EXCLUSIVE: Buhari govt plans appointing Fani-Kayode Minister, clearing his corruption charges

 EXCLUSIVE: Buhari govt plans appointing Fani-Kayode Minister, clearing his corruption charges 

SaharaReporters learnt the President and his party, APC are also planning to make Fani-Kayode a minister.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government have started working to have the corruption charges against former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode quashed. 

SaharaReporters learnt the President and his party, APC are also planning to make Fani-Kayode a minister. 

This comes after the defection of the former minister from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. 

"They are working on dropping corruption charges against Fani-Kayode and making him a minister," a top source told SaharaReporters on Friday. 

However, it is not yet clear what 'juicy' ministry Fani-Kayode will be given to manage. 

Fani-Kayode officially defected on Thursday and was presented to President Buhari by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the APC, and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

FLASHBACK: I Would Rather Die Than Join All Progressives Congress – Discredited Minister, Fani-Kayode @realFFK | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/aZthVqe2B3 pic.twitter.com/5oeQ5mUq0R

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) September 16, 2021

Fani-Kayode, who has recently been hobnobbing with APC chieftains and bigwigs, said he was led by God in his decision.

The former minister, known for his inconsistent stance on public issues, added that he joined the APC to help unite the country. 

He once described the APC as “a filthy, rat-infested sinking ship,” saying he would rather die than join the party. 

WATCH: “Never, Until Kingdom Comes” —How Infamous Nigerian Former Minister, Fani-Kayode @realFFK Vowed He’d Never Join @MBuhari’s APC

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) September 16, 2021

Although Fani-Kayode said he joined the APC to help unite the country, SaharaReporters gathered that he defected because of his corruption cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Sources also told SaharaReporters that the former minister is broke and was desperate for some political relevance that would put him in public office. 

Fani-Kayode was arraigned in 2016, alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman; Danjuma Yusuf, and a firm, Joint Trust Dimensions Ltd over N4.9bn alleged fraud.

The former minister, who was also the Director of Publicity for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation for the 2015 election, was accused of conspiring with the others to, directly and indirectly, retain various sums which the EFCC claimed they ought to have reasonably known were proceeds of crime.

In one of the counts, the defendants were accused of conspiring among themselves to “indirectly retain the sum of N1,500,000,000.00, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

The four were also accused of indirectly retaining N300 million, N400 million, and N800 million, all proceeds of corruption, according to the EFCC.

Fani-Kayode was accused of directly using part of the money at various times. 

For instance, he allegedly spent N250,650,000.00 between March 20 and 25, 2015.

He was also accused of making a cash transaction of N24 million to one Olubode Oke, said to still be at large, on February 12, 2015 “to Paste Poster Co of 125, Lewis Street, Lagos Island”. 

The duo were said to have made the transaction without going through any financial institution, an act the EFCC claimed was contrary to sections 1(a) and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

Months later, the former minister was rearrested and solely arraigned on five counts bordering on money laundering to the tune of N26 million.

According to the EFCC, Fani-Kayode allegedly received the sum of N26 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser (ONSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) in 2014.

The defection of such political leaders to the APC and the subsequent offer of rewards to them through political patronage is not new. 

It is also not new for such people being prosecuted for alleged corruption, to automatically have the charges quashed. 

In 2019, Adams Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the APC announced that those who joined the ruling party would have their "sins" forgiven.

He encouraged more politicians in opposition parties to toe the path of some members of the PDP who had defected to the APC at that time.

“I am told that there are a lot of very senior people from PDP who have decided to join forces with President Buhari to take the broom to sweep away PDP and to continue to ensure that APC continues to preside all over Nigeria.

"We have quite a number of other leaders who have come. We have quite a number of other leaders who have come… in fact, once you have joined APC, all your sins are forgiven,” he had said. SAHARAREPORTERS

Ekpa says IPOB would crush anyone standing against Biafra freedom 

He also stated that those standing in the way of the group's agitation will be crushed.

Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed disciple of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said the group will pay any price to actualise the sovereign state of Biafra.

 

He also stated that those standing in the way of the group's agitation will be crushed.

 Simon Ekpa

Ekpa made the statements in a video on Twitter while reacting to complaints from some people about the stay-at-home directive earlier given by the group.

The former Radio Biafra broadcaster asserted that Biafra agitation was not created for a political purpose but to achieve freedom.

