they would employ legal and constitutional means to ensure that Jega conducts the next general elections.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Akume said President Goodluck Jonathan has the right to remove Jega, but could not unilaterally do so without seeking the permission of the National Assembly through a two-third majority.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He, however, said that Jonathan does not have the legal powers to suspend the INEC boss under whatever guise.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, “Section 157(1) clearly states that the President can only remove Jega with the vote of 2/3 majority of all senators. Under whatever guise whether suspension, retirement or voluntary leave, he cannot be removed.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Akume said, “ Section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President cannot remove the INEC Chairman from office without getting approval of the Upper Chamber.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Section 157 (1) of the constitution reads: “…a person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from that office by the president acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, “We will resist any attempt by the presidency to sack jega for any sinister reasons. We will continue to say no to impunity and any attempt to undermine the credibility of the forthcoming general elections. We would never accept.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “We condemn what the Federal Government is trying to do. We will rise up and defend our democracy. This is the Road to Golgotha, the road to Armageddon. These people want to destroy this country completely and we will resist it.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “We are waiting for the president to bring the notice before the National Assembly and we will decide on its legality or otherwise.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Also Senator Ahmed Lawan, (APC Yobe North), admitted that the President has the constitutional powers to remove Jega if he so wishes but that there is a procedure contained in the constitution.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, “The National Assembly must pass a resolution backed by two-third majority of members either giving accent to the request or not. That is the only way that the Chairman of the INEC could be removed. The President cannot do it alone.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Senator Babafemi Ojudu, (APC Ekiti Central) said, “The President cannot suspend Jega because he has no such powers in the constitution. There is no law which empowers the President to suspend anyone who was legally appointed to occupy a position for a period of time.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ojudu said his colleagues were raising the alarm because the information about the plot to sack Jega was made available to them hence they would not ignore it.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, “We have met, and we are still going to meet over the issue. We are watching and already considering all lawful and constitutional options even pre-emptive strategies to make sure that this democracy is not truncated through Jega’s sack”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Addressing a press conference, the spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said that sacking Jega now would be a recipe for disaster.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Abdullahi said, “With regards to Jega’s tenure, any attempt at this last minute by this government or its agency to remove the INEC chairman is a clear message that the Presidency is determined to rig the presidential election in which its sees Jega as an impediment simply because he thinks that the commission must follow the rules for a free and fair and credible election.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While lamenting that the February elections were postponed on “flimsy, clumsy and indefensible” reasons, he said the electoral body had for several months now been consistent and emphatic on its readiness to organise and conduct the 2015 elections in February.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He noted that the insecurity excuse given for the postponement of the elections must “fail because only a small fraction of the security personnel in the country are directly engaged in the fight against insurgency within the North-Eastern enclave of the country.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Abdullahi said, “Assuming that the soldiers are needed, we need to know that of the about 180,000 soldiers in uniform only about 20,000 are currently in the North-East of the country.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Meanwhile, most national and resident electoral commissioners have expressed their support for Jega over his readiness to conduct the polls.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> They asked him to reject alleged plan by the Presidency to send him on terminal leave.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <i>Saturday PUNCH</i> reliably learnt that the commissioners were disturbed that the removal of Jega would erode the credibility of the polls.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One of the national commissioners, who spoke with <i>Saturday PUNCH</i> on condition of anonymity, said there was no way the results of the elections would be fair, if the polls were not conducted by the commission’s current chairman.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, “The whole world is watching us. Anyone who’s thinking about sacking Jega is not working for the interest of the country.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Yes, there are plans and attempts at dividing us, but we need to remain resolute in this task. We should not allow anyone to put the country into shame.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Asked if there was division among the ranks of the officers, he said it was possible as witnessed during the meetings on the postponement of the elections.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Another national officer, who spoke on the issue said, “We are all the same. There is no seniority among us. We are all national officers.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It was learnt that not many commissioners were happy with the predicament of the chairman.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Investigations by <i>Saturday PUNCH</i> showed that those in this category included commissioners that supported the postponement of the elections and some who were against the use of card readers and permanent voter cards for the elections.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jega’s term ends on June 30, 2015 but the All Progressives Congress on Thursday alleged that the Federal Government planned to send him on a three-month terminal leave starting from next week.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The chairman, who spoke to <i>The PUNCH</i> through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kayode Idowu, had on Thursday said he had yet to receive any letter asking him to proceed on terminal leave.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Also, Idowu told one of our correspondents on Friday that the electoral body was not prepared to join any conversation on the chairman’s exit.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said the commission is absolutely focused on preparation for elections. “It is the last thing on the mind of the chairman now,” he added.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> An INEC commissioner, who confided in <i>Saturday PUNCH</i>, identified, “the move to send the chairman on leave as one of the reasons that forced INEC to shift the elections to March 28 and April 11.”</div>

Jonathan Won't Sack Jega But...

