WIFE OF MAN WHO ACCUSED APOSTLE SULEMAN REACTS, SAYS HUSBAND MUST BE ON DRUGS

Pastor Mike Davids who came forward, alleging that Apostle Suleman slept with his wife has attracted a reaction from his wife, Pastor Faith Edeko.

Pastor Faith Edeko who heads the Abuja branch of Omega Fire Ministry has cleared the air on the issue, saying that Apostle Suleman is only but her ‘spiritual father’.

APOSTLE SULEIMAN IN ANOTHER SEX SCANDAL SLEEPS WITH PASTORS WIFE, POLICE BEGING PROBE

Apostle Suleiman 

The police are currently probing the founder of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johson Suleman for allegedly sleeping with a pastor’s wife.nHe’s currently being probed by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

According to Punch, the IGP ordered a probe of the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, for allegedly sleeping with the wife of Pastor Mike Davids, threatening his life and denying him access to his children.

The woman Apostle Suleman is accused of sleeping with is known as Pastor Faith Edeko, who heads the Abuja branch of Omega Fire Ministries in Utako while her husband, Pastor Davids, has left the church.

The IGP conveyed the order in a letter addressed to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, dated January 5, 2021.

The letter, with reference number CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/Vol.515/561, was signed by the Principal Staff Officer II to the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Iliya Doma.

The letter is sequel to a petition written by V.C Ezenagu & Associates on behalf of the aggrieved Pastor Davids who accused Apostle Suleman of threat to life and preventing him from seeing his three children.

The police letter is titled, ‘Re: Criminal Petition Against Apostle Johnson Suleman for Enticement of a Married Woman; Adultery; Unlawful Criminal Restraint to Access Children and Threat to Life’.

The letter reads in part, “I attach herewith a copy of a letter dated December 30, 2020 with its attachments received from V.C Ezenagu & Associates on the above underlined subject. The Inspector-General of Police directs that you treat. Accept the assurances of my esteemed regards please.”

In the petition he sent to the IG, Davids said he met Apostle Suleman in 2003 while he was in school. He said they became very close and he was eventually ordained a pastor of Omega Fire Ministries on June 9, 2006 by Apostle Suleman and served the church for over 15 years before his exit in 2019. He attached his pastoral certificate with licence number 125 to the petition.

In three videos posted on Instagram on Sunday, the aggrieved pastor accused Suleman of sleeping with his wife and destroying his marriage.

Davids, who wept in the videos, said he began a relationship with his wife in secondary school and they courted for about 11 years before marriage.

He said in 2008 he introduced his wife – who was still his fiancée at the time – to Apostle Suleman whom he regarded as his spiritual father and she told him that Suleman had been making advances at her and once invited her to Reliance Hotel, Benin, but he never regarded it as anything serious.

The aggrieved pastor said things finally began to go downhill when he was posted to Osun State in 2010 shortly after the birth of their daughter, Michelle, in November 2009.

The petitioner said Apostle Suleman was setting up a gospel television station and then said he would need the assistance of his wife who was an employee of NTA.

He said it was during the visits to Apostle Suleman that he eventually slept with his wife but what made it more painful was that the act was done in the presence of their child.

Davids said, “My wife was a staffer with NTA Iruekpen, so Apostle Suleman reached out to her that they will need her to build Celebration TV and Rhema for Living. She would have to shuttle between Osun State and Auchi.

“She came back from Auchi to Osun State and said she wanted to talk to me that her conscience was pricking her. I asked what was it and she said that while in Auchi, Apostle Suleman lodged her at Uyi Grand Hotel and he came there and slept with her.

“And the moment she said that, the first thing that came to my mind was my daughter. I asked where was Michelle when this happened and she said Michelle was on the bed, pushed aside and I asked, ‘You mean you slept with a man with my daughter on the bed?’. I had to let it go because there was nobody I could tell and I couldn’t fight with Apostle Suleman… I forgave her but the amorous relationship continued. One thing I know is that my wife was hypnotised. This is not the woman I got married to, who I knew for 11 years.”

Davids said his relationship with Apostle Suleman soon turned sour and he was suspended but after the suspension was lifted, he refused to return and then started receiving threats from Apostle Suleman.

He alleged that when he left the church in July 2019, his wife started to fight with him and then his wife left the house with their three children and they relocated to Abuja.

The pastor said though estranged, he and his wife remain married because their marriage has not been dissolved by a competent court.

Davids said, “Apostle Suleman has given her a branch of the church in Utako, Abuja to head without permission. I am calling on Pastor David Oyedepo, Pastor Paul Enenche, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Pastor Margaret Idahosa, CAN, PFN.

“Apostle Suleman has damaged my life. I have not seen my wife and children for two years and Apostle Suleman says if I ever go near them, he will have me taken out. I have a video where he said he will make me disappear. I don’t want to lose my life.”