He said, "It is very sad and disturbing that some of you don't even understand that we are leaving Nigeria. You're complaining about the sit-at-home. You are complaining about people not taking exams. You're complaining about this, you're complaining about that.

"You are yet to wake up from your slumber or your sleep and get the point that we are exiting Nigeria. Exiting Nigeria is not going to come on the platter of gold.

"You have to sacrifice for it. And we are ready to sacrifice everything including you if you come and stand in the way of freedom. So, you need to know how serious we are. We are damn serious.

"You think we are here to build political movement? We are for freedom. Freedom comes with price. The only thing you can do is to comment on social media. Don't ever stand in the way of Biafra freedom, we'll crush you. SAHARAREPORTERS

'Be honourable, pay Igboho N20billion as ordered by court — Yoruba group 

An Oyo State High Court on Friday granted a relief sought by Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho and ordered the Nigerian government to pay him N20 billion.

The umbrella body of the Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO), has described the verdict of the Oyo State High Court as ‘the triumph of Light and Truth over gladiators of Illegalities’.

An Oyo State High Court on Friday granted a relief sought by Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho and ordered the Nigerian government to pay him N20 billion. 

The court also dismissed an application filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, challenging its jurisdiction to hear allegations against Nigerian government agencies.

In reaction, the Ilana Omo Oodua led by renowned Yoruba historian, Professor Banji Akintoye, thanked the judge for reaffirming, in the verdict, that self-determination is one of the fundamental human rights of citizens that cannot be subjugated.

A statement made available to journalists by the group's Communications Secretary, Maxwell Adeleye, urged the Nigerian Government through the DSS, to immediately pay the fine awarded in favour of Igboho as ordered by the court.

The statement reads: "We thank the Judiciary for Re-affirming that Self-Determination is one of the fundamental human rights of the Citizens that cannot be subjugated. 

"Our position is that this verdict symbolises the triumph of light and truth over darkness. Ighoho represents the light and truth, while the Nigerian state stands for Illegalities. 

"Our position now is that the Nigerian Government should be honourable by respecting the verdict of a court of competent jurisdiction. The N20billion damages ordered by the court to be paid to Ighoho by the DSS should be paid with immediate effect in the interest of peace.”

Igboho through his lawyer, Yomi Aliyu, had filed a suit challenging the invasion of his house in Ibadan on July 1 by operatives of the DSS, also known as the State Security Service (SSS) or secret police.

Igboho was, among others, seeking an order of the court to declare the invasion of his residence by DSS operatives as illegal and an infringement on his fundamental human rights.

The three respondents are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as the first respondent, SSS as the second respondent and Director of SSS in Oyo State as the third respondent.

Counsel for the AGF, Abubakar Abdullahi had filed an application challenging the ability of a state High Court to hear the activities of Nigerian government agencies.

But citing several judgements by the Supreme and Appeal courts in respect of the ability of the state high court to hear such cases, Justice Ladiran Akintola said the invasion of the house of the applicant violated his fundamental human rights as stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

"Unfortunately, this court is not a Father Christmas and cannot award the sum of N500 billion as requested by the applicant but the court retrained the respondent from arresting or harassing the applicant. He has right to his free movement as contained in section 35.1 (a)(b) of the 1999 constitution as amended," he said. SAHARAREPORTERS

BREAKING: FG set to appeal N20bn damages against DSS – Malami

The Federal Government is to appeal the judgment of an Oyo State High Court which awarded N20 billion in damages against the Attorney-General of the Federation(AGF) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The AGF, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), announced the decision of the Federal Government to appeal the judgment while speaking on the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

The suit, bordering on fundamental human rights was brought by self-styled Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo.

The court, sitting in Ibadan awarded N20 billion in damages against the AGF and the DSS over the alleged invasion of the residence of Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho on July 1 this year at the Soka area of the Oyo State capital.

Malami said that efforts were already being made to commence the process of appealing the judgment.

NAN recalls that Igboho’s Counsel, Mr Yomi Alliyu (SAN), had filed a N500 billion fundamental human rights enforcement suit against the AGF, DSS and Director of the DSS in Oyo State over the incident.

Alliyu also claimed that his client’s house and cars were damaged, while two occupants of the house were killed by security agents during the incident.

But Counsel to the AGF, Mr Abdullah Abubakar, had argued that there was no evidence before the court that the blood seen in the video clip tendered by Alliyu belonged to a human being.

