NEWS: 19-Year-Old Fulani Boy Killed By Soldier's Stray Bullet In Akure

• The 19-year-old was returning from his school, Ajowa Community Primary School, when he fell to the bullets of an armed soldier.

Usman Saliu, a Fulani boy, has been killed by a stray bullet from a soldier in Ajowa Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The 19-year-old was returning from his school, Ajowa Community Primary School, when he fell to the bullets of an armed soldier. 

The solider, whose identity is still unknown, was one of the officers of the 32 Artillery Brigade deployed to man the notorious Owo/Akoko road.

A witness who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters said it happened when the armed soldiers noticed some strange elements among the Fulani people close to the road.

The witness added that one of the soldiers opened fire while trying to fish out those causing the trouble among the Fulani herdsmen. 

"The Fulani people in the town were playing and also dancing with their sticks and cutlasses," he said.

“The acrobatic dancing became rowdy and attracted the soldiers, who were maintaining law and order at the checkpoint. The soldiers noticed some strange faces among them and wanted to fish the troublemakers out.

“But the Fulani men tried to prevent the soldiers, and the scuffle led to disorderliness during which the victims were hit by bullets."

Usman Saliu, father of the deceased, confirmed the incident, revealing that the corpse of the boy, which was initially deposited at the State Specialists Hospital in Ikare Akoko, had been released for burial. 

Ojo Adelegan, spokesperson of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigeria Army, said the army authorities were already on top of the situation.

"The issue was accidental because the solider was trying to fish out an invader who penetrated his way into the midst of the people to cause havoc," he said. "We have held a meeting with the father of the boy and the Ondo State government even intervened on the issue in order to avert more crisis."

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SERAP On Budget Cut: National Assembly Engaged In Crimes Against Humanity

• SERAP accused the leadership and members of the National Assembly of “apparently engaging in crimes against humanity against millions of Nigerians by unilaterally cutting funding for critical projects such as health, water, education, housing and security, and replacing such projects with their own personal projects totalling 6,403 projects and amounting to N578 billion”.

President Muhammadu Buhari Signing The Budget

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has accused the leadership and members of the National Assembly of “apparently engaging in crimes against humanity against millions of Nigerians by unilaterally cutting funding for critical projects such as health, water, education, housing and security, and replacing such projects with their own personal projects totalling 6,403 projects and amounting to N578 billion”.

President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2018 Apprpriation Bill into law on Wednesday, but that was only after he had lamented that the National Assembly cut funding for over 4,000 critical projects amounting to N347 billion.

Responding on Wednesday, SERAP advised President Muhammadu Buhari to “instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami to open discussion with the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to establish whether substantial grounds and the requisite elements exist to warrant the intervention of the Prosecutor in this case. We note that under the Rome Statute, the Prosecutor has power to intervene in a situation under the jurisdiction of the Court if a state party, such as Nigeria, refers a situation to the court.”

A statement by Timothy Adewale, SERAP’s Deputy Director, said: “Indicting individual lawmakers suspected to be most responsible for the reduction of funding for critical projects would provide a much-needed measure of accountability for leaders who have traditionally acted with impunity, assured that they will never be held to answer for their actions. Cutting funding for essential public services such as health, education and security constitutes a serious human rights violation and potentially rises to the level of crimes against humanity against the Nigerian people.

“The deliberate and systematic acts of alleged budget padding and cutting of funding by the lawmakers coupled with the widespread negative consequences of such acts for millions of Nigerians across the country point to not only allegations of corruption but also crimes against humanity, that is, deliberately withholding access of Nigerians to essential and life-saving public services, which is triable at the International Criminal Court.

“Apart from pursuing a possible crime against humanity prosecution before the ICC, President Buhari should also move swiftly to enforce the judgment delivered last month by Justice Mohammed Idris in suit no: FHC/L/CS/1821/2017 ordering the President to ask anti-corruption agencies to forward to him reports of their investigations into allegations of padding and stealing of some N481 billion from the 2016 budget, and to ensure effort prosecution of suspects.

“It is the failure to decisively address allegations of padding of the 2016 budget that has allowed the practice to continue with almost absolute impunity. Combating impunity of lawmakers for allegations of budget padding is important for ending the practice and deterring future lawmakers from using their legislative functions as a weapon for promoting personal gains and denying Nigerians access to critical and life-saving public services.

“Crimes against humanity invoke criminal responsibility. Although the authorities bear the responsibility for violations of the rights to health, water, education and security, it is possible to hold individuals responsible for massive and grave violations of these human rights through the operation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to which Nigeria is a state party. Nigeria deposited its instrument of ratification on 27 September 2001.

“Those suspected of using legislative powers to allocate resources for personal gains and as an instrument to violate Nigerians’ human rights should be as guilty as those who commit traditional systematic and widespread crimes against the population, particularly the socially and economically vulnerable sectors of the population.

“Crimes against humanity in article 7 of the Rome Statute are committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack. Crimes against humanity are also committed as “other inhumane acts of similar character intentionally causing great suffering, as described in article 7(1) (k) of the Rome Statute.

"SERAP notes that the Office of the Prosecutor’s Policy Paper on Case Selection and Prioritization, 2016, states that the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC will select cases for investigation and prosecution in light of the gravity of the crimes, the degree of responsibility of the alleged perpetrators and the potential charges. The impact of crimes may be assessed based inter-alia on the suffering endured by the victims and their increased vulnerability, the terror subsequently instilled, or the social and economic damage inflicted on the affected communities. The Office will give particular consideration to crimes such as the illegal exploitation of natural resources.

“Crimes against humanity can be committed in peacetime. The requisite intention to inflict inhumane acts is satisfied when the alleged perpetrator had the intention to inflict serious physical or mental suffering or knew that the act or omission was likely to cause a serious attack upon the human dignity.”

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BREAKING: Advantage For Nigeria Or Iceland! Messi Helpless As Croatia Wallop Argentina

• There was still time, though, for the Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic to get his deserved goal, finishing of flowing counter-attacking team move in the first minute of stoppage time.

