Drama as soldiers stop, search Tambuwal’s car

A mild drama ensued in Kaduna on Monday after soldiers stopped the motorcade of the Speaker of the House of Representatives,   Aminu Tambuwal, and searched his official car.

Findings showed that Tambuwal, who was in the flagged car on his way to the venue of an international conference on security, was asked to wind down his window glass to the surprise of other VIPs, who drove past the same route.

This made the security details attached to Tambuwal to   protest but   the soldiers stood their ground. Some of the soldiers were said to have insisted that they were acting on “orders from above.”

Angered by the development,   Tambuwal came out of the car and trekked to the venue, a few metres away.

The incident occurred at the entrance to Hotel 17, Kaduna, venue of an International Conference on Security and Development Challenges of Pastoralism in West and Central Africa, organised by the office of the National Security Adviser.

The theme of the conference was: “The Role of Pastoralists in Preventing Insurgency and Conflicts for Sustainable Peace and National Security.”

Tambuwal, who arrived at the venue of the conference at exactly 9.16am for the 10 am opening ceremony, had his convoy stopped by soldiers who insisted they must search his official car before he could be allowed in.

While Tambuwal’s car was searched, other VIPs, including governors, who attended the conference were allowed into the hotel without hindrance.

A source, who witnessed the drama, said, “The convoy was driving to Hotel 17, the venue of the conference. The soldiers sighted the speaker’s convey and picked out his car, insisting that it must be searched.

“They asked him to wind down his window glass. The speaker was shocked that even after recognising him, the soldiers still said they wanted to search his official car.”

A furious Tambuwal reportedly stormed out of his car and opted to trek to the   venue.

His Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Imam Imam, confirmed the incident when The PUNCH contacted him on Monday.

Imam said since the event was scheduled to start at 10am, his boss arrived at 9.16am only to “face embarrassment in the hands of the soldiers.”

He noted that of much concern was why it was only Tambuwal’s car that was picked for the search among the many VIPs, including governors, who came for the event.

When The PUNCH asked whether Tambuwal would know why his car was stopped for the search, Imam replied that the question should be directed at the soldiers.

He said,   “Go and ask the soldiers let them tell you their reasons. It is not the speaker that will give that answer.

“What they are doing is undermining the legislature as a whole. It is not about the speaker but the institution.

“We are just urging them (security) to be mindful of the fact that the institution must be protected at all times. The constitution provides that the integrity and sanctity of both the Legislature and the Executive   must be protected at all times. If it cannot be protected, then it is unfortunate.”

It was gathered that Tambuwal later delivered his speech at the event and left for Ibadan in Oyo State .

Fayose still has a case to answer —EFCC

                                          Mr. Ayodele Fayose

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has described media reports that it had dropped corruption case against the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, as untrue.

The agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told our correspondent on Monday that the recent election of Fayose had not affected the ongoing trial of the governor-elect at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, for alleged corruption.

Uwujaren said that the case would come up for hearing on July 15, 2014, adding that the immunity clause in the Constitution only applied to the President, the Vice President, sitting governors and their deputies, and not governors- elect.

He said, “The EFCC has not dropped the case against the former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

“The trial is still going on; it is continuing at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti. In fact further hearing comes up on July 15, 2014.

“As you know, immunity from prosecution applies only to the President, the Vice President, sitting governors and their deputies.”

Uwujaren added that the case against Fayose, who is expected to take over as Governor of Ekiti State in October, had made substantial progress as the commission had called two witnesses to testify in the case.

Uwujaren also said that the issue of whether the case against the governor-elect would be withdrawn or not when he takes over as governor was a matter for the court to decide.

“It is the court that would decide whether the case would be discontinued or not; all arguments will be canvassed in court and it is the court that would decide,” he said.

Gunmen attack Edo dep speaker’s convoy

                                                                        Festus Ebea

The Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Festus Ebea, on Sunday said that his convoy was attacked by unknown gunmen near Abudu in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

Ebea said that himself; the Edo Assembly Minority Leader, Emmanuel Okoduwa; and Patrick Iluobe, were on their way to Benin City, the Edo State capital, from Esan in the Edo Central Senatorial District, when the assailants accosted them around 1pm.

Report has it that the lawmakers were returning from Ebele, Igueben Local Government Area of the state, where they had attended an investiture of the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Anthony Anenih, by the Anglican Church.

The three were said to be inside an SUV belonging to one of the lawmakers and were returning to Benin in a convoy consisting of some other vehicles when the assailants stopped their vehicles at Abudu and opened fire on them.

Ebea said one of the gunmen was however killed during an exchange of fire that followed between the assailants and the security operatives attached to the deputy speaker. One of the drivers in the convoy of the lawmakers was also said to have been shot and was receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital.

The Edo State chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said the lawmakers’ vehicles were just ahead of his own when the incident happened and that it was obvious that the lawmakers were the primary targets of the attack.

Orbih said, “They (the lawmakers) were confronted with a hail of bullets. The event they attended was well publicised and it is obvious that the attack was aimed at them.

“We call on the police to investigate and find out the people behind the attack.

“However, we thank God for saving their lives from blood-thirsty political assassins.”

The PDP chairman, who said that a report had been made at the Abudu police station, said he was worried that the attack on the lawmakers occurred not quite long after some of the members of the Edo State House of Assembly had defected the PDP

When contacted on Sunday night, the Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Noble Umoh, said that he had not been briefed about the matter and that he was still trying to reach the Divisional Police Officer at the Abudu police station.

There has been a lingering crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly since the suspension of the deputy speaker and three PDP lawmakers on June 9.

Boko Haram war affecting economy –Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday admitted in Kaduna that the activities of the Boko Haram Islamic sect had overstretched the nation’s security and adversely affected the nation’s economic growth.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the opening of an international conference on security and development challenges of pastoralists in West and Central Africa, also noted that criminals had been masquerading as pastoralists to terrorise the country.

