The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that it raided the residence of former Zamfara Governor, Abdulaziz Yari over allegations of economic and financial crimes.

EFCC’s acting spokesman, Mr Tony Orilade said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
The country home of Yari, who was also former chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), was raided Sunday night by operatives of the anti-graft agency.
According to Orilade, EFCC visited the former governor’s residence in respect of ongoing investigation.

“What we fight is economic and financial crimes. Whatever allegations we have should be centred around economic and financial crimes,” he said.
The former governor becomes the second notable personality to be raided this year by EFCC after his tenure expired.
A similar raid was conducted on the properties of former governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo. (NAN)

ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives have raided the country home of former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari over the ongoing probe of his tenure, The Nation learnt on Monday.

The EFCC team also searched the houses of Yari’s brother Jafaru and his intimate friend, Sha’aya Mafara.
About 21 exotic vehicles were found in the compound of Yari, former chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) until he left office on May 29.

Yari’s interrogation will determine how the vehicles were acquired, sources told The Nation.

Yari, who was out of the country at the time of the raid on Sunday, has been invited by the commission.

The former governor is being investigated for alleged questionable payment of N19 billion from the London-Paris Club refund; N35 billion spent on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); Ecological and Stabilisation Fund and how he incurred N151, 190,477,572.02 liabilities on ongoing projects.

EFCC operatives from Sokoto Zonal Office deployed 15 operatives in Yari’s country home in Talata Marafa. The EFCC has been on the trail of the governor since 2017 but he enjoyed immunity while in office.
A source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The raid of Yari’s home was in connection with the ongoing investigation of the former governor. He has some issues to clarify on his tenure.

“Most of the issues have been in public domain for a while, especially the alleged questionable payment of N19 billion from the London-Paris Club refund to some consultants by the NGF and mismanagement of Zamfara State’s resources.

“We are not pronouncing him guilty but we want him to appear for interrogation on some of the issues we have highlighted for investigation.”

Read Also: Why we raided former Gov Yari’s residence, by EFCC

Responding to a question, the source added: “Such a raid is allowed when we have superior intelligence on a Politically Exposed Person (PEP).

“For instance, our operatives uncovered 21 exotic vehicles in his compound. Yet, we have an allegation that a part of the N35 billion budgeted for IDPs in Zamfara was used to buy choice cars.

“The intelligence at our disposal made our operatives to search the houses of Jafaru Yari, the ex-governor’s brother and his intimate friend, Sha’aya Mafara. In fact, Yari’s brother was at his residence when our team got there.

“The onus is on Yari to explain how he came about the exotic vehicles; whether or not he declared them in his Asset Declaration Form; and if these vehicles were in his exit Asset Form as a former governor in May.

“Once he is able to justify the acquisition of the vehicles, the EFCC has no problem with Yari. Otherwise, he has a question to answer.”

The source said some suspects were facing trial over the London-Paris Club refunds.
The source said: “We need Yari to come to our office to explain his roles. He was central to the negotiation and disbursement of the funds.

“Some suspects are already on trial. A few others escaped abroad. But since Yari has no immunity again, let him just clarify a few things.
“We are hopeful he will honour our invitation.”

EFCC’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Tony Orilade, said: “It is true we went to the house of the former governor of Zamfara State, Yari, in respect of the ongoing investigation.
“Like we have always said, we won’t discuss our investigation with the media.
“At the appropriate time, when the investigation is ripe, we shall proceed to prosecution and we shall carry the media along.”

Controversial Lagos socialite, Toyin Lawani has revealed how much he charges men to get down with her.

The business woman made the revelation while responding to the criticism by comedian MC Jollof who blasted her for charging N2million for a date.


See how much Toyin Lawani charges men to get down with her


While asking the comedian to mind his business, Toyin revealed that Nigerian men ar already queuing to pay the N2million for the date and anyone that wants to get down with her must be ready to part with a sum of N20million and above.

See her post:

Verified@mr.jollof_ they will melt your oil with @kolaqalagbo 😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣Do I look the mami water wey Dey collect 100k ni, na under water dem Dey spend the money na, land dare na, Air , dust ,atmosphere, everything join na 😂😂
Plus all the various work wey I Dey do I go up the cash to 5m, you go carry my matter go your village laslas, free me o 😂 people don Dey pay the 2M oo which is just to see me and have dinner , to get down 20million up 👍🏽 you even carry umbrella go the water side 😂😂😂 uncle is vexing o🙈

Some repentant bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Monday, explained why they took up arms against the people of the area.

