My Blog

Category: Politics

  • Kidnapped  Zamfara Catholic priest in Zamfara released after two weeks

    Kidnapped  Zamfara Catholic priest in Zamfara released after two weeks

    The Parish Priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State, Mikah Suleiman has regained his freedom from bandits who kidnapped him two weeks ago.

    Suleiman’s release was announced in a statement on Sunday, July 7, 2024, by the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Pascal Salifu.

    The statement read, “We are overjoyed to announce the safe release of Fr Mikah Suleiman, who was kidnapped on 22/06/2024.

    ‘We extend our heartfelt gratitude to God for His protection and to everyone who offered prayers and support during this challenging time.

    “Our thanks also go to the authorities and all involved in securing Fr Mikah’s release. He is currently receiving the necessary care and support.”

    Salifu urged people to “continue to keep him in your prayers as he begins his recovery.”

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar confirmed the priest’s abduction on Saturday, saying, “Yes, the incident happened early hour of today, the Reverend Father was kidnapped in his residence. We were not informed when the incident happened but what I gathered was that the man stays alone not in the church.

    “We have deployed our tactical squad to go after the kidnappers with the aim of rescuing the victim unhurt.”

    More so, the acting Chancellor of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Nuhu Iliya had urged the Christian faithful to pray for the “quick and safe release” of the priest.

    “We equally commend him to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors,” Iliya said.

  • 27-Year-Old Steel Company Worker Dies in Ogun Factory Incident

    27-Year-Old Steel Company Worker Dies in Ogun Factory Incident

    Yahaya Ibrahim, a 27-year-old worker at KAM Steel Integrated Company, tragically lost his life at the factory located along the Sagamu-Ogijo Expressway in Ogun State.

    Reports say that the fatal incident occurred when Ibrahim slipped and fell onto an engine roller while working early Sunday morning, around 4:50 am.

    The Ogun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the accident, noting that Ibrahim’s body has been transferred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital morgue in Sagamu.

    Police officers responded to the scene following a distress call and identified the event as an industrial accident.

  • Anambra exposes 427 ghost workers on payroll scam

    Anambra exposes 427 ghost workers on payroll scam

    Anambra Local Government Service Commission has uncovered over 427 ghost workers receiving salaries from the State Government despite not being legitimate employees.

    Chairman of the Commission, Vin Ezeaka, speaking to journalists in Awka, the Anambra state capital on Friday, disclosed that a comprehensive audit had uncovered more than 427 ghost workers receiving salaries despite not being actual employees.

    Ezeaka stated that the discovery occurred during a staff personnel audit aimed at sanitizing the local government system in the state. During this process, it was found that over 427 individuals were on the local government payroll without holding legitimate employment positions.

    He said: “Out of the 427 ghost workers uncovered, 59 were staff of the commission who had died a long time ago, 40 others had retired & are still on the payroll of the commission, while about 11 others are staff living abroad whose names were still on the payroll of government.

    “Others were some staff members of UNIZIK, and Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe. 59 deceased staff of the institutions, 40 retirees, and above all 222 workers on the payroll who nobody could identify as workers in any of the 21 LGAs and we have many of them living abroad and still receiving salaries.

    “The commission also found instances of certificate forgery, where six senior employees allegedly submitted fake credentials from IMSU.

    “We are going to finish our investigation and those caught in this unholy act will face the full wrath of the law in accordance with civil service rules.”

  • Court Gives Two Kano Judges 48 Hours To Resign

    Court Gives Two Kano Judges 48 Hours To Resign

    Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court has instructed Justices Faruk Adamu and Zuwaira Yusuf, judges of Kano State High Court, to step down from their positions as chairmen of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Misappropriated Public Properties and Assets as well as Political Violence and Missing Persons within 48 hours.

    The National Judicial Council (NJC), Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Attorney General of Kano State, Justices Faruk Adamu and Justice Zuwaira Yusuf are defendants in the case.

    In a ruling on Thursday in a case brought by former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Justice Amobeda stated that the NJC should halt payment of any remuneration, allowances and benefits to the two judges from the consolidated revenue fund if they do not comply with the order.

     Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had on April 4 inaugurated the two judicial commissions of inquiry under the chairmanship of Justices Adamu and Yusuf to investigate cases of misappropriation of public properties, political violence and cases of missing persons from 2015 to 2023.

    Justice Amobeda directed that the judges should refrain from carrying out the executive functions assigned to them by the governor in courtrooms designated for adjudicating disputes between individuals and authorities in the state.

    The judge held that “The combined effects of sections 6, 84, 153(1), 271(2), 272 together with paragraph 21(c) of part 1 of the third schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the 4th and 5th defendants (Justices Faruk Adamu and Zuwaira Yusuf) are not legally permitted, “while purporting to hold the office of a judge of high court of Kano State, to accept appointments as chairmen of commission of inquiry with quasi-judicial powers equivalent to that of a Magistrate and subject to review by a judge of the High court of Kano State.”

