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Author: Day Break

Insecurity: FG to Hold Nationwide Town Hall Meetings
National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd) is to lead a delegation of heads of federal law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies to townhall meetings in 6 geo-political zones.
The meetings which were agreed upon after his meeting with service chiefs and heads of other security agencies have a direct assessment of the security situation across the country, get feedback and elicit recommendations on the pathway to lasting peace and security in the country.
The first town hall meeting will hold in Kaduna State on Monday for the north-west geo-political zone. Those to attend the meetings are the 7 State Governors in the zone, traditional and religious leaders, lawmakers, non-governmental, youth and women groups.
February 14, 2021
Adamu Garba Asks Buhari: Are You Leading Nigerians Or Catching Cruise?
Sometimes I wonder, I genuinely wonder whether President @MBuhari is leading Nigeria or catching cruise with our trust
How can the country be in tension, killings all over the places, yet no categorical statement from the President?
Why the silence at this very critical moment?
Why must we always talk, ask and insist before we can hear from this President.
The matter at hand, from North to South is on the verge of exacerbating ethnic tensions. Blames and counter blames, accusations and counter accusations, yet silence from the President?
Why is that?
The President is the only, truly and rightful legitimacy to restore order, assured of safety & security for the citizenry in times of tensions like this
The President must be in control of the narrative all over the media by his appearances, assuring statements
Why the absence?
There is no region, tribe or religion, no matter the attachment or loyalty to the President, that will be happy with the present situation where everyone is left to advance their individual narrative to the complete absence of the Commander in Chief’s. None!
This is not good.
The President should have to address the media, take over the headlines with assuring statements. Reach-out to the victims directly
At this juncture, absence Presence means absence leadership
It is very critical at this point, that no vacuum is created for a bad press narrative
February 14, 2021
IGP, Delta AG, CP insist on ex-Minister Gbagi’s probe
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Delta Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor (SAN) and Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, have insisted ex-Minister of Education, Kenneth Gbagi, must be investigated over his alleged roles in the stripping and torture of four of his staff.
The IGP, the Delta AG and CP want a Federal High Court in Abuja to reject a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Gbagi and order him to surrender to the police in response to a warrant of arrest already issued against him.
Their position is contained in separate counter-affidavits they filed as respondents in the suit by Gbagi, marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/1267/2020.
Gbagi had sued, alleging among others, his rights were under threat and the AG had instigated the police against him in view of his intention to contest the next governorship election in Delta State.
The applicant (Gbagi), who seeks among others, to perpetually restrain the respondents, had in September last year, obtained an interim restraining injunction against the IGP, the Delta AG and CP pending the determination of the suit.
The respondents, in their counter-affidavits, faulted Gbagi’s claims that his rights have been violated and that he was being targeted in view of his interest in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State.
While urging the court to dismiss the suit, they argued that it was solely intended by Gabgi to evade police’s investigation of his role in the alleged crimes.
The IGP and Delta CP, in their counter-affidavit filed by their lawyer, Lukman Fagbemi, stated that Gbagi was only invited to shed light on his alleged roles in the allegation that he instructed and supervised the detention, stripping and taking of nude pictures of four workers (including a married woman) in his Signatious Hotel and Suites, Effurun, Delta State.
They stated he “was duly informed of the need for him to make himself available for the purpose of interrogating him regarding his role regarding the allegation against him in the petitions and was duly warned of the likelihood of his arrest if he continues to ignore the lawful invitation extended to him.
The IGP and Delta CP added that their roles in the case was in relation to police’s statutory responsibility of conducting investigation upon allegation of crime and “have not done anything to damage the goodwill of the applicant’s business, if there is any.
“The fact that the applicant has officially declared his interest to contest the governorship election in Delta State in 2023 will not shield him from lawful invitation and being investigated regarding the commission of any offence if there is reason for such.”