Croatia made nonsense of bookmakers’ predictions on Thursday evening with a stunning 3-nil defeat of pre-tournament favourites Argentina at the ongoing Russia 2018 World Cup.

Following a mildly eventful first half replete with no more than half-chances, Croatia took the lead after taking advantage of a present presented by Wilfredo Caballero in the 53rd minute. The Chelsea goalkeeper received a back pass that he could simply have ballooned back to the opposition half, but he chose to be skillful and only ended up leaving the ball in the air to the delight of Ante Rebic, who converted with aplomb.

Croatia captain Luca Modric made it two with only nine minutes left on the clock, unleashing a trademark unstoppable curler-drive that Caballero could do nothing about.
Ivan Rakitic almost made it an unexpected three in the 86th minute, but his superbly-taken free kick only danced against the crossbar.

There was still time, though, for the Barcelona midfielder to get his deserved goal, finishing of flowing counter-attacking team move in the first minute of stoppage time.

Argentina continued to look to talisman Lionel Messi for inspiration, but he was ineffective throughout the duration of the match.

Advantage is now back in favour of the Nigerians — o the Icelanders — as the winner of their match on Friday evening will occupy second place behind Croatia.

Argentina, meanwhile, are tottering on the brink of World Cup elimination, and must beat Nigeria by a heavy margin next week while hoping other results go their way.

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STORY:How Randy OAU Professor, Richard Akindele, Fell From Grace To Grass

• April 29 was the day when a telephone conversation during which Akindele demanded to have sex five times with Monica Osagie, his student, before passing her, began trending on social media. The audio of the conversation was first posted on video-sharing website YouTube on April 9 by Naira Plus. All other Nigerian newspapers, both print and online, latched onto to it in the days that followed. Even CNN was not left out! 

Richard Akindele

From earning a fat pay as a Professor of Management and Accounting at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, how did Richard Akindele suddenly find himself without a job? It all started in two months ago.

APRIL 29
That was the day when a telephone conversation during which Akindele demanded to have sex five times with Monica Osagie, his student, before passing her, began trending on social media.

The audio of the conversation was first posted on video-sharing website YouTube on April 9 by Naira Plus. All other Nigerian newspapers, both print and online, latched onto to it in the days that followed. Even CNN was not left out!

Osagie had called the Professor to inquire about his earlier demand for sex to pass her in a course that she supposedly failed.

He told the student that she would repeat the exam in the next academic session since she had refused to “take the opportunity” he offered her to have sex with him.

“I gave you an opportunity and you missed it,” the Professor had told the female student on phone. “Forget about it. You will do it next year.”

Osagie said she was calling to confirm whether he was serious about having sex with her.

He responded: “Me that agreed to do something. I know what I meant. If you don’t trust me forget about it. If I wouldn’t do it, why should I give you audience in the first place. If I am not interested in doing it, I won’t give you audience.

“The other person has come and I told her straight away because there is nothing I can do to bail that person out and her mark is even better than your own. The person scored 39 while your own is 33.”

The lecturer then asked her why she told him that she was on her period the day they met and he demanded sex.

“I was really seeing my period Professor Akindele,” the girl responded but the man told her to stop mentioning his name.

“And now nko?” he asked, to which she replied that the period had ended.

“Your boyfriend has done it yesterday?” he asked.

“Is it every time that someone will be doing with the boyfriend?” she responded. “Is it every time you do it with your wife?”

“Yes,” he answered.

“It’s a lie,” the girl exclaimed. “Not possible.”

When the girl asked him about the plan for the arrangement for her to have the sex so that she could avoid repeating the course, he told her that they would have the first sex the next day and on four subsequent occasions.

“Is not five we agreed? Our agreement is five,” he said

“Is it B that you want to give me or C?” the girl asked. “Why would it be five times you will knack me?”

She then told him she would not have sex with him five times.

“Prof, you know what? Let me fail it. I can’t do it five times. For what nah? No worry. Thank you, sir,” she said, then ended the call.

APRIL 10
The audio generated so much frenzy that the following day, the OAU management said it was investigating the matter. Biodun Olanrewaju, Public Relations Officer of the university, said the university management was aware of the matter and had set up an enquiry committee to investigate it.

“The University is aware and we are setting up machinery to critically look at the issue to determine the veracity, otherwise there won’t be conclusion.” Olanrewaju said.

APRIL 10
In his first tacit admission of guilt, Akindele quit Facebook on the same day the OAU management spoke out on the matter.

As of April 9, a Facebook account with the username ‘akindele.iyiola’ and user ID ‘Akindele Richard Iyiola’ was active and accessible on the platform, replete with photos of the lecturer and his family’s, and including his official designation as a ‘Professor at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)’.

However, by the morning of April 10, it turned out the page had been deactivated.

As Facebook does for deactivated accounts, typing the name ‘Akindele Richard Iyiola’ into the search bar of the social media site highlighted the profile name (as proof that it once existed), but it could not be clicked on.

However, he left his LinkedIn account intact. Although it was less detailed than his Facebook profile, it still listed him as a Professor at OAU.

APRIL 12
Two days later, members of his church confirmed that the voice in the sex-for-marks audio tape was indeed Akindele’s.

A congregant at Anglican Diocese of Ife, where Akindele was a minister, said there was no need for the university authorities to probe the tape, as the voice in it was exactly the professor’s.
“There is no need for any computer to test the voice,” the congregant, who asked not to be named, said.

“The voice in the leaked audio is exactly that of Reverend Richard Akindele. However, the man is too gentle for such act. The lady purposely set him up.”

“Although, the voice I heard is that of Reverend Akindele, I doubt he can do that,” he said. “I’m not in best position to speak. But what I can say for free is that I know him to be a man of God, generous and easy going.”

Also, a Facebook user shared how Akindele solicited sex from her friend 20 years ago. Her post read: “Good Morning. I didn’t want to react to the piece you posted on the OAU case because of notifications after I do so. I left Ife twenty years ago and I remember one of my part two accounting friends telling us to pray for her because one of her lecturers insisted on sleeping with her before she can pass his course. She did not give in and we prayed over it. The man changed his mind and said he was only testing her. I sent this latest clip to her to tell her how things have not changed over twenty years later in the same department. She currently lives in Ireland. She responded to my message that this professor in the news was the same lecturer then who was pestering her. I have had a few chats with people who finished from that department and they said everyone knows about him.”

