Air Peace has said that contrary to a recent online report, the former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Office, Mr Kingsley Kuku never purchased aircraft for the airline. It said the report was a rehash of old, false stories.

In a statement from the company’s Solicitors, Alegeh & Co, Air Peace said the report is not true, emphasizing that Kuku is neither a shareholder nor a director in the company and was not involved in any way with the airline.

“We are Solicitors to Air Peace Limited and Chief Allen Onyema. Our Clients have just become aware of an online story, claiming that Kingsley Kuku, the former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Office, purportedly used “billions of Naira stolen from the Presidential Amnesty Programme………. to purchase airplanes to start Air Peace”.

“The online story, in a bid to appear credible, refers to the United States Department of Justice [“DOJ”] as the source of this information”.

“On behalf of Our Clients, we hereby state unequivocally and for the records that the said online story is untrue, false, baseless and a rehash of old, false and untrue stories.

“Kingsley Kuku did not at any time purchase any airplanes for our client, Air Peace Limited, and he is not a shareholder or Director of Air Peace Limited.

“Kingsley Kuku is not in any way and/or manner connected to and/or involved in the ownership and operations of Air Peace Limited,” the statement said.

The company also stressed that Air Peace Limited was set up with legitimate funds borrowed from Nigerian banks and that of the owner and this has been investigated and verified over time.

“Air Peace Limited was set up with legitimate funds of Our Client, Chief Allen Onyema, who has been recognized and honoured internationally and locally for his work in promoting peace and ethnic harmony in Nigeria and with banking facilities obtained from banks.

“This false, untrue and baseless online story is a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image and legacy of Our Clients. There is no iota of truth in the said story and same should be ignored and disregarded,” the statement also said.(thenigerialawyer)

Armed Fulani herdsmen have again attacked residents of Southern Kaduna communities, killing many including a Christian cleric and abducting many.

The attacks, which took place in Kemari Rimi, Kallah, Gefe, Libere, Maraban Kajuru, Maraban Rido, Rafin Roro, Kawuwan Magani and Buda ward all in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State between August 16 and September 6 claimed a total of four lives.

Those killed in Buda are Reverend Alubara Audu, 45, Adamu Tata, 40, and Ishaku Peter, 37, while Sani Peter, 25 and Esther Sani Peter, 20, were abducted during the attack.

Until his death, Reverend Audu was a senior pastor of ECWA Hausa Buda LCB.

Few minutes away, the terror group simultaneously launched another attack on neighbouring Kemara Rimi where they abducted Ojo Aminu, 35, Danfulani Makaranta, 37, Namiji Gwamna, 36, Ali Musa, 36, and Grace Mathew, 16.

On August 16, the attackers struck again in Kallah Village on the banks of Kaduna River, killing a farmer, Danladi Abarshi, who attempted to go back to his village that was previously attacked and is currently occupied by the invaders.

His corspe was recovered few days later by the police, who discouraged native Adara people from going on the recovery mission.

Eleven days after on August 27, the terrorists laid siege on Maraban Kajuru, shooting one Sunday Barau and abducting Daniel Shuaibu and Abednego Paul.

Pius Hargai was also abducted from his family house in Maraban Rido.

They remain with their abductors, unable to meet the demand for ransom at the time of this report.

On September 2, four persons were again abducted from Rafin Roro Village in Kasuwan Magani Ward of Kajuru LGA.

One person escaped while others remain in captivity.

Awemi Dio Maisamari, National President of the Adara Development Association, said the purported peace dialogue happening in the area was turning out to be a ruse and a diversionary tactics to enable the attackers continue their activities.

He said, “With the continuation of such hostilities by Fulani herdsmen even when various peace moves are being initiated, it is becoming clearer that the purported dialogue is serving as a diversion to enable the attackers to continue their diabolical activities. We are left wondering whether it is worthwhile engaging in such dialogue and peace talks if this continues.

“The Adara Development Association wishes to state that the time for civil and security authorities and even Fulani community leaders to continue feigning ignorance of the perpetrators of these crimes and their whereabouts has since gone. Also, the challenge thrown by Governor el-Rufai asking for details of occupied villages in Southern Kaduna has since been adequately answered. Any further failure to adequately address these issues will be a confirmation that government is only interested in reeling out rhetoric while their actions and inactions serving as encouragement are speaking loudest.”

Recall that the Nigeria Bar Association cancelled the invitation of Governor el-Rufai of Kaduna State from speaking at its annual conference over alleged gross human rights violations and complicity in the Southern Kaduna genocide.

El-Rufai had also controversially said that some leaders in the state wanted money for peace to reign but his administration won’t appease ‘trouble makers’.

His statement generated national outrage with many accusing him of siding with the attackers instead of protecting all.

A young Nigerian man was recently spotted selling a portrait of suspected internet fraudster, Hushpuppi in traffic.

In the short video making the rounds on social media, the seller was spotted with a huge portrait of Hushpuppi.

By Ibironke Ariyo
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) INTERPOL i-24/7 desk has successfully uploaded 150, 000 Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (STLD) to INTERPOL Global System (IPSG) in Lyon, France seamlessly.

