APC Reacts To Court Order Stopping Amaechi's Ministerial Screening

The Rivers state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has
reacted to media reports that a court injunction was secured to stop
the Senate from screening Rotimi Amaechi as a ministerial nominee.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by its publicity
secretary, Chris Finebone, the APC said the report was false, and
should be disregarded.

"Again, because we are aware of the desperation of the PDP and Mr.
Livingstone Wechie on this matter, we have nonetheless carried out a
search at the High Court Registry in Rivers state, and no indication
that such order exist at the High Court of Rivers, except if such
order is given to Mr. Livingstone Wechie in the sitting room of a
Judge, which we know that no right thinking judicial officer will do
so, especially at this time that the National Judicial Council is
desirous of sanitising the Judiciary," the statement read.

According to the APC, the State High Court has no power or
jurisdiction under the Nigerian Constitution to determine any matter
that relates to the duties and functions of the Senate

"The distinguished and Honourable Judges of the Rivers State High
Court are fully aware of this Constitutional provision. We strongly
believe that none of them would be drawn into such level of judicial
rascality or abuse of office, no matter the inducement or incentive,"
the party added.

—Ledership

45 Corps Members To Repeat Service In Lagos

The Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Lagos State, Mr.
Cyril Akhanameh yesterday, said 45 corps members, who absconded
during their service year will repeat the service.

He said: "45 corps members will repeat their service year due to
physical absence from their places of primary assignments."

According to him, "'Many of the corps members left their places of
primary assignments for over three months without permission, adding
that when queried, they could not give any genuine reason for being
absent."

"The level of their punishments, he noted, will be determined by the
level of their offences, stating that many of them will repeat, serve
for three or four months in any part of the states that NYSC
Authorities will choose."

—Vanguard

Group Accuses FG Of Neglect, Marginalization Of S/East

AN Igbo socio-cultural group, the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos,
yesterday, accused successive administrations in Nigeria of a
deliberate neglect and marginalization of the South-East
geopolitical zone.

The group at a World Press Conference in Enugu equally lamented that
even though Ndigbo had suffered unquantifiable loss as a result of the
Boko Haram insurgency, they have not been factored in the agenda for
the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

President-General of the association, Chief Ebere Ubani who spoke
alongside the Chairman, IDPs, South-East, Ozo Patrick Mba, also drew
the attention of the world to what he called "latest unimaginable and
deliberate marginalization of Ndigbo on the IDPs saga".

The President alleged that the Igbo nation was still under siege by an
unforgiveable authorities in Nigeria, which he said had culminated in
the total abandonment of the South-East in all infrastructural and
developmental facets in order to keep the zone in perpetual
under-development and political slavery.

Ubani, however, lamented that whereas other IDPs were being catered
for, the returnees had been left to roam helplessly in all the nooks
and crannies of the South-East, where according to him "the political
nomenclature on ground for whatever reasons has failed to take
cognizance of these human tragedy."

The group, while calling for an urgent need to open IDPs camp in the
South-East, further stated that it had started collection of names and
addresses of the returnees.

"It becomes imperative to appeal to the Federal Government, the
South-East governors and political leaders to live up to their vows
and provide succour to these millions of displacedNdigboso that they
will not end up like the Biafran ex-service men and women, who today
liter major streets in the South-East".

—Vanguard

Senate Postpones Ministerial Screening

The Senate has postponed screening of ministerial nominees till early next week.
Part of a tweet by the official handle of the 8th Assembly said "there
will be no ministerial screening today. We will continue on Tuesday".

Ladies and gentlemen. There will be no #MinisterialScreeni ngtoday. We
will continue on Tuesday. We will tweet CVs of new nominees
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 15, 2015

At the end of Day 2 of the screening and confirmation at the national
assembly, only eight out of the 10 ministerial nominees were screened.

While one nominee was dropped by the presidency, the other, the former
governor of Rivers State Chibuike Amaechi, was rescheduled for early
next week.

All 18 nominees, who appeared before the Senate, have been cleared
for ministerial appointmentsby President Muhammadu Buhari.

They include Udoma Udo Udoma, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, Audu Ogbe,
Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman
Danbazzau (Rtd), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Amina Mohammed, Ibrahim Jubril,
Babatunde Fashola, Aisha Alhassan.

Others are Senator Hadi Sirika, Solomon Dalong, Ibe Kachukwu, Kemi
Adeosun, Abubakar Malami, Engineer Suleiman Adamu and Dr. Chris Ngige.

At the end of plenary on Wednesday, Senate President, Dr. Bukola
Saraki read out the names of the nominees, who had fielded questions
from the lawmakers.

REVEALED: Why Buhari Removed Ahmed Musa Ibeto From Ministerial Nominees

Strong indications emerged on Wednesday, that President Muhammadu
Buhari may have withdrawn the name of immediate past Deputy Governor
of Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto from his ministerial list.

Ibeto made the first batch of 21 ministerial nominees sent to the
Senate President by Buhari on September 30.

Vanguard however reports that the withdrawal of Ibeto's name may not
be unconnected to the fact that like Ibeto, another ministerial
nominee, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, who was among the second batch of 16
nominees announced by Senate President yesterday, also hails from
Niger State.

Abubakar Bawa Bwari popularly called ABB by his admirers was born on
4th November 1963 in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.

He was elected as a member of the Federal House of Representatives,
representing Suleja/Gurara/Tafa Federal Constituency in 1998 and
subsequently became Chief Whip of the House, a position where he
served meritoriously over a period spanning 1999-2007.

With Ibeto reportedly dropped, the total number of ministerial
nominees now stands at 36 instead of 37.