APRIL 19
On this day, the OAU management approved the suspension of Akindele, saying the panel investigating the matter had established that he was the lecturer in the audio.

“The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has received and considered the interim report of the Committee set up to investigate the allegation of sexual harassment revealed in a recent audio recording,” read a statement issued to make the announcement.

“In the interim report submitted to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, Professor Richard I. Akindele, of the Department of Management and Accounting, is now established to be the lecturer in the controversial ‘marks for sex’ audio recording. The female voice has also been identified as that of Miss Monica Osetobe OSAGIE, a Postgraduate Student on the Master of Business Administration Regular programme.

“Although the Investigative Committee had invited both Professor Richard I. Akindele and Miss Osagie, only Professor Akindele had appeared before the Committee, while Miss Osagie is yet to appear or make any representation. The report indicated that many other witnesses appeared before the Committee and gave useful evidence. The University is making efforts to ensure that Miss Osagie appears before the investigative committee so that it can hear her side of the case and promptly submit its final report.

“The Committee observed that a prima facie case of inappropriate relationship with the female student had been established against Professor Richard I. Akindele. The Vice-Chancellor, having carefully and dispassionately considered the report, also came to the conclusion that a prima facie case of serious misconduct had been established.

“Having regard to the gravity of the offence for which Professor Richard I. Akindele is found to be prima facie liable, the Vice-Chancellor, in line with the Code of Conduct for the University Community and acting under all the laws and regulations of the University enabling him in that regard, has directed that Professor Richard I. Akindele be suspended forthwith from the University, pending the final determination of the disciplinary case against him.

“Under the provisions of the relevant Statute of the University, an academic staff can only be dismissed from service or have his or her appointment terminated only when the matter on which consideration is being given has been investigated by a Joint Council and Senate Committee, and the staff has appeared before the committee with his or her counsel, if so desired. This procedure is the minimum requirement of the law and regulations of the University. It should therefore be noted that the suspension of Professor Richard I. Akindele is on the basis of the findings of the Investigative Committee that he is prima facie liable, and this decision will abide, pending the final determination of the case by the Council of the University.

“We will like to reiterate that OAU will continue to do everything legally and morally acceptable in pursuance of its avowed commitment to zero tolerance for sexual harassment, intimidation and, or coercion.”

APRIL 24
Monica Osagie, the post-graduate student of OAU whom Akindele targeted, told the university committee she passed but Akindele claimed otherwise to bait her into having sex with him.

She appeared before the committee, set up to investigate the scandal, on Tuesday at the Pro-Chancellor’s Lodge on the campus, and the meeting lasted for about four hours.

The committee members also invited a lecturer whose advice Osagie sought when the incident occurred.

Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Executive Director of Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARD-C), also told journalists that Osagie scored 45 in the course rather than the 33 claimed by the lecturer.

“The meeting was a fact-finding one and they told us that they had not got to the level of legal representation: Because of that, we were there as observers,” Akiyode-Afolabi said.

“The committee members asked her [Osagie] to narrate her ordeal with the professor which she did. She explained what happened and she didn’t deny the recording. She affirmed that the recording took place and she justified why she resorted to self-help because there was no effective support coming from the university.”

June 20
After a long period of silence by the university, action was finally taken on the matter. On Wednesday, June 20, OAU announced the sacking of the professor.

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Buhari Calls The Bluff Of nPDP — I'm Not Ready To Sit Down With Any Faction

• The President told the governors as well as national leaders of the party pointedly to resolve the issues,” the source said, quoting the President as adding: “It is a party matter. I am not ready to sit down with any faction. If they have problems, they should go to the party. I will not interfere.

President Muhammadu Buhari has called the bluff of the leadership of new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The bloc was instrumental to APC’s dislodgement of the PDP from federal power in 2015, as the faction, led by six PDP governors, pulled out of the then ruling party to fuse with the APC.

Now disgruntled in the APC, the nPDP is asking for a meeting with the President. However, it appears their wish would not be granted, as a presidential source has told reporters that the President recently admitted to APC governors that has no plans to honour such meeting.

“The President told the governors as well as national leaders of the party pointedly to resolve the issues,” the source said, quoting the President as adding: “It is a party matter. I am not ready to sit down with any faction. If they have problems, they should go to the party. I will not interfere.”

According to the source, Buhari had also said: “Governors as party leaders in the states should deal with all issues. Where there is need, the party leadership can come in. I will not get involved.”

The President was said to have expressed happiness with the meeting betweent nPDP and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and gave his nod for the discussions to continue.

The source explained that not all the governors in attendance supported the President’s stance.

“Some hardline governors asked the President to ignore the nPDP while the majority felt the party and the VP should continue to talk to them,” the source said.

The nPDP, led by Kawu Baraje, is country pulling out of the PDP, like it did in 2014; however, that will be determined by how the party handles its grievances.

After meeting with the National Working Committee of the party and with VP Osinbajo, a follow-up meeting was scheduled to hold with the VP. But the bloc withdrew from the meeting, citing the alleged use of state institutions to harass Senate President Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who are members of nPDP.

Baraje had kicked against the partial withdrawal of the security aides of the two leaders of the legislature, as well as the linking of Saraki to the Offa bank robbers by the Police.

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President Muhammadu Buhari Signs Law That Would Have Barred Jonathan From Contesting 2015 Election

• Had it been in existence before now, this new law would have prevented former President, Goodluck Jonathan, from seeking re-election in 2015, having completed late President Musa Ya’radua’s tenure in 2011 and was elected President following same year where he did a full four years as president.

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law a bill that henceforth bans a Vice President who completes a President’s tenure form seeking re-election to be president more than once.

The law, has signed by the President, also prohibits deputy governors from doing same, Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), disclosed this to journalists at the State House, Abuja on Friday.

Enang explained that with the new law (Act 16), persons who have taken the oath of President or Governor once can only contest one more time afterwards.

