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BREAKING: FG Declares ‘Operation Amotekun’ Illegal

By
concoursemedia
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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN) has described the new security outfit in the South-West( Operation Amotekun) as illegal.

He said the security and defence of the country are within the exclusive duties of the Federal Government.

He said no state government, whether singly or in a group has the legal right and competence to establish any form of security organization or agency for the defence of Nigeria or any of its constituent parts.

He said the law will take its course on any group or association linked with Operation Amotekun.

He expressed regrets that his office was not consulted for legal advice by the proponents of Operation Amotekun.

Malami made the Federal Government’s positions known in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umaru Gwandu.

The statement reads:: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a sovereign entity and is governed by laws meant to sustain its corporate existence as a constitutional democracy. It is a Federation of states, but with the Federal Government superintending over matters of national interests.

“The division of executive and legislative authority between the Federal and State Governments has been clearly defined by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“It is against the same background that matters relating to the peace, order and good government of the Federation and in particular, the defence of the country, are enshrined in the Exclusive Legislative List. The Second Schedule in Item 17 deals with defence.

“This is a matter that is within the exclusive operational competence of the Federal of Government of Nigeria. No other authority at the state level, whether the executive or legislature has the legal authority over defence.”

The AGF faulted the setting up of Operation Amotekun.

He said the law will take its course on any group or association linked with Operation Amotekun
He added: “The setting up of the paramilitary organization called “Amotekun” is illegal and runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has established the Army, Navy and Air Force,including the Police and other numerous paramilitary organisations for the purpose of the defence of Nigeria.

“As a consequence of this, no State Government, whether singly or in a group has the legal right and competence to establish any form of
organization or agency for the defence of Nigeria or any of its constituent parts.

“This is sanctioned by the provision of Item 45 of
the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) authorizing the Police and other Federal
government security services established by law to maintain law and order.

“The law will take its natural course in relation to excesses associated with organization, administration and participation in “Amotekun” or continuous association with it as an association.

“Finally, it is important to put on record that the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice was not consulted on the matter. If it had, proper information and guidance would have been offered to ensure that Nigeria’s defence and corporate entity are preserved at all times.”

Source: The Nation

President Sacks Army Chief, Others As Insurgents Attack Military Base Again

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
President Sacks Army Chief, Others As Insurgents Attack Military Base Again

Nigerien President Issoufou Mahamadou fired the country’s top security chiefs on Monday, in a move that sent a strong message to citizens about his handling of recent security crisis in the country.

Mr Mahamodou ordered immediate replacement of the chief of army staff, Ahmed Mohamed, days after terrorists killed 89 soldiers on January 9.

Local media initially reported preliminary military account as saying 25 soldiers and 63 terrorists were killed during the firefight at the forward operating base near the border with Mali. The death toll was later updated, putting military casualties at 89 while 77 terrorists were killed.

The attack in Chinagodrar, in the country’s southwest, was the third targeting military asset in a month, leading to at least 160 deaths.

At least 71 soldiers were reportedly killed in attacks on December 10 and 25. Terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State have ramped up attacks in the Sahel in recent months, targeting mainly Niger and Burkina Faso.

Mr Mohamed, a lieutenant-general who has served as the country’s army chief for two years, was replaced by Salifou Modi, a major-general, Nigerien media reported.

The country’s defence secretary and chief of land staff were also fired and immediately replaced, reports said. The president declared a three-day national summit before proceeding on a trip to France for a security summit.

There was no immediate comment from any armed group for the attack, but it bore the markings of the Islamic State, whose Boko Haram affiliate has killed thousands of Nigerian soldiers in multiple attacks since July 2018.

The high death toll of Nigerian soldiers prompted calls for President Muhammadu Buhari, who has sent condolences to Niger over the January 9 attacks, to sack military chiefs, especially army chief Tukur Buratai.

However, attacks on Nigerian military bases have reduced since October 2019, prompting relief that a recent change in counter-insurgency strategy might finally see an end to the 10-year long war.

Iran Announces Arrest Of Suspects Who Shot Down Ukrainian Airline

By
Shalom Ekelaka
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Iran Announces Arrest Of Suspects Who Shot Down Ukrainian Airline

Some suspects have been arrested for firing the missile that brought down a passenger plane shortly after takeoff in Iraq’s main airport.

