36 GOVERNORS TODAY ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA Adarode news ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI NEWS ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING AGBARHO NEWS AGBON KINGDOM news AGBOR ADVERTISER AGHALOKPE JOURNAL AGHALOKPE MIRROR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE NEWS AHMAD SANI YERIMA AHMAN LAWAN AHMED MAKARFI AIMELE NEWS AJAKA NEWS AJAMIKARAWA SUN AJAOKUTA SUN AJAOKUTA TELEGRAPH AJAOKUTA VOICE AJIMELE NEWS AKOGATE NEWS AKPATA DIGEST AKPOMU READER AKWA IBOM DAILY NEWS AKWA IBOM PILOT ALAUSA NEWS ALAUSA TODAY
demands probe into Ajaokuta Steel Company mismanagement NANS tasks Tinubu on corruption

NANS tasks Tinubu on corruption, demands probe into Ajaokuta Steel Company mismanagement

 

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, on Monday expressed concerns about misconduct in Ajaokuta Steel Company and urged President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough investigation into reported mismanagement.

 

‘’If there are individuals or group of individuals protecting the corrupt managers of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and hereby shielding them from any form of probe and judgement, it simply means that they are beneficiaries of the ill-gotten proceeds of the mismanagement or they have other personal interests that are not people-friendly and that are tantamount to water down or nullify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fight against corruption. These set of people should also be probed. They may even be part of those used by these selfish leaders to loot the treasury of the steel company dry.’’

 

The student body implored the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices & Other related Offences Commission (ICPC) to stand their ground against every form of intimidation or shielding, as they probe and investigate mismanagement in Ajaokuta Steel Company.

 

‘’While the revamping of this company is going on, the probing of these culprits should aggressively continue. Both can go concurrently, and one will not affect another. As a matter of fact, the probing is an essential part of the revamping because investigators and other Stakeholders may discover in the course of probing that some bad eggs are still on the management and staff of this Steel Company. With these probes, many unveilings will take place, giving way to a holistic revitalization and resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company’’.

 

The umbrella body with over 50million members across the nation in a press release said those involved in the mismanagement of this company must be brought to book immediately:

 

‘’This is simply because if these offenders are brought to book, it will serve as a deterrent to others who are aspiring to steal from the company as soon as it starts operation again. Bringing them to book will help the company grow in the sense that the money recovered from these offenders would be pumped back into the company and it will give it a higher lift in every sense’’.

 

In the release signed by NANS Universal President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, GCNS, the association vowed not to back down on fights of this peculiarity, especially one that is against the tenets of financial accountability and transparency.

 

‘’Power intoxicates, and absolute power intoxicates absolutely. Having a Sole Administrator for the past 12 years to oversee a public and national company like Ajaokuta Steel is not good enough. This gives room to corruption in the sense that there will be no one else to check the excesses of the Sole Administrator and this may give him/her an ample chance to misuse the trust and powers given to him/her. Hence, power in this institution should be broken down to the Managing Director, Executive Director Technical Services, Executive Director Finance and other directorates for more effectiveness, accountability and productivity that will culminate in efficacious checking and balancing’’.

 

The association stressed the importance of addressing concerns raised by Nigerians and ensuring that no single tribe, out of the over 200 tribes in Nigeria has the right to lay claim of sole ownership to this government project built from the nation’s taxpayers’ money.

 

‘’In as much as this company is Federal Government owned, one particular group should never claim ownership and control of it because it’s built on their land. Just the way no single tribe is laying claims to the oil in the Niger Delta and the Hydroelectric dams in Kanji and its environs, This company should be a haven of massive employment opportunities for us Nigerian Students upon graduation and it should also be a technology site where our potential engineering students all over the country could come and experience technological innovations at its peak as they aspire for greatness in the field of engineering. So, no single tribe, out of the over 200 tribes in Nigeria has the right to lay claim of sole ownership to this government project built from the nation’s taxpayers’ money. This must be checkmated’’.

 

The association underlined Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the development of the country.

 

‘’We want to sincerely appreciate H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the humongous effort he has put into the development of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, since he assumed office. From history, apart from the Shehu Shagari era, this will be the first time that this company would be having this kind of unusual support from the Federal Government. This is highly commendable. We also want to appreciate the office of the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio for his huge and tireless efforts in making sure that this company comes back on its feet and deliver the purpose with which it was founded. All his efforts are seen, and they won’t go unappreciated’’.

 

It commended members of the National Assembly, especially Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who raised one issue or the other in support of the growth and development of the company.

 

‘’We believe that their efforts shall not go unrewarded and their wishes towards the progress of Ajaokuta Steel Company will come to materialization in no distant time’’.

 

The association highlighted the dedication of the government and the stakeholders.

 

‘’Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company have remained in operational, but resuscitation plans of the projects are near with the attraction of investors in topmost gear. The government and the stakeholders alike are working assiduously to see that the company comes back to life. This is a good omen for the Renewed Hope Agenda to continue to flourish amidst the global economic crisis that has engulfed the world right about now.

 

It pointed out that individuals who brought the Ajaokuta Steel Company to this comatose are still walking the street un-investigated and unpunished.

 

‘’These people who have been indicted to the tune of several millions of US dollars further siphoned $496m in September 2022 through Buhari’s administration. They have neither been probed nor punished. This is not a good precedence at all and if unchecked would create an avenue for dabbling into President Tinubu’s efforts of resuscitating the steel plant’’.

 

‘’These individuals including past corrupt government executives denied the public, most especially the youth, the benefit of experiencing the exodus of job opportunities, technological exposure and economic emancipation that would have been massively accrued to us all these while if they had done what was expected of them. These people selfishly and callously mismanaged Ajaokuta Steel Company and grounded it with the notion that nothing will happen in the end. If acts like these go un-investigated and unpunished, what is now the tendency that after rebuilding, some other people would not come and do the same thing to loot and ground it again the umpteenth time? This should not be so’’.

 

 

 

NANS CALLS FOR PROBE OF MISMANAGEMENT IN AJAOKUTA STEEL COMPANY LIMITED AS ITS

 

RESUSCITATION CONTINUES

 

APPRECIATION:

 

The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the umbrella body with over 50million members across the nation, wants to sincerely appreciate H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the humongous effort he has put into the development of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, since he assumed office. From history, apart from the Shehu Shagari era, this will be the first time that this company would be having this kind of unusual support from the Federal Government. This is highly commendable.

 

We also want to appreciate the office of the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot AKPABIO, CON, for his huge and tireless efforts in making sure that this company comes back on its feet and deliver the purpose with which it was

 

founded. All his efforts are seen and they won’t go unappreciated.

 

Finally we want to thank the members of the National Assembly especially Senator Natasha Uduaghan, who raised one issue or the other in support of the growth and development of this company. We believe that their efforts shall not go unrewarded and their wishes towards the progress of Ajaokuta Steel Company will come to materialization in no distant time.

 

THE STATUS QUO:

 

Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company have remained inoperational but resuscitation plans of the projects are near with the attraction of investors in topmost gear. The government and the stakeholders alike are working assiduously to see that the company comes back to life. This is a good omen for the Renewed Hope Agenda to continue to flourish amidst the global economic crisis that has engulfed the world right about now.

 

It is also worthy of note that the set of individuals who brought the Ajaokuta Steel Company to this comatose are still walking the street uninvestigated and unpunished. These people who have been indicted to the tune of several millions of US dollars

 

further siphoned $496m in September 2022 through Buhari’s administration. They have neither been probed nor punished.

 

This Ref No: NANS/VOL1/GA1/ A73 10 March, 2024 is not a good precedence at all and if unchecked would create an avenue for dabbling into President Tinubu’s efforts of resuscitating the steel plant.

 

These individuals including past corrupt government executives denied the public, most especially the youth, the benefit of experiencing the exodus of job opportunities, technological exposure and economic emancipation that would have been massively accrued to us all these while if they had done what was expected of them. They selfishly and callously mismanaged Ajaokuta Steel Company and grounded it with the notion that nothing will happen in the end. If acts like these go uninvestigated and unpunished, what is now the tendency that after rebuilding, some other people would not come and do the same thing to loot and ground it again the umpteenth time? This should not be so.

 

OUR STANCE AS NANS:

 

  1. EVERY PERSON INVOLVED IN THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THIS COMPANY MUST BE BROUGHT TO BOOK IMMEDIATELY:

 

This is simply because if these offenders are brought to book, it will serve as a deterrent to others who are aspiring to steal from the company as soon as it starts operation again. Bringing them to book will help the company grow in the sense that the money recovered from these offenders would be pumped back into the company and it will give it a higher lift in every sense;

 

  1. REVAMPING SHOULD NOT DISRUPT PROBING:

 

While the revamping of this company is going on, the probing of these culprits should aggressively continue. Both can go concurrently and one will not affect another. As a matter of fact, the probing is an essential part of the revamping because investigators and other Stakeholders may discover in the course of probing that some bad eggs are still on the management and staff of this Steel Company. With these probes, many unveilings will take place, giving way to a holistic revitalization and resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company;

 

  1. DECENTRALIZATION OF POWER IN THE STEELCOMPANY:

 

Power intoxicates and absolute power intoxicates absolutely. Having a Sole Administrator for the past 12 years to oversee a public and national company like Ajaokuta Steel is not good enough. This gives room to corruption in the sense that there will be no one else to check the excesses of the Sole Administrator and this may give him/her an ample chance to misuse the trust and powers given to him/her. Hence, power in this institution should be broken down to the Managing Director, Executive Director Technical Services , Executive Director Finance and other directorates for more effectiveness, accountability and productivity that will culminate in efficacious checking and balancing; and

 

  1. DETRIBALIZATION OFAJAOKUTASTEELCOMPANY:

 

In as much as this company is Federal Government owned, one particular group should never claim ownership and control of it because it’s built on their land. Just the way no single tribe is laying claims to the the oil in the Niger Delta and the Hydroelectric dams in Kanji and its environs, we see no reason why the Ebira people will turn the Ajaokuta Steel Company to their personal property and would never want others to benefit from the largesse that should come with it. This company should be a haven of massive employment opportunities for us Nigerian Students upon graduation and it should also be a technology site where our potential engineering students all over the country could come and experience technological innovations at its peak as they aspire for greatness in the field of engineering. So, no single tribe, out of the over 200 tribes in Nigeria has the right to lay claim of sole ownership to this government project built from the nation’s taxpayers money. This must be checkmated.

 

Conclusive, if there are individuals or group of individuals protecting the corrupt managers of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and hereby shielding them from any form of probe and judgement, it simply means that they are beneficiaries of the ill-gotten proceeds of the mismanagement or they have other personal interests that are not people-friendly and that are tantamount to water down or nullify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fight against corruption. These set of people should also be probed. They may even be part of those used by these selfish leaders to loot the treasury of the steel company dry. The Nigerian Students are not the type to back down on fights of this peculiarity, especially one that is against the tenets of financial accountability and transparency. Hence, we implore the EFCC, ICPC and other related agencies to stand their ground against every form of intimidation or shielding, as they probe and investigate these heartless people.

 

SIGNED:

 

Comr. Lucky Emonefe, GCNS

 

NANS Universal President

admin
ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA Adarode news ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI NEWS ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING
2023 Julius Berger/Media Executives Parley: “Proudly we say Admin. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc Exec. Dir. Julius Berger is the most widely and positively reported engineering construction company in Nigeria today.“ Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi

2023 Julius Berger/Media Executives Parley: “Proudly we say, Julius Berger is the most widely and positively reported engineering construction company in Nigeria today.“ Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi, Exec. Dir., Admin. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc  

 

Leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has declared the multi-dimensional support given it by Nigerian media as responsible for the overwhelming positive public goodwill the organisation enjoyed in the outgoing year.

The company’s Director, Administration, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi who made the declaration during the end of year media parley of the company in Utako Abuja said, “I wish to once again place on record your tremendous assistance in so graciously publishing and giving eloquent voice and distinctive vision to our company’s business and social activities since the year began till now.“

According to him, the shared interests in each others developmental work and pursuit made it possible, adding, “while some of our satisfied and enthusiastic clients and understandably impressed Nigerians could say, the landmark quality project delivery record of the company is responsible for the effective media reportage on Julius Berger projects and general operations across its subsidiaries, an outstanding and evident truth, however, is that our company’s contractual dedication, our commanding engineering and project management quality and our unmatched reliability in project delivery time, could not have publicised themselves without the active cooperation of you, our great media partners, correspondents, bureau chiefs, editors and publishers.“

Alhaji Bayi further said the company owes the foregoing positive development to the irreducible and highly valued understanding and cooperation of the media practitioners, adding, “… I can confidently, even proudly say, Julius Berger is about the most widely and positively reported engineering construction company in Nigeria today.“

He spoke on the idea of the company hosting the annual media parley saying that it is borne out of the company’s sincere desire to get to relate with media partners at a closer range deliberately removed from official communication channels. Bayi added that a strategy like the annual parley easily activitaes  a warmer comradeship and camaraderie that further consolidates a healthy relationship, thus creating for both the Media and Julius Berger an ever progressive mutual understanding that continues to oil the good and worthy bond already established in active and enlightened furtherance of Nigeria’s national development agenda.

Moving forward, Alhaji Bayi continued, “in the context of Julius Berger’s very healthy relationship with the Press, a cursory look into the future indicates a lot of unending possibilities and opportunities that ensure to a renewed hope“ even as he expressed the hope to work with the media partners on a stronger scale than ever before, “as we together aspire for greater cooperation and a more productive and rewarding future and country.“

Institutional and Individual media practitioners at the event were clearly appreciative of the efforts of Julius Berger in relating with the press even as they pledge to continue to oil the wheel of progressive relationship with the company.

The national Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Shuaibu Usman Leman who represented the NUJ President and delivered the goodwill message of the NUJ at the event, said, “For us in the NUJ, this parley is a welcome development seen as a very creative and working strategy; it is an integral part of your approach towards meaningfully improving the relationship between Julius Berger and the larger society using the media.“ Comrade Shuaibu Usman Leman called the Julius Berger annual media parley “a strategy geared towards building a stronger synergy between the press, Nigerians and the company for the development of Nigeria,“ adding that the idea and implementation of the Julius Berger media parley serves to amplify the serious efforts of the company in contributing to harmonious social engagement for a more informed, peaceful and progressive society within the developmental aspirations of ‘Project Nigeria.‘ “We appreciate Julius Berger for the invitation and we urge the company to continue to uphold the high professional standards and premium quality of work you are known for,“ Comrade Shuaibu said.

On her part, in delivering the goodwill message from the Executive Management of the Nigerian Television Authority, the Director, News, Hajiya Halima Musa, Mni, celebrateted Julius Berger as having, by the company’s annual media parley, created a veritable ‘Meeting Point‘ for busy media practitioners who for the most time do not socialise with each other to engage outside of their hectic and sometimes all-engaging schedules. For this, Hajiya thanked the Executive Management of Julius Berger, urging journalists to give meaningful coverage to Julius Berger’s works and social activities even as she urged for transparency and accountability.

The executive Director of the Leadership newspaper, Christian Ochiama also thanked the company for it‘s proactive media engagement policy and prayed for the continuing success of Julius Berger.

The Lagos event had the company’s Head of Media Relations, Prince Moses Duku delivering the address of the Executive Management to the media practioners and executives.

Wole Olajide of Stockswatch magazine summed up the views of the media in Lagos thus: “…in fairness to the company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has contributed a lot to the quality delivery of notable infrastructures in this country. As critical as the Nigerian Press is, I do not see any dissenting voice coming up against the popular viewpoint that Julius Berger Nigeria is central to Nigeria’s infrastructural development in all ramifications. We very objectively hail Julius Berger that has guaranteed quality and timely delivery of critical infrastructures in the land.“

Mr. Wole further said, “…Also, I must not fail to mention that this innovative annual end-of-year Julius Berger Management/Media parley event has continued to assist a very transparent, mutually respectful, and helpful relationship between the very independent Nigerian Press and the company. It is worth emulating by other serious corporate brands in the country. But we understand; Julius Berger is the sector,s leading brand.“

Also present from Julius Berger at the Lagos event were Project Coordinator, Lagos-Sagamu Expressway, Engr. Fatima Kosemani, Senior Executive, Strategic Business Development, Mrs Ndifreke Ukochio as well as other staff of the engineering construction company including Emmanuel Isibor, Mobolaji Ogunyemi, , Kelly Idemudia, Teniola Oladapo and Peace Onuoha.

===========

 

Gov. Zulum assures NDLEA of enhanced partnership as Marwa rallies Borno stakeholders

 

 

Borno state governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA of his commitment to bolstering the current partnership between his government and the anti-narcotics agency to achieve the goal of a drug free society across all 27 local council areas of the state.

 

Prof. Zulum gave the assurance when he hosted the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) who was in Borno for a three-day war against drug abuse, WADA, advocacy visit to mobilise relevant stakeholders to take ownership of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

 

While commending the governor for his remarkable achievements in office, Marwa briefed him on the purpose of his visit as part of his ongoing social advocacy sensitization efforts across the country to engage with stakeholders with a view to cascading WADA efforts at the national level down to the grassroots and communities. He said everything must be done to drastically reduce demand for illicit drugs and cut down access and availability of psychoactive substances because of the nexus between illicit drugs and the security challenges facing the state and the country as a whole.

 

Governor Zulum in his response acknowledged Marwa’s inspiring leadership qualities everywhere he had served including Borno as the state’s former military governor and his commitment to the drug fight. He assured the NDLEA boss of the readiness of his government to strengthen and enlarge the existing collaboration in the interest of law and order as well as humanity.

 

While on his advocacy visit to the palace of Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba Elkanemi, the NDLEA chairman urged the respected monarch to continue his support for the fight against illicit drugs while calling for drug test for intending couples as part of conditions for the conduct of weddings. He said this will discourage a lot of young people from going into substance abuse. In his response, the Shehu assured Marwa that all the 59 district heads under his emirate and the Chief Imam of Borno, Alhaji Zanna Laisu Ibrahim Ahmad present at the meeting will go back to their domains to implement the idea including setting up of drug control committees in their communities.

 

The same understanding was equally reached in another engagement with the Council of Ulamas led by the Chief Imam, Zanna Laisu Ibrahim Ahmad. The idea was equally endorsed by the Christian community in another meeting held with leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Borno. Chairman of CAN in the state, Most Rev Dr. John Bogna Bakeni while commending Marwa’s integrity, hardwork and selfless service to humanity said “the Christian community in Borno is ever ready to partner with you and your agency on this course because government alone can’t fight the drug scourge.”

 

Marwa and his delegation also made a stop over at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, where he encouraged the Theatre Commander, Major General Gold Chibuisi and his commanding officers to continue their support, patriotism and sacrifice for the nation. He called for more collaboration with NDLEA to cut off access to illicit drugs by insurgents as well as drug test and sensitization lectures for troops on the dangers of illicit substances to their wellbeing. Major Gen. Chibuisi in his response promised to make the drug fight part of the counter-insurgency efforts while increasing partnership with the anti-narcotics agency.

 

In his meeting with chairmen of local government areas in the state, Marwa charged them on collaboration as the agency prepares to establish presence in all the local councils across the country in the coming year. The state Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele and the LGA bosses assured of their preparedness while offering suggestions on how the synergy will work.

Also speaking during an advocacy visit to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba and his management team, the NDLEA boss called for drug test for fresh and returning students to discourage those with disposition to abuse illicit substances. While asking that the school’s counselling unit be strengthened to be able to respond to early signs of drug abuse, Marwa also assured that “we’ll like to work with the university to fish out members of the university community selling illicit drugs.”

 

In his response, Prof. Shugaba said “drug test is a great idea. We share and buy the idea and believe it will reduce drug abuse. The drug problem is of a serious concern in the university because most of those arrested for theft and other vices are found to be on drugs. As such, we will take your suggestions and implement them immediately.” He called for the setting up of an NDLEA Post on the campus and a Memorandum of Understanding between the university and the agency.

 

A stakeholders meeting was later held at the Indimi Hall of the university where Marwa and his team had interactions with members of other security agencies, students, transport unions, women groups, Youth Corp members, civil society organisations and many others.

 

Femi Babafemi

Director, Media & Advocacy

NDLEA Headquarters Abuja

Wednesday 15th November 2023

 

 

Kano High Court jails Benjamin Okechukwu Udeagwu and Benjamin Amos Olamide for internet- related offences

A Kano State High Court presided over by Honorable Justice Ibrahim Musa Karaye has convicted and sentenced two fraudsters, Benjamin Okechukwu Udeagwu and Benjamin Amos Olamide to three years imprisonment for internet- related offences.

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one- count separate charges bordering on internet fraud upon their arraignment by the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The charge against Udeagwu reads: “That You, Benjamin Okechukwu Udeagwu sometime in September, 2023 in Kano within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kano with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $50 by fraudulently impersonating as Brad George a citizen of United States of America which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence of cheating by personation contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 324 of same law.”

The charge against Olamide reads: “That you Benjamin Amos Olamide ‘m’ sometime in 2022 at Kano, Kano State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did dishonestly induce unsuspecting victims to deliver to you a total sum of $500 ( Five Hundred dollars only) to you as Terry Vince who lives in United States of America, through a gmail account waytospace420cgmail.com which presence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of cheating contrary to Section 320 of the Penal Code Law of Kano State and punishable under Section 322 of the same law”

In view of their pleas, EFCC’s counsels, Abubakar Hassan Elbadawi and Fatima Mustapha prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Counsels for the defendants, M.J Ella and M.E Ogah pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stressing that “the defendants were first- time offenders and have regretted their actions”.

Justice Karaye convicted and sentenced Udeagwu to one year imprisonment or an option of fine of N20, 000 (Twenty Thousand Naira only).

Olamide, on the other hand, was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira only).

The two convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested by operatives of the EFCC for impersonation and internet- related offences. They were charged to court and convicted.


Media & Publicity

November 14, 2023.

 

EFCC arraigns Oladipo Jimoh alongside his firm, Barma Energy Resources Limited,

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, arraigned one Oladipo Jimoh alongside his firm, Barma Energy Resources Limited, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on two-count charges bordering on stealing to the tune of $60, 334.59 (Sixty Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Four Dollars, Fifty Nine Cents).

Count one reads: “Oladipo Bankole Jimoh and Barma Energy Resources Limited, sometime between 11th October, 2022 and July 2023 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $47,534.59, property of Vale Blue Limited.”

Count two reads: “Oladipo Bankole Jimoh and Barma Energy Resources Limited, sometime between 11th October 2022 and July 2023 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $12,800, property of Vale Blue Limited.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the two- count charges when they were read to him.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, G.C. Akaogu, prayed the court for a trial date to enable the prosecution to prove its case against the defendants.

“We also pray that the defendant be remanded at a Correctional Centre,” he said. However, defence counsel, A.K. Akpabio, informed the court of the bail application filed on behalf of her clients.

“We pray that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC custody until the bail is perfected,” she said.

Justice Dada admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200 million, with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be gainfully employed and each must have N100 million in his/her account or a valued landed property.

Justice Dada held that “the defendant shall be remanded at the Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail.”

The judge also ruled that “in view of the fact that there are no Correctional officers in court today, due to security reasons, the defendant shall temporarily be remanded in the EFCC custody.”

The case was adjourned till February 12, 2024 for commencement of trial.