Had it been in existence before now, this new law would have prevented former President, Goodluck Jonathan, from seeking re-election in 2015, having completed late President Musa Ya’radua’s tenure in 2011 and was elected President following same year where he did a full four years as president.

Late President Yar’Adua’s death was announced on May 5, 2010 after a protracted illness. Jonathan was sworn in as the President to complete Yar’Adua’s tenure.

He then contested and won in 2011 as the president. He was however defeated in 2015 by current President, Buhari.

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POLITICS: Mass Defection Looms In APC As Saraki, Tambuwal Meet With PDP Leaders

• A source privy to the meeting told Naijnews4u that mass defection is the number-one preference of the aggrieved APC members, but there are fears about fusing with another party only to suffer the same fate they have experienced in the ruling party. 

There are indications of a potential exodus of leading politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the public release of the names of its high-profile members who met the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) bloc of the ruling party.

On Saturday, Kawu Baraje, the former Chairman of the defunct PDP, named Bukola Saraki, Senate President; Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State and Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, among key aggrieved APC members who attended the midweek meeting, where the group seriously considered the option of mass defection.

“Nigerians may recall that members of the former New PDP Bloc within the All Progressives Congress addressed a letter dated April 27, 2018 to the Chairman of the APC where we informed the party of our grievances and expectations from both the party and government of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Baraje said in a statement on Saturday.

“Following this development, the party invited us and we honoured its invitation to a meeting. We met with the leadership of the party last week, during which we resolved to report the outcome of our meeting to our members and stakeholders before arriving at any decision or proceeding with the next phase of discussions or actions with the APC and government.

“I am glad to inform you, therefore, that we have briefed our members at a meeting convened in Abuja on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, where we reviewed the state of the nation and our party, APC, and constituted committees on various issues, especially on how to rescue Nigeria from economic, social, political and especially security challenges.

“The meeting was well attended by members of the PDP, including serving and former governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and other aggrieved APC stakeholders.
Those he listed as having attended the meeting include: Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal; Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Osun State Governor; Murtala Nyako, former Adamawa State Governor; Senator Mohammad Aliero, Senator Danjuma Goje, Senator John Enoh, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, Senator Rufai Ibrahim and Senator Ibrahim Danbaba.

Others are Sen. Suleman Nazif, Sen. Isa Misau, Sen. Muhammed Shitu, Sen. Shehu Sani, Sen. Dino Melaye, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, Sen. Shaaba Lafiagi, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Sen. David Umaru, Sen. Barnabas Gemade; Chairman, former nPDP, Alh. Abubakar K. Baraje; Mr. Aminu Shagari, Mr. Kabiru Marafa, Mr. Isa Ashiru, Mr. Muh’d Soba, Mr. Mark Gbillah, Mr. Sani Rano, Mr. Garba Durbunde, Mr. Aliyu Madaki, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, Mr. Rufai Chachangi, Mr. Razak Atunwa, Mr. Emmanuel Udende, Mr. Hassan Saleh, Mr. Nasiru Sule, Mr. Orker Jev, Mr. Aliyu Pategi, Mr. Isah Halilu, Mr. Rabiu Kaugama, Mr. Abdussamad Dasuki, Mr. Ismaila Gadaka, Mr. Lado Suleja, Mr. Dickson Tarkighir, Mr. Babatunde Kolawole, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, Mr. Danjuma Shida, Mr. Danburam Nuhu, Mr. Sunday Adepoju, Mr. Sani Zorro, Mr. Ahmed Bichi, Mr. Garba Mohammed and a host of others.”

Some prominent APC members, including serving lawmakers, were also at the meeting, but their names were deliberately left out.

Naijnews4u gathered the final decision on what next for the group had not been taken, but the plan is to inaugurate a committee that would review all possibilities and make recommendations

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‘Walahi I'll Deal With Him Severely’ — Lasun’s Brother Promise To Deal With New Telegraph Reporter For Exposing N1.7bn Scam

• "He started raising his voice, threatening that he would deal with my brother. He said since he does not go to school, the only way he knows is to mobilise people to deal with him. He swore by saying 'walahi’ he would make real his threat," Alabi's sister said.

Mujeeb Alabi

Mojeed Alabi, a Reporter with New Telegraph, has received threat to his life by Adelani Yusuff, brother of Honourable Lasun Yusuff, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The threats followed an exclusive investigation by the journalist on the violation of Public Procurement Act and the Code of Conduct for public officials by Lasun Yusuff. SaharaReporters republished the investigation and its follow-up, with the journalist’s permission.

The report, titled ‘Exposed! Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker In N1.1bn Water Contract Scam’, and published on Thursday, had revealed how the Deputy Speaker used his own personal company — Nur and Company Nigeria Limited — to win and execute two mini-water schemes awarded by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Agency on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to the tune of N1.7billion.

On Thursday, same day the first part of the investigative report was published, Adelani visited the family house of the Alabis at Awoleye Memorial Chamber, Jagun Compound, Ilobu, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government in Osun State, threatening the family that the reporter would be “severely dealt with”.

According to Alabi’s elder sister, Mrs. Mojirade Olateju, who witnessed the incident, Adelani had earlier called her on a mobile phone to know her whereabouts, saying there was an urgent issue to discuss.

Olateju explained: “I was at the family house to see our mum when I received the call and I told him (Adelani) that I was at the family house. Soon he came over and complained about the report in New Telegraph, saying Mojeed had damaged the reputation of his brother, the Deputy Speaker.

“I had no knowledge about what he was saying but before I could calm him down, he started raising his voice, threatening that he would deal with my brother. He said since he does not go to school, the only way he knows is to mobilise people to deal with him. He swore by saying 'walahi’ he would make real his threat.

“Since I know that ‘walahi’ is an Arabic word for swearing, I then replied him that if anything should happen to my brother he would be held responsible. He replied me by saying that my brother would even be dealt with in our presence.”

Afterwards, Olateju, accompanied by her husband, Mr. Funsho Olateju, an engineer, visited the Police Station at Ojutu Area in the community to formally lodge a complaint.