The judiciary spokesperson, Iran, Gholamhossein Esmali, said “extensive investigation has taken place and some individuals are arrested,” on Tuesday. He did not give further information on the arrest.

About 176 passengers were killed on Wednesday morning, en route to Kyiv from Tehran.

The plane was brought down a couple of hours after Iran had launched missile attacks on U.S. targets in Iraq. The attack was in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian Military Chief Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad on January 3.

Initially, Iran denied having any involvement in the crash blaming it on technical difficulties. “The plane caught fire due to a technical defect and this resulted in a crash,” the transport minister of Iran Mohammed Eslami had said on Thursday.

Nevertheless, further investigations proved that the missile attack brought the plane down.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Thursday stated that “evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile.”

Iran on Saturday, admitted that indeed the plane that was brought down was due to a missile fired at it by its officials ‘mistakenly’. This acknowledgement led to protests against senior officials which included Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to Aljazeera, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday in a televised address promised that a thorough investigation would be carried out.

He said, “for our people, it is very important in this incident that whoever was at fault or negligent at any level faces justice, anyone who should be punished must be punished.”

He commended the government’s admission of shooting down the plane, saying it is a “first good step.”

He said such occurrences will not happen again and that his government was “accountable to Iranian and other nations who lost lives in the plane crash.”

SIM Card: Man Sues Buhari’s Daughter, MTN And DSS For N500m

By
Shalom Ekelaka
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SIM Card: Man Sues Buhari's Daughter, MTN And DSS For N500m

A trader, Anthony Okolie, who was arrested by the Department of State Services and detained for 10 weeks, has sued the DSS for N500m.

Okolie, in a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, by his lawyer, Tope Akinyode, also demanded N500m from Hanan Buhari, the daughter of the President, Major General Muhammadu (retd.), as well as a telecommunications company, MTN.

The suit, with number FHC/ASB/CS/3/2020, is seeking an order to “compel the respondents (DSS, Hanan and MTN) jointly or severally to pay the applicant the sum of N500,000,000 only as general and aggravated damages for the gross and unlawful violation of the applicant’s right to acquire moveable properties, freedom of movement and self dignity.”

The 33-year-old man said in a supporting affidavit that he was arrested on July 19, 2019, in Asaba, Delta State, for using a telephone line that was previously owned by Hanan.

According to him, he remained in custody, bound by handcuffs, till September 22, 2019, as the DSS waited for Hanan, who was schooling in the United Kingdom, to come and clear him but she never did.

Okolie also attached the receipt he was issued after purchasing the SIM card as well as the SIM certificate.

The affidavit read in part, “That on December 8, 2019, at Ogbeogonogo Market, Nebu Road, Asaba, Delta State, I purchased a SIM card with Phone Number, 09035666662, for the sum of N1,000 only and I received a SIM pack with accompanying documents as a result as evidence of purchase receipt.

“That in line with relevant regulations, I approached a kit operator of the 3rd respondent (MTN) named Jeff, who captured my biometric and registered the SIM card in my name and on my behalf.

“That in July, 2019, I visited my business associate at his residence in Asaba and saw him being taken away by officers of the 1st respondent (DSS). During the process, they obtained information from him on who he communicated with last over the phone and my associated announced that it was me.

“That immediately afterwards, officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) arrested me and led me to their vehicle, asking me to keep quiet and drove me to their offices in Asaba, Delta, State.

“That after a while, they disclosed that my arrest was ordered by the Presidency and I had to be taken to Abuja for further interrogation on which basis they drove me to Abuja by road the following day.”

The applicant stated that he explained to the DSS how he bought the SIM card but he was informed that the phone line, which was linked to his SIM card, was once used by Hanan.

“They thereafter labelled me a criminal for using a phone line that previously belonged to the 2nd respondent,” he said.

Okolie alleged that because of the personality involved, his case file was tagged, ‘First Family’ and he was denied access to his lawyers.

The trader claimed that his mother, who was not allowed to see him, developed high blood pressure while he lost a N5m business deal.

He added, “They also disclosed to me that the President wants to see me and my case was boldly earmarked, First Family. Based on the foregoing, officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) maintained that the 2nd respondent (Hanan) must be available to clarify her allegations against me before I was allowed freedom from their facilities.

