EFCC Storms IMSU Alliances - Arrests Suspects, Carts Away Cars

Earlier today operatives of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed Flora and Faith Villas in Okwu-Uratta Students' Alliance (OSA), Okwu-Uratta Community of Imo State University, Owerri and arrested about 10 suspects, Duru Victor confirms.

Sources claim the swoop by the men of the EFCC took place in the wee hours of the day, around 4:00am. Men of the EFCC were reported to have carted away with some cars (Benz) belonging to some of the suspects while rounding-up about 10 suspects.

Reacting to the operation, the President of Okwu-Uratta Students' Alliance (OSA) Comr. Precious Godwin aka Dr. Lens has frowned at the incident and actions by the men of the EFCC.

In a statement made to Correspondent Duru Victor when contacted, he accused the EFCC of intimidation and infringing on the fundamental human rights of the students who are only going about their normal businesses.

He called on the state government and the state police to look into the matter and ensure that the innocent students are returned to their lodges and hostels in one piece.

In a similar vein and in commando-like fashion men of the EFCC also stormed Bishop's Court and Aladinma alliances for suspected "Yahoo boys and 419ers".

As of the time of filing this report the arrested students haven't been returned to their lodges.

#Duru_Victor_reports

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TINUBU WON’T BE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA –BODEJO, MIYETTI ALLAH President.

The North should retain power in 2023. 

National President, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Abdullahi Bodejo, has dismissed the possibility of the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. In this interview with The Sun, he spoke on a number of issues and stated that power will still remain in the North after Buhari.

What is your reaction to the claim by some people that Buhari having won his election is indifferent to all these killings?

People can say all sorts of things. If Buhari is not concerned about the situation, why did he direct the Army to go there to stop the killings? Even we, sometimes, we are not happy the way the president is giving directive to go there and operate. He should make sure that the real criminals there are fished out and dealt with. The truth is that some people who lost the last election are saying all kinds of things and they will never say Buhari is doing well. But I know that Buhari is trying to do the right things; remember that Buhari will not go and carry out his orders himself in the bush where all these things are happening.

Do you agree with those who insist that all these killings are because of the high level of poverty in your region and that Buhari is not doing enough to reduce the scourge?

Is Buhari the governor of Kebbi, Kaduna, Borno and other parts of the North? The governors get allocations and they should all use that to tackle the problems of their state. It is only the Federal Government that people can make a noise about. The president is in charge of the Federal Government; let the governors also take charge of their states.

Some prominent voices in the North are already projecting that after President Buhari that power will not come down to the Southern region; do you support the North retaining power in 2023?

Yes, power is going to remain in the North. Tell me one person in the South that is nationally accepted that can rule Nigeria like Buhari? The people who made Nigeria what it is today are from the North. People like Awolowo and Zik tried but where are such people in the South now? That time, they were patriotic and they did not allow themselves to be deceived with the issues of religion and ethnicity. They were patriotic and they believed in Nigeria. But most of the people now from the South who say they want to be president of Nigeria are not patriotic. They are selfish. Most politicians from the North are concerned about the unity of Nigeria and how to keep the country together, and not what they will gain from the position. God forbid that some kind of people would start ruling the country; I see some people that if you give them power, they can just concentrate everything in one area.

 You are by implication saying that if a Southerner takes over from Buhari that he may just concentrate appointments and infrastructural developments in the South but that is the same thing the president is being accused of with regards to privileges to the North

Let me tell you the truth; in Nigeria, nobody can operate like Buhari. Even if another president comes from the North, he will not be able to lead like Buhari. He gives the people a sense of belonging and not considering anybody as more important than the other. He does not consider people based on tribe, royalty, status and so on; everything he does is based on merit. Nobody can copy or replicate what Buhari is doing.

From the way you are sounding, is it that you do not believe in the rotation of power between the North and South?

Do you know that if you go to some parts of the South, if they see an Hausa man, they would say he is a Boko Haram member or derogatorily, they will say ‘Onye Hausa’. That kind of hatred has been there among some Southerners. It will be difficult for the Igbo to rule this country because they have something in their mind that is not good. The country is more than a tribe coming to hate some ethnic region, religion and so on. They should know that Nigeria is one.

The South West has been supporting Buhari, and power brokers from the region were instrumental to the formation of the APC and the President’s victory in 2015. Why are you not in support of power going to the South West?