Confirming this development via his Twitter handle @bukolasaraki, the
Senate President in a tweet yesterday evening said: "Today, I presided
over the screening and confirmation of 10 of the 36 Ministers
nominated by President Muhammadu."

Mourinho Banned, Fined £50,000 By FA

Jose Mourinho has been given a suspended one-match stadium ban and
fined £50,000 by the Football Association.

The charge comes after the Chelsea manager admitted a breach of FA
rules in relation to post-match media comments.

Mourinho was charged for misconduct following the game against
Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday October 3.

It was alleged his remarks constituted improper conduct in that they
alleged and/or implied bias on the part of a match official or match
officials and/or brought the game into disrepute.

After the home defeat to Southampton, Mourinho said: "When we are at
the top I understand that there is quite a big pleasure in putting us
down but when you are down I think you need to be a bit honest and to
make clear that the referees are afraid to give decisions for Chelsea.

"The result [was] 1-1, there is a huge penalty and, once more, we
don't get. A penalty is a crucial moment in the game with the result
1-1.

"I repeat, if the FA want to punish me, they can punish me, they don't
punish other managers, they punish me – it's not a problem for me.

"But I want to repeat because I think my players deserve it, I think
our fans deserve it and I am a Chelsea fan too. I want to say it
again: referees are afraid to give decisions for Chelsea."

Mourinho's suspended stadium ban will be immediately invoked should he
be found by an Independent Regulatory Commission to have committed a
further breach of FA Rule E3 for any comment or statement to or
through the media before October 13, 2016.

Police Kill 21-Year-Old ImoPoly Undergraduate

The police have been accused for the death of a 21-year-old
undergraduate of Imo State Polytechnic in Ohaji-Egbema local
government area of the state.

The deceased Ikechukwu Uwagbaokwu Photo credit: Vangaurd

The deceased, Ikechukwu Uwagbaokwu, according to family source was
allegedly killed by the operatives of the Abia State Police Command.

According to vanguard, the Uwagbokwu family said that their son was
murdered because of a land tussle they have with Ndukwe and Uwaga
families.

The deceased family further alleged that the other families in the
land dispute connived with the police to frame their son.

It was learnt that land disputes amongst the families get messier
prompting the community's traditional peace maker, Ibeku Okonko
Arbitration Panel to invite the families for peaceful dissolution of
the crisis.

The panel had fixed a date for hearing on the case but had to
reschedule following the death of one of the families witness.

Barely five days to the rescheduled date, Ikechukwu was murdered and
his family is accusing the other families for the death of their son.
The family in their petition to the Abia state commissioner of police
said they suspected one of the rival families for their son death
stating that the said family had earlier accused them for the demise
of their family member.

The family petition read in part: "On the 10th of September, 2015, Mr.
Ikechukwu Vincent Uwagbaokwu, a Marketing Student of Imo Polytechnic
went to bed at about 9.00pm but at about 10.50pm there was persistent
banging on the door of the family house of the Uwagbaokwu.

"When Mr. Anthony Uwagbaokwe (elder brother of deceased) came out to
see who was banging on their door, lo and behold, there were about ten
fierce men in Police uniform who had taken strategic positions in the
surroundings of the house. "One of the men in uniform, who came with
Hilux pick up van and black Camry Saloon Car, hit the door of one of
the occupants of the house and forced it open. When the occupant came
out, the men in police uniform, who refused to identify themselves,
said that he was not the person that they were looking for.

"The Police went to the direction pointed to by those who allegedly
brought them. The armed policemen forced the next wooden door open and
on sighting Ikechukwu Vincent Uwagbaokwu, one of the policemen
allegedly shot him and he died immediately. "Our clients raised alarm
but nobody came to their rescue. The matter was reported to Ehimiri
Police Station in whose jurisdiction this area falls, where the
Divisional Police Officer (DPO) gave them order to deposit the
deceased at Madonna Mortuary in Umuahia."

Reacting to the incident, the state commissioner of police, Joshak
Habila said that he cannot deny or confirm the receipt of the deceased
family's petition but asked the family and their lawyer to see in
office if they have such allegation against the police promising that
the matter will be thoroughly investigated as his command will not
cover or protect any police man involved in extra-judicial killing.

Professor Anwukah Buhari’s Ministerial Nominee From Imo State Indicted Of Fraud

Professor Anthony Anwukah, President Buhari's Ministerial nominee from
Imo State has a case of fraud round his neck following his indictment
by a government white paper on his tenure as Vice Chancellor of Imo
State University, Owerri.

The white paper found Professor Anwukah, a former Secretary to the
government of Imo State guilty of fraud, states an online report.

According to The Agendang.com which got an exclusively copy of the
White Paper, Chapter fifteen (XV, page 35) of the White Paper
described Anwukah as having laid the foundation for the rot plaguing
the University and directed his immediate dismissal from the
University. Professor Anwukah is an in-law to Governor Roachs
Okorocha.


Okorocha has recommended Anwukah to President Buhari for appointment
as Minister from Imo State, having failed in his earlier bid to get
him appointed as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Following the damning recommendations of the Visitation Panel, the
state government directed the Governing Council of the University to
immediately retire Professor Anthony Anwukah from the services of Imo
State University, as against outright dismissal, as recommended by the
panel.

It would be recalled that former governor of the state, Chief Ikedi
Ohakim, through a letter with Ref. No. SGI/S.0928/T.3/X of 16th April,
2008, set up a Ten-man visitation Panel into the Affairs of Imo State
University from 2004 to 2009.