In the counter-affidavit filed for the Delta AG by his lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), it was contended that, as against Gbagi’s claim, evidence abound to show that he “was not only at the hotel during the period of incarceration of the victims of the crimes, but was indeed, the grand mister of the crimes committed against the complainants.
“From stripping of the victims naked to their pants, locking them up in an office, parading them naked before co-staff and around the hotel premises before forcefully clearing up their bank accounts into the hotel’s account on the applicant’s instruction.
“The applicant evaded all attempts by the police second and third respondents to carry out investigation into the criminal complaints made against him and thus, impeded the respondents from carrying out investigation of the criminal complaints and possible prosecution as the need arose.”
The AG further stated that, upon receiving the case file from the police, and based on available evidence, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the state directed that Gbagi should be investigated.
invitation to him, an arrest warrant should be issued against him in order to obtain his statement in response to the allegations against.”
On February 11, when the case came up, lawyers to parties – E. O. Jakpa (for applicant), Fagbemi (for first, second and third respondents) and Kehinde (for the fourth respondent) were unanimous that every necessary documents has been filed and that the case was ripe for hearing.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo however, adjourned till March 11 for the hearing of the case.
February 14, 2021
CBN Gov to present audited accounts to Reps
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele is expected to appear before the House of Representatives’ Public Accounts Committee to render the bank’s audited accounts this Thursday.
Chairman of the Committee, Wole Oke, said they would be expected to render accounts from 2014 to 2019.
Oke said they had written to the CBN but the Bank’s Governor could not come but asked a senior director to appear last week.
“We had written CBN just like we had written every other corporation to come to the parliament to show us evidence of rendition of their audited accounts.
“So the director appeared on behalf of Central Bank and he took a date. So we would be expecting them to come with copies of their audited accounts for the period under review and evidence of rendition to the Auditor-General,” he said.
The CBN shall be appearing before the lawmakers on the investigative hearing into the audit query issued by the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (oAuGF).
He said although the office of the Auditor-General cannot directly audit accounts of corporations as the CBN, it has powers to conduct periodic checks.
“For purpose of clarity on whether CBN complies with rendition of accounts and powers of the Auditor-General to audit Central Bank account, the constitution has settled the matter in Section 25 sub 3.
“The Auditor-General cannot directly audit accounts of corporations such as CBN, NNPC, NPA, NIMASA, Shippers Council.
“The Auditor-General shall have only powers to conduct periodic checks. And from these periodic checks, the auditor general forms his opinion.
“Secondly, the external auditor that these corporations engage are engaged based on the advice of the Auditor-General. As a matter of fact, the auditor general must accredit those external auditors.
“Now the external auditors on the conclusion of the audit of these corporations submit the account to the corporations. The corporations are mandated by the constitution to submit their accounts so audited by the external Auditor.
“The Auditor-General in turn engages consultants or their personnel to review the audited account submitted by these corporations, and thereafter make his report before the parliament.
“I am sure this process is to ensure checks and balances. But I think through the periodic checks and balances, the Auditor General, has unlimited access to records.
“So if the Auditor-General has a problem in conducting the checks on the books of these corporations, they should tell us. If they have any problem, if they have problem of accessibility to records of these corporations, they should tell the parliament.
“In any case, the Auditor-General’s office is an independent office. They are not under anybody’s control except the parliament, because this committee pursuant to Order 18 Rule 6 oversights the office of the Auditor-General of the federation,” he said.
February 14, 2021
Pastor ask CAC to suspend, probe Apostle Suleman
A pastor, Mike Davids, who was formerly with Omega Fire Ministries, has asked the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to suspend the General Overseer of the church, Apostle Johnson Suleman.He urged the CAC appoint an interim manager in line with Section 839 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.