The Service spokesman, Mr Sunday James, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

James said that INTERPOL i-24/7 was a major system supporting arm manned by officers of the NIS at the unit in the Service Headquarters.

He said that the Comptroller General, NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede was updated in a brief on the development by the team in view of the report received of the success so far.

He added that the Nigerian SLTD detection and tracking system domiciled at the NIS Headquarters has successfully yielded result and worth appreciating by Nigerians and the global Community.

“This is an effort put in place by the Service team to rid the world of attempts and deliberate acts leading to identity theft, frauds and other organised crimes perpetrated globally using SLTD.

“This integration according to INTERPOL POLICE GLOBAL SYSTEM (IPSG) is the first in Africa and 54th in the World.

“By implication, this feat has enabled Nigeria to upload 150,000 SLTD to IPSG-Lyon, France through a secure channel on Monday 7 Sept. 2020.

“This success was achieved with the immense support of the Interpol Global System (IPSG) United States National Central Bureau (USNCB) Washington, National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja and the NIS team.

“The successful integration and uploading of such quantity of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) among member nations on the Interpol Global System (IPSG) was worth recognising ” he said. (nannews)

The Judiciary of the Cross Rivers State has been without Chief Judge for the past few days, as the tenure of the then Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Maurice Eneji has constitutionally elapsed on the 3rd day of September 2020 having served the last second term acting constitutional tenure of three months prescribed.

TheNigerialawyer (TNL), recalls that twice the NJC had recommended that the Cross River State government and the State House of Assembly should confirm and swear in Justice Akon Ikpeme as the substantive Chief Judge of the state given the fact that she is the most senior Judge in the state.

This has generated several divided opinions across quarters, some suggesting that the State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has influenced her non-confirmation, in order to make the next most senior State High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Eneji to become the Chief Judge.

Besides, opinions have it that he has refused to be confirmed as the Chief Judge on the premise that she did not hail from Cross Rivers State. This is because her parents hailed from Akwa Ibom but she has been in the service of Cross Rivers State for quite some time. she served as the Director of Public Prosecution in the State Ministry of Justice before she became a Judge.

In addition, she was accused of being neglect in the discharge of her duties when she served as an Acting Chief Judge.

However, the Nigerian Bar Association Branches of Calabar, Ikom & Ogoja have expressed their dissatisfaction with the current development.

In a statement by the Chairmen of these NBA Branches said this development would not augur well in the Nigerian Legal Profession.

Besides, they noted that creating a vacuum in a very paramount arm of Government, Judiciary will not be condoned with levity.

Thus, the Branches called on Governor Ben Ayade, National Judicial Council (NJC), and the State House of Assembly to as a matter of urgency fill the existing vacuum. (thenigerialawyer)

…Urge unsatisfied individuals to approach court

​​​​​​​​​The Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) under the leadership of the Co-Chairmen, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Rev. Samson Ayokunle, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have advised the National Assembly to be objective on the Companies and Allied Matter Act, 2020 (CAMA), and accept an amendment or repeal.

Following the controversy over the CAMA 2020, NIREC advised all well-meaning individuals or groups with genuine complaints to approach the court or the National Assembly to avoid generating tension.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the NIREC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua, the religious body pleaded for understanding, while urging stakeholders to push for an amendment.

NIREC said:” the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) under the leadership of the Co-Chairmen, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Rev. Dr. Samson Supo Ayokunle, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has noted with concern the controversy that is brewing after the National Assembly passed the Companies and Allied Matter Act, 2020 (CAMA) and it was subsequently assented to by the President.

“NIREC is aware that CAMA is 30 years old before the passage of the CAMA 2020. NIREC is also aware that laws are amended, reviewed or reformed periodically to address socio-economic changes in the society. It is, therefore, not surprising that the National Assembly decided to pass the CAMA 2020. This is more imperative in view of the need for our country to improve its ranking in ease of doing business and fight against corruption.

“NIREC is aware that it is the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to make laws for peace, order and good government in Nigeria. We are, however, advised and guided that in the legislative process, laws may emanate from the National Assembly or from the Executive or any of its agencies as well as from private individuals or groups. We also noted with admiration that from time to time, the National Assembly, in the course of its law-making process, invites stakeholders to participate in public hearings before a Bill is passed.

“This good practice of engagement with stakeholders before passing any law must continue as the citizens will be happier with a law that contains their input. NIREC calls on the National Assembly to therefore listen objectively to the reactions of the citizens on CAMA in the spirit of democracy while the citizens should be law abiding in the spirit of patriotism.

“All citizens should be aware that even after following due legislative process in making any law (including CAMA 2020), it does not become sacrosanct. Citizens with genuine observations are free to express them. NIREC advises all well-meaning individuals and groups to be patient on this issue that has constitutional and democratic solutions. One of the beauties of democracy is that citizens have their representatives in the legislature. Apart from the representatives, sponsorship of private Bills is allowed.

