PHOTOS: Emotional moment when orphans, IDPs hug Atiku in Plateau

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential flagbearer of the PDP on his visit to Plateau State has stopped over at the Bukuru the IDP camp. This IDP camp houses people displaced from the herdsmen crisis ravaging the North Central.

This was followed with tears of joy from some of the orphans and kids present, as they hugged him and did not want to let go. The presidential aspirant who grew up without his father could easily connect with the kids since he was in the same condition while growing up in Jeddah Adamawa State.

Atiku Abubakar who spent a lot of time with the kids, asking them about their dreams and aspirations and hearing them out. He also made a 10 million naira donation to the children, before leaving the IDP.

There is almost an IDP camp in Nigeria for all the 36 states of the country. Borno, Yobe and Adamawa have turned into a large IDP camp, with the North Central and North West taking over in the insecurity gymnastics.

Commenting on the visit to IDPs, an aide of Mr Atiku said, “Atiku Abubakar having been in this situation before, understands the plight of these people and Nigerians need him to make life meaningful for the IDPs again.

“In fact, Nigerians need Atiku mainly for his empathy and human feelings. Nigerians need a president that will make human-friendly policies. His understanding of the needs of humans around him makes him a favourite for these IDPs and Nigerians in general.”

Nigerians will head to the polls in February 16th and the choice will be between a President Buhari former VP Atiku Abubakar.

See copies of the criminal charges FG filed against CJN Walter Onnoghen (photos)

Here are photos showing copies of the criminal charges the Federal government filed against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen. According to the charge sheet, Justice Onnoghen failed to declare his dollar, pounds and euro accounts when he was elevated to the Supreme Court. 

Buhari is finer, taller than Atiku – Babachir Lawal identifies why ex-VP won’t win

A former Secretary to the Government of Federation, Babachir Lawal has lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the February 16 election.

Lawal described Abubakar as a ‘Facebook Politician,’ who was no match for President Muhammadu Buhari in the upcoming 2019 election.

Speaking with The Sun, the former SGF said Buhari will trumph over Abubakar in all aspects including height, looks and integrity.

He said: “Atiku is a Facebook politician. He gets all these smart boys and gives them laptop or smart phone and they write. They write anything they like. And then you go back and say ah, I am very, very popular or they organise bogus survey. Look, those who vote don’t have smart phones, they don’t have TV, and they just have in their minds that it is Buhari they want. The voter does not watch television. 

“He doesn’t have time even if there is electricity in his village or even if there is GSM network in his village. He doesn’t have the money to buy data bundle. So, they are just deceiving people and just deceiving themselves, thinking that PDP has something and I think PDP, their campaign structure has disintegrated.

“Everywhere all over the country, if it is a matter of choice, you place Atiku side by side with Buhari, it is doubtful if anybody will pick Atiku. Is it experience? Buhari has more experience.

“He was head of state, Atiku was only vice president. Is it height? Buhari is taller. Is it looking fine? Buhari looks a fine man. So, whatever it is. Is it integrity?

“Whatever! There is no comparison at all. That simplifies the issues for us, the fact that it is a straight-forward choice before the voter. It is a straight choice between Atiku and Buhari. So, there is no comparison at all. There is none.”

I did well in office, says Babachir Lawal

Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), says he did well while in office.

President Muhammadu Buhari sacked Lawal in October after he was accused of corruption.

A senate ad hoc committee accused him of giving contracts worth hundreds of millions of naira to a company he owns to remove invasive plant species from the Yobe state water channels.

But in an interview with TheSun, the former SGF said he did not have any regrets serving in Buhari’s government. 

“Why would I regret? I did well,” he said.

Lawal, who is working for Buhari’s re-election, said he does not know anything about the report that indicted him.

“I don’t know the report. Have you seen the report? I have not seen the report. So, I don’t know what is in the report. They didn’t give me,” the ex-SGF said.

“I didn’t have access to President Buhari because he was president. I had access to President Buhari long before he became president. In fact, I am a family member.

“So, whether he is president or not is immaterial. I can walk into his house and ask for food and I will get food long, long, long before there were talks of Buhari being president. Long, long before then! So, being a president doesn’t mean I have no access to him again.”

When asked if he is ready to face trial, the ex-SGF said: “What do you think I should do if they decide to prosecute me? I do Dino Melaye or what do you want me to do?

“We will go to court. Let them go to court. If they take me to court, we will meet in court.”

Lawal said Buhari will defeat Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whom he described as a “Facebook politician.”

“Atiku is a Facebook politician. He gets all these smart boys and gives them laptop or smart phone and they write. They write anything they like. And then you go back and say ah, I am very, very popular or they organise bogus survey,” he said.