Abubakar also said that there was nothing in the video clip that showed that the house that was invaded belonged to Igboho or linked the AGF with the invasion.

He had urged the court to disregard the exhibits and dismiss the entire suit.

The Counsel to the DSS, Mr T. A. Nurudeen, aligned with the submission made by the counsel to AGF, insisting that there must be proof from a hematologist to show that the blood seen in the video belonged to a human being.

Nurudeen also tendered a video clip which was admitted by the court, where Igboho allegedly threatened to create an Oduduwa Republic, while urging the Yoruba to protect themselves with charms and guns.

However, delivering his judgment, Justice Ladiran Akintola, said the style and procedures adopted by the DSS during the incident was unprofessional.

Akintola said that the applicant had demonstrated to the court that his fundamental right to personal liberty, right to life and blocking of his account amounted to violation of his fundamental rights.

He awarded N20 billion as exemplary and aggravated damage in favour of the applicant and N2 million cost also in favour of the applicant for instituting the case. (NAN)

Fleeing terrorists invade two Kaduna communities, hoist flags

An alleged terrorist organization under the auspices of Ansaru who fled Zamfara State as a result of the military onslaught going on in the state have invaded two communities in Kaduna State and hoisted its flags.

The affected communities are Saulawa and Damari communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

Sources who wouldn’t like to be mentioned had said the suspected members of the organisation arrived at the two communities in their hundreds and later hoisted flags in the two communities.

According to findings, the two communities had a few years ago reached an agreement with bandits. Under the agreement, while the people will be allowed to farm, the bandits in turn will enjoy certain privileges like going to the markets, etc.

However, it was gathered that the agreement was not sustained following the invasion of the communities in February by gunmen who invaded several communities including Saulawa and Damari and as a result killed many villagers.

A youth leader from Dogon Dawa, who pleaded for anonymity remarked that following the new development, residents of Damari had been sneaking out and relocating to other communities for safety.

He said, “hundreds of the terrorist group members arrived on Tuesday, and took over Saulawa and Damari communities and have hoisted their flags, they have not attacked anyone but people are scared and they are leaving.”

Also, a fuel vendor at Dogon Dawa confirmed the presence of the strangers in Saulawa village and disclosed that villagers are sneaking out of the villages to Karau-Karau, Dogon Dawa and Zaria.

“As we speak, the group members who we suspect to be Ansaru members are still in Saulawa village and Damari and reports from those villages are that two flags have been hoisted; one in Damari and the other in Saulawa.”

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said the command had not received a report on the hoisting of flags in the two communities (Damari and Saulawa).

DSS stunned over N20b judgment

The Department of State Services (DSS) has kept mum over a court judgement on Friday September 17, asking it to pay N20 billion to Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho.

Justice Ladiran Akintola of Oyo State High Court gave the order in a suit filed by Igboho, through his lawyer, Yomi Aliu, SAN over the invasion of his home by the DSS in July.

Calls to the spokesman of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, were not picked up.

He replied to a WhatsApp message for his response on the matter by simply saying “No comments.”

Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu unveil Kumuyi’s official biography

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Sports Minister Sunday Dare on Friday in Lagos unveiled the first authorised biography of the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) William (W.F.) Kumuyi.

The book ‘Kumuyi: Defender of the Faith’ is the 10-month-long work of a few church members in the cleric’s inner circle and 250,000 copies are now in print.

In 336 pages and 14 chapters, it documents the glory of God’s work through Kumuyi’s Christian journey.

Osinbajo, who was the chairman and guest of honour, noted Kumuyi’s initial reluctance to authorise a biography, explaining it as that “innate resistance of humble men to any form of adulation or celebration of personal success.”

He justified the documentation of the life of former university don as one of the three or four kinds of tax successful persons owe the society.

Osinbajo said: “The first is income tax, personal income tax and if you own a company, corporation tax or company tax.

“The second is the social tax. Another name for that is philanthropy; the obligation of the wealthy or those who have to give back to society or to those who do not have.

“The third tax is a civic tax; the obligation of the successful to write their stories, to share the histories of the phenomenon that they have become, in order to instruct to admonish the present and the future.

 “But for the successful preacher of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a fourth tax. This is the Pentecost tax…the task to tell what you have gone through in ministry…and this is a huge responsibility.”