You are talking about 2015; it has passed and is now history. Remember that former President Olusegun Obasanjo ruled the country for eight years. In 2019, the South West gave Buhari 50 per cent of their votes and you say they should be supported to be president. They played real politics in 2019. I am not a politician but they played the real game of politics in 2019. They divided their votes 50/50 for the two major parties. Nobody should say the South West made Buhari to win. No; Buhari won the election clearly and he was voted by all Nigerians who love him. Nobody should come out to say, he is the person that made Buhari to win. Even spirits voted for Buhari in the election.

Do you know that without the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Tinubu, Buhari would not have made it in 2015?

I have told you that 2015 is now history. Even me talking to you now, do you know the role I played in 2015? People played all manner of politics in 2015 and Tinubu was not the only person. What I know is that Tinubu cannot be the president of Nigeria. That is the truth.  He is very old and maybe older than President Buhari. Some people see Tinubu like one big masquerade but he is not. Some think that he is the Yoruba leader but he is not. He is also like Obasanjo; some people see the former president as a small god but he is not. In my last interview before the election, I said it that Obasanjo has only one vote like any other person. What happened? Did it not turn out like that? Everybody’s eyes are already open now. If Tinubu is recognized by the Yoruba people as their leader, why did Buhari score 50 per cent there? Why did he not ask them to give him like even 60 per cent at least? Tinubu has failed and that is the truth. Or are you telling me that Tinubu did anti-party activities by telling the South West to share the votes 50/50 to APC and PDP? - The Sun

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Imo State Polytechnic Relocated to Ehime Mbano By Governor Rochas Okorocha

Following the establishment of Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the premises of the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, with campus at Aboh/Ngor Okpala, the Imo State Polytechnic is hereby relocated to Ehime Mbano with a campus at the site of Ahiara Polytechnic, Ahiara, and another campus at the site of the Imo State University of Medical Sciences pending their recognition.

The Imo State Polytechnic campus, Orlu is named Bishop Shanahan Polytechnic, Orlu with a campus at the site of Mbonu Ojike Polytechnic, Arondizuogu.

And to ensure the smooth-take-off of these laudable new institutions, the following persons are hereby appointed as members of the Governing Councils.

A. IMO STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

VICE CHANCELLOR: 

PROF. PETER AKANWA

CHAIRMAN:               

REV. FR. WENCESLAUS MADU cmf

MEMBERS

1.PERMANENT SECRETARY,

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

2. PERMANENT SECRETARY,

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

3.PERMANENT SECRETARY,

TERTIARY EDUCATION

4.OWERRI ZONE                    -         

OKENZE SYLVESTER OBINNA

5.OKIGWE ZONE                   -         

HRH EZE EMMANUEL IBECHI

6. ORLU ZONE                         -         

HON. JERRY OKOLI

7.TRADITIONAL                    -         

HRH EZE I. OBIEFULE

In the same vein, the following persons have been appointed as members of Bishop Shanahan Polytechnic Orlu, and Imo State Polytechnic Ehime Mbano, respectively:

B. BISHOP SHANAHAN POLYTECHNIC ORLU

RECTOR: PROF. ALOYSUIS ONYEKA

CHAIRMAN: DR. (MRS.) UCHE EJIOGU

MEMBERS

1.PERMANENT SECRETARY,

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

2.PERMANENT SECRETARY,

 MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

3.PERMANENT SECRETARY,

TERTIARY EDUCATION

4.OWERRI ZONE                 -         

HON. CHINYERE UWANWU

5.OKIGWE ZONE                -         

EMMA NWOSU

6.ORLU ZONE                      -         

CHIEF FESTUS ANWIAGU

C.IMO STATE POLYTECHNIC EHIME MBANO

RECTOR:DR. KINGSLEY .I. EKECHUKWU

CHAIRMAN:HON. INNOCENT EKE

MEMBERS

1.PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF FINANCE

2.PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

3PERMANENT SECRETARY, TERTIARY EDUCATION

4. OWERRI ZONE                    -         

HON. (MRS.) EGO IBEH

5.OKIGWE ZONE                   -         

HON. JOY MBAWUIKE

6.ORLU ZONE                                 

ALHJI OZO

Sam Onwuemeodo

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

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Court Set To Commit Guaranty Trust Bank’s MD Segun Agbaje and Its Chairman Mrs Osaretin Demuren To Prison Over Contempt Charge.

The Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Segun Agbaje, Its Chairman Mrs Osaretin Demuren and the Company Secretary Erhi Obebeduo are set to physically appear before the Federal High Court Awka to show cause why they should not be committed for contempt and sent to prison for their willful, deliberate, wanton and unlawful violation of the subsisting Orders of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, Awka division and or for interfering with or obstructing due administration of Justice as epitomized by acts of hooliganism, thuggery, extreme lawlessness and condemnable impunity exhibited by them on the 29th and 30th of March, 2019 and on the 1st of April 2019.

The relief is contained in an application filed before the court by Counsel to Innoson Nigeria Ltd, Prof McCarthy Mbadugha ESQ against Guaranty Trust Bank on its acts of thuggery, extreme hooliganism and outright lawlessness in breaking into all the properties of GTB which have been distressed and seized by the Court bailiffs/sheriffs while executing a writ of fifa issued by the Court.

It should be recalled that Prof McCarthy Mbadugha ESQ obtained from the Court the requisite leave and necessary process for levying execution- the writ of fifa against GTB who failed to obey the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal’s Order affirming the Garnishee order absolute issued by the Federal High Court Ibadan in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/603/2006- ordering the bank to pay Innoson Nigeria Ltd the judgment sum of N2.4 Billion with a 22% interest, per annum, on the judgment sum until the final liquidation of the judgment. The Judgment debt of N2.4Billion has an accrued interest of over N6.7Billion as at today, thereby resulting in the total outstanding judgment debt being over N9 Billon as at today.

However, GTB through acts of thuggery, hooliganism, lawlessness and outright impunity committed in the company of thugs and hoodlums procured by the cited parties- Segun Agbaje, Mrs Osaretin Demuren, Erhi Obebeduo -obstructed the Court bailiffs/Sheriffs from executing the orders of the Court and also un-distressed and released from seizures all the properties of the banks seized and attached by the bailiffs/Sheriffs. These acts were in furtherance and in realization of the bank’s Press Release on 29th March 2019 that the execution is illegal and fraudulent and that it will resist it by any means necessary. 

Innoson Nig Ltd through its counsel Prof McCarthy Mbadugha Esq in its Motion on Notice has sought the following prayers among others;

- An ORDER of this Honourable Court commanding and or mandating the appearance of the cited parties on a day, date, time and venue as may be deemed fit by this Honourable Court to physically appear and show CAUSE why they should not be  committed for contempt and sent to PRISON for the wilful, deliberate, wanton and unlawful violation of the subsisting Orders of this Honourable Court and or interfering with or obstructing the court’s due administration of Justice as epitomized by acts of hooliganism, thuggery, extreme lawlessness and condemnable impunity as exhibited on the 29th and 30th of March, 2019 and on the 1st April, 2019.

- AN ORDER that the acts of thuggery, extreme hooliganism and outright lawlessness  of the garnishee/debtor and or the parties cited in this application in breaking into all the properties of the garnishee/debtor distressed, attached and seized by the bailiffs/sheriffs of the Honourable Court pursuant to a writ of fifa issued by the Honourable Court for that purpose and retrieved those properties, undistressed as well as released them from attachment and or seizure amounts to a grievous contempt of this Honourable Court of the worst specie.

- AN ORDER that the acts of thuggery, extreme hooliganism and outright lawlessness of the cited parties in obstructing and in stopping the Sheriffs/bailiffs of the Honourable Court from attaching, seizing and distressing the properties of the Garnishee/Debtor amounts to wilful and contemptuous violation of the subsisting orders of this Honourable Court as well as obstructing and interfering with the course of justice and due administration of justice.

- AN ORDER denying the Garnishee/Debtor, the cited parties - contemnors - or any other person affiliated or related to them, their counsel further or other audience or an opportunity to seek judicial intervention or palliatives before this Honourable Court – or any other Court of the Federal High Court until they purge themselves of contempt.

Cornel Osigwe

Head Corporate Communications

Innoson Group

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Senate rejects motion to declare Kogi oil producing State

The Senate, Wednesday stood down the motion seeking to recognize Kogi State as an oil producing State.

It also suspended further discussion on the motion for the Federal government to include the state among oil-producing states with all benefits and privileges.