“Look, those who vote don’t have smart phones, they don’t have TV, and they just have in their minds that it is Buhari they want. The voter does not watch television.

“He doesn’t have time even if there is electricity in his village or even if there is GSM network in his village. He doesn’t have the money to buy data bundle. So, they are just deceiving people and just deceiving themselves, thinking that PDP has something and I think PDP, their campaign structure has disintegrated.”

‘NBC will ban it next week’ — how Nigerians received Falz’s ‘Talk’ video that takes a swipe at Buhari's government, Nigeria Senators, MURIC...

Folarin Falana, Nigerian rapper popularly known as ‘Falz’, on Friday, released the video of his new single ‘Talk’ and it has sparked a flurry of reactions from fans.
The single is expected to be on his upcoming album ‘Moral Instruction’ which will be released on January 15.

'Talk' is a socio-conscious record that addresses critical happenings and advises the youths to be wary of greedy politicians. The video themed in a video game format sees Falz driving around town alongside his guys while different scenes relating to the lyrics play out.

The song addresses subjects like politics, religion, cybercrime, NYSC wage and the MURIC lawsuit saga.

 Fans took to the social media platform to air their opinions on the video.

Here some of their tweets:

Protect Falz at all costs. That man is single handedly using his music to fight for Nigerians & highlight the societal issues that are being faced by millions of Nigerians but your other MCMs will be using blood money & fraud in their lyrics & disguise them as “awareness”.#Talk

— 👑 DaddyMO 👑 🚀♠️ (@officialdaddymo) January 11, 2019

Talk by Falz
"Broda muric shout finish we no see am for court" 😂
"4 years tenure 3 years holiday"🤣
"We buy your story but you no give us change"😂
"In 2019 19,800 alawee"😅
"3 private jets you say u buy am for church"🤪 #Talk@falzthebahdguy 🙌

— General De-Way (@edwardbode) January 11, 2019

"4 Years Tenure 3 Years Holiday" Falz with a strong shade towards Buhari. In a Time where some of his mates are telling us to do Blood he is telling us the reality of a Failed President. What a Man 👑#Talk

— KinG NomSo👑 (@ani_nomso) January 11, 2019

Falz is the only artiste with mind 
Steadily dissing the Government
Others just de claim Fela by wearing Fela polo 😂😂#Talk

— Trouble Maker 😒 (G.O) (@ObongRoviel) January 11, 2019

Falz don break all the table in this country with his latest video. They will soon ban the video😂😂😂

— Ogochukwu ❤️ (@_emmalez) January 11, 2019

Falz scored a Hat Trick with this new video

"4 year Tenure, 3 Years Holiday"⚽️

"We buy your story, but you no give us CHANGE"⚽️

"The yawa wey we see, no be the security wey you promise" ⚽️

He is the real MVP of this 2019 season https://t.co/tdzJQTqhxc

— Ebube The Statesman (@akaebube) January 11, 2019

Sir Falz just casted you. 
He said you have a 4 year tenure, and 3 year holiday pic.twitter.com/LUwGUOcrLi

— Angel Allen🇳🇬🇱🇷||Qwerty Alliance (@Ahllen_) January 11, 2019

NBC will still ban Falz #Talkby next week.

— Dr Slice. 'Segalink's ass licker' (@DrSlice01) January 11, 2019

Let's be honest, Falz is the Fela/Idris Abdulkarim of our time. 

He even ended with "Na me talk am oo"
Like weytin una wan do??😂
Let's see what brother Muric will do this time around 😂 
Falz is a treasure jare 🔥 shaking tables without fear 🔥 #Talk

— Di'ra (@AnayoAnn) January 11, 2019

#Falz #Talk just 
dragged Muric 😂
dragged Buhari.😂
dragged your favourite pastors😂
.
If there's any artist challenging authority as Fela did, then its Falz.
.
No be to dey smoke weed and dey raise hands up go make you next Fela. pic.twitter.com/PPMk1TwT8f

— The Kingmaker🦅 (@SmithVinci) January 11, 2019

Falz speaks the truth, the absolute truth. Fela would have been so proud of this jam #Talk

— KING 👑 (@DanSholz_) January 11, 2019

#Talk by Falz is another woke song.

The Fact that Falz can shake tables with fear is just amazing.

He talked about MURIC
Politics
Jungle Justice
Runs girls
NYSC Minimum wage.. 