The ex-bandits said at a peace meeting in Tsafe that they were harassed and intimidated by the police and vigilantes, locally known as ”Yan Sakai, into becoming bandits and kidnappers.



During the meeting held at the palace of the Emir of Tsafe, Alhaji Muhammadu Bawa, one of the bandits’ commanders, Hassan Dantawaye, said they were unjustly treated by the government and society.

“We were forced into this because apart from cattle rustling incidents we faced some years back, we also faced serious harassment and intimidation from security personnel and ”Yansakai.



“We cannot go to markets, our children cannot go to school, whenever they see our children or wives in town they killed them.

“If security personnel arrest us, we have to spend a lot of money before we are released, sometimes security agencies launch attacks on our homes and kill us without any offence.

“With this ugly trend, we have no option than to embark on kidnapping, attacks, and other crimes,” Dantawaye said.

Alhaji Madele, a Fulani leader, however, thanked the state government for the dialogue and urged the security agencies to protect them from ”Yansakai and some security personnel who attack them unjustly in markets and towns.

Madele said, “we have agreed to embrace peace and dialogue, we commend the commissioner of police for inviting us for this meeting”.

The repentant bandits’ commanders also promised to release all captives in their custody.

Nobody will be attacked anymore, they pledged, adding that farmers in the area were free to go to their farms without any fear.

The Chairman of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the area, Alhaji Yahaya Ahmad, assured everyone of total support to the peace initiative.

“As from today, no vigilante group or CJTF member would attack any Fulani herder, we will abide by the state government’s directive in this regard.

“Fulani herders are now free to come to Tsafe town and all major towns in this area. They can go to markets and anywhere else they so wish.

“I am giving them the assurance that our members would not attack them anymore,” he said.

The state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Usman Nagoggo, who chaired the meeting, described the security situation faced by the state in the past as unfortunate.

Nagoggo said, “I remember the day I arrived this state as commissioner of police, over 30 persons were killed in Shinkafi local government area.

“After identifying the measures to tackle the problem, the state government came up with the peace and dialogue initiative with the warring parties as part of measures to provide a lasting solution to the problem.

“We embarked on consultation with Fulani leaders, Civilian JTF, and Vigilante Groups which led to the successes we are recording today.

“From the inception of this dialogue to date we have rescued over 300 kidnapped victims from the bandits without payment of ransom,” he said.

He added: “As I always say, most of the extrajudicial killings and illegal attacks on communities were as a result of the actions of the outlawed vigilante group of “Yansakai, who were taking the law into their hands.

“Our aim is to have sustainable peace and development in the state, therefore, all stakeholders should cooperate with us in this task.

“I am also reissuing this warning that all activities of “Yansakai are suspended and nobody should take the law into their hands.

“Anybody found violating these directives would face the full wrath of the law”, the Police boss added.

The Emir of Tsafe, Alhaji Muhammadu Bawa thanked the warring parties for attending the meeting and accepting peace.

Bawa said the emirate would continue to support the state government to ensure that the dialogue succeeds.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state governor, Alhaji Bello Matawalle initated the peace dialogue as part of measures to end banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in the state.

The meeting in Tsafe was attended by repentant bandits’ commanders, members of the CJTF, officials of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and members of the outlawed ”Yansakai local vigilantes.

(NAN)