The VP reasoned that through the biography, Kumuyi had begun the work of discharging that tax.

Osinbajo added: “This book tells the story of the incredible work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Pastor Kumuyi and his ministry, how by his grace he not only preached, and continues to preach holiness to a whole generation, but lived and lives that whole life of holiness himself every day.

“It the story of how the Holy Spirit worked miracles through him and how from a Bible study group of 15 members in 1973, the ministry grew to what is now the Deeper Life Bible Church, at one point with 120,000 members, making it the third-largest single congregation in the world and is now firmly established in several countries of the world…

“I had an opportunity of reading the book and every page of it is certainly worth reading, and worth reading more than once. I recommend it to all.”

Sanwo-Olu expressed “great pleasure” at being the event’s chief host and described Kumuyi as “a great servant of God, spiritual leader, teacher and mentor to millions, academic and educationist, family man, philanthropist, and a patriotic Nigerian.”

He said the book’s title was an apt way of summing up Kumuyi’s life and service, noting that the former don set aside “a very promising career in the Ivory Tower and dedicated himself to advancing the gospel and the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, with holiness as the central tenet of his message and ministry.”

Sanwo-Olu added: “When you mention the name William Folorunsho Kumuyi or the Deeper Life Bible Church anywhere, the first thing that comes to mind is holiness, an absolute devotion to living a life that is fully aligned with the precepts and standards of God, an uncompromising commitment to be in the world but not of it, and to place God over and above everything else.

“That name, that reputation, was not built overnight, it is the product of many decades of humble but energetic labouring, that God has blessed massively and continues to bless.”

He thanked the cleric for permitting the writing and publication of his biography, and for sharing his story with the world.

Guests at the event included former Cross River Governor Donald Duke, representatives of the governors of Osun, Akwa Ibom and Delta states, the prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Kanu; Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Ebenezer Onyeagwu; among others.

Responding to the praises, Kumuyi noted that he was not aware that the name “William” meant “Defender of the faith” until many years into his ministry when an American pastor drew his attention to it after they preached at an event in Singapore.

Giving God the glory for all the wonders wrought in the course of the ministry, and referencing the John Wesley quote “Give me 100 men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God”, Kumuyi challenged Christians to emulate Jesus.

“From this moment I want to be like Jesus. If you will make up your mind and tell God I want to be like Jesus; make up your mind and soul, say, ‘I want to be like Jesus, the Lord will make you like Jesus.”

He said if this was done, they could “turn the world upside down. We can start from our city here. We can start from our country here in Africa, and who knows, we can change the world.”

He noted further that many of his former varsity students had gone ahead to become professors, doctors, engineers, adding that “They now know what I do not know. I want to build that image. I want to raise people that will go beyond me.”

Guest speaker and former Vice-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Prof Dapo Asaju, tasked Nigerians to return to the era of integrity, transparency and trust in leadership.

A former Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Professor Ayodeji Olukoju, reviewed the book.

The book’s Editorial team comprised Pastor Philip Oluwi, (Chair), Journalist and writer, Banji Ojewale; former Managing Director, Anchor Newspaper, Segun Babatope; former Managing Director of The Guardian newspaper, Emeka Izeze; Professor of English at the University of Lagos, Tunde Opeibi (Ope-Davies); Andrew Umoru, Steve Obidi and Euriel Momah.

Bankole calls Yoruba nation agitators charlatans

Second Republic politician and a prominent Egba business tycoon, Chief Alani Bankole, has slammed agitators of the Yoruba nation.

He described them as “charlatans and exploiters.”

Bankole said the separatists are only using agitations to exploit unsuspecting people to make money.

The octogenarian, who is the father of former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, spoke yesterday at his Oluwo home in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while celebrating his 80th birthday.

He dismissed the Yoruba nation agitators, saying “they are using what they are doing to exploit people to make money.”

He reminded the agitators that even Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio- cultural group, had opposed calls for break-up of the country.

Pa Bankola said Afenifere was only agitating for restructuring to allow the federating units control their resources.

He said: “Who are the people leading Yoruba nation or the break away? The Afenifere people have openly said they did not support breaking up. They are calling for restructuring to give different federating units authority to take care of their resources, which is quite different from breaking away.