Thank God we have people that can speak the truth!!👌

— Justin Ifeanyi |🇳🇬 (@Eastcoastprince) January 11, 2019

Get your self a lawyer like FALz, Fela of our time

“He Dragged APC, 

He Dragged PDP, 

He Dragged Muric, 

He Dragged Buhari,

He Dragged politicians,

He Dragged fraudsters,

He Dragged runs girls,

He Dragged everybody”

He #Talk him mind🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/ZII1ewiEPk

— Chemical Boy 🤞 (@OG_Samuel_jnr) January 11, 2019

Falz is the Fela of our Generation. #Talk

He has continued to address the ills of our government in his lyrics & has also continued to call out those involved without fear.
A True Music Icon..

While ur MCM's think Dancing with pants & smoking is what makes dem a 'fela' Shiorr

— AkWa IBoM's 1st SoN 👑 (@Clinton_Vice_B) January 11, 2019

Falz touches pressing political issues which affects the development of Nigeria and the well being of the people.. he has become the people's voice🌠
legend in the making.. we need a Falz in GH music too.. the love love matters and the i suffered to make am stories is okay wai!😒

— Kay 🇬🇭 🇬🇧 (@Kaypoisson1) January 11, 2019

FALZ is doing what Burna boy think he's doing. 

Times New Roman activist. Faux Existentialism.

— Brasco (@BodeThomas_) January 11, 2019

Falz was definitely the guy in boarding house that was confident in misbehaving knowing his School father is the Senior Prefect and can't be touched lol... This guy has just been shaking government tables since 😭 
NO BE ME #Talk AM O!

— UGLIEST FINE DADDY †🕊 (@skizyman) January 11, 2019

Olamide and Lil Kesh be like:falz how, how,. How do you create sensible songs ...how? pic.twitter.com/mKW17lCHTB

— Babalaje of OAU (@HardeoyeRanking) January 11, 2019

Falz touches pressing political issues which affects the development of Nigeria and the well being of the people.. he has become the people's voice🌠
legend in the making.. we need a Falz in GH music too.. the love love matters and the i suffered to make am stories is okay wai!😒

— Kay 🇬🇭 🇬🇧 (@Kaypoisson1) January 11, 2019

Watch Video HERE 

Buhari seeks legal opinion to extend IGP’s tenure

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, for a legal opinion on the possible extension of the inspector-general of police’s tenure, a senior presidency official has said.

Ibrahim Idris, appointed IGP by Buhari in March 2016, clocked 35 years in service on January 3, 2019 and should ordinarily have retired.

However, he has continued to report to office, further fuelling speculation that Buhari is planning to extend his tenure so that he could remain in office till after the elections.

Opposition parties have often accused Idris of partisanship and are opposed to tenure extension for him.

TheCable reports that a senior presidency source revealed that Buhari is favourably disposed to extending Idris’ tenure “by two to three months” but would not want any legal issues around it.

“The president has asked Malami for a legal opinion on the tenure extension. He does not want to take any decision that will be upturned by the courts,” the official said.

We could not confirm if Malami has written the legal advice but he is not known to go against the wish of the president.

There is yet no IGP that has enjoyed tenure extension and Idris would be the first if Malami sends in a favourable opinion.

According to section 215 (1) of the 1999 constitution, “There shall be – (a) an Inspector-General of Police who, subject to section 216(2) of this Constitution shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving members of the Nigeria Police Force.”

However, it has been argued that technically, Idris is no longer a serving policeman since he has already attained the length of service for mandatory retirement by over week.

There are also questions as to why the president has not sought the input of the Nigeria Police Council over the tenure issue.

The council is made up of the president as chairman, 36 state governors, chairman of the Police Service Commission and the inspector-general of police.

Months After Describing Him As Dictator Yari Rushes To Greet Oshiomhole At Abuja Airport

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was reunited with the Abdulaziz Yari, Governor of Zamfara State, on Friday, as the duo shook hands at an airport in Abuja.
Yari had threatened fire and brimstone when he told the members of National Working Committee (NWC) of the party who were sent to Zamfara State to conduct the primaries that he could not guarantee their safety.

In October, he had called on his supporters to protest against the primaries, stating that: "Our issue is with the national secretariat of APC where Adams Oshiomhole continues to be a dictator to party members; he acts as a mini-god".

The event took place at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, as they prepared to embark on different journeys.
It was gathered that while Oshiomhole was waiting at the VIP lounge for his flight, the Governor heard that the National Chairman was around, and quickly rushed to meet him.
They were said to have had a brief chat, before parting ways. People in the vicinity of the airport were said to have been surprised by the development.
When they wanted to take photographs, Senator Adamu Aliero took position in the middle.