The police immediately invited the Deputy Speaker’s brother to the station. He was found at the constituency office of the Deputy Speaker, and was taken to the police station, where he was made to write an undertaking that was witnessed and signed by Mr. Sikiru Yusuff, another brother of the Deputy Speaker.

Mrs Folashade Odoro, Public Relations Officer of the Police in the state, confirmed the development, but said everything was under the control and adequate measures had been taken to address the situation.

“Yes, I can confirm the development but I think it was a mere disagreement which has been resolved,” she said. “I also assure you that adequate measures have been taken to forestall any bad situation.”

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CRIME: ‘Arrow’ And Ex-Policeman — Two ‘Key’ Offa Bank Robbers Arrested By Police

• The confessed gang leaders arrested are: (1) Kunle Ogunleye aka Arrow 35 years native of Kwara State, arrested yesterday in Oro town kwara State; (2) Micheal Adikwu, native of Apa LGA Benue State, a dismissed police CPL who was arrested by the Police in 2012 and charged to court in Kwara State for compromising by releasing some wanted armed robbers.

Policemen of the Inspector General of Police Rescue Team (IRT) deployed to five south-western states have arrested two more of the criminals involved in the much-talked-about Offa bank robbery.

At least 12 people, including five policemen and a pregnant policewoman, died on April 4 when roughly 30 armed robbers laid siege to five banks in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, carting away millions of naira.

The Police subsequently released action photos of the robbers, with a promise of N5million for anyone with useful information about them.

Twelve suspects were arrested weeks after, and two more "criminals" who were "key" to the robbery have now been nabbed. 

“Sequel to the publication of the pictures of the Offa bank robbers in the media, we have been getting several credible leads from good citizens of our country,” read a statement sent to SaharaReporters by a security source on behalf of the Police.

“As a result, IRT teams deployed by IGP Ibrahim Idris to Kwara, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti States were able to arrest two more gang leaders of the deadly bank robbery whose pictures were circulated by the media.

“The confessed gang leaders arrested are: (1) Kunle Ogunleye aka Arrow 35 years native of Kwara State, arrested yesterday in Oro town kwara State; (2) Micheal Adikwu, native of Apa LGA Benue State, a dismissed police CPL who was arrested by the Police in 2012 and charged to court in Kwara State for compromising by releasing some wanted armed robbers, He spent three years in prison and subsequently found his way out in 2015 and became a notorious armed robber. He was arrested again by IRT Operatives in Kwara State two weeks Ago.

The statement confirmed that all the arrested suspects had confessed to the Offa bank robberies and murders. 

“They are assisting the IRT teams in arresting more of the bank bobbers. Investigations continue,” it added.

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NEWS: Troops Kill Two Female Bombers In Borno

• The Nigerian Army said two female suicide bombers were killed on Friday while trying to infiltrate troops in Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Nigerian Army said two female suicide bombers were killed on Friday while trying to infiltrate troops in Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Deputy Director of Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Nwachukwu said the suicide bombers trailed the troops to the military camp at 9:45 p.m., but were promptly detected by vigilant troops who engaged them in a gun duel.

According to him, one of the suicide vests detonated immediately and killed the two suicide bombers.

He said the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team had safely detonated the other suicide vest.

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NEWS: Lagos APC Faction Congress Crowns Fouad Oki As State Chairman

• Fouad was the Director General of the campaign organization of Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

Fouad Oki

Members of All Progressives Congress, APC held two different congresses to elect new executive for the state chapter of the party on Saturday.

In a move that can be interpreted as a challenge of former governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tight grip on the state’s APC, a faction of the chapter held its congress at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja and elected Dr. Fouad Oki as the new chairman of Lagos APC.

Fouad was the Director General of the campaign organization of Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

Meanwhile, the other faction of APC which is believed to have the backing of the former governor is holding its congress at the APC secretariat on Acme Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

It could be recalled that Fouad, was a Vice Chairman of the state party before he was suspended in March 2018.

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NEWS: Murder Suspects Implicate Saraki, Kwara Governor, Others

• The suspects, who have been transferred to Abuja for further investigation, NaijNews4u learned, named the Senate President and Mr. Ahmed in the confessional statements made to the Police

The suspected killers paraded by the Kwara State Police Command in Ilorin last week have named the Senate President, Mr. Bukola Saraki and Kwara State governor, Mr. Abdulfattah Ahmed, as two of the men who ordered them to kill many Kwara State indigenes in Nigeria and abroad.

The suspects, who have been transferred to Abuja for further investigation, NaijNews4u learned, named the Senate President and Mr. Ahmed in the confessional statements made to the Police.

According to the statements made to the Police, the suspects said they have been on the payroll of the Kwara State Government and Mandate Office of Mr. Saraki.

The leader of the killer squad, the son of Salihu Woru the self-appointed spokesman of Magajis in Ilorin Emirate, is placed on salary Grade Level 16, while his colleagues are on Levels 10 to 15.

The suspects, NaijNews4u gathered, also admitted that they were being paid from the Office of the Senate President. Mr. Saraki, the suspects told the Police, gave them Toyota Corolla cars a few months ago as a way of securing the loyalty ahead of the 2019 elections.

On the list of people marked for execution before the election, they said, are two men, both named Mustapha; Kayode Oyin, Yinka Aluko, Baba Rex, and one Ogunlowo.

A Police source told NaijNews4u that bank statements retrieved from the suspects indicated that they received money on a monthly basis from Mr. Saraki and the Kwara State government. This, added the source, has ensured that most of them have healthy bank balances running into millions of naira.

Following their confession, the Senate President and Mr. Ahmed attempted to pressure the Kwara State Police Commissioner, Mr. Aminu Pai Saleh, using Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Jimoh Mumini, who is said to be very corrupt.

Mr. Pai Saleh was said to have been offered money, which he rejected. Mr. Mumini has been critical of the transfer of the suspects to Abuja, saying that the state government has successfully prosecuted cultists and killers at the State High Court under the penal code.

The Senate President and Mr. Ahmed may soon be invited by the Police. Both men have accused the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, of planning to frame them for murder.