Media & Publicity

November 14, 2023.

  •  

 

EFCC arraigns Aisha for criminal misappropriation

 

The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, arraigned Aisha Sabo before Justice Fadima Murtala Aminu of the Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe State on one -count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation to the tune of N10,473,500.00 (Ten Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand Five Hundred Naira).

The lone-count charge reads: “That you Aisha Sabo on or about March, 2022 at Damaturu, Yobe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly converts the aggregate sum of N10,473,500.00 (Ten Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand Five Hundred Naira) which you reasonably ought to have known that it forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal misappropriation and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge when it was read to her.

EFCC Counsel, Muhktar Ali Ahmed, thereafter prayed the court for a trial date while defence counsel, M.M Ngumurumi applied for the bail of the defendant.

Justice Fadima adjourned the matter till January 24, 2024 for commencement of trial and admitted the defendant to bail with two sureties who must be resident in any local government area of Yobe State.

She further ordered that one of the sureties must be a traditional or religious leader, while the second surety must be a reasonable person in Yobe State. All the sureties are to be verified by the EFCC.

Sabo was arrested by operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the EFCC for converting N10, 473,500.00 belonging to a petitioner to her own use.


Media & Publicity

November 14, 2023.

 

 

November 15, 2023

Press Statement

Nigeria Sliding into Totalitarianism, Anarchy – PDP Raises Alarm

…Says Nation’s Democracy, Unity in Danger

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raises alarm to Nigerians and the International Community that the nation is dangerously sliding into totalitarianism and anarchy under the brazenly repressive and anti-people All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

The PDP alerts of attempts and actions of a cabal within the Presidency to emasculate the Institutions of Democracy in Nigeria, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Judiciary in the desperation to foist a one-Party State on Nigerians.

This unfolding anti-democratic scenario is not only evident in the manipulation of elections but also in the conflicting judgments by electoral Courts, especially some Election Appeal Court Panels which judgments are in conflict with the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC’s Guidelines and Regulations for elections.

What is more worrisome is that these obnoxiously contradictory judgments are targeted at the PDP to the effect that elections that were clearly won by PDP candidates are snatched away at the Courts and awarded to defeated candidates of the APC contrary to the provisions of the Law.

Aside from the preponderance of such ugly scenarios in Plateau State, the conduct and outcome of certain election petitions in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Nasarawa and other States of the nation where PDP was robbed of victory through the Courts are pointers to a systemic emasculation of the opposition in a bid to impose a one-Party State and pave way for totalitarianism in the country.

This situation is a clear and present danger to the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy, unity, political stability and corporate existence as a nation, which is capable of breeding agitation, citizens loss of confidence in the system, restiveness, anarchy and chaos.

Democracy must be allowed to thrive as the government of the people as expressed by their Will at elections. Any intrusion, breach, violation and/or transgression against that expressed Will as being witnessed today under the APC is a clear recipe for serious political crisis and portends grave consequences for our country.

It is therefore imperative to draw the attention of Nigerians and the whole world to the undermining and crippling of democracy and the danger our nation is facing at this moment.

The PDP calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the custodian of the government to come clean by speaking out and denouncing any attempt or action that is capable of stifling democracy, the Rule of Law and muzzling of the independence of the Judiciary which is suggestive of a fait accompli on election matters pending before the Courts.

Our Party urges the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the President of the Court of Appeal to step in and assert the independence of the judiciary at this critical time for the defence and sustenance of democracy and the Rule of Law in Nigeria

The PDP charges Nigerians and indeed all lovers of democracy across the world to rise to the occasion, speak out and take urgent legitimate steps to defend, protect and preserve our hard-earned Democracy from the onslaught of the APC.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba

National Publicity Secretary

  • Appeal Court Ruling: Sanwo-Olu hails Judiciary, recommits self to Greater Lagos Agenda

 

With sense of humility, I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal, which ruled today in our favour, thereby validating the position of Lagosians who freely cast their ballots to return my deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and I as Governor and Deputy Governor of our dear State. We do not take it for granted.

 

Today’s judicial pronouncements, like those of the Lagos State Elections Petition Tribunal, have buoyed my confidence in our country’s judicial system. The Court examined all the  issues and did justice to them, without leaving anyone in doubt as to who is the rightful winner of the   election.

 

Our party, the All Progressives Congress(APC) will continue to maintain its firm belief in the judicial process.

My deputy and I have satisfied all the constitutional requirements and are now more focused on delivering the democratic dividends to our people.

 

With deep gratitude to the Almighty God, I humbly accept today’s Appeal Court verdict, with a sense of responsibility and a desire to continue with the giant strides of our administration so as to leave a great legacy for our people.

 

The judicial victory has further strengthened my resolve to impact the lives of Lagos residents positively, regardless of their political persuasion, in line with our THEMES+ development agenda.

 

We urge our opponents to embrace the olive branch and join our sure march to the Greater Lagos that keeps rising by the day.

 

May God bless Lagos State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

15th November, 2023.

 

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU HONOURS INVITATION TO GUINEA-BISSAU FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMEMORATION

President Bola Tinubu will, on Thursday, join other Heads of State and Government in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, to celebrate the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary and Armed Forces Day.

President Tinubu will arrive in Bissau on Thursday for the ceremony, which will be hosted by President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

Guinea-Bissau marked its 50th Independence Anniversary on September 24, 2023, but the Government had scheduled all celebrations for November 16, 2023.

The President is expected to return to Nigeria on Thursday.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

November 15, 2023

 

NBA commends EFCC on its adherence to the rule of law in the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on its adherence to the rule of law in the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

 

It gave this commendation on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 when a delegation of the Association led by the Chairperson, Human Right Committee of the NBA, Benin Branch, Edo State, Ebehitale Osarumwense paid a courtesy visit to the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC.

According to Osarumwense, the dedication of the Commission in keeping faith with the rule of law in combating economic and financial crimes is commendable, urging it to intensify efforts in responding to petitions from the public.

“We appreciate you for accepting to engage with us in this meaningful dialogue. The relationship between our organization and yours has come a long way, I felt this was an opportunity to familiarize and further strengthen the existing cordial relationship between us”, she said.

Responding, the Benin Zonal Commander of EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Kanu Idagu said the Executive Chairman of the Commission , Ola Olukoyede upon resumption of office, has stressed the need for professionalism, integrity and the supremacy of the rule of law in the works of the EFCC.

He pointed out that the EFCC is a creation of the law and guided by the law. He urged lawyers to always verify claims made by their clients against the EFCC in order not to be misled.

“Our activities are in line with the rule of law. There is nothing we are going to do that will be at odds with the law. So, I want to urge you to always verify claims made by your clients against the EFCC in order not to be misled because the EFCC has zero tolerance for corruption and will not condone any act of professional misconduct in any of its personnel”, he said.

Media & Publicity

November 13, 2023

  •  

 

 

Court jails eight internet fraudsters Edo State

 

The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on November 6, 2023 secured the conviction and sentencing of eight internet fraudsters to various jail terms by Justice Efe Isoken Ikponmwonba of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State.

The convicts are: Pele Osai Wisdom, Olise Godspower Iknna , Okeke Benjamin Chinazor , Macdonald Iriaremhen Onajasike, Prince Joshua, Jethro Saapila , Gilbert Nelson Onyeka and Ojo Osatohhanmwen Favour.

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one- count separate charge bordering on obtaining under false pretense and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents.

One of the charges reads: “That you Pele Ossai Wisdom ( a.k.a Dickson Orakh ) sometimes between 19th February 2020 and 10th June 2020 in Ekpoma within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did obtain the aggregate sum of N3, 374,96.53 from one Dawn Aschenbrenner, a Canadian national under the pretense that the said money is the legal fee of one Emma Marcus who defrauded her of the sum of $213.832 which pretense you knew is false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act ,2006 and punishable under Section 1(3)of the same Act.

The convicts, upon their arraignment on October 6, 2023, pleaded guilty to their respective charges when read to them, prompting EFCC’s counsels: I.M Elodi, I.K Agwai, Salihu Ahmed and KY Bello to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

In her judgment, Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Pele Ossai Wisdom to 12 months’ imprisonment with an option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. He also forfeited the cash sum of N3,374.96.53 (Three Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, Ninety-Six Naira, Fifty-Three kobo) refund to Dawn Aschenbrenner, a Canadian national through the EFCC.

Onyeka, Iknna , Chinazor and Favour were sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. The duo of Joshua and Onajasike bagged two years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand naira) fine. Similarly, Saapila bagged two years imprisonment with an option of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.

In addition, the convicts forfeited mobile phones, laptops and money in their bank accounts, being proceeds of crimes to the Federal government of Nigeria.

The convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Commission based on actionable intelligence on their alleged internet fraud-related activities. They were charged to court and convicted.

Media & Publicity

November 13, 2023

 

 

CBN To Allow Old Design Naira Banknotes As Legal Tender, Ad Infinitum

 

Please recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced the redesign of N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations in October 2022 and certain deadlines were set for the old design of these denominations to cease as legal tenders. Without prejudice, the Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public of its desire to extend the legal tender status deadline of the old design of N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations, ad infinitum. This is in line with international best practices and to forestall a repeat of earlier experiences. Thus, all banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in accordance with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act 2007, will continue to remain legal tender, ad infinitum, even beyond the initial December 31, 2023, deadline. The Central Bank of Nigeria is working with the relevant authorities to vacate the subsisting court ruling on the same subject. Accordingly, all CBN branches across the country will continue to issue and accept all denominations of Nigerian banknotes, old and redesigned, to and from deposit money banks (DMBs). The general public is enjoined to continue to accept all Naira banknotes (old or redesigned) for day-to-day transactions and handle these banknotes with utmost care, to safeguard and protect the lifecycle of the banknotes. Also, the general public is encouraged to embrace alternative modes of payment, e-channels, for day-to-day transactions.

 

Isa AbdulMumin PhD

Director, Corporate Communications November 14, 2023

 

Omo-Agege Congratulates Gov. Uzodinma, Ododo; Thanks President Tinubu, Ganduje-Led APC NEC; And Commends Imo, Kogi Electorate For Supporting APC

The Deputy President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege heartily congratulates the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma and Governor-elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo on their decisive electoral victories in the just concluded gubernatorial elections in their respective states.

The former Deputy Senate President notes with profound joy that Governor Uzodinma’s emphatic success at the polls is a clear testament to the overwhelming confidence reposed in him by Imolites who see him work tirelessly daily for their common good. As his dear brother and friend with untiring capacity to do great things by the power of God, Senator Omo-Agege trusts that Governor Uzodinma is primed to do much more amazing things to lift up his good people, and prays that God guides him all the way.

Equally, Senator Omo-Agege is pleased that working with the good people of Kogi State and trusted leaders across the Kogi landscape, His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello and the Governor-elect, Alhaji Ododo stood firm to provide wise, focused and strategic leadership for the All Progressives Congress, APC, to win the governorship election in Kogi State. It is his sincere prayer that God will guide Mr. Governor-elect to lead Kogi well.

Senator Omo-Agege also extends his warm congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for allowing his credentials as a great democrat and statesman to speak eloquently for themselves in these off cycle elections, as he easily played the role of the ‘Father of All’ to further strengthen public confidence in our democracy. He equally extends his sincere congratulations to His Excellency, Dr. Umar Ganduje (APC’s National Chairman) and the entire members of the National Executive Committee of the party for their resourceful leadership at this crucial time of these elections.

Signed:

Sunny Areh

(Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege)

 

 

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU MEETS ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK MANAGEMENT, NEGOTIATES MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR FUNDING PACKAGE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday night, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, advanced negotiations concerning a multi-billion dollar infrastructure finance facility from the Islamic Development Bank to fund a multi-sectoral portfolio of infrastructure projects at the federal and sub-national levels in Nigeria.

This development was the outcome of substantive investment discussions held between President Tinubu and the Vice-President (Country Programs) of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Mansur Muhtar, after the President’s return from evening prayers.

“Nigeria is the candle of hope that will light the way for Africa. And once Africa is illuminated, the world will be a brighter place for all of humanity. We are determined to create a future for our gifted youths. Investments in Nigeria will be among the world’s most high-yielding. Investor money will flow easily in and out of our country. Processes will be seamless. And your bank has always been a faithful partner in progress.

“We have serious deficits in port infrastructure, power infrastructure, and agro-allied facilities that will enable sustainable food security in our country. These deficits present unrivalled opportunity for savvy investors in a market that is by far the largest on the continent. Yes, we had the vision to enable Lekki Deep Seaport before others saw it. We must be bold again.

“We inherited serious liabilities, but also assets from our predecessors. We do not make any excuses. There are several sectors replete with investment opportunity for smart investors. Access to finance and guarantees can be a hindrance in some cases. You can come in there. We see you as a critical enabler. You have partnered with us before. We want to scale it up now and do much more with greater ambition and clear vision,” the President stated.

Noting the historic essence of President Tinubu’s swift and decisive economic reforms, the Vice-President of the Islamic Development Bank said the financial world has been monitoring events in Nigeria and has concluded that Africa’s largest economy means business this time.

“Mr. President, we know you inherited a very tough set of circumstances. It is to your credit that you have taken very bold steps without delay. We are ready to work with you. We are ready to support big investments in Nigeria. We agree that if Nigeria succeeds, Africa succeeds. And the world needs Africa to succeed.

“The Islamic Development Bank President announced the provision of $50 billion U.S. Dollars of new investment for the African continent from the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). This was announced at the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Summit. As the largest market and the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria will certainly receive a significant share. We look forward to supporting Nigeria’s economic transformation,” the Islamic Development Bank Vice-President said.

The President concluded by thanking the Islamic Development Bank management while pledging the unwavering commitment of his administration to win investors’ trust and confidence, just as he did in Lagos State many years ago.

Members of the Nigerian delegation present at the meeting in Mecca were: Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State; Governor Umar Bago of Niger State; Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and others.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

November 14, 2023

 

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS FAMOUS ACTOR, SAMANJA

President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the family of retired soldier, broadcaster, and veteran actor, Usman Baba Pategi (Samanja), who died on Sunday at 84.

The President described the death of the popular thespian as a painful loss, saying he contributed to the country through the various vocations he pursued in his lifetime.

“The late Pategi chose to obey the call to national duty when the country needed his service. His television show, Samanja, was must-watch entertainment for decades. Through the show, he taught young citizens national values and respect for our servicepeople. He was a patriot who left behind several indelible impressions,” the President said.

President Tinubu encouraged the Pategi family, the people and governments of Niger and Kwara states, the Pategi Emirate Council, and members of the Nigerian entertainment industry to take comfort in the worthy legacy of the deceased.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

November 14, 2023

 