This development followed an adopted motion sponsored by Senator Isaac Alfa representing Kogi East Senatorial district titled, “Need to recognize Kogi State as an Oil Producing State”.

Alfa in his lead debate explained that oil exploration commenced in Ibaji as far back as 1952 in the villages of Odeke, Echeno, Ihile, Anocha/Uchuchu, Omabo, Ikah, Iregwu and Ujeh, all in Ibaji community of the present day Ibaji Local Government Area of the state by Shell BP (now SPDC), Elf (now Total Fina Elf) and AGIP Energy.

Further, the lawmaker recalled that the three companies collectively drilled 25 exploration wells, 2 appraisal wells and 8- core drill wells in the entire Anambra Basin out of which majority of the wells fall within Kogi State.

Also, Alfa added that the exploration of oil activities in the state and part of Anambra basin was later abandoned until July 18, 2001 when former late Governor Prince Abubakar Audu wrote to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Abuja to remind him of earlier discovery of crude oil at Odeke, Echeno and Anocha communities in Ibaji local government of the State.

The Senate, Wednesday stood down the motion seeking to recognize Kogi State as an oil producing State.

It also suspended further discussion on the motion for the Federal government to include the state among oil-producing states with all benefits and privileges.

This development followed an adopted motion sponsored by Senator Isaac Alfa representing Kogi East Senatorial district titled, “Need to recognize Kogi State as an Oil Producing State”.

Alfa in his lead debate explained that oil exploration commenced in Ibaji as far back as 1952 in the villages of Odeke, Echeno, Ihile, Anocha/Uchuchu, Omabo, Ikah, Iregwu and Ujeh, all in Ibaji community of the present day Ibaji Local Government Area of the state by Shell BP (now SPDC), Elf (now Total Fina Elf) and AGIP Energy.

Further, the lawmaker recalled that the three companies collectively drilled 25 exploration wells, 2 appraisal wells and 8- core drill wells in the entire Anambra Basin out of which majority of the wells fall within Kogi State.

Also, Alfa added that the exploration of oil activities in the state and part of Anambra basin was later abandoned until July 18, 2001 when former late Governor Prince Abubakar Audu wrote to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Abuja to remind him of earlier discovery of crude oil at Odeke, Echeno and Anocha communities in Ibaji local government of the State.

But Senator Chukwuka Utazi representing Enugu North differed on the prayers of the motion.

He said, “We agreed that instead of dissipating energy and quarreling, the three states should combine and make a presentation on a common front. That the three states should be declared oil producing and the percentage worked out.

“We brought this issue here and after deliberation, this Senate directed the committees on Petroleum, Upstream to look into this issue with the boundary commission to solve the problem”.

Also, deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in his contribution corroborated Utazi’s contribution.

He said, “I will like to align myself with Senator Chukwuka Utazi. This matter has been visited, and I had expected him to either speak to senator Dino Melaye who is a more experienced Senator to give him proper guidance or even seek the guidance of the Rules and Business committee on what has happened on this matter.

“Our order paper today is very heavy with items; I think we should do ourselves a world of good to advise our friend and colleague to humbly withdraw the motion so that we can look at other issues on the course list (order paper).

“But the truth of the matter is that even if we had not discussed the matter before, we cannot by any stroke of imagination come up with a motion to declare any State oil producing, otherwise we can wake up one day and say that the whole of Nigeria is oil producing. So, I want to appeal to my colleague to withdraw the motion.

“Since the National Boundary Commission is already handling the Matter as he admitted in the body of his motion, we cannot take over the job of the boundary commission”.

It was on the above consideration that Senate President, Bukola Saraki hit the gavel in approval that the key prayer of the motion is suspended.

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BREAKING: Shi’ites Break Into National Assembly, Chase Armed Policemen Away

Members of the movement were initially peaceful in their conduct although they were chanting anti-government songs from outside the gate. But the situation turned awry when some of them suddenly descended on the gate, shaking it vigorously until they succeeded in forcing it open, almost causing a stampede because of the crowd.

There is pandemonium currently at the main gate of National Assembly in Abuja as members of Islamic Movement Of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shi’ites have forced their way into the assembly complex and chased away armed policemen on duty. 

The protesters besieged the National Assembly in continuation of protests to commemorate the 68th birthday anniversary of their spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention since 2015.

