INSTANT NEWS

Charles Idahosa, a former aide to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has denied being paid to attack his former boss.

He disclosed this while speaking to reporters at the Nigerian Union of Journalists secretariat, Edo State Council yesterday.

He, however, stated that the crisis rocking the ruling party in Edo State will soon be resolved.

“You know politics is a game of give and take; there is disagreement, no doubt but I can assure you everything will be taken care of,” he said.

Charles Idahosa said his criticism of the former Edo State governor was not because he has been hired to do so.

He said, “how do they now arrive at their claims.

“That is what they always say but I know those supporting Oshiomhole, are working for themselves.

“I am 67 years, I do not listen to such rubbish. Nobody queries what Idahosa has said. Who gave me money? When I was fighting Anenih, some of you know me here, so I do not bother over such things.

“A few days ago, Oshiomhole said to pray for me and I said pray for you for what? You are the one that started the trouble, you do not win sympathy and at the end of the day, people talked about money, I just laughed because I am not a poor man. I bought my first Mercedes in this town in 1981. I am not a poor man, so I do not need their money.”

English Premier League side Arsenal is in talks with Bayern Munich over the signing of defender, Jerome Boateng in this January’s transfer window.

According to Sky Sports, Bayern is demanding £12.75million fee for the former German centre-back.

The 31-year-old who has made just 15 appearances for Bayern this season, lost his place to Benjamin Pavard and David Alaba.

Naija News reports that Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta had admitted that the Gunners are keen to strengthen their defensive options this January with a defender, Calum Chamber suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Arteta said: “My obligation is to give my opinion on the things we can improve.

“Obviously we have a bad injury with Calum a few days ago that will change our plans at the back.

“The reality is we will not be able to do much. I’m more concerned about getting players back from injury and try to improve the players I have here, get everybody on board and understanding what we’re trying to do.

“And if something extra comes up and we think it is the right opportunity to improve what we have, then let’s do it.”

Good day, Nigeria, here are headlines for today Friday, 3rd January 2020.

Below is a roundup of top stories on Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and other pro-Biafra groups.
1. Biafra: IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu Reveals Nigeria’s ‘Worst Enemy’
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, says the British Government is the worst enemy of Nigeria and not those agitating for the Republic of Biafra. Naija News reports that Kanu made this comment during his recent live broadcast on Radio Biafra, where he alleged that the British government and some people in Aso Rock, Nigeria’s Presidential Villa are supporting terrorism in Nigeria.

2. Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu Bombs CJN Tanko, Praises Onnoghen In Latest Broadcast
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, says Nigeria is going through a phase of slavery in reaction to the appointment of Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Naija News reports that Kanu made this comment during his recent live broadcast on Radio Biafra where he described the CJN as “illiterate Muslim Almajiri“

3. Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu Makes ‘Strong’ Allegation Against Buhari Govt, Facebook
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has accused Facebook staff in Nigeria of colluding with President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to remove his followers and reduce reactions to his posts on the popular social media platform. Naija News reports that the IPOB leader who made this claim in a recent statement personally signed by him said it was so bad that the social media giant was also diverting some of his followers to fake accounts opened under his name, just to sabotage his effort to attain freedom for Biafra.

4. IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu Reveals Why ‘God Is Very Angry With Nigeria’
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, says God is very angry with Nigeria. Naija News reports that Kanu made this claim during his recent live broadcast on Radio Biafra where he proclaimed that “Biafra is the kingdom we are looking for.”

5. Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu Vows To Expose Buhari Govt, Governor El-Rufai, See When
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has vowed to expose President Muhammadu Buhari’s government as well as Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, northern Nigeria. Naija News reports that the secessionist who is on exile, made the vow on the micro-blogging site, Twitter, on Friday night, December 27.


