Nedu Echianu's Blog

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said the year 2020 will usher in robust peace and economic growth for the benefit of all Nigerians. In his New Year message, signed by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, the President of the Senate congratulated Nigerians on witnessing the end of 2019 and the beginning of the year 2020. He hailed the resilience of Nigerians in their commitment to the unity and prosperity of the country and support for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. "I have no doubt in my mind that with the timely passage of the budget, restoration of the January to December financial year and other amendments recently made to our laws by the ninth National Assembly, the economy will enjoy significant growth in the new year," Lawan said. The Senate President assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will continue to do its best to make things better for the people through enactment of people-oriented legislations. Lawan said the Nation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has arrested a former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, for alleged extortion and name-dropping. The vocal ex-lawmaker was arrested in Abuja on Tuesday, for allegedly using the name of the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, to extort various sums of money from unsuspecting members of the public. Among other cases, Sani was said to have extorted $20,000 from a popular car dealer. A senior EFCC official confirmed the arrest of the former lawmaker to Punch newspaper. “Sani claimed that he was close to Magu and could help them to escape the agency’s scrutiny and punishments for economic and financial infractions,” an official stated. It was gathered that the anti- graft agency was forced to move against him because Sani failed to honour various invitations extended to him. This, it was learnt, made the commission’s operatives to storm his residence and took him into custody where he ma

The suspects arrested for attempting to rob an old generation bank in Mpape, Abuja, on Saturday, have reportedly indicted some employees of the financial institution. Reports by Punch newspaper say the suspects told police detectives during interrogation that they were invited to carry out the robbery by some employees of the bank. While four gang members were apprehended, the number of bank workers in custody could not be confirmed as of the time of filing this report. Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and soldiers from the Guards Brigade foiled the heist in Mpape, a settlement a few metres away from the highbrow Maitama District. One of the suspects was gunned down, while four others were arrested. The suspects had holed up in the banking hall for almost two hours until they were smoked out with teargas by security personnel, who condoned off all possible escape routes. It was gathered that the suspects were invited to rob the Automated Teller Machines loc

Gunmen on Saturday invaded the family house of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu. It was gathered that residents in the house were sleeping when the robbers struck. Shaibu, who hails from Jattu in Estako West Local Government Area, built his country home opposite his family house. Eyewitness accounts said neighbours were able to chase the gunmen away while one of them was arrested. The name of the arrested suspect was given as Victor Johlear. Police sources said Victor named other suspects to include Uche Ogoke, Monday Kingsley, Pius Lucky and Sunday Goodluck. The source added that all other suspects were arrested at different locations while items such as a cut - to-size locally- made gun, gun powder and weeds suspected to be marijuana were recovered from the suspects. One of the suspects identified as Emeka, however, escaped. A family source said it was the policemen at Shaibu ’s residence that arrested Victor after they scaled the fence. A source in the pol

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have foiled a bank robbery in Mpape, a few metres from Maitama, Abuja. The police gunned down a suspect and arrested four others inside a branch of First Bank Plc on Saturday afternoon. Reports say the robbers were trapped in the banking hall for many hours following the arrival of the police who surrounded the building. Eyewitnesses said when the robbers refused to surrender or come out of the bank, the police operatives stormed the hall, killing one of the gang members in the process. The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, confirmed the incident to Punch newspaper. He stated, “It is a foiled bank robbery; We stopped the robbers from raiding the bank. Four men were arrested while a suspect was killed. “Investigation has commenced to determine how they entered the bank and other things.” A huge crowd thronged the scene as the news of the robbery spread, causing serious traffic gridlock on the narrow road that le

A former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that Nigeria’s current debt situation is closer to the prevalent situation in the 70’s and 80’s that led the country and the African continent as a whole into unservicable debts. Mr Obasanjo said this on Friday in Lagos at the first edition of the Nigerian Story organised by the ‘Why I Am Alive’ campaign. He said Nigeria risks bankruptcy with its penchant for loans under the current administration and the amount used in servicing the loans. He said he feels it is his “duty and responsibility as a citizen to enrich public discourse with insights and perspectives on topical national issues.” According to Mr Obasanjo, unlike the situation in the past, however, the current “creditors are less tolerant of our limitations and inadequacies.” He also said that although it might not be totally wrong to take loans to finance growth and development, such decisions ought to come “with a high degree of discipline, responsibility and fore

