02/07/18

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Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has denied sending his Assistant Commissioner of Police, ASP, and Commander of the Police X-Squad in Benue, Olukayode Ayilara to collect N10 million from the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service, BIRS.

Mr. Idris disclosed this while addressing hundreds of protesting youths over an assault on chairman of the board, Mrs. Mimi Adzape-Orubibi in Makurdi.

The Police boss who spoke through the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni noted that “the IGP did not send anyone to collect money from BIRS”.

He said the officer in question had already been identified and had been invited to Abuja for interrogation even as he appealed to the protesting youths to sheathe their swords and allow for peace.

The Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni pleaded with the youths to vacate the road and allow free flow of traffic in the area.

On her part, the BIRS boss pleaded with the youths and members of the BIRS staff to stop the protest stressing that the governor and the Police CP had already taken up the matter.

New Telegraph who was at the scene of the protest observed that the timely intervention of the police command saved the protest from escalating into a violent one.


The protesting youths under the aegis of Coalition of Harmonized Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria had gathered and blocked a portion of the Makurdi/ Gboko Highway chanting protest song, “X-Squad Must Go” and bearing different placards with different inscriptions.

In an address, Spokesperson of the coalition, Solomon Semaka lamented what he described as harassment, intimidation, blackmail, vindictiveness and criminal take over of Benue IGR by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris through his police X-Squad and unlawful and criminal assault and threat to life of the BIRS Chairman by Ayilara.

Semaka noted that the Nigerian Police under IGP Ibrahim Idris had continued to carry on as if law was meant to serve itself other than the people adding that the coalition of over 100 civil society organizations had gathered to protest against the criminal take over of revenue collection due to Benue state government by the IGP and his X-Squad.

“We are constrained to believe that the IGP has submitted himself and the entire Nigerian police force to be used by the powers that be to frustrate the Benue state government. Otherwise, why will the IGP arrest tax collectors, seal tax offices, beat and intimidate revenue agents all over the state? Why will the IGP send Ayilara to demand for N10 million as logistics for the IGP from the state government.?”

The X- Squad new Commander had on Monday gone to the BIRS office and demanded for N10 million from the executive chairman, Mrs.  Mimi Orubibi, claiming it was an order from the IGP and when the Revenue boss demanded to know why, Ayilara allegedly pounced on her.

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Mr Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government has said that the reinstatement of Professor Usman Yusuf as the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not stop any ongoing investigation into the allegations of corruption levelled against him.

Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, said this on Wednesday in Abuja in his reaction to the controversy that trialed the reinstatement of the NHIS boss.

Professor Yusuf was suspended alongside eight other top officials of the agency in June 2017 by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, over the allegations of gross misconduct.

Following his suspension, the Minister had constituted a panel which reportedly found the NHIS boss culpable of nepotism and theft of public funds.

President Muhammadu Buhari, however, reinstated Professor Yusuf on Tuesday, February 6, coming more than seven months after his suspension.


Mr Mohammed, on his part, defended the President’s action while briefing State House correspondents shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting in the nation’s capital.

He said the government was not aware that the NHIS boss was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Information Minister noted that despite that, Yusuf’s reinstatement does not stop the anti-graft agency from proceeding with their investigation.

Far from the NHIS controversy, the ministers of finance and interior – Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau briefed reporters on the outcomes of the FEC meeting.

Mrs Adeosun who spoke on a $2.5billion external borrowing for refinancing noted that the FG Bonds dropped from about 16 – 16.50% to 13.50%.

According to her, this translates to savings for government on new borrowing while also making the cost of borrowing for the real sector cheaper

The Finance Minister further explained that estimated proceeds of the N762.5billion would be used to redeem the Treasury Bills.


On his part, Lieutenant General Dambazau announced an approval by the Council to procure 35 operational vehicles at the cost of N495million, including the value-added tax for the Immigrations.
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The Nigerian Army has launched a new operation code-named “Ayem Akpatuma”, meaning ‘Cat Race’ to tackle the crises between herdsmen and farmer as well as cases of kidnapping in Benue and other states.

Chief of Training and Operations, Major General David Ahmadu, announced this on Wednesday while briefing reporters at the Army Headquarters Conference Room in Abuja.

According to him, the operation will run from February 15 to March 31 in Benue, as well as Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states.

The deployment came after several killings involving farmers and herdsmen in the north-central region of the country which resulted in several deaths and destruction of property worth millions of naira.

Major General Ahmadu recalled that in 2017, the Army conducted several training activities for its personnel in different geopolitical zones of the country, in line with its constitutional role in aid of civil authority.