The Federal Government on Friday further compounded fears in some quarters that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, could be sacked before the general …

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Nigerian Military Closing In On B'Haram Leader, Shekau

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-7SiLrHcEJTZs95FAqH40VyfIbM7u5PFI0N82kelVDL-MjPQr6yj_1Ht25mV-OXwEAU3-wRSPJhO7uYFDpkMwj4edLOwRGwIc2dl44OcTt9BdiKjYphZ31wGn0geMvjevlqzDsPAZfj3/s1600/Shekau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-7SiLrHcEJTZs95FAqH40VyfIbM7u5PFI0N82kelVDL-MjPQr6yj_1Ht25mV-OXwEAU3-wRSPJhO7uYFDpkMwj4edLOwRGwIc2dl44OcTt9BdiKjYphZ31wGn0geMvjevlqzDsPAZfj3/s1600/Shekau.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The Nigerian military is fast closing in on the dreaded leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Intelligence sources disclosed to <b><a href="http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/military-liberates-gulak-others-closes-in-on-shekau/202928/">THISDAY</a></b> that Shekau had been cornered but could not yet be taken out because of the use of captured girls, women and children as shield by him.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A top intelligence source, who doesn't want to give more details because of the sensitive nature of the operation, noted that "Shekau's operational areas had been depleted and the military are ever closer to locating him".</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "The military knows where he is but the truth is that he is using some of the captives as shield," the source said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Meanwhile, Western forces in the Lake Chad region are said to have avoided confrontation with the insurgents.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The AFP reported yesterday that Canadian Special Forces participating in military training in southeast Niger, near the border with Nigeria, were ordered to withdraw recently to avoid fighting Boko Haram.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> According to the report, the troops had been posted to the town of Diffa, where the government of Niger declared a state of emergency on February 11 following attacks in the region that borders Boko Haram's stronghold in Northeast Nigeria.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Canadians, it noted, were participating in US-sponsored counter-terrorism training that started on February 16 and due to end on March 9.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The annual programme has 1,300 troops from 19 countries training militaries in five African countries in shooting, movement, communications, and mission planning.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Dominique Tessier from Canada's defense department did not say how many Canadians were at risk of confrontation with Boko Haram, but noted in an email to AFP that "several members" were relocated from Diffa to other areas such as Agadez and Niamey in Niger and N'Djamena in Chad "due to security issues."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "This was seen as a prudent measure given the current security situation in the region," Tessier said, adding the exercise continues.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Canadian Special Forces also stand ready to provide humanitarian or other assistance, should Ottawa decide to offer help, Tessier said.</div>

Nigerian Military Closing In On B'Haram Leader, Shekau

The Nigerian military is fast closing in on the dreaded leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau. Intelligence sources disclosed to THISDAY that Shekau had been cornered but could not yet be taken out b…

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We've Tested Card Readers For Elections - INEC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw0Qj2r2wbzXbitpXvMPpGFuYvUBSb-gFv03n5Jpj6jcO_oNWceJ6PBF-xhJgp9TzejgwxivgMAABoYkM86t2uCXFp0ueAuHqWBnOLY_IWvgt8dAkAN-Xuc9jjLAgttZ6ESd4lLSKHPe5/s1600/INEC-Card-Reader2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw0Qj2r2wbzXbitpXvMPpGFuYvUBSb-gFv03n5Jpj6jcO_oNWceJ6PBF-xhJgp9TzejgwxivgMAABoYkM86t2uCXFp0ueAuHqWBnOLY_IWvgt8dAkAN-Xuc9jjLAgttZ6ESd4lLSKHPe5/s1600/INEC-Card-Reader2.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday reiterated that the card readers for the general elections have been subjected to assurance and functionality tests.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Responding to a question, the chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu,  said “the Card Reader units have been broadly subjected to simulation Quality Assurance, Integrity and Functionality tests and INEC has full confidence in their performance for election purposes.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “The device has also been subjected to Performance and Conformance Test, both locally and in Texas, United States, laboratories by the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Research Centre, and found to be of the highest quality grade.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Besides all these, and with additional time resulting from the rescheduling of the 2015 general elections, the Commission has directed that Stress Test be conducted on the Card Reader device in mock election scenarios - two states in each of the six geo-political zones - ahead of the new election dates. (Details of this exercise will be unveiled by the Commission next week.)", <b><a href="http://leadership.ng/news/414504/card-readers-are-tested-for-general-elections-inec">LEADERSHIP</a></b> reports.</div>