The conference with the theme, “The role of pastoralists in preventing insurgency and conflicts for sustainable peace and national security,” was organised by the office of the National Security Adviser in the Presidency.

The President said, “The frequency of drought in the northern part of the country has enhanced constant movement towards the southern parts of the country in search of greener pastures. The movement has exposed pastoralists to a lot of challenges and loss of herds due to rustling, diseases and associated conflicts.

“The intensity and diversity of conflicts over the last few years has reached an alarming proportion with the attendant loss of lives and property. This has unfortunately, been more predominant in Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, and Taraba states. Other northern states are also not free from these security challenges.

“Such challenges have also been reported in some states in the southern parts of this country. The seed of conflict has continued to pose serious challenges to the nation’s security and economic growth. We are all aware of the threat posed to the nation by activities of the Boko Haram insurgents, some relying on the lingering pastoralists/farmers clash and masquerading as pastoralists to wage war against the state.

“Lately, this objective is yet to be fully realised owing to the resilience of the pastoralists and if that objective was to be realised, it would have been at a great cost to our country. I call on stakeholders, community leaders, religious leaders, youth groups and political leaders to continue to provide atmosphere for peace and brotherhood rather than resorting to conflict and violence which serves no useful purpose.”

He said the resilience of the pastoralists had ensured that the plan by those he regarded as enemies of the state did not come to pass.

Also, speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, stressed the need for a regional solution to the constant clashes between farmers and pastoralists.

He said, “There have been reports of some of these migrant foreign pastoralists carrying dangerous weapons and assault rifles.

“This is not the usual pastoralists that we know in Nigeria, who for decades have lived in harmony with their communities, criminality has increased especially with the menace of cattle rustling. The issue is no longer an agricultural problem. It is a national security problem and we need an integrated set of solutions that include agriculture and security.”

Impeachment Notice On Nyako: Hold Presidency responsible —Tsav

A FORMER Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, has said that the Presidency was behind the impeachment notice given to Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, noting that the present administration now operates like a military government.

He also said that the closure of Yola airport yesterday, was done to ensure that the state governor remained in the state so as to serve him the notice.

Tsav in a statement regretted that Nyako had been excluded from different meetings convened by the Federal Government on the security situation in that part of the country, while other governors whose states are under emergency rule were invited.

His words: “The purported service of impeachment notice on Governor Nyako and his deputy, from all indication, shows that the Federal Government has hands in the saga.

“Firstly, Nyako was not invited for meeting of ‘save school initiative’ in Abuja with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, while his Borno and Yobe counterparts whose states are also under emergency rule were invited.

“Secondly, Yola airport was deliberately closed yesterday to prevent Nyako from travelling in order to facilitate the service of impeachment notice on him. This constitutes wrongful confinement, intimidation and act of indignation to a democratically elected governor and could be  invitation to chaos.

“All airports in Nigeria are under  Federal Government. No one can close any airport in Nigeria without the consent or authorisation of the President. We see the hands of the President  in this saga. He has become an emperor with military powers.”

Jet scandal: Court halts Diezani’s probe.

                                          Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday gave an order   restraining the House of Representatives from going ahead with the probe of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, over allegation that she spent N10bn on a chartered aircraft.

The order   is to subsist till July 3 when the court will hear the substantive suit which was filed by Alison-Madueke, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources   and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the order ahead of the plan by the House Committee on Public Accounts to carry out the probe on June 25, 26 and 27, 2014.

The order followed an application by the counsel for the plaintiffs in the suit, Mr. Etigwe Uwa (SAN).

Ewa had   accused the committee of disregarding the authority of the court in its letter dated May 23, 2014, inviting his clients for the probe.

The plaintiffs are, through their substantive suit, asking the court to declare that the National Assembly and the House of Representatives, who are the two defendants in the suit, lacked the power to summon them without the consent of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The judge, in his ruling on Thursday, dismissed the reasons adduced by the CPA for insisting on continuing the probe on June 25, 26 and 27, 2014, despite being aware of the pending suit.

He said the court had the duty to protect its integrity as the filing of the suit did not amount to usurping the legislative power of the National Assembly as the committee had contended in its letter.

“The court has inherent power and the duty to intervene to protect its integrity in determining its processes; and the second defendant is bent on interrupting the processes filed in this suit, I hereby direct parties to maintain status quo in the matter from now (Thursday) till the next adjourned date when the matter will be heard,” the judge said.

Justice Mohammed said the House, in its letter, portrayed itself as if it could not be sued , adding that the court was created by Section 6(1) of the 1999 Constitution and given the judicial powers in Section 6(6)(b) of the same constitution to determine “disputes between persons or between governments and between governments and persons.”

The judge, who quoted the letter of invitation sent to the plaintiffs in his ruling, also dismissed the contention of the House   that the suit filed by Alison-Madueke and others amounted to usurpation of its legislative power.

He said, “In fact the quoted portion of the second defendant’s (House of Representatives) letter is simply saying that the suit before this court is usurpation of its powers under the constitution.

“The second defendant went as far as calling the conduct of this suit ridiculous and disrepute.

“While I agree that the legislature has constitutional powers to exercise, I cannot, however, agree that where any of the powers of the legislature is being challenged in the court of law, the court should turn its back to the plaintiff for the fear of being accused of usurping the legislative power of the National Assembly.”

Earlier, the counsel for the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Sadauki, had urged the court to refuse the application for an interim order, insisting that it would amount to determining the relief of the plaintiffs in the substantive suit.

He also refused to give an undertaking as requested by the plaintiffs’ counsel that the probe would be stopped pending the determination of the suit.

“I cannot stand here and give an undertaking that an arm of government will not carry out its constitutional duty,” Sadauki said.

The counsel for the National Assembly, Mr. Obasi Nwabueze, had on his part said he was not aware of the letter inviting the plaintiffs to appear before the House committee on the stipulated dates and had therefore urged the court to apply its discretion on the issue.

The lead counsel for the House, Mr. A.B. Mahmud, was absent from court on Thursday but had sent a letter to the court, urging it to adjourn hearing of the matter till either July 2 or 3.