6. Buhari: Nnamdi Kanu Reveals Individuals Responsible For Dasuki, Sowore’s Release
The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has revealed that United States lawmakers were responsible for the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and activist, Omoyele Sowore. Naija News reports that the Department of State Service (DSS) on Tuesday evening finally released Sowore and Dasuki from detention.

7. TY Danjuma: Why Fulanis Will Continue To Rule Nigeria – Nnamdi Kanu
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has claimed that Fulanis would keep ruling Nigeria because they control the military, judiciary, and INEC. The pro-Biafra activist was reacting to a statement by former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd).

8. IPOB vs Amaechi: Pro-Biafra Group Reacts To Threats To Destroy Igbo Properties
The Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL) has condemned recent threats to allegedly destroy Igbo properties by a group called the Concerned Niger Delta Youths. Naija News reports that the Niger Delta group was alleged to have made the threats after members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) attacked the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in Madrid, Spain.

9. Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu Tables Fresh Request Before Buhari Govt
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has called on the Nigerian Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to release Omoyele Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow Movement immediately and to cease its “persecution of journalists who report the truth.” Naija News reports that Kanu made this statement in a series of tweets, days after he held a live broadcast on Radio Biafra where he spoke on the maltreatment of Sowore by officials of the DSS and the abuse of human rights in Nigeria.

10. Biafra: IPOB Reacts To ECOWAS Court Judgement On Nnamdi Kanu’s Petition
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has taken a stand on the decision of the court of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) which said its leader, Nnamdi Kanu failed to prove his allegations against the government of Nigeria. The ECOWAS Court in a judgment on Wednesday read by Justice Dupe Atoki, stressed that it had no reason to conclude that his arrest and detention were unlawful and arbitrary as claimed.

11. ECOWAS Court Delivers Final Judgment On Nnamdi Kanu’s Petition Against Nigerian Government
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed a suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Nigerian Government, alleging that he was tortured, assaulted and subjected to inhuman treatment by security operatives when he was arrested in 2015. A report monitored on Vanguard Newspaper by Naija News, says the ECOWAS Court in a judgment read by Justice Dupe Atoki, held that the IPOB leader failed to prove his allegations against the Nigerian Government.

12. Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu Releases ‘Dangerous Prophecy’
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has released what can best be described as a “dangerous prophecy” on those that failed to speak up for him and his group in the past. Naija News reports that Kanu released the prophecy during a live broadcast on Radio Biafra on Sunday, December 8, where he spoke on the maltreatment of Sowore by officials of the DSS and the abuse of human rights in Nigeria.

13. Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu Speaks On Senator Abaribe Sponsoring IPOB
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has denied claims in some quarters that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe is sponsoring his group. Naija News reports that Kanu denied this during a live broadcast on Radio Biafra on Sunday, December 8, where he spoke on the maltreatment of Omoyele Sowore by officials of the DSS and the abuse of human rights in Nigeria.

Nollywood actress, Ronke Tiamiyu has stirred reactions online after a video surfaced online where she was spotted masturbating on Snapchat platform.

The actress shortly after the video was revealed online explained how she had deleted the video but still appeared due to some errors.

Tiamiyu also noted that she is heartbroken and has apologised to those that saw the clip as offensive.

“Happy New Year everyone. I hope everyone is having a good start because as for me I’m still trying to wrap my head around a mistake I made crossing over into the new year.”

“Those who saw the explicit post that got out of my snap, I’m sorry if you find that offensive had no intentions posting such as it was deleted immediately but due to Snapchat error some saw it longer, some didn’t at all and some can still see it…”

“I’m very heartbroken but life goes on. Thanks to everyone who reached out and those that called to cheer me up that really went a long way. I love you all”

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has obtained a court order to detain the former senator Shehu Sani for 14 days.

The order was granted in order to allow the anti-graft agency to conduct a thorough investigation of Shehu Sani’s alleged involvement in name dropping and extortion.

Naija News reports that EFCC had arrested Sen. Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2015 and 2019.