Members of the Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), have advised other state governors in the country to under study Cross River state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade's Industrialisation policy.
The NBC Board members who were in Calabar for their annual summit, spoke after a tour of factories at the industrial Park established by Governor Ayade.
The Director-General of the Commission, Mallam Kawu Modibo, was of the view that the Nigerian Governors Forum should institute a peer review mechanism in order to share ideas, compare notes and learn from one another.
"I want to tell Nigerians that what we have seen here is real and a major contribution to the economic development of our dear country.
We have seen the rice seedlings factory, we have seen the Pharmaceutical factory, we have seen the Chicken processing plant, we have seen the Garment fctory and the noodles factory. We have seen that young people are employed in their hundreds, especially in the Garment factory for the production of clothes.
It is a fact and not fiction. It is not a conjunction or theoretical issue", Modibo said.
On his part, a veteran broadcaster and former Director-General of the Commission, Danladi Bako said he has fair knowledge of Cross River and was happy Governor Ayade was tapping into the agricultural potentials of the state to industrialise it.
"I have had the privilege of seeing the industries at the industrial park, a brain child of Ayade. I am conversant with Cross River's agricultural and infrastructural potentials having been a board member of the Cross River Basin Authority. I am happy Ayade is tapping the agricultural and infrastructural potentials of the state using his background as an academic, as an environmentalist and as a professor.
“He has shown us that he is also visionary, one who can drive projects to fruition", the former NBC DG stated.
Bako who compared factories at the industrial park to what is obtainable in Malaysia, China and Thialand urged other governors to take a cue from their Cross River state counterpart.
"What we have seen here is incredible. This is comparable to what Malaysians, the Chinese and Thais can do. You are governor in Nigeria and you have not been here, then you should not bother about governance. I encourage other governors to come to Cross River and see what Ayade is doing. I am not saying they should copy but let them just come and see, and then make up their minds", he said.
Expressing similar views, Dr.Mansur Liman, the Director-General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, said governor Ayade's feat in Industrialisation should be replicated all over Nigeria, arguing that when the youths are engaged with employment insecurity and crime will reduce.
Barrister Saliu Bamidele Aluko from Kwara state maintained that governor Ayade's industrialisation success shows that government has business in business after all.
"With leaders like Ayade, there is hope; Nigeria can go places", he said.

Bishop Mathew Kukah has tackled Nigerians blaming the nation’s insecurity problems on herdsmen, banditry and Fulani.

The bishop of the Sokoto Diocese lamented that criminal elements are perpetuating evil, and Nigerians are blaming herdsmen. He said that won’t work.

Among the Nigerians blaming Fulani herdsmen is Kikah’s fellow Archbishop of Abuja Diocese Cardinal John Onayeikan.
”If I am a Fulani, I will do whatever it takes to advise them to stop giving the Fulanis a bad name because people are saying that every attack in the country right now is perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen,”

Onayeikan said during he50th anniversary of his ordination in Abuja on Saturday.
He cited the latest incident during the week when a Catholic priest Paul Offu was shot dead by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Enugu.

The incident sparked off an anti-Fulani herdsmen protest by Catholic priests—and indeed many Nigerians who still blame Fulani herdsmen for the death and many others.

Kukah, however, differed with the cardinal and the protesting priests.
He stated that the issue of banditry, armed robbery cases and killings currently going on in some parts of the country should be tackled “holistically, instead of taking the easy path of blaming every crime on herdsmen.”

“We are all herdsmen. We are all nomads. I have a couple of goats I got as gift that I am currently rearing,” he said while speaking during the burial ceremony at Mbosi, Anambra, on the weekend
“So. I am also a herdsman. We should always look beyond the surface and tackle every problem head-on. The country’s problem is much more complex.”
The first time the clergyman put forth his controversial stand was on the issue of the pictures of Fulani herdsmen on Nigeria’s visa.

His pro-Fulani take angered many, and attracted criticisms.
The bishop attacked the President Muhammadu Buhai administration in its first time—only to mellow down now.

The Presidency has said the comparison of President Muhammadu Buhari to autocratic leaders by Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, was an unpardonable blackmail.

The Presidency said this on Sunday in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

The statement reads in full:

You mentioned the name of Professor Wole Soyinka. Some of these critics of government are people whom we have great respect and admiration for. When things are going wrongly with law and order in the country, they say the Police are not doing their work. They raise their voices, asking that “the culprits to be booked and expeditiously punished in the most severe manner.”
The police under a new leadership is now rising to the occasion, saying “we cannot take any more atrocities against the law in our country and they are saying don’t do anything. They are calling out President Buhari and comparing him to autocratic leaders.” This is an unpardonable blackmail that cannot stop Police and other law enforcement agencies from doing their work.
A Nigerian is by right empowered to call for a change of government using constitutional means; to protest peacefully against government policies and decisions. But to call for the violent overthrow of a democratically elected government and president and worse – were those calling for it to attempt to do so – is not acceptable under any law in Nigeria. Violence will ever be accepted again as a way to change governments in this country. Those days are gone.

Nigeria has a well-crafted Constitution and elaborate laws governing elections that guide an orderly succession in government. We have a judicial system that actively serves as a watchdog of the people’s rights.
Yet, we are daily witnesses to obscene display of delight in the killing of our soldiers and policemen, an open contempt for the country’s laws and its people, accompanied by loud cheers from the so-called New Media. Is this the way to grow a country?