Members of the Panel were: Hon. Justice S.A. Nsofor JCA
(Rtd)-Chairman; Professor Nnamdi Asika, Barrister Mike Ezeala, Dr. Obi
Njoku, Barrister Chidi Nworka, Major General S.A. Owuama (Rtd), Chief
Mrs. Janet Okwara, Mr. George Emeghara, K.C. Nwokorie Esq and Mr.
A.C.A. Duru.

Part of the Terms of Reference of the Visitation Panel were: to
investigate the award of contracts in the University; to investigate
the process and modalities of employment and promotion of staff in the
University; to investigate the process and modalities for the conduct
of post UME Examination at the University and to identify the revenue
sources of the University and the amount accruing therefrom and to
compare the total revenue with the total budgeted running cost of the
University.

Others were: to investigate the procedure for admission and the
administration of Pre-Degree Programmes; to investigate the procedure
and management of admission into the University after conduct of Post
UME and Pre-Degree examinations; generally make an all-embracing fact
finding exercise into the affairs of the university from 2004-2009,
among others.

"The Panel found that he laid the foundation for most of the rot that
now plague Imo State University. Admission racketeering, which
included admitting much more than the carrying capacity of the
University and charging of fees from students for file jackets and
processing; award of contracts with utter disregard to due process,
for instance, a controversial contract for the rebuilding of the
perimeter fence round his official residence, which he awarded by
telephone from USA; the use and abuse of "personal/special assistants
to circumvent the bursary in the furnishing of the Vice-chancellor's
(Anwukah's) official residence, which he attempted to deny before the
Panel", stated the Panel Report as approved by the White Paper.

"He revealed himself to be a man who has grown bigger than the people
he works with and is not amenable to control. He displayed
insubordination to constituted authority in his department and faculty
by arrogating to himself the power to choose which course and which
students to teach, in total disdain of the faculty's schedule, with
its attendant breakdown of discipline."

"His testimony before the Panel revealed a man who was rather
economical with the truth. He bought and took away a brand new
Mercedes Benz 15-seater bus at the end of his tenure, claiming that it
was his legitimate retirement entitlement. This, the Panel found, is
not true. It is stipulated in the approved remuneration/welfar
epackage/end of tenure-retiring benefits for the Vice Chancellor/other
principal officers of the Imo State University, Owerri, made by the
Governing Council of the University on the 3rd day of December, 2004,
that the vice chancellor shall be allowed to take away one official
car on successful completion of his tenure of five years.

That law did not permit a vice chancellor to buy and take home a bus
as his end of tenure car, while still hanging on to his official car.
Professor Anwukah, having fraudulently converted the said bus, should
pay back to the university forthwith, the admitted value of the said
bus which he himself put at N3.8m. There is need to examine critically
the source of the wealth and opulence that Prof. Anwukah is basking in
shortly after his tenure as vice chancellor."

"The Panel was not at all satisfied with the explanation he gave as to
how he acquired the fabulous house he resides in at Akanchawa Road,
Owerri, particularly, given the fact that he also owns several other
buildings in Owerri and Uli, Anambra State all acquired within the
past ten years. He single-handedly terminated police investigation
into the forged school fees receipt scandal involving some bursary
staff, thereby shielding the culprits from possible prosecution. He
should be dismissed from the University."

Despite the indictment and a subsisting Court order, Professor Anwukah
served as Secretary to the State Government –SSG under Governor Rochas
Okorocha during his first tenure as executive governor of the state, a
development many described as impunity.

Okorocha's disobedience to Court Order

A non-governmental organization, Every Child Education and Advancement
Foundation – ECEAF later obtained an order of Imo State High Court
when Prof. Anwukah was appointed SSG, directing his sack, following
the indictment, an order Okorocha refused to obey, The Agenda stated.

Sources close to governor Okorocha revealed to The Agenda online that
Okorocha came under pressure in his first tenure to relieve his
in-law, Professor Anwukah of his position as Secretary to the State
Government, following his indictment for fraud by a White Paper on his
tenure as Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Owerri and a
subsequent Court ruling on same.

In a petition to the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, dated 2nd
March, 2013 entitled: "Sack Anwuka and others now and save our
democracy," a non-governmental organization, Every Child Education and
Advancement Foundation – ECEAF made a case for obedience of a Court
order directing the sack of the then SSG, Anthony Anwuka.

The petition, signed by the Foundation's Executive Director and
Secretary, urged the State Assembly to step into the matter, with a
view to ensuring that the order of the Court was obeyed.

"We have waited patiently to see the government led by His Excellency
Owelle Rochas Okorocha obey the Court ruling given by a reputable
Judge of Imo State High Court on the 29th of January 2013 which
ordered the sack of all those indicted by the Imo State University
–IMSU White Paper in this present administration, to no avail."

"As a Non-Governmental Organization, we have been adversely affected
by the appointment of such people who were indicted by the IMSU White
Paper. Our thematic area, which is helping to build on the morality of
the Nigerian child has had so many set-backs since the appointment of
such persons into positions of public trust as the youths now
reference such people as a case study to justify crime and immorality,
believing that there is reward in criminality, considering the
appointment of such persons as Prof. Anthony Anwukah and others who
were indicted of fraud. It is indeed contradictory to the project of
sanitizing the moral decadence amongst our youths," the petition reads
in part.

All efforts to reach Professor Anwukah for comments proved abortive,
as his mobile line could not be reached.

Stakeholders have frowned at governor Okorocha's choice of Professor
Anwuka for recommendation as Imo's candidate for Ministerial slot in
President Buhari's cabinet.

A non-governmental organization, Human Rights and Transparency Watch
sees the development as an embarrassment to the Buhari administration
and warned that it will challenge same in court if the Senate goes
ahead to confirm him.