The matter was fixed for July 3 for hearing.

Efforts by our correspondents to reach the committee Chairman, Solomon Olamilekan, on the ruling failed as he neither picked   calls to his telephone line nor responded to text messages.

He had on Tuesday vowed to resume the probe on June 26 so long as he had not been served with any court orders stopping the investigation.

But two other principal officers of the House – the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor; and the Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila – said the lawmakers had no option but to abide by the court ruling.

Ogor said     he preferred to read the details of the decision before taking a categorical stance.

He said, “We respect the law, but I have not seen the details of the decision of the court. We respect the law, but let me see the ruling of the court.

“We have to avoid the confusion created the last time when there was a purported restraining order that was non-existent.”

Gbajabiamila, however, noted that much as the ruling was “unbelievable”, the House was left with no option but to comply with the decision of the court.

His reaction was contained in an electronic mail he sent to The PUNCH from the United States.

The mail read, “Unbelievable. We have no choice but to abide by the court ruling.

“We must respect the majesty of our courts, whether or not we like the ruling.”

The PUNCH had reported exclusively on Wednesday that there was uncertainty over the probe.

Besides the “tremendous pressure” reportedly mounted on the committee to soft – pedal on the probe, Alison-Madueke had filed cases in separate courts, all seeking to stop the House from proceeding with the investigation.

Fayemi’s rally: FG stops Amaechi, Oshiomhole

Two All Progressives Congress governors were allegedly prevented from travelling to Ekiti   State on Thursday by the Federal Government and security agencies.

The governors – Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State – were billed to participate in APC’s mass rally on Friday(today) to shore up support for Governor Kayode Fayemi ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll in Ekiti State.

Oshiomhole’s chartered helicopter was said to have been prevented from departing the Benin Airport while Amaechi and his convoy were stopped by security operatives from entering Ekiti State.

The incidents were said to have been in compliance with an “order from above.”

Before the Rivers and Edo state governments issued statements on the incident in Ondo, the APC had claimed that another of its governors, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, was also prevented from making the same trip.

The Edo State government claimed that a chartered helicopter meant to fly Oshiomhole to Ekiti was   grounded   at the Benin Airport.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, said that   Air Commodore Awomodu, who delivered the message on the grounding of the helicopter, explained that it was “from above.”

“The governor who was billed to attend a mass rally organised to conclude the re-election campaigns of Governor   Fayemi was left stranded at the Benin Airport for two hours before Air Commodore Awomodu delivered the message ‘from above,’’’ Okhiria said.

Recalling that the same helicopter was   grounded on June 7 last year by agents of the Federal Government, the CPS   added that “ a source at the 81 Air Maritime Group, who declined to mention his name, said it( action) was purely ‘a military affair.”’

Okhiria said that Oshiomhole expressed shock at the development “as other APC governors and party leaders were not allowed to fly to Ekiti.”

The statement read, “ The Airport Manager, Mr. Sunday Ayodele, and the Airspace Manager, Mr. Ibekwe, said they had no hands in the governor’s ordeal as they had no directive to that effect.

“The helicopter with registration number 5NBQ8 later flew out of the Benin Airport at 1.20pm without its intended passengers.

“It will be recalled that on June 7, 2013, an OAS helicopter ferrying the Edo State governor to Awka, Anambra State, was recalled mid-air and grounded by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency .

“The Filipino Pilot of the OAS chopper, Captain James Manahash, had said at the time “we were already airborne when we got the call to return to the airport and was even threatened that failure to do so would lead to complete grounding of the aircraft. The governor prevailed on me to return and listen to them.”

In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, told journalists that Amaechi was ambushed and held hostage by soldiers and other   security agents.

She claimed that the operatives, acting on an ‘‘order from above’’ prevented the governor from leaving and exiting Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Semenitari, who expressed worry over Amaechi’s safety, said   while his chartered aircraft was grounded at the Akure Airport,   the Ministers of Defence and Police Affairs landed at the same airport.

The commissioner later issued a statement which read,   “The Rivers State Government is concerned about the safety of Governor Amaechi who is right now being held hostage in commando-like style by soldiers and other Federal Government security agents in Odudu, Ondo State.

“Governor Amaechi, as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and as an APC governor   had left Port Harcourt this(Thursday) morning for Ekiti State, where he was to join his brother governor in his last mega rally before the election.

“He was ambushed and refused entry into Ekiti by military personnel acting on orders from above. He made to turn back and return to Akure where his chartered aircraft was parked but was chased   by armed soldiers and security personnel in Odudu, Ondo State.

“In the meantime, the chartered aircraft that conveyed the governor has been grounded while the ministers of Defence, Police Affairs and the Minister of State for Defence have landed at the Akure airport.”

Semenitari explained that that the state government was particularly worried that the Federal Government had singled out Amaechi for harassment.

She   recalled that the incident in Ondo State was coming on the heels of a similar one in Kano, Kano State.

Our correspondent in Akure however reported that   Amechi’s convoy later returned to the airport and left for Port Harcourt at about 3pm.

The APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said that Amaechi and his convoy were stopped at the border between Ondo and Ekiti states and ordered to turn back, because they would not be allowed to reach Ado-Ekiti.

The party said while   Amaechi’s convoy was being detained in order to force them to turn back, the convoys of the ministers were allowed to pass.

It added, ‘’These acts are illegal and definitely not in line with the Electoral Act, which stipulates that campaign for the election will only end at midnight on Friday.

‘’It also represents a manipulation of the electoral process when all the candidates will not be allowed a level playing field to campaign for the election. There is no clearer manifestation of the Federal Government’s allergy to free, fair, transparent and violence-free election than this.

‘‘Several months ago, we warned that Nigeria under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan was sliding into fascism and we were pilloried in certain quarters for daring to make such a statement. Today(Thursday), we have sadly been vindicated.