Endless Celebration in COZA as Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo Returns to Pulpit
Endless Celebration in COZA as Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo Returns to Pulpit
Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, the founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) has returned to the pulpit following his rape allegation scandal.

The members of COZA church today were super excited as they celebrate the return of their senior Pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo to the pulpit to preach.


On the first of July, Pastor Fatoyinbo bowed to demands of the public to step down from the pulpit after Busola Dakolo accused him of raping her at twice at the age of 16.

The rape allegation attracted so much attention from Nigerians who attacked the Pastor, asking that he steps down until he is cleared of the charges or can at least prove himself innocent. Biodun Fatoyinbo denied the allegation by Busola Dakolo.


Returning back to the pulpit after several fights, condemnation and attempt to save the church and the pastor today, made the members in attendance at the church celebrate his return.

Chelsea have emerged one of the highest paying teams in terms of weekly wages in the Premier League since Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovic took over ownership of the club.

This is because of the club’s ability to buy some of the best players in Europe and around the world.

Following the transfer ban placed on the Blues by FIFA, they have not been active in the transfer market this summer and will depend majorly on their youth team.

For this reason and also the departure of their most valued player, Eden Hazard, French midfielder, Ngolo Kante has emerged the club’s highest earning player going into the 2019/20 season.

Here is the full list of the current squad with their weekly wages. Note that some of the young players weekly salaries are unknown so no information is available on them.

Jorginho £102,000 (26)

Kepa Arrizabalaga (23) £192,000

Willy Caballero (35) £40,000

Robert Green (38) £20,000

Emerson Palmieri (23) £75,000

Olivier Giroud (31) £120,000

Ross Barkley (24) £90,000

Andreas Christensen (21) £35,000

David Luiz (30) £120,000

Antonio Rüdiger (24) £90,000

Marcos Alonso (26) £90,000

César Azpilicueta (27) £100,000

Davide Zappacosta (25) £45,000

Kenedy (21) £25,000

Victor Moses (26) £75,000 Loaned out

Danny Drinkwater(26) £120,000

Mateo Kovacic (24) £75,000

N’Golo Kanté (26) £290,000

Willian (29) £120,000

Pedro (30) £100,000

Michy Batshuayi (23) £90,000

By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor

Details emerged, weekend, of how Ogun State Police Command’s swift response to the abduction of five persons including a senior member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and an Immigration Officer, by suspected herdsmen last Thursday around Ijebu-Ode, led to their rescue.

kidnap

The incident, which coincided with the brutal killing of a Catholic Priest in Enugu State, Rev. Fr. Paul Offu, sparked off protests and outrage across the country and beyond. Offu was the second Catholic Priest murdered in the state this year by suspected herders.

News of the abduction of the victims, which included a woman, was announced by the General Overseer of RCCG, Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, while giving a talk at the Camp.

Vanguard learned that no sooner the announcement was made than the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, issued a matching order to police authorities in and around the state to fish out the perpetrators.

Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT; Tactical Team; men of the Mobile Force and Police Air Services were quickly deployed from Abuja to Ogun State and its environs with stern directives to comb all the forests and criminal hideouts in the area and rescue the victims.

Police sources said the mantle then fell on the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, Bashir Makamma, to lead the strike force not only on record time, but to rescue the victims unhurt. The police team were also directed to leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators of the evil act.

In Enugu, the same mandate was given to police authorities to swing into action, especially with the protest by Catholic priests over the killing of their colleagues in the state.

Rescue

While the governor of Enugu State called an emergency security meeting where far-reaching decision were taken to fish out killers of the priest, the Police in Ogun invaded all the forest areas in and around the scene of the abduction.

Police sources said immediately after the abduction, the Commissioner of Police was alerted and given the telephone number of the female victim.

He reportedly called her number, she answered and after the Police boss introduced himself, the call was immediately cut.

The Police boss was said to have continued calling the line until a male voice answered and asked if he was really the Commissioner of Police, stating that he, the caller, is also the Commissioner of Kidnapping.

At that stage, according to reports, the Police boss started threading slowly by claiming that he was not a Commissioner of Police, but pleaded for the victims.

Vanguard gathered that while he was still pleading with the abductors, who spoke in a northern accent, his men which included the Deputy Commissioner in-Charge of Operations and other high ranking officers, together with men of the DSS and other security agencies were ready to invade the forest.