Coordinator of the group, Frankly Nwaorisa, who bared his mind during
a telephone chat with The Agenda online urged the President to
reconsider the candidate, in the interest of his administration's
image.

According to him, appointing persons indicted for corruption into the
same cabinet that is expected to have zero tolerance for corruption
makes mockery of the entire idea and does not suggest any seriousness
on the part of Buhari in his so-much talked about anti-graft war.

Other citizens, particularly, APC stakeholders took turns to lambast
the choice of Professor Anwuka, describing governor Okorocha's motive
as selfish and unacceptable.

-UniversalReporters

40 Robbers Loot Lagos Banks, Kill Mother And Baby

No fewer than forty heavily armed robbers, yesterday morning, invaded
two second generation banks in 4th Avenue, Festac area of Lagos state
and carted away huge sums of money.

PHOTO: Slain mother and child.

During the operation which lasted hours, a two-year-old toddler,
Mmesoma Ndirika, and her mother, Jane, who were inside their apartment
in an adjoining building, were reportedly hit by stray bullets from
the bandits who were shooting sporadically in all directions.

Reports said both mother and child later died as a result of injuries
they sustained from the bullet. A commercial motorcyclist who was
also hit by stray bullets reportedly died later in an undisclosed
private hospital.

It took the Police more than one and half hours to respond.

Recoveries by the Police

However, police authorities said they were able to recover about N27
million and other rounds of arms and ammunition abandoned by the
bandits while fleeing from the scene. They could not give specific
figure of casualties.

How they struck
Reports said the bandits who were dressed in military camouflage
uniforms, attacked the banks after alighting from boats at a nearby
canal. They reportedly used dynamite to destroy the security entrance
gates after which they gained entry into the banks.
Eyewitness account said as soon as the dynamites exploded, the heavily
armed bandits started firing bullets in all directions inside the
first bank they entered.

Eyewitness
According to the witnesses, while some of them were inside one of the
banks, another group broke into another nearby bank, while others
took positions in front of the area, at the same time shooting
indiscriminately.

A commercial motorcyclist, popularly called Okada, who was close-by,
was hit by bullets and he was said to have collapsed later after
fleeing from the scene.

Another witness who was also inside one of the banks, told Vanguard:
"After the dynamite exploded, the bandits, who were dressed in army
camouflage, invaded the banks threatening to kill anybody who
attempted to confront them.
They broke into all the rooms inside the bank and dragged everybody
into the main banking hall. While doing that, they were at the same
time brutalising customers and hitting others with the butts of their
guns. They broke into the bank's vault easily and carted huge sums of
money away.
ATMs were not spared as they also looted all the money in the machine.
They operated simultaneously in the two banks, after which they
escaped through the same canal they entered the area. In fact, as
they were fleeing from the scene, they forced some butchers in a
nearby market to help them load their massive loot into the canoe
before escaping."

How mother and child died

Uju, one of the residents of Block 8, 4th Avenue, where the stray
bullet hit mother and child, told Vanguard: "While the shooting was
going on, every one laid on the floor in their respective apartments.
I was with Jane in her parlour while her child was inside the room.

Suddenly, the child started crying and the mother stood up to carry
her. As she was coming to the sitting room with the baby, a stray
bullet perforated the window, hit the baby in the chest and also got
the mother on the left side of her shoulder.

Immediately, she took the child back to the room and started shouting
for help. Nobody came to her rescue because people were running
helter skelter for dear life."

However, when the dust settled, a neighbour, identified as Irabor
Sunday, reportedly rushed them to Mother and Child Hospital at the
First Gate in Festac where they were confirmed dead. The baby was,
thereafter, taken back to the house while her mother was rushed to
Lord's Chosen Church where a prayer session was organised for her
revival. Vanguard gathered that at 3pm, her corpse was taken to
Igando General Hospital mortuary where she worked as a nurse.

Conflicting reports

There were conflicting accounts of police response during the
operation which created tension in Festac town. While some witnesses
said policemen who claimed they came from Ikeja, Oshodi, RRS arrived
almost one hour after the bandits had fled from the scene, the police
said they confronted the bandits and during a fierce battle that raged
for several minutes, the robbers fled abandoning some of their loots
and weapons.

Witnesses also insisted that even the policemen that arrived after the
incident were openly blaming their colleagues at Festac Division for
not informing them about the attack on time.

According to the witnesses, the huge crowd that gathered at the scene
also booed the policemen for coming after the operation.

Police statement
Giving a vivid account of the incident, the Area Commander, Festac and
former Force spokesman, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba
said: "Today, the 13th of October, 2015, at about 8:25 am, the
command received information of sporadic shootings going on somewhere
around 4th Avenue, Festac town, Lagos. The joint team of policemen
at Area E headquarters, Festac Division, promptly responded to the
crime and on arrival at the scene, the policemen engaged the gang of
robbers numbering well over 40, all dressed in military camouflage
and armed to the teeth in a gun battle.

"We engaged them in a fierce gun battle that lasted several minutes.
Not withstanding the clear numerical disadvantage of the police at the
beginning of this operation, the hot exchange of fire between the
policemen and the robbers who incidentally, had divided themselves
into two and were simultaneously robbing two banks, forced the robbers
to immediately end their operations. They, consequently, abandoned
their operation and also abandoned the sum of N27 million. As they
were fleeing, they left a total of 240 AK47 live ammunition, and left
the scene with money stolen from the bank. The money was later
recovered by the policemen and taken to another branch of the robbed
bank around 2nd Avenue, for deposit.