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REVEALED: 'More than 120' Kidnapped In Kaduna In Four Days

• At least 100 people have been kidnapped along a road in northern Nigeria in the past few days, officials, witnesses and relatives of the abducted told Reuters on Tuesday, underscoring the insecurity still afflicting parts of the country.

At least 100 people have been kidnapped along a road in northern Nigeria in the past few days, officials, witnesses, and relatives of the abducted told Reuters on Tuesday, underscoring the insecurity still afflicting parts of the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari won elections in 2015 partly on promises to bring security to Nigeria but has struggled to fulfill them. He is now seeking a second term in February 2019.

His critics and opponents question his record of tackling the multitude of conflicts that plague Nigeria from Boko Haram and an Islamic State insurgency in the northeast to clashes between farmers and herders in which hundreds have died.

Kidnapping is also rife. In 2014, the abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok shot the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency into the spotlight, prompting the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign.

“Over 120 people were kidnapped between Friday and today, Tuesday along the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road,” said Surajo Usman, of Nigeria’s National Union of Road Transport Workers, who escaped an abduction himself.

Birnin Gwari, in the northern state of Kaduna, is infamous for its lawlessness, and thick forests provide bandits with hideouts from security forces. Earlier this month, at least 45 people died in an attack on a village in the region.

Those bandits have for years frustrated authorities’ attempts to apprehend them. In some cases, they have amassed thousands of stolen cattle and fought off security agents sent to deal with them.

Yahaya Hussaini, who works for a civil society group, said his organization’s motorcade was waylaid.

“On Sunday, in our entourage alone four vehicles were blocked by the kidnappers in military fatigue,” he said, adding that eight of them carried assault rifles.

“They kidnapped about 48 people,” said Hussaini. “Many of those vehicles attacked are still left on the road and the luggage of victims still litters it.”

Ibrahim Aliyu’s daughter was one of those abducted by kidnappers seeking the equivalent of $16,000. “They have contacted me with a 5 million naira ransom demand,” he said. “Where do I get that kind of money that I have never seen in my life?”

Kaduna state’s commissioner of police, Austin Iwar, told Reuters he would have been informed if there had been reports of such attacks, adding that he would investigate.

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NEWS: Boy Stabs Jealous 19-Year-Old Girlfriend To Death In Ondo

• “Ladayo and Nwamaka were inside the house when suddenly an argument ensued and which led to a heavy fight,” he said. “Before we knew what was happening, the boy had stabbed the young girl and by the time we rushed her to hospital she had already given up."

Saliu Ladayo, a 24-year-old boy has stabbed his girlfriend to death in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Ladayo stabbed Confidence Nwamaka, a 19-year-old college student, on Tuesday evening after a minor disagreement.

NaijNews4u gathered that the incident happened at Falodun Street, Off Oshinle Quarters, Akure.

According to a source who witnessed the brutal incident, the two lovers had been dating for a long period but had always been at loggerheads.

He said the late Nwamaka, who was writing the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) until her death, had always been having trust issues with her boyfriend.

“Ladayo and Nwamaka were inside the house when suddenly an argument ensued and which led to a heavy fight,” he said.

“Before we knew what was happening, the boy had stabbed the young girl and by the time we rushed her to hospital she had already given up.

“It was later the boy told us that the girl was accusing and cursing him for dating other girls, which made him to stab her".

Femi Joseph, Spokesman of Ondo State Police Command, confirmed the case of the death of the student on Wednesday, disclosing that the case was reported to the police by some neighbours in the area.

He stated that the culprit was immediately arrested and had been cooling his head at the Police headquarters in Akure.

“The boy has confessed to us that he stabbed his girlfriend because she always accused him wrongly of double-dating, and cursed him,” Joseph said.

“It was out of that annoyance that he brought out a knife from the house and stabbed her in the stomach. We shall continue with our investigation and charge him to court to face the law.”

NaijNews4u learnt that the parents of the girl have asked the police to do a thorough investigation and ensure the killer boy is prosecuted.

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NEWS: Saraki Wants To Frustrate Police Investigation Of Kwara Murder Gang, Says IGP

• The Police urged the general public to “disregard and discountenance the claim of plot by the IGP against the Senate President as a ruse, unfortunate and an attempt to divert Police investigation into the killings of more than 11 innocent people from kwara State and other states of the Federation in the recent past by the killer squad who operate under the guise of a cult group”.

Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police, has responded to claims he is trying to “frame and implicate” Senate President Bukola Saraki.

At the plenary of the Senate on Wednesday morning, Saraki had said some cultists were arrested in Kwara State, with statements taken from them and with directives from IGP Idris that their matter should be transferred to Abuja, with plans for the culprits to implicate and blackmail him.

The Senate President later stepped down for Ike Ekweremadu, his deputy, to preside over the composition of an ad-hoc committee to deliberate on the matter, which the Senate described as “very serious and grievous”.

However, responding on Wednesday evening through Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations Officer, the Police expressed "shock" at the “unbelievable claims, unverifiable allegations and unfounded accusations being peddled against the IGP by the Senate President”, stating “categorically” that there is no iota of truth in them.

Instead, it urged the general public to “disregard and discountenance the claim of plot by the IGP against the Senate President as a ruse, unfortunate and an attempt to divert Police investigation into the killings of more than 11 innocent people from kwara State and other states of the Federation in the recent past by the killer squad who operate under the guise of a cult group”.

It vowed to “leave no stone unturned” and “do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure justice in this matter, no matter whose ox is gored”.

THE FULL STATEMENT

RE: STATEMENT BY SENATE PRESIDENT INTIMATING SENATORS OF PLOT AGAINST HIM BY IGP IBRAHIM K. IDRIS, NPM, mni

"The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to Press Statement credited to the Senate President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON of PLOT AGAINST HIM BY IGP'.

"The Nigeria Police Force is shocked at the unbelievable claims, unverifiable allegations and unfounded accusations being peddled against the IGP by the Senate President, accusing the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni of plot and strategies against him to settle scores.

"The Force therefore wishes to categorically state that, there is no iota of truth in the allegation and false assertion by the Senate President of plot against him by the IGP to implicate the Kwara State Government and the Senate President in any criminal matter. Until investigation is concluded, any person (s) or group(s) who tries to interfere in the investigation process by action or utterances is committing an offence.