However, his wife in a video described her husband’s allegations as cheap blackmail, adding that it was the petitioner that abandoned the marriage and when her relatives reached out to him, he refused to return home.

She said the ordeal affected her health and she even contemplated suicide but her son stopped her.

Pastor Edeko, who wept in the video, said she never slept with Apostle Suleman, adding that she did not even have easy access to him.

She said, “There are recordings which I will upload. You told my brothers that I would crawl in the gutters. I told them not to do anything to you, that you are still the father of my kids. At some point, I contemplated suicide. I had written my suicide note, I had bought sniper because I could not fathom how I would live life in so much pain. I won’t drag you because of my children… you have done too much and it is enough. I am not hypnotised. I am not under a spell.”

She said she did not abandon her marriage. Rather, it was her husband who abandoned the family and even demanded a refund of her bride price from her family.

She said, “I don’t know what you hope to achieve, I don’t know who paid you but the only thing I will say is haven’t you done enough? Are you not tired of flogging someone’s daughter in pain?

“You left me in Kano. You called me on a certain day that you were going to leave the marriage. I thought you were bluffing. I called my people and they can testify. My elder brother called you from the UK. You told them you were leaving the marriage. My elder brother told me you were bluffing.

“I remember I begged you and then I got to the office and I collapsed, according to what my principal said because I found myself in the hospital.”

She said that no one was preventing Pastor Davids from seeing his children, adding that he lived in the same city with them but had refused to visit.

Attempts to reach Apostle Suleman proved abortive as his telephone line indicated that it was switched off. A text message was not responded to.

However, Resident Pastor, Omega Fire ministry, Headquarters, Joseph Iyare, who responded on behalf of Apostle Suleman in a terse text message, said Pastor Davids is “frustrated by his own evil deeds”.

SOLDIERS ESCORT HERDSMEN TO OGUN VILLAGES, FLOGGED OBAS, OTHERS FOR REJECTING HERDERS

Residents and some monarchs of Ketu-speaking villages in Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State have lamented that they were brutalised by soldiers who escorted herdsmen to graze in their communities.

In separate interviews with The Nation, the residents narrated that the soldiers, numbering about 10, flogged them for daring to prevent the herders from grazing.

It was learnt that one of the residents, identified simply as Mulero, was beaten mercilessly, leaving him with serious injuries, for insisting that the herdsmen would not be allowed to graze.

It was also gathered that traditional rulers were beaten after they were forced to convoke a meeting.

According to them, the herdsmen, who had departed Ubeku village after their continued presence was rejected suddenly resurfaced about 2 pm on December 19, 2020, with the soldiers from the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta.

The soldiers headed straight to the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, Chief Olaleye Adigun, calling out the villagers and warning them against preventing the evicted herdsmen from returning to the village.

It was in the middle of this encounter that the soldiers were told that the herders would not be allowed to remain in the community because of their brutal killing of residents and the destruction of their farmlands in recent times.

One of the residents, identified simply as Mulero, said, “Everyone was frightened by the action and utterances of the soldiers but I summoned courage to tell them how a Geography teacher Mr. Yomi Akinola and two students of Community High School, Ibeku, among others, were killed by the herdsmen while our women were raped and killed on their way to the farm.

“Before I knew it, the herdsmen had motioned to the soldiers who immediately pulled me out of the audience and flogged me mercilessly with a wire whip. It was as if I stole something valuable.

“As I speak, my body still aches because of the wounds, even after I had been treated in a hospital.

“Numerous other villagers were subjected to the brutal act as the soldiers escorted the herdsmen from one village to another all in a bid to intimidate us into allowing them to graze on our farms.”

Also, indigenes of Iselu, Ibeku, Agbon-Ojodu, Asa and other villages were also harassed and assaulted by the soldiers at the instance of the herdsmen.

One of them, Mulero’s brother, Gabriel, was said to have been slapped after he was identified as one of those who resisted the herdsmen's attempt to graze.

Narrating their experience in a petition, the traditional rulers said the herdsmen confirmed that they invited the soldiers to intimidate, harass, and beat them.

The traditional rulers are the Oniggua of Iggualand, Oba Micheal Dosumu; the Eselu of Iseluland, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi; and the Alademeso of Igan Alade, Oba Gabriel Olalowo.

The monarchs in a petition addressed to the Brigade Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta, titled, ‘Matter of urgency,’ dated January 7, 2020, said, “The Baale was asked to gather his subjects and people from nearby villages which he did. The suspected soldiers told the people that the purpose of their visit was to inform them that the Fulani herders would be coming into their communities to graze cows.

“After their address, they asked if anyone had a question or comment to make in reaction to the information. Expectedly, one Mr Seye Mulero responded by calling the attention of the soldiers to the inherent challenges of allowing the herders in their communities based on the sad previous experiences in the community.

