By Samuel Oamen Abuja – Popular rapper Lanre Fasasi aka Sound Sultan is dead. According to the Nation, the family of the 44 -year- old ‘Jagbajantis’ crooner confirmed his death on Sunday in a statement. Details soon…
Popular rapper, Sound Sultan is dead Read More
By Our Report Abuja – Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja “to order the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to perform their statutory functions to review downward the remuneration and allowances of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, 36 governors and members of the National Assembly.” SERAP is arguing that “slashing jumbo pay for these high-ranking political office-holders would reduce the unfair pay disparity between political officer holders and judicial officers, address the persistent poor treatment of judges, and improve access of victims of corruption to justice and effective remedies.” In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/658/2021 filed last Friday, SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the RMAFC to send its downward review of the remuneration and allowances of these high-ranking public office holders and recommendations to the National Assembly for appropriate remedial and legislative action, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).” SERAP is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the …
SERAP To Court: Slash Buhari, govs, NASS members’ allowances Read More
By Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja Abuja – There is tension at the headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja over a planned #BuhariMustGo# protest by a group of youths led by convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore, the Nation has reported. Ten activists wearing #BuhariMustGo shirts were arrested last Sunday at the church by operatives of the Department for State Service (DSS). The proposed protest is to express displeasure with their arrest and parlous state of affairs in the nation. Security operatives have been deployed to the church to forestall any breakdown of law and order. A group, Abuja Grass root Project (AGP), was seen at the entrance of the church with #IStandwithBuhari shirts matched with face caps. Sowore had last week given Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, 48 -hour ultimatum to secure release of the 10 activists from DSS custody or risk disruption of the Sunday service. Pastor Enenche had denied handing over the 10 activists to the DSS in a statement. He said they were arrested outside the church premises. Details shortly
Just In: Tension in Abuja over #BuhariMustGo protest at Dunamis church Read More
By Abubakar Ahmed Gusau – The All Progressive Congress (APC) Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has dissolved the party’s executives in Zamfara.Sen. John Akpanuodedehe, National Secretary of the CECPC, announced the dissolution in a letter dated July 9, 2021 and addressed to the dissolved Caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Lawal Liman. The letter a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Gusau, said the dissolution was with immediate effect. “I write to please inform you that following recent development within the party in the state, the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has approved the dissolution of all the leadership organs of the party in the state (ward, local government and state executives). “This development is with immediate effect,” the letter read in part. It further said that a three man caretaker committee has been constituted to run the affairs of the party in the state. The new consituted caretaker committee has Sen. Hassan Mohammed as Chairman with former deputy governor, Alhaji Muntari Anka as Deputy Chairman while Prof. Abdullahi Shinkafi, …
APC dissolves caretaker committees in Zamfara Read More
Kaduna – The police in Kaduna State says the emir of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, and 10 others have been kidnapped by suspected bandits in the early hours of Sunday in Kajuru town, headquarters of Kajuru Local Government area of the state. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Muhammad Jalige disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday. Jalige said the second class traditional ruler and the other victims were kidnapped at his palace. The police spokesperson, who did not give details of how the incident happened, said policemen had, however, been mobilised to trail the hoodlums with a view to rescuing the victims. “We have deployed our men to rescue them,” he said. (NAN).
Kaduna Emir, 10 others kidnapped by bandits Read More
I don’t know where my singing voice went. True. But once – for a brief season – I was in a choir. This was at the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, Agbani, with the Christian Law Students Fellowship (CLASFON). And, it appears, I was one of the few male members of that choir. Looking back now, I see that this strange pull towards the microphone, towards the stage, that has taken me through many incarnations, was a bit like young Samuel hearing a voice in the night calling him, and getting up each time to answer at the door of Eli. Till the old priest said to the young seeker, “I am not the one calling you, Samuel. Next time you hear that voice, say to it – ‘Hear I am, Lord, speak for your servant listens.’” Like this, when you have no one to guide you, it is possible for your calling – the reason or reasons why you were born – to drive you through several professions, professions that approximate – but are not quite – your purpose. …
Finding Purpose By Dike Chukwumerije Read More
By Our Reporter Abuja – Key tracking equipment deployed by the police to go after kidnappers, bandits and terrorists has remained inactive since the beginning of the year amid raging violent crimes across the country, Sunday PUNCH has learnt. Multiple reliable sources, who confided in Sunday PUNCH, attributed the downtime to non-subscription and failure to engage the relevant company to carry out system upgrade, among other challenges. At least 2,943 people in Nigeria have been abducted across the country in the last six months since the critical tracking technology was down. Experts have noted that the use of mobile devices by kidnappers to negotiate ransoms makes it possible for law enforcement agencies to determine the movements of the cell phone owners. Even if users have their location services, cellular data and Wi-Fi disabled, tracking system enables law enforcement agencies to have access to the technology that can determine the location of a mobile device at a specified time. Senior police officers, including two commissioners of police who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said the platforms …
IGP says major police tracking equipment down, detectives struggle to trace bandits, others Read More