The General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry, MFM, Dr Daniel Olukoya, has described Christmas celebration as idolatry. Olukoya said the church does not celebrate Christmas because it is unbiblical. The pastor argued that no book in the Bible recorded the word ‘ Christmas’ or that Jesus was born on December 25. The General Overseer spoke during the Wednesday Manner Water Service, a programme that was organised to shift the attention of members from the 2019 Christmas celebration. “If you really study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, there is no word like Christmas,” he said at the church headquarters in Lagos. “The Bible only recorded that the Shepherds were taking care of their flocks during a very cold season when they sighted the star that announced the birth of Jesus Christ. “This cold period could be around April or May. “December 25 is a date originally set aside by the ancient Romans for Mars festival by the worshippers of the sun. “Th

The Kano State Government has banned persons of opposite genders from plying same commercial tricycles across the state from January, 2020, an official has announced. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje revealed this on Wednesday at the closing ceremony of 77th annual Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) organised by Zone A of Muslim Society of Nigeria (MSSN) held at Bayero University, Kano. Mr Ganduje, who was represented by Commander General of Hisbah Board, Harun Ibn-Sina, said the state government is committed towards upholding Islamic values. Commercial tricycles, popularly known as ‘A daidaita sahu’ in Kano, were introduced by a former governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau, as a means of transportation for women only. This was after Mr Shekarau’s government banned commercial motorcyclists from conveying women. Since Mr Shekarau’s exit as governor, however, tricycles have been allowed to carry people of both sexes, a move the state government has now said will be changed. Meanwhile,

The Enugu State Police Command has rescued a maid, Peace Goewam, captured in a viral video where she was being traumatized by her madam. In the video, which sparked angry reactions from Nigerians, the woman, Mrs. Amaka Ortolehi, from Ngor-Okpala, Imo State, was seen violently slamming the maid on the ground in a most heartless manner. The ugly incident, led the Enugu State Police Commissioner, Ahmad Abdulrahman into launching a manhunt for her. Addressing journalists at the State Police Command, the Commissioner said "when I viewed the viral video, it was an eyesore. "I gave order to my technical officers and anti-cult team. This eventually led to her arrest, alongside her husband Nkemakolam Ortolehi. "We also arrested Mr. Jonathan Goewan, the uncle to the victim, who out of greed brought her to Enugu from Jos and probably sold her to this wicked family. "Irrationally, she held her own daughter who she had affection for but was thrusting this very

A former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) has explained the reason behind his decision to stop attending court sessions during his prolonged illegal detention. Dasuki, who spoke in an interview with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America, monitored in Abuja, on Wednesday, called for justice and truth. The ex- NSA said with his release, he was ready to face trial. He also said he had no problem with President, Muhammadu Buhari. The ex -NSA, who was arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering in December 2015, was released on Tuesday. No fewer than five courts granted him bails, but the Federal Government ignored the court orders. For instance, On September 1, 2015, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who was then of the Federal High Court in Abuja, granted the former NSA bail on self -recognition shortly after he pleaded not guilty to the charges of illegal possession of firearms, and money laundering among others. Dasuki had, in a le

New United States Ambassador to Nigeria Ms Mary Leonard said on Tuesday her country decided to place Nigeria on its watch list due to the humanitarian situation in the country. She stated that the action was taken as part of an effort to deepen conversation on the issue. Leonard spoke in Abuja when she visited the Presidential Villa to present her letter of credence to President Muhammadu Buhari. But Buhari insisted that Nigeria was wrongly presented to the rest of the world because other countries, including the US, did not widen their sources of information on the country. A statement by Buhari ’s media aide, Mr Garba Shehu, after the meeting, partly read, “the United States Ambassador said Nigeria was listed on a watch list to deepen conversation on the humanitarian situation in the country , accepting that some people could ‘flare the flames and crystalise issues ’ that could affect peaceful coexistence.” The statement quoted the envoy as saying , “There are people who mak