This is the first time the duo will be seen to have mended fences, after the conduct of the controversial APC primary elections in Zamfara State.

Dino Melaye moved from DSS facility to SARS office

The police have moved Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, to the federal special anti-robbery squad (FSARS) office in Guzape district, Abuja.

On Friday, the police transferred the senator from their hospital to a Department of State Service (DSS) health facility for treatment after he complained that he was not getting better.

The police hospital had certified him fit for trial.

An associate of the senator revealed on Saturday that the next action of the police is unknown.

“They moved him to SARS office in Guzape. The police moved him without any word. We don’t know what they want to do now,” the associate said.

Last week, the senator surrendered to the police following a 8-day siege laid to his Abuja residence.

The police accused Melaye of culpable homicide and alleged that his supporters shot one Danjuma Saliu, a police officer, in Kogi state on July 19.

Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman, said they have a warrant to keep Melaye for 14 days.

“The police investigation team obtained a 14 day remand warrant from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court on 9th January, 2019, to keep senator Dino Melaye in police custody for investigation into the case of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide against him till 23rd January, 2019,” Moshood said.

Atiku takes campaign to Ekiti, Ondo Monday

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will on Monday move to Ekiti State with other leaders of the party in continuation of his campaign tour across the country.
In Ekiti State, the presidential campaign train is expected to have a stopover at Ikere-Ekiti before moving to Ado Ekiti, the state capital, where homage will be paid to traditional rulers at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, before moving to the state Pavilion, venue of the campaign.
Director of Media and Publicity of the pro-Ayodele Fayose Atiku/Obi PDP Campaign Council in Ekiti State, Lere Olayinka, in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, urged Ekiti people to troop out en-masse to give a rousing welcome to the PDP presidential candidate, who he described as the “next president of Nigeria by the grace of God.”

Olayinka said PDP members and supporters and as well well-meaning Nigerians were expected at the Pavilion from 9am.

He said that the campaign train would also stop in Akure, Ondo State on Monday before it would move to Osun State.

Olayinka dismissed the parallel campaign council inaugurated by the Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, saying: “That one goes to no issue. The campaign council at the national level is relating with the Chairman, Prof Kolapo Olusola and the Director General, Chief Dipo Anisulowo.”

2019 elections: Oshiomhole receives Yuguda, other PDP defectors in Bauchi

The All Progressives Congress in Bauchi  State on Saturday received no fewer than 18 prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party who had defected to the ruling party.
The  event was part of activities marking the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.
Alhaji Uba Nana, APC chairman in the state handed over the defectors to the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Nana commended the defectors for taking the right decision at the appropriate time, urging them to contribute their quota to the development of the state and the party.

Receiving the defectors, National Chairman of APC, Oshiomhole, presented the broom to them as the logo and identity of the ruling party.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, one of them, former governor of Bauchi, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, revealed that they would ensure the success of the party during the forthcoming elections.

He urged the leadership of the party to pardon their shortcomings.

The defectors were former Governor Isa Yuguda, former deputy governor Abdulmalik Mahmood, as well as senators Abubakar Maikafi and Babayo Gamawa, among others.

(NAN)

Tonto Dikeh rejects prayers to be reunited with ex-husband

Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has rejected prayer of one of her followers on Instagram who wished for reunification with her ex-husband, Mr Churchill Olakunle.

The follower known by Instagram handle @tobi_nextlevel took to Dikeh’s @Tontolet Instagram account comment section to wish that Tonto will reunite with her ex-husband.

“How I wish you and Daddy King can forget your difference and reunite again”.

The actress, singer and mother of one quickly rejected the prayer and responded thus, “MAY GOD FORBID SUCH A PRAYER IJN…Thanks for the evil wishes, I know you intended well…You can reserve the prayer!”

@tobi_nextlevel commented further, “I know my comment may sound negative vibe to you, but all African women need a man in their life. Is not our thing in black race to live a life of single parent”.

Dike got married to Olakunle in August 2015 and got separated in early part of 2017.

The 17 months old marriage was blessed with a son, King Andre.

In February, 2018 the entrenched couple came together and celebrated the second birthday of their son in Abuja. (NAN)

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PDP is a very broke and hungry political party - Amaechi

The Director General, President Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo 2019 Campaign, Mr Rotimi Amaechi on Saturday said that the opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP), is broke and hungry.

Amaechi, who is also the Minister of Works and Transport, said this in Bauchi at a political rally organised to receive 18 prominent PDP members in the state who had defected to APC.

According to him, “they are broke, they are hungry and want to come back to steal.

“Because they are broke, they are looking for cheap means of fund and we look at them when they say you are hungry.

