There was heavy gun battle in Warri in the early hours of today.
“Someone please confirm, the sound of guns are coming from the river side in warri? Am scared o. No sleep. Heavy gun shot (machine gun not AK47)” – a resident reported.
Thursday, 21 January 2016
Has Civil War Started? Heavy Gunbattle Reported in Warri
Has Civil War Started? Heavy Gunbattle Reported in Warri
There was heavy gun battle in Warri in the early hours of today.
“Someone please confirm, the sound of guns are coming from the river side in warri? Am scared o. No sleep. Heavy gun shot (machine gun not AK47)” – a resident reported.
There was heavy gun battle in Warri in the early hours of today.
“Someone please confirm, the sound of guns are coming from the river side in warri? Am scared o. No sleep. Heavy gun shot (machine gun not AK47)” – a resident reported.
Biafra: Buhari is too soft on Nnamdi Kanu — Bankole-Hameed
this interview, faults the agitation for Biafra. He also bares his mind on other sundry issues. Excerpts:
By Dapo Akinrefon
50 years after the truncation of the First Republic, do you Nigeria has learned lessons?
My first reaction is that the activists who truncated the First Republic were men of questionable character in the fine profession of the military. That was when a few soldiers mostly of the then Eastern Region massacred prominent political and economic leaders of Northern Nigeria and Western Nigeria only. This singular dastardly act resulted in deep division and distrust among the three major actors in the Nigeria political space; Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo, who had the responsibility to get the project going. The death of Hausa and Yoruba leaders in the hands of the Igbo officers created big economic and political gaps in these regions. What followed was what we are still witnessing today. Another aspect of the ill conceived coup is the decimation of minorities. I don’t think we have acted out to show if we as a nation have learned anything.
There are growing concerns over the president’s continued refusal to obey court orders, what is your take on this?
I’m not going to say that I don’t think that the President is a party to the court proceedings. EFCC I believe is the institution that is on trial as regards court orders, but to be fair to them, explanation as to how a new arrest is effected has been given. It was established in the case of Dasuki for example,that he had new criminal cases for which he was re-arrested.
What is your reaction to the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu?
I think this is truly an interesting development. Here is someone who knows that what he did embark on was nothing short of terrorism. What does he expect of the authorities? Body massage, hotel accommodation or what? He is lucky Nigeria is not interested in capital punishment, otherwise he may be so charged. I think the government is even soft on him.
But do you think there should be a negotiation with the South East over Biafra?
This is a very good question. What is Biafra, who are the agitators and how is the cry for it being funded? I will attempt to define Biafra as best as I can and from the perspective of average Nigerian.
There was an attempt by Ojukwu now late, to steal away and enslave non Igbo of the then Eastern Region, while taking over the oil in the region.
He got his own people to buy into the act, there was no justification for the declaration then, which made the concept of Biafra ineligible for negotiations.
What needs to be done is to amend the Constitution to allow for legal agitation, where structured steps are laid out for such discourse.
Many countries have such provision. There should be no force or coercion in Union . Right now, activities related to agitation for Biafra is tantamount to terrorism.
Do you think each region should agitate for autonomy?
The question of regional autonomy may be discussed at state levels, where various local communities agree that what is needed is the granting of legal, financial and economic autonomy. Then the next step is to convince the federal assembly on the need to amend the Constitution to that effect. How many of the existing states can survive being autonomous?
Tension: Ex-Militants Go Wild, Attack Residents In Rivers
Tension: Ex-Militants Go Wild, Attack Residents In Rivers
Residents of Rivers state where thrown into panic on
Wednesday, January 20, as ex-militants allegedly attacked Port Harcourt,
the state capital.
The wild ex-militants reportedly attacked drivers and other road users along Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, snatching people’s belongings. Sources say the incident stirred chaos, as drivers abandoned their vehicles, running to save their lives.
Militants (File Photo)
The wild ex-militants reportedly attacked drivers and other road users along Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, snatching people’s belongings. Sources say the incident stirred chaos, as drivers abandoned their vehicles, running to save their lives.