"To set the records straight, the Kwara State Police Command on the 11th of May, 2018, paraded the following suspects before the Media and the Public, namely;

   i.      Abolaji Safti Ojulari of Kankatu area, Ilorin.

 ii.      Lanre  Mohammed Soliu a.k.a Askari of Ile Nda Compound, Ilorin.

iii.      Azeez Moyaki of Moyaki Compound, Gambari Area Ilorin.

iv.      Suleiman Babatunde of Gambari Area, Ilorin.

 v.      Yusuf Habeeb of Kangile Village, Kulende, Ilorin.

vi.      Umar Yahaya of Kangile Village, Kulende,  Ilorin.

"The suspects admitted and confessed before the press and the public to have killed Eleven (11) innocent persons in kwara State and other States of the country. The victims according to the suspects were targeted and killed on the instructions of their sponsors. Find attached names of victims killed in cold blood (i) Bukola Ajikobi killed on 18/01/2016 at ajikobi Area in Ilorin (ii) Azeez Lawal killed in February, 2018 at Oja oba area of Ilorin (iii) Lateef (Surname unknown) killed February, 2018 at Ode Alfa Nda area of Ilorin (iv) Jamiu (Surname unknown) killed in February 2018 at idi ape area, Ilorin (v) One segun (Surname unknown) killed in September, 2017 at kankatu area of Ilorin (vi) Wasiu (Surname unknown) killed in September 29, 2016 at Shao garage of Ilorin (vii) Musiliu (Surname unknown) killed in February, 2018 at Shao Area Ilorin (viii) Bayo Ajia killed in January 18, 2018 at taiwo Road, Ilorin (ix) Another Lateef killed in January 2016 at Baboko Area of Ilorin (x) Abbey a student of Kwara Polytechnic killed in April, 2017 at Niger Road, Ilorin (xi) Lanre (Surname unknown) killed on 23rd August, 2015 at Isale Aluko Area of Ilorin.

"Consequent upon the public confessions of these vicious and notorious killer squad to the killings in cold blood of more than Eleven (11) innocent people in Kwara State and other States of the Federation, the statutory procedure and practice in the Force is that such a heinous crime and capital offence is transferred to the Force Headquarters for further investigation. This is to enable a thorough and discreet investigation into the crime.

"However, it is pertinent to state that, there is no vested interest by the Inspector General of Police in the ongoing investigation into the several murders committed by this killer gang, other than ensuring that justice prevails in the matter. Nobody, no matter how highly placed would be allowed to interfere or obstruct Police investigation to pervert the course of justice.

"It is also imperative to let the public know that last year, suspects arrested over the mayhem and killings of innocent people in Ile-Ife, Osun State and those arrested in Southern Kaduna crisis in Kaduna State and suspects arrested in connection with Zaki-biam killings in Benue State were all transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for further investigation before they were arraigned in court of competent jurisdiction. Therefore, transferring this hired assassin gang masquerading as cultists in kwara State to Force Headquarters, Abuja for further investigation is in accordance with Police investigation procedures.

"It is also important to underscore that the statement credited to the Senate President can dissuade and discourage living victims/deceased families of those who must have been killed by this vicious hired assassin gang from coming forward to give evidence against them.

"The Nigeria Police Force hereby implores members of the general public to disregard and discountenance the claim of plot by the IGP against the Senate President as a ruse, unfortunate and an attempt to divert Police investigation into the killings of more than Eleven (11) innocent people from kwara State and other States of the Federation in the recent past by the killer squad who operate under the guise of a cult group.

"The Force will leave no stone unturned and will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure justice in this matter, no matter whose ox is gored.

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NEWS: Melaye Loses Assassination Case Against ALGON Chairman

Fola Ajayi, the judge presiding over the case, struck it out for lack of diligent prosecution even after four adjuornments since it was initiated in 2017.

Senator Dino Melaye, the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has lost his assasination case against Mr. Taofiq Isa, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, as the High Court in the state struck out his case on Tuesday.

Fola Ajayi, the judge presiding over the case, struck it out for lack of diligent prosecution even after four adjuornments since it was initiated in 2017.

Ruling on the matter, the trial judge held that the prosecution counsel could not open his case despite four adjournments, hence he struck out the matter.

He then ordered the prosecution to start the case afresh whenever they are ready.

Mr. Zakari Abbas commended the trial judge for the judgement while reacting to the ruling."The charge brought against the defendants have been struck out," he said. "As it stands, there is no criminal charges against the defendants. However, he gave a consequential order that whenever they are ready with their witnesses, they could approach the court to start their case afresh.”

Melaye is currently in court over charges bordering on gunrunning. 

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Buhari's Government A Puppet In The Hands Of Oil Multinationals, Says The Ijaw Group

• “It may interest you to note that the Buhari government is a puppet in the hands of oil multinational companies operating in the country," it said. "It is obvious that the current government of the country lacks political will to proffer sanctions on defaulting oil companies in the country." 

Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, a Niger Delta rights group, has described the Muhammadu Buhari government as "a puppet in the hands of oil multinationals".

The group said this in a statement condemning the non-implementation of the order for International Oil Companies (IOC’s), to relocate their operational headquarters to the Niger Delta.

“It may interest you to note that the Buhari government is a puppet in the hands of oil multinational companies operating in the country," it said. "It is obvious that the current government of the country lacks political will to proffer sanctions on defaulting oil companies in the country."

While lamenting the continued degradation of their environment, the statement, signed by President of the organisation, Austin Azobo, said peace would continue to elude the country until the region gets its due.

"We make bold to say that peace will elude Nigeria except Niger Delta is given her due place in the country," read the statement. "It is equally appalling that the Muhammadu Buhari government cannot enforce the compliance of its directive given to oil multinational companies to relocate their operational headquarters to the Niger Delta region."

It further gave a directive to IOCs to vacate the region if they cannot obey the demand, saying: “Our attention has been drawn to the gross failure of oil multinational companies operating in Niger Delta to return their operational headquarters to the region despite several directives from the Federal government of Nigeria.