Shehu Sani was arrested for alleged extortion of $20,000 from the owner of ASD Motors.

According to the source, Sani said he collected the $20,000 from the owner of ASD Motors on the grounds that he is very close to the EFCC boss.

“He was subsequently arrested and granted administrative bail while he refunded the money to the victim.“

Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers

1. President Muhammadu Buhari has placed travel restrictions on his Ministers, saying they can only travel out of the country eight times in a year. The Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism, Lai Mohammed, who made this disclosure on Monday, said Buhari has directed that no Minister should go on foreign trips more than twice in a quarter.

2. A member of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Isah Harisu, is dead. The lawmaker, who represents Kebbe State Constituency passed away on Monday after he showed signs of discomfort, slumped and died.

3. The Federal Government has described the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, as irrational and inhuman. Addressing the press in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Monday, Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, maintained that the terrorists “do not subscribe to any religion, despite their pretensions.”

4. President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the people of the South East geographical region that more good things will soon come to the zone. The President promised that his administration was committed to developing the region and bringing dividends of democracy to the Igbo dominated area.

5. The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm over the country’s debt profile both domestic and external as being speculated by scaremongers. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who gave the assurance on Monday in Lagos, said there were misrepresentations in the figures being pushed out in certain quarters about the debt profile, adding that the country had not reached its debt ceiling of 25 per cent in total public debt stock to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

6. The Zamfara Hisba Commission says it arrested a police officer with three girls at a hotel room in Gusau. Chairman of the commission, Dr Atiku Zawuyya, while parading the suspects at the commission’s headquarters on Monday, quoted him as saying the police officer, who is serving with the Central Police Station, Gusau, and others committed acts contrary to Sharia law.

7. The Writers Against AIDS has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the financial transactions of state agencies for the control of HIV/AIDS mostly headed by governors’ wives.W AAIDS in a statement on Monday by the National Coordinator, Wole Adedoyin, said the funds, which ought to have been used in taking care of people living with AIDS, were either diverted into unknown accounts for selfish purposes.

8. Rochas Okorocha, Imo West Senator has reacted to the alleged rift between him and Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Okorocha, who said he was yet to know the cause of the rift, stated that he looked forward to hearing from Oshiomhole and will remain in the APC.

9. The Federal Government says it is studying the situation on change of West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) currency, Eco, to be used as ECOWAS single currency. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, who made this known in a statement by Yunusa Abdullahi, her Special Adviser, Media and Communication, in Abuja on Monday. Reacting on this development, said Nigeria as a country would respond in due course.

10. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, on Monday, signed the State’s N449.97bn 2020 appropriation bill into law. Gov Abiodun, while assenting to the bill assured the people of the state that his administration would be measured by the performance of the budget; saying the implementation of the year 2020 budget was sacrosanct.

The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday, suggested the removal of Mr Patrick Aguinede, the suspended chairman of Esan West Local Government Council, over alleged unremitted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The request followed the consideration of the report of the panel of enquiry constituted by Gov. Godwin Obaseki to investigate allegations of fraud leveled against the chairman.

The report of the panel of inquiry was on Monday forwarded to the house by the governor.

The Leader of the House, Roland Asoro moved for the House to resolve into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report.

The motion was seconded by Mr Emmanuel Okoduwa, member representing Esan North-East II constituency.

He said considering the report at the Committee of the Whole, the chairman presented fake figures to the panel.

He also said that the panel found the chairman wanting for under remitting the council IGR into the state government coffers.

According to the panel, Aguinede was allegedly remitting N4.5 million while within the period he was suspended, the council remitted N7.6 million.

The report, however, noted that the acting chairman of the council between Oct.7 and Oct. 30 remitted N9.1 million IGR to the state government.

The report stated that the difference in the amount generated in the council revealed that Aguinede was under remitting the council IGR.

The panel, therefore, recommended that the chairman be removed from office having been found culpable of the allegations.