According to The Sun, angry ex-militants who were armed with dangerous weapons, set fire at the centre of the road between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Secretariat down to Waterlines Junction.
However, the police has assured residents that the situation has been brought under control.
Police spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, urged the people of Port Harcourt to be calm, stressing that normalcy has been restored around the area.
The incident reported caused gridlock along the busy Aba road, as those who abandoned their cars on the road, took a while before returning to take them off.
Police spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, urged the people of Port Harcourt to be calm, stressing that normalcy has been restored around the area.
The incident reported caused gridlock along the busy Aba road, as those who abandoned their cars on the road, took a while before returning to take them off.
In a related development, there is great tension in Delta state,
following the renewed hostilities by some militants in the state. A
court order calling for the arrest of ex-militant chief Government
Tompolo, reportedly caused an uproar.
The militants within the region in their bid to send a message, returned to acts of vandalism, forcing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to close the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries.
The militants within the region in their bid to send a message, returned to acts of vandalism, forcing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to close the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries.
Eyewitnesses say the ex-militants chanted “pay us our money”, as they attacked road users. Rumour has it that they had accused their leaders of not paying them the exact amount earmarked for them.
Biafra Protest in Front of President Obama’s Residence
Biafra Protest in Front of President Obama’s Residence (See Video)
The rally was described as a protest against the killings of Biafrans by the Buhari led government of Nigeria. The protesters also want an Independent Republic of Biafra which they said was re- annexed back to Nigeria in 1970.
Few days ago, the EU released a statement in support of the Biafran Referendum, and called on the Nigerian government to respect Human Rights of Nigerian citizens which includes peaceful rallies and demonstrations. The EU stated that while it has strong ties with Nigeria, the issue of Human Rights comes first as a priority.
The rally was described as a protest against the killings of Biafrans by the Buhari led government of Nigeria. The protesters also want an Independent Republic of Biafra which they said was re- annexed back to Nigeria in 1970.
Few days ago, the EU released a statement in support of the Biafran Referendum, and called on the Nigerian government to respect Human Rights of Nigerian citizens which includes peaceful rallies and demonstrations. The EU stated that while it has strong ties with Nigeria, the issue of Human Rights comes first as a priority.
Dasuki Drags Buhari to International Court
Dasuki Drags Buhari to International Court
Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd), has dragged the Federal Government before ECOWAS Court in Abuja over his continued detention. He is also demanding payment of N500 million damages for alleged rights infringement.
This is even as a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the government to produce him by February 16.
Dasuki is also urging the sub-regional court to order his release forthwith.
In the suit filed by his lawyer, Robert Emukpoeruo, the former NSA is urging the court to declare among others, that his continued detention in defiance of orders for his bail granted by three courts, and after fulfilling the bail conditions, was “unlawful, arbitrary and an egregious violation” of his human rights.
The applicant also urged the ECOWAS Court to hold that it was, “a most egregious violation of the treaty obligations” signed by Nigeria under and by virtue of its being a signatory to legal instruments, to have unlawfully detained him under a “de-humanizing condition” after he had been granted bail and met the conditions for his release.
Similarly, the former NSA would want the court to declare that the alleged invasion of his privacy, home and correspondence at his Abuja and Sokoto residences on July 16 and 17, 2015 and the “forceful and unlawful seizure” of his properties, “without any lawful order or warrant” constituted a gross violation of his fundamental rights and offended the country’s treaty obligations as a signatory to the listed legal instruments.
Meanwhile, Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday ordered Dasuki be produced in court on February 16 following his absence in court without any reason.
The judge said it was mandatory for a defendant in a criminal matter to be physically present in court at every stage of the prosecution except where the presence was an excuse.
Dasuki’s counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), had also complained that his client was abducted by security agents six weeks ago to an unknown destination. He told Justice Ademola that since the ex-NSA was whisked away, all efforts by his family and his lawyers to access him had been scuttled.