” They have easily forgotten that they stole $2 billion US Dollars to prosecute 2015 election but we won,” he asserted.

Amaechi further asserted that ” we listen to our colleagues at the other divide and say that you are hungry because they stole all the money meant for you.

“We want to assure you that we will not fail you and will never fail you. Bauchi is our traditional state we come to rest not to campaign.

” I was here in 2015 and saw what politicians called mammoth crowd, that is crowd that cannot be counted,” he stressed.

Senator Ali Ndume, had earlier described PDP administration in the last 16 years as Kleptocracy who abused their leadership positions to acquire wealth to extend their power.

Ndume, who is also the Campaign Director General Buhari/Osinbajo for North East, said that Buhari has fulfilled the promises he made in 2015 on security, economic diversification and war against corruption.

“Nigerians are today left with two options to either choose those who have the country at heart or those who will destroy the country,” he asserted.

Gov. Muhammadu Badaru of Jigawa in a goodwill message called on the people of Bauchi to cast 2.5 million votes for Buhari as against the over 1 millions votes during 2015 polls.

Badaru recalled that Buhari took over the administration when 27 states of the 36 states in the country could not pay workers salaries when crude oil was selling at over $100 US dollars per barrel.

He enumerated series of projects and programmes executed by the present administration in the country and called on the people not to be deceived by disgruntled politicians.

BREAKING: South-south governors summon emergency meeting over CJN

The South South Governor’s Forum has scheduled an emergency meeting for Sunday to discuss the developing move to remove Walter Onnoghen as the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

In a statement signed by Fidelis Soriwei, the special adviser, media relations to the governor of Bayelsa State, the forum revealed that the security òf the Niger Delta, during and after the election; the issue of derivation; and recent development involving the chief justice of the federation would feature for deliberation at the meeting.

Expressing his opinion at the development in the Supreme Court, Dickson said while he was yet to know the full details surrounding the developments at the Supreme Court concerning the CJN, it is a grave and dangerous escalation, coming a few weeks to the general elections.

He said that the South South Governors would address a press conference after the meeting to convey the position of the zone to the Nigerian public.

Dickson said that all efforts must be on deck to prevent the subversion and desecration òf the ethos of democracy in Nigeria as nation moves nearer to the election.

We had earlier reported that the move to remove the CJN was launched by ARDI, a group backed by a former south south governor.

More to follow…

Dennis Aghanya, Buhari’s former Aide, who wrote petition against Justice Onnoghen, is Executive secretary of an anti corruption NGO that gave Gov. Ganduje an award.

This is Dennis Aghanya, the author of the petition against CJN Onnoghen was Buhari’s former Media Aide & former National Publicity secretary of CPC.

He is the Executive Secretary of the group that wrote the petition against the CJN. Its all a script. Buhari is still executing coups.

At the ARDI Media Merit Award of Excellence, Executive Secretary, Chief Dennis Aghanya, says, “Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje represents most of he values that ARDI as an organisation is known for his stand in support of the fight against corruption & graft in Nigeria.”

CJN Onnoghen: How Buhari govt filed criminal charges within four days using ARDI Group(See petition details)

The process that led to planned arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen was concluded within four daysusing ARDI.

At the weekend, information emerged that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has ordered the CJN to immediately vacate his office.

The government is said to, on Monday January 14, 2019, arraign him before the Justice Danladi Yakubu led-Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja, on charges of failure to declare his assets as required by law and for operating Bank Domiciliary Foreign Currency Accounts.

On Saturday, our correspondent exclusively learnt of the timelines of the legal action against Onnoghen.

On Monday January 7, a petition was written by the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI);

On Tuesday January 8, the petition was submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB);

On Wednesday January 9, the petition was stamped “received” by the office of the CCB chairman;

On Thursday January 10, charges against CJN Onnoghen were filed by the CCB;

On Friday January 11, the CJN was served at his official residence in Abuja.

Details of the petition, ARDI petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), listed a number of allegations, false declaration of assets, against Onnoghen.

The group said its petition, dated January 7, 2019, became necessary “bearing in mind the imminence of the 2019 General Elections and the overwhelming roles of the Judicial Arm both before and after”.

ARDI said Onnoghen “is the owner of sundry accounts primarily funded through cash deposits made by himself up to as recently as 10th August 2016 which appear to have been run in a manner inconsistent with financial transparency and the code of conduct for public officials”.

In the petition, the group said Onnoghen made five different cash deposits of $10,000 each on March 8, 2011, into Standard Chartered Bank Account 1062650; two separate cash deposits of $5000 each followed by four cash deposits of $10,000 each on June 7, 2011; another set of five separate cash deposits of $10,000 each on June 27, 2011, and four more cash deposits of $10,000 each the following day.