Senate may arrest NPA, NIMASA chiefs

The Senate has threatened the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Alhaji Mohammed Bello-Koko, and Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, with a warrant of arrest over failure to explain N10billion and N814 million expenses in the agencies respectively.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, who made this known while speaking with newsmen in Abuja expressed dissatisfaction with the failure of NPA boss and NIMASA Director General to appear before the Committee to explain queries raised against them by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation pertaining to the amounts.

Although, the Chairman of the Committee did not state categorically the details of the audit queries against the agencies, a cursory look at the report of Auditor General revealed that Managing Director of NPA is expected to explain alleged N10billion expenditure while the NIMASA boss is expected to explain the alleged utilisation of N814million

Urhoghide said: “For the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Auditor General’s reports that we are considering concurrently now, the erring agencies, including the NPA, NIMASA, among others, we are going to make sure that they appear.

 “It might border on embarrassing the accounting officers of those agencies. We are ready to issue warrants of arrest against them because I know the Senate President will be well disposed to signing a warrant of arrest particularly against the agencies found guilty of same offence when we were considering the 2015 report.

“If they want to repeat the same thing when we are considering the 2016 report, we won’t tolerate that. They cannot be spending government money and they would not want to account for it.

“We are carrying out a constitutional role as contained in section 85 (6, 7). It is a provision that the agencies, including foreign missions, must account for the public funds that they spend by the provision of the constitution.

“If they still refuse to come, it means that they have something to hide. They must be dragged out to come and give account.

“It is in the best interest of the erring agencies to appear before the SPAC (Senate Public Accounts Committee) to answer queries that had been raised by the OAuGF (Office of the Auditor General of the Federation).

Some details of the query against NPA include irregularities in the award, execution and payment for contract at the sum of ₦7,503,344,599.00, unpaid rent which amounted to ₦2,504,959,843.77 and outstanding insurance claims of ₦54,354,138.57.

Others are payment of insurance premium on non-existing assets in the sum of N18,338,056.45, irregularities in the award and payment of contract amounting to N18,300,000.00, payment made for contract not executed at N20,830,638.00 and full payment of N20,830,638.62 for partially executed project.

On the other hand, details of query to NIMASA include alleged payment of N741.9million for services not rendered, irregularities in the award of N48 million contract, non-retirement of N25 million cash advance and non-submission of audited report.

 Tonto Dikeh reveals how she attempted suicide, drinking a bottle of sniper  

Tonto Dikeh, the Nigerian actress, says she once attempted suicide over criticisms and negative perceptions about her personality due to her knack for controversy.

The movie star spoke at a recent Tedx where she reflected on her past struggles with suicidal thoughts and how she finally managed to leverage the controversy.

Dikeh said at the time, she usually go indoors to cry when people say negative things about her due to their misconceptions about her personality.

The mother of one said the situation left her heavily depressed that she drank a bottle of sniper to end her life.

The actress said amid her suicidal thoughts, she ruminated over how her action could make life difficult for those who are looking up to her and decided to have a rethink.

“For years, I allowed the controversy to break me because I was not using it. Every time someone says a negative thing about me, I would go home and absolve it. I never knew what to do with it, I was stagnant,” she said.

“I let negativity got to me so much that I became what people thought I was. Then, if you call me a fool, I’ll act like one for you because I was in pain and need to let people know they’re hurting me.

“One day, I was in my room and was so tired. God knows that I was so tired that I took a bottle of sniper and drank it all.

“I just wanted it to be over. It was too much for me that I couldn’t control it. In my mind, I knew who I am but you’re telling me I’m someone else.

“My life was in a fix. I took the poison and kept waiting for what would happen….in that instance Jesus spoke to me ‘I gave you a second chance.”.

The entrepreneur said she has mastered the art of leveraging on controversies since the experience that she no longer allow negative remarks get to her.

“I am probably one of the most controversial persons on earth, proudly. The only reason why I can be proud of it is that I’m not fighting it, I’m using it for my advantage, I’m using it for my growth, for my satisfaction,” she added.

The spotlight recently beamed on the actress over her failed relationship with Prince Kpokpogri.

2023: Jonathan, other defectors may enjoy automatic ticket for – APC

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said it has not granted an automatic ticket to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is being rumoured to be planning to defect to the party ahead of 2023 general elections.

It also said that waiver granted new defectors does not exclude them from undergoing nomination processes of contesting for positions in the party and as its flag bearers in general elections.

APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, made these declarations in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

He said defection into the party by any person does not confer the status of an automatic candidate of the party on such individual.

Akpanudoedehe, who was reacting to a misrepresentation of his views on the waiver granted new entrants and defectors by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at its December 8, 2020 meeting in a television programme, said all party members, irrespective of the status of the person must go through the party’s nomination process as outlined in it’s the constitution.

He maintained that the waiver by NEC was not restricted to anyone.

According to the Secretary: “The waiver is not specific to anyone as being misconstrued and misrepresented in some sections.

“Coming into the party gives no one special status of being an automatic party candidate in any election. All aspirants must undergo the nomination processes outlined by the APC constitution.”

Akpanudoedehe recalled that the party’s NEC resolved and granted waivers to persons who have recently joined the party and those desirous of joining the party in the nearest future to contest for positions in the APC and as party flag bearers in general elections.

He explained that by the NEC resolution, “new members will enjoy all the benefits and privileges accruable by the APC” but not the status of automatic candidate of the party.”

According to him: “For the records, in my recent television interview reaction to the rumoured plans by former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the APC, my statement was that NEC resolution was a blanket waiver to ALL new APC entrants, including the interviewee.

“The waiver is not specific to anyone as being misconstrued and misrepresented in some sections. Coming into the party gives no one special status of being an automatic party candidate in any election. All aspirants must undergo the nomination processes outlined by the APC constitution.

“Excerpts of APC NEC 8th December 2020 resolution reads: “…new members will enjoy all the benefits and privileges accruable by virtue of their membership of the party. So, they will be able to contest for positions in the party. They will be able to contest elections without any requirement of being members for several years or period.”

S’east govs silence on Kanu’s fate, suspicious – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has described as suspicious and distasteful the complacent attitude of South East and South South Governors as well as religious leaders over the fate of its detained Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

It said it was regrettable that the Governors and religious leaders were yet to openly condemn Federal Government impunity since June 19 Kanu was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria.

In a statement from its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB noted that the Governors’ silence was a confirmation of its fears that the leaders might be part of Kanu’s ordeals.

It however commended efforts of few among them genuinely committed to the freedom of its leader, especially the pro-active movement South East national Assembly cacus for Kanu.

The statement reads in part: “We the global family of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu find loathsome and distasteful, the complacent attitude of South East and South South Govs and religious leaders over the fate of our Leader following his abduction and extra-ordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria.

“It’s baffling that since June 19th Kanu was abducted in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria in clear violation of international laws, the South East and South South governors and religious leaders are yet to openly condemn the act or take any action to register their displeasure with the impunity of the federal government of Nigeria.

“This criminal silence strongly confirms our earlier understanding and fears that these hypocritical leaders and traitors may be part of our leader’s ordeals.

“While leaders from other zones are courageously speaking up for their own, Governors and religious leaders from South East and South South have kept mute for reasons best known to them.

“We are watching and keeping records. When the chips are down we will know who is who.”

CBN accuses BDCs operators of funding Boko Haram, kidnappings

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has declared that Bureau de Changes (BDCs) were funding terrorism and kidnapping in the country.

Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, made this disclosure in Abuja on Friday after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Meeting.

He said the CBN will not rescind its decision to ban the sale of foreign exchange to BDCs.

Shedding more light on why the apex bank took the the decision, Emefiele noted the CBN has resolved to stop funding BDCs by dipping into the nation’s foreign reserve to fund BDCs all for the sake of stabilising the forex market.

According to him: “We have decided that this will stop and it has stopped for good. It beats my imagination that Nigeria carried on with this kind of practice that tended to support illegal activities of people who are involved in graft and involved in corrupt practices”.

He added: “Instead of collecting naira as bribe you tell the person to exchange it to dollar so that you can have some packet of dollars in your pocket. Yet the CBN in an attempt to moderate the market decides that it will take dollars and beings to support the corrupt tendencies of people”.

Another reason for the decision, he said, is “we have unwittingly supported activities of those who illegally buy foreign exchange from this illegal market carry them in aircrafts out of the country and go to buy arms and ammunition and bring them back into the country and conduct crime whether it is Boko haram, kidnapping all sorts of nefarious activities.

“We the CBN take our country’s dollar and sell to people to go and buy arms ammunition to come and hurt us that is what we are saying that people want us to continue to do. We cannot do that any longer”.