The house after deliberation adopted the panel’s recommendation and removed the chairman from office.

The speaker, Mr Francis Okiye, thereafter, directed that clean copies of the resolution be sent to the governor, NAN reports.

Also at plenary, the house summoned the chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service, Mr lgbinidu Inneh and the state commissioner for finance to appear before the House committee of Selection on Jan. 6, 2020.

Atiku Sends Christmas Message To Nigerians

Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar congratulates the Christian community in Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebrations.

He urges Nigerians to allow Love and Hope be their guiding principle as they mark the festivities.

Atiku in a press release on Tuesday signed by Paul Ibe his media aide, says that Nigerians, notably the Christian community, should be thankful to God that the Christmas festivities, heralding the birth of Jesus Christ, have come again.

The Waziri Adamawa says love is the conqueror of all things, including the challenges and tribulations that befell many people during the year and that has come thus far to celebrate Christmas, HOPE should remain the watchword of the faithful that the future would be better.

He says that Christians should celebrate with all their heart and extend their joy to all their neighbours including their fellow countrymen.

He says that going by all that happened in the course of the year, it is only Love, Hope and expectations of a better future that can hold Nigeria and all mankind together.

Saudi Arabia on Monday warned courts and maazouns (Muslim marriage notaries) against validating marriages of people under the age of 18.

The Ministry of Justice has stressed that these cases should be submitted to a competent court, as a measure to protect the rights of children.

The department stressed that under the Child Protection System, a marriage contract with a person under the age of 18 should only be concluded if it is assured that the union would not cause harm to the young boy or the girl and was in their best interest.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged customers not to pay N50 charge to businesses for using point of sale (POS) machines.

Musa Jimoh, a director in CBN’s payment system management department, explained the apex bank’s merchant charge directive on Monday.

“The stamp duty is a fee regulated by an act. The CBN doesn’t regulate the stamp duty so we can’t change anything. Stamp duty as it is today has been misinterpreted,” Jimoh said on a Channels TV programme monitored in Lagos.

“Our circular that talks about merchants paying stamp duty according to the law does not say that the stamp duty should be paid by the consumer. That’s actually a misrepresentation of the CBN’S directive.

“What our directive says is that merchants should pay all necessary charges as regulated by the government agency including stamp duty. When there is an electronic transaction to an account other than a savings account and the transaction amount is more than N1,000, you have to pay stamp duty.

“Our explanation to banks is that we would like the merchants to comply with this directive by ensuring that every single payment customers make to them, the merchants pay the regulated stamp duty of N50.

“What has happened is that they have transferred this fee, blatantly and openly to the consumers. This is very wrong.

“No single individual should pay N50 in addition to the cost of the good. Stamp duty is not to be paid by individuals that are consuming the goods and services of the merchant. The merchants who are receiving the money are the ones who are supposed to pay.”

It had earlier been reported that consumers would pay more for POS transactions after the CBN said stamp duty would be charged on individual transactions rather than previous plans where charges occurred on aggregate transactions.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has been ordered to release Omoyele Sowore, convener of RevolutionNow movement, and Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA).

The directive was given by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, in a statement issued today.

Malami said the decision to release them was necessitated by compliance with the bail granted the duo by the court.

The statement reads: “The Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Omoyele Sowore. Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the Defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the Complainant/Prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015,” the statement read.

“However, my Office has chosen to comply with the court orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts.

“In line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal) and the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to comply with the order granting bail to the Defendants and effect their release.


“The two Defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land.

“I wish to reiterate again the utmost regard of my Office for the entire judicial structure of Nigeria. This administration remains unrelenting in deepening the rule of law and the administration of justice in general.”

Sowore has been in DSS custody since August 3, while Dasuki has been in custody since 2015.

The only person that can #ImpeachBuhari is Buhari.

Period!

— DRIVING SCHOOL DROPOUT ™🌍 (@eniturn) December 19, 2019