“All those aggrieved by the passage of the CAMA 2020 should therefore resort to the legislative process by proposing either an amendment or repeal of the CAMA 2020. It will then be left for the National Assembly to consider such Bills in their own merit.” (thenigerialawyer)

The embattled Kogi Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdulmumuni Danga, has been charged to court for alleged raped.

The Police in Abuja perfected charges against Danga for alleged rape and brutalisation of one Elizabeth Oyeniyi in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The police, in a seven-count criminal charge filed against the Commissioner, at a Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division, accused him of rape and brutality among others.

According to the charge sheet signed by the State Prosecutor, ACP Effiong Asuquo and filed on September 4, 2020, Danga would be prosecuted by the police on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Commissioner is to be arraigned alongside one Success Omadivi, 35.

The offences leveled against Danga include falsification of documents and threatening of a medical officer to forge test result, having carnal knowledge of Ms Onyeniyi without her consent, inflicting physical injury and torture by flogging.

All the offences are contrary to multiple sections of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.

The charge sheet read in parts:
“That you Abdulmumuni Danga ‘M’ with other persons now at large; on or about the 29th day of March, 2020 at Lokoja; within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did falsify an audio recording purporting same to be the audio of Dr Chinonyerem Welle, Medical Director, Police Hospital, Area 1, Garki, Abuja saying that she issued medical report for the rape and assault of Elizabeth Onyeniyi ‘F’ unlawfully; and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 7 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

“That you Abdulmumuni Danga ‘M’, Success Omadavi ‘F’ with other persons now at large; on or about the 29th day of March, 2020 at Lokoja; within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did falsify an audio recording purporting same to be a lady talking to another female saying that Elizabeth Onyeniyi ‘F’ confessed to her that she was not raped by the defendant, Abdulmumuni Danga ‘M’ but that it was Natasha that asked her to say she was raped; and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 7 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015”.

While justifying the transfer of the case to Abuja, the Police Officer who conducted the investigation, Amaka Okoh, stated if the case was prosecuted in Lokoja or anywhere in Kogi State, there was a probability that Ms Oyeniyi and other witnesses could be victimised by Danga, who is a politician.

“That in view of the above security concern, it is desirable that this matter be tried in the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja,” stated Okoh, in an affidavit she signed and submitted to the court.

Oyeniyi had accused Danga of brutalising her after he allegedly raped her severally on March 29.

She explained further the Commissioner humiliated and raped her severally with a threat to kill her but for the presence of her child. (thenigerialawyer)

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has called on northern traditional rulers not to relent in spearheading the campaigns to avoid the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the region, stressing that the cost of treating COVID-19 patients is very expensive.

The governor who made the call on Monday at the executive committee meeting of the traditional rulers chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, noted that it costs about N400,000 to treat one COVID-19 patient.

While noting that traditional rulers have critical roles to play in ensuring that people at the grassroots adhere to government’s directives as part of measures to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus and other diseases, El-Rufai told the customary leader that treating the infected is digging a big hole in the government’s coffers.

He, however, said that the challenges in the treatment of the pandemic make it imperative that people desist from activities that will promote the spread of the virus in the northern region and the country at large.

Traditional rulers from the nineteen northern States met in Kaduna on Monday to discuss the security and socio-economic challenges confronting the region particularly in the southern part of the state.

The meeting was chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto while describing the killings in Southern Kaduna as total madness, said the time has come for all stakeholders including government and traditional rulers to rise up and find solutions to the lingering crises.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned protest in Rivers State following an agreement with the State Government.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim said officials of NLC led by its National President, Ayuba Wabba, reached the agreement in a meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Wabba reportedly read the agreement on the implementation of the new national minimum wage and consequential adjustments saying the parties to the dispute agreed to sign it.

He said the state NLC secretariat sealed for correction of structural defects would be unsealed while the government continued with the work.

He said the State Government would immediately restore the remittance of check-off dues and pay all outstanding arrears to the respective labour unions.

He said the government would pay the salaries withheld from health workers due to the 2017 strike action.

The NLC President also said the parties agreed to set up a tripartite committee to resolve the adjustment of pensions in line with the constitution and payment of Pension and Gratuity.

Wabba said the parties agreed to take steps to discontinue all ongoing litigations in relation to hitherto disputed matters.

He added that no worker would be victimised for their involvement in the industrial dispute with the government.

He commended Governor Nyesom Wike for his statesmanship that facilitated the resolution of the dispute.

The statement said Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the State Government; Rufus Godwins, Head of Service; Paulinus Nsirim, Commissioner for Information and Communications and Dr. Ayebaesin Beredugo signed on behalf of Rivers State Government.

It also said that Emmanuel Ugboaja, Gen. Secretary, NLC; Musa Lawal, Secretary-General, TUC; Mrs Beatrice Itubo, Chairman, NLC Rivers State; Austin Jonah, Chairman, TUC, Rivers State; Chuku Emecheta, JPSNC, Rivers State and Obi Fortune, Secretary-General, TUC, Rivers State signed on behalf of the Organized Labour. (thenigerialawyer)