“That the said Seye Mulero further cited past killings, maiming and destruction of farms to buttress his point. Sadly, at this point, the soldiers seized him and mercilessly beat him up.

“In the same manner, the Fulani herders in the company of the suspected soldiers left Ibeku for Asa, the adjoining village to address the Baale of Asa and his subjects as they had earlier done at Ibeku, the people refused to respond, having heard what transpired at Ibeku.

“However, one of the Fulani herders sighted some of the people in the audience and picked on them as those that purportedly shouted on them at Ibeku while brutalising their victim (Seye Mulero). The herders asked the soldiers to also deal with them."

ALIKO DANGOTE SUES AMERICAN MISTRESS FOR EXPOSING HIS BUTTOCKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

   Aliko Dangote

The $30,000 lawsuit in an American court could further expose the intimate details of the billion’s relationship with his estranged mistress.

Aliko Dangote has filed a lawsuit to claim damages for his battered reputation after one of his American mistresses posted videos on social media that included the billionaires exposed buttocks earlier this month.

Mr. Dangote filed the charges in an American court in Miami, Florida.

He sought compensation for $30,000 in the civil lawsuit, which he appeared to have filed under a pseudonym John Doe. The name also has an alias that says ‘DA’, which appeared presumably as initials for Aliko Dangote.

The charges were filed against a woman who was identified as Autumn Spikes. She was on social media to expose the lawsuit and threaten Mr. Dangote that he had taken the wrong turn by making the case public, indicating that the billionaire risked having additional embarrassing information about him published on the Internet as part of the suit.

Already, the woman claimed Mr. Dangote had offered to pay her for her silence, an arrangement she rejected before the billionaire filed the suit.

She said the pair had been in a relationship for nine years without a non-disclosure agreement to gag her from publicly commenting on the affair.

A spokesman for Mr. Dangote did not immediately return a request seeking comments about the case on Sunday evening.

Using a handle, Allarounda1 on Instagram, the woman posted a video of herself and Mr. Dangote on a couch inside what appeared to be a luxury yacht on January 1. It was unclear in which country the yacht was sailing when the mistress shot the video, but it showed Mr. Dangote drap himself in an orange blanket while fiddling with his mobile phone amidst clearly exposed buttocks.

She also posted pictures of Mr. Dangote alighting from a luxury plane in a private hanger, describing herself repeatedly as a ‘ForbesListSugarBabe’ in apparent reference to her lover’s status amongst an elite list of world’s billionaires.

The raunchy images were later deleted by the woman, claiming she had been flooded with requests from bloggers to comment further on her affairs with Mr. Dangote. She also rejected claims that she took her affairs with Mr. Dangote to social media to chase undue fame.

In follow up updates, she said she was trying to clean Mr. Dangote’s name from the mess earlier created by Bea Lewis, who described herself as a restaurant operator in the United States.

Mr. Dangote’s lifestyle has been largely kept from the public until now. Little was known about him beyond his marriage and divorce in the past. Mr. Dangote’s media aides have yet to comment on the scandalous affairs that seemed to be pointing at the billionaire’s steep appetite for glowing American women.

FULANI HERDSMEN BRUTALISE WOMAN, SHATTER HER JAW IN OGUN STATE

Suspected Fulani herdsmen have reportedly shot a woman, Morenikeji Salami, while going to her site on Oru-Awa Road in the Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The woman’s injuries were captured in a video that went viral on Saturday.

According to Punch, the attackers, numbering about eight, reportedly emerged from the bush, cut off one of her fingers and shattered her jaw with bullets.

Salami was said to have run into some herds and attempted to make a quick reverse but was caught and attacked.  

In the over four-minute clip, the woman was seen being treated in a hospital, writhing in pains as a nurse attended to her.

The victim was said to have been taken to a few hospitals, including the state-owned Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital but was rejected.

She said she had to travel some distance to the Lagos State Hospital, Ikeja, before she could get treatment.

In the video, a female voice was heard asking the daughter of the victim a few questions about the attack.

When asked how it happened, she said, “She (my mother) was going to her site in Idofe after a road that leads to Oru along Quarry. She said she saw some cattle while she was driving on the road and as she made a quick attempt to reverse, she was surrounded by some Fulani men who emerged from the bush.

"She said they were about eight and the first thing they did was to shoot at all the four tyres and later went to block her car at the front. One of them carried a gun and wanted to shoot her. She begged him but he went ahead and shot her, removing one of her fingers.”

She explained that the attacker fired another shot which shattered her mother’s jaw and mouth, adding that the gunman shook her head to check if she had died."