Daudu recalled that in three different High Courts where Dasuki was arraigned by the Federal Government, his client was admitted to bail, regretting that till date, the government and its agents have refused to allow Dasuki go on bail. He urged the judge to compel the Federal Government and its agents to respect the court’s decision, having joined issues with the defendant in court.
Justice Ademola said: “I am worried that the accused is not here. I do not want to set a bad precedent. Except the court gives express order for the defendant not to be in court, the accused must be brought to court from wherever he is. The accused must be here because I am not sure if what I am doing right now in the absence of the accused is not an illegality.
“Government and whoever is concerned must endeavour to do the necessary thing. The accused having been formally charged in court, must be produced in court for trial on the appointed days in compliance with the provisions of the law,” he said.
Earlier, counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Dikpo Okpeseyi (SAN), said he applied for withdrawal of an application he had filed, seeking revocation of bail granted Dasuki on November 3 last year.
The judge consequently struck out the application and announced that the ruling would be delivered on February 16 in a pending government application, seeking secret trial of the former NSA.
The government arraigned Dasuki on charges of unlawful possession of fire-arms, breach of trust and money laundering.
Meanwhile, Dasuki’s trial has been fixed for February 16 and 17 before Justice Ademola
Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd), has dragged the Federal Government before ECOWAS Court in Abuja over his continued detention. He is also demanding payment of N500 million damages for alleged rights infringement.
This is even as a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the government to produce him by February 16.
Dasuki is also urging the sub-regional court to order his release forthwith.
In the suit filed by his lawyer, Robert Emukpoeruo, the former NSA is urging the court to declare among others, that his continued detention in defiance of orders for his bail granted by three courts, and after fulfilling the bail conditions, was “unlawful, arbitrary and an egregious violation” of his human rights.
The applicant also urged the ECOWAS Court to hold that it was, “a most egregious violation of the treaty obligations” signed by Nigeria under and by virtue of its being a signatory to legal instruments, to have unlawfully detained him under a “de-humanizing condition” after he had been granted bail and met the conditions for his release.
Similarly, the former NSA would want the court to declare that the alleged invasion of his privacy, home and correspondence at his Abuja and Sokoto residences on July 16 and 17, 2015 and the “forceful and unlawful seizure” of his properties, “without any lawful order or warrant” constituted a gross violation of his fundamental rights and offended the country’s treaty obligations as a signatory to the listed legal instruments.
Meanwhile, Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday ordered Dasuki be produced in court on February 16 following his absence in court without any reason.
The judge said it was mandatory for a defendant in a criminal matter to be physically present in court at every stage of the prosecution except where the presence was an excuse.
Dasuki’s counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), had also complained that his client was abducted by security agents six weeks ago to an unknown destination. He told Justice Ademola that since the ex-NSA was whisked away, all efforts by his family and his lawyers to access him had been scuttled.
Daudu recalled that in three different High Courts where Dasuki was arraigned by the Federal Government, his client was admitted to bail, regretting that till date, the government and its agents have refused to allow Dasuki go on bail. He urged the judge to compel the Federal Government and its agents to respect the court’s decision, having joined issues with the defendant in court.
Justice Ademola said: “I am worried that the accused is not here. I do not want to set a bad precedent. Except the court gives express order for the defendant not to be in court, the accused must be brought to court from wherever he is. The accused must be here because I am not sure if what I am doing right now in the absence of the accused is not an illegality.
“Government and whoever is concerned must endeavour to do the necessary thing. The accused having been formally charged in court, must be produced in court for trial on the appointed days in compliance with the provisions of the law,” he said.
Earlier, counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Dikpo Okpeseyi (SAN), said he applied for withdrawal of an application he had filed, seeking revocation of bail granted Dasuki on November 3 last year.
The judge consequently struck out the application and announced that the ruling would be delivered on February 16 in a pending government application, seeking secret trial of the former NSA.
The government arraigned Dasuki on charges of unlawful possession of fire-arms, breach of trust and money laundering.