We've Tested Card Readers For Elections - INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday reiterated that the card readers for the general elections have been subjected to assurance and functionality tests. Responding to a que…

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Tinubu Scheming To Be President - PDP Campaign

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw4HyOckaW5OdW_SkvahJ4O4zDUxrR9MIRstepEOBW-aVp245RMn-GifgwDlJsmWo5aDV50aeMIbnBvNNWhkT-TdjEA4tVJp1fiv6_z2OMx5DGgf9QCSp18hN2kRm8Q_T5CwqLognjiEM/s1600/Tinubu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw4HyOckaW5OdW_SkvahJ4O4zDUxrR9MIRstepEOBW-aVp245RMn-GifgwDlJsmWo5aDV50aeMIbnBvNNWhkT-TdjEA4tVJp1fiv6_z2OMx5DGgf9QCSp18hN2kRm8Q_T5CwqLognjiEM/s1600/Tinubu2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is plotting to become the President of Nigeria through the back door.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It said the plot by the former governor, who is a stalwart of the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, was to take over as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the event that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) wins the March 28, 2015 presidential election.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP-PCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, made this allegation at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He nevertheless said the campaign team of the PDP-PCO wishes Buhari long life.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Fani-Kayode said skeletal information available to the PDP-PCO suggests that the Vice Presidential candidate of the APC, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, was picked by Tinubu and forced to take an oath to resign his appointment six months into the new cabinet should the APC win the elections.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The PDP-PCO further alleged that the party would field Tinubu as Osinbajo’s replacement after the alleged resignation.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Fani-Kayode argued that given the huge financial war chest being deployed by the leader of the party and his overbearing influence at single-handedly facilitating the emergence of Buhari and Osinbajo as the party’s candidates after allegedly failing to push the Muslim-Muslim ticket, further lends credence to his claim.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He asked Buhari to watch his back, adding that the alleged gang-up against him and Nigerians was based on the calculation that his health conditions would deteriorate and lead to his death, paving way for the vice president to take over power.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Fani-Kayode said, “It should baffle well-meaning Nigerians why Tinubu has decided to draft Buhari, despite his age, acrimonious background and questionable health status, into the presidential race whilst ensuring that his stooge, Prof Osinbajo, was foisted on the general as vice presidential candidate.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “The reason is that the PDP-PCO wishes to use this forum to expose the ungodly plan by Tinubu to seize the presidency of Nigeria by subterfuge.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “You will recall how Tinubu wanted to be running mate to Buhari in spite of the nationwide resentment for Muslim-Muslim ticket that he and Buhari planned to foist on their party.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Senator Tinubu had justified the ticket by saying that competence was the important thing and not the issue of religion.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “But when he and Buhari could not push through the agenda within the APC, he (Tinubu), after being given the opportunity to nominate a vice presidential candidate, decided to prop up his stooge in the person of Prof. Osinbajo.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Now the real reason Tinubu nominated Osinbajo has been made known to us and we hereby offer a public service to the Nigerian people by drawing their national attention to it. Credible pieces of information at our disposal indicate that Tinubu has perfected plans to come to power through the back door.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Tinubu, according to our information, has compelled Osinbajo to swear to an oath that after six months in office, he would resign as the vice president, in the unlikely event that their party wins. The wicked plot, as laid out by them, is to force Osinbajo to resign for Tinubu to be nominated by Buhari as his replacement.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “The ultimate objective of this plot is to ensure that Tinubu becomes President. The script is simple: given the questionable health of Buhari, Tinubu, who is desperate to be president for his own selfish reasons, will simply bid his time in the evil expectation that Buhari will not be able to go the whole hog.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “How wicked can those that hatched this plan be? How unfair can they be to the North, to Buhari and to Nigerians? We wish Buhari long life. Senator Tinubu’s dangerous plan is about getting power. This is sad. No thoroughbred Yoruba man or indeed Nigerian wants to get power through the misfortune of another person.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “But this is the perfidious path that Tinubu is passing through. This is repugnant.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “It will interest you to know that our information is strengthened by the very similar act of resignation which Senator Tinubu had planned to force on Pastor Tunde Bakare which you can all watch now.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “We will like to show to you some footage that is on YouTube of Pastor Tunde Bakare’s interview where he openly admitted that he refused to sign a resignation letter that would have seen him hand over his vice presidential position had Buhari been successful in his presidential campaign in 2011.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Becoming the vice president is not the destination but becoming the president! The agenda of the cabal within the APC is with the perceived health challenges of Buhari. They have told themselves in hushed tones that he has prostate cancer, acute asthma and that he suffers from dementia. This is their assessment and not ours. We do not know how true this is or what the nature of his illness is and neither are we interested. All these allegations of ill-health, to the cabal provide the justification for their evil plan.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said the structures around Buhari belong to Tinubu and that the actors around him, driving his campaign behind the scenes are also Tinubu’s men.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, “Most of the covert funding for this campaign comes from Tinubu’s friends outside the country and from Tinubu himself. So if he becomes President, Buhari will become virtually incapacitated and he will not be the one running the government. Those behind this plan would now be waiting for Buhari to pass on. That is what Tinubu wants to do to the North and to Nigeria.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “This is a wicked and ungodly attempt for Tinubu not only against the North and the Hausa/Fulani but against the whole country. We are convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that most Nigerians are not with this cabal. This is because no sane or rational person would wish another person evil to actualise his political ambition.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The <b><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/tinubu-plots-to-be-president-says-pdp/">PUNCH</a></b>'s attempts to get the response from the spokesperson of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Calls to his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off while an e-mail sent to him had yet to be replied.</div>