She added, “My mother said she pretended as if she had died. One of her fingers was blown away by the bullets. She said she pretended as if she was dead. So, they went back into the bush. She said she managed to get down from the car after waiting for them to go

“After she managed to alight from the car, she saw a tipper lorry and flagged it down. The driver rescued her and took her to Oru but she was rejected. We went to the general hospital, she was also rejected. When we got to OSUTH , they also said there was no space.”

In the video, the interviewer explained her efforts to get the video across to some aides of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, and other people she believed mattered.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, adding that it happened on Monday, January 11.

He said three suspects had been arrested, adding that the Fulani herders who committed the crime left their cattle on the spot and fled.

BUHARI HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING FOR US EXCEPT CREATING ENEMIES FOR HERDSMEN — MIYETTI ALLAH

The herdsmen group, Miyetti Allah has said, President Muhammadu Buhari has no relationship with the herdsmen, saying Fulani herders are worse under President Buhari

The National Secretary of the group, Saleh Alhassan, said that herdsmen were being marginalised in the country under the leadership of President Buhari and that it was best if they were on their own where they would be protected.

Recall that Ondo state government gave a 7-day ultimatum to herdsmen to leave ondo forests accusing some herders of perpetraing killings of farmers, raping of woman and banditry inn the state.

But, Alhassan, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH that it was wrong to link herders to President Buhari saying herders have been more marginalised under the administration of President Buhari.

He said, “We don’t support crime. So, I’m not saying there are no Fulani that is criminals, there are, like other tribes, but don’t destroy their profession. It’s not good for the country. If everything busts, it’s to the advantage of the herders because we are not even enjoying the federation.

“We are even bidding for the restructuring of the country; let every part go, so we can say this is where we are. As it is now, there is no form of marginalisation we are not seeing in this country. Everywhere we are being marginalised. You think we will accept Nigeria where we don’t have access to land to feed our animals and you think there will be peace?”

On whether restructuring would solve the herders/farmers crisis, he said, “Quite fundamentally. If we leave today now and if there is no oil revenue, won’t they pay attention to animal rearing? If we restructure the country and the South-West region says they won’t accept cattle unless they are brought to the market or supermarket, it’s okay by us.

He insisted that “The mistake people make is that they think when they put pressure on herders they are getting at President (Muhammadu) Buhari. Buhari has no relationship with the herders. That is the truth. When people say he is our grandpatron, was Jonathan from the South-South, not our grandpatron?

“If the President is a Fulani, it doesn’t in any way affect the life of a herder. In fact, they are worse off under Buhari. What are they benefitting? They don’t access any government facility or social amenity, yet they are responsible for the bulk of animal protein we produce in this country. I think it’s deliberate for people to think otherwise.

He maintained that “Buhari has not done anything for us other than creating enemies for us. Herders are being chased around. Let us look at the larger picture and not allow enemies to penetrate us. If Buhari loves the herders, he would have created the grazing reserves for them".

SUSPECTED BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS STORM YOBE STATE, BURN DOWN SCHOOLS, WREAK DEVASTATING HAVOC

Reports reaching our news desk reveal that gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists, have on Saturday, stormed Gujba town, in Yobe State, firing gunshots sporadically.

The heavy gunshots have forced residents to scamper for safety.

“The attackers who invaded the town this evening, have burnt a Primary School, and construction work equipment”, a source  disclosed.

The identity of the assailants was not yet ascertained at the time of filing in this report, but the attack is reportedly similar to that of the Boko Haram/ISWAP Militants.

Gujba town is a few kilometers away from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, and the attack is coming three days after Boko Haram insurgents invaded Geidam town, where they burnt down public and private property, in addition to looting of shops.

Details later…

NOLLYWOOD ACTOR AND JOURNALIST JIM LAWSON MADUIKE IS DEAD

   Late Jim Lawson Maduike

Veteran Nollywood actor, Jim Lawson Maduike, has passed on.

The veteran actor reportedly died after complaining of body pains around 12pm on Saturday, January 9, 2021.

A former broadcast journalist, Lawson began his radio career with Radio Nigeria in 1980 before retiring to join the movie industry in 2004.

Lawson’s death is just one in a series of deaths that has hit the acting industry.

In the past one month, the industry has been in a mournful mood over the passing of Nollywood veterans.

SEVERAL PERSONS FEARED DEAD AS AMOTEKUN , HERDSMEN CLASH IN OYO STATE

Over seven people have reportedly lost their lives as men of the Oyo State Security Network, Amotekun clashed with some Fulani Herdsmen in Aiyete area, Ibarapa North LGA of the state.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the clash occurred in Okebi village on Saturday morning. Eyewitness reports indicate that several houses were also burned down.

“Alhaji Usman Okebi and his two sons were killed. We don’t know what caused the fight. Some persons were shot and injured.”

“The number of people killed has increased to seven. Those who were shot and ran away later died in the bush.” an eyewitness disclosed.