"The CP and other police stations around Ikeja were immediately
informed of the operation but my men were sent earlier to see what was
happening already. The CP, Fatai Owoseni, while regretting this
incident, vowed to do everything humanly and operationally possible
to make sure that the perpetrators of this crime are rounded up within
the shortest possible time and brought to book.

"It should be noted that within the two banks, nobody died. One
person sustained a minor injury in one of the banks and the person is
adequately responding to treatment. On our part and that of the law
enforcement agency, no injury, no death recorded. We heard about the
two-year-old child and her mother who were hit by stray bullets. We
are working on that. We are trying to liaise with the police to
currently locate the girl and her mother and make sure that they are
taken care of. A massive operation is currently going on and if there
are other pieces of information that are not available now, we would
make sure that we alert the press too.

"Preliminary information shows that they came in through the waterways
and they equally exited through the waterways, because there is a
canal very close to the area where the robbery occurred. The Marine
Police have been involved in tackling the activities of hoodlums in
waterways and their operations spread from Badagry to Epe to Lagos
Island, Oshodi to Ikorodu and every water side area. But, you must
equally understand that if the waters are not deep enough, we would
not carry out such operations."

-Vanguard

R-E-V-E-A-L-E-D: Mikel Rejected Eagles Vice Captaincy

It has been revealed that Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel turned
down the opportunity to be vice -captain of the Super Eagles before
the vacant position was handed to Eddy Onazi and Kenneth Omeruo.

This was aptly demonstrated during the friendly against Congo when
Mikel openly rejected the captain's band after Ahmed Musa made an
attempt to pass it on to him when he (Musa) was substituted.

And contrary to speculations in the media that suggested the Chelsea
midfielder would not honour future call-ups after he was overlooked
for the captain's armband which was given to Ahmed Musa, Mikel's rep
has insisted that his client has taken the decision of Sunday Oliseh
in good faith and is available for selection for the World Cup
qualifiers.

"Sunday Oliseh wanted Mikel to be vice – captain, since he has already
given Musa the captain's armband," one of Mikel's rep told
allnigeriasoccer.com.

"He only wants to be playing and is not interested in being an
assistant captain. Whenever they invite him, he will come.

"I think he was not chosen as captain because he missed the game in
Tanzania but Oliseh was impressed with his performance in the
friendlies against DRC and Cameroon."
Obi Mikel is the most experienced player currently in the Super Eagles
fold, having made his debut in 2005, five years before Ahmed Musa made
his competitive debut for the national team.

-Vanguard

Corpses Of Two Missing Children Found In Abandoned Car In Owerri

Residents of Awaka community in Owerri North Local Government Area of
Imo State, were thrown into confusion and mourning following the
alleged shocking discovery of corpses of two children discovered
inside an abandoned car.

According to reports, the two children had mysteriously disappeared
before they were reportedly found dead. How the corpses were
eventually found in the parked vehicle had reportedly remained a
mystery, however, Vanguard reports that the two children had
previously been declared missing by their parents.

Reports claim the shocking discovery of the bodies in the vehicle
attracted scores of sympathizers to the compound close to an unnamed
popular relaxation spot in Awaka.

A villager, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, said, "When the
tarpaulin used in covering the vehicle was removed, the bodies of the
two children were found."

"The owner of the parked vehicle lives outside Nigeria. I do not even
remember when the owner of the vehicle last visited home. As at the
day the sad incident was discovered, the vehicle owner was not at
home," the man recalled.

Responding to questions, the villager affirmed that the police had
already stepped into the matter.

He said, "In the usual police fashion, they would critically probe all
leads with a view to getting to the roots of the matter."

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Enwerem, when
contacted for comments, said that he had not received any such
information.

Enwerem said, "As at the time of your inquiry, no such information has
reached my table. It may come later, but for now, I have not received
any such signal."

NLC Threatens Imo Govt Over Harassment Of Workers

NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, said it would resist alleged
use of police by Imo State Government to chase out workers from
offices, especially, paratatals in order to concession them.

Congress urged the Inspector General of Police, to immediately call to
order the Imo State Police Commissioner to forestall a complete
breakdown of law and order.

In a statement, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, General Secretary, of Ayuba Wabba
led faction of NLC, in Abuja said "It has come to our attention that
the government of Imo State is using the members of the Nigeria Police
Force to chase out workers from offices, especially, paratatals in
order to concession them. In the course of this, we have been reliably
informed that scores of workers have been arrested, brutalised and
tear-gassed.

"We would want to condemn, in strong terms, these unwholesome tactics
in pursuit of a dangerous agenda by the Governor of Imo State, Owelle
Rochas Okorocha. We will resist the use of the police to deal with an
issue that is purely industrial.

"Accordingly, we urge the Inspector General of Police to immediately
call to order the Imo State Police Commissioner in order to forestall
a complete breakdown of law and order. We assure on our honour that if
the police persist in the brutalisation and forceful ejection of
workers from their offices, the Nigeria Labour Congress will mobilise
its workers to protest against this brutality."

-VOFNImo

Tribunal Sacks Imo Senator Athan Achonu

The wave of cancellation of elections by election petition tribunals
seem to have landed in Imo state as the tribunal sitting in Owerri,
the state capital, has sacked the senator representing Imo North
Senatorial District, Senator Athan Achonu.

The tribunal further ordered the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) to conduct a new election withing 90 days of the
judgement.

The petition was filed by Mrs Rita Ibemere Okoroafor of the Accord
Party who challenged the outcome of the election because her party
logo was omitted by INEC in the ballot paper used in the election.

Delivering Judgment in the petition, the tribunal ruled that the
Accord Party candidate proved her case beyond all reasonable doubt,
247ureports.com reports.