Abuja – Some senior lawyers have spoken out about the unfolding drama trailing the nomination and screening of Lauretta Onochie as a commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Mike Ozekhome, told Sunday PUNCH that Onochie’s nomination for INEC job was faulty, because of her affiliation with the ruling All Progressives Congress and being a diehard devotee of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). Ozekhome said, “Have they ever read the constitution? Do they know the meaning of the word ‘independent’ attached to our electoral umpire? What would you expect from such a rabidly partisan woman other than outright and unbridled rigging of any elections she presides over, or is involved in? She is simply a direct participant and beneficiary in any such elections. No one has been known to fail himself or herself in an examination in which such a person is student, invigilator, marker, examiner and marks awarder.” Ozekhome, however, said he would not be surprised if, despite widespread criticisms, the Senate goes ahead to confirm Onochie for …
Ozekhome: Lawan-led Senate’ll be worst in Nigeria’s history if Onochie’s confirmed for INEC job Read More
Damaturu – Governor Mai Mala-Buni of Yobe and Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee has promised to reconcile aggrieved members of the party in Kwara. Mala-Buni stated this in a statement by his Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, on Saturday in Damaturu. The statement said the governor made the pledge when he received Senators Ibrahim Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), Oyelola Ashiru (Kwara South) and Sadiq Suleiman-Umar (Kwara North). It said that the meeting centered on promoting unity in the party in the state. “The national leadership of the party will continue to support unity and progress of APC in Kwara State. “As you are aware; the Caretaker Committee is repositioning the party, reconciling differing opinions to build strong and united membership that will improve the fortunes of our party. “The leadership of the party has great respect for due process, discipline and all programmes that will contribute to making it stronger,” Mala-Buni was quote as saying in the statement. The statement also quoted the senators as assuring that they would continue to promote unity …
APC: Buni moves to reconcile aggrieved members, meets Kwara senators Read MoreAbuja – Raja Club Athletic of Casablanca held their nerves to clinch their second CAF Confederation Cup title after beating Algerian side JS Kabylie 2-1 in the final match on Saturday. Soufiane Rahimi and Ben Malango scored for Raja within the first quarter of an hour of the game played in Cotonou, Benin Republic to put them in the driver’s seat. However, Kabylie came back stronger in the second half with Mohamed Zakaria Boulahia halving the deficit just moments into the second half. Raja were reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute, when Omar Arjoune was sent off for a high boot. But the Moroccan side held on to ensure they clinched the victory and their second Confederation Cup title. Raja got into the lead via a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) awarded goal. Rahimi ran behind the defence to pick up a decently-looped ball from Arjoune before rounding the goalkeeper and tapping into an empty net. The assistant referee had initially raised his flag for offside, but upon review, VAR awarded Raja the goal. They were 2-0 up in …
Raja hold on to clinch CAF Confederation Cup Read More
Monarch says agitator’s aides merely using him for their ends Presidency reacts says only DSS, Police, AGF can determine his fate Abuja – The camp of Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo alias Igboho, on Saturday denied that he was about to soft pedal or dialogue with the federal authorities. Reacting last night to Friday’s offer by the Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, to intervene in the face-off between government and Igboho, the spokesman of the activist, Olayomi Koiki, said there had been no contact between the monarch and the agitator lately. Koiki also denied that Igboho was about to drop the agitation for a Yoruba nation. But the Oluwo said only Igboho “can speak for himself” on whether he is ready for talks of not. “Nobody can speak for him,” he told The Nation on the phone last night. The Presidency itself appeared to play down the matter when contacted on Saturday. A source said only the Director of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, could determine Igboho’s …
You’re on your own – Igboho denies Oluwo, Says he stands by Yoruba Nation agitation Read More
Abuja – Former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, says he is optimistic that the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) bill currently before the National Assembly will be passed by the lawmakers. He also expressed optimism that President Muhammad Buhari would sign the passed bill into law. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gowon spoke on Saturday at a ceremony to mark the 23rd anniversary of PCN. The retired Army General served as the chairman of the occasion held in Abuja. Represented by retired Maj. Gen. Chris Garba, Gowon said that volunteer activities of the corps needed to be further supported by way of legislation to offer the outfit the legal instrument crucial to enhancing its operations. He urged Nigerians to remain positive about the nation, declaring that the current state of insecurity and instability was “only a passing phase that will not be with us forever”. He also urged citizens to pray and support the government in the fight against insecurity, incessant attacks and kidnapping. “The 7th, 8th and 9th assembly have made several inputs and …
Peace Corps bill will soon become law – Gowon assures Read More
Berlin – Argentina ended their 28-year wait to lift the Copa America after Angel Di Maria’s first-half goal clinched a 1-0 victory over Brazil in Saturday’s final at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Di Maria, who was promoted to the starting line-up for the final match, coolly lobbed over Brazil goalkeeper Ederson for the 22nd-minute winner. Argentina had been Copa runners-up at four of the past seven tournaments, losing to rivals Brazil in 2004 and 2007, but finally claimed the country’s 15th continental crown. The triumph also marks Lionel Messi’s maiden piece of major silverware with Argentina, with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner dominant throughout the tournament. He finished with most goals (four) and most assists (five). In a physical encounter, Brazil superstar Neymar received plenty of attention while Messi was unable to exude his normal influence for La Albiceleste. Brazil started the better but could only manage scuffed efforts on goal from Everton and Richarlison before Argentina struck against the run of play. The outstanding Rodrigo De Paul’s hopeful ball forward eluded Selecao left-back Renan Lodi, …
How Argentina, Messi ended long Copa America title drought Read More