Tinubu Scheming To Be President - PDP Campaign

Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is plotting to become the President of Nigeria through the b…

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Supreme Court Asks Dariye To Face Trial For Corruption

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nGLy0RlcYGa06LPLMkZ0JHoloJ80utmWWk0r7tKgwZZcwK0pGd7rRGX_J77iXfmwMn1LhMFYw3PHVehD1lDhDN3LLfvDKVh7ckr5m2wp_zGgyiqaaSOMSt2GZ1Sems0iv6jo_FE2qGi5/s1600/Dariye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nGLy0RlcYGa06LPLMkZ0JHoloJ80utmWWk0r7tKgwZZcwK0pGd7rRGX_J77iXfmwMn1LhMFYw3PHVehD1lDhDN3LLfvDKVh7ckr5m2wp_zGgyiqaaSOMSt2GZ1Sems0iv6jo_FE2qGi5/s1600/Dariye.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The Supreme Court has ordered a former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye to submit himself for trial for corruption and money laundering charges before the Abuja High Court.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In a unanimous judgment by a panel of five justices, the court dismissed the former governor's appeal for lacking in merit.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Two members of the panel, Justices Sylvester Ngwuta (who read the lead judgment) and Chima Nweze frowned at the delay tactics adopted by Dariye to prevent his trial.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While Ngwuta described it as a sad commentary on the nation's fight against corruption, Nweze said the action of some members of the elite class, who saw themselves as being above the law, was worrisome.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had in 2007 filed a 23-count charge against Dariye, and on which he was arraigned.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He was also accused of diverting state's funds estimated at billions of naira, while in office. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which the trial judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko fixed November 13, 2007 for the commencement of trial.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Before November 13, Dariye filed an application, challenging the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He argued that he ought to be tried at High Court of Plateau State and not a high court of the Federal Capital Territory.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On December 13, 2007, the trial judge heard and dismissed Dariye's application for lacking in merit, a decision he appealed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja and subsequently to the Supreme Court.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> According to a <b><a href="http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/you-must-face-trial-for-corruption-scourt-tells-dariye/202927/">ThisDay</a></b> report, Justice Ngwuta had while reading the lead judgement delivered yesterday resolved all the four issues, distilled for determination by the court, against the appellant.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "So, the appeal has no merit. It is hereby dismissed. The appellant should go back to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to stand his trial on the charges levelled against him.  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "This is a sad commentary on our fight against corruption. Appeal dismissed," Ngwuta said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Justice Nweze said: "I have noticed a most worrying trend in most recent time, particularly among the politically exposed citizens of this great country, imagining that they are above the laws of the land,  have perfected some awkward and baseless tactics of delaying their trial when they run into conflict with the law.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "The appellant in this appeal falls into this category. In 2007, about eight years ago, leave was granted to the respondent to prefer charges against him. He was duly arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "On November 13, the date set aside for the prosecution to marshal its witnesses, he implored the trial court to quash the charges against him on the ground that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine the charges.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "When the application was dismissed, he proceeded to the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, which heard and dismissed his appeal. Instead of returning to the trial court to face his trial, he appealed against the lower court's judgment. I agree that this appeal is unmeritorious," Justice Nweze said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Other members of the panel that heard the appeal, agreed with the lead judgment.</div>

Supreme Court Asks Dariye To Face Trial For Corruption

The Supreme Court has ordered a former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye to submit himself for trial for corruption and money laundering charges before the Abuja High Court. In a unanimous judgme…

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