‘’Not even in the worst days of the abhorrent military dictatorship were things done this brazenly, with citizens being denied their fundamental rights of free movement, free assembly and free expression, all because of the desperation by the ruling party to win elections at all costs.”

The Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Chinedu Offor, wrote on his Facebook page that he was not allowed to exit the Akure Airport.

“Just prevented from flying out of Akure Airport….. what a country… It is not who is right, it is what is right that matters,” he wrote as of 5.48pm on Thursday.

Offor however did not say if his boss was also in Akure or not.

The no entry into Ekiti order and the grounding of Oshiomhole’s helicopter were however denied by aviation officials and the Army.

When contacted, the   spokesperson for the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Capt. Ademola Adegoke, denied the claim that soldiers stopped   Amaechi from getting into Ekiti State.

He said, “ It is not true that soldiers turned Governor Amaechi back. It did not happen. I don’t have such information and I am sure that it did not happen.”

In Akure, the   airport Manager, Victoria Bamidele, said   only the   Director of Communications of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria could speak on the matter.

She said, “You know I am a civil servant; the office in charge of communications will have all the information.”

Anger as Abacha’s daughter hails God over N446.3bn charges

Daughter of the late maximum ruler, Gumsu Sani-Abacha, has attributed the withdrawal of the N446.3bn theft charges instituted against his brother, Mohammed, to an act of God.

The Federal Government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, had on Wednesday withdrawn the theft case asking the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to strike out the charges.

But the obviously-elated Gumsu took to the social media to spread the word about his brother’s acquittal from the charges of theft.

Responding to inquiries from some of his friends on Twitter about it, Gumsu, who had just celebrated the 16th year anniversary of her father’s death, wrote, “God is great.”

However, many Nigerians have described the discontinuation of criminal charges preferred against Mohammed as a set-back for the anti-graft war.

A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, said Nigeria had yet to learn from the mistakes of the past.

Pointing the attention of Nigerians to the last known book of the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe – There was a Country – the former minister said the title of the book said it all about the state of the nation.

Arguing that the development was a sad commentary on the nation’s political leadership, Ezekwesili reacted, “There was a country, indeed! Unforgettable Chinua Achebe.”

A social commentator, Tunji Lardner, wondered if the ‘gesture’ extended to Mohammed was a honour for accused high profile thieves or just courtesy to the Abacha family.

Lardner said he was no longer getting amazed with the decisions of the Federal Government since President Goodluck Jonathan declared that stealing was not corruption.

“The Federal Government drops $3bn theft case against the Abachas. What more, Sani Abacha, a world class despot and thief, has roads, hospitals and even military barracks named after him in Nigeria. Is he our hero?” he asked.

Political blogger, Kayode Ogundamisi, said he wondered how the President came to the conclusion that he had reasons to drop the charges and forgive Mohammed.

“Congrats, Mohammed Abacha. Thanks to Goodluck Jonathan who redefined the definition of stealing and corruption. Mohammed do enjoy the stolen N446bn,” Ogundamisi wrote on Facebook.

Another respondent, Olawale Awoye, expressed concerns that the way and manner politics was being played in the country in the build up to the 2015 general elections was worrisome.

According to him, it was troubling to learn that Mohammed, who the Supreme Court had ruled to have a case to answer over theft charges, was being made to evade justice.

“Politics and democracy are going crazy in Nigeria. Worrisome that the Federal Government dropped charges against Mohammed Abacha despite Supreme Court ruling that he has a case to answer,” Awoye tweeted.

For Olukayde Bakare, the Federal Government’s subtle withdrawal of charges against Mohammed shows how desperate the Goodluck Jonathan administration might be in a bid to secure a second term in office.

“What would happen if we give the man another four years? Better imagined than witnessed. So, Abacha is no more guilty of theft of public funds? That’s great news. All in line with our party’s Transformation Agenda,” Bakare wrote on Twitter.

A group, Corruption Concern, said with the turn of events in the country, Nigerians must be ready to elect good and credible leaders.

The group stated that the citizenry should desist from aiding and abetting looters and criminals to win election no matter how the close affinity.

It tweeted, “How is the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government going to fight corruption? Is it that the FG really hates Nigeria and Nigerians?

“Nigerians are good in prayers and love to expect miracles. With these happening, we all must be proactive in Nigeria politics for greater prosperous New Nigeria! We must vote out corrupt politicians comes 2015!”

Adamawa accounts frozen by EFCC –Nyako

The plot to impeach the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, took a dramatic twist on Thursday, as he has cried out that forces behind the plot have frozen the state government’s accounts.

He said this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja, on Thursday.

Nyako, who spoke through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Ahmad Sajoh, also said he had yet to receive a copy of the impeachment notice.

He said, “They have frozen all our accounts today; no reason has been given for the action. We were not served any notice and nobody has told us why our accounts were frozen.

“We only heard from unofficial sources that our accounts were frozen based on instructions from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“We have not been told for what offence. This is a deliberate ploy to pit the people of the state against the government because they know that by freezing our accounts, we cannot pay June salaries.

“You can only imagine the kind of suffering our people will go through during this Ramadan which is barely two weeks away.”

Repeated calls to the mobile telephone number of the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, did not connect.

However, a highly placed official of the commission who spoke in confidence confirmed that the commission gave the directive to freeze the accounts.

He said “It is true that the leadership of the EFCC issued the directive that the bank accounts of the Adamawa State government be frozen, which is the much I can say.”

The legislators are also refusing to back down on threats to go ahead with the impeachment of the governor and his deputy, Mr. Bala Ngilari.

This is even as the Clerk of the House could not deliver the impeachment notice on the governor for a second day running.

It was learnt that security officials prevented even members of staff of the Government House from gaining entry into the premises when they showed up for work on Thursday.

A member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Mr. Adamu Kamale, told one of our correspondents, in a telephone interview that the house was resolute in the pursuit of this objective.

He said majority of the members of the state House of Assembly were determined to correct the ills which they claimed had stifled the development of the state.