Reports had it that the team also worked with hunters, palm wine tappers, local vigilante groups and other security outfits including a Reverend Father as they all matched into the forest between Ijebu- Ode and Ore at a point called J5.

While the foot soldiers were moving into the forest, the Commissioner of Police and other officers and the priest were coordinating from the air in a police helicopter. It was learned that as soon as they started smoking the vast forest from the air, it scared the abductors and that was why the female victim, who happened to be the only member of the RCCG and a deaconess, was able to escape from them.

She reportedly met with the rescue team and briefed them about the movement of the abductors and that was how they were able to move in decisively and located the area where they kept the victims.

However, reports said they had a hitch because the area was very swampy and seen as uninhabitable, but that was where their targets were hiding.

Sources said the Police helicopter was so low that if the abductors had the weapons to shoot it down, they would have succeeded.

Smoked free

Luckily, Vanguard learned that while the Commissioner of Police, who was in the air with his officers, were smoking the forest, their efforts paid off as the abductors, scared, ran for cover giving room for their victims to show up. They were immediately rescued by the foot soldiers that were on ground.

In fact, sources said the victims said they were seeing members of the rescue team combing the forests, but because they were kept in a swampy area, the security men could not detect their whereabouts.

Sources said the three-day frantic search for the victims saw the helicopter hovering in and around the thick bushes of Ogun and neighbouring states for hours. They only go back to base to re-fuel and continue the search, which later yielded positive results.

Unconfirmed reports said the abductors may have been hit by the persistent fire power of the rescuers, but police authorities said they are yet to make arrests.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that to forestall further incidents of that nature, police authorities have commenced immediate de-vegetation of the thick bushes along the expressway.

Furthermore, they have strengthened locals in the area including vigilante groups, hunters, palm wine tappers and the youths to assist in forestalling further attacks on both motorists and transporters on the highway, while also advising passengers to ensure that their drivers do not park indiscriminately on the expressway.

Vanguard

The Campaign for the return of the ceded oil wells to Akwa Ibom #BRINGBACKOUROILWELLS got a nod by the Gov Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, when the group decided to get involved in the Calabar Green Carnival for Tree planting in the fight against climate change.

Speaking while presenting the group's branded/ crested shirts to the governor, the Director General of the Campaign Amb. Jerry Odey, appreciated the governor for his steadfastness and his political will to push for the return of the wrongly ceded oil wells. He noted that before now, there has been a lacklustre by successive government to take on this unjust ruling which took away the economic pride of the state.

While responding to the group, the governor who was full of emotion and passion appreciated the group whom most of them are youth, and promised support to the campaign. He reiterated his zeal and commitment to bring back the glory and economic fortunes of the state.




The group which has been loud on its campaign for what they called injustice to the state, plans to take its agitation to the Federal government and the National Assembly for action. They emphasized on the need to utilize all necessary means within the ambit of the law to drive the agitation. Odey further call on all inhabitants to join hands in salvaging the future of our State.

Ade Adesomoju

The  policemen drafted to work for the Special Presidential Investigative Panel on Recovery of Public Property, on Friday, appeared at the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, over a summons issued to them for “a briefing,” SUNDAY PUNCH learnt on Saturday.

Our correspondent obtained the letter signed on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police by his Principal Staff Officer, Idowu Owohunwa, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

The letter addressed to the Chairman of the SPIPRPP, Chief Okoi Okono-Obla, was dated July 31, 2019 and with reference number CB:4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/ VOL. 114/518.

The letter titled, ‘Invitation of police personnel at the Special Presidential Investigative Panel to an urgent meeting with the Inspector-General of Police.’

Sources said the letter, which asked the policemen numbering over 40, to appear in the IGP’s office on August 2, 2019 (Friday), was prompted by a petition written by a suspect being investigated by the panel.

The letter instructed Sunday Babaji, who leads all police personnel attached to the panel, to attend the meeting with the comprehensive nominal roll of the men under him at the panel.

Babaji, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, was also asked to lead the subordinates to the meeting.

The letter read, “I am directed by the Inspector-General of Police to convey his directive that you inform Sunday Babaji to lead all police personnel attached to the Special Investigative Panel to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Friday, August 2, 2019 by 1000hrs for an urgent briefing with him.

“DCP Sunday Babaji is to attend the briefing with the comprehensive nominal roll of all police personnel attached to the panel.

“They are to meet the undersigned on arrival for pre-hearing.”