    The court ruled that the governor lacked the authority to appoint and administer the oath of office for individuals to serve as chairmen of a commission of inquiry, a position designated for commissioners exercising executive powers.

    The court emphasized that Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman’s ruling, which stated that only the EFCC and the ICPC have the jurisdiction to investigate the former governor, deems it an abuse of power and a violation of judicial integrity for the governor to establish a commission of inquiry to probe the plaintiff’s administration.

    Nevertheless, the court dismissed the plaintiff’s counsel’s argument that the judges compromised their judicial roles by participating in the judicial commission of inquiry.

  • BREAKING: Many feared dead as two-storey building collapses in Anambra market

    BREAKING: Many feared dead as two-storey building collapses in Anambra market

    A building has collapsed at Eke Amawbia Market in Awka, Anambra State, leaving many feared dead.

    The tragic incident happened at about 12 noon on Thursday, causing panic in the area.

    Eyewitnesses report that a two-storey shop building suddenly crumbled, burying numerous vegetable traders beneath the debris.

    As of press time, DAILY POST learnt that one person has been rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention, but many more are believed to be trapped inside the wreckage.

    A large contingent of police officers has arrived at the scene to coordinate rescue efforts and maintain order.

    Traders, who witnessed the collapse, blamed the disaster on substandard engineering work, alleging that the building’s structural integrity had been compromised.

    The rescue operation is ongoing, with emergency responders working tirelessly to search for survivors amid the rubble

    The atmosphere at the market is tense, with onlookers anxiously waiting for news of loved ones feared trapped in the building.

    The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the community, with many calling for an investigation into the cause of the collapse.

    Authorities have yet to comment on the incident, but promised to release a statement soon.

    As the rescue efforts continue, the death toll remains uncertain, but fears are mounting that the tragedy may have claimed multiple lives.

    The Amawbia Market, a bustling commercial hub, has been plunged into mourning, with traders and residents struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss.

    The incident has raised questions about the safety of buildings in the area, sparking concerns about potential risks to occupants.

  • Governor declares Monday public holiday 

    Governor declares Monday public holiday 

    The Oyo State Government has declared Monday, July 8, 2024, a work-free day in commemoration of the Islamic New Year, Hijrah 1446AH.

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the state government acknowledged the significance of Hijrah in the lives of its Muslim residents.

    “Monday, July 8, 2024, has been declared a work-free day to mark the Hijrah, which signifies Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD,” Oyelade said.

    The commissioner emphasised that this day is a gesture of respect and solidarity with the Muslim community. He called on all residents to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in Oyo State and Nigeria.

    Oyelade urged everyone to reflect on the teachings of Hijrah and to come together in the spirit of solidarity and brotherhood.

    “The Hijrah is a time for reflection, prayer, and community spirit. Let us come together on this day to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in our state and our nation,” he added.

  • Heavy Rainfall Causes Widespread Flooding in Ibeju-Lekki 

    Heavy Rainfall Causes Widespread Flooding in Ibeju-Lekki 

    Residential areas and major roads in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, have been inundated by floods following several hours of heavy rainfall in recent days.

    The downpour, which persisted for many hours on Wednesday, resulted in significant flooding in residential areas across Ibeju-Lekki and surrounding locations such as Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya, and others.

    Residents attributed the flooding to the blockage of waterways caused by indiscriminate dumping of waste in the localities.

    Rasheed Ayobami, a resident of Labora, Ibeju-Lekki, described how his house was submerged due to the absence of a functional drainage system at his new residence.

    “The water flowed into my compound and completely submerged my house. We live in an area without proper drainage, forcing water into our homes and leaving us homeless,” he lamented.

    Seyi Arowosaye voiced concerns over perennial flooding on the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway, attributing it to blocked drains in the area.

    “We urge the Ibeju-Lekki local government to clear the drains and implore residents to stop dumping waste in the drainage system to prevent future flooding,” Arowosaye urged. He also called on the Lagos State government to expedite road repairs in Sangotedo.

    Bola Fadugba highlighted the impact of the flooding in Labora, emphasizing the urgent need for a lasting solution to the recurring flood challenges in the area.

    “Floods have made my house inhabitable during the rainy season. Many parts of the metropolis are affected. The government must find a lasting solution to this perennial problem,” Fadugba insisted.

    The flooding also affected key roads such as Abraham Adesanya, Awoyaya, Sangotedo, and Majek, exacerbated by ongoing road rehabilitation works in the locality.

  • BREAKING: One killed, seven rescued as building collapses in Lagos

    BREAKING: One killed, seven rescued as building collapses in Lagos

    A child was feared dead on Wednesday when a building collapsed at 10, Cameroon street in Mushin, Lagos. 

    Seven other residents were also reportedly rescued by sympathisers from the rubbles. 