Details shortly…

RIVERS APC: ABOUT 300 APC SUPPORTERS DUMP SEN. ABE FOR RT. HON. AMAECHI

   Amaechi            Abe

A former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Chris Mba and former chairman, Andoni local government area of the state, Hon.

Emmanuel Eneyo, yesterday led about 300 of their supporters to dump a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to Senator Magnus Abe, to the faction loyal to the minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

The Amaechi’s camp, popularly referred to as the mainstream, led by Barrister Isaac Abbot Ogbobula, is recognised by the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led national caretaker committee of the APC.

Speaking at a reception organised for the returnees at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, Mba, expressed sadness that some members of the party were out to weaken the party and thereafter defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Describing his return to the main fold as homecoming, the former lawmaker who was the leader of Senator Abe’s faction in Andoni local government area, said those who are decamping were heavyweights and grassroots politicians.

He said: “This is homecoming for me. When I spoke with our leader, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, I told him that I am a political prodigal son and that I am coming back to my political family. I told him that he should have a place in his heart to forgive me and he said he has nothing against me as we have come a long way.

“Gathered here today are not paperweight politicians, but heavyweights and grassroots politicians. I took a deep thought about the progress of our party. I feel pained that some people are trying to drag the party backward. They are planning to do all they can to weaken the party and thereafter empty themselves into the opposition party.

“APC is the party and we will continue to rule Nigeria. We will certainly rule Rivers State in 2023. It appears to me that certain elements there are not interested in the peace and unity of the party.

Senator Magnus Abe is aware that I have left and he knows my reasons.

Let us join hands with Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to make this party stronger.”

Receiving the returnees, Caretaker Committee chairman of APC in the state, Barrister Isaac Abbot Ogbobula, assured them that they won’t be kept at the back bench as they would participate in all activities of the party like every other member.

Ogbobula, who was represented by the party secretary, Hon. Baridom Badom, expressed hope that with the returnees, the APC will be stronger in Andoni local government area.

SAUDI ARABIA BANS UNDERAGE MARRIAGE

The Saudi Ministry of Justice has banned the marriage of persons under 18 years. It also set 18 years as the minimum age for marriage. 

The Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, Sheikh Walid Al-Samaani, issued the new directive in a circular sent to all the courts in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

According to PremiumTimes, child marriages are commonplace in Saudi Arabia with one in seven girls marrying before the age of 18. But, Saudi Arabia’s justice minister is changing things up.

FG SET TO PAY 5 MONTHS BACKLOG OF 14200 NPOWER VOLUNTEERS OWED BETWEEN MARCH - JULY, 2020

Over 14,200 Npower beneficiaries are being owed atleast five (5) months unpaid backlogs due to some technical and bank details not corresponding GIFMIS hinted to the public that the long awaited backlog payments will soon be paid to the Volunteers, the payment will be made this Dec before Christmas those unpaid stipends will be completely cleared off.

About 14,200 npower Volunteers from Batch A and B are about to get the much awaited outstanding stipends completely settled, this stipends is since March 2020 till July of the same year, Npower will soon trigger alerts to those affected according to GIFMIS they will be duly paid all their outstanding backlog payment will be paid.

It’s necessary all stipends is cleared because there is no way npower will onboard the Npower Batch C applicants without having to first of all clear every outstanding payment with Batch A and B, Batch A and B will have to be settled before the Federal Government can fully be ready to face the Incoming Batch C.

Thousands of Npower Volunteers that are being owed Backlog payment have been asking series questions many wanting to know, when Npower in Conjunction GIFMIS will pay what they are having been owing them since 5 months ago, with this new update, it shows that the Government listens and they are willing to thread the path of peace and cooperation with the Npower Batch A and B Beneficiaries.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, disaster management and social development Sadiya Umar Farouq also hinted that, all the Financial Obligations or entitlement owed by the Government will settled before the end of the year, Below is what the Minister posted on her Social media account.

“I consider it necessary to give status update regarding the outstanding arrears of stipend to the 14,200 N-power cohorts from Batch A and B,” –Humanitarian Minister, Madam Sadiya Umar Farouq (2020)

“From the outset, the N-Power programme was designed to run for 24 months

“Out of the 500,000 combined beneficiaries from Batch A and B only 14,200 have 5 months outstanding stipend arrears”

“The delay in the payment of the arrears arose due to platform migration from NIBSS to GIFMIS by the Office of Accountant General of the Federation in March 2020.

“From the consolidated list of beneficiaries we received from the OAGF in September, the 14,200 beneficiaries with arrears of stipend were flagged for receiving monthly payment from other MDAs, particularly from the NYSC.

“It is possible that the 14,200 beneficiaries used their NYSC allowance bank accounts for N-Power and GIFMIS payment platform picked them for double payment.

“We have initiated State verification process with State N-Power Focal Officers.

