Bandits Kidnap 40 Kaduna Worshippers During Church Service, 15 Escape

Some bandits were reported to have at kidnapped at least 40 worshippers during service at Bege Baptist Church, Madala on Buruku Baringi road in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday.

The chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, Rev. John Hayab, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday.




Hayab said the incident happened at about 9:30 am when the worshippers were in the service.

“The worshippers were in the Sunday service in the Church when around 9:30 am they heard gunshots very close to the Church. The gunmen attacked the Church and went away with 40 worshippers,” he said.

He, however, added that 15 of the abducted worshippers escaped, leaving behind 25 others who were at present in the kidnappers’ den.

“Along the way, somehow 15 of the kidnapped persons returned remaining the rest 25 who are presently in captivity without any word from their abductors,” he said.

Hayab added that efforts were being made to contact the abductors on the remaining 25 victims.

“Along the way, somehow 15 of the kidnapped persons returned remaining the rest 25 who are presently in captivity without any word from their abductors,” he said.

Hayab added that efforts were being made to contact the abductors on the remaining 25 victims.


https://punchng.com/bandits-kidnap-40-kaduna-worshippers-during-church-service-15-escape/

Presidential Tribunal: Atiku, PDP Apply For Live Broadcast Of Proceedings

As the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, kick-starts hearing on Monday, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have filed an application for an order to allow live coverage of day-to-day proceedings on the case they brought against the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Atiku, who came second in the presidential election that held on February 25, in the motion he filed through his team of lawyers led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, specifically applied for; “An order, directing the Court’s Registry and the parties on modalities for admission of Media Practitioners and their Equipments into the courtroom”.

The PDP candidate and former Vice President contended that the petition he lodged against the President-elect, was “a matter of national concern and public interest”.

He argued that the case involved citizens and electorates in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, who he said voted and participated in the presidential poll.

More so, he drew attention of the court to the fact that the International Community is equally interested on issues pertaining to Nigeria’s electoral process.

In the motion dated May 5, Atiku and the PDP insisted that their case against Tinubu, being a unique electoral dispute with a peculiar constitutional dimension, they said it was a matter of public interest in which millions of Nigerian citizens and voters are stakeholders, with the constitutional right to be part of the proceedings.

“An integral part of the constitutional duty of the Court to hold proceedings in public is a discretion to allow public access to proceedings either physically or by electronic means. 

“With the huge and tremendous technological advances and developments in Nigeria and beyond, including the current trend by this Honourable Court towards embracing electronic procedures, virtual hearing and electronic filing, a departure from the Rules to allow a regulated televising of the proceedings in this matter is in consonance with the maxim that justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done.

“Televising court proceedings is not alien to this Honourable Court, and will enhance public confidence”, the petitioners added.

Atiku had in his joint petition with the PDP, marked: CA/PEPC/05/2023, applied for the withdrawal of the Certificate of Return that was issued to Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

He maintained that the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the presidential election was “invalid by reason of non- compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022”.

Atiku further argued that Tinubu’s election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices.

“The 2nd Respondent was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the Election.

“The 2nd Respondent was at the time of the Election not qualified to contest the Election”, Atiku added while listing grounds he said the court should consider to nullify Tinubu’s election.

He prayed the court to declare him winner of the presidential election, having secured the second highest number of lawful votes cast at the election.

However, in a reply he filed through his team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Tinubu, queried the legal competence of petitions seeking to invalidate his election victory. 

In a preliminary objection he entered before the court, Tinubu, described Atiku as a consistent serial loser that had since 1993, crisscrossed different political parties, in search of power.

The President-elect said he would during the hearing of the petition, lead evidence before the court to show how Atiku’s emergence as a candidate in the presidential election that held on February 25, led to the “balkanisation” of the opposition PDP.

Insisting that he was validly returned as winner of the presidential election by INEC, Tinubu told the court that unlike Atiku, he has been “a most consistent politician, who has not shifted political tendency and alignment”.

On the claim that he did not secure the statutory vote from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Tinubu, argued that it was not a mandatory requirement of the law that he must win the FCT before he would be declared as the President-elect.

He said Atiku’s call for his election to be nullified on the ground that he was mandatorily required to score one-quarter of the lawful votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of all the States and the FCT, “becomes suspect and abusive, when considered vis-à-vis relief 150(d), where the petitioners pray that the 1st petitioner who did not score one-quarter of the votes cast in more than 21 States and the FCT, Abuja, be declared the winner of the election and sworn in as the duly elected President of Nigeria”.

It will be recalled that INEC had on March 1, announced Tinubu as the winner of the presidential poll, ahead of 17 other candidates that contested the election.

It declared that Tinubu scored a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku who polled a total of 6,984,520 votes and Obi who came third with a total of 6,101,533 votes.

Aside from Atiku and the PDP, the Labour Party, LP, and its own candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, who came third at the election, are equally before the court to nullify Tinubu’s election.