Members of the movement were initially peaceful in their conduct although they were chanting anti-government songs from outside the gate.

But the situation turned awry when some of them suddenly descended on the gate, shaking it vigorously until they succeeded in forcing it open, almost causing a stampede because of the crowd. 

Some of the policemen attached to the gate tactically took to their heels, as the protesters trooped in with chants of 'Allahu Akbar'.

 

It took the appeal of leaders of the movement to stop the crowd from advancing into chambers of the assembly proper.

Despite provocation by the protesters, the Police remained calm and peaceful and only pleaded with them not to go into the chamber.

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Wole Soyinka Explodes In Deep Anger, Mentions Obasanjo, Jonathan, As He Moves Against Buhari’s Government

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has taken a swipe against former and present Nigerian leaders including Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Nigerian poet, who was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature, slammed President Muhammadu Buhari, for his “slow response” in dealing with the terror caused by the Fulani herdsmen, across many parts of Nigeria.

He said that Buhari has failed on the security threat posed by the herdsmen, adding that, he was repeating the mistakes of his Predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, in not dealing with the Boko Haram menace, in a timely and adequate fashion.

“The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny”, he said.

Soyinka appeared on the BBC’s Hardtalk programme, which was anchored by Zeinab Badawi and monitored by Post Nigeria.

Reacting to Badawi’s question that he backed Buhari in 2015, describing the ex-Army General as a “reformed Democrat”, Soyinka disclosed that Buhari “won by default” in 2015, because it was difficult to back Jonathan, and which meant supporting a continuation of the corruption associated with that regime.

“As it happened, yes, I did use that expression ‘born again democrat.’ When somebody competes in an election three, four times and persists, he must believe in democracy… the circumstances in Nigeria, the fact that Nigerians have shown the military what a huge failure they were makes it possible for one to identify the possibility of exceptions when they seem to behave like Democrats.

“But in any case, I kept emphasizing that Nigerians had a very difficult choice and as I said, it was between the devil and the deep blue sea,” he said.

Asked to comment about the 2019 presidential election, he said, “The 2019 election is one of the most depressing elections we’ve been through. Talking for myself, it wasn’t possible for me to make a choice for the simple reason that both candidates (President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar) had histories – one immediate, one past – which made one look for alternatives.”

On security, Soyinka criticized Jonathan’s ineffective response to Boko Haram but placed the blame for failing to nip the problem in the bud, at the feet of Olusegun Obasanjo, who was President, from 1999 to 2007.

He said: “Obasanjo contributed to the emergence of Boko Haram, by not preventing the first Governor in one of the Northern States, from establishing a “theocratic State”.

Soyinka maintained that the President failed to act because he was “compromised” by his ambition to continue in Office beyond the second term limit.

He was, however, silent about why Buhari’s response to the killings of the herdsmen was so inadequate and said little about how the problem could be tackled effectively.

The Playwright also stated that his generation has failed Nigerians as the dreams people of his generation had about the country had not materialized.

Soyinka gave the above response when he was asked: “Has your generation of older Nigerians failed the people?” The Nobel laureate said;

“Yes, I believe so. I compare today with the dreams and aspirations we had when we all rushed home after studies abroad. We considered ourselves the renaissance people that were going to lift the continent to world standards, competitors anywhere. It hasn’t happened.” 

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Okorocha Lead Rescue Mission Family Abandons Chike Okafor, Support Tinubu's Choice

It surprising and shocking, to note that members of the Rescue Mission Family ably led by His Excellency, Governor Rochas Okorocha instead of showing solidarity to one of their own, Hon Chike Okafor who is contesting for the speakership seat of the Federal House of Representatives, had rather thrown their support to the Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu endorsed South West candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Femi Gbajabiamila.

While it was reported in the media yesterday that Okorocha’s Son-in-law, UCHE NWOSU had urged members of the rescue mission government elected to the House of Representatives to support APC and President Buhari's choice candidate, stating that if the President has endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila, they should queue behind him, which is to him the best thing to do.

Today again, an Owerri based newspaper reported that the three elected members of the House of Representatives under the APC/AA alliance, namely Kingsley Chima Uju, Paschal Obi, Ugonna Ozuruigbo have endorsed the Femi Gbajabiamila project as against the South East agitation for the speakership of the House of Representatives, more so when of one them and a very important member of the rescue mission family, Hon Chike Okafor is seriously contesting for the same position.