Davids, who had accused Apostle Suleman of sleeping with his wife in the presence of his young daughter, said the CAC should also probe the church’s finances, Apostle Suleman’s lifestyle and alleged the purchase of a private jet.The requests are contained in a letter sent to the Registrar-General of the commission, Garba Abubakar, which was received by the CAC on February 12, 2020.The letter titled reads: ‘Petition for the Immediate Investigation and Removal of Apostle Johnson Suleman, a Trustee of Incorporated Trustee of Omega Fire Ministry it/no: 21739 and for Closure Of the Church and/or Appointment of Interim Managers to Manage the Affairs of the Church Pursuant to Section 839 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.“I have had cause to believe that Apostle Johnson Suleman has continued to use his position as trustee and general overseer of OFM to commence an amorous relationship with my wife which has led to several acts of enticement of my wife and an adulterous relationship between the two of them.
“Beyond having sexual relations with my wife, that in clear misappropriation of the trustees’ funds and church money, Apostle Johnson Suleman opened a supermarket for my wife at Lugbe.“He has bought a car for my wifeand he has rented a residential apartment for my wife and children without my approval, knowledge and consent.“Worst still, Apostle Johnson Suleman has also unlawfully restrained me from gaining access to the house to see my children.
“All these actions amount to clear violations of statute and the constitution and objectives of the church with respect to how church money ought to be appropriated and applied.”
February 14, 2021
Zulum Gives N13.9m And Car To A Doctor For Staying In Monguno
Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the payment of N13.9 million and car gift to a 65-year old medical doctor from Ogun State, who lived within the General Hospital in Monguno and continued to offer healthcare services to patients even when the town was faced with the most severe threats by Boko Haram.
The doctor, Dr. Isa Akinbode, graduated from the University of Maiduguri and joined the Borno State Civil Service, where he served for 22 years before he retired in 2016 at Monguno General Hospital.
After his retirement, the doctor, despite reports that he was once abducted and released by Boko Haram in Monguno, remained at the General Hospital in Monguno to offer voluntary medical services. Then Governor Kashim Shettima, during one his visits to Monguno, directed officials of the state’s Ministry of Health to engage Akinbode as a contract staff. Due to bureaucratic procedures, officials at the ministry in Maiduguri, however, delayed formalising the doctor’s contract, even though he continued to serve.
Five years later, Governor Zulum, on Friday, directed that Dr. Akinbode be paid his accrued arrears of N13.9m based on the terms of the contract directed by the former governor in 2016. Zulum also directed that going forward, contracts should be formalised for monthly entitlements.
The governor also presented a Toyota Highlander as gift to Dr Akinbode for his services to the host people of Borno.
“These (people like Dr Akinbode) are the kinds of people that need to be encouraged. He lives in Monguno despite all the security problems. My predecessor had during his visit to Monguno directed that he should be engaged on contract basis; unfortunately due to some bureaucratic procedures, his reengagement has not been formalised. In fulfilment of the promise of my boss, I decided to re-engage him on contract basis retrospectively. We are paying all his entitlements/salary in arrears. I am giving him a cheque of N13.9m. I have also approved his reengagement from 2016, being the date of his retirement.” Zulum said.
Governor Zulum also approved the recruitment of Dr Akinbode’s daughter, who studied Public Administration at the University of Maiduguri, into the Borno State Civil Service.
February 14, 2021
Lekki Toll Gate: Seyi Tinubu, Sunday Dare Exposed By Bank Documents
Seyi Tinubu and Sunday Dare enjoyed a constant stream of revenues from Lekki Toll Gate.
Here, bank documents expose how Loatsad, run by the duo, held LCC ad monopoly.
The closure of Lekki Toll Gate has unsettled Bola Tinubu’s vast empire. Therefore, cannot be allowed to linger.
February 14, 2021
It’s shameful to arraign protesters but pamper terrorists -PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party has described the arrest, humiliation, and trial of #OccupyLekki protesters on Saturday, as a sad reminder of what Nigerians went through in the hands of military dictators.
The Lagos State Chairman of the PDP, Adedeji Doherty, reacted to this sad occurrence, in a release on Sunday, titled, ‘#OccupyLekki: Lagos PDP slams Sanwo-Olu over arrest, humiliation of protesters, demands discontinuation of their trial’.