It was learnt that the policemen attended the briefing on Friday and met with Omohunwa, who signed the summons issued to them.

“The policemen were at the IGP office for hours on Friday and met with IGP’s Principal Staff Officer, who asked them to return to their duty post at the panel after a briefing,” an official of the SPIP told our correspondent on Saturday.

It was learnt that the invitation was prompted by a suspect whose house was searched by the panel’s policemen.

The suspect was said to have petitioned the IGP, complaining that a huge sum of money disappeared from the home after the search.

But an official of the panel who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter said the policemen were asked to return to their duty post at the panel after telling their own side of the story.

“The suspect was present in the house and even signed the list of items recovered from the house. We believe this was just a blackmail to get the panel to stop the investigation,” the source added.

When contacted on Saturday, the Chairman of the panel, Obono-Obla, said, “I am aware of the invitation because it was addressed to me.

“I am also aware that the officers attended the meeting but they have yet to brief me.”

Saraki Replies Lady Who Questioned His Continued “Silence” Since Losing Election
Former president of the Nigerian Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki has reacted to the perception that he has remained silent since losing out in the last general election.


Saraki lost his bid to return to the senate, also had his party’s gubernatorial and presidential candidates lose out in the February/March elections.

Upon conclusion of the elections, Saraki has remained somewhat silent on most national issues, unlike when he was in power, hence the question from a certain online user, who is identified as Haleemah Gegele.


Haleemah asked the ex senate president how long he intends to keep quiet and abandon the young ones who believe in his ideology.

Haleemah Gegele
@Tadahlymarh
 · Aug 2, 2019
 Dear @bukolasaraki,
Have you heard about progressive movement? From the word, you'll think it's easy to understand. It's not what you think sir. It means after resting from the political higihaga/gbasgbos, don't forget that some people still believe in your school of thought.


Haleemah Gegele
@Tadahlymarh
It's very good to feel bad & learn from life lessons sir but keeping quiet won't bring them together. They are bothered too, but for how long?
Your young minds are watching/waiting & want to do things their own way. Why not look out for them to see if it's worth it.

172
9:42 AM - Aug 2, 2019
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Saraki, responding, thanked her for reaching out and promised to leave his doors open to the reception of any ideas from brilliant minds like the Haleemah.

Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki
✔
@bukolasaraki
 · 17h
 Hi Haleemah,
Thank you for your message. I am extremely honored to have like minds like you who believe in a common goal and vision for Nigeria. It is because people like you exist that I have unwavering confidence that we will one day have the NIGERIA we all hope for and deserve https://twitter.com/Tadahlymarh/status/1157210126937444352 …

Haleemah Gegele
@Tadahlymarh
Dear @bukolasaraki,
Have you heard about progressive movement? From the word, you'll think it's easy to understand. It's not what you think sir. It means after resting from the political higihaga/gbasgbos, don't forget that some people still believe in your school of thought.


Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki
✔
@bukolasaraki
I will continue to expand my relationship with young brilliant minds as yourself, who are interested in making an impact and serving humanity.

My doors are always open to exchanging ideas and I will do my best to engage more in the days ahead.

1,304
12:53 PM - Aug 3, 2019
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Image result for Saraki Atiku
Saraki, the immediate past senate president, you’d recall also contested the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential primary – whihc was won by Atiku Abubakar.

For years, sections of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway have failed repeatedly. And neither the halfhearted palliative works nor the efforts by a couple of construction firms that have worked on different sections have redressed the anomaly.

The result, for anyone who has to commute through any length of the road, is an almost always chaotic journey, signposted by terrible traffic gridlock and interspersed by meanders through potholes and, in some cases, craters. The effect of the gridlock on the expressway trickles to feeder roads in adjoining communities, occasionally bringing movement to a stop.



To bypass part of the hectic traffic along the Apapa-Oshodi route, motorists and residents in FESTAC area of Lagos State and its environs, heading towards CMS, Apapa and Oshodi, found succour in a route. They drive under the flyover that links Mazamaza with Mile 2 and connect their destination. Taking this route does not make them escape the logjam completely, but it lessens the pain and time spent in traffic.

Painfully, however, that succour has been short-lived. The army of motorists, who ply this route, now have new challenges to contend with every single time they attempt a drive-through. Members of the National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) are taking advantage of the motorists by erecting illegal makeshift tollgates on parts of the route.