“The 14,200 affected beneficiaries will present their NYSC certificates for final verification after which we will present an updated list to OAGF to pay off their 5 months arrears.

“All legitimate claims and those on verified list will be paid before the end of the year”.

Because of the change in payment Platform, it was discovered that some names also appear in other government payment vouchers.

Hopefully, before month ends all beneficiaries should have their payment but no longer at her office.

STOP BLAMING SECURITY AGENCIES FOR INSECURITY -DSS TELLS NIGERIANS

   Yusuf Magagi Bichi, DSS DG 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has stated that government and security agencies cannot tackle insecurity in the country without the support of the citizens especially on intelligence gathering.

The director general, DSS, Yusuf Bichi urged Nigerians to rather than point accusing fingers at the security forces, support them to rid the country of all forms of criminality.

The DG who was represented by Peter Afunanya, the Service spokesperson, made this call on Saturday at the Security and Emergency Awards (SEMA 2020) at the Nicon Luxury hotel Abuja, where the service was conferred with an award by Emergency Digest, a subsidiary of Image Merchants “We call on Nigerians to support security agencies and the government.

“All those bad people are part of our communities, they live in our neighbourhood, if you know one, tell the security agencies about them.

Security is no longer for the government alone; there is a need for collaborative efforts and partnership. You continue to stay in your comfort zone and continue to blame security agencies for all, but the information that the security agencies need, have you brought it?

If you have not done all these, it’s time for us to have a rethink, it’s time for us to have a change of mind to re-dedicate ourselves to the ideals of building a country that is devoid of any kind of insecurity,” he said.

BANDITS KILL 12, ABDUCTS 10 IN FRESH ATTACK ON KATSINA COMMUNITIES.

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Yar Kuka village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing 12 people and abducting many others.

According to Daily Trust, a resident of the village whose daughter was kidnapped said the bandits invaded the town on Thursday around 9:30 pm and started shooting indiscriminately

He said 12 people were killed while six women were abducted.

“Three of the abducted women are married, and my daughter is one, while the remaining three are young girls.”

The gunmen also attacked Dan Ali village in Danmusa Local Government Area where they abducted a retired Education Officer identified as Sani Skido.

A resident of the village said the attackers, who came at around midnight, shot at the door of the room where the victim was hiding in his house.

Traces of blood were seen in his room after he was taken away.

Similarly, three travellers were reported abducted on Friday by unidentified gunmen on their way from Danmusa to Maidabino village in Danmuasa.

A resident of Danmusa said the travellers, who were on their way back from Benin in Edo State, were intercepted and their vehicle abandoned at the scene of the abduction.

BREAKING: APC EXPELS HILLIARD ETA, DISSOLVES STATE EXECUTIVES, EXTENDS BUNI-LED CARETAKER COMMITEE BY 6MONTHS

National Executive Council, NEC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled former National Vice Chairman, South-South, Hilliard Eta, for challenging the dissolution of the immediate past National Working Committee, NWC, by the National Executive Council, NEC, in the courts against party directives.

The NEC at its emergency meeting held at the presidential villa, Abuja also approved a 6-month tenure extension for the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee to stair the affairs of the party.

The NEC further slammed the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its call on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office.

Recall that Nigerian Pilot had earlier reported that controversies and uncertainties surrounded the planned National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, scheduled for Tuesday December 8, 2020 as pockets of court suits have been filed by aggrieved stakeholders of the party seeking to stop or declare illegal and inconsequential the outcome of the meeting.

While chief Kalu Agu Kalu, a chieftain of APC, had last Thursday, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, praying it to stop the planned NEC meeting, a former National Vice Chairman, South-South, and former acting national chairman, Chief Hillard Etta, and some other members of the dissolved National Working Committee, NWC, of the party, approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, penultimate Friday, to ask for the nullification of the June 25, 2020 APC NEC meeting which dissolved the NWC.

FG AGREES TO CUT FUEL PRICE BY ₦5

Following the resumption of talks between the Federal Government (FG) and the leadership of the Organised Labour over the recent hike in the price of fuel and electricity tariff, the FG has agreed to slash fuel price by N5.

It will be recalled that the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, in November, increased the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, to N155.17 per litre from N147.67 per litre.

The implication of which, allows Marketers sell between N168 - N170 per litre.

Following heavy backlash, the FG slashed N2 from the depot price of N155.17 per litre, a move that still didn't sit well with the leadership of the Organised Labour who threatened mass action, if the price was not reverted.

The meeting between the Federal Government and Organised Labour have ended in Abuja.

The five-hour long meeting agreed that the price of petrol be reduced by N5 while labour also got a commitment from the government that the distribution of free prepaid metre will begin soon across the country.

Organised labour had two weeks walked out of the meeting with the Federal Government on the ground of a new increment in the price of fuel when negotiations were still on course.

