The Federal Government has initiated extradition proceeding against a Nigerian, Lawal Olaniyi Babafemi, who was accused of belonging to a foreign terrorist organization, al-Qaeda.
The government applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja for the extradition of 32 years old Babafemi also described as “Abdullah” and “Ayatollah Mustapher” to the United States, where he is wanted over his alleged involvement in terrorism related activities.
In its application, FG, exhibited a four-count charge marked:13CR-109-JG, filed against him before the United States District Court of the Eastern District of New York and a bench warrant issued for his arrest by a US magistrate.
Specifically, the suspect was charged with “conspiracy to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization, provision and attempted provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organization, unlawful use of firearms and conspiracy to unlawfully use firearms.”
Upon conviction, the charge against him attracts a minimum sentence of 10 years and maximum of life imprisonment.
FG maintained that Babafemi, who until now, was based in the US, fled to the country upon realizing that he was to be arrested by men of the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
He had since been arrested and is being held by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Documents filed by the FG before the Abuja court further revealed that the US authorities are of the view that Babafemi belongs to the “al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)” an affiliate of al-Qaeda.
He allegedly travelled to Yemen between January 2010 and August 2011 to train with the group and relate with its senior members including the now deceased Anwar al-Aulaqi and Samir Khan.
Babafemi was said to have admitted, upon interrogation that he was paid about $8,600 by the AQAP to return to Nigeria and recruit some English speaking individuals to work in AQAP’s English language media organization.
The media organization is believed to serve as the organization’s medium of radicalizsing English speakers, who it recruits to commit terrorist attacks on its behalf.
The group had claimed responsibility for series of terrorist activities, including the December 25, 2009 bombing attempt in the US by a Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.
The extradition application could not be heard when he was taken to court on Thursday owing to its late service on Babafemi’s lawyer, S. O. Yahaya.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Three Lebanese suspects, Mustapha Fawaz, Abdullahi Thahini and Tahal Roda, accused of complicity in the illegal importation of arms into Nigeria, yesterday, persuaded the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to transfer them from the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, to Kuje Prison.
The accused persons, who made the application on a day one of them mounted the witness box and narrated before the court how he got involved with the operations of the alleged Lebanon based terrorist organization, Hezbollah, said they no longer feel comfortable being left in the custody of the DSS, alleging interference from foreign agents.
Begging the court through their lawyer Chief Raji Ahmed, SAN, the co-owner of Amigo Supermarket Limited and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort, Mr. Mustapha Fawaz, who is the 1st accused and the 2nd accused, Mr Abdullahi Thahini, told the court that the DSS earlier left them at the mercy of foreign mercenaries who they said interrogated them for 14 days.
They argued that considering their resolve to testify before the court pertaining to their involvement in the activities of Hezbollah vis-à-vis the 16-count terrorism charge preferred against them by the federal government, “we apply to be transferred to a neutral place, possibly the police headquarters or Kuje prison,” they pleaded.
Sequel to a no-objection stance by the defence counsel, Mr. Simon Egede, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, ordered that they should be transferred from custody of the DSS to the prison forthwith, even as he adjourned the case till Monday for the two accused persons to give their own testimony.
Besides, the accused persons, yesterday, told the court that they intend to call a top member of Hezbollah to appear and testify about the organization, its operations in Nigeria and their involvement in it.
Meantime, the 3rd accused, Roda, who was arrested inside the house where a large cache of arms and ammunition were discovered by the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, in an underground bunker at No 3 Gaya Road, off Bompai Road in Kano, in his testimony yesterday, narrated in the open court, how another Lebanese, Abdul Hassan Tahir who is currently at large, told him about a plot to assassinate Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria.
Roda, told the court though he didn’t believe the plot, he said Tahir, insisted that Hezbollah had already mounted surveillance at the Saudi-Arabia Embassy in Lagos with a view to monitoring the movements of the Ambassador.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Abakaliki – Students of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) on Friday begged President Gooodluck Jonathan to wade into the lingering ASUU and Federal Government crisis.