“Exercise Ayem Akpatuma has become more expedient due to the upsurge in cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Kaduna and Niger states, as well as other sundry crimes in Kogi State and herdsmen-farmers clashes and attacks on innocent members of our communities, particularly in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states by armed militias.

“These security challenges have continued unabatedly in these states despite the efforts by sister security agencies to curb them,” he said.

The Army chief further explained that the operation was necessary for troops to be exercised, refreshed and to imbibe the requisite skills to cope with emerging security challenges within the areas of responsibility in aid of civil authority.

He said it was also in line with the drive towards actualising the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, which is “To have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.”


“This exercise will be conducted in conjunction with other security agencies such as Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. It will also afford the troops an opportunity to effectively checkmate the dreadful activities of the marauding criminal militias perpetrating criminal acts in these States and its environs.

“Additionally, Exercise Ayem Akpatuma is also conceptualised to dovetail into real-time operations, thereby fulfilling both training and operations objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals when called upon,” Ahmadu added.

The Army assured Nigerians that the exercise would be unique as the ones before it, with the establishment of Step-Up Brigade Headquarters in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states.

According to them, emphasis would also be placed on raids, cordon and search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, roadblocks, checkpoints and show of force, as well as humanitarian activities such as medical outreach.

The Major General was confident that the operation would be another remarkable exercise that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security in troubled areas.

In this regard, he asked the residents of the states involved not to panic as their security, safety and well-being have been deliberately factored in the planning of the exercise.

“The troops taking part in the exercise would be guided by the Professional Code of Conduct, Rules of Engagement and the respect for human rights. Thus, the general public is requested to remain vigilant and be security conscious, as suspected criminals may be fleeing from military operations in these areas and finding a safe haven amidst our communities.

“The public is also reminded to report any suspicious activity or movement to the nearest military formation or other security agencies for prompt action. In order to ensure cordial civil-military relations, we shall make contact phone numbers of all Brigade Commanders public in addition to the Nigerian Army shortcode Information and Call  Centre 193,” said Ahmadu.
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The Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are considering a motion demanding the immediate removal of the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Jimoh Moshood, for making derogatory remarks against the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

In the motion sponsored by Rep. Mark Gbillah which enjoyed the support of most lawmakers, the conduct of the police officer was roundly condemned.

The motion seeks to have the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to provide an unreserved apology to the Benue state governor and also relieve the PPRO of his position.

Earlier, the Benue state Caucus of the House had addressed a press conference demanding the resignation of the PPRO over professional misconduct and partisanship.

According to the lawmakers, the statements of the Police Officer while appearing on the Channels Television Programme, Sunrise Daily, where he demanded the resignation of the Benue state governor indicates the partisanship of the Nigerian police as an agency.

After over an hour, the motion has been passed without amendment.


Mr Jimoh Moshood described Governor Samuel Ortom as a drowning man, when he engaged the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Terver Akase, in a heated argument over the series of violence that has left many to their early graves since the beginning of the year.

“And that is why we felt you don’t join issues with a drowning man,” he said in an apparent reference to the governor calling for the immediate resignation or sack of the IGP.


Things, however, did not seem to go down well with the CPS who interrupted him with a strong rebuttal, demanding a retraction of the statement.


At this point Mr Akase interrupts him, making it clear that he took exception to the statement, insisting that “the governor of Benue State is not a drowning man.”
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The Senate has rejected a report by its ad hoc committee mandated to find out why the IG of Police did not comply with an earlier directive from the Senate to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of killings in Benue State.

The Upper Chamber rejected the report presented by the Chairman of the committee Senator Abu Ibrahim for failing to speak with the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, to get his own side of the security issues in the state.

The Upper Chamber has refused to consider the report, instructing the committee to speak with the state governor and report back in one week.

The Senate had on January 16, 2018, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, to investigate and arrest the perpetrators of the Benue attacks that led to the death of over 73 persons.

The two chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday, condemned the wanton attacks by suspected herdsmen as they resumed plenary for the first time this year.