admin
ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI NEWS ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING AGBARHO NEWS AGBOR ADVERTISER AGHALOKPE JOURNAL AGHALOKPE MIRROR AGRICULTURE NEWS AHMAD SANI YERIMA AHMAN LAWAN AHMED MAKARFI AJAKA NEWS AJAMIKARAWA SUN AJAOKUTA SUN AJAOKUTA TELEGRAPH AJAOKUTA VOICE AJIMELE NEWS AKPATA DIGEST AKPOMU READER AKWA IBOM DAILY NEWS AKWA IBOM PILOT ALAUSA NEWS ALAUSA TODAY ALI MODU SHERIFF AMERICA MAIL AMINU TAMBUWAL AMUOKPE DAILY AMUOKPE DAILY REVIEW ANAMBRA ANAMBRA RECORDER ANAMBRA TIMES ANIOCHA DAILY PROGRESS ANIOCHA MAIL ANIOCHA NEWS ANIOMA RECORD ANKPA NEWS ANYIM PIUS ANYIM APC CANVASSERS APC NEWS ARHAGBA CHAMPION ARHAGBA HERALD ASABA ASABA BANNER PRESS ASABA CHRONICLE ASABA DAILY NEWS ASABA FLASH POLINT ASABA MAIL ASABA MIRROR ASABA NEWS ASABA NEWS HERALD ASABA NOW ASABA PERISCOPE ASABA TIMES ASABA TODAY ASO ROCK ATAKUNMOSA LEADER ATIKU ABUBAKAR AVIATION AWKA COURIER AWO DAILY INDEPENDENT AYEDAASE ADVOCATE AYEDIRE NEWS AYO FAYOSE BABAGANA KINGIBE BABANGIDA UMARU ZULUM BALA MOHAMMED BASSA DAILY BAUCHI DISPATCH BAYELSA NEWS BAYELSA SUN BELLO MATAWALE BENDEL DAILY BENEDICT AYADE BENIN CITY TODAY BENUE NEWS DISPATCH BENUE SUN BINI PEOPLE BODE OSI LEADERS BOLA AHMED TINUBU BOLA TINUBU BOLUWADURO JOURNAL BOMADI NEWS BORIPE STAR BORNO VOICE BRAZIL TELEGRAPH BRITISH NIGERIA TIMES BUKOLA SARAKI BURUTU STAR BUSINESS BUSINESS NEWS CALABAR BEAT CALABAR NEWS CALABAR TRIBUNE CHARLES UGWU CHOBA LEADER CHRIS NGIGE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT CHRISTIAN NEWS CHRISTOPHER IMUMOLEN CHUKWENDU KALU CHUKWUDI NDUKWE CHUKWUEMEKA NWAJIUBA CIVIL RULE TODAY COMMONWEALTH REPORTERS COMPANY NEWS CONSTITUTION NEWS CRIME CRIME CONTROL CRIME PREVENTION CROSS RIVER SENTINEL CROSS RIVER TIMES CUBA JOURNAL DAN NWANYANWU DAVE UMAHI DAVID EDEVBIE DAVID MARK DEKINA GUARDIAN DELE MOMODU DELTA CENTRAL DELTA CHRONICLE DELTA DAILY DELTA DAILY NEWS DELTA DEMOCRAT DELTA LEADER DELTA NORTH DELTA POINTER DELTA PROVINCE NEWS DELTA SOUTH DELTA WEEKLY DIMEJI BANKOLE Do you have any good news? DOYIN OKUPE DUMEBI KACHUKWU East EBIRERI FESTUS OMAJEMITE EBIRERI HENRY MEDIA EBIRERI HENRY NEWSPAPERS EBIRERI HENRY OVIE EBIRERI HENRY OVIE MEDIAGATE EBIRERI HENRY PF SERVICES EBIRERI HENRY PRESS EBIRERI HENRY RADIO EBIRERI HENRY TELEVISION EBIRERI LAMONDE MONDAY KERWE EBIRERI OKPAKO VICTOR EBIRERI OVIE HENRY EBIRERI VICTOR UNUBREME EBONYI GAZETTE EBONYI HERALD EBONYI TIMES REVIEW ECONOMY EDE DEMOCRAT EDE DISPATCH EDE NORTH TIMES EDE SOUTH NEWS EDITH OKOWA EDO COURIER EDO EXPRESS EDO MORNING NEWS EDO POLITICS EDO TIMES EFFURUN BULLETIN EGBEDORE VOICE EJIGBO INTELLIGENCER EJIGBO JOURNAL EKITI STAR NEWS EKITI TIMES EKU NEWS EKU SPECTATOR ELECTION NEWS ELELE BANNER ELITE NEWS ELUME COURIER ELUME DAILY ELUME NEWS ELUME RECORD ELUME SUNRAY ELUME TIMES EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN ENGLISH REVIEW Entertainment ENUGU ADVOCATE ENUGU PRESS EREJA SQUARE NEWS ERIN IJESHA STAR GAZETTE ESA OKE STANDARD ETHIOPE EAST GAZZETTE ETHIOPE WEST PUNCH EUROPE NEWS EUROPE TODAY FAITH BASED NEWS FCT MIRROR FELIX IBRU FESTUS EBIRERI FOREIGN NEWS GBENGA OLAWAPO HASHIM GBONGAN HERALD GODSWILL AKPABIO GODWIN EMEFIELE GOODLUCK JONATHAN GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR GREAT OGBORU HAMZA AL MUSTAPHA Health HENRY OVIE EBIRERI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IBADAN NEWS IBAJI SUN IBIKUNLE AMOSUN IBOKUN REPORTER IBOLO JOURNAL IBRAHIM BABANGIDA IBRAHIM BELLO DAUDA IBRAHIM DANKWAMBO IBRAHIM SHEMA IBUSA ENTERPRISE IDAH LEADERSHIP IDAH TOWN TRUST IFE CENTRAL RECORDER IFE EAST SCENE IFE NORTH OBSERVER IFE SOUTH RECORD IFEANYI OKOWA IFEDAYO INDEPENDENT NEWS IFELODUN PRESS IFETEDO HERALD IFETEDO PATRIOT IFEWARA WEEKLY NEWS IFON OSUN CHRONICLE IGBAJO BEACON NEWS IGBALEMELA ODOLU VOICE IGBIMIDAKA ELUME GUARDIAN IGBIMIDAKA ELUME MEDIA IGBIMIDAKA ELUME MIRROR IGBIMIDAKA ELUME NEW AGE IGBIMIDAKA ELUME NEWS IGBIMIDAKA ELUME OBSERVER IGBIMIDAKA ELUME PATRIOT IGBIMIDAKA ELUME POINTER IGBIMIDAKA ELUME PUNCH IGBIMIDAKA ELUME RADIO IGBIMIDAKA ELUME SUN IGBIMIDAKA ELUME TELEVISION IGBIMIDAKA ELUME THISDAY IGBIMIDAKA ELUME VANGUARD IGBO DAILY NEWS IGBO JOURNAL IGBOMINA DAILY LEDGER IGBOMINA NEWS IGBONNA NEWS IGUN NEWS IJAW NEWS IJAW VOICE IJEBU JESA JOURNAL IJEBU JESA PRESS IJESHA MIRROR IJESHA TIMES IJUMU RADIO IKA HERALD VOICE IKA NEWS IKA PEOPLE IKA SUN IKIRE DAILY TIMES IKIRE HOME NEWS IKIRUN DISPATCH IKOBU CRUSADER IKOTUN DAILY NEWS ILE IFE REVIEW ILE OGBO MAIL ILESA EAST UNION TIMES ILESA LIFE ILESA SUN ILESA WEST SCOUT IMO GAZETTE IMO INDEX IMO INQUIRER IMO TIMES INDUSTRY NEWS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MAN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS IPERINDO RECORD IPETU IJESHA DAILY NEWS IPETUMODU MESSENGER IRAGBEJI NEWS IRAGBIJI TRIBUNE IREPODUN CHRONICLE IREWOLE NEWS ISANLU TIMES ISESE NEWS ISOKAN NEWS ISOKO DISPATCH ISOKO NEWS ISOKO STANDARD ISOKO VOICE ISOKUN DAILY ITA EXPRESS ITA ORANGUN CHRONICLE ITA ORANGUN NEWS ITSEKIRI ADVERTISER ITSEKIRI DIGEST ITSEKIRI NEWS ITSEKIRI PRESS IWO DAILY CALL IWO DAILY STAR IWO HERALD IYARA TELEVISION IYORCHIA AYU JAMES IBORI JAMES MANAGER JEREMI TIMES JESSE VANGUARD JIGAWA SUN JOURNALISM KABBA BUNU EXPRESS KABBA MONITOR KABIR IBRAHIM MASARI Kaduna KADUNA WEEKLY Kano KANO NEWS KASHIM IBRAHIM SHETIMA KATSINA DAILY TIMES KAYODE FAYEMI KEN NNAMANI ken ochonogor KENNETH GBAGI KINGSLEY ESISO KINGSLEY OTUARO KIRIJI NEWS KOGI CENTRAL AUTHORITY KOGI CENTRAL BUSINESS KOGI CENTRAL CHAMPION KOGI CENTRAL COMMUNICATION KOGI CENTRAL DAILY TRUST KOGI CENTRAL GUARDIAN KOGI CENTRAL HALLMARK KOGI CENTRAL INDEPENDENT KOGI CENTRAL LEADERSHIP KOGI CENTRAL MEDIA KOGI CENTRAL MIRROR KOGI CENTRAL NEWS KOGI CENTRAL NEWS STAR KOGI CENTRAL POLITICS KOGI CENTRAL PREMIUM KOGI CENTRAL PUNCH KOGI CENTRAL RADIO KOGI CENTRAL SPORTS KOGI CENTRAL SUN KOGI CENTRAL TELEGRAPH KOGI CENTRAL TELEVISION KOGI CENTRAL THISDAY KOGI CENTRAL TIMES KOGI CENTRAL TRIBUNE KOGI CENTRAL VOICE KOGI CENTRAL WOMEN KOGI CENTRAL YOUTHS KOGI DAILY KOGI NEWS KOGI NEWSPAPERS KOKO NEWS KOKO SUN KOKORI ECHO KOKORI MONITOR KOKORI RADIO KOKORI TELEVISION KOLA ABIOLA KONTO KARFE MAIL kwale KWALE NEWS KWARA BUSINESS JOURNAL KWARA DAILY SUN KWARA HERALD KWARA STAR LABOUR PARTY BELIEVERS LADIPO JOHNSON LAGOS EAGELE LAGOS GOVERNMENT HOUSE LAGOS NEWS LAGOS NOW LAMONDE EBIRERI LEADERSHIP NEWS LEADERSHIP TODAY LOKOJA MONITOR LONDON DIGEST MALIK ADO IBRAHIM MALIKA SANI MARITIME MARKETING MEDIAGATE MEDIAGATE AFRICA MEDIAGATE AGBOR MEDIAGATE AGHALOKPE MEDIAGATE AJAMIKAWA MEDIAGATE AMERICA MEDIAGATE ANTHONY MEDIAGATE ASABA MEDIAGATE ASIA MEDIAGATE BOMADI MEDIAGATE BURUTU MEDIAGATE BUSINESS MEDIAGATE DAILY INDEPENDENT MEDIAGATE ECONOMY MEDIAGATE EDUCATION MEDIAGATE EKU MEDIAGATE ELUME MEDIAGATE ENUGU MEDIAGATE EUROPE MEDIAGATE IBUSA MEDIAGATE IKA MEDIAGATE ISOKO MEDIAGATE ITARY MEDIAGATE ITSEKIRI MEDIAGATE KWALE MEDIAGATE LAGOS MEDIAGATE LISBON MEDIAGATE MANAGEMENT MEDIAGATE MILITARY MEDIAGATE MONITOR MEDIAGATE MOSOGAR MEDIAGATE NEWS MEDIAGATE NIGERIA MEDIAGATE OGHARA MEDIAGATE OKPARA WATER SIDE MEDIAGATE OREROKPE MEDIAGATE PATANI MEDIAGATE POLITICS MEDIAGATE PORTUGAL MEDIAGATE SAPELE MEDIAGATE SOUTH AFRICA MEDIAGATE SPORTS MEDIAGATE SUN MEDIAGATE SURULERE MEDIAGATE UGBIMIDAKA MEDIAGATE UGHELLI MEDIAGATE UNITED KINGDOM MEDIAGATE VANGUARD MEDIAGATE WARRI MEMORIAL NEWS MEREJE NEWS MEREJE PRESS MIDWEST NEWS MILITARY NEWS MOHAMMED BADURU ABUBAKAR MOHAMMED HAYATU DEEN MOHAMMED KOLI MOHAMMED NAZIF MONDAY IGBUYA MONDAY ONYEME MOPA MURO DAILY MOPA MURO RADIO MOPA MURO TELEVISION MOPA MURO TRIBUNE MOPA MURO VANGUARD MOPA MURO VOICE MOPA TELEGRAPH MOSES AYOM MOSHOOD ABIOLA MOSOGAR DAILY REVIEW MOSOGAR JOURNAL MOSOGAR OBSERVER MUHAMMADU BUHARI MUSLIM NEWS MUSLIM TIMES NASIR EL RUFAI NASSARAWA IMPACT NEWSPAPER NATASHA AKPOTI UDUAGHAN-KOGI CENTRAL SENATE NDOKWA CITIZEN NDOKWA DAILY NDOKWA DEMOCRAT ndokwa east NDOKWA TIMES ndokwa west NDUDI ELUMELU News NEWSPAPER OWNER NICHOLAS FELIX NIGER DELTA BUSINESS NEWS NIGER DELTA NEWS NIGER VANGUARD NIGERIA NIGERIA NEWS NIGERIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NNPC North NORTHERN TRUST novena university NWACHUKWU ANAKWENZE NYESOM WIKE OBANGEDE POINTER OBIARUKU BUSINESS JOURNAL OBIARUKU JOURNAL OBOKUN WEEKLY OCHONOGOR EDUCATION CENTRE OCHONOGOR ENGINEERING CENTRE OCHONOGOR FAMILY OCHONOGOR HEALTH CENTRE OCHONOGOR MANAGEMENT CENTRE OCHONOGOR MUSICAL SCHOOL OCHONOGOR RADIO OCHONOGOR SPORTS CENTRE OCHONOGOR TELEVISION ODE OMU REVIEW ODO OTIN COURIER ODO-IRE PUNCH OFU DIARY OGAMINANA MONITOR OGBONNAYA ONU OGHARA ART AND BUSINESS NEWS OGHARA ECHO OGHARA MAIL OGHARA OBSERVER OGHARA POINTER OGORI MAGONGO VOICE OGORI MANGOGO MAIL OGORI MANGOGO MEDIA OGORI MANGOGO MIRROR OGORI MANGOGO NEWS OGORI MANGOGO OBSERVER OGORI MANGOGO TIMES OGUMA DIGEST ogume OGUME ONQUIRER OGUME PEOPLE OGUN HERALD OGUN NEWSPAPER OGWASHI UKU HERALD OGWOAWO BUSINESS DAILY OIL AND GAS OJA TIMI NEWS OKE ILA ORANGUN TIMES OKE ITA ORANGUN SUN OKE OGBO ECHO OKEHI HORIZON OKEHI MONITOR OKEHI MUSIC OKEHI NEWSPAPER OKEHI OBSERVER OKEHI ONLINE OKEHI POINTER OKEHI POLITICS OKEHI RADIO OKEHI TELEVISION OKEHI THEATRE OKEHI TIMES OKEHI VOICE OKENE CONCORD OKENE MAIL OKENE NEWS OKENE TIDE OKENE TIMES OKERE SUN ADVERTIZER OKEY UDO OKPANAM NEWS OKPARA WARER SIDE JOURNAL OKPARA WATER SIDE TRIBUNE OKPARA WATERSIDE DAILY OKPARA WATERSIDE MAIL OKPARA WATERSIDE NEWS OKPARA WATERSIDE RADIO OKPARA WATERSIDE TELEVISION OKPE BULLETIN OKPE HERALD OKPE KINGDOM OKPE LEADER OKPE LEADER NEWS OKPE NEWS OKPE PILOT OKPE SUN OKPE WORLDWIDE OKPO TOWN DAILY OKUKU COURIER OKUKU TIMES OKWUDILI NWA ANYAJIKA OLA OLUWA MORNING REVIEW OLAMABORO NEWS OLD BENDEL MAIL OLEH COURIER OLONA REGISTER OLORUNDA EXPRESS OLUSEGUN OBASANJO OMALA VOICE OMOWOLE SOWORE ONDO INFORMER STAR ONDO MIRROR ONDO REGISTER ONDO STATE NEWS ONDO TRIBUNE ONITSHA CHRONICLE ONYEDEGA MIRROR OREROKPE ENTERPRISE OREROKPE NEWS OREROKPE PILOT ORI OKE MAIL ORIADE SENTINEL ORISA STAR ORITSEJOLOMI UDUAGHAN ORJI KALU OROGUN NEWSPAPER OROLU VOICE OSHIMILI HERALD OSHIMILI NEWS OSHIMILI NORTH BULLETIN OSHIMILI SOUTH REPORTERS OSHIMILI SUN OSOGBO GAZETTE OSOGBO MERCHANT OSOGBO NEWS OSU STAR OSU VANGUARD OSUN HERALD OSUN OSOGBO COURIER OSUN RECORD OTAN AYEGBAJU SENTINEL OTAN ILE DAILY NEWS OVIE HENRY EBIRERI OVIE OMO AGEGE OYO ADVOCATE OYO NEWS OYO STATE NEWS OYO TODAY OZORO HEADLIGHT OZORO NEWS PATANI NEWS PDP FOOT SOLDIERS PDP NEWS PETER OBI PETER UMEADI PETROLEUM PLATEAU EAGLE PLATEAU MESSENGER POLITICAL COMMUNICATION POLITICAL NEWS POLITICIAN Politics PORT HARCOURT MESSENGER POWER SHIFT AGITATION PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDENTIAL NEWS PROFILE PUBLIC RELATIONS QUALITY REPRESENTATION RABIU KWANKWASO RAUF AREGBESOLA RECLAMATION TIMES RELIGION TODAY RESTRUCTURING NEWS RIVER OSUN GAZETTE RIVERS STATE NEWS RIVERS STATE POLITICS RIVERS STATESMAN ROBERT AJAYI BOROFFICE ROCHAS OKOROCHA ROTIMI AMAECHI SAGBAMA TRIBUNE SAM OHUABUNWA SAPELE BEACON SAPELE BRAND SAPELE COMMUNITY NEWS SAPELE FACTS SAPELE GAZETTE SAPELE LIGHT SAPELE PEOPLE SAPELE PIONEER SAPELE REPORTER NEWS SAPELE TELEGRAM SECURITY SECURITY CHIEFS SEYI MAKINDE SHERIFF OBOREVWORI SHINA PETER SOCIETY NEWS South SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA CHRONICLE SOUTH-SOUTH TODAY SOUTHERN NIGERIA COURIER SOUTHERN OBSERVER STATE ELECTIONS STATE OF OSUN HERALD SULE LAMIDO SUNDAY ADENUGA TAMINU TURAKI TARABA COASTER TARABA HERALD TEIN JACK RICH THE SENATE TIMIPRE SYLVA TODAY NEWS TRANSPORTATION TRINADAD TIMES TUNDE BAKARE UDOM EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN BLUE PRINT UDUAGHAN DAILY INDEPENDENT UDUAGHAN DAILY NEWS UDUAGHAN HALLMARK UDUAGHAN MAIL UDUAGHAN MEDIA UDUAGHAN MIRROR UDUAGHAN MONITOR UDUAGHAN NEWAGE UDUAGHAN PILOT UDUAGHAN POINTER UDUAGHAN POST UDUAGHAN RADIO UDUAGHAN TELEVISION UDUAGHAN THISDAY UDUAGHAN TIMES UDUAGHAN VANGUARD UDUAGHAN VOICE UGBEKU STAR UGBIMIDAKA TODAY UGBIMIDAKA VANGUARD UGBORHEN OIL UGHELLI EAGLE UGHELLI MONITOR UGHELLI SOUTH CITIZEN JOURNAL UGHELLI WEEKLY UGHOTON NEWS UJU KENNEDY OHANENYE UKWUANI NEWS UKWUANI PEOPLE UKWUANI REPORTERS UKWUANI TIMES UMUNEDE OBSERVER Uncategorized UNITED KINGDOM NEWS UNIVERSITY NEWS URHOBO ADVOCATE URHOBO GAZETTE URHOBO HERALD URHOBO INDEX URHOBO LEADER URHOBO NATION URHOBO NEWS URHOBO PIONEER URHOBO RECORD URHOBO RECORDER URHOBO REVIEW URHOBO SENTINEL URHOBO STATESMAN URHOBO TIMES UYO MIRROR UYO REPORTERS VERONICA IKPERA EBIRERI WARRI HIGHLANDER WARRI NATION WARRI NEWS WARRI NORTH PIONEER WARRI REPORTERS WARRI SOUTH NEWS WESTERN REGION SENTINEL WESTERN STATE DEFENDER World News YABANJI SANI YAGBA EAST DAILY YAGBA WEST MONITOR YAHAYA BELLO YAKUBU DOGARA YEMI OSINBAJO YEMOJA SUN YORUBA DAILY TRUST YORUBA GUARDIAN yoruba news YORUBA PEOPLE DAILY UNION YORUBA PUNCH YORUBA THISDAY YORUBA TRIBUNE YUSUF DANTALIE ZAMFARA DAILY PROGRESS zipowei zipowei ochonogor
RE: PENDING SUIT FILED BY THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY; ORDER OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA

RE: PENDING SUIT FILED BY THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY; ORDER OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA, TOGETHER WITH AN APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE THE PURPORTED SCREENING AND CONFIRMATION OF MRS. LAURETTA ONOCHIE AND CHIEF SAMUEL OGBUKU AS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR RESPECTIVELY OF THE NDDC BY THE SENATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CARRIED OUT ON DECEMBER 21, 2022, IN THE FACE OF THE PROCESSES AND ORDER OF COURT IN SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022, IN WHICH YOU ARE A PARTY.

  • AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.

LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, ARBITRATORS & NOTARY PUBLIC

GOTTGUNST VILLA

27, Gbiaye Street

3rd Marine Gate, Warri, Nigeria

Tel: 08033136059

E-mails: info@amaetulegal.org

amaetulegal@yahoo.com

ama.etuwewe@amaetulegal.org

www.amaetulegal.org

 

 

JANUARY 2, 2023.

 

THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MAITAMA,

ABUJA.

 

Dear Sir,

 

RE: PENDING SUIT FILED BY THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY; ORDER OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA, TOGETHER WITH AN APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE THE PURPORTED SCREENING AND CONFIRMATION OF MRS. LAURETTA ONOCHIE AND CHIEF SAMUEL OGBUKU AS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR RESPECTIVELY OF THE NDDC BY THE SENATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CARRIED OUT ON DECEMBER 21, 2022, IN THE FACE OF THE PROCESSES AND ORDER OF COURT IN SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022, IN WHICH YOU ARE A PARTY.

 

MATTERS ARISING THEREOF:

 

As you are aware, we act as Solicitors to the ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY ably represented by CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO, MR. EDWARD OMAGBEMI & ENGINEER VICTOR WOOD, whom we shall hereinafter refer to as our Clients and we write to you on their precise, concise and unequivocal instructions.

 

  1. INTRODUCTION:

 

  1. Our Clients are members of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thoughts and Natives of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta State, Nigeria.

 

  1. It is our Clients’ grouse that since the inception of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2001, the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality having over 21 oil-producing communities and producing about 58% of the crude oil in Delta State and 17% of the Country’s crude oil production, which is doubtless a major contributor to the Crude Oil and Gas Resources in Nigeria, which by virtue thereof, the Itsekiri communities suffered and continues to suffer the attendant environmental degradation, loss of livelihood as well as destruction of their farmlands and water resources, have their woes compounded by the marginalization suffered in the hands of the Federal Government of Nigeria that has repeatedly failed to consider any Itsekiri nationals competent to occupy the positions of Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC despite having previously afforded other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta States the opportunity to fill such positions.

 

  1. Upon the dissolution of the NDDC Board in 2019 by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the NDDC has been run by various interim administrators with acting Managing Directors who hail from other oil and gas producing communities and states to the exclusion and continued marginalization of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta State of Nigeria.

 

  1. Whilst the pains of marginalization of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality remained unaddressed, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on November 22, 2022, or thereabout, forwarded to the Senate of the National Assembly the names of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Chairman and Managing Director respectively, amongst other nominees of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s new board, for confirmation.

 

  1. This development did not meet the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality well as Mrs. Lauretta Onochie whose name was forwarded by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Deltan no doubt, hails from Onicha-Olona Community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, a NON­OIL AND GAS PRODUCING area of Delta State, and whereas, Chief Samuel Ogbuku whose name was forwarded as the Managing Director of the NDDC Board hails from Bayelsa State, is contrary to an established rotation arrangement in accordance with the NDDC Act. By the said rotation, it is the turn of Delta State by extension the ltsekiri Ethnic Nationality, to produce the next Managing Director of the NDDC.

 

  1. THE SUIT

 

  1. Displeased by the unlawful actions of both the Executive and the Senate of the National Assembly to nominate, screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission, our Clients filed SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022: CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO & 2 ORS. v. THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA & 5 ORS., at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on December 12, 2022.

 

  1. Our Clients in the said suit, in which the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and your humble self are the 1st and 2nd Defendants respectively, are seeking the following reliefs:
  2. A declaration that by virtue of Section 4 and other enabling sections of Niger Delta development Commission (Establishment, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), it is the turn of Delta State to produce the next Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.

 

  1. A declaration that by virtue of Section 12(1) and other sections of Niger Delta development Commission (Establishment, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), it is the turn of Delta State to produce the next Managing Director of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.

 

iii.        A Declaration that the nomination of the 5th Defendant who hails from a non-oil producing area in Delta State as the next Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission is unlawful and contrary to the intent and purpose of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act.

 

  1. A declaration that the nomination of the 6th Defendant as the next managing Director of the Niger-Delta Development Commission is unlawful for being contrary to the intent and purpose of the Niger Delta Development Commission Act.

 

  1. An order quashing the nomination of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next Chairman and Managing Director respectively to the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, by the 1st Defendant, as the said nomination is contrary to the spirit and intendment of the Niger Delta Development Commission Act 2000 as amended.

 

  1. AN ORDER restraining the 3rd and 4th Defendants from screening and confirming the 5th and 6th Defendants for the positions of the next Chairman and Managing Directors respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission as their nomination by the 1st Defendant is contrary to the spirit and intendment of the Niger­ Delta Development Commission Act.

 

vii.        A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act, 2000 as amended, the Plaintiffs as suitable members of the ltsekiri nationality of Delta State are qualified to be nominated as the next Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.

 

viii.        Any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

 

10.0. Our Clients on December 12, 2022, filed an ex-parte application seeking the following reliefs from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to wit;

  1. a)An order of interim injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th Defendants from screening and confirming or taking any further steps to screen or confirm the nomination of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), ,Pending the expiration of the statutory (three) Months Pre-action Notice already issued on the 3rd and 4th Defendants and or the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.

 

AND/OR

 

  1. b)AN ORDER directing that the STATUS QUO ANTE BELLUM be maintained by the 3rd and 4th Defendants, their servants, agents, privies, employees and committees concerning the screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) pending the expiration of the statutory (three) Months Pre-action Notice already issued by the Applicants on the 3rd and 4th Defendants on November 30, 2022 and or the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.

 

  1. c)An order granting leave to the Plaintiffs to serve the 5th and 6th Defendants with the originating processes in this suit by substituted means by advertising the processes in at least one National Newspaper circulating within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and to deem same as proper service.

 

  1. d)Any order or further order as this Honourable Court may deem fit to grant in the circumstances.

 

11.0. As is customary, our Clients accompanied the ex-parte application with a motion on notice filed on December 12, 2022, seeking the following reliefs to wit;

  1. a)An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th Defendants from screening and confirming or taking any further steps to screen or confirm the nomination of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

 

AND/OR

  1. b)AN ORDER directing that the STATUS QUO ANTE BELLUM be maintained by the 3rd and 4th Defendants, their servants, agents, privies, employees and committees concerning the screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

 

  1. c)Any order or further order as this Honourable Court may deem fit to grant in the circumstances.

 

12.0    The Federal High Court on December 15, 2022, in refusing reliefs 1 and 2 of our Clients’ ex-parte application filed on December 12, 2022, ordered the parties in the suit not to take any step that will render nugatory our Clients’ pending application for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022.

 

13.0    The Court also emphatically ordered that any act or step or action taken in order to render nugatory. the outcome of our Clients’ motion for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022, and scheduled for hearing on January 11, 2023, shall be a nullity. A copy of the said Order has been duly served on all the parties including your office.

 

14.0    Despite the fact that all the Defendants, your office inclusive, were served with the originating process, our Clients’ application for interlocutory injunction and the order of the Court restraining all parties from acting otherwise, the leadership of the Senate of the National Assembly proceeded to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, on December 20, 2022.

 

15.0    Further displeased by the brazen act of the National Assembly in proceeding defiantly to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission in gross and total disregard to the order of Court restraining all parties from taking any step capable of rendering nugatory our clients’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction,, our Clients on December 22, 2022, filed an application at the Federal High Court seeking inter alia the following relief;

 

AN ORDER setting aside the purported screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants on December 20, 2022, by the 3rd and 4th Defendants during the pendency of the order of this Honourable Court delivered on December 15, 2022, restraining the parties from taking any step that may render nugatory the outcome of the Applicants’ pending application for interlocutory injunction.

All the Defendants have been served with the said application.

 

16.0    Whilst our Clients’ suit and in fact their most recent application to set aside the screening and confirmation of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC by the Senate of the National assembly has not been determined, our Clients are aware and already in the public domain, that the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is making plans and has circulated letters to that effect, to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, as ·the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC. The Minister has hinged his brazen disregard of the order of the court and the due process of law, on the purported approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is the 1st Defendant in the suit under reference.

 

17.0    As the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a party in the suit, you are doubtless aware of the position of the law which is to the effect that once there is a pending litigation, all parties to the suit are expected to stay every action that will adversely affect the outcome of the adjudicatory process so as not to render the said process a nullity and foist upon the court a fait accompli. We most humbly refer you to the case of EZEGBU v. F.A.T.B. LTD. (1992) 1 NWLR PART 220 PAGE 699 PARTICULARLY AT PAGE 724, where NIKI TOBI J.C.A. (as he then was) stated thus:

“Where a matter is before a court of law, none of the parties can legally or lawfully take any unilateral decision that will prejudice or tend to prejudice the hearing or adjudication of the matter by the court. Parties who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court are under a legal duty not to do anything to frustrate or make nonsense a possible court order. They must, whether they like it or not, wait for the court order. They must whether they like it or not wait for the court to take a decision one way or the order. The procedure at arriving at a decision may be slow. It may even be sluggish. But the parties cannot jump the gun and do their own thing their own way. That will be tantamount to undermining the integrity of the court. What I am saying in effect is that a party who has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court is not entitled to resort to self-help. That will be chaos and disability of the social equilibrium if the opposing party reacts.

 

None of the parties to a litigation process before a court of law is allowed to take the law into his own hands and foist upon the court a fait accompli thereby rendering it impossible for the court to arrive at a decision one way or the other on the merit of the issue before it render any decision it may take nugatory or futile”.

 

18.0    Furtherance to the reliefs being claimed by our Clients in the suit, there is a pending application filed by our clients seeking an injunction against the Defendants for an order of Court restraining the Defendants from taking steps capable of rendering nugatory the pending application for interlocutory injunction and an application seeking to set aside the confirmation made by the Senate of the National Assembly, which step more to undermining the Judiciary’s role and the Rule of Law, has pre­ determined the issues presented by our Clients for judicial determination in the substantive suit.

