Sunday, July 15, 2012
Arik airplane hits AirForce Hercules C-13O
The Nigeria Air Force said that an Arik Airline Boeing 737-700 with registration No 5NMJI on Saturday brushed the wing of a parked Air Force Hercules C-130 (NAF 917) at the Jos Airport.
Kogi: Jubril Isah raises the alarm over threat to life •Counsel petitions EFCC, AGF
The winner of the January 2011 gubernatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Alhaji Jubril Isah Echocho has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging threats to his life by some powers that be over the suit he instituted to challenge the swearing in of governor Idris Wada in the state.
Isah, in a letter by his counsel, Wole Olanipekun, dated July 9, 2012 and titled: Re: “Persecution and intimidation of Mr. Jubril Isah,” stated that some forces were attempting to use the EFCC to resurrect a non-existent case against him.
According to him, the EFCC, which earlier charged him alongside some directors of Afribank over financial dealings, had on August 21, 2010 withdrawn his name from the suit involving Afribank directors and later adopted him as a prosecution witness.
His counsel, however, said in the letter also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation, that some forces have been mounting pressure on the EFCC to prosecute Isah afresh based on his refusal to withdraw the suit challenging the election in Kogi.
Olanipekun in the letter on behalf of Isah said that the EFCC had on November 21, 2010 through his counsel, Rotimi Jacobs and the head of its legal department, M.S Hassan informed a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that the name of the third accused person which is Echocho be struck out from the charge, adding that the trial judge, Justice J.T Tsoho had consequently struck out his name from the charge.
The petition further stated that Justice O.A Akinlade of the Lagos State High Court had also on June 1,2011 struck out the name of Echocho when they were re-arraigned.
The petition read in part: " Our client is a politician and a leading member of the PDP in Kogi State. In fact, he contested and won the primary election of the party in 2011 and his name was sent to INEC as the PDP gubernatorial candidate for Kogi State in April 2011 governorship election, but for the fact that the election did not hold in Kogi State due to the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Court of Appeal, Abuja which declared that the term of office of the then governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim would not lapse until 2012, but the judgement was later set aside by the Supreme Court.
"Our client has since instituted an action, principally against INEC challenging the purported election of Alhaji Idris Wada as the governor of Kogi State in a purported election held during the pendency of INEC’s appeal to the Supreme Court. Against the background of the Supreme Court judgement to the effect that contrary to the judgement of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, Ibrahim Idris ought and should have vacated office on May 28, 2011.
"As a result of the proceedings in court at the instance of our client, the 'powers that be' in Kogi State have not only been harassing him to the effect that EFCC should willy nilly prosecute him. Put bluntly, these 'powerful' people have been trying to use a respected commission headed by an equally highly esteemed officer of your status and person to harass, intimidate, molest and persecute our client.
"Fortunately, the EFCC would not bend to their illegal machination and demands. Thus, by a letter dated 23rd April, 2012 signed by Bamanga Bello for the Head of Operations of the EFCC, our client was duly informed that he would be a witness for the EFCC in the prosecution of the accused persons in the Afribank criminal trial.
"Despite the foregoing, the same set of powerful people keep on continuously and continually harassing and intimidating our client that unless he withdraws his legitimate action at the Federal High Court, the EFCC has been convinced by them to now prosecute him, anytime from now."
According to the petition, the only offence committed by Isah was that he had the audacity to challenge his stolen mandate in court.
He, therefore, asked the EFCC and the AGF to refuse to hearken to the “illegal and unconstitutional calls” of those behind the attacks on Jubril Isah.
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Isah, in a letter by his counsel, Wole Olanipekun, dated July 9, 2012 and titled: Re: “Persecution and intimidation of Mr. Jubril Isah,” stated that some forces were attempting to use the EFCC to resurrect a non-existent case against him.
According to him, the EFCC, which earlier charged him alongside some directors of Afribank over financial dealings, had on August 21, 2010 withdrawn his name from the suit involving Afribank directors and later adopted him as a prosecution witness.
His counsel, however, said in the letter also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation, that some forces have been mounting pressure on the EFCC to prosecute Isah afresh based on his refusal to withdraw the suit challenging the election in Kogi.
Olanipekun in the letter on behalf of Isah said that the EFCC had on November 21, 2010 through his counsel, Rotimi Jacobs and the head of its legal department, M.S Hassan informed a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that the name of the third accused person which is Echocho be struck out from the charge, adding that the trial judge, Justice J.T Tsoho had consequently struck out his name from the charge.
The petition further stated that Justice O.A Akinlade of the Lagos State High Court had also on June 1,2011 struck out the name of Echocho when they were re-arraigned.
The petition read in part: " Our client is a politician and a leading member of the PDP in Kogi State. In fact, he contested and won the primary election of the party in 2011 and his name was sent to INEC as the PDP gubernatorial candidate for Kogi State in April 2011 governorship election, but for the fact that the election did not hold in Kogi State due to the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Court of Appeal, Abuja which declared that the term of office of the then governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim would not lapse until 2012, but the judgement was later set aside by the Supreme Court.