Hon. Justice Garba I.B, who read the judgement on behalf of other
members of the tribunal, said the tribunal had no option than to
accede to the petitioner's request to cancel the election because her
witnesses and evidence before the court were consistent.

The tribunal also said she was not only unlawfully excluded but also
that the election did not meet substantial compliance as demanded by
2010 Electoral Act as amended.

The tribunal described as totally unacceptable INEC's claim that it
rectified the omission by using the customized ballot for Imo East
(Owerri Zone) as unacceptable, adding that the attempt was akin to
digging a new pit to fill an old one since it would have resulted in
the unlawful exclusion of parties whose logos and symbols were omitted
in Imo East (Owerri Zone) ballot paper.

The cancellation of national assembly members' elections seem to
affect mostly members of the Peoples Democratic Party as less than
three days after the National and State Assembly Elections Petition
Tribunal in Ogun state nullified the election of Senator Buruji
Kasahamu of the Peoples Democratic Party, another senator from the
party in Enugu suffered a similar fate.

Meanwhile, the election of senate president, Bukola Saraki, as the
duly elected senator representing Kwara Central constituency has been
upheld. His election was upheld by an election petition tribunal
sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, yesterday, October 13.

-Naij.com

Buhari Withdraws Ibeto As Ministerial Nominee

President Muhammadu Buhari has withdrew the name of immediate past
Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto.

Ahmed Musa Ibeto (Santurakin Kontagora) was born on January 15, 1959
at Ibeto headquarters of Ibelu District of Kontagora Emirate in Niger
State.

His
educational career started when he enrolled at LEA Primary School,
Ibeto, in 1966. From 1973 to 1977, the academically ambitious Ahmed
was at the government Secondary School, Rijau.
Hon. Ahmed's desire and determination for qualitative education took
him to Zungeru College of Advance Studies (ZUCAS), Bida from 1979 to
1980.

From 1980 to 1985, he was at the famous Usmanu Danfodio University,
Sokoto where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History.
He started his working career from 1977 to 1978 as a classroom
teacher, immediately after leaving secondary school.

He had a stint as a Clerical Officer with the Federal College of
Education (FCE), Kontagora, from 1978 to 1979. He served as the NYSC
Liaison Officer, Yagba, FCT Abuja, from 1985 to 1986, during his
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto was from 1999 to 2003 appointed Senior Special
Assistant on Protocol Matters to the immediate past Governor. He
contested and won election into the Federal House of Representatives
in 2003 under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and
served as the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power and later
Chairman, House Committee on States and Local Governments.

-Vanguard

See Full List Of Buhari’s Ministerial Nominees

See the full list:

1. Chris Ngige – (Anambra)

2. Kayode Fayemi- (Ekiti)

3. Rotimi Amaechi – (Rivers)

4. Babatunde Fashola -(Lagos)

5. Abdulrahman Dambazau- (Kano)

6. Aisha Alhassan – (Taraba)

7. Ogbonaya Onu- (Ebonyi)

8. Kemi Adeosun – (Ogun)

9. Abubakar Malami – (Kebbi)

10. Sen Hadi Sirika – (Katsina)

11. Barr. Adebayo Shittu – (Oyo)

12. Suleiman Adam – (Jigawa)

13. Solomon Dalong – (Plateau)

14. Ibe Kachikwu – (Delta)

15. Osagie Ehanire – (Edo)

16. Audu Ogbeh – (Benue)

17. Udo Udo Udoma – (Akwa Ibom)

18. Lai Mohammed – (Kwara)

19. Ahmed Isa Ibeto – (unknown)

20. Amina Mohammed – (Gombe)

21. Ibrahim Usman Jibril – (Nasarawa)

22. Hajia Khadija Bukar Ibrahim- (Yobe)

23. Cladius Omoleye Daramola (Ondo)

24. Prof Anthony Onwuka (Imo)

25. Geoffrey Onyema (Enugu)

26. Dan Ali (Zamfara)

27. Barr James Ocholi (Kogi)

28. Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna)

29. Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia)

30. Muhammadu Bello (Adamawa)

31. Mustapha Baba Shehuri (Bornu)

32. Aisha Abubakar (unknown)

33. Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa)

34. Adamu Adamu (Bauchi)

35. Isaac Adewole (Osun)

36. Abubakar Bawa Bwari (unknown)

37. Pastor Usani Uguru (Cross River)

Tribunal Nullifies Enugu East Senatorial Election

Panel Two of the National and State Assemblies Election Petition
Tribunal sitting in Enugu State on Tuesday, has ordered the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh
election in Enugu East Senatorial District.

The tribunal gave the order after nullifying the April 28 Senatorial
election that ushered in Senator Gilbert Nnaji to represent Enugu East
Senatorial Zone.

The nullification also followed a petition by the candidate of People
for Democratic Change (PDC) and former Governor of Enugu State, Dr.
Chimaroke Nnamani, challenging INEC's declaration of Senator Nnaji as
winner of the senatorial seat.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Matthew Adewara, held that there were
preponderance of evidence especially by the forensic expert brought by
Dr. Nnamani, indicating that there were irregularities and over voting
in favor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reduction of votes
against PDC among numerous cases of mutilations, cancellations, and
discrepancies in the result sheets.

The tribunal again held that the level of such irregularities and
malpractices were not only gross and fundamental, but substantial
enough to cancel the whole election in Enugu East senatorial zone.

The election was nullified, but no time frame was fixed for INEC to
conduct a fresh election.

However, all the counsels to the petition commended the tribunal for
its industry and painstaking effort in deciding the case in which for
them, justice had been served.