The chairman said, “It is a shameful irony that a government that is pampering terrorists could send policemen armed to the teeth against civilians who only expressed their displeasure over a government decision.
“Lagosians will never believe that a time will come in the State when citizens’ rights to peaceful protests will be muscled by a supposed democratic government.”
“It is now clear that all that matters to the APC government of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the billions of naira generated at the Lekki Toll Gate, and not the welfare of the people.
He also demanded explanations on whether or not it was part of the mandates of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution to investigate cases of police brutality in the state to order the commencement of operations at the toll plaza.
“When did it become the duty of a judicial panel of inquiry to order the resumption of collection of tolls at a Toll Gate, which was shut down owing to the alleged killing of youths whose only offence is that they demanded that SARS policemen should stop killing them?
“The Lagos State Government and most especially, the members of the House of Assembly from Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe LGAs should open up a public hearing or Referendum on the reopening of this controversial tollgate to show the world that democracy is really the order of the day in Lagos State, instead of trying to crush a peaceful protest without presenting any kind of alternative medium of diplomacy as it concerns the tollgate issue.
“As for those who were arrested among the protesters, we wish to tell them to remain strong, committed, and resolute in their quest for a Nigeria where the government does the right thing and citizens are allowed to ventilate their grievances against government freely,” the PDP chairman said.
February 14, 2021
Nigeria collapsing under your watch, PDP taunts Buhari
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep concerns over rising sectional disagreements and violent conflicts in various parts of the country.
It observed that the conflicts are being exacerbated by “the insensitive, divisive and parochial approach to governance by the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.” The party, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, lamented the escalated sectional conflicts in various parts of the country; the bloody ethnic clashes currently raging in Ibadan, Oyo State, in addition to similar clashes recorded in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano and other states of the federation.
The PDP called on President Muhammadu Buhari to note that “the once cohesive and economically thriving nation handed over to him in 2015 is fast collapsing in his hands, due to his failure to effectively manage the economy, inability to administer the complex political and sectional nuances of the nation, as well as manifest lack of capacity to confront terrorists, bandits and kidnappers ravaging our country.”
The PDP described as sad that “under the anti-democratic and anti-people proclivities” of the Buhari-led APC administration, the once-thriving country has come under grave tension, to the extent that citizens have become nervous, agitated, lost faith in the polity, with individuals, communities, states and geo-political zones resorting to self-determination as a way of survival.
“It is, indeed, distressing that the Buhari administration cannot handle the fundamental responsibility of government: to guarantee the security, safety of citizens, as well as ensure peaceful co-existence and stability of the nation.
“From Lagos to Borno, Oyo to Ebonyi, Imo to Katsina, Plateau to Osun, Benue to Kano; indeed across our nation, the tension is palpable. Nigerians are losing confidence in the government. The corporate existence of our nation, which patriotic citizens have been labouring for, is now being threatened,” the statement stressed.
The PDP urged President Buhari to wake up and end APC administration’s divisive tendencies, and without further delay, take urgent steps to guarantee peaceful co-existence in the country by ensuring strict adherence to extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, especially regarding the federal structure and sensibilities. While calling for calm and vigilance, the party charged President Buhari to take steps to unite the nation by ensuring justice in the face of infractions against our federal sensibilities as a people.
The PDP stressed that the nation is already distressed by unbridled violence, wanton killings and bloodletting by terrorists, bandits and, kidnappers.
February 14, 2021
Government Alone Is Responsible For Any Insecurity In Nigeria: Mr Macaroni
After he was arrested and released for participating in the #OccupyLekkiTollgate protest, comedian, Mr. Macaroni, took to his Twitter handle to state that the government is responsible for the insecurity in Nigeria
He wrote;
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‘The Hausa man is my brother, so is the Igbo man and The Yoruba man. We are all one. The Government and the Government alone is responsible for any insecurity in Nigeria and it is their duty to protect all Nigerians. I plead for peace.
We will come back to my matter later.”
February 14, 2021