They said Onnoghen did not declare his assets immediately after taking office, contrary to section 15 (1) of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act; and that he did not comply with the constitutional requirement for public servants to declare their assets every four years during their career.

Also alleged against him is that his Code of Conduct Bureau Forms (Form CCB 1) for 2014 and 2016 were dated and filed on the same day and the acknowledgement slips were issued for both on December 14, 2016 — at which point, they said, Onnoghen had become the CJN. Onnoghen assumed office as CJN on March 6, 2017.

ARDI alleged that prior to 2016, Onnoghen appeared “to have suppressed or otherwise concealed the existence of these multiple domiciliary accounts owned by him, as well as the substantial cash balances in them”.

Account balances were listed as follows: The Standard Chartered Bank dollar account 1062650 with a balance of $391,401.28 on January 31, 2011;

The Standard Chartered Bank Euro account 5001062686 with a balance of EURO 49,971 .71 on January 31, 2011;

The Standard Chartered Bank pound sterling account 5001062679 with a balance of GBP23,409.66 on February 28, 2011;

“It is curious that these domiciliary accounts were not declared in one of the two CCB Forms filed by Justice Onnoghen on the same day, 14th December 2016,” the group said.

The Federal Government among others is accusing Nigeria’s Head of the Judiciary of refusal to declare his assets in breach of the provision of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act.

He is also being accused of maintaining Domiciliary foreign currencies account which comprised Dollars Account, Pound Sterling Account and Euro Account which are alleged to be contrary to relevant laws, especially for public office holders.

Justice Onnoghen, whose appointment suffered delay by President Muhammadu Buhari over undisclosed issues, may be the first CJN in Nigeria to be arraigned for criminal charges by the Federal Government.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has been engaged by the Federal Government to prosecute Justice Onnoghen.

However, eminent lawyers have already volunteered to put their services at the disposal of the CJN.

"Keeping America safe...." - APC says website was hacked

The All Progressives Congress has reacted to an allegation that part of its manifesto was plagiarized, saying its official website has been hacked into by some unidentified elements.

Fabmimi News gathered on Twitter the party made the allegation on Saturday through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu who disclosed in Abuja that the APC's official website, apc.com.ng has been hacked with unauthorized content posted on the page.

He said, "Our attention has just been drawn to the fact that the APC’s official website, apc.com.ng has been hacked with unauthorised content posted on our pages."

Lanre said he has instructed that the site be taken down as steps are underway to clean it up, strengthen the security, and restore it as soon as possible.

He concluded, “We won’t allow the desperate people to succeed in their evil plots”.

Agbakoba, others promise new Nigeria as Peoples Trust starts campaign

The National Chairman of the Peoples Trust, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); the party’s presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, and other leaders of the party on Saturday promised to restore Nigeria’s lost glory.

They spoke at the commencement of the party’s presidential campaign in Abuja.

The event which was held at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, also featured the presentation of party flags to the candidates of the party at all levels.
The party leaders promised to rescue the nation from “the current state of hopelessness, insecurity and youth unemployment.”
Agbakoba said progressive forces in the country have resolved to work for Olawepo-Hashim’s success in the forthcoming presidential election.

“We took a resolute decision to form this movement we are seeing today. We have reunited under a broad platform called Third Force and by God’s grace and power, we will win. Let us go together,” he said.

He said the same way progressive forces fought the military to a standstill, they have resolved to change the current order by electing Olawepo-Hashim as President.

Olawepo-Hashim, in his address, decried the security challenges currently facing the country.

He regretted that 11 out of 19 Northern states are currently experiencing security challenges.

He said, “This is a turning point in the history of Nigeria. We are at a point where we will exchange instability for security.
“We are at a point where we will dump poverty for prosperity, we are at a point where we will stop the wave of violence and hatred and build a truly united Nigeria; where the life of every Nigerian will count.

“Today, 11 out of 19 states of Northern Nigeria have literarily been overrun by bandits from across the border and violence caused by agents of disunity and destruction. “The Southern states have literarily been overtaken by kidnappers, robbers and all sorts of violence induced by the present state of the economy of the country.

“At the bottom of these massive upheavals in the land is youth unemployment, which has climbed to about 33% to 36%. Now, we have more youths that are unemployed than youths that are gainfully employed. The national unemployment average has also climbed to 24 percent of the population.
“Our resolve is to build a new economy that will guarantee jobs for our teeming youths, empower our women with the capital to take their place in the society and not just in the other room.”