The Department of State Services has finally complied with the court orders directing it to release the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, from custody. Omoyele ’s release came a few hours after the Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), said in a statement on Tuesday that he had issued a directive to the DSS to release the Sahara Reporters publisher and the immediate- past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. Malami said his directive followed the decision by the administration of President, Muhammadu Buhari to comply with the court orders granting bail to the two men. Sowore was violently rearrested at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the operatives of the DSS on December 6, barely 24 hours after he was released from a detention that lasted over four months. Journalists from various media houses saw Sowore after he was released from the custody of the DSS at the agency ’s headquarters in Abuja at about 6:2

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has commended the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, for directing the immediate release of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowere from custody. Ekweremadu through a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu described Malami’s action as “the best public relations job for the President Muhammadu Buhari government in 2019”, noting that the move would go a long way in rebuilding the confidence of Nigerians and the international community in the nation’s democracy. “Although we should never have travelled this road in the first place, the intervention of the Attorney-General of the Federation and the directive for the immediate release of Sambo Dasuki and Omoyele Sowere come as a big relief for the nation’s democracy and will a long way to restore confidence in the sanctity of the judiciary and its place as the last hope of

Gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday attacked the Otuoke country home of former President Goodluck Jonathan, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. It could not be immediately confirmed if Jonathan or any member of his family was hurt in the armed invasion. But he was said to have escaped unhurt in the attack, which some community persons are suspecting was “an assassination attempt” on the former president. However, one of the security operatives guarding the residence was feared dead in the attack. Punch

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) says he has directed the Department of State Services to release the immediate -past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; and #RevolutionNow protest convener, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, from custody. As of the time of filing this report on Tuesday, reports say final documentation was being concluded for the release of the two men at the headquarters of the DSS in Abuja. While Dasuki has been in the DSS custody since December 2015, Sowore was rearrested on December 6, barely 24 hours after he was released from custody that lasted over four months. Malami said in a statement that the Buhari regime had decided to obey the court orders granting bail to the two men. While indicating that he would file an appeal against the court orders, he enjoined the two men to observe their bail conditions.

Jailed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s hope of spending the Christmas with the family was dashed in Lagos today. A Federal High Court dismissed his request for bail, pending his appeal of a 12-year sentence passed on him early December. The court ruled that the application for bail lacked merit. Kalu was found guilty on 5 December of N7.56 billion fraud by Justice Mohammed Idris of Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, which he used to defraud Abia State was forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the EFCC has begun the process of winding up the company and seizing assets. Also, his aide, Jones Ude who was the Director Of Finance in the Abia State House was sentenced to a five-year jail term. The presiding Judge, Idris described money laundering offence as a crime against humanity. In his ruling today, Justice Mohammad Liman said the former Governor is not suffering from ailment that

The police in Lagos State have reportedly arrested and detained a member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, at the Moroko Police Station. Peller, who is representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/ Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State, was allegedly arrested while trying to take the bail of some clubbers. The lawmaker is the owner of a popular Lagos club, Quilox. A statement by Peller's Press Secretary, Kola Popoola, claimed that the lawmaker’s offence was not disclosed to him as his phones were seized. He said, “Peller was at Moroko Police Station to bail some of Club Quilox’s customers who had allegedly parked on the road during a show at the club. “Prior to the kickoff of the 36 hours non -stop show which usually holds every year at Quilox, Peller had informed the concerned Lagos traffic authorities to avoid unnecessary traffic gridlock. “On getting to Moroko Police Station, the police started harassing Peller and even went as far as seizing all his phones for