“That the 2nd respondent (Hanan) was contacted several times by officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) but the 2nd respondent (Hanan) declined making herself available by claiming that she was busy with studies in the United Kingdom.”

Okolie asked the court to declare that his long detention was an abuse of his fundamental human rights.

He asked the court to declare that the actions of the DSS contravened sections 35 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution.

Babangida Reveals The Only Soldier That Can Plan A Coup In Nigeria

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
Babangida Reveals The Only Soldier That Can Plan A Coup In Nigeria

Former military president of Nigeria, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, has said that only a stupid soldier will think of coup.

Speaking on Channels Television, Babangida insisted that the mindset of soldiers has changed.

“I can tell you no that only a stupid soldier will think of a coup d’état because this is outside their head, it is no longer in their psyche.

“It is no longer acceptable in Africa and in the world generally, so he is intelligent enough to know that if he stages a coup, the country will be ostracised in the world community of nations.

“There can be an uprising in your own country, so it’s no longer fashionable,” IBB said.

Babaginda also said this generation was only interested in moving the country forward as a united entity.

“You cannot convince me that this country should break; I wouldn’t talk to you for a long time because I know people died trying to keep the country one, so my generation will insist this country remains one.

“There are 200 million people in this country and there are some people in my generation and the one after mine, who will always believe in this country and those generations, will move this country towards the required objective,” he added.

Liverpool Trashes Mourihno’s Tottenham by 1 – 0

By
concoursemedia
-

Record-breaking Liverpool beat Tottenham 1-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to a yawning 16 points on Saturday as Southampton gained sweet revenge over high-flying Leicester.

Chelsea and Manchester United secured comfortable wins in the race for the top four but 10-man Arsenal fell further off the pace after a limp draw at Crystal Palace.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool secured their 20th win in 21 Premier League matches thanks to Roberto Firmino’s 37th-minute goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs had their chances to take at least a point as Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso missed the target with the goal gaping in the final 15 minutes.

The European champions have won 61 points in the Premier League — the most any side has ever registered after 21 games in a single season across Europe’s big five leagues, assuming three points for a win.

Their scarcely credible lead over second-placed Leicester means they are almost certain to claim their first English top-flight title for 30 years barring a calamitous collapse.

“We played super football in their box, but for 90-95 minutes you have to be ready,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports. “We were, but we still have to do better.”

Speaking about Liverpool’s record he said: “It’s special. To win the number of games, to always be ready to fight, that’s what the boys do.

“The only thing is that you don’t get anything for best starts. The only thing we’re interested in is what we can get in the summer. This league is so strong. We have to be ready.”

– Leicester lose –

Earlier, Southampton claimed their fifth win in their past six games in all competitions as they came from behind at the King Power Stadium to beat Leicester 2-1.

Dennis Praet fired the hosts into an early lead, but Stuart Armstrong’s deflected effort quickly pulled Hasenhuettl’s men level.

Danny Ings then scored his 10th goal in 11 games eight minutes from time and the visitors survived a late scare when Jonny Evans’s header was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Chelsea put their struggles at Stamford Bridge behind them with a 3-0 win over Burnley, who slid ever closer to the bottom three.

Jorginho opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Tammy Abraham gave Frank Lampard’s men breathing space before half-time.

Callum Hudson-Odoi then scored his first Premier League goal by converting Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross at the back post.

United ended a three-game winless run in style with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial once again leading the way for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in a 4-0 demolition of bottom-of-the-table Norwich.

Rashford marked his 200th appearance for the club with two goals and Martial and substitute Mason Greenwood were also on target.

Solskjaer was delighted with this team’s performance, which leaves them in fifth spot in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

But after the match he took fans at Old Trafford to task after angry protests aimed at unpopular owners the Glazer family and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

“As a club we’ve got to stick together, we’ve got to be united, we are a family,” said the United boss.

“I can only say from when I’ve been here I’ve been backed by the owners, I’ve been backed by Ed and they’re supporting me, so for me, make sure they stick together.”

Woodward has become a particular target for supporters in recent months, given the club’s on-field problems and his record in the transfer market.

– Aubameyang sees red –

Arsenal are now 11 points off the Champions League places as their revival under Mikel Arteta was halted by a red card for captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.