With two tollgates mounted about one hundred metres apart, drivers of both commercial and private vehicles are made to pay between N50 and N200 before being allowed passage at both points.

The Guardian gathered that members of the NURTW were the first to mount a tollgate and began the collection of toll from commercial vehicles. Not satisfied with their illicit accruals from just commercial vehicles, they soon extended it to cover private vehicles.

Interestingly, while it is compulsory for commercial drivers to pay toll at the tollgate managed by the NURTW, it is made somewhat optional for private motorists, especially when such drivers opt not to pay. Such drivers are often allowed the right of way after some delay, which often than not creates another needless traffic amidst deafening honking.

The OPC members, it is understood, initially began tolling the access at night, claiming that they provided security within the environs besides being the custodians of the gate of the sewage-discharging complex located beside the bridge. To drive under the flyover requires motorists driving through the sewage-discharging complex. But overtime, they extended paying of tolls to an all-day affair.

While the OPC members lay claim to the tolls as reward for providing security in the area, the NURTW members had no concrete explanation for their action.

Road users have called on the Lagos State government to intervene and save the day. Bayo Akintola, a motorist, narrated the ugly experience he once had at the ‘tollgate.’ “One of the boys almost broke my side mirror because I insisted on not paying the toll fee, except I was told what the money collected in the past years was used for.”

Another motorist, Paul Adebola, said it is only in a lawless society that fellow citizens would erect tollgates on a road they did not build or own.

“What will you call this? These boys will not only delay you for not paying at times, they rain abuses on you. At other times, they delay other motorists because a commercial driver, who refused to pay, would not leave the road for others to go. This, sometimes, leads to a physical exchange of blows. Government must just do something quickly to save the situation,” Adebola said.

by Alao Abiodun
Elder brother of Sheikh Ibraheem Yakubu El-Zakzaky, the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites, Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yakoob, has reacted to the recent proscription of IMN, saying that, it was long overdue.
El-Zakzaky’s elder brother, who is also the Zaria Branch Chairman of Izalatul Bid’ia wa Ikamatus sunna, told our correspondent in an exclusive interview in Zaria, Kaduna State that the federal government should not stop at proscribing IMN but go further to disband the Shi’ite sect in its entirety.
He said there is no difference between his younger brother’s IMN, the Shi’ite sect and the dreaded terrorist group Boko Haram, adding that both the leader of the deadly Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, and his younger brother, El-Zakzaky, are terrorists.
He said the decision taken by the federal government to proscribe the IMN was not only right but overdue because the government can be overthrown through the violent protests of the group.
Sheikh Yakoob said the IMN leader is responsible for whatever calamity has befallen him, saying that he was warned when he started propagating “his dangerous Shi’ite doctrine.”
He said: “As you may be aware, El-Zakzaky is my blood brother. We were given birth to by the same father. While growing up, before he started this journey into Shi’ism, I didn’t have any close friend apart from him. We did everything together. We studied together in Islamic school.
“We warned him seriously to desist when he started this Shi’ism ideology. I personally warned him several times, and when he refused, I had to abandon him. So, whatever the authorities might have done to him, he caused it for himself.”
Sheikh Yakoob added: “There is nothing good about Shi’ism. These people are supposed to have been proscribed a long time ago, but the government waited until they are now causing havoc.
“In the entire world, where has the Chief of Army Staff ever been blocked on the way and denied right of passage? Since the time Shi’ites people did that to the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, they were supposed to have been stopped. But now, the authorities seem to have understood their mission.
“Anywhere the Shi’ites are, they are always a problem. They are the ones that ruined Iraq. They are the ones that ruined Syria, Yemen and Lebanon. All the crises you see in the Middle-East, Shi’ites are responsible for them.
“You see, with their protests, they çan take over government. The enemies of the country and enemies of the sitting government can take advantage of the Shi’ites protest and overthrow the government.
“I believe the government now understands this secret. What the government has done is very right.”
On Tuesday’s declaration by another Shi’ites group that IMN members are fake Shi’ites, El-Zakzaky’s brother described the declaration as hypocritical, saying that all Shi’ites groups have the same doctrine and ideology.
“They are liars. All Shi’ites are one,” he said.
“What they are doing is hypocrisy. All of them have the same doctrine and ideology. They are only in Shi’ites leadership tussle with Zakzaky. That is why they are denouncing him publicly.
“Therefore, it is not only Zakzaky’s group that is supposed to be proscribed. The government should outlaw the entire Shi’ites sect. This is because both Boko Haram and Shi’ites share the same ideology.