Asked why the legislators waited this long to act, Kamale said, “There is no time factor in the constitution that says if a governor commits an offence in 2011 we cannot ask him at this material time.

“The issue is whether they are genuine. I want us to redirect our energies to whether these allegations are genuine and if they are genuine, you can see the level of abuse of office that has taken place in Adamawa State.

“I think we need to redirect our energies for the benefit of Nigeria as a whole and Adamawa State in particular. There is no part of our law that says if a person commits an offence at a particular time and after some time he will be forgiven or it will just be swept under the carpet.”

He explained that he and his colleagues invited officials of the state government who were allegedly directly involved in the looting.

“Some have confirmed in their statements, that these allegations were genuine because some admitted that they could not find the money that had been given to them.

“In fact, some were even saying that most of their sub-heads were used, the point is that let us stick to the provisions of the constitution.”

He insisted that each member of the House was elected by his constituency to represent them as such; the present cause of action was influenced by the need to protect the interest of the people.

Kamale said, “What the House did is in the interest of the people of Adamawa State. And we believe every other person should do his to work towards ensuring that those who committed these offences are made to answer for them.

“If you notice, the governor has not appeared before the House. It is not the business of the House to invite the governor, what the constitution says is that if there are impeachable offences committed we can serve him with the notice.”

Responding to allegations that House members were induced by forces outside the state, the legislator said, “That is the figment of the imagination of those who are making such allegation.

“We have never (been induced), as far as we are concerned. We are elected by our various constituencies in Adamawa State to represent them and collectively we have agreed and are determined to correct what is wrong.”

Meanwhile, a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and some indigenes of Adamawa State had begun moves aimed at saving Nyako and his deputy from impeachment.

Nyako and the aggrieved legislators were in Abuja on Thursday night, and were waiting for Atiku as of the time of filling this report, for crucial meetings.

Investigations by one of our correspondents showed that one of the meetings was being called by some senators led by Senator Aishat Alhassan from Taraba State.

It was also gathered that the second meeting was to be hosted by some governors from the northern region, majority of who were said to be members of the APC.

Some of the angry legislators were said to have insisted that they would not sit on the table until the arrival of Atiku.

Atiku’s plane was being expected to touch down in Abuja by 8pm from South Africa where he attended the inauguration of the country’s parliament.

Jonathan appoints Bode George’s wife as NDLEA boss

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday appointed Roli, wife of a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Chief Olabode George, as the Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Roli takes over from Mr. Olufemi Ajayi, who was on Wednesday named the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.

According to a three-paragraph statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the appointment takes immediate effect.

The statement read, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has appointed Mrs. Roli Bode-George as the Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency .

“Mrs. Bode-George takes over from Mr Olufemi Ajayi, who is now the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund

Stop acting like a rebel group, PDP tells APC

                                                  Olisa Metuh

The Peoples Democratic Party has counselled the All Progressives Congress to jettison all undemocratic and anti-people tendencies and imbibe proper comportment as an opposition party in a democratic setting.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said with its new leadership, Nigerians expect a new behaviour from the APC, adding that the opposition party “must understand that it is not a rebel group, and as such, must throw over-board all actions and tendencies that portray it in that light.”

Metuh said, “Nigerians of all walks of life have continued to express worry over the character of the APC as an opposition party.

“The APC must realise that in a democracy, being an opposition party demands a great responsibility marked by constructive engagement and propagation of alternatives in the general interest.

“The APC must be advised to undertake a survey of how other opposition parties conduct themselves. Being an opposition party does not, in any way, confer a culture of irresponsibility; being an opposition party does not in any way confer a licence for promotion of violence; and being an opposition party does not confer use of blackmail and falsehood as means of achieving political control.”

He said Nigerians were no longer comfortable with an opposition driven by frustration and bitterness, characterised by a compulsive penchant for lies and deceit.

He said Nigerians would not want an opposition that has no regard for the national interest but behaves as if it has no stake in the Nigerian project, adding that Nigerians would want an opposition that would purposefully engage on issues with integrity and honesty and not with falsehood and deceit.

Metuh noted that despite its change of leadership, the APC has continued with its culture of lies. He said, “There is nothing in the last one week that shows that they are willing to jettison this despicable and unpatriotic stance.”

Insisting that the APC does not have the interest of the nation at heart, the PDP spokesperson likened the actions of the APC to that of the Biblical woman, who he said, out of frustration, pressed King Solomon to kill and divide the baby of an innocent mother for no just cause.

Reps shift Diezani probe to June 26

                                                      Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke

Uncertainty still surrounds the investigation of the House of Representatives into the N10bn the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly spent in two years to charter a private jet, Challenger 850.

Two other jets, including a Global Express XRS, are also under the searchlight of the House.

The public hearing on the controversial expenditure failed to start again on Tuesday (yesterday), the date announced by the House three weeks ago to resume the investigation.

Yesterday was June 17.

The Committee on Public Accounts abruptly shifted the hearing to June 26.

A source told our correspondent that the decision was taken because the House was still observing its end of session break.

Tuition hike: OAU students pray on the highway

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State on Monday paralysed activities in the university over hike in their fees.

The students, who assembled around 9.30 am, also locked down major buildings in the university.

Among the locked places were the Senate building, computer building and the main entrance gate that leads to the university campus.

OAU recently increased the charges of its newly admitted students from N37,150 and N42,150 to N 82,400, N92,700 and N95,700 (acceptance fee inclusive), depending on faculties.

The charges of old students of the institution were also increased from N5,300, N7,800, N10, 300 and N12,800 per session to N19,700, N30,700 and N33,700 for different faculties respectively.

“We have locked everywhere including the senate building; computer building and we are presently blocking the school gate. We are ready for the school management; we don’t care whatever happens to them there. The VC too is around, we want them to also feel what we are going through,” one of the protesters, identified as Sola, said.

“Attempts by security officers to stop us (students) from locking down the Senate and computer buildings failed. We almost fought them too,” another protester, who declined mentioning his name told our correspondent.

