We Are Not Part Of Biafra – Ighala Group Cries Out
The Igala socio- cultural group has described the inclusion of Igala
land as part of Biafra as an insult to the sensibility of the people.
Igala land is in the Eastern part of Kogi state sharing border with Anambra state.
The
group at a press briefing in Lokoja on Wednesday said that including
Igala land on the paper was not only insulting but also provocative to
the Igala race.
Chief Barry Idakwo who addressed the conference
said that the declaration of Igala Kingdom as a clan by the Biafra
agitators is definitely a product of ignorance of history and mischief.
“It
is therefore unthinkable to annex the Igala kingdom without consulting
us. Probably this may be due to the erroneous belief that Igala kingdom
is a clan thus not important to consult the people of the great Igala
kingdom before being annexed as part of the agitation.”
“This is
against the spirit of fairness, sovereignty, equity, peaceful
cohabitation and democracy to forcefully and falsely claim that a great
kingdom as the Igala kingdom, which was never defeated in any war is
part of Biafra” Idakwo explained.
The group unequivocally pointed
that the ethnic nationality is not part of the Biafra agitation
believing that every Nigerian citizen has the constitutional right to
freely live where ever such an individual or group so chooses within the
ambit of our laws and in the interest of peace and security.
The
Igala social cultural groups however urge their Igbo brothers to engage
the Nigeria nation more purposefully for quality governance rather than
agitations for separatist state.
They equally extended their message to the Northern Youths to embrace the oneness of Nigeria as a Nation.
Idakwo
further underscore why Nigeria must remain an indivisible nation “We,
as a people in the Middle Belt crave for peace at all times because when
war breaks out, we will be at the receiving end as the theatre of war.
The last civil war holds very unpleasant testimonies”.
On the
issue of marginalization being canvassed by the agitators, idakwo
expressed dismay that there is minimal federal presence in terms of
infrastructure and economic activities in igala kingdom, even when their
allegiance and commitment to the stability of the federal government is
total.
The group however drew the attention of the federal
government to look into issues that may threaten the peace and
development of the Igala kingdom.
Some of their demands are; the
need to continue urgently the construction of Bagana-Guto bridge to ease
access to the Federal Capital Territory as this will encourage economic
activities, unity and proximity to the centre of governance;
establishment of a full fledge Naval Base at Idah, and establishment of
an army barrack in Olamaboro Local Government Area; and swearing in the
minister from Kogi State, Prof Stephen Ikani Ocheni immediately to
enable them have sense of belonging and input to national affairs.
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Robbery Suspects Name 2 Top Fuji Artistes As Beneficiaries Of His Loots
A 24-year old robbery suspect, Gbenga Ashiru has linked two popular Fuji musicians as beneficiaries of his operation.
by the operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Special Squad, SARS, Ikeja
following a tip-off.
popular artistes’ shows where he sprays what he gets from robbery to
show off.
“I robbed in order to raise money that I will use to spray these Fuji
artists while on stage. Anytime I succeeded in any robbery operation, I
don’t miss Kwam 1 and Pasuma Wonder Shows,” Ashiru revealed during his
parade.
pidgin confessed that armed robbery is one of the quickest, very
lucrative but dangerous job in the world. He however, noted that it was
morally right for people like him who puts their lives on the line to
enjoy himself as well as spend his money as he wishes.
friends who initiated him into a cult and since then his life has
changed as he became violent and started taking drugs and then graduated
into robbery.
remanded in prison custody for nine months where he learnt more about
cultism and robbery operations.
normal life and be a responsible man in the society as he has learnt his
lesson.
there where he is assisting the police in their investigation. The
police source said he will be charged to court after the conclusion of
investigation.
Mohammed Abubakar, governor of Bauchi state, is to travel to Saudi
Arabia for medical checkup, Bello Ilelah, secretary to the state
government, said yesterday.
Ilelah said the governor would be away for 17 days, during which his
deputy, Nuhu Gidado, would act as the state’s chief executive.
“His Excellency, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar Esq, Governor of Bauchi,
will undertake a medical trip to Saudi Arabia, from Tuesday, 13th June,
2017, to Friday, 30th June, 2017,” Ilelah said in a statement.
“During his absence, His Excellency, Nuhu Gidado, deputy governor, will act as the governor.”
for Agriculture in the state, Zacchaeus Atte, in prison custody over
alleged financial impropriety of N35.5 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr. Atte was arraigned by the
Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission,
ICPC, on an eight-count charge.
The judge, Josiah Majebi, who gave the order, held that the bail application for the accused was not ripe for hearing.
Earlier, the prosecution led by John Okwor told the court that the
alleged offence was contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The charges against the accused, according to the prosecuting counsel,
include using his office as commissioner for agriculture to convert the
sum of N11.9 million to personal use.
Mr. Okwor said the accused perpetrated the act under the pretext of
purchasing and distributing 200,000 sprouted oil palm seedlings to the
state oil palm farmers in February, 2015.
He also accused the former commissioner of cornering N350,000 on the
pretext of distributing 100,000 cocoa seedlings to cocoa farmers in the
state in August, 2015.
The accused, the counsel said, also converted N8.87 million under the
pretext of purchasing oil palm sprouted seedlings in May, 2015.
He further accused Mr. Atte of corruptly enriching himself in January
2015 with N2.84 million under the pretext of purchasing two units of
photocopiers.
Other offences, according to Mr. Okwor, is that Mr. Atte used his office
as commissioner to siphon various amounts of public funds meant for
projects for which he got approvals but decided to pocket the monies
released.
When the offences were read to him, the former commissioner pleaded not guilty.
The ICPC counsel told the court that he was ready for the commencement
of the trial and asked for a date for him to present witnesses.
Adebayo Eniwaye, counsel to the accused, made an oral application for
the bail of his client, which was not opposed by the prosecution
counsel.
Justice Medubi, however, in his ruling, observed that the motion was not ripe for hearing.
Mr. Majebi ordered that the former commissioner be remanded at the
Medium Security Prisons, Okene, and adjourned the case until June 20 for
hearing.
CCT clears Saraki of false asset declaration charges
The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has dismissed the charges of false
asset declaration against Senate President, Bukola Saraki. Chairman of
the tribunal, Danladi Umar, in his ruling this morning, said the
prosecution team had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that
Saraki was indeed guilty of false asset declaration.
The witnesses brought in by the Federal government
had given contrary testimonies during the trial.
On May 4th this year, Saraki through his counsel, informed the tribunal
that he would file a no-case submission, which implies that he is not
opening a defence but asking the tribunal to discharge him of the
charges because there is no case against him.
This was after the prosecution led by Rotimi Jacobs called its final witness and closed it case.
In September 2015, the Federal government filed a 13- count corruption charge against Saraki.
Among the charges, Saraki was accused of making false declaration of
assets on assumption of office as governor of Kwara state in 2003.