Meanwhile, Dasuki’s trial has been fixed for February 16 and 17 before Justice Ademola
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Wike Talks Tough, “I Wont Go Down Alone, If I Go Down Everyone Goes Down With Me!”
Wike Talks Tough, “I Wont Go Down Alone, If I Go Down Everyone Goes Down With Me!”
Some aides and close associates of Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State have expressed fears over what they referred to as the “uncharitable threats” by the Governor. Governor Wike who is said to be troubled by the spate of defections that is on going in his party, the People’s Democratic Party in Rivers State has issued a threat while meeting with selected members of the PDP leadership. Worried about the defection he said:
“Everybody is running away to APC and they expect me to stay calm and suffer the brunt alone. It will never happen. We were in it together and we must suffer together. If they say I stole money in the Ministry of Education, I didn’t eat it alone. All of you took part. Some of you built the Almajari Schools, some built the Unity Schools, some supplied books, others supervised projects. I have my proofs. Today everybody is shouting Wike killed to get to power. Did I as a person kill any Rivers man, No. They were killed in your LGAs by your boys. Now all of you are planning to run to APC for protection. I called you here today to inform you that I won’t accept that. I must fight back. If I go down, everybody goes down”
“Chief Awuse is now comfortable meeting with Andrew Uchendu. He does not remind us anymore of how Andrew Uchendu fought against him. Rather he has all of a sudden realized that Andrew Uchendu is Godfather to his son. See Ogiri. He is now running around Emeka Beke and sending people to Dakuku. Everyone wants to play safe, even madam. Nobody is talking; nobody wants to be on our side any more. I will fight oh. You see the way Dasuki did his, that is exact what l will do. I will name all of you one after another.”
One of the sources from Emohua Local Government Area who was also at the meeting said the “Governor has become very desperate and feels that blackmail, intimidation and threats can keep people around him.
Some aides and close associates of Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State have expressed fears over what they referred to as the “uncharitable threats” by the Governor. Governor Wike who is said to be troubled by the spate of defections that is on going in his party, the People’s Democratic Party in Rivers State has issued a threat while meeting with selected members of the PDP leadership. Worried about the defection he said:
“Everybody is running away to APC and they expect me to stay calm and suffer the brunt alone. It will never happen. We were in it together and we must suffer together. If they say I stole money in the Ministry of Education, I didn’t eat it alone. All of you took part. Some of you built the Almajari Schools, some built the Unity Schools, some supplied books, others supervised projects. I have my proofs. Today everybody is shouting Wike killed to get to power. Did I as a person kill any Rivers man, No. They were killed in your LGAs by your boys. Now all of you are planning to run to APC for protection. I called you here today to inform you that I won’t accept that. I must fight back. If I go down, everybody goes down”
“Chief Awuse is now comfortable meeting with Andrew Uchendu. He does not remind us anymore of how Andrew Uchendu fought against him. Rather he has all of a sudden realized that Andrew Uchendu is Godfather to his son. See Ogiri. He is now running around Emeka Beke and sending people to Dakuku. Everyone wants to play safe, even madam. Nobody is talking; nobody wants to be on our side any more. I will fight oh. You see the way Dasuki did his, that is exact what l will do. I will name all of you one after another.”
One of the sources from Emohua Local Government Area who was also at the meeting said the “Governor has become very desperate and feels that blackmail, intimidation and threats can keep people around him.
BREAKING: Court grants Metuh bail
BREAKING: Court grants Metuh bail
Olisa_Metuh
Justice Abang Okon of the Federal High Court has granted the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh bail in the sum of N400million and two sureties in like sum.
According to Abang in his ruling, the sureties must be resident in Abuja and must also swear affidavit of means.
Metuh will remain in prison custody pending when he meets the bail condition.
Details shortly…
Olisa_Metuh
Justice Abang Okon of the Federal High Court has granted the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh bail in the sum of N400million and two sureties in like sum.
According to Abang in his ruling, the sureties must be resident in Abuja and must also swear affidavit of means.
Metuh will remain in prison custody pending when he meets the bail condition.
Details shortly…
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