Suspected miscreants on Monday attacked and disrupted a peaceful protest organised by a coalition of civil society groups over the continued detention of #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore. The activists had gathered at the National Human Rights Commission in Maitama, Abuja, to present a letter to the chairman of the commission when they were attacked by the hoodlums. The youths descended on one of the coalition leaders, Deji Adeyanju, as the other campaigners and journalists scampered for safety. Adeyanju sustained some injuries and was subsequently rescued from his assailants. He is presently being treated at an unidentified hospital. Punch

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the National Assembly will rather be a rubber stamp for the progress of the country than fight the executive arm of government. Gbajabiamila spoke on Sunday during a meeting with members of his constituency in Surulere, Lagos State. The event, tagged, ‘2019 End of the Year Grassroots Empowerment Programme,’ was attended by residents, members and leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the state. Different gifts and equipment, including financial donations, were presented to the constituents, who turned out in large numbers. The Speaker thanked the crowd for supporting him, promising to do more for them by rehabilitating schools and building more roads and health centres. Gbajabiamila, while reacting to the allegation of becoming an appendage of the executive, said the decisions of the 9th Assembly were in the interest of Nigerians. He said, “People, critics and members of other parties have said the 9th Ass

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have tried to force their way into parts of Damaturu the Yobe state capital. According to an eyewitness who confirmed the attack to Channels Television, the insurgents stormed the town, along Gashua road near the Police Force Headquarters around 5.30 pm on Sunday. Meanwhile, reports say some fighter jets have been deployed to counter the insurgents and bring normalcy to the town. As at the time of filing this report, the attack was still ongoing and residents have fled home for safety. The Army Spokesman and the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO are yet to pick calls and no reply to text messages sent.

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Saturday stated that in 2016, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, did not only pick the next state governor, he also picked the deputy governor, the Secretary to the State Government and also compiled the list of commissioners in his living room. The Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, who stated this in a release from the Government House in Benin, was reacting to a widely published interview granted by Oshiomhole on Friday. Oshiomhole in the interview said he begged Obaseki to let him nominate only one commissioner in his successor'’s government. Going by his statement, Oshiomhole was debunking allegations against him that he was playing the role of a godfather in the state. But Saturday's statement by the state government read, “We are once again forced to call the attention of members of the public to Oshiomhole’s ability to compulsively fa

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed downward electronic transfer and ATM fees as well as card maintenance fees. The new charges were contained in the latest Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions just released by the CBN. According to the CBN, bank customers will now pay N10 for electronic transfers below N5,000, and N25 for electronic transfer between N5,000 and N50,000. Only electronic transfer above N50,000 will attract N50 charge. Previously, bank customers pay N50 charge for electronic transfers below N500,000. Further, the CBN in the new Guide to Bank Charges, slashed charges for cash withdrawal via Other bank’s ATM to “maximum of N35 after the third withdrawal within the same month” from “N65 after the third withdrawal within the same month”. The CBN also removed Card Maintenance Fee (CAMF) on all cards linked to current accounts, a maximum of one Naira per mille for customer induced debit transactions to third parties and transfers or lod

The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC has expressed grief at the news of the demise of Imo North lawmaker, Benjamin Uwajumogu who passed away on Wednesday 18 December. A statement signed by the General Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja said Senator Uwajumogu who until his death was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, was one of Nigeria’s most patriotic individuals well known for his commitment to legislations aimed at entrenching good governance in the country.   The statement further said; "...we can testify to his exceptional commitment to deepening democracy and promoting workers interest across the country. Remarkable was the industry, commitment, and maturity demonstrated by Senator Ben Uwajimogu during the negotiations for consequential adjustment in salaries arising from the new national minimum wage.  "Senator Uwajimogu’s intervention helped to temper frayed nerves and prevent industrial relations dynamics in the country, at tha