 

19.0    Having notified your humble self and the other Defendants of the pendency of an application for injunction, we wish to draw your attention to the following judicial authorities on the duty of a party or parties where there is a pending application for injunction. In the case of ELF MARKETING (NIG.) v. J.L. OYENEYIN 8: SONS (1995) 7 NWLR PART 407, PAGE 371 AT 380 PARAGRAPHS A-8, the Court held thus:

 

“Once the court is seized of a matter, no party has a right to take the matter into his own hands. Thus, after a defendant has been notified of the pendency of a suit seeking an injunction against him, even though a temporary injunction be not granted, that party acts at his peril and is subject to the power of the court to restore the status wholly irrespective of the merit as may be ultimately decided…”

 

20.0    Furthermore, in the case of OKEKE-OBA v. OKOYE (1994) 8 NWLR. PART 364, PAGE 605 AT 617-618 PARAGRAPHS H-A, the Court stated as follows:

“The general practice is that an application for an order of interlocutory injunction, all activities affecting the res, here the land in dispute, are automatically terminated as a mark of respect to the court before whom the application is pending. Such practice is encouraged by counsel in good chambers consistent with the ethics of the profession”.

 

21.0    THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022: CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO 8: 2 ORS. v. THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 8: 5 ORS.

 

22.0    We wish to state without any iota of doubt that in the light of the development set out herein, no step whatsoever should be taken by the Federal Government to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as same will not only jeopardize the outcome of the litigation process but concomitantly operate to completely erase the confidence reposed in the Judiciary by the common man and a clog in the wheel of the administration of justice.

 

23.0    We have cause to believe, as documentary evidence clearly suggests, that the Federal Government through the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is making frantic and brazen efforts to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission despite the pendency of the suit as well as several applications, and order made by the Court, with the sole aim of stealing a match, stultifying the ·court process and bringing the Rule of Law to ridicule.

 

24.0    CONCLUSION:

Our Clients have done all that is required of them by submitting for judicial consideration and determination their grievances against the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, it behooves these Arms of Government to resist the urge to defy the Judiciary and indeed the judicial process by refraining from conducts which will render nugatory issues presented by our Clients to the Court.

 

25.0    The attendant implications on the faith and belief of the common man are dire and would almost be dampened if the Executive and the Legislative Arms of Government continue to bond towards shattering the fabric and fibre of the judicial process upon which true democracy is enshrined; which the Judiciary seeks to mend and this certainly does not bode well for the Rule of Law if a precedent of Executive and Legislative disregard to court orders, is so easily displayed with impunity, just before the forthcoming general elections.

 

26.0    Having fought to ensure that there is peace and stability in the Country, it would be manifestly antithetical to the goals of this Administration of which you are a key player, if solely for a refusal to await and comply with the judicial process, all the Executive has worked for in the past seven (7) years, translates to naught.

 

27.0    We are of the firm belief, taking into cognizance the judicial authorities referred to above, that as the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a strong proponent of the Rule of Law, you will not in any way advise the President and indeed the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to proceed with the inauguration of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, as the Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC and or concretize their positions, pending the outcome of the adjudicatory process already initiated by our Clients.

 

28.0    Trusting you will advise the relevant parties on the need to allow the judicial process take its course and refrain from taking steps which will ridicule the Rule of Law and further weaken our nascent democratic structure.

 

We remain,

 

Very truly yours,

PP: AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.

 

 

 

AMA ETUWEWE, SAN.

 

CC:    THE HONOURABLE MINISTER

MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS

ABUJA.

 

 

 

AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.

LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, ARBITRATORS & NOTARY PUBLIC

GOTTGUNST VILLA

27, Gbiaye Street

3rd Marine Gate, Warri, Nigeria

Tel: 08033136059

E-mails: info@amaetulegal.org

amaetulegal@yahoo.com

ama.etuwewe@amaetulegal.org

www.amaetulegal.org

 

 

JANUARY 2, 2023.

 

THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MAITAMA,

ABUJA.

 

Dear Sir,

 

RE: PENDING SUIT FILED BY THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY; ORDER OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA, TOGETHER WITH AN APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE THE PURPORTED SCREENING AND CONFIRMATION OF MRS. LAURETTA ONOCHIE AND CHIEF SAMUEL OGBUKU AS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR RESPECTIVELY OF THE NDDC BY THE SENATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CARRIED OUT ON DECEMBER 21, 2022, IN THE FACE OF THE PROCESSES AND ORDER OF COURT IN SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022, IN WHICH YOU ARE A PARTY.

 

MATTERS ARISING THEREOF:

 

As you are aware, we act as Solicitors to the ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY ably represented by CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO, MR. EDWARD OMAGBEMI & ENGINEER VICTOR WOOD, whom we shall hereinafter refer to as our Clients and we write to you on their precise, concise and unequivocal instructions.

 

  1. INTRODUCTION:

 

  1. Our Clients are members of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thoughts and Natives of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta State, Nigeria.

 

  1. It is our Clients’ grouse that since the inception of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2001, the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality having over 21 oil-producing communities and producing about 58% of the crude oil in Delta State and 17% of the Country’s crude oil production, which is doubtless a major contributor to the Crude Oil and Gas Resources in Nigeria, which by virtue thereof, the Itsekiri communities suffered and continues to suffer the attendant environmental degradation, loss of livelihood as well as destruction of their farmlands and water resources, have their woes compounded by the marginalization suffered in the hands of the Federal Government of Nigeria that has repeatedly failed to consider any Itsekiri nationals competent to occupy the positions of Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC despite having previously afforded other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta States the opportunity to fill such positions.

 

  1. Upon the dissolution of the NDDC Board in 2019 by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the NDDC has been run by various interim administrators with acting Managing Directors who hail from other oil and gas producing communities and states to the exclusion and continued marginalization of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta State of Nigeria.

 

  1. Whilst the pains of marginalization of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality remained unaddressed, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on November 22, 2022, or thereabout, forwarded to the Senate of the National Assembly the names of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Chairman and Managing Director respectively, amongst other nominees of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s new board, for confirmation.

 

  1. This development did not meet the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality well as Mrs. Lauretta Onochie whose name was forwarded by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Deltan no doubt, hails from Onicha-Olona Community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, a NON­OIL AND GAS PRODUCING area of Delta State, and whereas, Chief Samuel Ogbuku whose name was forwarded as the Managing Director of the NDDC Board hails from Bayelsa State, is contrary to an established rotation arrangement in accordance with the NDDC Act. By the said rotation, it is the turn of Delta State by extension the ltsekiri Ethnic Nationality, to produce the next Managing Director of the NDDC.

 

  1. THE SUIT

 

  1. Displeased by the unlawful actions of both the Executive and the Senate of the National Assembly to nominate, screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission, our Clients filed SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022: CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO & 2 ORS. v. THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA & 5 ORS., at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on December 12, 2022.

 

  1. Our Clients in the said suit, in which the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and your humble self are the 1st and 2nd Defendants respectively, are seeking the following reliefs:
  2. A declaration that by virtue of Section 4 and other enabling sections of Niger Delta development Commission (Establishment, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), it is the turn of Delta State to produce the next Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.

 

  1. A declaration that by virtue of Section 12(1) and other sections of Niger Delta development Commission (Establishment, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), it is the turn of Delta State to produce the next Managing Director of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.

 

iii.        A Declaration that the nomination of the 5th Defendant who hails from a non-oil producing area in Delta State as the next Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission is unlawful and contrary to the intent and purpose of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act.

 

  1. A declaration that the nomination of the 6th Defendant as the next managing Director of the Niger-Delta Development Commission is unlawful for being contrary to the intent and purpose of the Niger Delta Development Commission Act.

 

  1. An order quashing the nomination of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next Chairman and Managing Director respectively to the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, by the 1st Defendant, as the said nomination is contrary to the spirit and intendment of the Niger Delta Development Commission Act 2000 as amended.

 

  1. AN ORDER restraining the 3rd and 4th Defendants from screening and confirming the 5th and 6th Defendants for the positions of the next Chairman and Managing Directors respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission as their nomination by the 1st Defendant is contrary to the spirit and intendment of the Niger­ Delta Development Commission Act.

 

vii.        A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act, 2000 as amended, the Plaintiffs as suitable members of the ltsekiri nationality of Delta State are qualified to be nominated as the next Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.

 

viii.        Any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

 

10.0. Our Clients on December 12, 2022, filed an ex-parte application seeking the following reliefs from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to wit;

  1. a)An order of interim injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th Defendants from screening and confirming or taking any further steps to screen or confirm the nomination of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), ,Pending the expiration of the statutory (three) Months Pre-action Notice already issued on the 3rd and 4th Defendants and or the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.

 

AND/OR

 

  1. b)AN ORDER directing that the STATUS QUO ANTE BELLUM be maintained by the 3rd and 4th Defendants, their servants, agents, privies, employees and committees concerning the screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) pending the expiration of the statutory (three) Months Pre-action Notice already issued by the Applicants on the 3rd and 4th Defendants on November 30, 2022 and or the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.

 

  1. c)An order granting leave to the Plaintiffs to serve the 5th and 6th Defendants with the originating processes in this suit by substituted means by advertising the processes in at least one National Newspaper circulating within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and to deem same as proper service.

 

  1. d)Any order or further order as this Honourable Court may deem fit to grant in the circumstances.

 

11.0. As is customary, our Clients accompanied the ex-parte application with a motion on notice filed on December 12, 2022, seeking the following reliefs to wit;

  1. a)An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th Defendants from screening and confirming or taking any further steps to screen or confirm the nomination of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

 

AND/OR

  1. b)AN ORDER directing that the STATUS QUO ANTE BELLUM be maintained by the 3rd and 4th Defendants, their servants, agents, privies, employees and committees concerning the screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

 

  1. c)Any order or further order as this Honourable Court may deem fit to grant in the circumstances.

 

12.0    The Federal High Court on December 15, 2022, in refusing reliefs 1 and 2 of our Clients’ ex-parte application filed on December 12, 2022, ordered the parties in the suit not to take any step that will render nugatory our Clients’ pending application for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022.

 

13.0    The Court also emphatically ordered that any act or step or action taken in order to render nugatory. the outcome of our Clients’ motion for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022, and scheduled for hearing on January 11, 2023, shall be a nullity. A copy of the said Order has been duly served on all the parties including your office.

 

14.0    Despite the fact that all the Defendants, your office inclusive, were served with the originating process, our Clients’ application for interlocutory injunction and the order of the Court restraining all parties from acting otherwise, the leadership of the Senate of the National Assembly proceeded to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, on December 20, 2022.

 

15.0    Further displeased by the brazen act of the National Assembly in proceeding defiantly to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission in gross and total disregard to the order of Court restraining all parties from taking any step capable of rendering nugatory our clients’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction,, our Clients on December 22, 2022, filed an application at the Federal High Court seeking inter alia the following relief;

 

AN ORDER setting aside the purported screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants on December 20, 2022, by the 3rd and 4th Defendants during the pendency of the order of this Honourable Court delivered on December 15, 2022, restraining the parties from taking any step that may render nugatory the outcome of the Applicants’ pending application for interlocutory injunction.

All the Defendants have been served with the said application.

 

16.0    Whilst our Clients’ suit and in fact their most recent application to set aside the screening and confirmation of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC by the Senate of the National assembly has not been determined, our Clients are aware and already in the public domain, that the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is making plans and has circulated letters to that effect, to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, as ·the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC. The Minister has hinged his brazen disregard of the order of the court and the due process of law, on the purported approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is the 1st Defendant in the suit under reference.

 

17.0    As the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a party in the suit, you are doubtless aware of the position of the law which is to the effect that once there is a pending litigation, all parties to the suit are expected to stay every action that will adversely affect the outcome of the adjudicatory process so as not to render the said process a nullity and foist upon the court a fait accompli. We most humbly refer you to the case of EZEGBU v. F.A.T.B. LTD. (1992) 1 NWLR PART 220 PAGE 699 PARTICULARLY AT PAGE 724, where NIKI TOBI J.C.A. (as he then was) stated thus:

“Where a matter is before a court of law, none of the parties can legally or lawfully take any unilateral decision that will prejudice or tend to prejudice the hearing or adjudication of the matter by the court. Parties who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court are under a legal duty not to do anything to frustrate or make nonsense a possible court order. They must, whether they like it or not, wait for the court order. They must whether they like it or not wait for the court to take a decision one way or the order. The procedure at arriving at a decision may be slow. It may even be sluggish. But the parties cannot jump the gun and do their own thing their own way. That will be tantamount to undermining the integrity of the court. What I am saying in effect is that a party who has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court is not entitled to resort to self-help. That will be chaos and disability of the social equilibrium if the opposing party reacts.

 

None of the parties to a litigation process before a court of law is allowed to take the law into his own hands and foist upon the court a fait accompli thereby rendering it impossible for the court to arrive at a decision one way or the other on the merit of the issue before it render any decision it may take nugatory or futile”.

 

18.0    Furtherance to the reliefs being claimed by our Clients in the suit, there is a pending application filed by our clients seeking an injunction against the Defendants for an order of Court restraining the Defendants from taking steps capable of rendering nugatory the pending application for interlocutory injunction and an application seeking to set aside the confirmation made by the Senate of the National Assembly, which step more to undermining the Judiciary’s role and the Rule of Law, has pre­ determined the issues presented by our Clients for judicial determination in the substantive suit.

 

19.0    Having notified your humble self and the other Defendants of the pendency of an application for injunction, we wish to draw your attention to the following judicial authorities on the duty of a party or parties where there is a pending application for injunction. In the case of ELF MARKETING (NIG.) v. J.L. OYENEYIN 8: SONS (1995) 7 NWLR PART 407, PAGE 371 AT 380 PARAGRAPHS A-8, the Court held thus:

 

“Once the court is seized of a matter, no party has a right to take the matter into his own hands. Thus, after a defendant has been notified of the pendency of a suit seeking an injunction against him, even though a temporary injunction be not granted, that party acts at his peril and is subject to the power of the court to restore the status wholly irrespective of the merit as may be ultimately decided…”

 

20.0    Furthermore, in the case of OKEKE-OBA v. OKOYE (1994) 8 NWLR. PART 364, PAGE 605 AT 617-618 PARAGRAPHS H-A, the Court stated as follows:

“The general practice is that an application for an order of interlocutory injunction, all activities affecting the res, here the land in dispute, are automatically terminated as a mark of respect to the court before whom the application is pending. Such practice is encouraged by counsel in good chambers consistent with the ethics of the profession”.

 

21.0    THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022: CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO 8: 2 ORS. v. THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 8: 5 ORS.

 

22.0    We wish to state without any iota of doubt that in the light of the development set out herein, no step whatsoever should be taken by the Federal Government to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as same will not only jeopardize the outcome of the litigation process but concomitantly operate to completely erase the confidence reposed in the Judiciary by the common man and a clog in the wheel of the administration of justice.

 

23.0    We have cause to believe, as documentary evidence clearly suggests, that the Federal Government through the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is making frantic and brazen efforts to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission despite the pendency of the suit as well as several applications, and order made by the Court, with the sole aim of stealing a match, stultifying the ·court process and bringing the Rule of Law to ridicule.

 

24.0    CONCLUSION:

Our Clients have done all that is required of them by submitting for judicial consideration and determination their grievances against the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, it behooves these Arms of Government to resist the urge to defy the Judiciary and indeed the judicial process by refraining from conducts which will render nugatory issues presented by our Clients to the Court.

 

25.0    The attendant implications on the faith and belief of the common man are dire and would almost be dampened if the Executive and the Legislative Arms of Government continue to bond towards shattering the fabric and fibre of the judicial process upon which true democracy is enshrined; which the Judiciary seeks to mend and this certainly does not bode well for the Rule of Law if a precedent of Executive and Legislative disregard to court orders, is so easily displayed with impunity, just before the forthcoming general elections.

 

26.0    Having fought to ensure that there is peace and stability in the Country, it would be manifestly antithetical to the goals of this Administration of which you are a key player, if solely for a refusal to await and comply with the judicial process, all the Executive has worked for in the past seven (7) years, translates to naught.

 

27.0    We are of the firm belief, taking into cognizance the judicial authorities referred to above, that as the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a strong proponent of the Rule of Law, you will not in any way advise the President and indeed the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to proceed with the inauguration of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, as the Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC and or concretize their positions, pending the outcome of the adjudicatory process already initiated by our Clients.

 

28.0    Trusting you will advise the relevant parties on the need to allow the judicial process take its course and refrain from taking steps which will ridicule the Rule of Law and further weaken our nascent democratic structure.

 

We remain,

 

Very truly yours,

PP: AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.

 

 

 

AMA ETUWEWE, SAN.

 

CC:    THE HONOURABLE MINISTER

MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS

ABUJA.