On its part, the House of Representatives also noted that it will set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the killings in Benue and other states of the country and report back in four weeks.
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Top Nigerian artists including Kiss Daniel and Falz are scheduled to storm Abuja on February 9 for the re-opening of one of Abuja’s popular Nite Club, ‘Switch Nightlife’.
Chairman of the club, Kehinde Adegbite, popularly known as Mallam Yankee who made this known at a forum in Abuja today said the re-opening of the entertainment center will hold February 9 and 10, 2018.
He said the programme would comprise both the reopening of the event place and unveiling of its new partners.
He said, the club, situated at Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, has been offering skeletal services since October 2017, and would fully be opened for business on February 10.
He said, “Yes, we have been operating, but it was a test-run. The next phase is the reopening (the rebirth) and the unveiling ceremony of our new Partners.
“This new partner to be unveiled in order to raise the bar of the club is no other person than Prince Bunmi Omisore.
“With Prince Bunmi, we will take nightlife to a different level in the country. Switch nightlife has come to set a standard and I’m sorry if competitors are unable to meet up with our pace. Our standard is global.’’
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Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State says his administration will continue to  support operations of the Nigerian Army  in the state to ensure effective security.
Ambode spoke at the Lagos House, Alausa,on Wednesday when he received the new General Officer Commanding, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.- Gen. Enebong Udoh, on a courtesy visit.
He said that his administration would support the military to put to an end kidnapping, illegal oil bunkering and other security challenges in the state.
He said a lot had been achieved in securing the state in the last 32 months.
The governor said the State Government would always support military operations designed to ensure residents go about their social and economic activities without let or hindrance.
He said as a government, security had been the major pillar of his administration, upon which the economic growth of the state was built.
Ambode said he remained committed to sustaining the successes recorded so far.
“I want to also say that I am going to scale up the activities of ‘Operation Mesa’ and I welcome the idea to set up new Army units that tackle issues that relate to kidnapping, smuggling and all the vices that we have.
“I am also very excited that we will soon have the presence of the Army in most of those areas that we are having troubles, such as Ikorodu, Epe, among others, so that we take security down to the people,” he said.
The governor said it was gratifying that Udoh was coming at a very significant time in the state, being an election year.
According to him, this calls for security to be kept 24 hours daily, considering the cosmopolitan nature of the state.
He expressed optimism that the new army chief would immediately join in the efforts to build on past successes and enhance security in the state.
Ambode commended all the security agencies in the state, and restated his commitment to support them to ensure security of lives and property.
Earlier, Udoh commended the governor for the massive support extended to security agencies, and in particular the Nigerian Army.
He said the development had greatly facilitated their operations in preventing and combating crimes in the state.
Udoh also thanked the State Government for swiftly responding to the ocean surge which affected Bonny Cantonment recently.
He sought further assistance of the governor in areas of operational vehicles, facelift for military formations in the state and support for special teams set up to combat illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping, among others.
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Rescuers continued on Wednesday to search for survivors of a deadly 6.0-magnitude earthquake which struck off the eastern coast of Taiwan, killing at least four people and injuring 225.
The city of Hualian was worst affected by the late Tuesday quake. A 60-year-old woman was killed when the city’s Marshal Hotel collapsed, trapping at least another two people inside, the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC).
A total of 116 people were evacuated from the 11-storey building.
A 66-year-old man was killed elsewhere in the city, CEOC said, while another two people were found dead in a 12-storey residential building that collapsed in the quake.
At least 225 people were injured, state-run Central News Agency reported, and at least 145 people were still missing.
President Tsai Ing-wen tried to reassure people on Wednesday, saying that rescue teams would work relentlessly to find those trapped by the quake.
In Hualien, almost 500 people were sent to temporary shelters, CEOC said, while 1,800 households were without power and another 40,000 households had no water.
Major roads were disrupted and cars were unable to cross some bridges, CEOC said.
The quake recorded a shallow epicentre, just 18.3 kilometres north of Hualien at a depth of 10 kilometres, Taiwain’s Central Weather Bureau said.
The quake, recorded at 11.50 pm local time Tuesday (1550 GMT), was felt across Taiwan and followed a spate of earthquakes over the past few days, according to the bureau.(dpa/LR News)
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ECOWAS has sanctioned 19 lawmakers and the son of President of Guinea, Jose Mario Vaz, son over the continued failure to end a political impasse.
The impoverished West African nation has been in the throes of a power struggle since August 2015, when Vaz sacked then prime minister Domingos Simoes Pereira.
A faction of 15 lawmakers in the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) has broken away in support of President Vaz while the majority backed Mr Pereira.
The sanctions, including a travel ban and a freeze of bank accounts, were signed on Sunday by Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe, who is current Ecowas chairman.
The restrictions target eight of the 15 rebels who back President Vaz, six lawmakers from the opposition Social Renovation Party (PRS) which has propped up the president in parliament, and five people close to him.
His son Emerson Vaz, a businessman, was one of those named.
Talks mediated by Guinean President Alpha Conde in October 2016 had led to a deal aimed at naming a new prime minister respected by all sides, with a view to organising legislative elections.
But little progress has been made towards the points laid out in the so-called Conakry Accord.
Ecowas took the decision due to the long impasse and after security forces blocked PAIGC members from holding a party congress.
The naming of a new prime minister, Mr Augusto Antonio Artur Da Silva, at the end of January was not met with satisfaction by Ecowas, who decried “the failure to appoint a Prime Minister of consensus”, as Da Silva was appointed by decree.
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