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed grief over the death of the Senator representing Imo North Senatorial District, the late Senate Benjamin Uwajumogu. Ekweremadu, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, described the development as “very shocking and tragic”. He described Uwajumogu as a “vibrant and diligent lawmaker, who gave his best to his constituents, Imo State, and the nation in various capacities”. “This is, therefore, a huge loss, not only to the good people of Imo State and the Senate, but to the nation”, he added. Ekweremadu prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased lawmaker and fortitude to his family and the nation the nation to bear the irreparable loss.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has expressed shock and sadness over the tragic news of the death of Senator Ben Uwajumogu who represented Imo North Senatorial District of Imo state until the sad incident on Wednesday. Lawan in a message signed by his special adviser, media, Ola Awoniyi, commiserated with the family of the deceased Senator and the government and people of Imo State over the tragic loss. Lawan also condoled with Distinguished senators and friends of the departed senator.  He recalled that Senator Uwajumogu was full of life at the Senate Chamber on Tuesday, which made the news of his death even more difficult to take. “But God gives and takes in line with his supreme sovereignty so we cannot question His will. “Senator Uwajumogu's sudden death is shocking and a painful loss to the ninth National Assembly where he always made robust contributions to the debates and other activities of the Upper legislative chamber. He will be greatly missed by all of us h

The White House has hit back at lawmakers after President Donald Trump was impeached, slamming the “illegitimate articles of impeachment” and voicing confidence the president would be acquitted in the Senate. “Democrats have chosen to proceed on this partisan basis in spite of the fact that the President did absolutely nothing wrong,” spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement, calling the votes in the House of Representatives an “unconstitutional travesty”. Grisham said that there were no fact witnesses in the hearing and alleged bias by the Democrats. “The President is confident the Senate will restore regular order, fairness, and due process, all of which were ignored in the House proceedings. ”He is prepared for the next steps and confident that he will be fully exonerated,” the statement said, referring to the upcoming trial in the upper chamber.

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed shock and sadness over the death of one of his close colleagues, Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu. Senator Uwajumogu who contributed to debates during the Senate’s plenary session on Tuesday passed away on Wednesday morning. In a statement issued by Senator Omo-Agege’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, he sympathized with the late Senator’s family and the people he represented. “His death is a matter of deep personal loss for me. My dear friend representing Imo North Senatorial District in the 9th Senate, Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, a co-member of the APC which he was helping to entrench in the South East, died as an intellectual, a  political giant,  a successful businessman and a philanthropist par excellence. “He was a devout Christian who passionately shared in our party’s vision for reforms and populist development that can positively impact on many lives now and in the future. “He lived and

The Jigawa State Government has opened tender for the construction of 90 Friday congregational and five daily prayer mosques, across the 30 constituencies of the state. Alhaji Isma’il Ibrahim, the spokesperson, office of the Secretary to the State Government, made this known in a statement in Dutse on Tuesday. According to him, the Chairman, Tender Board Committee and Permanent Secretary, Administration and Finance in SSG’s office, Alhaji Muhammad Dagaceri, said the bid opening is for the second quarter of 2019. Ibrahim disclosed that 200 contractors are bidding for the contracts. He added that, the representative of the state’s Due Process and Project Monitoring Bureau, Ghali Mu’azu, said the process of selecting the contractors would be transparent, fair and just. Commenting on behalf of the bidders, the representative of Danfatu and Sons Nigeria Ltd., Malam Yusif Saminu, expressed satisfaction with the bid opening process.  NAN

The National Union of Electricity Employees has suspended its nationwide strike. Eko Electricity Distribution Company made this known via its Twitter handle @EKEDP on Thursday. The tweet reads, The electricity workers had, on Wednesday, shut down the headquarters of Ikeja Electric and Eko Electricity Distribution Company in Ikeja and Marina, Lagos. President of the NUEE, Joe Ajaero, had, in a statement, accused the Bureau of Public Enterprise of failing to address and pay up over 2,000 disengaged workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria since 2013. He alleged underpayment of severance of over 50,000 ex-PHCN staff and illegal transfer of schools built by the union to investors. He also accused GENCOs of refusing to sign Condition of Service and rules of engagement, adding that some DISCOs were also denying the retirement benefits of some electricity workers. Punch