The students said that they looked up to Mr President to personally intervene in the face-off.
Mr Louis Onwe, a 300-level biochemistry student said: ‘’His intervention into the ongoing crisis will lead to timely resolution of the impasse and resumption of academic work.’’
He said that since the president enjoyed enormous goodwill with the union, it would listen to him if he intervened personally in the face-off.
“ASUU demands are quite germane as it will boost research and development of infrastructures in the universities,’’ Onwe said.
Mr Kelechukwu Anyigor, also a 300-level student of biochemistry, said they were optimistic that Jonathan’s intervention was needed to quickly resolve the strike.
“Our president enjoys tremendous goodwill because of his human rights records, and his attempt to reposition the country’s economy.
“It is our candid belief that if he personally intervenes in the matter, ASUU will listen to him in the interest of the students and the nation at large,’’ Anyigor said.
Mr Michael Otuu of the Department of Business Administration, called on the president to rise above politics and wade into the crisis in the interest of Nigerian students and university education.
According to him, the indefinite strike already in its fifth week is having a negative toll on the academic pursuit of university students in the country.
Otuu called on well meaning Nigerians to prevail on the federal government to accede to the demands of ASUU in the interest of industrial harmony in the system.
The National President of ASUU, Dr Isa Fagge, declared a nationwide indefinite strike on July 1 to protest the failure of the government to honour the 2009 agreements it reached with ASUU.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Recently signed-on Glo ambassador Damini Burna Boy Ogulu is presently being whipped black and blue on social media since paparazzi captured him stepping out in public with nothing but his pants on.
The 21 year old, Rivers state born rapper appeared at the venue of Glo’s Slide and Bounce tour brandishing just body tattoos; an act many have described as ‘unsightly and indecent’.
Burna’s supporters have however not gone down without a fight; arguing that the stunt was simply part of Burna’s showmanship… sightly or unsightly.
The war rages on but then there are concerns from observers that such extreme displays from Nigerian entertainers who many youths see as role models in public may soon get infectious.
Burna Boy has made no comments yet about the controversial photo but you could share your thoughts on this…
Is this going too far in the name of entertainment?
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
There is no doubt that achieving a robust energy mix in Nigeria is in concert with President Goodluck Jonathan’s vision of providing power to all within the country. This vision is an integral part of the long-term targets of the Road Map for the Power Sector launched by the President in August, 2010.
Of course, the short and medium targets were to achieve a substantial increase in the total quantum of power delivered to electricity consumers across the country and ensure a substantial reduction in government’s funding and managerial direction in the electricity value chain.
President Goodluck Jonathan
At present, the major sources of energy supply in the country are 70 percent thermal and 30 percent hydro. This is despite the fact the country is blessed with renewable energy sources like coal,wind, solar and an abundance of waste from biomass.
Renewable energy has not been adequately exploited due to very high initial costs. However, government is intensifying efforts through local and international partnerships to harness the potentials of these sources for electricity generation in the country.
For instance, a few projects, mostly funded by grants from international and non-governmental organisations, have been implemented in the rural areas of the country such as the Millennium Development Goals energy-mapping project going on in the 774 local government areas of the Federation.
Minister for Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, in a recent interview with newsmen, underscored the efforts of the Federal Government at diversifying the country’s energy mix by describing it as critical to electricity getting through to all Nigerians.
In his words,“That effort is going to drive the whole vehicle of ensuring that many of the rural areas not connected to the national grid can have some kind of ring-fencing, where they would be serviced by renewable energy”.
On policies that will guide the government to ensure the sector is growing like it should, the Minister remarked that the Ministry of Power is working on a renewable energy and energy conservation policy for the country.
Indeed, there are a number of new initiatives consistent with government’s determination to achieve a wider energy supply mix. These initiatives, which cover generation, transmission and distribution projects in the sector, also promote the emergence of a private sector-led competitive and efficient electric power industry as well as implementation of renewable energy programmes and initiatives in solar, wind, biomass, small hydro, etc.