admin
ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI NEWS ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING AGBARHO NEWS AGBOR ADVERTISER AGHALOKPE JOURNAL AGHALOKPE MIRROR AGRICULTURE NEWS AHMAD SANI YERIMA AHMAN LAWAN AHMED MAKARFI AJAKA NEWS AJAMIKARAWA SUN AJAOKUTA SUN AJAOKUTA TELEGRAPH AJAOKUTA VOICE AJIMELE NEWS AKPATA DIGEST AKPOMU READER AKWA IBOM DAILY NEWS AKWA IBOM PILOT ALAUSA NEWS ALAUSA TODAY ALI MODU SHERIFF AMERICA MAIL AMINU TAMBUWAL AMUOKPE DAILY AMUOKPE DAILY REVIEW ANAMBRA ANAMBRA RECORDER ANAMBRA TIMES ANIOCHA DAILY PROGRESS ANIOCHA MAIL ANIOCHA NEWS ANIOMA RECORD ANKPA NEWS ANYIM PIUS ANYIM APC CANVASSERS APC NEWS ARHAGBA CHAMPION ARHAGBA HERALD ASABA ASABA BANNER PRESS ASABA CHRONICLE ASABA DAILY NEWS ASABA FLASH POLINT ASABA MAIL ASABA MIRROR ASABA NEWS ASABA NEWS HERALD ASABA NOW ASABA PERISCOPE ASABA TIMES ASABA TODAY ASO ROCK ATAKUNMOSA LEADER ATIKU ABUBAKAR AVIATION AWKA COURIER AWO DAILY INDEPENDENT AYEDAASE ADVOCATE AYEDIRE NEWS AYO FAYOSE BABAGANA KINGIBE BABANGIDA UMARU ZULUM BALA MOHAMMED BASSA DAILY BAUCHI DISPATCH BAYELSA NEWS BAYELSA SUN BELLO MATAWALE BENDEL DAILY BENEDICT AYADE BENIN CITY TODAY BENUE NEWS DISPATCH BENUE SUN BINI PEOPLE BODE OSI LEADERS BOLA AHMED TINUBU BOLA TINUBU BOLUWADURO JOURNAL BOMADI NEWS BORIPE STAR BORNO VOICE BRAZIL TELEGRAPH BRITISH NIGERIA TIMES BUKOLA SARAKI BURUTU STAR BUSINESS BUSINESS NEWS CALABAR BEAT CALABAR NEWS CALABAR TRIBUNE CHARLES UGWU CHOBA LEADER CHRIS NGIGE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT CHRISTIAN NEWS CHRISTOPHER IMUMOLEN CHUKWENDU KALU CHUKWUDI NDUKWE CHUKWUEMEKA NWAJIUBA CIVIL RULE TODAY COMMONWEALTH REPORTERS COMPANY NEWS CONSTITUTION NEWS CRIME CONTROL CRIME PREVENTION CROSS RIVER SENTINEL CROSS RIVER TIMES CUBA JOURNAL DAN NWANYANWU DAVE UMAHI DAVID EDEVBIE DAVID MARK DEKINA GUARDIAN DELE MOMODU DELTA CENTRAL DELTA CHRONICLE DELTA DAILY DELTA DAILY NEWS DELTA DEMOCRAT DELTA LEADER DELTA NORTH DELTA POINTER DELTA PROVINCE NEWS DELTA SOUTH DELTA WEEKLY DIMEJI BANKOLE Do you have any good news? DOYIN OKUPE DUMEBI KACHUKWU East EBIRERI FESTUS OMAJEMITE EBIRERI HENRY MEDIA EBIRERI HENRY NEWSPAPERS EBIRERI HENRY OVIE EBIRERI HENRY OVIE MEDIAGATE EBIRERI HENRY PF SERVICES EBIRERI HENRY PRESS EBIRERI HENRY RADIO EBIRERI HENRY TELEVISION EBIRERI LAMONDE MONDAY KERWE EBIRERI OKPAKO VICTOR EBIRERI OVIE HENRY EBIRERI VICTOR UNUBREME EBONYI GAZETTE EBONYI HERALD EBONYI TIMES REVIEW ECONOMY EDE DEMOCRAT EDE DISPATCH EDE NORTH TIMES EDE SOUTH NEWS EDITH OKOWA EDO COURIER EDO EXPRESS EDO MORNING NEWS EDO POLITICS EDO TIMES EFFURUN BULLETIN EGBEDORE VOICE EJIGBO INTELLIGENCER EJIGBO JOURNAL EKITI STAR NEWS EKITI TIMES EKU NEWS EKU SPECTATOR ELECTION NEWS ELELE BANNER ELITE NEWS ELUME COURIER ELUME DAILY ELUME NEWS ELUME RECORD ELUME SUNRAY ELUME TIMES EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN ENGLISH REVIEW Entertainment ENUGU ADVOCATE ENUGU PRESS EREJA SQUARE NEWS ERIN IJESHA STAR GAZETTE ESA OKE STANDARD ETHIOPE EAST GAZZETTE ETHIOPE WEST PUNCH EUROPE NEWS EUROPE TODAY FAITH BASED NEWS FCT MIRROR FELIX IBRU FESTUS EBIRERI FOREIGN NEWS GBENGA OLAWAPO HASHIM GBONGAN HERALD GODSWILL AKPABIO GODWIN EMEFIELE GOODLUCK JONATHAN GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR GREAT OGBORU HAMZA AL MUSTAPHA Health HENRY OVIE EBIRERI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IBADAN NEWS IBAJI SUN IBIKUNLE AMOSUN IBOKUN REPORTER IBOLO JOURNAL IBRAHIM BABANGIDA IBRAHIM BELLO DAUDA IBRAHIM DANKWAMBO IBRAHIM SHEMA IBUSA ENTERPRISE IDAH LEADERSHIP IDAH TOWN TRUST IFE CENTRAL RECORDER IFE EAST SCENE IFE NORTH OBSERVER IFE SOUTH RECORD IFEANYI OKOWA IFEDAYO INDEPENDENT NEWS IFELODUN PRESS IFETEDO HERALD IFETEDO PATRIOT IFEWARA WEEKLY NEWS IFON OSUN CHRONICLE IGBAJO BEACON NEWS IGBALEMELA ODOLU VOICE IGBIMIDAKA ELUME GUARDIAN IGBIMIDAKA ELUME MEDIA IGBIMIDAKA ELUME MIRROR IGBIMIDAKA ELUME NEW AGE IGBIMIDAKA ELUME NEWS IGBIMIDAKA ELUME OBSERVER IGBIMIDAKA ELUME PATRIOT IGBIMIDAKA ELUME POINTER IGBIMIDAKA ELUME PUNCH IGBIMIDAKA ELUME RADIO IGBIMIDAKA ELUME SUN IGBIMIDAKA ELUME TELEVISION IGBIMIDAKA ELUME THISDAY IGBIMIDAKA ELUME VANGUARD IGBO DAILY NEWS IGBO JOURNAL IGBOMINA DAILY LEDGER IGBOMINA NEWS IGBONNA NEWS IGUN NEWS IJAW NEWS IJAW VOICE IJEBU JESA JOURNAL IJEBU JESA PRESS IJESHA MIRROR IJESHA TIMES IJUMU RADIO IKA HERALD VOICE IKA NEWS IKA PEOPLE IKA SUN IKIRE DAILY TIMES IKIRE HOME NEWS IKIRUN DISPATCH IKOBU CRUSADER IKOTUN DAILY NEWS ILE IFE REVIEW ILE OGBO MAIL ILESA EAST UNION TIMES ILESA LIFE ILESA SUN ILESA WEST SCOUT IMO GAZETTE IMO INDEX IMO INQUIRER IMO TIMES INDUSTRY NEWS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MAN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS IPERINDO RECORD IPETU IJESHA DAILY NEWS IPETUMODU MESSENGER IRAGBEJI NEWS IRAGBIJI TRIBUNE IREPODUN CHRONICLE IREWOLE NEWS ISANLU TIMES ISESE NEWS ISOKAN NEWS ISOKO DISPATCH ISOKO NEWS ISOKO STANDARD ISOKO VOICE ISOKUN DAILY ITA EXPRESS ITA ORANGUN CHRONICLE ITA ORANGUN NEWS ITSEKIRI ADVERTISER ITSEKIRI DIGEST ITSEKIRI NEWS ITSEKIRI PRESS IWO DAILY CALL IWO DAILY STAR IWO HERALD IYARA TELEVISION IYORCHIA AYU JAMES IBORI JAMES MANAGER JEREMI TIMES JESSE VANGUARD JIGAWA SUN JOURNALISM KABBA BUNU EXPRESS KABBA MONITOR KABIR IBRAHIM MASARI Kaduna KADUNA WEEKLY Kano KANO NEWS KASHIM IBRAHIM SHETIMA KATSINA DAILY TIMES KAYODE FAYEMI KEN NNAMANI ken ochonogor KENNETH GBAGI KINGSLEY ESISO KINGSLEY OTUARO KIRIJI NEWS KOGI CENTRAL AUTHORITY KOGI CENTRAL BUSINESS KOGI CENTRAL CHAMPION KOGI CENTRAL COMMUNICATION KOGI CENTRAL DAILY TRUST KOGI CENTRAL GUARDIAN KOGI CENTRAL HALLMARK KOGI CENTRAL INDEPENDENT KOGI CENTRAL LEADERSHIP KOGI CENTRAL MEDIA KOGI CENTRAL MIRROR KOGI CENTRAL NEWS KOGI CENTRAL NEWS STAR KOGI CENTRAL POLITICS KOGI CENTRAL PREMIUM KOGI CENTRAL PUNCH KOGI CENTRAL RADIO KOGI CENTRAL SPORTS KOGI CENTRAL SUN KOGI CENTRAL TELEGRAPH KOGI CENTRAL TELEVISION KOGI CENTRAL THISDAY KOGI CENTRAL TIMES KOGI CENTRAL TRIBUNE KOGI CENTRAL VOICE KOGI CENTRAL WOMEN KOGI CENTRAL YOUTHS KOGI DAILY KOGI NEWS KOGI NEWSPAPERS KOKO NEWS KOKO SUN KOKORI ECHO KOKORI MONITOR KOKORI RADIO KOKORI TELEVISION KOLA ABIOLA KONTO KARFE MAIL kwale KWALE NEWS KWARA BUSINESS JOURNAL KWARA DAILY SUN KWARA HERALD KWARA STAR LABOUR PARTY BELIEVERS LADIPO JOHNSON LAGOS EAGELE LAGOS GOVERNMENT HOUSE LAGOS NEWS LAGOS NOW LAMONDE EBIRERI LEADERSHIP NEWS LEADERSHIP TODAY LOKOJA MONITOR LONDON DIGEST MALIK ADO IBRAHIM MALIKA SANI MARITIME MARKETING MEDIAGATE MEDIAGATE AFRICA MEDIAGATE AGBOR MEDIAGATE AGHALOKPE MEDIAGATE AJAMIKAWA MEDIAGATE AMERICA MEDIAGATE ANTHONY MEDIAGATE ASABA MEDIAGATE ASIA MEDIAGATE BOMADI MEDIAGATE BURUTU MEDIAGATE BUSINESS MEDIAGATE DAILY INDEPENDENT MEDIAGATE ECONOMY MEDIAGATE EDUCATION MEDIAGATE EKU MEDIAGATE ELUME MEDIAGATE ENUGU MEDIAGATE EUROPE MEDIAGATE IBUSA MEDIAGATE IKA MEDIAGATE ISOKO MEDIAGATE ITARY MEDIAGATE ITSEKIRI MEDIAGATE KWALE MEDIAGATE LAGOS MEDIAGATE LISBON MEDIAGATE MANAGEMENT MEDIAGATE MILITARY MEDIAGATE MONITOR MEDIAGATE MOSOGAR MEDIAGATE NEWS MEDIAGATE NIGERIA MEDIAGATE OGHARA MEDIAGATE OKPARA WATER SIDE MEDIAGATE OREROKPE MEDIAGATE PATANI MEDIAGATE POLITICS MEDIAGATE PORTUGAL MEDIAGATE SAPELE MEDIAGATE SOUTH AFRICA MEDIAGATE SPORTS MEDIAGATE SUN MEDIAGATE SURULERE MEDIAGATE UGBIMIDAKA MEDIAGATE UGHELLI MEDIAGATE UNITED KINGDOM MEDIAGATE VANGUARD MEDIAGATE WARRI MEMORIAL NEWS MEREJE NEWS MEREJE PRESS MIDWEST NEWS MILITARY NEWS MOHAMMED BADURU ABUBAKAR MOHAMMED HAYATU DEEN MOHAMMED KOLI MOHAMMED NAZIF MONDAY IGBUYA MONDAY ONYEME MOPA MURO DAILY MOPA MURO RADIO MOPA MURO TELEVISION MOPA MURO TRIBUNE MOPA MURO VANGUARD MOPA MURO VOICE MOPA TELEGRAPH MOSES AYOM MOSHOOD ABIOLA MOSOGAR DAILY REVIEW MOSOGAR JOURNAL MOSOGAR OBSERVER MUHAMMADU BUHARI MUSLIM NEWS MUSLIM TIMES NASIR EL RUFAI NASSARAWA IMPACT NEWSPAPER NATASHA AKPOTI UDUAGHAN-KOGI CENTRAL SENATE NDOKWA CITIZEN NDOKWA DAILY NDOKWA DEMOCRAT ndokwa east NDOKWA TIMES ndokwa west NDUDI ELUMELU News NEWSPAPER OWNER NICHOLAS FELIX NIGER DELTA BUSINESS NEWS NIGER DELTA NEWS NIGER VANGUARD NIGERIA NIGERIA NEWS NIGERIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NNPC North NORTHERN TRUST novena university NWACHUKWU ANAKWENZE NYESOM WIKE OBANGEDE POINTER OBIARUKU BUSINESS JOURNAL OBIARUKU JOURNAL OBOKUN WEEKLY OCHONOGOR EDUCATION CENTRE OCHONOGOR ENGINEERING CENTRE OCHONOGOR FAMILY OCHONOGOR HEALTH CENTRE OCHONOGOR MANAGEMENT CENTRE OCHONOGOR MUSICAL SCHOOL OCHONOGOR RADIO OCHONOGOR SPORTS CENTRE OCHONOGOR TELEVISION ODE OMU REVIEW ODO OTIN COURIER ODO-IRE PUNCH OFU DIARY OGAMINANA MONITOR OGBONNAYA ONU OGHARA ART AND BUSINESS NEWS OGHARA ECHO OGHARA MAIL OGHARA OBSERVER OGHARA POINTER OGORI MAGONGO VOICE OGORI MANGOGO MAIL OGORI MANGOGO MEDIA OGORI MANGOGO MIRROR OGORI MANGOGO NEWS OGORI MANGOGO OBSERVER OGORI MANGOGO TIMES OGUMA DIGEST ogume OGUME ONQUIRER OGUME PEOPLE OGUN HERALD OGUN NEWSPAPER OGWASHI UKU HERALD OGWOAWO BUSINESS DAILY OIL AND GAS OJA TIMI NEWS OKE ILA ORANGUN TIMES OKE ITA ORANGUN SUN OKE OGBO ECHO OKEHI HORIZON OKEHI MONITOR OKEHI MUSIC OKEHI NEWSPAPER OKEHI OBSERVER OKEHI ONLINE OKEHI POINTER OKEHI POLITICS OKEHI RADIO OKEHI TELEVISION OKEHI THEATRE OKEHI TIMES OKEHI VOICE OKENE CONCORD OKENE MAIL OKENE NEWS OKENE TIDE OKENE TIMES OKERE SUN ADVERTIZER OKEY UDO OKPANAM NEWS OKPARA WARER SIDE JOURNAL OKPARA WATER SIDE TRIBUNE OKPARA WATERSIDE DAILY OKPARA WATERSIDE MAIL OKPARA WATERSIDE NEWS OKPARA WATERSIDE RADIO OKPARA WATERSIDE TELEVISION OKPE BULLETIN OKPE HERALD OKPE KINGDOM OKPE LEADER OKPE LEADER NEWS OKPE NEWS OKPE PILOT OKPE SUN OKPE WORLDWIDE OKPO TOWN DAILY OKUKU COURIER OKUKU TIMES OKWUDILI NWA ANYAJIKA OLA OLUWA MORNING REVIEW OLAMABORO NEWS OLD BENDEL MAIL OLEH COURIER OLONA REGISTER OLORUNDA EXPRESS OLUSEGUN OBASANJO OMALA VOICE OMOWOLE SOWORE ONDO INFORMER STAR ONDO MIRROR ONDO REGISTER ONDO STATE NEWS ONDO TRIBUNE ONITSHA CHRONICLE ONYEDEGA MIRROR OREROKPE ENTERPRISE OREROKPE NEWS OREROKPE PILOT ORI OKE MAIL ORIADE SENTINEL ORISA STAR ORITSEJOLOMI UDUAGHAN ORJI KALU OROGUN NEWSPAPER OROLU VOICE OSHIMILI HERALD OSHIMILI NEWS OSHIMILI NORTH BULLETIN OSHIMILI SOUTH REPORTERS OSHIMILI SUN OSOGBO GAZETTE OSOGBO MERCHANT OSOGBO NEWS OSU STAR OSU VANGUARD OSUN HERALD OSUN OSOGBO COURIER OSUN RECORD OTAN AYEGBAJU SENTINEL OTAN ILE DAILY NEWS OVIE HENRY EBIRERI OVIE OMO AGEGE OYO ADVOCATE OYO NEWS OYO STATE NEWS OYO TODAY OZORO HEADLIGHT OZORO NEWS PATANI NEWS PDP FOOT SOLDIERS PDP NEWS PETER OBI PETER UMEADI PETROLEUM PLATEAU EAGLE PLATEAU MESSENGER POLITICAL COMMUNICATION POLITICAL NEWS POLITICIAN Politics PORT HARCOURT MESSENGER POWER SHIFT AGITATION PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDENTIAL NEWS PROFILE PUBLIC RELATIONS QUALITY REPRESENTATION RABIU KWANKWASO RAUF AREGBESOLA RECLAMATION TIMES RELIGION TODAY RESTRUCTURING NEWS RIVER OSUN GAZETTE RIVERS STATE NEWS RIVERS STATE POLITICS RIVERS STATESMAN ROBERT AJAYI BOROFFICE ROCHAS OKOROCHA ROTIMI AMAECHI SAGBAMA TRIBUNE SAM OHUABUNWA SAPELE BEACON SAPELE BRAND SAPELE COMMUNITY NEWS SAPELE FACTS SAPELE GAZETTE SAPELE LIGHT SAPELE PEOPLE SAPELE PIONEER SAPELE REPORTER NEWS SAPELE TELEGRAM SECURITY SECURITY CHIEFS SEYI MAKINDE SHERIFF OBOREVWORI SHINA PETER SOCIETY NEWS South SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA CHRONICLE SOUTH-SOUTH TODAY SOUTHERN NIGERIA COURIER SOUTHERN OBSERVER STATE ELECTIONS STATE OF OSUN HERALD SULE LAMIDO SUNDAY ADENUGA TAMINU TURAKI TARABA COASTER TARABA HERALD TEIN JACK RICH THE SENATE TIMIPRE SYLVA TODAY NEWS TRANSPORTATION TRINADAD TIMES TUNDE BAKARE UDOM EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN BLUE PRINT UDUAGHAN DAILY INDEPENDENT UDUAGHAN DAILY NEWS UDUAGHAN HALLMARK UDUAGHAN MAIL UDUAGHAN MEDIA UDUAGHAN MIRROR UDUAGHAN MONITOR UDUAGHAN NEWAGE UDUAGHAN PILOT UDUAGHAN POINTER UDUAGHAN POST UDUAGHAN RADIO UDUAGHAN TELEVISION UDUAGHAN THISDAY UDUAGHAN TIMES UDUAGHAN VANGUARD UDUAGHAN VOICE UGBEKU STAR UGBIMIDAKA TODAY UGBIMIDAKA VANGUARD UGBORHEN OIL UGHELLI EAGLE UGHELLI MONITOR UGHELLI SOUTH CITIZEN JOURNAL UGHELLI WEEKLY UGHOTON NEWS UJU KENNEDY OHANENYE UKWUANI NEWS UKWUANI PEOPLE UKWUANI REPORTERS UKWUANI TIMES UMUNEDE OBSERVER Uncategorized UNITED KINGDOM NEWS UNIVERSITY NEWS URHOBO ADVOCATE URHOBO GAZETTE URHOBO HERALD URHOBO INDEX URHOBO LEADER URHOBO NATION URHOBO NEWS URHOBO PIONEER URHOBO RECORD URHOBO RECORDER URHOBO REVIEW URHOBO SENTINEL URHOBO STATESMAN URHOBO TIMES UYO MIRROR UYO REPORTERS VERONICA IKPERA EBIRERI WARRI HIGHLANDER WARRI NATION WARRI NEWS WARRI NORTH PIONEER WARRI REPORTERS WARRI SOUTH NEWS WESTERN REGION SENTINEL WESTERN STATE DEFENDER World News YABANJI SANI YAGBA EAST DAILY YAGBA WEST MONITOR YAHAYA BELLO YAKUBU DOGARA YEMI OSINBAJO YEMOJA SUN YORUBA DAILY TRUST YORUBA GUARDIAN yoruba news YORUBA PEOPLE DAILY UNION YORUBA PUNCH YORUBA THISDAY YORUBA TRIBUNE YUSUF DANTALIE ZAMFARA DAILY PROGRESS zipowei zipowei ochonogor
Crown Troupe of Africa other artists to perform in Lagos Zipowei

Zipowei, Crown Troupe of Africa, other artists to perform in Lagos

 

  • National Theatre Festival of Unity begins
  • Femi Osofisan, Ahmed Parker Yerima, others speak on play creation

 

Zipowei, Crown Troupe of Africa and Blackedge Productions will perform in Lagos.

 

Gifted Steppers, JP Artistic Troupe and selected up-coming solo artistes will also perform at this year’s National Theatre Festival of Unity

 

Zipowei, a graduate of the University of Ibadan and currently participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), made her debut in the music scene with the official release of her first single, “Free Falling,” in October 2022″ a statement issued Friday morning by the Director of Communications, MediaGate Nigeria, Mr. Victor Oki said.

 

The 2022 National Theatre Festival of Unity with the theme Celebrations is designed to consolidate upon the gains of the first two editions.

 

The theme was carefully chosen to give Nigerians an opportunity to take stock of God’s abundant blessings in their lives.

 

The edition which runs from 16-18th December 2022 falls within the last four months of the tenure of the President Muhammadu Buhari led democratic government.

 

‘’It is therefore only fitting to leverage this festival to take stock of the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari despite daunting challenges foist on Nigeria by escalating global economic recession and daunting security challenges’’.

 

The festival shall commence on Friday 16th December 2022 with a new addition to the activities- a virtual roundtable on play creation anchored by the Nigerian Centre of International Theatre Institute (ITI-UNESCO).

 

The innovative roundtable shall feature two leading Nigerian playwrights and former Chief Executive Officers of the National Theatre of Nigeria, Professors Femi Osofisan (2004-2007) and Ahmed Parker Yerima (2007-2014) as mentors and lead speakers.

 

The panellists shall include the three National Theatre Play Reading Series-award winning playwrights.

 

The National Theatre Festival of Unity was introduced in 2020 as an annual event by Professor Sunday Enessi Ododo, (fsonta, fta, fnipr,fsna, fana, FNAL), the General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre.

 

The maiden edition which featured music, dance, and stand-up comedy held at the National Theatre complex, Iganmu-Lagos from 10-13th December 2020.

 

The festival was conceived to celebrate life, build bridges of unity, promote peace and harmony as well as rekindle hope in humanity following the disruption by the Coronavirus pandemic which rocked the globe.

 

Accordingly, the maiden edition had the theme: Healing Nigeria.  In Nigeria, besides the pandemic, there was also the unprecedented youth protest that engulfed the nation shortly thereafter.

 

The maiden edition offered Nigerians and residents alike fresh opportunity to engage and enjoy live performances which were temporarily suspended because of the pandemic.

 

Continuing in its tradition of preaching hope and perseverance amongst Nigerians, the National Theatre hosted the second edition of the festival from December 10th- 12th, 2021 under the theme Enduring Optimism.

 

The 3-day event which also held at the National Theatre, Iganmu- Lagos featured more events than the maiden edition. The new events include carnival procession, film show, visual arts exhibition and awards ceremony. These were in addition to the usual live-theatre performances, music, stand-up comedy and dance.

 

The festival aimed to encourage advancement of the performing arts throughout the country, create opportunities for up- coming Performing Artistes and aid the promotion of social development and improvement of quality of life.

 

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Zi always knew she wanted to be involved in the music scene. From primary school choirs to secondary school mini sessions in her classrooms during free periods, she always seized the opportunity to belt out a few tunes.

 

On some occasions, this involved approaching random classmates in hallways and singing to them.

 

Writing songs since age 13 has helped Zi develop her formula as she delivers lyrics laced with vulnerability and soul in expressions of love, hope, healing, and fun

 

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU INAUGURATES STATE TECHNICAL, MONITORING COMMITTEES ON ENGINEERING REGULATIONS MONITORING

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday inaugurated the State Technical Committee (STC) and State Expatriate Monitoring Committee (SEMC) on Engineering Regulations Monitoring (ERM).

Governor Sanwo-Olu while inaugurating the committees at Lagos House, Ikeja, urged them to ensure that all infrastructure in the State meet the global standards of engineering practice.

The Governor warned that nothing short of the best standards will be tolerated and therefore urged the Committees to come up with stringent regulations that will guide the ethics and practices of the profession, as well as adherence to project specifications.

He said: “We have, with all sense of responsibility, given priority to the development of infrastructure. My tour of the State will demonstrate the attention of our administration to massive construction of roads, bridges, housing, water infrastructure, among others.

“The inauguration of the Lagos State Technical Committee of the Engineering Regulations Monitoring of COREN is the birth of a new dawn in what I consider COREN’s effort to revolutionalise the practice of engineering in Nigeria in general and Lagos State in particular.

“With this inauguration, the era of mediocrity should be gone. Engineering must take its pride of place and be the driver in our development effort in the State.

“Let me reiterate that in carrying out engineering projects in Lagos State, there will be no tolerance for quackery. In the same token, no Engineer will be allowed to supervise any project except he/she is duly registered by COREN and possesses current practising license. Possession of current Practising License shall be a condition for prequalification by Licence by all companies assigned to carry out engineering projects in the State.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu who congratulated members of the Lagos State Technical Committee and Lagos State Expatriate Monitoring Committee, for being found deserving of the selection, urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them and perform the assignment with maximum commitment and credibility.

He said “In selecting, the members of the Lagos State Technical Committee and Lagos State Expatriate Monitoring Committee, extreme care and diligence were applied. It is also ensured that these nominees are from very reputable organisations.”

Speaking earlier, the President of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Engr. Ali Rabiu FNSE, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for being strategic and deliberately enhancing available human and material resources to serve the people of Lagos State.

He said Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration is being applauded for many projects in the State, which are transformational projects meant to improve the qualities of life in Lagos State

“You are transforming the state into an industrial and economic wonderland of the continent. This is particularly true in Mr. Governor’s efforts in the construction of over 308 roads and the delivery of the red and blue rail project, which he promised to be operational by the first quarter of 2023,” he said.

The Committees are to be guided by the responsibilities of locating document organisations and practitioners and report to the Registrar; verify and monitor the professional competence of works approving Officers; act as COREN watchdogs on maintenance, upholding Engineering codes of practice in public works, prohibit default, and ensure that all such works are in accordance with Engineering design and specification by Registered Engineers; among others.

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

15 DECEMBER 2022

admin
ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI NEWS ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING AGBARHO NEWS AGBOR ADVERTISER AGHALOKPE JOURNAL AGHALOKPE MIRROR AGRICULTURE NEWS AHMAD SANI YERIMA AHMAN LAWAN AHMED MAKARFI AJAKA NEWS AJAMIKARAWA SUN AJAOKUTA SUN AJAOKUTA TELEGRAPH AJAOKUTA VOICE AJIMELE NEWS AKPATA DIGEST AKPOMU READER AKWA IBOM DAILY NEWS AKWA IBOM PILOT
DELTA WOMEN TASK KOGI CENTRAL VOTERS ON NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN

DELTA WOMEN TASK KOGI CENTRAL VOTERS ON NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN

 

  • CALL CDW STATEMENT FOOLISH TALK, SHEER NONSENSE, FAKE NEWS

 

  • EXPRESS READINESS TO HOST AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN IN WARRI ON SATURDAY

 

A group, Delta Women Vanguard, on Sunday described the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial Candidate in Kogi Central, Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as the defender of the people.

 

‘’What the time demands is a woman with strength, who by practical, creative and visionary leadership can embark on a new beginning; a woman with a sense of mission in a rescue operation; a woman of vision and focus; a woman with courage to face difficulties. Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is dedicated to the uplifting of the Ebira man, woman and youth’’

 

The group also declared its readiness to host the PDP, Kogi Central flag bearer in Warri on Saturday, November 19, 2022.

 

A statement issued in Warri urged Kogi Central voters to reject narrow minded, untrustworthy, manipulative, selfish and unpatriotic candidates.

 

‘’Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is polished, beloved by the wonderful people of Kogi State and her name is etched in their minds. We are determined to convince Kogi Central people. We shall urge the voters to reject Kogi APC in 2023’’

 

DWV National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Esther Umukoro in the statement in Warri, applauded Akpoti-Uduaghan for raising a lot of women and youths to a higher level of existence and sacrificing to enable them to enjoy good life.