Our correspondent also gathered that Muslims among the students also turned the main road to a praying ground.

“We have instructed the Muslims among us not to go for prayer. They prayed on the main road here. We already supplied them with water for their ablution,” one of the protesters, Akin, added.

Attempts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the school failed, but the VC of OAU, Prof. Bamitale Omole, had in a press conference, blamed inflation and sustenance of the institutions standard for the increment.

He also explained that the university had not got the ASUU/FG funds, which the students said should be used to provide relief.

He also stated that a Special Relief Committee had been set up to attend to indigent, but brilliant students, adding that the increment was “inevitable.”

Fayemi will regret June 21 election –Fayose

                                                                      Ayo Fayose

The Ekiti State governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Ayo Fayose, has said that Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress will regret participating in the governorship election..

Fayose accused the Ekiti government of being out of touch with people in Ekiti.

He said that Fayemi was only able to win the 2010 governorship election because he supported him.

“The mistake of my opponents is not to have won the love of the people with the state powers that they have – they will regret it on June 21.

“My love affair with the masses of Ekiti started since year 2000 when Niyi Adebayo was still the governor. Three years before election, I was been connected to the people at the grassroots. When I speak to them, they see my heart is filled with love for them.

“If love affairs demand an exchange of gifts, I am not wary of exchanging gifts with the people of my state. They do the same to me too. If my opponents speak in front of the crowd and I also do so, they know who the people will follow. That is why Fayemi needed me in 2010, he said.

“Let me say this here, “Whoever sheds the blood of the innocent in this election will pay it fivefold with his own family members.

“I am not distracted – our people are working everywhere and I am proud to be leading such a great team of committed Ekiti people,” he said.

Fayose also denied the rumour that he was giving out bags of expired rice to people in Ekiti state. Last week, there were allegations, especially online that the PDP governorship candidate was distributing bags of rice that had expired since 2006.

“Those who have been paid to attack me online – the head of the Ekiti people will demand the money from you, one way or another.

“I remember when Gov. Segun Oni of PDP was giving free lunch to primary students in the state – the APC said he had laced the food with juju. I am not surprised but I will say this – anyone who visits graveyards for rituals can never confront the power of God Almighty,” the former governor of Ekiti State said.

2,382 inmates awaiting trial in Lagos prison

                                         Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philips.

No fewer than 2, 382 inmates are awaiting trial in the Kirikiri Medium Prison.

This was revealed during a jail delivery exercise performed at the prison on Tuesday by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philips.

Philips, at the occasion, freed 75 of the inmates- 71 from the medium facility; three from maximum; and one from the female facility.

The Kirikiri medium security prison, which has a total capacity of 1,700 inmates, was holding a total of 2,517 inmates before the Tuesday jail delivery exercise.

Of the 2,517 inmates, 2,382 were awaiting trial; only 135 had been convicted.

There were 205 inmates in the female prison, with 170 awaiting-trial, and only 32 convicts.

Seven were pregnant and nine were mothers with babies.

Philips, who will be retiring in July, said the exercise was done in observation of her statutory role, and pursuant to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act, Cap C40, 2007, Laws of the Federation Nigeria.

She said, “I have come to say goodbye to you because I’m bowing out of office next month.

“I have also come to perform my statutory duty of releasing inmates that shouldn’t be here.”

While giving them their freedom, Philips urged the freed inmates to “go and sin no more.”

She expressed concern over the congested state of the prison, adding that there was little she could do in her personal capacity.

Philips promised to make recommendations to her successor that would further help decongest the detention facilities.

The three Deputy Comptrollers, Mr. Tunde Ladipo; Mr. Olumide Tinuoye; and Mrs. Isioma Nwuli, thanked the outgoing Chief Justice for her commitment to the improvement of the facilities.

Nwuli said the prison had been up and doing in its rehabilitation mandate. She said the inmates were being engaged in formal and vocational education.

According to her, two female inmates are in the National Open University, five are awaiting registration, while 12 are preparing for the Government Certificate Examination.

Nwuli called for free medical care, especially for pregnant inmates referred to government hospitals outside the prison in cases of caesarian operation.

Tinuoye called on the government to grant scholarship to undergraduate inmates.

Jalo is 52, not 49, PDP tells APC

The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed shock over a statement by the All Progressives Congress regarding the actual age of its National Youth Leader, Ibrahim Jalo.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Tuesday, said it was disheartening that the APC had refused to shed its unnecessary penchant for lies, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Metuh said records available to the ruling party indicated that Jalo was 52 years, and not 49, as claimed by the opposition party.

The ruling party’s spokesperson was reacting to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that Jalo was not up to 53 years as being claimed.

Mohammed had said, “We have been able to confirm that the APC Youth Leader, Jalo was actually born on the 13th of April 1971, and that puts his age at 43, and not 49, 52 or 53, as being falsely circulated.

“This is not to say a 43-year-old man is ideal to be our youth leader but simply to put the records straight, while the party leadership continues to listen to the voices of concern by our teeming youths.”

But Metuh insisted in the statement that, “It is a public knowledge that Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo contested the Gombe/Kwame/Funakaye Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in 2011 during which he declared his age to be 49 years. The records are there and they speak for themselves.

“If Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo was 49 years in 2011, it naturally follows that he is 52 at present, for which he should be grateful to God. It is therefore clear that the statement by the APC declaring him to be 43 years is false.

“Whilst we concede that the APC has the right to select a person of any age for any position within their fold, including a man of 52 as the national youth leader, we are however shocked that they chose to lie over an issue as ordinary as the age of a national officer.”

Metuh said in lying over the age of its national officer, the APC had shown that “it has little regard for integrity and that its statements cannot be trusted.”

He finally advised the APC, now under a new leadership, to imbibe the culture of integrity and honesty, especially as Nigerians deserve to know the truth and the correct state of facts always.

Chibok girls: Presidency doubts Obasanjo’s sincerity

The thinking in government circles is that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is not sincere in his widely-publicised plan to intervene in the rescue of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok, Borno State, The PUNCH investigation has revealed.