Various incentives such as a robust regulatory frame work, tax holidays and cost reflective tariff for power sale have been put in place to attract more private investment to the power sector. Results of these initiatives include the tremendous interest shown by foreign and private investors in the ongoing privatisation of the power sector. Government is intensifying efforts in hydro power development. Just recently, the National Economic Council gave approval for $1.72 billion counterpart funding for development of hydro power projects, including Mambilla (3,050MW) Zungeru ( 700MW) , Gurara 11 (360MW) , Kashimbilla (40MW) and Itisi (40MW).
There are also other small and medium power projects ongoing nationwide which will boost the power generation capacity.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, recently disclosed that about 200 dams which hitherto were constructed for purely irrigation purposes are now being adapted for electricity generation. The power to be generated from these dams may remain off grid to serve the local needs of the rural people who have for long been marginalised in power supply.
The Ambassador emphasised that the concomitant multiplier effect on the agriculture value chain would be unimaginable, while employment generation and empowerment would naturally follow. In May this year, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Power and HQMC Korea Co Ltd .Under that agreement, HQMC is to provide 1,000 MW of solar energy every year for the next 10 years via projects spread across the country.
The Minister of Power, who described the project as laudable, expressed confidence that it would help achieve the country’s desired energy mix. Another major effort at energy mix expansion is the Coal-to-Power project. There are plans by the government to build Coal-Fired Plants in Enugu, Benue, Kogi and Gombe States.
Already, the Minister of Power and Minister of Mines and Steel Development recently concluded a visit to Coal plants and other facilities operated by HTG-Pacific Energy Consortium in India and China to ascertain the competencies of the consortium in order to ensure value judgment in doing business with the firm.
Just before the visit, the Minister of Power inaugurated an eight-member committee to develop a workable framework that could galvanise long term use of the country’s abundant coal resources to improve her power generation capacity.
Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has put 10 of its National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) generation plants up for sale. These projects, with total capacity of 4,775MW, are located in Calabar, Egbema, Ihovbor,Gbarain, Sapele, Omoku, Alaoji, Olorunsogo, Omotosho and Geregu. Road shows have been conducted in Lagos, London and most recently in New York to advertise these projects and attract investors to them. The plants are expected to attract not less than US3.8 billion.
Hoping that all these efforts are pursued to a logical conclusion,there is reason to believe the ongoing initiatives to achieve wider energy mix in the country will soon be realised. This will go a long way to satisfy Nigerians’ hunger for electricity.
The gains associated with this are manifold. Small and medium scale enterprises as well as cottage industries will spread across the length and breadth of the country, with a concomitant increase in economic activity.Many new jobs will be created, in the public and private sectors. The crime rate will reduce,and Nigeria would have fulfilled her ambition of achieving 40,000 MW by 2020 and putting in place a competitive power market.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Residents of Onitsha, Anambra State, were greeted with the sight of 67 persons later discovered to have been deported from Lagos, Wednesday, July 24.
The deportees, majority of whom were of Igbo extraction were dumped like helpless refugees at the popular Upper Iweka area of the commercial city.
On enquiry, they disclosed that they were arrested by officials of Lagos State Kick Against Indiscipline,KAI from various parts of Lagos. They further stated that they were detained in different prison custody for a period of six months to two years before they were brought into Onitcha at about 3.20am.
From their looks, it was discovered that majority of them were not beggars after all.Some of them were discovered to be hawkers whose goods were reportedly seized by KIA officials.But owing to the trauma, they looked pale, malnurished and sick.
When news of the deportation spread across the state, officials of the Nigerian Red Cross Society led by its South East zonal chairman, Dr. Peter Emeka Katcy, arrived the scene at about 6am,where they began a section of interview with the deportees apparently to ascertain their claims.