 

‘’We will make Kogi Central voters be aware of the issues involved in the 2023 senatorial election and the advantage they stand to gain by voting for PDP. We will explain her ideals and priorities and how best to solve the problems of Kogi Central. We will then tell why they have to vote for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’’

 

The statement underscored the desire of the good people of Kogi Central to break away from the stranglehold of Governor Yahaya Bello and his cronies.

 

‘’They will know who has a better grasp of the issues at hand and who is better equipped to solve them. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not a typical Nigerian politician who speaks from both sides of the mouth’’

 

The statement also emphasized Akpoti Uduaghan’s benevolence, wisdom, charm, competence, roles played at critical points in the development of Kogi Central and identification with public worthy causes.

 

‘’Kogi Central is behind in development requirements. Kogi APC will no longer be allowed to pollute the stream from which the people drink’’

 

The group accused those parading as Concerned Delta Women of advertising ignorance and prejudicing the minds of people by deliberate lies and perversion of the truth.

 

‘’It is foolish talk and sheer nonsense. These renegades do not have the rectitude to speak on marriage, development and the future of Kogi Central’’.

 

‘’No crumbs, however tempting, should distract Kogi Central voters from ensuring the electoral victory of Akpoti-Uduaghan in 2023’’ the statement added.

admin
ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI NEWS ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING AGBARHO NEWS AGBOR ADVERTISER
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Law firm disowns document

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Law firm disowns document

A law firm, Indemnity Partners, has dissociated itself from a document in respect of Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Alema of Warri Kingdom, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan.

‘’Our attention has been drawn to a letter trending on social media purporting to have been issued from our law firm in respect of our client and her husband’’.

‘The law firm said in a statement signed by B. C. Igwilo SAN that the document was inauthentic and of dubious origin.

‘’ That letter is inauthentic and of dubious origin’’.

The firm urged the discerning public to ignore the document in circulation in its entirety.

‘’We categorically distance ourselves from the purported letter and its alleged contents’’ the statement added.

 

Below is the full text of the disclaimer

INDEMNITY PARTNERS

LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, NOTARIES PUBLIC

 

4th November 2022

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

DISCLAIMER

We are solicitors for Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Our attention has been drawn to a letter trending on social media purporting to have been issued from our law firm in respect of our client and her husband.

We categorically distance ourselves from the purported letter and its alleged contents.

That letter is inauthentic and of dubious origin.

Accordingly, we urge the discerning public to ignore it in its entirety.

 

  1. C. Igwilo SAN

Indemnity Partners

admin
ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI NEWS ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING
land comments Okere-Urhobo royal families knock Louis Okumagba over Uduaghan

Okere-Urhobo royal families knock Louis Okumagba over Uduaghan, land comments

 

Key families in Okere-Urhobo on Monday took steps to foil the divisive and land grabbing plan of one Louis Okumagba.

 

They also urged the good people of Delta State and the general public to completely discountenance the false publication by Louis Okumagba.

 

‘’Louis Okumagba does not represent the interests of the families of Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu of Okere-Urhobo’’

 

Heads and members of the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Okere-Urhobo of Warri South spoke on prejudices of some local and foreign publishers on the land opposite Don Domingo College, Warri Monday morning.

 

Chief Gideon Okumagba, a representative of the three families, read the statement of the royal families aloud to newsmen.

 

The families accused Louis Okumagba of distortion and inciting fear in Delta State.

 

‘’The families of Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu collectively owned landed properties in Warri’’

 

 

 

The Okere-Urhobo leaders said the land was acquired by the defunct Bendel State Government.

 

‘’The families are represented by Heads of the Kindred family and are the original owners of the land until it was acquired by the then Bendel State Government. The families currently have their administrative office at No 60 Okumagba Avenue Warri where they meet frequently to deal with issues. on family lands and other related family matters’’

 

They offered an itemized and caustic indictment of Louis Okumagba’s behavior in Warri South.

 

‘’As one of the elders in the family, specifically as related to the false claims by Louis Okumagba, I am well abreast of the issues raised in that publication. The good people of Warri are not in any war or in a battle over the landed property opposite Don Domingo College, Warri, and it is very shameful that the said Louis is trying to incite tribal/ethnic battle in that publication’’.

 

They promised to file a libel suit against individuals and organizations publishing Louis Okumagba’s false narrative.

 

‘’It is not true that the Alema of Warri Kingdom, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, used officials of the Delta State Government to intimidate and arrest Louis Okumagba. To be candid, it was Chief Gideon Okumagba that reported his criminal extortion of money from developers to the Police Area Commander Office in Warri’’.

 

The statement emphasized how the matter was dragged to the office of the Inspector General of Police Abuja.

 

‘’While the case was being deliberated on in Abuja, Louis Okumagba jumped bail and hurriedly filed a fundamental Human Rights Application against me, the Inspector General of Police and Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan at Warri High Court just to shield himself from being prosecuted for his criminal act. I equally filed a Counter application in that case and at the end the Judgment was resolved in my favour while his Fundamental Human Rights Application was dismissed with cost. Louis has been a fugitive. Since that judgment, he has not been seen within Warri’’.

 

Particularly, the families accused Louis Okumagba of trying to sow discord amongst Deltans through falsehood.

 

‘’Louis Okumagba claimed that he has been in the forefront of the land in dispute is false and misrepresentation of facts. And the alleged grabbing of over 30 hectares of land by the Okowa Government led by High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan is equally false. The land was acquired by the then Bendel state for public purposes. The Delta State government has since done the needful by releasing/returning parts of the land to the Olodi, Oki and lghogbadu families who are the rightful owners. 4.6 hectares of land was released to the family on the 26 day of June 1988 and another part of the unused land was released to the Olodi,. Oki and 1ghogbadu families on the 14 of January 2000. Also, the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families have an agreement with the Government of Delta State over the remaining parts of the land’’

 

The families told news men there was zero evidence for Louis Okumagba claims of land grabbing.

 

‘To be more specific, the remaining portion of the land was released to Seriviri Nigeria Limited wherein Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan is one of the directors of that company and the said company also have an agreement with the families and half of the land was released to the families. Indeed, the three families benefited from the land including Louis Okumagba ’’.

 

They scolded Louis Okumagba for rendering a real disservice.

 

‘’There was never any consultation by Louis Okumagba with the well-known families of Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu before that Publication was made by him. It’s a futile attempt to incite the Urhobo and Itsekiri into a needless bickering. There is no dispute as far as the land in this narrative is concerned. The said Louis should avail himself to enable the police conclude their investigation in the crime levied against him. The land in question belongs to the Olodi, Oki and lghogbadu families of Okere-Urhobo and he should stop spreading false claims and division among the families and tribes in Delta State. If there are disputes in any land owned by these families, it is the heads and members of the family who will collectively decide to institute an action in court’’,

 

Last week, the  families condemned the role of Chief Louis Okumagba in the 30 plots released to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo kingdom of Delta State.

 

They described it as a negative development and a minus for peace and development in Delta State.

 

In a letter titled: ‘’Attempt / efforts to cause communal war, fanning embers of communal dispute, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and criminal defamation of characters of our clients; Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo kingdom of Delta State, all committed by Mr. Louis Okumagba – a call to investigate the allegation herein, the families urged the Inspector General of Police to use his good office to investigate allegations against Louis Okumagba, so as to prevent a monumental communal war/crisis between Itsekiri and the Urhobo of Okere Urhobo Kingdom.

 

’’God forbid a repetition of what happened in 1997/98 in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom’’

 

Counsel to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo Kingdom, L O. Egboyi & CO said in the 1974/76, the then government  acquired a part or portion of our client’s land for public purpose.

 

‘’In 2017, the Delta State government gave part of this acquired land to Messrs. Seriviri Nig. Ltd. for the purpose of partnership (Leisure Park) with the state government, covered by a certificate of Occupancy. Considering the size of the land given to Seriviri Nig. Ltd, for the partnership, it could not utilize the entire land. So, it entered into agreement with our client family, wherein, it released 30 plots thereof back to the family – our clients’’

 

The Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri are made up of the popular Okumagba family of Warri, Okere- Urhobo kingdom.

 

‘’Our clients are the owners of all the land in the entire Okere-Urhobo kingdom Warri. Certain Mr. Louis Okumagba who is the black sheep of the family started to foment trouble, disturbing and threatening Seriviri Nig. Ltd, with thugs and dangerous weapons which led to his arrest in 2019 to the Police Force Headquarters’, Abuja. After being granted bail by the police, the suspect (Mr. Louis Okumagba) rushed to file a fundamental Human Rights action against the Police, at the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri. The action stalled the prosecution of the suspect (Mr. Louis) by the Police’’.

 

The families said the suit of the suspect against the Police was dismissed by the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri, with a specific order of the Court directing the police to arrest and prosecute the suspect (Mr Louis Okumagba).

‘’While the Police were looking for the suspect for arrest and prosecution as directed by the Court, the same suspect went to social media (Opera news) to declare that “there will be looming danger of war/crisis between the Itsekiri and Urhobos”, thereby inciting, promoting and instigating communal war between the two peaceful co-existing communities of Itsekiri and Urhobo’’.

This incitement, according to the families, created several apprehensions in the minds of locals, which has affected the hitherto peace that reigned and pervaded the two communities.

‘’Furthermore, the suspect posted on the same social media that some named members of our clients namely, Chief Gideon Okumagba, Stanley Oki, Chief Victor Okumagba, Engr. Prince Ojuvwu Okumagba and others, sent assassins to his house to kill him, but he escaped by the whiskers. He confirmed that he had a one-on-one confrontation with the assassins, who confirmed the named members of our clients above, as the people who commissioned them to eliminate him’’.

The legal practitioners described Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu as bunch of responsible families

‘’Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families are known throughout Nigeria for their peaceful disposition. The named individuals are distinguished and respected members of the Okumagba family and the Nigeria Society. Our clients therefore take the allegation of hiring assassins by its members very seriously, especially in this era of Security challenges in the country’’.

The families also deplored the actions of Louis Okumagba and urged the Inspector General of Police to use his good offices to investigate the allegations and anyone found culpable to be brought to book.

‘’So, if investigation reveal the named individuals as assassins or connected to the attempt assassination of the suspect, as he alleged, they should be so indicted and prosecuted. But otherwise, the law on criminal defamation as enshrined in the Criminal Code and status in Nigeria are still very potent and alive. We assure you of our client’s co-operation with your men in the investigation of this petition’’.

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

TINUBU’S LEADERSHIP ANTECEDENT VERIFIABLE, MARKETABLE – SANWO-OLU

…Advocacy Group Holds Talks, Targets Grassroots Voters For APC Victory In Lagos

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has endorsed a grassroots movement targeting two million votes in the State for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Sanwo-Olu personally led members of his cabinet, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to a conference organised by Asiwaju Grassroots Talk (AGT), where the Governor drummed support for group’s political advocacy and its voter mobilisation strategy across local communities in Lagos.

The event with the theme: “Political Evangelism: Raising Active Voters Above 50 Percent”, was held at 10 Degrees Event Centre in Oregun, Ikeja, and had 5,000 mobilisers working with the group in attendance.

The group is mobilising for the electoral victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the presidential polls, while also working with APC for the continuity of progressive government in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu said his endorsement of the AGT advocacy project stemmed from the proven ability of the group to influence and mobilise real voters, noting that AGT had a strong presence across communities in Lagos.

The Governor said Tinubu remained the most qualified and marketable candidate for the top job, pointing out that the APC’s presidential standard bearer possessed verifiable records in good governance and service delivery, which canvassers could use to sell him to voters.

He said: “We are ready to take the gospel out to the electorate and canvass for their support for the Tinubu presidency. Asiwaju has verifiable track records in good governance and service delivery, which canvassers can use to engage and win the support of potential voters. We must talk about the transformative leadership, progressive ideals and vision possessed by Asiwaju to take this country to another level of meaningful development.

“Tinubu is coming to bring hope, bring about change that will translate to real prosperity. He is coming to address the challenges facing the youth, women and the vulnerable in our country. His programmes will touch the lives of traders, artisans and those in search of legitimate means of livelihood. It is because of our strong belief in Asiwaju’s leadership that we are all coming together to endorse this grassroots movement to ensure Lagos is delivered for APC.

“With Tinubu in charge of the country, not only would Lagos get due attention, the Southwest and the entire nation would feel the impact of his progressive vision. The result of his leadership in Lagos is for everyone to see. There is no better candidate to lead the country from next year than Tinubu. All hands must be on deck to work and achieve this objective; we must show the opposition parties how we are better than them on election day.”

Sanwo-Olu dismissed the notion that Tinubu’s candidacy was to advance ethnic agenda, stressing that the APC presidential candidate belonged to the rank of the most detribalised Nigerians.

The Governor said the fulfillment of his promises to the electorate in Lagos would make the residents vote for continuity in the State, noting that his Government touched all parts of the State in projects and service delivery.

He urged AGT members not to be intimidated by the propaganda of the opposition in the course of engaging voters at the community level. He charged them to show commitment to deliver their pledge to the party.

“This movement should not be limited to the 5,000 mobilisers who are gathered for this event. You must show the commitment to deliver the highest votes which you have pledged. I believe you have the spread and ability to achieve it,” Sanwo-Olu said.

AGT Director-General, Dr. AbdulHakeem Tugbobo, said the group was formed in 2018 to drive community advocacy and educate voters at the grassroots level about Tinubu’s vision and political philosophy.

He said the group aligned itself with the progressive ideals of APC, given various development goals achieved by the party, especially in Lagos.

He said: “We are ready to complement the party’s campaign council and get many people to join the Tinubu-Shettima ticket and make it realisable. We have our tentacles spread across the State and we are targeting the 4,156 CDAs in Lagos to realise 2,000,000 votes from farmers, artisans and others for Tinubu to become the president.”

Lagos APC chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, hailed members of the group for the initiative, saying the party faced an “important election” that would further strengthen it to deliver more dividends of good governance to Lagosians and Nigerians.

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

06 OCTOBER 2022

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

WHY COWLSO IS INVESTING IN EDUCATION, WELFARE OF THE VULNERABLE, BY SANWO-OLU

…Says All Is Set For 22nd National Women’s Conference

…Aisha Buhari, Wike, Ganduje, Zulum, Others To Grace 2022 NWC

 

 

Lagos State First Lady and Chairman of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Dr Ibjioke Sanwo-Olu on Thursday explained the rationale behind the massive investment of the Committee in education and welfare of the vulnerable.

 

Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at a Press Conference held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja to unveil activities for the 22nd National Women’s Conference (NWC) of COWLSO, said as a community-based gender organization, the Committee was established primarily to complement efforts of government officials in bringing about exponential development and generally improving the welfare of Lagosians.

 

According to her, “Since we came on board, we have worked in line with the founding vision of COWLSO to invest in the education of our children. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we donated 5,000 transistor radios to support the education of children in the riverine communities.

 

“The donation was part of efforts to ensure that no child is left behind in the access to quality education in the state on account of the challenges thrown up by the pandemic, while we equally factored in electricity challenges as the radios are such that can function with batteries.

 

“We have equally invested in the welfare of vulnerable children and elders, particularly those in orphanages and elderly care homes across the five administrative divisions of the state namely Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

 

“As we speak, we are also constructing a senior secondary school in Ogombo Community, Ajah in collaboration with the Lagos State Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS). The school is the first public school with a ramp specifically designed to facilitate the ease of movement of physically challenged students within the school.”

 

She said COWLSO also holds quarterly seminars for market men and women on sanitation, security and safety, among other projects.

 

Speaking on activities lined up for the 2022 COWLSO NWC, the First Lady said as a purpose-driven international conference through which women are positively galvanized, the event will hold from October 18 to 20, 2022 at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme: “Spring Forth, Stand Out.”

 

Explaining the reason for the theme, she said: “In 2019 when we came on board, our theme was: “UNLEARN, LEARN AND RELEARN: 21ST CENTURY WOMEN’S T.H.E.M.E.S PERSPECTIVES/APPROACH.” In 2020, we discussed “EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES IN A NEW WORLD”. In 2021, our theme was “AWAKE!”, while this year, our theme is: “Spring Forth, Stand Out.”

 

“Haven extensively dealt with issues around awakening last year, what naturally follows an awakening is to emerge into something more beautiful and into something better. You emerge into a better version of yourself and keep pushing forward to make a positive difference. This is the message we are passing across to women this year.”

 

Aside from the main theme, other topics to be extensively discussed by seasoned facilitators and speakers, according to the First Lady, are: “Our Health: A Challenge and a call to reference; Mastering Performance Parenting in a Gen-z World; Insecurity: A threat to National Development; My Civic Responsibility: My Power; Smart Investment Options for the Forward Thinking Woman; Roles of women in Educational Development in Nigeria; Overcoming Adversity with Confidence; and Utilizing Technology to Manage Business and Market Changes,” among others.

 

“We have made adequate preparations to ensure that we have more plenary sessions this year to extensively deliberate on the highlighted topics and associated issues, while on Day 3 of the Conference, there will be a Recap and Communiqué to state the position of COWLSO on the Conference and developments in the nation, particularly as regarding women and children,” she said.

 

On the expected guests, she said Nigeria’s First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari will serve as the Mother of the day and would declare the Conference Open, while His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is the Special Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony.

 

She added that the Special Guest of Honour for the Gala Night is His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, while the Special Guest of Honour at the Closing Ceremony is His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State.

 

 

 

 

OLUBUKONLA NWONAH

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS

OFFICE OF LAGOS STATE FIRST LADY

OCTOBER 6, 2022

 

PARAMOUNT AFRICA ANNOUNCES BET AFRICA CHANNEL NOW PERMANENTLY AVAILABLE TO DSTV FAMILY VIEWERS  

THE HOME OF BLACK EXCELLENCE COMES TO DSTV FAMILY VIEWERS 

 

As of 7 October 2022, Paramount Africa’s channel brand, BET Africa will be permanently available to all DStv Family viewers. This follows an initial announcement by the business, informing audiences that BET Africa (channel 129) would only be available to DStv Family viewers during the DStv open window, which commenced on 26 September 2022.

The move is a testament to Paramount Africa adhering to audience demands for new, relatable content that resonates with audiences and speaks to the impact and global channel currency of the BET brand.

In addition, the decision also implies that Paramount Africa will now be able to continue to execute its commitment to providing access to relevant stories and extending the authentic storytelling mantra by providing exclusive premium local and international content.

“As the home of black excellence, the BET Africa channel is synonymous with showcasing the best African and African American stories. We are excited to be extending our audience reach as this means the stories will reach new and more viewers. This is not only good news for viewers but for the black entertainment industry as well, putting our work in the spotlight and growing our industry.” said Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager Paramount Africa and Peer Lead, BET International.

“MultiChoice has embraced ‘Africa to the world’ and ‘the world to Africa’ as a business philosophy, as such we strive to continually review our packages so as to continually curate a quality viewing experience of both quality local and international and content. We are proud to expand the number of our customers that can enjoy the great BET experience and look forward to the continuation of a great partnership between the Paramount team and the MultiChoice Group.” said Georginah Machiridza, Executive Head: Content Strategy & 3rd Party Channels at MultiChoice Group.

 

BET Africa is the leading provider of black entertainment on the globe and provides a plethora of diverse programmes, including reality, entertainment, docu-series, and recently launched weekly original drama, Redemption, BET Africa’s biggest production of the year.

Viewers will also have access to a slate of new and exclusive international programming, including the premiere of the scripted anthology music series Tales: Every Song Has A Story, the new family drama Carl Weber’s: The Black Hampton, and the highly anticipated celebration of hip hop culture, the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards, all premiering this October. 

BET Africa will be available to DStv Family viewers from 7 October 2022 on channel 129 across all African countries excluding Ethiopia.

 

“One day, I am going to win the Grammys”, WhiteMoney shares on #WithChude

 

Reality TV star and Singer, WhiteMoney sits with Chude Jideonwo on #WithChude to discuss winning BBN in 2021, his music career and his ultimate goal of inevitably winning the Grammys.

 

On the show, WhiteMoney discussed not having a degree and how watching foreign films and observing people has helped him improve himself. “The biggest teacher any man can have is experience. The second teacher anyone can have is life, and the third is people, not even your parents. You need life, people and experience to become a better person in life. School won’t give you that experience you need. The school will give you theory; life will give you practical. For example, the highest educational qualification I have is O’ level, National Examination Council (NECO), that’s all I wrote. I didn’t write WAEC, JAMB or anything, but I still speak good English. I hate reading, but I love to listen, so I watch a lot of movies and emulate the way they talk and it impacted me. If I am to act the role of someone with an American accent, I have to watch five Black American movies. By the time I’m done with them, it automatically programs in my head against the shoot the next day. It helps fine-tune my English, and how to read contracts and sign them. I stopped at NECO because that was where the money stopped. It was my uncle who sent the 3,500 for the form. It was like two days before it closed that I got it, and I passed very well.

 

He also shared how poverty helps him remain tenacious in spite of rejections “The biggest motivation for me is poverty. If you love your situation and the way you are, then don’t work. But if you are tired of begging for handouts, not being recognized, or tired of Grammys. Poverty will motivate you to go out there and do something for yourself. So, poverty pushed me to audition four times in a row, and I won the fourth time.

 

On handling vicious feedback from the audience on his song, ‘Selense’, he shared, “it didn’t affect me like that, to be very honest. If you really watch the show, or if you ask people, they’ll tell you that WhiteMoney has zero impulses, my emotions are zero. If you talk, it hardly gets to me because once I do what I am satisfied with, any other thing is Jara. The thing is that the song that I drop if you give it to one of the A-List artists, it will get more buzz than what it is now, but of course, I was known for cooking in the Big Brother house, if it’s not cooking nobody wants to hear it. And I’m in a position where I have to constantly prove myself that I can do this and actually cook and be successful at both of them. But I won’t be the guy that gets old and regrets doing what he didn’t love. I’ll keep dropping it and I know that one day, White Money is going to get the Grammys.

 

“Even the big celebrities get criticized. In fact, the criticism I got for Selense, is not up to what I got for Na We We, the one I featured Zoro, but it helped the music to enter Apple’s chart in two days. Up till now, I am still promoting the song, and the comments on YouTube now are positive”, he added.

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

LAGOS STRIKES DEAL WITH PRIVATE FIRM TO MANAGE, OPERATE 32-METRIC TONS IMOTA RICE MILL

 

  • Sanwo-Olu presides over MoU signing with WACOT Rice Ltd

 

Ahead of the commissioning and operation of the 32-metric tons per hour Rice Mill in Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos State Government has handed over the management of the facility to private investor for efficient running.

 

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, presided over the ceremony where officials of the State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WACOT Rice Limited, a subsidiary of TGI Group.

 

The private firm is to provide operational support and manage the mill for nine months in the first instance through Joint Venture. The partnership is subject to renewal subsequently.

 

Sanwo-Olu is expected to hand over the rice mill in the next few months, after which it would commence commercial operation.

 

Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the privatisation of the rice mill’s operations was to ensure efficiency in the output of the facility, noting that the idea was initiated in 2019 when the State Government started the discussion with the firm.

 

Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture (Rice Initiative), Dr. Rotimi Fashola, said the Governor believed the mill would be optimised if it had a respectable private brand behind it and a technical support team that could provide intervention towards making the mill sustainable and functional to its capacity.

 

He said: “There is a need for the Government to put the rice mill on the path of sustainability and give it to a handling that will project quality. We sourced to have a partnership in rice production business that has a stable brand and eye for efficiency. This brings forth this Joint Venture and technical support agreement with WACOT.