A three-member panel of the PEPC which will conduct its proceedings at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, will on Monday, commence pre-hearing session on all the petitions that were brought before it by aggrieved presidential candidates and their political parties.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/05/presidential-tribunal-atiku-pdp-apply-for-live-broadcast-of-proceedings/

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Nigerian Air Force Day 2023

Osinbajo Commends NAF’s Confidence, Charges Force To Collaborate More With Academia, Others To Enhance Capacity

By Muideen Olaniyi
Sun, 7 May 2023 0:22:40 WAT

In a bid to further enhance its capacity to tackle contemporary challenges, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has charged the Nigerian Air Force to expand its collaborations with the academia, think-tanks and further earn the confidence of the nation and the respect of the international community.

This is in addition to what the Force is already doing leveraging internal capacity to innovate and deploy emerging technologies for its operations.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the Ceremonial Parade and Induction Ceremony organised as part of activities marking the 59th Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force in Enugu over the weekend.

“I am aware, from discussions with the Chief of Air Staff that collaborations with our universities and research institutes are growing. There is a great amount of potential waiting to be unleashed from these partnerships.

“I, therefore, charge you to continue to work to earn the confidence of the nation and the respect of the international community, as you protect lives and property, neutralizing all existing and emerging national security threats.

“I would like to urge greater cooperation and mutual trust between the various arms of the Armed Forces, even while maintaining the healthy spirit of competition that underpins innovation and increased efficiency,” the VP added.

Continuing, he said, “of course, this must be situated within the general context of a greater emphasis on local capacity-building by the Nigerian Armed Forces, with developments like the establishment of a Nigerian Army University and the revitalization of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) serving as testaments to this renewed emphasis.”

Commending the management team of the Air Force for its recent accomplishments, Prof. Osinbajo praised the farsightedness of the Chief of Air Staff which “was instrumental to the renewed focus and self-reliance in the Nigerian Air Force.”

According to him “we are seeing an Air Force that is increasingly confident about its ability and capacity to innovate and to deploy locally developed technology.

“This is manifesting in various ways, from the locally-developed operational Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, TSAIGUMI, which the President formally inducted into service in February 2018, to the collaborative work being done at the Air Force Research and Development Centre in Kaduna to produce the first-ever made-in-Nigeria aircraft.”

Speaking further about boosting the operational capacity of NAF and other Forces, the VP noted that “it is an irreducible minimum and should always be the main responsibility of all legitimate governments.”

According to him, “the resolve of our Armed Forces and the invaluable contributions of other security agencies in fully containing the security challenges in some parts of the nation are noted and commended.

“The contributions of the Nigerian Air Force in addressing the security challenges of armed banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping in the North West and North Central, in conjunction with other security agencies, have equally started to yield positive results.”

Prof. Osinbajo then highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to prioritising professionalism in the military since the assumption of the Buhari administration in 2015.

His words: “As a country, we are particularly proud that in less than 4 years, we were able to revitalize our Armed Forces. In keeping with his promise that as Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, he would prioritize the restoration of professionalism in the military to enable them effectively discharge their responsibilities, President Buhari ensured that substantial investments were made in acquiring new platforms and other support equipment for the military and other security agencies, as well as reactivating and upgrading existing platforms.”

From Enugu, the Vice President proceeded to Bayelsa State where he joined other dignitaries to attend the funeral service for Pa Abraham Diri, the father of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, held at the St. Peters Anglican Church Sampou, Bayelsa State.

The Vice President was received on arrival at the Yenagoa Airport by the Deputy Governor, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and other State Government Officials.

In his remarks, the VP noted that the celebration of the life and times of Pa Diri by Nigerians from different walks of life was a testimony to the fact there is profit in all honest and diligent labour.

According to him, the late Pa Diri ” was an exemplary teacher, public servant, lay reader in the church and community leader, when he was teaching here in Sampou and I also believe in Ekeremor LGA, and other places in Delta State where he taught and impacted lives and brought up the children of so many, nurturing the promises and aspirations of thousands of young men and women.

“He certainly didn’t know that the day would come, I’m sure if he would have been asked how did he think his death would be celebrated, he would have thought it would be a very humble one.

“At least many years ago, certainly, he would never have imagined that the whole of Nigeria would be gathered here to celebrate him.

“But that is a lesson that we learn from scripture, the bible says that in all labour there is profit, Proverbs 14:23. All the labours, decent, honest, doing the right things, as a teacher and a mentor to many, the reward came.

“Not just in his son becoming the governor but look at the array of individuals today who celebrate this humble teacher. So, we bless the Lord for his life. Bless the Lord for the testimony of such a great life,” he continued.

Prof. Osinbajo gave thanks to God “for the examples of people like Pa Diri who did the right things, served their communities well, built men and women of substance.”