By noon, relatives of the some of the deportees surged Onitsha, where a total of 41 of them were taken to their different family houses while the Red Cross team whisked the remaining 18 to Onitsha South Local government township Stadium, where they were given first aid treatment and food.
At the stadium, more relatives of the remaining deportees arrived on daily basis, from outside the state, identified their own and took them home. Some of them who were certified medically fit and could find their ways home, were given transport fare .
We were treated like criminals in our own country—deportees
Speaking with Crime Guard, the deportees expressed regrets that a thing like this was happening in a country they were citizens. They accused KIA officials of carrying out indiscriminate arrests of non-indigenes of Lagos, adding that majority of those detained in various local government cells in Lagos State were Igbos.
According to one of the deportees who gave her name as Rosemary Nathaniel, a native of Ubakala in Umuahia, Abia State, “I was neither a beggar nor a hawker for the past five years I lived in Lagos. I was working at a T-shirt weaving centre at Mile 2, Lagos and I lived with my sister. But in January this year, KAI officials and some policemen arrested me and my friend while we were standing and discussing on the road. We were dragged into their waiting vehicle and taken to a prison at Alausa area of Lagos.
We saw other people who were also arrested . They took us round the area, made other arrests before taking us all to the prison.
The painful aspect of it was that they never bothered to ask any of us where we lived or what were doing for a living. As I speak, my sister whom I live with does not know anything about my whereabouts. It is so sad that this is happening in one’s own country.
Another deportee who identified himself as Osondu Mbuto, a trader from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State said he was arrested by KAI officials while on his way to his shop on December 18, 2012.
He lamented that since his arrest, he was left incommunicado for eight months in a cell around Ikorodu area of Lagos before he was brought to Onitsha.
“I am a Lagos-based petty trader. I packed my goods somewhere and went to eat. As I was going, three persons approached me . Thinking they were miscreants on a mission to dispossess me of my goods, I decided to give them some money. Then, all of a sudden, I saw an armed policeman pointing his gun at me. he ordered me to follow the KAI officials. Out of fear, I joined them as they marched me into a waiting vehicle and drove away”.
“My initial suspicion was that they were taking us to Alausa police station, where they used to detain people unlawfully only to release them later after parting with some money. But no! they took me to another place in Ikorodu,close to Ijebu-Ode. After taking my statement, they pushed me inside the cell where I was, for eight months.
Two days before we were deported, a man whom they called boss came with a paper and a biro and said those of us interested in going to our home town should put down our names. Some did while others did not for fear that they were going to be killed. That was how we were sandwiched inside a truck and brought here at the wee hours”
One dead, others unconscious
As at Monday, this week, only five of them were left in the one-room apartment at the stadium. Their identities were given as:Friday Ndukwe from Ohafia in Abia State; Grace Igbochi who claimed to be a Lagosian, Ugulari Tutua from Warri, Delta State; Chinyere Nocholas from Awomamma,Imo State and Rosemary Nathaniel from Ubakala Umuahia,Abia State.
A member of the NRCS and Education Officer attached to the Onitsha South Local Government Education Authority,Mrs. Nneoma Judith Nwora, disclosed that one of the deportees died Friday from a protracted illness, adding that the five remaining deportees comprised two males and three females.
Three of them according to her, were unconscious at the moment, adding that some Rev. Sisters from nearby Madonna Mercy Convent had indicated interest to come and pick them for feeding and medical treatment until they recovered and were fit to go home.
Reactions trail deportation
Reacting to the development, the South East Zonal Red Cross boss, Katchy, described the action of the Lagos State Government as condemnable, adding, “it is very despicable and disheartening that a state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria will bundle people who are in that state, who are not indigenes of Anambra State, and dumped them under the fly-over bridge at Upper Iweka in Onitsha and left them to their fate.
Most of the people interviewed are not even indigenes of Anambra State. Some of them are from Ebonyi, Imo and other states.
This is an insult to Anambra State. We shall draw the attention of His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State, Mr.Peter Obi to it, and ask why such invasion in his territory and we will find out why Lagos State should invade Anambra State territory by dumping people here helplessly.