Aubameyang gave the Gunners a deserved first-half lead but the Eagles levelled thanks to Jordan Ayew’s deflected effort before a VAR review turned a yellow card for Aubameyang into a red for a reckless challenge on Max Meyer.

Wolves were held 1-1 at home by Newcastle while Everton bounced back from an embarrassing FA Cup exit to a youthful Liverpool side thanks to a moment of magic from Richarlison to beat Brighton 1-0.

During Spurs’ match against Liverpool, injured Tottenham forward Harry Kane tweeted an image of himself in his hospital bed following successful surgery on his damaged hamstring. He wrote: “First day of recovery starts now!”

Defending champions Manchester City travel to Aston Villa on Sunday, 17 points behind Liverpool.

Obasanjo storms Abiodun’s office with important advice

By
concoursemedia
-

Nigeria’s ex-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has paid a visit on the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

The former president was spotted at Abiodun’s Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Obasanjo reportedly hits Abiodun’s office at 11:45 a.m. and left at exactly 12:45 p.m., after a closed-door meeting.

The former president told newsmen that he came to greet the governor and wished him a Happy New Year.

According to him, “I have come to say happy New Year to the Governor. I have not been here since he (Abiodun) got here as the Governor, so, I came to welcome him to the seat.

“I also raised a few issues that I believe would be to the development of Ogun State in the area of education, agriculture, rural development, and other wonderful issues. We had a wonderful discussion,” Obasanjo said in a report by Vanguard.

He said he had visited the governor to rub minds with him on how to move the state forward to greater heights.

P.M. News

Amotekun: Fani-Kayode reacts to regional security initiative

By
concoursemedia
-

Former aviation minister and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Femi Fani-Kayode, has hailed the initiative of the regional security initiative ‘Amotekun’ by Southwest governors.

The Western Nigerian Security Network (WNSN) was inaugurated on Thursday and has been codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’.

According to the governors, which comprise Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Seyia Makinde of Oyo and Jide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, the sub-regional security initiative is to compliment the work of the Police.

The governors of the six South-West states have also stressed that the initiative is not an agenda to break up from Nigeria or override the federal government’s security system.

Reacting to the initiative, Fami-Kayode described the Amotekun initiative as the best thing that has happened to the Southwest states in the last 4 years.

He, however, encouraged Niger Delta and Igbo governors to emulate the initiative of the South Western Governors in tackling Insecurity.

He said via a tweet on Friday morning: “The Amotekun security outfit & initiative is the best thing that has happened to the SW states in the last 4 years. I commend the SW Governors & all those involved in its formation & establishment. I urge the Governors of SS (southsouth)/and SE(southeast) to do the same. Self-defence is the first law!”

 

Femi Fani Kayode – PM News

EFCC Speaks On Atiku’s Arraignment Over Alleged N75.3bn Fraud

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
EFCC Speaks On Atiku's Arraignment Over Alleged N75.3bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has categorically denied it will arraign Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar over alleged N75.3 billion fraud.

EFCC acting spokesman, therefore, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja stated, “EFCC wishes to state categorically that nothing of such took place”.

Orilade added, “The Commission also wishes to state that no statement or press release emanated from the spokesperson of the Commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren to that effect as claimed in the report, nor was there any involvement of any sort from the Commission’s prosecutor, Joy Amahian in the imaginary arraignment.

“The story remains the authors imagination and fake news.

“The Commission, therefore, urges the general public to disregard the fake news as handiwork of mischief makers”.

JUST IN: JAMB Suspends NIN Requirement For Prospective Candidates

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
JUST IN: JAMB Suspends NIN Requirement For Prospective Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has suspended the National Identity Number requirement for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

This follows public outcry and difficulty experienced by candidates trying to register for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

In a new initiative, JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, said the National Identity Management Commission will create registration centres at every computer-based test centres across the country “for candidates, who do not have the NIN to avoid difficulties in writing the examination.”

The board had in October 2019 announced that NIN will be a prerequisite for all prospective admission seekers to register for the 2020 UTME.

SaharaReporters had reported that some prospective UTME candidates expressed displeasure at the cumbersome process of registration and enrolment for the NIN.

A large number of candidates flooded the registration centres in Lagos and Abuja as personnel of the NIMC were unable to answer them all.

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