 

“In Nigeria today, this is a brand consumers want to purchase in the market. We are delighted that we are able to bring WACOT to the table for technical support, managerial and quality assurance skills. The partnership agreement being signed today will be for nine months in the first instance and subsequently can be renewed. All i’s have been dotted and all t’s have been crossed.”

 

Group Managing Director of TGI Group, Rahul Savara, said Lagos Government found a great partner in the firm, pledging that the company would be deploying standard technology and services in managing the rice mill.

 

He said the private firm shared the Sanwo-Olu administration’s conviction to meet high demand for rice and make Lagos self-sufficient in rice production and processing.

 

“We are ready to work with Lagos State to make the facility run at its best. We will be deploying the best expertise, technique and training to make the Government proud of this investment,”

Savara said.

 

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, provided the legal instruments backing the MoU.

 

Other top management staff of TGI Group at the ceremony included the Group’s Executive Director, Jerome Shogbon, Company Secretary, Omowumi Fajemiroye, Head Corporate Communication, Rafiat Gawat, and representative of Banwo & Ighodalo Partner, Azeezah Muse-Sadiq.

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

05 OCTOBER 2022

Access Bank to acquire 51% majority equity stake in Angola-based Finibanco S.A    

 

Access Holdings Plc. has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Access Bank Plc., has entered into a binding agreement with Montepio Holding SGPS S.A to acquire a  51% majority shareholding in Finibanco Angola S.A.

 

Finibanco Angola S.A. is a profitable, well-capitalised full-service commercial bank with over 20 branches and around US$300 million in total assets that has operated in Angola since 2008. The Transaction will be effected via the purchase of existing shares owned by Montepio, the holding company for Banco Montepio, one of Portugal’s well-established commercial banks.

 

The Angolan market is the 6th largest economy in Africa and the 7th largest country overall, with a vast and diversified natural resource base and a growing population representing a strong potential for the Bank’s growth aspiration.

The  Transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals in Nigeria and Angola is expected to close in the first half of 2023  following fulfillment of customary conditions precedents. It will be consummated at 1.0x tangible book value less pre-agreed adjustments to be determined by a customary completion audit. Upon completion of the Transaction, the Bank is expected to increase its shareholding in Finibanco S.A and has reached certain conditional agreements in this regard.

 

Commenting on the transaction, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc., said “At Access, our vision remains clear as ever and our determination to harness accretive opportunities within and outside Nigeria is our core strategic focus. Angola represents an opportunity for our shareholders to participate in what we believe will engender stronger value upside as Africa fully emerges. We remain committed to making these disciplined and well-structured investments towards creating a strong, holistic platform that will be competitive, diversified, and compelling for years to come.”

 

The Transaction furthers the Bank’s strategy to be Africa’s payment gateway to the world whilst working with other Africa-focused multilateral to provide robust and efficient payment platforms and ecosystems to serve the continent. The prospective operation is  expected  to contribute strongly to the Bank’s overall growth path and financial results over the long term.

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

LAGOS TEACHERS ENDORSE SANWO-OLU FOR SECOND TERM

…You’ve Made Teaching Rewarding For Us, ‘Cheerful’ Teachers Tell Governor

The event marking the World Teachers’ Day in Lagos State turned into a platform to share testimonies of the positive transformation recorded in State’s teaching service by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Teachers cheerfully shared their experiences in the last three years, giving Sanwo-Olu a pass mark in raising the standards of education through investment in infrastructure and capacity building.

At the symposium organised by the Lagos wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at the NUT Pavilion in Ikeja, Lagos teachers unanimously threw their weight behind Sanwo-Olu, endorsing the Governor’s re-election bid.

Comrade Hassan Akintoye, NUT Lagos chairman, who spoke on behalf of the teachers, said the Sanwo-Olu administration prioritised teachers’ welfare and committed unprecedented investment in education and teaching.

Akintoye said not only had the teaching environment been made more conducive for teachers, he noted that there had also been improvement in the performance of pupils in national examinations.

The NUT chief said the Governor met and fulfilled majority of demands of the teachers without any confrontation, thereby limiting the prospect of disagreement between NUT and the Government.

Lagos, he said, pioneered the creation of the Permanent Secretary/Tutor General position, which is the apex cadre in teaching career, and designated six slots for teachers across the six Education Districts in the State.

Akintoye added that Sanwo-Olu’s approval of career harmonisation in teaching service placed thousands of Lagos teachers on grade Level 17 – the highest level. This, he said, made Lagos the pace-setting State in the transformation of the teaching profession.

He said: “In Lagos, teachers have not had any major demands which the Government has not prioritised. It is only in Lagos teachers are promoted and get salaries of the new grade level before the promotion letters get to them. It is in Lagos that thousands of teachers are on Grade Level 17 when their colleagues in other states are either stagnant at Level 14 or demoted.

“On occasion of World Teachers’ Day in Lagos, it is about showing appreciation to the leadership of the State. We are using this opportunity to tell our Governor that we have a large number in the teaching service, and this has never been a burden to the system. Come February 2023, we will mobilise not only ourselves, but also our families and relatives to make the election work in your favour.”

NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, sent a note of appreciation to Sanwo-Olu on behalf of Lagos teachers, stressing that Lagos Government had lifted the teaching profession and set enviable standards in the State.

Represented by Comrade Titi Adebanjo, NUT National Secretary, Amba said: “In some states, apart from the Governors being afraid to meet with teachers, Sanwo-Olu can walk confidently among teachers because he has raised not only the standards of teaching in Lagos, the Governor has also improved on the welfare package for teachers to make teaching rewarding.”

Sanwo-Olu described teachers as “important stakeholders” in moulding behaviour and creating a functional society. He said his administration’s efforts towards boosting teachers’ capacity through capacity building led to over 10,000 teachers benefiting from various initiatives to refresh their teaching skills.

The Governor said priorities were placed on career progression of teachers in Lagos, making their promotion an annual exercise while ensuring prompt implementation of benefits and earnings due to them.

He said: “Today, I join our resilient and outstanding teachers in celebrating a legacy of excellence, dedication and commitment built on the foundation of a unique profession that involves the promotion of the complex personal development of young minds in preparation for future roles as responsible citizens. No Society can deliver quality education without placing premium value on its teachers. While many only expect the Almighty God to reward teachers, it is our firm resolve that our teachers must receive and enjoy the rewards for their labour, first here on earth and then, later in Heaven.

“As a teacher-friendly Government, we developed various initiatives to enhance teaching and further motivate our teachers. Our commitment to increasing the capacity of our teaching staff is visible through local and international training. Over 10,000 teachers have been exposed to various training programmes to hone and refresh their teaching skills. To ensure that we don’t lack teachers in any subjects, we introduced an Exit-Replacement Policy, which ensures prompt recruitment of qualified teachers to replace the ones that retire. This has created employment for over 6, 000 qualified teachers in the last three years.”

Sanwo-Olu urged teachers to always uphold the ethics of their profession and continue to show uncommon sense of responsibility and greater commitment to duty.

He pledged his administration would continue to accord priority to investment in education, while also improving the capacity and welfare of teaching personnel. The Governor said Lagos schools would further become more ICT-compliant, as he promised to expose teachers to international best practices.

“I urge you not to relent in your effort to impart quality knowledge in our children. You are the diamonds set in gold rings for this noble profession. As partners, we will appreciate your continued commitment and support in achieving an effective and efficient education system for the benefit of our dear citizens,” the Governor said.

In a show of appreciation, the teachers honoured Sanwo-Olu with an Education-friendly Award.

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

05 OCTOBER 2022

Run for the Coal City: Amstel Malta Ultra rewards winners with cash prizes

 

Winners of the just-concluded ‘Run for the Coal City’- the 20km Ultra marathon race organized by Amstel Malta Ultra, in conjunction with Enugu State Ministry of sports have been rewarded with cash prizes.

 

Held on Saturday, October 1 2022, the Ultra marathon kicked off by 7 am after registration.

 

Flagging off the Ultra marathon, Honorable Commissioner for Youths and sports, Enugu state, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe, welcomed all participants and urged them to have fun and run for more than the prize. According to him, the essence of the marathon is to support healthy living and fitness.

 

Participants commenced at Okpara square, Enugu and covered the mapped-out route spanning eleven vantage points from Okpara square to the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium gate. The participants were given color-coded wristbands at every point to ensure that they followed the mapped route exactly.

 

Finishing first, Chinecherem Kingsley Onyia, breasted the tape and won the marathon, as well as the grand prize of 500,000 naira for the male category, Okechukwu Donatus and Egu Kenechi, followed closely, winning 250,000 and 150,000 naira respectively.

For the female categories, 20-year-old, Affigbo Esther from Lagos state came first place, followed by 35-year-old Helen Mammah from Abuja and 14-year-old Patience Joseph, from Imo state, winning 500,000, 250,000 and 150,000 naira respectively.

 

Expressing joy, the winner of the male category, Chinecherem Kingsley Onyia said “I am so happy and excited that I got to compete and win. I am especially grateful to Amstel Malta Ultra and the Enugu state government for organizing this competition.”

Also, expressing her delight, winner of the female category, Affigbo Esther, said, “I feel great, coming first place for the females in this marathon. I am grateful to Amstel Malta Ultra for organizing this competition as it is a great way to help the youths.”

 

“This is the beginning of new things for the people of Enugu,” said Chidi Egwu, Senior Marketing Manager, Amstel Malta, while speaking on the success of the event. “Amstel Malta is a brand that encourages people to choose the best way to live and will continue to support the good people of Enugu state in their journey to a healthy and better living.”

 

Further commenting on the turnout of the event he said, “I am very impressed with the turnout, seeing lots of very promising talents both in the male and female category. It was a fantastic outing, the first for Amstel Malta in Enugu.”

 

In addition to the prizes won by the first three finishers in both categories, participants that came in 4th to 20th place in the marathon in the male and female categories were also rewarded with 10,000 naira each.

 

The Ultra Marathon race is the second event in the 3-week long fitness lineup of activities scheduled to be held between September 24 to October 8 in the coal city.

admin
ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI NEWS ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING AGBARHO NEWS AGBOR ADVERTISER AGHALOKPE JOURNAL AGHALOKPE MIRROR AGRICULTURE NEWS AHMAD SANI YERIMA AHMAN LAWAN AHMED MAKARFI AJAKA NEWS AJAMIKARAWA SUN AJAOKUTA SUN AJAOKUTA TELEGRAPH AJAOKUTA VOICE AJIMELE NEWS AKPATA DIGEST AKPOMU READER AKWA IBOM DAILY NEWS ALAUSA NEWS ALAUSA TODAY ALI MODU SHERIFF AMERICA MAIL AMINU TAMBUWAL AMUOKPE DAILY AMUOKPE DAILY REVIEW ANAMBRA ANAMBRA TIMES ANIOCHA MAIL ANIOCHA NEWS ANIOMA RECORD ANKPA NEWS ANYIM PIUS ANYIM APC CANVASSERS APC NEWS ARHAGBA CHAMPION ARHAGBA HERALD ASABA ASABA CHRONICLE ASABA DAILY NEWS ASABA FLASH POLINT ASABA MAIL ASABA MIRROR ASABA NEWS ASABA NEWS HERALD ASABA NOW ASABA PERISCOPE ASABA TIMES ASABA TODAY ASO ROCK ATAKUNMOSA LEADER ATIKU ABUBAKAR AVIATION AWKA COURIER AWO DAILY INDEPENDENT AYEDAASE ADVOCATE AYEDIRE NEWS AYO FAYOSE BABAGANA KINGIBE BABANGIDA UMARU ZULUM BALA MOHAMMED BASSA DAILY BAUCHI DISPATCH BAYELSA NEWS BELLO MATAWALE BENDEL DAILY BENEDICT AYADE BENIN CITY TODAY BENUE SUN BINI PEOPLE BODE OSI LEADERS BOLA AHMED TINUBU BOLA TINUBU BOLUWADURO JOURNAL BOMADI NEWS BORIPE STAR BORNO VOICE BRAZIL TELEGRAPH BRITISH NIGERIA TIMES BUKOLA SARAKI BURUTU STAR BUSINESS BUSINESS NEWS CALABAR BEAT CALABAR NEWS CALABAR TRIBUNE CHARLES UGWU CHOBA LEADER CHRIS NGIGE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT CHRISTIAN NEWS CHRISTOPHER IMUMOLEN CHUKWENDU KALU CHUKWUDI NDUKWE CHUKWUEMEKA NWAJIUBA CIVIL RULE TODAY COMMONWEALTH REPORTERS COMPANY NEWS CONSTITUTION NEWS CRIME CONTROL CRIME PREVENTION CROSS RIVER TIMES CUBA JOURNAL DAN NWANYANWU DAVE UMAHI DAVID EDEVBIE DAVID MARK DEKINA GUARDIAN DELE MOMODU DELTA CENTRAL DELTA CHRONICLE DELTA DAILY DELTA DAILY NEWS DELTA DEMOCRAT DELTA NORTH DELTA POINTER DELTA PROVINCE NEWS DELTA SOUTH DELTA WEEKLY DIMEJI BANKOLE DOYIN OKUPE DUMEBI KACHUKWU East EBIRERI FESTUS OMAJEMITE EBIRERI HENRY MEDIA EBIRERI HENRY NEWSPAPERS EBIRERI HENRY OVIE EBIRERI HENRY OVIE MEDIAGATE EBIRERI HENRY PF SERVICES EBIRERI HENRY PRESS EBIRERI HENRY RADIO EBIRERI HENRY TELEVISION EBIRERI LAMONDE MONDAY KERWE EBIRERI OKPAKO VICTOR EBIRERI OVIE HENRY EBIRERI VICTOR UNUBREME EBONYI GAZETTE EBONYI HERALD ECONOMY EDE DEMOCRAT EDE DISPATCH EDE NORTH TIMES EDE SOUTH NEWS EDITH OKOWA EDO EXPRESS EDO MORNING NEWS EDO POLITICS EDO TIMES EFFURUN BULLETIN EGBEDORE VOICE EJIGBO INTELLIGENCER EJIGBO JOURNAL EKITI TIMES EKU NEWS ELECTION NEWS ELELE BANNER ELITE NEWS ELUME COURIER ELUME DAILY ELUME NEWS ELUME RECORD ELUME SUNRAY ELUME TIMES EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN ENGLISH REVIEW Entertainment ENUGU PRESS EREJA SQUARE NEWS ERIN IJESHA STAR GAZETTE ESA OKE STANDARD ETHIOPE EAST GAZZETTE ETHIOPE WEST PUNCH EUROPE NEWS EUROPE TODAY FAITH BASED NEWS FELIX IBRU FESTUS EBIRERI FOREIGN NEWS GBENGA OLAWAPO HASHIM GBONGAN HERALD GODSWILL AKPABIO GODWIN EMEFIELE GOODLUCK JONATHAN GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR GREAT OGBORU HAMZA AL MUSTAPHA Health HENRY OVIE EBIRERI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IBADAN NEWS IBAJI SUN IBIKUNLE AMOSUN IBOKUN REPORTER IBOLO JOURNAL IBRAHIM BABANGIDA IBRAHIM BELLO DAUDA IBRAHIM DANKWAMBO IBRAHIM SHEMA IBUSA ENTERPRISE IDAH LEADERSHIP IDAH TOWN TRUST IFE CENTRAL RECORDER IFE EAST SCENE IFE NORTH OBSERVER IFE SOUTH RECORD IFEANYI OKOWA IFEDAYO INDEPENDENT NEWS IFELODUN PRESS IFETEDO HERALD IFETEDO PATRIOT IFEWARA WEEKLY NEWS IFON OSUN CHRONICLE IGBAJO BEACON NEWS IGBALEMELA ODOLU VOICE IGBIMIDAKA ELUME GUARDIAN IGBIMIDAKA ELUME MEDIA IGBIMIDAKA ELUME MIRROR IGBIMIDAKA ELUME NEW AGE IGBIMIDAKA ELUME NEWS IGBIMIDAKA ELUME OBSERVER IGBIMIDAKA ELUME PATRIOT IGBIMIDAKA ELUME POINTER IGBIMIDAKA ELUME PUNCH IGBIMIDAKA ELUME RADIO IGBIMIDAKA ELUME SUN IGBIMIDAKA ELUME TELEVISION IGBIMIDAKA ELUME THISDAY IGBIMIDAKA ELUME VANGUARD IGBO DAILY NEWS IGBO JOURNAL IGBOMINA DAILY LEDGER IGBOMINA NEWS IGBONNA NEWS IGUN NEWS IJAW NEWS IJAW VOICE IJEBU JESA JOURNAL IJEBU JESA PRESS IJESHA MIRROR IJESHA TIMES IJUMU RADIO IKA NEWS IKA PEOPLE IKA SUN IKIRE DAILY TIMES IKIRE HOME NEWS IKIRUN DISPATCH IKOBU CRUSADER IKOTUN DAILY NEWS ILE IFE REVIEW ILE OGBO MAIL ILESA EAST UNION TIMES ILESA LIFE ILESA SUN ILESA WEST SCOUT IMO INQUIRER IMO TIMES INDUSTRY NEWS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MAN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS IPERINDO RECORD IPETU IJESHA DAILY NEWS IPETUMODU MESSENGER IRAGBEJI NEWS IRAGBIJI TRIBUNE IREPODUN CHRONICLE IREWOLE NEWS ISANLU TIMES ISESE NEWS ISOKAN NEWS ISOKO DISPATCH ISOKO NEWS ISOKO STANDARD ISOKO VOICE ISOKUN DAILY ITA EXPRESS ITA ORANGUN CHRONICLE ITA ORANGUN NEWS ITSEKIRI ADVERTISER ITSEKIRI DIGEST ITSEKIRI NEWS ITSEKIRI PRESS IWO DAILY CALL IWO DAILY STAR IWO HERALD IYARA TELEVISION IYORCHIA AYU JAMES IBORI JAMES MANAGER JEREMI TIMES JESSE VANGUARD JIGAWA SUN JOURNALISM KABBA BUNU EXPRESS KABBA MONITOR KABIR IBRAHIM MASARI Kaduna KADUNA WEEKLY Kano KANO NEWS KASHIM IBRAHIM SHETIMA KATSINA DAILY TIMES KAYODE FAYEMI KEN NNAMANI KENNETH GBAGI KINGSLEY ESISO KINGSLEY OTUARO KIRIJI NEWS KOGI CENTRAL AUTHORITY KOGI CENTRAL BUSINESS KOGI CENTRAL CHAMPION KOGI CENTRAL COMMUNICATION KOGI CENTRAL DAILY TRUST KOGI CENTRAL GUARDIAN KOGI CENTRAL HALLMARK KOGI CENTRAL INDEPENDENT KOGI CENTRAL LEADERSHIP KOGI CENTRAL MEDIA KOGI CENTRAL MIRROR KOGI CENTRAL NEWS KOGI CENTRAL NEWS STAR KOGI CENTRAL POLITICS KOGI CENTRAL PREMIUM KOGI CENTRAL PUNCH KOGI CENTRAL RADIO KOGI CENTRAL SPORTS KOGI CENTRAL SUN KOGI CENTRAL TELEGRAPH KOGI CENTRAL TELEVISION KOGI CENTRAL THISDAY KOGI CENTRAL TIMES KOGI CENTRAL TRIBUNE KOGI CENTRAL VOICE KOGI CENTRAL WOMEN KOGI CENTRAL YOUTHS KOGI DAILY KOGI NEWS KOGI NEWSPAPERS KOKO NEWS KOKO SUN KOKORI ECHO KOKORI RADIO KOKORI TELEVISION KOLA ABIOLA KONTO KARFE MAIL KWALE NEWS KWARA BUSINESS JOURNAL KWARA HERALD KWARA STAR LABOUR PARTY BELIEVERS LADIPO JOHNSON LAGOS GOVERNMENT HOUSE LAGOS NEWS LAGOS NOW LAMONDE EBIRERI LEADERSHIP NEWS LEADERSHIP TODAY LOKOJA MONITOR LONDON DIGEST MALIK ADO IBRAHIM MALIKA SANI MARITIME MARKETING MEDIAGATE MEDIAGATE AFRICA MEDIAGATE AGBOR MEDIAGATE AGHALOKPE MEDIAGATE AJAMIKAWA MEDIAGATE AMERICA MEDIAGATE ANTHONY MEDIAGATE ASABA MEDIAGATE ASIA MEDIAGATE BOMADI MEDIAGATE BURUTU MEDIAGATE BUSINESS MEDIAGATE DAILY INDEPENDENT MEDIAGATE ECONOMY MEDIAGATE EDUCATION MEDIAGATE EKU MEDIAGATE ELUME MEDIAGATE ENUGU MEDIAGATE EUROPE MEDIAGATE IBUSA MEDIAGATE IKA MEDIAGATE ISOKO MEDIAGATE ITARY MEDIAGATE ITSEKIRI MEDIAGATE KWALE MEDIAGATE LAGOS MEDIAGATE LISBON MEDIAGATE MANAGEMENT MEDIAGATE MILITARY MEDIAGATE MONITOR MEDIAGATE MOSOGAR MEDIAGATE NEWS MEDIAGATE NIGERIA MEDIAGATE OGHARA MEDIAGATE OKPARA WATER SIDE MEDIAGATE OREROKPE MEDIAGATE PATANI MEDIAGATE POLITICS MEDIAGATE PORTUGAL MEDIAGATE SAPELE MEDIAGATE SOUTH AFRICA MEDIAGATE SPORTS MEDIAGATE SUN MEDIAGATE SURULERE MEDIAGATE UGBIMIDAKA MEDIAGATE UGHELLI MEDIAGATE UNITED KINGDOM MEDIAGATE VANGUARD MEDIAGATE WARRI MEMORIAL NEWS MEREJE NEWS MEREJE PRESS MIDWEST NEWS MILITARY NEWS MOHAMMED BADURU ABUBAKAR MOHAMMED HAYATU DEEN MOHAMMED KOLI MOHAMMED NAZIF MONDAY IGBUYA MONDAY ONYEME MOPA MURO DAILY MOPA MURO RADIO MOPA MURO TELEVISION MOPA MURO TRIBUNE MOPA MURO VANGUARD MOPA MURO VOICE MOPA TELEGRAPH MOSES AYOM MOSHOOD ABIOLA MOSOGAR JOURNAL MOSOGAR OBSERVER MUHAMMADU BUHARI MUSLIM NEWS MUSLIM TIMES NASIR EL RUFAI NATASHA AKPOTI UDUAGHAN-KOGI CENTRAL SENATE NDOKWA CITIZEN NDOKWA DAILY NDOKWA TIMES NDUDI ELUMELU News NEWSPAPER OWNER NICHOLAS FELIX NIGER DELTA BUSINESS NEWS NIGER DELTA NEWS NIGER VANGUARD NIGERIA NIGERIA NEWS NIGERIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NNPC North NORTHERN TRUST NWACHUKWU ANAKWENZE NYESOM WIKE OBANGEDE POINTER OBIARUKU BUSINESS JOURNAL OBIARUKU JOURNAL OBOKUN WEEKLY ODE OMU REVIEW ODO OTIN COURIER ODO-IRE PUNCH OFU DIARY OGAMINANA MONITOR OGBONNAYA ONU OGHARA ECHO OGHARA MAIL OGHARA POINTER OGORI MAGONGO VOICE OGORI MANGOGO MAIL OGORI MANGOGO MEDIA OGORI MANGOGO MIRROR OGORI MANGOGO NEWS OGORI MANGOGO OBSERVER OGORI MANGOGO TIMES OGUMA DIGEST OGUN HERALD OGWASHI UKU HERALD OGWOAWO BUSINESS DAILY OIL AND GAS OJA TIMI NEWS OKE ILA ORANGUN TIMES OKE ITA ORANGUN SUN OKE OGBO ECHO OKEHI HORIZON OKEHI MONITOR OKEHI MUSIC OKEHI NEWSPAPER OKEHI OBSERVER OKEHI ONLINE OKEHI POINTER OKEHI POLITICS OKEHI RADIO OKEHI TELEVISION OKEHI THEATRE OKEHI TIMES OKEHI VOICE OKENE CONCORD OKENE MAIL OKENE NEWS OKENE TIDE OKENE TIMES OKEY UDO OKPANAM NEWS OKPARA WARER SIDE JOURNAL OKPARA WATERSIDE DAILY OKPARA WATERSIDE MAIL OKPARA WATERSIDE NEWS OKPARA WATERSIDE RADIO OKPARA WATERSIDE TELEVISION OKPE BULLETIN OKPE KINGDOM OKPE LEADER OKPE LEADER NEWS OKPE NEWS OKPE PILOT OKPE SUN OKPE WORLDWIDE OKPO TOWN DAILY OKUKU COURIER OKUKU TIMES OKWUDILI NWA ANYAJIKA OLA OLUWA MORNING REVIEW OLAMABORO NEWS OLD BENDEL MAIL OLEH COURIER OLONA REGISTER OLORUNDA EXPRESS OLUSEGUN OBASANJO OMALA VOICE OMOWOLE SOWORE ONDO MIRROR ONDO REGISTER ONDO STATE NEWS ONDO TRIBUNE ONITSHA CHRONICLE ONYEDEGA MIRROR OREROKPE NEWS OREROKPE PILOT ORI OKE MAIL ORIADE SENTINEL ORISA STAR ORITSEJOLOMI UDUAGHAN ORJI KALU OROGUN NEWSPAPER OROLU VOICE OSHIMILI HERALD OSHIMILI NEWS OSHIMILI SUN OSOGBO GAZETTE OSOGBO MERCHANT OSOGBO NEWS OSU STAR OSU VANGUARD OSUN HERALD OSUN OSOGBO COURIER OTAN AYEGBAJU SENTINEL OTAN ILE DAILY NEWS OVIE HENRY EBIRERI OVIE OMO AGEGE OYO ADVOCATE OYO STATE NEWS OYO TODAY OZORO HEADLIGHT OZORO NEWS PATANI NEWS PDP FOOT SOLDIERS PDP NEWS PETER OBI PETER UMEADI PETROLEUM PLATEAU EAGLE POLITICAL COMMUNICATION POLITICAL NEWS POLITICIAN Politics PORT HARCOURT MESSENGER POWER SHIFT AGITATION PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDENTIAL NEWS PROFILE PUBLIC RELATIONS QUALITY REPRESENTATION RABIU KWANKWASO RAUF AREGBESOLA RECLAMATION TIMES RELIGION TODAY RESTRUCTURING NEWS RIVER OSUN GAZETTE RIVERS STATE POLITICS RIVERS STATESMAN ROBERT AJAYI BOROFFICE ROCHAS OKOROCHA ROTIMI AMAECHI SAGBAMA TRIBUNE SAM OHUABUNWA SAPELE BEACON SAPELE BRAND SAPELE COMMUNITY NEWS SAPELE GAZETTE SAPELE LIGHT SAPELE PEOPLE SAPELE PIONEER SAPELE TELEGRAM SECURITY SECURITY CHIEFS SEYI MAKINDE SHERIFF OBOREVWORI SHINA PETER SOCIETY NEWS South SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA CHRONICLE SOUTH-SOUTH TODAY SOUTHERN NIGERIA COURIER SOUTHERN OBSERVER STATE ELECTIONS STATE OF OSUN HERALD SULE LAMIDO SUNDAY ADENUGA TAMINU TURAKI TARABA HERALD TEIN JACK RICH THE SENATE TIMIPRE SYLVA TODAY NEWS TRANSPORTATION TRINADAD TIMES TUNDE BAKARE UDOM EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN BLUE PRINT UDUAGHAN DAILY INDEPENDENT UDUAGHAN DAILY NEWS UDUAGHAN HALLMARK UDUAGHAN MAIL UDUAGHAN MEDIA UDUAGHAN MIRROR UDUAGHAN MONITOR UDUAGHAN NEWAGE UDUAGHAN PILOT UDUAGHAN POINTER UDUAGHAN POST UDUAGHAN RADIO UDUAGHAN TELEVISION UDUAGHAN THISDAY UDUAGHAN TIMES UDUAGHAN VANGUARD UDUAGHAN VOICE UGBEKU STAR UGBIMIDAKA TODAY UGBIMIDAKA VANGUARD UGBORHEN OIL UGHELLI EAGLE UGHELLI MONITOR UGHELLI WEEKLY UGHOTON NEWS UJU KENNEDY OHANENYE UKWUANI NEWS UKWUANI REPORTERS UKWUANI TIMES UMUNEDE OBSERVER Uncategorized UNITED KINGDOM NEWS UNIVERSITY NEWS URHOBO ADVOCATE URHOBO GAZETTE URHOBO HERALD URHOBO INDEX URHOBO LEADER URHOBO NATION URHOBO NEWS URHOBO PIONEER URHOBO RECORD URHOBO RECORDER URHOBO REVIEW URHOBO SENTINEL URHOBO STATESMAN URHOBO TIMES UYO MIRROR UYO REPORTERS VERONICA IKPERA EBIRERI WARRI HIGHLANDER WARRI NATION WARRI NEWS WARRI REPORTERS WESTERN REGION SENTINEL WESTERN STATE DEFENDER World News YABANJI SANI YAGBA EAST DAILY YAGBA WEST MONITOR YAHAYA BELLO YAKUBU DOGARA YEMI OSINBAJO YEMOJA SUN YORUBA DAILY TRUST YORUBA GUARDIAN yoruba news YORUBA PEOPLE DAILY UNION YORUBA PUNCH YORUBA THISDAY YORUBA TRIBUNE YUSUF DANTALIE ZAMFARA DAILY PROGRESS
Okere-Urhobo royal families rebuke Louis Okumagba seek IGP’s Intervention