Obasanjo was reported last week as saying that he had links with   Boko Haram, the group     holding the girls, and that he needed a go-ahead from the Federal Government before intervening.

Although the Presidency had said it was open to any intervention by anybody that could lead to the rescue of the girls, Obasanjo granted another interview recently, saying he had yet to receive government’s go-ahead.

But a top Presidency source, who pleaded not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, however, told one of our correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday, that Obasanjo was not sincere in his claims.

The source said   the former President had yet to approach President Goodluck Jonathan on the matter despite the fact that he had an unfettered access to him.

He added that what further showed the insincerity in Obasanjo’s claims was his absence on two occasions last week during events that he could have used to approach the President if he did not want to speak with him one-on-one.

The source   said, “The truth of the matter is that Chief Obasanjo is not sincere in his claim and the government would no longer be drawn into a media war with him no matter the provocation.

“It will interest you to know that he has not approached the President on the matter despite the interviews he has been granting on the matter.

“Just last week, there was an All Political Parties Summit on Security attended by the President in Abuja, Chief Obasanjo was invited and he did not attend.

“You will also recall that President Jonathan, later in the day, also met with former leaders inside the Presidential Villa on the security situation in the country. Again, Chief Obasanjo did not attend that meeting.

“All these are pointers to the fact that the former leader is not sincere in his claims.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Chibok   community in Abuja, Tsambido Abana, has said   that the military   has   yet to deploy troops in their community despite the fresh threat by   Boko Haram to strike again.

Abana, in a telephone interview with   one of   our correspondents on Tuesday,   said the Chairman of the Chibok Local Government Area, made this known to him.

Boko Haram had last week written to the people of the community to watch out for its next visit.

Abana, who confirmed that the people were living in fear, pleaded with the government to immediately send troops to the community.

He said, “Since they got the letter from Boko Haram, our people have been living in fear and no soldier has been sent to     protect them. The only thing they can do if Boko Haram comes, is to run and hide in the bush. The government should please send soldiers to protect the community from destruction by Boko Haram.”

Asked whether the community had made a formal report to the police and military authorities, Abana, said the publication of the threat   was enough notification to the government.

Efforts to   get the Director of Defence Information, Maj.Gen. Chris Olukolade, to speak on the   threat by   Boko Haram did not yield any result as his telephone line indicated that it was either switched off or in an area outside network coverage.

But a top security source said that they were aware of the story that the insurgents wrote the community.

He said, “We are aware of that story here but we don’t know if the authorities have deployed soldiers in the place or not.”

Meanwhile, the Presidential Fact-finding Committee on the Abduction of Chibok schoolgirls may submit its report to the President on Wednesday (today).

The committee which was set up by Jonathan on May 6 is chaired by Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo.

Scores feared dead in Yobe viewing centre explosion

Scores of football lovers were on Tuesday feared killed in a blast that rocked a football viewing centre in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The victims were watching one of the World Cup matches involving Brazil and Mexico national teams when the explosion occurred some minutes after 8pm.

Reuters reported that there was no immediate word on casualties from security operatives. However, Channels Television reported that many   were feared dead while scores were injured.

The injured were taken to the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu, according to the Lagos-based television station.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has said that a wanted top terror suspect is among the 486 suspected Boko Haram members arrested by soldiers in Abia State.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade,   in an electronic mail on Tuesday, said the terror kingpin was identified during the screening of the suspects by the Army and other security agencies.

The statement read, “A terror kingpin in the list of wanted terrorists of security forces in Nigeria has been detected in the ongoing screening of the 486 suspects nabbed while travelling in over 33 Toyota Hiace Hummer buses at night along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway last Sunday.

“So far, other security agencies, including the para-military agencies have joined the screening exercise to ascertain the status of the remaining suspects.

“Those identified as possible security risk or illegal immigrants are expected to be identified for further action.

“The identified terror kingpin has been taken into custody. Further development will be communicated to you in due course.”

Olukolade added that the focus of the ongoing screening   was to identify those that could be considered possible security risk or illegal immigrants.

Breaking News: Explosion On Benue Bridge – Traffic Diverted To The Old Bridge, Causalities Feared

A powerful explosion rocked the new bridge in Makurdi, Benue State, which links the Northern part of the nation to the southern part, on June 17, 2014, Tuesday, around 3pm.

According to a report by Daily Trust, the explosion was caused following a collision between a tanker transporting Premium Motor Spirit and a Peugeot 406.

A local resident confirmed that the reason of the blast was vehicles accident, lamented over horrible gridlock and possible casualties.

Security operatives have organised diversion of traffic from the ever-busy new bridge to the old bridge, Northbank, Makurdi. The information on the number of victims was not available at the time of filing the present report.

The affected bridge is crucial in linking travelers across the River Benue to the northern parts of Nigeria.

Oduah, Soludo still under probe –EFCC

                                                               Oduah and Soludo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said that it is still investigating a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Soludo.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said during a press conference in Abuja on Monday that the commission was still investigating a case of bribery against Soludo.

Last year, President Goodluck Jonathan was forced to sack Oduah after a public outcry against her alleged involvement in the purchase of two BMW bulletproof cars for her use by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

A team of crack operatives from the Intelligence and Special Operations Section of the commission led by one Chike had grilled Oduah for five hours on February 2, 2014 in relation with the controversial procurement of the two BMW cars for N255m.

Although, Oduah was granted a provisional bail after allegedly making “useful statements,” the EFCC insisted that the case against her was not closed as the matter was still being investigated.

Uwujaren said on Monday that investigation into the bulletproof car scandal had got to an advanced stage and could be concluded in a few months.

He restated also that several top officials of the major parastatals of the Ministry of Aviation had been interrogated by the EFCC in relation with the scandal.

He said, “Her matter is not closed. She has been invited, officials of major parastatals in that ministry have also been invited to make statement.