The Festus Keyamo-led Committee is to continue its assignment and ensure conclusion in record time.

However, projections by marketers have it that the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, may hit N180 per litre this month as oil prices extended their rally on Monday, with Brent crude trading near $50 per barrel.

Brent, the international oil benchmark, has risen by more than 15 per cent since November 13 when the pump price of petrol was adjusted in the country. It stood at $49.39 per barrel as of 7:29pm Nigerian time on Monday.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, had said in September that the Federal Government had stepped back in fixing the price of petrol, adding that market forces and crude oil price would determine the cost of the product.

The National Operation Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Mike Osatuyi, said fuel prices might increase before the end of December, considering the current realities in the market.

“Once we have deregulated, petrol price is a function of crude oil price. If in the past few months, oil price has hovered around $40 to $44 per barrel, when it moves to $49-$50, we have to be expecting nothing less than N180 per litre of petrol,” he said.

Osatuyi, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday, said petrol price could reach N200 per litre if oil price crossed the $50 per barrel mark.

“The devaluation of naira by N6 will actually have effect on the pump prices of fuel maybe by the end of this month or early next year,” he added.

He faulted the current situation in which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation remained the sole importer of petrol into the country despite the deregulation of petrol price.

“As at today, NNPC is still practicing monopolistic deregulation because it is the only one importing petrol for Nigeria. If you deregulate, you are supposed to make forex available for other players,” he said.

The Chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Adetunji Oyebanji, also told our correspondent that private marketers were still unable to import petrol because of lack of access to forex.

He said marketers were also concerned about the discussion between the Federal Government and labour regarding deregulation, adding that discordant tunes would leave investors worried.

“The impression has been that deregulation has been agreed with labour already. It would always help when you know clearly the direction of government,” he added.

The Federal Government removed petrol subsidy in March this year after reducing the pump price of petrol to N125 per litre from N145 on the back of the sharp drop in crude oil prices. The price reduction lasted till June.

Nigerians have seen increases in the pump prices of petrol four times in the past five months, rising from N121.50–N123.50 per litre in June to N140.80-N143.80 in July, N148-N150 in August, N158-N162 in September and N163-N170 in November.

FG LAUNCHES N-POWER NEXIT PORTAL, APPLY FOR LOANS FROM CBN

The Federal Government in collaboration with CBN has introduced a new online portal for exited N-power beneficiaries of batch A and B called NEXIT Portal.

The Nexit Portal allows interested exited N-power beneficiaries to access government’s empowerment programmes.

N-Power Nexit portal is a platform inside the NPVN Portal where all exited N-power Batch A and B beneficiaries will be able to access various Federal Government Youth Empowerment Program.

If you are part of the exited N-power Batch A & B beneficiary, this is a great opportunity you don’t need to miss out.

According to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq who announced the development on Friday, she said that the EXIT portal is to determine the suitability of the beneficiaries for the CBN affiliated programs.

How to Access The NEXIT Portal

Interested N-power Batch A & B Beneficiaries are advised to follow the step by step Procedures below to Register for NEXIT.

• Visit N-power Portal npvn.npower.gov.ng/login
• Enter your Email and Password
• Click on NEXIT Portal
• Click on Register for NEXIT
• Fill in your correct details
• Click on Submit.

How to Login to N-power Nexit Portal

To log in to Npower NEXIT Portal, please carefully follow the NEXIT login procedures below.

• Visit npvn Portal npvn.npower.gov.ng/login
• Enter your Email/Phone number and Password
• Click on Login

The Nexit Portal Registration is Free. You’re not required to pay anyone for anything.

The ministry said the NEXIT portal will be used to determine the suitability of exited beneficiaries for various CBN-affiliated programmes.

She explained that selection will be based on the conditions and criteria set by the apex bank.

#EndSARS PROTEST: DAVIDO, FALZ, BURNA BOY, SAM ADEYEM, 46 OTHERS SUED

Davido, Burna Boy, Sam Adeyemi and Falz

Singers, Davido, Falz and Burna Boy; Pastor Sam Adeyemi and 46 others have been sued by an activist, Kenechukwu Okeke over their roles in #EndSARS protest which led to the destruction of his properties.

Okeke instituted the suit at a Chief Magistrate’s court in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, his propeties were destroyed in the aftermath of #EndSARS protest, saying that the promoters of the protest must be brought to justice.

Those sued are: Singers Burna Boy, Davido, Falz, Mr Macaroni, Taooma, Peter and Paul Okoye, Innocent Idibia aka Tuface, Banky W, Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy and Yemi Alade.