-ChannelsTV

Imo Recovers Two Defunct Factories From NDIC

The Imo State government has recovered two major defunct state-owned
factories which was formerly sold out to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance
Company (NDIC).

In line with the total industrialisation programme of the present
administration, the Resin Paints Industry in Aboh Mbaise and Paper
Packaging Industry Limited in Owerre-Mbieri were recuperated after
many years for non-productivity.

The State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, made the disclosure during the
handing over ceremony at the Imo Trade Investment Centre in Owerri,
the Imo State capital, South-East Nigeria.

Governor Okorocha stressed that the government was able to recover the
two factories, which remains one of the greatest legacies of the late
Governor Sam Mbakwe's administration, from the NDIC at the verge of
selling it out to prospective buyers.

A representative of the NDIC, Obaji Obaji, clearly stated that the Imo
State government has completed all the transactions and done all the
needful, as the two factories now fully belong to the Imo State
government.

The Chairman of the Imo State Trade Investment Committee, Mr Rex
Anunobi, and the state's Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and
Non-formal Sector, John Uzoma, commended Governor Okorocha for
achieving this laudable feat.

However, Governor Okorocha expressed hope that the recovery would
generate massive employment for youths in the state and also increase
the state's internally generated revenue when full operations begins
in the factories.

He also debunked allegations that he sold any government property
since his tenure as the Governor, adding that he had revived and
rehabilitated all abandoned and moribund projects by his predecessors.

The Governor reaffirmed that his administration is more determined
than ever to open Imo State to the rest of the world through the
industrialisation programmes and policies.

He urged the people of the state to support the government in its
industrialization plan and also take advantage of these new factories
to generate more revenue for the state.

-ChannelsTV

Senate Unveils Second Batch Of Ministerial Nominees

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday unveiled the names
of persons nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as
ministers under his administration.

This brings the total number of ministerial nominees to 37, as the
President had on October 6 sent a 21-man list to the Senate.



The names include;

1. Khadijatu Bukar Abba Ibrahim,

2. Claudious Omoleye Daramola

3. Prof Anthony Onwuka

4. Jeffery Onyema

5. Brig. Gen M.M Dan Ali (Rtd)

6. Barr. James E. Ocholi

7. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed

8. Okechukwu Enelama

9. Muhammadu Bello

10. Mustapha Baba Shesuri

11. Miss Aisha Abubakar

12. Heineken Lokpobiri

13. Adamu Adamu

14. Prof Isaac Adewole

15. Pst Usani Usani Uguru

16. Abubakar Buhari Bawa

-ChannelsTV

James Ibori Makes Controversial Statement About Diepreye Alamieyeseigha

Former governor of Delta state, James Ibori, has said his counterpart
in Bayelsa state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, had just one house in his
lifetime - which was situated in his home village.

"How many people would believe that Alamieyeseigha had only one house?
And that is in his village, Amassoma! One day, no matter how long the
delay, Alamieyeseigha's real story would be told, the truth about him
would be unearthed and the world would know the kind of virulent
politics he was victim of." he said following Alamieyeseigha's death.

According to him, Alamieyeseigha was never corrupt.

"Alamieyeseigha became the victim of great hypocrisy masquerading as
nationalism and anti-corruption fight," Ibori said in a statement
signed on his behalf by Tony Eluemunor, his spokesman.

The statement generated a reaction on Nigeria's popular forum,
Nairaland, with many expressing high degrees of unbelief at the
statement.

Over 90% of Nigerian politicians are perceived to be corrupt and James
Ibori and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha aren't exempted.

—NigeriaBulletin

Rotary Offers Free Healthcare To Nigerians

No less than 150,000 Nigerians benefited from the free health services
organised recently by the Rotarians for Family Health and AIDS
prevention (RFHA) of Rotary International.

The free health services which ended at the up weekend included HIV
testing, family counseling, diabetes and hypertension screening and
education, breast and cervical cancers screening, polio immunisation,
malaria testing and provision of long lasting insecticides nets,
condom distribution, eye and dental checks, among others.

Speaking at the launch programme of the Rotary Family Health Days 2015
at the Rotary Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, Director, West Africa Operations,
RFHA, Rotarian Olugbemiga Olowu, said the vision and mission of RHFA
was to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families by
mobilising Rotarians and partner organisations globally in the fight
against HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

The agenda, according to Olowu, was to develop a strong public/private
partnership programme in response to the needs of people, which was in
view of Africa's high mortality rate from either infectious diseases
or non-communicable diseases.

"The Rotary Family Health Days are a comprehensive, holistic offering
of free healthcare for parents, children, grand-parents, friends and
all family members in over 130 sites from Kano, Gombe, Jos, Kaduna,
Abuja to Enugu, Owerri, Yenogoa, Calabar, Benin down to Akure, Ibadan,
Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta, Lagos and many other villages, towns and cities
in 27 of the 36 states of Nigeria.

—DailyTimes

Senate President Receives Second Batch Of Minister’s List

Senate President, Olubukola Saraki on Monday received the 2nd batch
list of ministers to work in the cabinet of President Muhammadu.

The Senate President confirmed the arrival of the 2nd batch of the
ministerial list on his official Twitter handle.

The list was delivered by Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari
and Senator Ita Enang.

Eagles Humiliate Cameroun 3-0

Super Eagles last night in Brussels put to sword fierce rivals
Cameroon 3-0 in a much improved display from the loss to DR Congo.

After the shambolic showing against DRC on Thursday, the Super Eagles
raised their game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to win
this friendly and ease pressure on coach Sunday Oliseh after his major
falling out with Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama

PHOTO: WINNERS. . . Super Eagles squad before the friendly match
against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun in Belgium.