"Our client has since instituted an action, principally against INEC challenging the purported election of Alhaji Idris Wada as the governor of Kogi State in a purported election held during the pendency of INEC’s appeal to the Supreme Court. Against the background of the Supreme Court judgement to the effect that contrary to the judgement of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, Ibrahim Idris ought and should have vacated office on May 28, 2011.
"As a result of the proceedings in court at the instance of our client, the 'powers that be' in Kogi State have not only been harassing him to the effect that EFCC should willy nilly prosecute him. Put bluntly, these 'powerful' people have been trying to use a respected commission headed by an equally highly esteemed officer of your status and person to harass, intimidate, molest and persecute our client.
"Fortunately, the EFCC would not bend to their illegal machination and demands. Thus, by a letter dated 23rd April, 2012 signed by Bamanga Bello for the Head of Operations of the EFCC, our client was duly informed that he would be a witness for the EFCC in the prosecution of the accused persons in the Afribank criminal trial.
"Despite the foregoing, the same set of powerful people keep on continuously and continually harassing and intimidating our client that unless he withdraws his legitimate action at the Federal High Court, the EFCC has been convinced by them to now prosecute him, anytime from now."
According to the petition, the only offence committed by Isah was that he had the audacity to challenge his stolen mandate in court.
He, therefore, asked the EFCC and the AGF to refuse to hearken to the “illegal and unconstitutional calls” of those behind the attacks on Jubril Isah.
Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide
Dantong’s Death: STF Gives 6 Plateau Villages 48hrs To Evacuate
The Special Task Force in Plateau State has given a 48-hour evacuation notice to residents of six villages in the state before it begins a house-to-house search for insurgents responsible for the attacks that led to the death of Senator Gyang Dantong and about 100 other people in the affected villages last weekend.
Adams Oshiomhole wins Edo governorship election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Adams Oshiomhole, as the winner of the July 14th governorship elections in Edo State.
The incumbent governor polled 477,478 votes-73.72 per cent of 647,698 total votes cast-to defeat his closest rival, Charles Airhiarvbere of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The incumbent governor polled 477,478 votes-73.72 per cent of 647,698 total votes cast-to defeat his closest rival, Charles Airhiarvbere of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Bayelsa defends appointment of Patience Jonathan
The Bayelsa State Government has stated that the appointment of the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, is in accordance with ongoing general reforms in the state’s public service.
Three policemen, INEC official die in boat accident
Tragedy hit the relatively peaceful Edo governorship election as three policemen and an ad hoc worker of the Independent National Electoral Commission died in a boat accident on Saturday.
South African woman hides 5.5kg of methamphetamine in sardines
A 39-year-old South African woman of Zulu tribe, Duru Gcinukwazi Lindiwe, was, last weekend, caught with 5.5 kilogrammes of substance found to be methamphetamine hidden in tins of sardines as well as in her luggage. Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, detected the drugs during routine search at the departure hall.
Bayelsa defends appointment of Patience Jonathan
The Bayelsa State Government has stated that the appointment of the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, is in accordance with ongoing general reforms in the state’s public service.
Why my mum was kidnapped —Elumelu
The Chairman of Transcorp Plc., Mr. Tony Elumelu, has said his mother was kidnapped by gunmen from her farm in Delta State recently because of the firm’s investment in a gas-rich oil block and 2.4 metric tonne gas-powered fertiliser plant in Burutu, Delta State.
AU condemns Boko Haram, urges international action
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union has condemned the activities of the Boko Haram sect, urging the international community to assist the West African nation deal with the problem.
Four drug traffickers sentenced to life imprisonment
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Ogun State has said four persons have been sentenced to life imprisonment for drug trafficking in the last six months. Two others, the agency said, were convicted and sentenced to different jail terms for illicit drug-related offences, while it seized 3.5 tonnes of drugs worth about N25m within the same period.
EFCC, ICPC keep mum on amendment of corruption laws
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Crimes Commission have said they are not seeking any amendment to acts that established them or other laws that prescribe punishment for persons found guilty of fraud and embezzlement of public funds.
Edo 2012: Might vs Will of the people
As the result of the Edo State governorship election is being awaited, the state is tension-soaked, and the people are concerned about the outcome,. On Saturday the people of Edo State trooped out to cast their votes for who would be their governor for the next four years.
Voting Ends Peacefully in Edo Governorship Poll
Voting in the Edo Governorship election on Saturday ended peacefully in many areas, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN correspondents, who covered the election, reported that the main politicians in the state voted early in their communities.
Mosque Bomb Attack - How It Happened - Deputy Governor
The Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Umar Zanna Mustapha yesterday narrated their ordeal after he, along with the Shehu of Borno, narrowly escaped a suicide bomb attack.
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