“It is our warning that oil multinational companies refusing to relocate their operational headquarters to the Niger Delta should quit or vacate the region. It is provocative and absurd for oil companies operating in the region to undermine the clarion calls of stakeholders to relocate back to the region.

“It is imperative to note that our environment is being polluted and degraded day in and out. Our ecology system has been damaged. We inhale hydrocarbon particles and emissions emanating from gas flaring, uncompleted combustion and other oil activities, but no justice is done to ameliorate it.

"It is sad that Nigeria is governed by oil companies. It is a pity that Nigeria has turned a lawless state where oil companies dictate laws that should govern the country and how it should operate. We are disappointed at the government’s failure to compel these companies to do the needful."

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ELECTRICITY: Focus More On Mini- Grids, Fashola Advises Investors In Power Sector

• The minister said this in a video posted on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing’s official Twitter handle on May 14. 

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Raji Fashola

The Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Raji Fashola has advised investors to focus their investments in the building of mini-grids which can be done without waiting to be licensed and can be quickly deployed.

The minister said this in a video posted on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing’s official Twitter handle on May 14.

The ministry tweeted "My advice to all of the power developers is to focus more on the small solutions that are quickly deployable. We have issued a mini-grid regulation that allows anybody to deploy less than 1 MW and below without a license." - HM Babatunde Fashola.

In the video, Mr. Fashola said, “Get out of the licensing regime. Most of the people who sell generator don’t sell a 1 Mega Watt generator. So, start breaking up this power into small, small solutions and I believe that state governments that are beginning to pass a law on electricity must encourage all of these solutions. That is why you see us intervening in markets just to show that power can reach people reliably without government.”

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NEWS: Senate's Invitation To IGP Was About Dino Melaye, Not Killings, Police Insist

• Indeed, the Police described the Senate’s claim that the invitations which the police chief repeatedly refused to honor were over the killings going on in different parts of the country as an ‘afterthought’ in a series of tweets via its official Twitter handle @policeNG on Monday. 

Inspector General of Police Mr. Ibrahim Idris

Nigeria Police authorities said Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, was invited by the Senate over alleged maltreatment of Senator Dino Melaye, and not to discuss strategies for tackling killings going on in different parts of the country as the upper chamber of the National Assembly has been saying.

Indeed, the Police described the Senate’s claim that the invitations which the police chief repeatedly refused to honor were over the killings going on in different parts of the country as an ‘afterthought’ in a series of tweets via its official Twitter handle @policeNG on Monday.

Police back up its claim with the scanned copy of the two letters of invitation sent to the IGP by the Senate.   

It added that the emphasis on security matters in the invitation letters was “diversionary to attract undeserved public sympathy in the Senate’s desperate bid to trivialize and water down the crime and criminal liabilities for which Senator Dino Melaye is standing trial.”

The Senate, in the series of tweets, also pointed out that the IGP had appeared before the Senate 10 times since he assumed office in 2016.

The police in further tweets, also said the security strategies being adopted by to tackle the killings going on in the country should not be a matter for discussion on national television.

"The recent claim by the Senate that the reason for inviting the IGP is to brief them on the recent killings in some part of the Country is an afterthought which can be seen from the headings of their invitation letters," the tweet read.

“The Nigeria Police Force as a law-abiding entity will continue to uphold the rule of law in all its ramifications and also ensure that nobody under any guise, no matter how highly placed is allowed to pervert the course of Justice.”

The Police also implored the senate not to whip-up sentiment or resort to self-help but to allow the rule of law and justice to prevail on the matter of Senator Melaye.

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POLITICS: John Oyegun Already Lost Tenure Elongation Bid In APC — Now He's Also Lost In Court

•  However, a month after — following opposition from Bola Tinubu and some party heavyweights — President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently overruled the NEC, citing the need to avoid a legal battle that could jeopardise the party’s cohesion before the 2019 general election.

John Oyegun

John Oyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), already lost the bid to have his tenure extended by one year, back in March.

However, had he not lost in March, he would have lost out nevertheless — because on Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed two suits challenging the attempted tenure extension, saying such action would have violated both the constitution of the party and the country.

At a meeting in February, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the APC had extended the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Oyegun, by 12 months, beginning from June 30.

Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi state, who addressed the media after the meeting, said the decision was taken “considering the time left for the party to conduct all the congresses and conventions.

He had added that “considering that our leader Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been charged with the responsibility of reconciling all aggrieved members of our party, we cannot afford to approach the general election with more disputes and crises adding that party have decided on line with article 13 which empowers the NEC to carry out the functions of its convention and the NEC has decided to extend the tenure of current NWC other executive committees at various levels for another 12months starting from June 30th”.

However, a month after — following opposition from Bola Tinubu and some party heavyweights — President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently overruled the NEC, citing the need to avoid a legal battle that could jeopardise the party’s cohesion before the 2019 general election.

“As we all know, the motion was moved at the last NEC meeting February 27, 2018, to the effect that when the tenure of the current executive expires in June this year, they should be allowed to continue for one year,” he said.

“This motion was moved by majority of members present at the last NEC meeting. Even though some of our party members have since spoken very vehemently against it, others have even taken the matter to court.

“On my own part, I have taken some time to review and seek advice on the resolution and what I have found is that it contravenes our party constitution and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While the APC constitution Article 17, in bracket 1 and 13 on two bracket b, limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election. The 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended, in section 223, also prescribes periodic election for party executives at regular intervals which must not exceed four years.

“Furthermore, Article 31 of our party constitution provides that any principal officer wishing to re-contest or contest for another election must resign from his current post at least one month before the election. In this circumstance, what is expected of us is to conduct fresh election once the tenure of the current executives approaches its end.”

Ruling on Monday on the two suits filed against the extension of Oyegun’s tenure, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba held that they had become hypothetical, academic and spent, since the party had already reversed the decision and had begun conducting primaries.

He said he had taken “judicial notice” of the fact that the party had started conducting its congresses for the purpose of electing its officials at the ward and local government levels, and had also scheduled the date of its national convention.

He added that the attempted extension would have been a violation of both the Nigerian and APC’s constitutions.

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