Also, in a communique issued at the end of the general meeting of the Onitsha branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the association insisted that those deported be recalled by the Lagos State Government,threatening to take legal actions against Lagos State government if such exercise was carried out again.
The association also appealed to the Anambra State government to come to the assistance of those affected by providing means of transportation to them to enable them go back to their various states of origin,even as it called on the Federal Government to call the Lagos State government to order.
The Lagos State government has however debunked allegation that it deported indigenes of Anambra State, clarifying that it only carried out a rehabilitation and resettlement of citizens from other states.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
TRAGEDY struck at Owerre Obukpa in Igbo-Eze South Local Government area, Enugu State as three children from same mother have reportedly died after taking cassava meal allegedly suspected to have been poisoned.
Vanguard gathered that the three children whose names were given simply as Ikechukwu Ugwuanyi, Chinecherem Ugwuanyi and Nnenna Ugwuanyi died serially after partaking of an alleged fermented cassava meal three days ago. Both Ikechukwu and Chinecherem died at University of Nigeria, Nsukka Medical Centre while the youngest Nnenna died immediately after the meal.
The siblings were said to have been stooling unabatedly as they battled with death before they were rushed to the University of Nigeria Medical Centre where the two finally gave up.
An eye witness account who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard that their biological mother was attending to one of her daughters who just put to bed outside the country home when the tragic incident occurred, explaining that their father Lawrence Ugwuanyi, a staff of the University of Nigeria, Works Department died barely two years ago while on duty at the University with his eldest son dying few months later.
Late Ugwuanyi was said to have married three wives and between the three wives there was allegedly no love as they often accuse one another on any slightest misunderstanding prompting the alleged suspicion that the three children may have died of food poisoning.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Alhaji Tanimu Turaki yesterday gave an insight into how the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejected international pressure to legalise gay marriage in the country.
Turaki spoke on the controversial issue in Abuja yesterday while hosting staff and friends of his Ministry after breaking yesterday’s Ramadan fast.
The Minister who described Nigerians as a highly religious society said the FEC could not accommodate such an anti-religious practice in a country like Nigeria.
Said he, “When we discussed the issue of gay marriage at the Federal Executive Council, we all said that it was very unnatural. How can we explain this to Nigerians? That a man will go and marry a man and a woman will go and marry a fellow woman. Then we also discussed the aspect of the psychological and mental trauma that the children of such union, whether adopted or not, will have to go through.
“For example when they go to school and they are asked; who are your parents? And they have to answer that their mummy and daddy are both men or are both female. This does not fit into a highly religious society like ours”, Turaki said.
He further said: “There is nowhere in the world where God is worshipped like in Nigeria. Even traditional worshippers take their religion very seriously. We pray a lot and that is why God has not forsaken Nigeria.”
“We have been through situations that saw many countries torn into pieces but whatever happens to Nigeria, the nation would like an elephant, only shake its body and move on” he added.
Turning to his staff in the Ministry, Turaki said, “We may be starting this journey now but I see this Ministry outliving all of us”.
He said he would try in all ways to give the Ministry a transparent and responsible leadership. Said he: “Sometimes, I may push you to achieve targets in the discharge of our duties. It is because I believe there is wisdom in our going that extra mile to discharge the mandate given to us not only by Mr. President but by all Nigerians. So, let us treat ourselves as members of the same family regardless of our positions.”
Responding on behalf of the staff of the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita lauded the great humility displayed by the Minister in inviting the staff to break the fast with him and his family, saying such a gesture was not common among his peers. She pledged the support of the staff to the Minister in ensuring that the Ministry under his leadership becomes the envy of all other Ministries.
At the breaking of fast event was a former Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ali Abubakar Jatau, Mr. Joe Kyari Gadzama, (SAN), among others who in their respective speeches described the Minister as hospitable, humble and highly intelligent.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has maitained that his government would not rest until criminal activities were drastically reduced in the State.