There are also the Senior Pastor, Daystar Christian Centre, Pastor Sam Adeyemi; activist, Aisha Yesufu; ex-Super Eagles legend, Kanu Nwankwo; a former Director-General, Bureau for Public Sector Reform, Dr Joe Abah; journalist, Kiki Mordi, and actors, Yul Edochie, Uche Jombo, Feyikemi Abudu, Olorunrinu Oduala, Pamilerin Adegoke, Japhet Omojuwa, Ayo Sogunro and Deji Adeyanju.

He said, “I shall instigate a private criminal prosecution against all the alleged perpetrators and coordinators of the #EndSARS riots on Twitter. The nation bled, lives lost, and properties worth billions destroyed as a result of the sheer recklessness of some persons.

“Having initiated criminal proceedings against the #EndSARS riots promoters at exactly 1052hrs WAT, 09/11/2020, we shall ensure that same is diligently prosecuted in the interest of defence, public safety and public order. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is country of laws.”

Okeke, in a supporting affidavit said the defendants played key roles in the #EndSARS protest which later snowballed into violence.

He alleged that the 1st to 50th accused persons between the 3rd day of October 2020 and the 28th day of October 2020, using Twitter, an Internet web source with URL https://www.twitter.com within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire among themselves to commit misdemeanour, to wit, promoting and acting in such a manner, with intent to assist in the promotion of #EndSARS and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97(2) of the Penal Code Act, C53 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.u

The affidavit added that the 1st to 50th accused persons with intent to carry out some common purpose, assemble in such a manner or being assembled under the composition of #EndSARS as to cause persons in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to fear on reasonable grounds that such assembly needlessly and without any reasonable occasion may provoke other persons tumultuously to disturb the peace.

It said properties belonging to the complaint were egregiously destroyed by some riotous and tumultuous persons instigated and incited by the 1st to 50th accused persons.

UAE CONVICTS 6 NIGERIANS FOR WIRING $782,000 TO BOKO HARAM, FG OFFICIAL INDICTED

An Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has convicted six Nigerians over alleged funding of Boko Haram.

The conviction was upheld by the appellate court after they lost an earlier appeal at a lower court.

Daily Trust reported on Monday that Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and Saleh Yusuf Adamu were sentenced to life imprisonment.

The rest, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, AbdurRahman Ado Musa, Bashir Ali Yusuf and Muhammad Ibrahim Isa, got ten-year imprisonment each.

Court documents show that between 2015 and 2016, the convicts were allegedly involved in cash transfers totalling $782,000.00 to Boko Haram.

The act was contrary to Article 29, Clause 3 of UAE’s Federal Anti-Terrorism Law No 7 of 2017.

National Security Bureau said investigation of the Nigerians “confirmed their involvement and membership of the Boko Haram”.

They were arrested between April 16 and 17, 2017, and their homes searched according to the search warrant issued by the National Security Prosecution office dated April 16, 2017.

Abubakar and Adamu were charged for joining Boko Haram knowingly.

This negates Article 22/2 of UAE’s Federal Anti-Terrorism Law No 7 of 2017 punishable by death or life imprisonment.

Alhassan, Musa, Yusuf and Isa were charged with assisting the sect knowingly.

The crime, under Article 31, Clause 1 of the same law, is punishable by life imprisonment or at least five years in jail.

Most of the transactions were facilitated by two undercover Boko Haram agents based in Nigeria. One of them is “Alhaji Sa’idu”.

The other “Alhaji Ashiru” was described as “a Nigerian government official”.

He also reportedly funnelled misappropriated public funds to terrorists.

Sa’idu’s modus operandi is using unidentified Arab persons on a visit to Dubai from Turkey to hand over US Dollars to one of the convicts, who then remit Naira equivalent to the agent.

Families of the convicts say they were “framed up”, insisting their bureau de change business in the UAE was legitimate.

NIGERIAN MILITARY OFFICERS ORDERED SHOOTING OF PROTESTERS IN LEKKI - SANWO-OLU

The Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-olu has admitted that Nigerian Military officers ordered the shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate last week Tuesday.

Sanwoolu, during a live interview on CNN, disclosed that according to CCTV footage gotten from the scene of the shooting, officers of the Nigerian Army were responsible for the attack.

POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that the Lekki shooting generated a massive outcry from human rights organisations and the international community, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.

When asked about who ordered the shooting and which security branch carried out the order, Sanwoolu said;

"From the footage that we can see, there are cameras at that facility. It seems to me that there were men in military uniform, should be Nigerian Army."

The Interviewer pressed further,"So you're saying that it was Military officers who ordered peaceful protesters to be shot in lekki?"

Sanwoolu replied; "Yes, they were there. That's what it shows".

When asked if anyone will be held accountable, Sanwoolu said; "They certainly would....I mean, we'll do everything to ensure that they are held accountable"

"I'm not the C-in-C, I'm Governor of the state."

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-nigerian-military-officers-ordered-shooting-of-lekki-protesters-sanwoolu/