    A resident said the building collapsed following heavy downpours in many parts of Lagos. 

    She said the Lagos rescue team was yet to respond to emergency calls as of the time of filing this report. 

  • 14 Killed In Kano As Truck Rams Into Muslims Returning From Jumat Prayer

    14 Killed In Kano As Truck Rams Into Muslims Returning From Jumat Prayer

    No fewer than fourteen (14) people reportedly died when a moving truck rammed into Muslim faithful who were returning home from Friday’s Jumat prayer in Kano State.

    Reports obtained revealed that the tragic incident happened at Imawa, a town along the Zaria–Kano highway in the Kura Local Government Area of Kano State.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in the state, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the sad development to journalists yesterday in Kano.

    According to him, the accident occurred when a truck with registration number MKA 537 XN lost control and rammed into pedestrians who had just concluded Friday prayers and killed 14 of them.

    Abdullahi said, “We received a distress call at about 01:50 p.m. on June 28, 2024. Upon receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our personnel and vehicle to the scene of the accident.

    “The FRSC is committed to road safety and urges all road users to adhere strictly to traffic regulations to prevent such avoidable tragedies.”

    The sector commander offered his sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased and reassured the public that ongoing efforts were being made to determine the precise circumstances of the crash.

  • Court Sentences LP Candidate to Seven Years Imprisonment 

    Court Sentences LP Candidate to Seven Years Imprisonment 

    An Enugu South Magistrate Court presided over by Justice E D Onwu, has sentenced the Labour Party candidate for Enugu South Urban state Constituency, Hon Bright Ngene, to 7 years’ imprisonment.

    The Magistrate, who handed the verdict on Friday had on Thursday, said that he was under instruction to deal with a matter involving the LP candidate who won the Enugu South Urban state Constituency, during the March 18, 2023, general elections.

    Ngene and two others were arraigned in court since 2017 by the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu command in a matter involving himself and his community worth about N15million.

    After he won the 2023 general elections against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who also challenged the victory of Ngene and sought for the election to be declared inconclusive, which the election petition tribunal agreed and ordered rerun election in eight polling units, the ruling government resurrected the matter involving his community development fund.

    The matter was abandoned since 2017 when he was lawyer for his community, Akwuke, Enugu State.

    SaharaReporters reported on June 25, that Bright Ngene had raised the alarm over an alleged conspiracy between the executive and judiciary arms of the state government to imprison him. 

    Ngene, who spoke to journalists in Enugu, had claimed that the plot was aimed at punishing him for insisting on the mandate he won in the March 18, 2023 House of Assembly Election. 

    He had noted that the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice A. R Ozoemena, the Deputy Chief Registrar, Chijioke Agbo, and Magistrate E. D Onwu colluded to disregard the petition pending before the National Judicial Council which seized the case. 

    Ngene is seeking for an urgent intervention to prevent what he sees as a gross miscarriage of justice aimed at terminating his political and legal careers.

    Ngene of the Labour Party was declared the winner of last year’s Enugu South Rural Constituency election and was sworn into the House of Assembly but was aborted by the court in a petition by his rival, Sam Ngene of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
     
    Re-run elections for the disputed eight polling units in the Constituency have been held twice but were inconclusive, while the scheduled third-time re-run of June 8 was cancelled without notice to the LP candidate.

    In his petition to the NJC, Ngene alleged that “there is corruptive agreement between the Honourable Chief Judge of Enugu State, His Lordship A. R Ozoemena, the Deputy Chief Registrar N.L Chijioke Agbo, His Worship E. D Onwu, Esq and the Enugu State government to at all cost or willy nilly put me behind bars before a re-run is conducted over my seat in the Enugu State House of Assembly.

    “Otherwise, why are these parties applying impunity in continuing with the trial when the NJC has accepted custody of the matter? The ideal thing is that parties in this matter should relax for NJC to decide but they are rushing the matter to put me behind bars and go ahead to conduct the re-run election.

    “I seek the NJC to save me from oppression, persecution, and impeding wrongful conviction bathed by corruption and obvious abuse of judicial office and power.

    “Unless the National Judicial Council intervenes, the Honourable Chief Judge of Enugu State, the Deputy Chief Registrar, and His Worship E. D Onwu will wrongfully and corruptly destroy my ambition to continue to be in the House of Assembly of Enugu State and dent my political and legal career with conviction,” Ngene petitioned.

    But when the matter came up for adoption of written addresses, on Thursday, there was an uproar in court room as three lawyers fought fruitlessly to dissuade the magistrate to give a long adjournment date in a matter against Ngene and two others.

    While the defence counsels, Messrs CJ S Okereke, Benjamin C. Nwobodo and Frabel Awgu asked the trial Magistrate to adjourn the matter till next week to enable them study and reply to application filed by the prosecuting counsel, His Worship E D Ownu insisted that c