“They can continue to fool other people that they are not armed, but we know they carry arms. Didn’t you see them shown with their arms?
“They lied that they were not the ones that killed the police officer in Abuja. The Deputy Commissioner of Police that was killed in Abuja was not the first police officer to be killed by the Shi’ites.”
When asked about the court order that, said his brother should be released and a house built for him anywhere in northern Nigeria, Sheikh Yakubu said, government should only obey such order if it is also ready to build a house for the leader of the dreaded Boko Haram group, Abubakar Shekau.
He said: “Nobody should blame the government for holding him despite the Abuja court order. Some would say, ehn, court ordered that Zakzaky should be released and a house built for him. If they want the government to build a house for Zakzaky, then the government should also build a house for Shekau.
“Do Nigerians agree that government should build a house for Shekau? If no, then government should not build a house for Zakzaky, because they are the same. They are all terrorists.”
He noted that since the exit of El-Zakzaky, Zaria, which was his base, has been very peaceful as security agents have been able to tame their “violent activities.”
IMN backs El-Zakzaky’s daughter, vows to continue protests
But in spite an order proscribing it, top members of IMN yesterday aligned with the decision made by the daughter of their detained leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky that the group’s protests will continue until her parents are released.
The group also disowned the statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, that they had suspended the protests in line with the proscription of the sect by the Federal Government through a court order.
Suhaila Zakzaky in videos shared on her Facebook page on Thursday questioned the ban and said the protests would continue until her father is released.
A statement issued by a top member of the IMN, Abdullahi Musa, for Academic Forum, Sisters’ Forum and Abul-Fadl, said other IMN members were not informed about the ban on protests.
Musa said: “On the 31st day of July, 2019, a press statement titled “We Are Temporarily Suspending Our Street Protests” and signed by Malam Ibrahim Musa, President of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, went viral.
“The article was published and aired by numerous media outlets, both local and international.
“In the statement, it was written that “this was mainly to create openings into the resolution of problems, especially the court case instituted by our lawyers on the proscription order by the federal government this week.”
It further claimed that “if at all any protests occurred anywhere in the country, it might be this notice hasn’t reached those in the field or this message is misunderstood or it is some security agents who are behind it.
“First of all, we would like to state for the record that apart from members of the media forum, none of us was informed of this prior to seeing it in the papers and online.
“Secondly, the media forum of the Islamic Movement is supposed to consist of Press men and thus has no involvement in the organising of our ceremonies, our protests or legal activities among others.
“Thirdly, no decision of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has ever been communicated on the pages of a newspaper.
“Contrary to what the statement may insinuate, it is important to note that the proscription order was not an act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but rather from some Federal High Court in the capital Abuja.
“Bear in mind that courts do not make laws; the National Assembly does, and there is a process involved.
“Under the constitution, even the President lacks the legal authority to simply pronounce edicts into law. Nigeria is not an absolute monarchy.
“Most pre-eminently, the right to protest peacefully is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. Impunity is not.”
The IMN disowned Ibrahim Musa as their spokesman, saying: “In the aftermath of the publication of this unfortunately misleading statement, we subsequently tried to investigate the source of this frankly confusing document.
“We have consulted extensively with fellow followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky on this matter.
“Our only conclusion is that this whole affair was a combination of misinformation, miscommunication, human error and other significant factors.
“Here in Abuja, we are legally protesting the illegal detention of our leader and his wife.
“By doing this for our leader, we are also legally protesting against all forms of illegal detention, extrajudicial killings, among numerous other illegal perpetrations of injustice by this current administration.
“The statement signed by Malam Ibrahim Musa of the media forum does not, in any way, reflect the beliefs and convictions of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
“A single representative of a Forum within the Islamic Movement has no authority to single-handedly dictate his opinion on every one of us. Only our leader Sheikh Zakzaky may do that.
“For this reason, we are compelled to caution the media to never treat, any further, such explicit declarations by any member of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria in general, and Ibrahim Musa in particular, without a grain of salt.
“We wish to also explicitly state that we are fully determined to continue our protests.
“We shall continue our peaceful protests uninterrupted and unhindered till our leader Sheikh Zakzaky is free, for as long as it takes, regardless of obstacles.
“Until Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky is Free, our protests will continue.”