Okere-Urhobo royal families rebuke Louis Okumagba, seek IGP’s Intervention

  • Move to prevent monumental communal war between Itsekiri and  Urhobo

 

 

Royal families in Okere-Urhobo have condemned the role of Chief Louis Okumagba in the 30 plots released by the Delta State government to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo kingdom of Delta State.

 

They described it as a negative development and a minus for peace and development in Delta State.

 

In a letter titled: ‘’Attempt / efforts to cause communal war, fanning the embers of communal dispute, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and criminal defamation of characters of our clients; Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo kingdom of Delta State, all committed by Mr. Louis Okumagba – a call to investigate the allegation herein, the families urged the Inspector General of Police to use his good office to investigate allegations against Louis Okumagba, so as to prevent a monumental communal war/crisis between Itsekiri and the Urhobo of Okere Urhobo Kingdom.

 

’’God forbid a repetition of what happened in 1997/98 in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom’’

 

Counsel to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo Kingdom, L O. Egboyi & CO said in the 1974/76, the then government of Mid-Western Nigeria acquired a part or portion of our client’s land for public purpose.

 

‘’In 2017, the Delta State government gave part of this acquired land to Messrs. Seriviri Nig. Ltd. for the purpose of partnership (Leisure Park) with the state government, covered by a certificate of Occupancy. Considering the size of the land given to Seriviri Nig. Ltd, for the partnership, it could not utilize the entire land. So, it entered into agreement with our client family, wherein, it released 30 plots thereof back to the family – our clients’’

 

The Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri are made up of the popular Okumagba family of Warri, Okere- Urhobo kingdom.

 

‘’Our clients are the owners of all the land in the entire Okere-Urhobo kingdom Warri. Certain Mr. Louis Okumagba who is the black sheep of the family started to foment trouble, disturbing and threatening Seriviri Nig. Ltd, with thugs and dangerous weapons which led to his arrest in 2019 to the Police Force Headquarters’, Abuja. After being granted bail by the police, the suspect (Mr. Louis Okumagba) rushed to file a fundamental Human Rights action against the Police, at the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri. The action stalled the prosecution of the suspect (Mr. Louis) by the Police’’.

 

The families said the suit of the suspect against the Police was dismissed by the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri, with a specific order of the Court directing the police to arrest and prosecute the suspect (Mr Louis Okumagba).

‘’While the Police were looking for the suspect for arrest and prosecution as directed by the Court, the same suspect went to social media (Opera news) to declare that “there will be looming danger of war/crisis between the Itsekiri and Urhobos”, thereby inciting, promoting and instigating communal war between the two peaceful co-existing communities of Itsekiri and Urhobo’’.

This incitement, according to the families, created several apprehensions in the minds of locals, which has affected the hitherto peace that reigned and pervaded the two communities.

‘’Furthermore, the suspect posted on the same social media that some named members of our clients namely, Chief Gideon Okumagba, Stanley Oki, Chief Victor Okumagba, Engr. Prince Ojuvwu Okumagba and others, sent assassins to his house to kill him, but he escaped by the whiskers. He confirmed that he had a one-on-one confrontation with the assassins, who confirmed the named members of our clients above, as the people who commissioned them to eliminate him’’.

The legal practitioners described Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu as bunch of responsible families

‘’Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families are known throughout Nigeria for their peaceful disposition. The named individuals are distinguished and respected members of the Okumagba family and the Nigeria Society. Our clients therefore take the allegation of hiring assassins by its members very seriously, especially in this era of Security challenges in the country’’.

The families also deplored the actions of Louis Okumagba and urged the Inspector General of Police to use his good offices to investigate the allegations and anyone found culpable to be brought to book.

‘’So, if investigation reveal the named individuals as assassins or connected to the attempt assassination of the suspect, as he alleged, they should be so indicted and prosecuted. But otherwise, the law on criminal defamation as enshrined in the Criminal Code and status in Nigeria are still very potent and alive. We assure you of our client’s co-operation with your men in the investigation of this petition’’.

 

 

 

……………………………………………………

 

  1. EGBOYI & CO

Legal Practitioner, Corporate & Property Consultants

No 9, Effurun / Sapele Road

Opposite High Court Junction,

Effurun .

TEL: 08035759764

Email: luckyegbuyi@ gmail.com

 

Our Ref: LOE/IGP/COM/BREA/OKUMAGBA/1/22       Your Ref……………

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE,

NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE

EDET LEWIS HOUSE

ABUJA.

 

Sir.

 

RE:  ATTEMPT / EFFORTS TO CAUSE COMMUNAL WAR , FANNING THE EMBERS OF COMMUNAL DISPUTE, CONDUCT LIKELY TO CAUSE BREACH OF PEACE AND CRIMINAL DEFAMATION OF CHARACTERS OF OUR CLIENT ; OLODI, OKI AND IGHOGBADU FAMILIES OF WARRI IN THE OKERE – URHOBO KINGDOM OF DELTA STATE, ALL COMMITTED BY MR. LOUIS OKUMAGBA – A CALL TO INVESTIGATE THE ALLEGATION HEREIN 

 

We are counsel to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo Kingdom, herein called our Clients.

 

The Olodi , Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri, make up the popular Okumagba family of Warri , Okere- Urhobo kingdom.

 

Our clients are the owners of all the land in the entire Okere-Urhobo kingdom Warri.

 

In 1974/76, the then government of Mid-Western Nigeria acquired a part or portion of our Client’s land for public purpose.

 

In 2017, the Delta State government gave part of this acquired land to Messrs. Seriviri Nig. Ltd. for the purpose of partnership (Leisure Park) with the state government, covered by a certificate of Occupancy. Considering the size of the land given to Seriviri Nig. Ltd, for the partnership, it could not utilize the entire land. So it entered into agreement with our Clients family, wherein, it released 30 plots thereof back to the family – our clients

 

Certain Mr. Louis Okumagba who is the black sheep of the family started to foment trouble, disturbing and threatening Seriviri Nig. Ltd, with thuggery and dangerous weapons which led to his arrest in 2019 to the Police Force Head Quarters, Abuja. After being granted bail by the police, the suspect (Mr. Louis Okumagba) rushed to file a fundamental Human Right action against the Police, at the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri. That action stalled the prosecution of the suspect (Mr. Louis) by the Police.

We wish to inform you that suit, of the suspect against the Police, has been dismissed by the Delta State High Court, Sitting in Warri, with a specific order of the Court directing the police to arrest and prosecute the suspect (Mr Louis Okumagba). A copy of the enrolled order is herein annexed as annexure as Annexure A.

While the Police were looking for the suspect for arrest and prosecution as directed by the Court, the same suspect went to social media (Opera news) to declare that “there will be looming danger of war/crisis between the Itsekiri and Urhobos”, thereby inciting, promoting and instigating communal war between the two peaceful co-existing communities of Itsekiri and Urhobo.

This incitement has created several apprehension in the minds of locals, which apprehension has affected the hitherto peace that reigned and pervaded the two communities.

Furthermore, the suspect posted on the same social media that some named members of our Clients namely; Chief Gideon Okumagba, Stanley Oki, Chief Victor Okumagba, Engr. Prince Ojuvwu Okumagba and others, sent assassins to his house to kill him, but that he escaped by the whiskers. He confirmed that he had one on one confrontation with the assassins, who confirmed the named members of our Clients above, as the people who commissioned them to eliminate him.

Our Clients are bunch of responsible families known throughout Nigeria for their peaceful disposition. The named individuals are distinguished and respected members of the Okumagba family and the Nigeria Society.

Our Client therefore takes the allegation of hiring of assassins by its members very serious, especially in this era of Security challenges in the country.

It is against the background of the foregoing that we have the instruction of our Clients to petition you to use your good office to investigate these allegations against the suspect, so as to prevent a monumental communal war/crisis between Itsekiris and the Urhobos of Okere Urhobo Kingdom. God forbid a repetition of what happened in 1997/98 in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom.

So, if investigation reveal the named individuals as assassins or connected to the attempt assassination of the suspect, as he alleged, they should be so indicted and prosecuted. But otherwise, the law on criminal defamation as enshrined in the Criminal Code and status in Nigeria are still very potent and alive.

We therefore urge you to use your good offices to investigate these allegations of our Client and cause anyone found culpable to be brought to book.

We assure you of our clients co-operation with your men in the investigation of this petition.

Yours faithfully

 

L.O. EGBOYI ESQ

CC;

The Head:

Olodi, Oki and Ighogbudu families,

Of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Warri

admin
ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING AGBARHO NEWS AGBOR ADVERTISER AGHALOKPE JOURNAL AGHALOKPE MIRROR AGRICULTURE NEWS AHMAD SANI YERIMA AHMAN LAWAN AHMED MAKARFI AJAKA NEWS AJAOKUTA SUN AJAOKUTA TELEGRAPH AJIMELE NEWS AKPATA DIGEST AKWA IBOM DAILY NEWS ALAUSA NEWS ALAUSA TODAY BODE OSI LEADERS BOLA AHMED TINUBU BOLA TINUBU BOLUWADURO JOURNAL BOMADI NEWS BORIPE STAR BORNO VOICE BRAZIL TELEGRAPH BRITISH NIGERIA TIMES BUKOLA SARAKI BURUTU STAR BUSINESS NEWS
Niger Delta women denounce NDDC IMC promoters

Niger Delta women denounce NDDC IMC promoters

 

Women in the Niger Delta on Friday denounced promoters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) interim management committee, describing them as the greatest friends of illegality and the most pronounced foes of the region.

 

‘’The interim management committee will breed hostility among the oil states in the country. The inauguration of substantive board is the best possible course under existing circumstances’’

 

They also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to dramatize the end of one man or a three man rule in the commission.

 

At a gathering in Port Harcourt, the women appealed to leaders of key nations and world statesmen to implore Buhari to constitute the commission’s board.

 

‘’It would be a tragedy if Mr President let himself be diverted from consideration of the NDDC Board by the proposal of another interim management committee. Such a tendency shows a singular lack of understanding of the region’s problems and a failure to remember the larger purposes for which the NDDC was established. The composition of a substantive board is primary and fundamental’’

 

They also appealed to presidential candidates, traditional rulers and religious leaders to impress on President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute a board for the Commission.

The women described interim management committee agitators as predators, destroyers and zombies.

 

A statement read to newsmen by the President of Niger Delta Women in Politics (NDWIP), Chief Josephine Ekong said without the board, it would be practically impossible to assume a leading role in attempting to bring about a lasting peace and development in the oil rich region’’

 

‘’At inception, NDDC gave the Niger Delta people new confidence and a tremendous sense of regional solidarity. It taught the people the meaning of development’’.

 

The women said they would have nothing to do with the interim management committee or another sole administrator.

‘’The delay in constituting the board and the zero implementation of the recommendations of the NDDC Forensic Audit Report are enough to move the people of the region to anger.

 

They expressed complete satisfaction over the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Umana Okon Umana’s good faith.

The women also praised the NDDC Sole Administrator, Mr Effiong Akwa for displaying leadership.

 

‘’The obligation of the government is to supply the focal point where problems could be integrated and resolved. The way out lies not in attempting to sack Akwa and putting in place interim management committee but in completely inaugurating the commission’s board’’

admin
ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABRAKA STATESMAN ABUJA ABUJA CHRONICLE ABUJA GAZETTES ABUJA GUIDE ABUJA MORNING NEWS ABUJA NEWS ABUJA NEWSPAPERS ABUJA NOW ABUJA STAR ABUJA TELEGRAM ADAMAWA RECORD ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMU GARBA ADAVI CHRONICLE ADAVI COMET ADAVI NATION ADAVI NEWS ADAVI PUNCH ADEJE DAILY ADEJE FACTS ADVERTISING AGBARHO NEWS AGBOR ADVERTISER AGHALOKPE JOURNAL AGHALOKPE MIRROR AGRICULTURE NEWS AHMAD SANI YERIMA AHMAN LAWAN AHMED MAKARFI AJAKA NEWS AJAMIKARAWA SUN AJAOKUTA SUN AJAOKUTA TELEGRAPH AJAOKUTA VOICE AJIMELE NEWS AKPATA DIGEST AKPOMU READER AKWA IBOM DAILY NEWS ALAUSA NEWS ALAUSA TODAY ALI MODU SHERIFF AMERICA MAIL AMINU TAMBUWAL AMUOKPE DAILY AMUOKPE DAILY REVIEW ANAMBRA ANAMBRA TIMES ANIOCHA MAIL ANIOCHA NEWS ANIOMA RECORD ANKPA NEWS ANYIM PIUS ANYIM APC CANVASSERS APC NEWS ARHAGBA CHAMPION ARHAGBA HERALD ASABA ASABA CHRONICLE ASABA DAILY NEWS ASABA FLASH POLINT ASABA MAIL ASABA MIRROR ASABA NEWS ASABA NEWS HERALD ASABA NOW ASABA PERISCOPE ASABA TIMES ASABA TODAY ASO ROCK ATAKUNMOSA LEADER ATIKU ABUBAKAR AVIATION AWKA COURIER CALABAR NEWS CALABAR TRIBUNE CHARLES UGWU CHOBA LEADER CHRIS NGIGE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT CHRISTIAN NEWS CONSTITUTION NEWS CRIME PREVENTION CROSS RIVER TIMES CUBA JOURNAL DAN NWANYANWU DAVE UMAHI DAVID EDEVBIE DAVID MARK DEKINA GUARDIAN DELE MOMODU DELTA CENTRAL DELTA CHRONICLE DELTA DEMOCRAT DELTA NORTH DELTA POINTER DELTA PROVINCE NEWS EBIRERI FESTUS OMAJEMITE EBIRERI HENRY MEDIA EBIRERI HENRY NEWSPAPERS EBIRERI HENRY OVIE EBIRERI HENRY OVIE MEDIAGATE EBIRERI HENRY PF SERVICES EBIRERI HENRY PRESS EBIRERI HENRY TELEVISION EBIRERI LAMONDE MONDAY KERWE EBIRERI OKPAKO VICTOR EBIRERI OVIE HENRY EBIRERI VICTOR UNUBREME EDITH OKOWA EDO EXPRESS EDO MORNING NEWS EDO POLITICS EDO TIMES EFFURUN BULLETIN EGBEDORE VOICE EJIGBO INTELLIGENCER ELUME DAILY ELUME NEWS ELUME RECORD ELUME SUNRAY ELUME TIMES EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN ENGLISH REVIEW FAITH BASED NEWS FELIX IBRU FESTUS EBIRERI FOREIGN NEWS GBENGA OLAWAPO HASHIM GBONGAN HERALD GODSWILL AKPABIO
Niger Delta leaders task Buhari Umana on NDDC Board

Niger Delta leaders task Buhari, Umana on NDDC Board

 

 

Notable leaders in the Niger Delta on Sunday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to accept the need for a new board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

 

‘’The board is needed to assure the nine states interests in the region’s development process’’

 

The leaders in a statement in Port Harcourt urged the president not to dally with the Niger Delta problem.

 

‘’Fundamental to the forensic audit report is the question of implementation. The evidence so far is that the Federal Government is not rising to the occasion admirably’’

 

The statement signed by the Chairman of Niger Delta Front (NDF), Chief John Harry, suggested that if Buhari cared so much about developing the region and making the government wide-ranging, he should quickly constitute a new board for the commission.

 

‘’The Niger Delta people have suffered in silence from the hardship deriving from the advice of interim committee promoters’’

 

The leaders commended the Federal Government for the forensic audit, the advantage being that the people of the region has been galvanised into lending full support to President Buhari in his campaign to curtail corruption in the region’s development agency.

 

‘’Three issues likely to have negative effects on government plans for the region are the personnel audit, delay in constituting a new board and moves to put in place another interim committee to run the commission’’

 

They described the ploy to constitute another interim committee as impractical and unnecessary.

 

‘’It is a matter of sorrow and regret to see a man or woman betray his region and people. The proposed interim committee will not only make NDDC a weak but scrappy agency’’

 

Specifically, the leaders referred disdainfully to individuals and groups urging Buhari not to constitute the commission’s board.

 

‘’In order to avoid a repetition of our recent past experience whereby government engaged in all sorts of interim strategies, the commission’s board should be constituted’’

 

The leaders expressively proclaimed sympathy for the workers, describing the proposed personnel audit as a moment of total aberration.

 

‘’For purposes of implementing the personnel audit, the agenda will present enormous problems’’

 

The statement called for rapid departure from past concepts.

 

The leaders commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana for his largeness of vision.

 

They also applauded NDDC Sole Administrator, Mr Effiong Akwa for playing his part creditably.

 

The statement underscored the people’s unexpected qualities of endurance, the fear of dismissal and Umana’s energy, knowledge and dedication to public service.

 

‘’We must act, and act quickly. We have to plan our way out from this mud hole and that must be done by the Commission’s board’’ the men and women of intellectual and financial abilities said.

admin