He made this comments while personally supervising the demolition of Upper Class Hotel, a three storey structure at 8 Old Market Road, Onitsha where two fresh human heads, arms and ammunition were discovered.
Governor Obi said the State Government had also confiscated all assets belonging to the owner of the hotel, Mr. Bonaventure Mokwe, from Umuchu,who he said had been arrested together with his staff.
He explained that the action was in line with the policy of his administration to sustain the fight against crime and criminality.
The Governor made it clear that government will not relent in its resolve to flush out hoodlums from all parts of the State.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
…As CNPP urges Obi not to allow issue degenerate to rancour… Controversy has continued to trail the alleged deportation of about 70 Igbo traders by the Lagos State Task Force to Anambra State.
The Lagos State Task Force on July 24, 2013 allegedly dumped about 70 persons said to be Igbo traders in the State at Upper Iweka Onitsha, Anambra State.
The Lagos Chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) on Friday urged Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State not to allow the deportation of Igbos controversy cause rancour among Igbos and Yorubas in Lagos.
But the governorship candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) in Anambra state, Chief Udo Udeogaranya described the move by Lagos state government as unconstitutional, illegal and immoral.
Also, a former Commissioner for Health in Lagos state and stalwart of the Lagos state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Segun Ogundimu called on the president and the National Assembly to probe the deportation.
CNPP urges Obi not to allow issue degenerate to rancour
In a statement by its state chairman, Mr Akinola Obadia, the CNPP said that the deportation issue must not be allowed to degenerate to an extent that it will cause disaffection among peace-loving Igbo people who have settled in the State, transacting their legitimate businesses and happily living with their Yoruba brothers.
”We in the CNPP have gone extra mile to find out the fact from Government source, on the issue of the return of 14 destitute persons in the State to their States of Origin. We decided to get the true picture of the matter against the disinformation and rumour some people are spreading.
It added that “we believed that it is on record that in this exercise, three States were involved, and to ensure respect for the dignity of the human person, Lagos State Government notified the Government of each affected State at least 90 days ahead of time to enable them to make adequate arrangements for accommodation and rehabilitation of the individuals.”
It however warned against tribalising the relocation which it claimed was a glaring National issue to create problem where it did not exist.
It said “Anambra state Government never replied Lagos State Government request neither in writing nor by practically effecting the removal of their destitute citizens in the State. Why then should anybody start making unnecessary noise after 90days notification by Lagos state Government.”
Jonathan, NASS must probe deportation — Ogundimu Addressing a press conference in Lagos, Dr Segun Ogundimu who faulted the deportation called on President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the matter. He said the Lagos PDP was not part of it.
Ogundimu, a former Commissioner for Health in Lagos state, appealed to Igbo speaking community in Lagos to restrain themselves from reacting rashly.
He, however, stated that if urgent steps were not taken to address the issue, “it may be an invitation to an anarchy that may consume us and our nascent democracy.”
The party chieftain warned that “this act as moral equivalence of extension of Boko Haram insurgency in Lagos and totally distance ourselves and the real Lagosians from this myopic act. We have never seen an Igbo man begging for alms on the streets of Lagos and therefore refuse to buy the story of destitute slammed on these innocent souls.”
It’s unconstitutional—Udeogaranya Disagreeing with the deportation, Udeogaranya said it was contrary to the 1999 Constitution.
Quering the rationale, he said “Is it not an abdication of authority and responsibility by Lagos State government and transfer of authority and responsibility to Anambra State government to cater and cover the welfare for these Nigerians deported by Lagos State government, even when our Constitution stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
Calling on President Jonathan to wade into the matter, he said “I therefore call on President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Government to hence transfer 50 percent of Lagos State monthly allocation to Anambra State Government and an explicit order, that all Anambra State natives in Lagos State pay their taxes to Anambra State government.
This will enable Anambra State government to cater for Nigerians deported to its area of authority and serve as a deterrent to all States governments of the Federation.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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