He condoled the Diri family on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Dignitaries at the event included the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps, Ahmed Wase, Governors Darius Ishaku of Taraba State; Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Ademola Adeleke of Osun State; former Governors Sen. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Peter Obi of Anambra, and former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

There were also members of the National Assembly and members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and the State Executive Council, among others.

https://dailytrust.com/osinbajo-commends-nafs-confidence-charges-force-to-collaborate-more-with-academia-others-to-enhance-capacity/

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Emmanuel Atewe: Court Orders Final Seizure Of Properties Linked To Rtd General

N8.5bn fraud’: Court orders final forfeiture of properties linked to retired army general

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has obtained an order of final forfeiture of some properties linked to Emmanuel Atewe, a retired major-general and former commander of the military joint task force, Operation Pulo Shield, in the Niger Delta.

In a statement issued by the commission, the antigraft agency said the forfeited assets include seven properties in the federal capital territory (FCT) and one in Bayelsa state, as well as 30,000 MTN shares (MTN Link Units). The EFCC said Chukujekwu Aneke, judge of the federal high court in Lagos, issued the order of final forfeiture of the assets on Friday.

The commission said the landed properties are 50 hectares of farmland at plot no. FL746B Gaube farmland extension II layout, Kuje, Abuja; a piece of land located at the commercial layout, Yenagoa Gardens, Bayelsa; one hectare of land in Kuje district, Abuja; plot no. CP10, sector centre B layout, Kuje, Abuja; plot MF62 outer northern expressway cadastral zone, Abuja; plot no. 1228 Jahi, Abuja; four hectares of land designated as plot no.CP6386, and plot no.CP6387, Sabon Lugbe, Abuja.

Following an ex parte application filed before Muhammad Liman. The judge has since been transferred to the Kano division of the federal high court. The EFCC said it had on March 26, 2020, secured the interim forfeiture of landed properties, 30,000 MTN shares, and the sum of 290 million naira “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity”.

“The assets are part of proceeds of N8.5 billion for the military operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta which he was accused of diverting from the military between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015,” EFCC said.

The antigraft agency said Atewe is being prosecuted alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Kime Enzogu, and Josephine Otuaga on a 22-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.

The EFCC said while the court granted the final forfeiture of the properties to the federal government, the judge refused its prayers for the final forfeiture of the sum of 290 million naira.

https://www.thecable.ng/n8-5bn-fraud-court-orders-final-forfeiture-of-properties-linked-to-retired-army-general/amp

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2023 Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal Begins Hearing

Following the motion for withdrawal by the Action Alliance and her Candidate, Solomon David Okanigbuan against INEC, Tinubu, APC and Hamza Al-Mustapha, the tribunal will be saddled with the responsibility of dismissing same first before sitting on the four (4) Petitions listed in no order of importance.

1. Action People's Party v. Bola Tinubu, APC & INEC (CA/PEPC/02/2023)

2. Peter Gregory Obi & LP v. INEC, Tinubu, APC & Kassim Shettima (CA/PEPC/03/2023)

3. Allied People's Movement v. INEC, APC, Tinubu, Shettima & Kabiru Masari (CA/PEPC/04/2023)

4. Atiku Abubakar & PDP v. Bola Tinubu, APC & INEC (CA/PEPC/05/2023)

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Bol'nan Dongban-Mensem is expected to name the 5-man panel to preside over the petitions.

Victor Osimhen Becomes Africa' all-time leading goalscorer In The Serie A

Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen is now the leading African goalscorer of all time in the Serie A.

Napoli were crowned Italian Champions for the third time in their history following a 1-1 draw at Udine.

Osimhen was first to react after a scramble in the Udine goal, scoring his 46th goal to equal George Weah's goal tally.

Weah, was crowned African, European and World Footballer of the Year in 1995 whilst playing for AC Milan.

Osimhen's 52nd minute strike at Udine, his 22nd of the season, also saw him surpass Samuel Eto'o Fils 21-goal tally for Internazionale (2010/11 season) for the highest goal tally for any African in the Serie A in one season.

In today's game against Fiorentina, Osimhen's 74th minute penalty (47th goal) was enough to seal the win for the Partenopei and help see him through another record.

https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1655266605297696769?t=7-PhK5xh2JHKDOrfTESmTg&s=19

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Peter Obi Hails Osimhen's Serie A Triumph With Napoli

I heartily congratulate the Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, whose 22nd goal of the season earned Napoli a 1-1 draw at Udinese and was enough to win the great Italian Football Club their first Serie A league title since 1990.

Today, Victor Osimhen's penalty against Fiorentina further pushed him ahead of George Weah as the Africa's highest goal scorer in Seria A history. 

Osimhen's feat is more remarkable when it is recalled that Napoli last won the title during the days of the late legendary footballer Diego Maradona.

Osimhen's inspiring story of rising from the slums of Ojota Lagos to become one of the best footballers in the world is an eloquent testimony to what Nigerian youths can achieve if given the right atmosphere to pursue their dreams.

It is yet another proof that a new Nigeria is POssible if we harness the abundant talents of our teeming youths. -PO

https://twitter.com/PeterObi/status/1655295206948757506?t=OpDPGSyI5L_epVUw_OZeNA&s=19

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