“The investigation has reached an advanced stage. In a few weeks or months you will get to hear details of our findings.”

However, the EFCC spokesman added that the fact that a person was invited for questioning did not necessarily mean that the person must face trial.

He stressed further that a suspect could only be adjudged guilty by a competent court of law and not the commission.

On Soludo, the EFCC spokesman said that the case against him which had to do with alleged bribery and corruption was still open contrary to speculations by a section of the media that it was closed.

Uwujaren stated also that the commission would charge a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Security, Minting and Printing Company, Mr. Ehidiamhen Okoyomon, for alleged corruption.

Uwujaren, who also spoke on the multi-billion Naira fuel subsidy scam, said that the commission had recovered N4.3bn from 17 marketers who collected subsidy funds from the Federal Government without supplying the product for which payments were made to them.

He said that those involved in the theft were already facing prosecution.

He said, “Seventeen oil marketers are currently undergoing trial and over 40 of their companies are added.

“They are undergoing trial for obtaining subsidy from the Federal Government without supplying products. We believe they will be sent to court soon.

“The exact figure recovered from oil subsidy theft is N4.3bn just as stated by the EFCC’s Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde.”

The EFCC spokesman, who also commented on the case of alleged corruption involving the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, said that it was the Independent National electoral Commission that could take a decision on the issue.

Uwujaren said that it was not the responsibility of the EFCC to determine whether somebody standing trial in court was eligible to contest election or not.

He said that Fayose had been standing trial for alleged corruption since 2007, adding that the matter was transferred to Ekiti State where the offence was believed to be committed following a decision of the Appeal Court on the issue to transfer it to Ekiti.

“I think the proper place to direct that question to is the INEC which is the umpire presiding over election, it is not the EFCC. Our job is not to preside over electoral matters.

“If the umpire believes that the electoral law allows such a person standing trial in court, even though he has not been convicted to stand for election; that is the job of the INEC, it is not for the EFCC to decide.”

Police’ll prevent 1983 electoral violence recurrence – IG

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has said that the police would not allow the electoral violence that rocked the old Ondo State in 1983 to repeat itself in Ekiti on Saturday.

He said highest number of support personnel and equipment are being deployed from the Force Headquarters to Ekiti State for the governorship election.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, shortly before the deployment of personnel and equipment to the state, Abubakar said that the massive deployment was to prevent violence and, ensure free and fair election.

He said, “Some of us who had the opportunity to be in Ondo State in 1983, during Ajasin/Omoboriowo election, we know what had happened, and we are doing everything to ensure that it is prevented. We’ll ensure that this election (June 21 governorship election) is free and fair, and without violence.

“Knowing what Ekiti used to be during elections, we have gone a step further to do all the things we are supposed to do in terms of materials and human resources. Do not ask the number of personnel I am going to use, we want to keep that to our chest so that we can do our best.

“I tell you it is one of the highest numbers we can ever expect to deploy in more than any other state that we have been because we must look at history.”

According to him, security agencies in the last three months had carried out surveillance and gathered information towards ensuring a free and fair election in Ekiti.

He assured the people of the state that adequate security would be provided to enable them exercise their franchise and called on politicians to prevail on their supporters to maintain the peace.

Addressing the personnel, Abubakar charged them to abide by the code of conduct, and be fair and firm in the discharge of their duties.

“We have already made plans to ensure that you are paid your allowances in Ekiti, and therefore, I do not expect you to do anything stupid.

“Remember, you are going to be watched not only by my own officers, but by other organisations including civil organisations and international monitors, who will be in Ekiti.

“I expect you as good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police to obey the code of conduct and at the same time respect the rule of law and all other regulations guiding the Ekiti election,” he said.

The IG explained that each senatorial district would be placed under aerial surveillance by a helicopter, adding that more personnel would be deployed by the zonal Police headquarters.

Over 50 vehicles including trucks, Amoured Personnel Carriers, ambulances, patrol vans, one bomb detector robot and three helicopters were deployed for the election.

Court adjourns case against Fayose till June 30

                                                          Mr. Ayodele Fayose

An Ekiti State High Court on Monday adjourned a case seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, from contesting the June 21 governorship election, till June 30.

Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi adjourned the case following an objection raised by Fayose’s counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN).

The plaintiff, Ekiti-Eleven, is seeking the court to compel Fayose to explain circumstances surrounding his 2006 impeachment.

The applicant contended that the former Ekiti governor failed to disclose vital information regarding the grounds of his impeachment in form CFO1 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The defendants are Fayose, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Peoples Democratic Party.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, the plaintiff’s lead counsel, Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), pleaded for accelerated hearing of the case.

He submitted that the case was ripe for accelerated hearing because the defendants had been served the notice after the court ruled that fayose be served through substituted means.

But in a counter argument, Raji argued that the case before the court was not ripe for hearing since there was no written application.

He said the case could still continue even if his client eventually won the Saturday election.

Ekiti monarchs receive car gifts

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Monday, presented a car each to the Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Mumini Orisagbemi and the Olupole of Ipole-Iloro, Oba Oladele Babatola.

Fayemi, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Aderemi Ajayi, recalled that all the monarchs in the 131 towns in the state were presented with vehicles by his administration in 2013 except the two who had not ascended the throne at that time.

He said, “When we presented cars to all the monarchs last year, the two towns were being administered then by regents. But after some time, the communities were lucky over the selection of their traditional rulers and subsequent approval by the State Government.

“We plead with you to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring peace in your domains, particularly during the June 21 governorship election.”

Applauding Fayemi for the gesture, Orisagbemi, who is a first class traditional ruler, said he would continue to contribute to peace and progress in the state.

“I will join the well-meaning Ekiti indigenes in stopping those who thought they are God and want to hijack the state at all cost during election”, Orisagbemi vowed.

Oba Babatola, who praised Fayemi for uplifting the Erinta Waterfall in Ipole Iloro and Ikogosi Warm Spring to attract global attention, assured that these enduring legacies would make the people vote for his re-election in the Saturday election.