The presidential candidate promised to expand the nation’s economy to a $4trn economy within 10 years.

Yahaya Kwande, APC BOT member, attends PDP presidential campaign rally in Jos

Pix ; Godsday Orubebe, former Minister of Niger Delta (left); Gbenga Daniel, former Governor, Ogun State and Director General, Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (second left); Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and PDP Presidential aspirant (second right) and Wali Hassan, Acting Chairman, PDP, Lagos, during Atikus consultations visit to the partys stakeholder in Lagos .PHOTO; Kehinde Gbadamosi

Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, elder statesman and member of the APC Board of Trustees (BOT), was among dignitaries that attended the PDP presidential campaign rally in Jos on Saturday.

Also at the rally held at the Polo Ground were Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential Candidate, as well as Dr. Bukola Saraki, Senate president and Director-General of the PDP campaign organisation.

Also in the Plateau capital for the campaign were Mr Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the party, and his Deputy, Mr Lyel Imoke.

News men, covering the event reports that  the party big wigs were joined by Sen. Jeremiah Useni, the governorship candidate of the party in the state, and his running mate, Dr. James Dalok.

Also at the Polo Ground for the activity were Sen. Jonah Jang, the immediate past governor of Plateau, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, former Deputy Senate President, and Mr Fidelis Tapgun, a former Plateau governor.

NAN recalls that Kwande had earned the wrath of the APC in June 2018, when he followed Atiku to the Plateau State headquarters of the PDP, when he came to the state to solicit for votes from the party’s national delegates.

Miffed by Kwande’s fraternity with the rival party, the APC chairman in the state, Latep Dabang, issued a query to him and later warned him against repeating such.

Kwande, in his reply, had claimed that Atiku had been a long standing friend, and told the APC that he would not abandon such a close friend because of political reasons.

NAN reports that the event, which caused massive gridlock along the Gadabiu-Faringada axis of the city, witnessed traditional dances by women and youth groups that sang songs praising Atiku and asking Nigerians to vote for him in the Feb. 16 presidential election.(NAN)

FG’s charges against CJN mere political witchhunt, says Ozekhome

Ozekhome

- Reactions have continued to trail the plan to arraign the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Monday, with a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, accusing the Federal Government of engaging in unnecessary political witch-hunt.

Ozekhome maintained that the six-count criminal charge FG entered against the CJN over his alleged failure to declare his assets, was politically motivated, querying the time the alleged infractions were discovered.

Noting that the CJN, by virtue of his position, will play a major role in constituting the 2019 presidential election petition tribunal, Ozekhome, insisted that under the 1999 constitution, as amended, Justice Onnoghen could not be forced to vacate his office, until when his guilt is established.

According to him, “The CJN can be removed from office either if he has been convicted or if under section 291 of the constitution, the Senate affirms a request by the President to remove him by two-third majority vote.

“Our system of justice being Anglo-Saxon based, which is accusatorial, meaning that the innocence of a person is presumed.

“It is different from the criminal justice system of the French model which is inquisitorial, wherein the guilt of an accused person is presumed.

“This doctrine has been encapsulated in section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, that the person’s innocence is presumed until he has been proven guilty.

“Assuming for example that Senator Bukola Saraki had been forced to resign his office when charges were brought against him before the same Code of Conduct Tribunal almost three years ago, what would have happened and what would have been his fate when the Supreme Court eventually discharged and acquitted him of the charge, following judgments and earlier order of the Court of Appeal and the Code of Conduct Tribunal itself?

“If you ask me, I sense serious political undertones oozing from this so-called imminent arraignment of the noble CJN. Question, when did they discover the alleged offence for which they now want to charge him on Monday?

“Was it just yesterday, was it last week, two weeks or six months ago? The CJN has been in office now for well over one year, how come that this misconduct or whatever offence that he is being alleged, was not seen up to now?

“How come, that it is just less than 40 days to the 2019 Presidential election, when the CJN is going to play the major role in constituting the Presidential election petition tribunal, that he is being moved against?

Who is afraid of the Judiciary? Who is afraid of Justice Onnoghen and his impartiality and straightforwardness?

“How come we are reducing governance in Nigeria to one of impunity, one of despotism and one of absolutism.

“Don’t this people know that the world is laughing at us? Did we not see how Dino Melaye was yanked out from police hospital and taken to DSS quarters when he had no business or case with the DSS and DSS had no case against him.

“Did they not see Dino Melaye, a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, sleeping in the open yesterday? Do they go on social media and do they watch international televisions?

“Do they know how the whole world is deriding us in this country? That governance has been reduced to mere witch-hunt, very opaque, very unaccountable, very un-transparent and very very fascist! Can’t they see that?”, Ozekhome queried.