Nigeria deserved their lead in the 39th minute through Efe Ambrose.

The Celtic defender rose above the Cameroon defence to power home a
free kick from the right taken by Mikel Obi.
Incidentally, it was just minutes after Ambrose almost put the ball
into his own net when his back pass beat an onrushing goalkeeper Carl
Ikeme.
Moses Simon scored his second Eagles goal on the hour when he blasted
past the Cameroon goalkeeper after he was released by skipper Ahmed
Musa.

Substitute Odion Ighalo took the game beyond the Indomitable Lions
with a third goal two minutes from time when he headed hoEaqgles me
off a delightful cross by Elderson Echiejile from the left flank.

Cameroon would also struggle when skipper Stephane Mbia was sent off
in the 47th minute after his second booking of the night.

Before then, Cameroon young goalkeeper Ondoa had to pull off at least
two big saves to deny the Super Eagles.

In the ninth minute, the Barcelona second team shot stopper had to go
down quickly to keep out a menacing ball heading for goal.

He will also get a strong hand to a pile drive by Emmanuel Emenike
after 31 minutes.

But after Nigeria's goal, Cameroon raised their game and ought to have
at least drawn level particularly in the 44th minute when spurs
winger Clinton Njie got behind the Eagles defence, but Leonard Kweuku
could not get a touch to his pass from inside the six-yard box.

-Vanguard

Police Nab 6 Of Falae’s Abductors

Six of the suspected Fulani herdsmen, who kidnapped the former
Secretary to the Federal Government Nigeria and Finance Minister.
Chief Olu Falae, have been arrested and an unspecified amount of the
ransom recovered from one of them.

Vanguard reports that the six abductors, were apprehended at separate
locations in Niger, Ondo and Ekiti states, by a team of Special
Intelligence Squad, deployed to Ondo State by the Inspector General
of Police, Solomon Arase.

The suspects, who were said to be of northern extraction, were picked
when the operatives, following an intelligence report, combed several
locations in Ondo, Ekiti and Niger States.

It was further gathered that one of the suspects was still in
possession of his share of the ransom when he was apprehended.

Although the Ondo State police Command was yet to confirm nor deny
the arrest but competent family source confirmed the arrest.

Three of the abductors were apprehended in Niger State. Sources said
seven others are still on the run.

Reports have it that the suspects, who will soon be paraded are being
detained at the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, in Akure, the state
capital.

Four of the suspects were reportedly arrested last week Sunday, while
the other two were picked up during the week.

Vanguard learnt that the suspects have made confessional statement.
Speaking with newsmen, Police spokesman, Femi Joseph was not
categorical about the arrest of the suspects.

He said; ''The kidnap of Chief Falae was a national issue. It has
been taken over by the Inspector General of Police. All the issue that
has to do with Chief Falae is being handled by the IGP himself.

"I am sure that IGP will brief newsmen today on the development as
regards the kidnap of Chief Falae.''

A visit to the state police command showed that the security in the
SARS had been upped.

The former Finance Minister was abducted by gun-wielding Fulani
herdsmen in his farm located at Ilado village in Akure North area of
the state.

He was released after 72 hours in captivity and payment of N5 million
ransom to the kidnappers.
The politician's kidnap had generated a lot of controversies across the country.

Various Yoruba groups have condemned the activities of the herdsmen
in the South west.
Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba Socio Political group at an emergency meeting
a week ago called for the stoppage of cattle rearing activities in
South West states.

Spokesman of the group, Yinka Odumakin said that their activities
should be stopped in entire Yorubaland.

A Communique read by Odumakin said "We demand that nomadic cattle
rearing should be stopped in ever y state of Yoruba land.

According to him "We are not unmindful of some silences, but the
voices of those who spoke for the solidarity with boldness with which
they have spoken out on this barbarity.

Also, at the weekend Yoruba leaders gathered for a summit in Ibadan
threatening secession if the herdsmen menace was not addressed.

-Vanguard

Bad Weather Caused NAF Aircraft Crash In Yola

The Nigerian Airforce has attributed the crash of its F7-Ni fighter
aircraft which crashed in Yola yesterday killing the pilot, to bad
weather and not enemy attack.

Already, the Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has
instituted an investigation panel to unravel the remote and immediate
cause of the crash.

A statement detailing the development signed by Air Commodore Dele
Alonge, Director, Airforce Public Relations said, "A Nigerian Air
Force (NAF801) F7-Ni fighter jet returning to the base from an
interdicted mission crashed due to bad weather and not under enemy
fire around Hong, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State at about
16.23hrs (4.23 pm).

"There was no survival as the pilot of the aircraft lost his life in
the unfortunate incident".

"Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal SB Abubakar has set up
an investigation panel to unravel the remote and immediate causers) of
the accident. Further details will be communicated to the media in due
course."

-Vanguard

Pandemonium As Explosion Rocks Lagos

Pandemonium broke Sunday afternoon, when a yet to be identified
substance exploded at Number 88 Oworo Road, in Oworonsoki area of
Lagos State.

The incident according to eyewitness, occurred at about 2 15 pm, when
residents were returning to their respective homes after church.

At the time of this report, the number of casualty cannot be
ascertained though it was learnt that many sustained injuries in
attempts to escape from the scene of the blast.

Director, Lagos Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, who confirmed the
incident, said immediately they received the distressed call at about
2:20pm, men of the Ilupeju Fire Service were dispatched to the area.

Fadipe also could not confirm immediately if the explosion was a bomb
or otherwise.
According to him, "We are still investigating the incidence to
determine the immediate or remotes cause of the explosion."

More details later.

-Vanguard