To collaborate this dangerous political betrayal of the century, the Deputy Speaker Imo State House of Assembly and Member of the House of Representatives-elect, for Nwangele/Njaba /Isu /Nkwerre federal constituency, Hon Ugonna Ozurigbo had this afternoon openly canvassed support for Femi Gbajabiamila and even coordinating for him in the South Eastern States.

OZB stated  "As the Southeast Coordinator of the Femi Gbajabiamila Speakership Campaign, I want to categorically state that the Southeast Caucus are unflinchingly in support of the party and Mr. President, who has urged us all to fall behind the candidacy of this fine legislator.

My support for Hon. Gbajabiamila is not built on personal interest but due to the collective will of the mass of members of the House of Representatives who see him as the right candidate to steer the House appropriately.

With Gbajabiamila We Stand."

The development had raised dust in Imo Polity, members of the rescue mission government had come to defend the decision of their members supporting Femi Gbajabiamila on what they alleged, Hon Chike Okafor betrayal of trust by the loss of an important vote in his Obowo LGA for the Ugwumba Uche Nwosu gubernatorial election.

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Imo State Governor Elect His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, was at the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council UK

Today, the Imo State Governor Elect His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, was at the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council UK, the investment arm of the Commonwealth Nations, to discuss on areas of cooperation and assistance to Imo State by the member states, when He assumes office.

His Excellency was received by the Director of operations of CEIC, Sean Leno. The CEIC directors at the High Level Strategic Business meeting were, The Chief Executive, Allan Gemmell OBE, Director of Business Development AQ Hamza and Sean Leno, the Director of Operations.

The CEIC representatives Congratulated His Excellency on his well deserved victory at the polls and committed to assisting Imo State in the following areas: Support to the SME's, Investment promotion, Agricultural potentials, encouraging commonwealth investors to the state, and making Imo an Investment hub, amongst other things.

The Governor Elect had in his entourage the Owerri Zone Senator Elect Hon Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Hon Bede Eke, Hon Member elect Uche Ogbuagu, Barr. Chima Nwanna (TTC Secretariat) and Barr Anselem Okorie Secretary TTC Diaspora Initiative Sub-committee.

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Imo Assembly recalls suspended lawmakers six months after

The recalled lawmakers were Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano), Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru), Ifeanyi Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli), Donatus Onuigwe (Oru West), and Kenna Nzeruo (Oru West).

The Speaker, who announced the development, said that the recalled lawmakers were invited for an interaction during an executive session.

The lawmakers were, in October 2018, suspended by their colleagues in what was described as “unparliamentary” conduct.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Speaker had, on April 11, invited the suspended members to an interface at the executive session of April 16 to discuss their possible readmission

He issued the invitation following a motion by Mr. Chika Madumere (AGAP-Nkwerre) at plenary.

A state High Court had, on November 5, 2018, quashed the suspension of four of the five members, describing it as unconstitutional.

The court also jointly awarded the applicants — Dr. Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru-APC); Mr. Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano-APGA); Mr. Israel Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli-APC); and Mr. Nkenna Nzeruo (Oru East-APC) N8m in damages and N100,000 in legal fees.

The judge, Justice Goddy Anunihu, in his ruling, also directed the Speaker and the House who were the first and second respondents to pay the applicants their salaries, allowances and emoluments for the period they were suspended.

However, the judgment was ignored by the House leadership which appealed against it.

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ICPC arrests Three Rectors, Man over alleged N10.2m Bribe Money

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the Chairman and three top management members of the Committee of Federal Polytechnic Rectors (COFER) for allegedly being in possession of N10.2 million bribe money.

The suspects who are polytechnic rectors include: Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Yahaya, Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State, who also doubles as the Chairman of COFER; John Taiwo Adekolawole, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State; and Arch. Waziri Sanusi Gumau of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Bauchi State. 

They were arrested at the premises of the National Board for Technical Education (NABTE) Abuja, through a sting operation by the Commission.

Arrested alongside the rectors was the Secretary of COFER, Ayegba Benjamin Godwin, with the sum of N10, 250, 0000 cash after a whistle-blower informed ICPC that the four suspects and others at large were perfecting plans to violate the provisions of Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The suspects who have been granted administrative bail by ICPC will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

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