Rigging will not be allowed in Benue – Gov. Ortom

Ortom

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, has assured residents of the state that there would be no room for rigging and manipulation of votes in the forthcoming elections.

Ortom gave the assurance on Saturday in Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

He dispelled fears that the election would be rigged, noting that the people would guard their votes jealously to forestall rigging.

“We are not going to allow that to happen in Benue. We will certainly leave nothing to chance.

He promised not to disappoint the people if voted back to office, stressing that he would deliver on his mandates.

“I want to implore you to vote en masse for all candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Do not select any of them to vote for no matter the circumstances,” he said.

Also, former governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam, alleged neglect of the Tiv people whom he described as the fourth largest tribe in the country, in political appointments.

The State Chairman of the party, Mr John Ngbede, also solicited votes for candidates of the PDP in the elections and urged them to guard their votes to avoid rigging.

A political chieftain in Benue North East, Mr Demenongo Unom, urged the people to vote for Ortom as a reward for defending the Benue people.(NAN)

Support groups campaign for Buhari in Lagos

Groups campaign for Buhari in

Support Groups of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State on Saturday trooped to the streets canvassing votes for the party’s candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

The groups were at Agboyi Road, Ajelogo Road, Oluwakemi, Kazeem Oriola, Elebiju, Demunrin, Mile 12 and Ajegunle Bus Stop on Ikorodu Road canvassing for votes.

Reports have it that the groups are: Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), Joint Action for Good Governance, Buhari/Osinbajo Support Group, Team Pepper Support Group and Big Daddy Support Group, among others which participated in the walk.

Chant of “Four plus Four (4+4) Sure”; “Big Daddy”; “Buhari/Osinbajo”; “Pepper for Senate” among others rented the air as party supporters walked, sang and danced from Agboyi-Ketu LCDA secretariat to streets in the area.

Party supporters wore customised vests and caps with various inscriptions such as “Next Level”, “Big Daddy”, ” Pepper for Senate”, ” Buhari Youth Organisation, Agboyi-Ketu Walk for All APC candidates, among others.

Speaking to NAN during the walk, Mr Tunde Braimoh, representing Kosofe Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, said that APC remained the best party for people-oriented polices and schemes.

Braimoh, who is seeking re-election into the House said: “We walk to acquaint ourselves with the people and intimate them with our progressivism. Our government has been doing a lot for the people.

“This is campaign period; we need to intimate the people with our programmes and objectives and what they stand to gain by voting APC candidates across all levels in the forthcoming elections.

“This is the pro-people and masses government that must be sustained.

“My message to the people is to continue to support APC. We cannot take one step forward and take several steps backward. Corruption, impunity, and anti-people and anti-progressivism is gone in Nigeria.”

He said that the various programmes of President Buhari had qualified him for re-election ranging from security, infrastructure, social investment and others.

“By the time these (many of Buhari’s programmes) crystallise, people will see that APC is the government of the people.

“I plead with the good people of this constituency to vote again for the APC government because the party has the best for the people.

“They should be patient with the government. The President is laying a good foundation, when they crystallise, people will see that this government means well for the masses.

“President Buhari is building a very solid foundation, we should encourage PMB to do more and consolidate on his achievements,” Braimoh added.

Also speaking to NAN, Mr Dele Oshinowo, the Chairman, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, said that the walk was to showcase APC candidates in the state and seek people’s support for them, saying the APC loved the people.

Oshinowo, who expressed satisfaction with the massive turnout for the walk, said that the turnout was an indication that APC would coast to victory at the polls.

“This monthly fitness walk is to sensitise the people on the need to vote APC, to tell them what APC has done and what the party will still give the people,” he said.

Mr Dipo Adebowale, one of the Coordinators of Buhari/Osinbajo in South West, said that the walk and the turnout had revealed that people loved President Buhari and wanted him to remain President beyond 2019.

In his words, Mr Abdulwaheed Odunuga, the Lagos State Coordinator of BYO said: “We tag the walk as “a walk for the next level” to sensitise the people on our candidate-Buhari and other APC candidates.

“We are telling the people about what President Buhari has done and will do if voted for.

“We want the people to elect credible candidates. We are appealing to Nigerians to elect President Buhari to take the nation to the next level. We have credible candidates in APC,” Odunuga said.

He said that the country was on the verge of collapse when Buhari took over, saying that indications had shown that the President had finished laying foundation for Nigeria to move forward.

He urged the people to shun violence, selling of votes and hooliganism, adding that “people should collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them tocast their votesl.”