LASRERA’s Law Will Guarantee Investors Confidence, Curb Fraudulent Practices, Says Toke-Benson Awoyinka | AgegePulse Magazine

 LASRERA’s Law Will Guarantee Investors Confidence, Curb Fraudulent Practices, Says Toke-Benson Awoyinka | AgegePulse Magazine 

 ...As LASRERA hosts Estate Agents, Developers and Practitioners in the Real Estate Sector

SA on Housing, Mrs. Toke-Benson flanked by, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN (L)

By Ayodele Ifasakin

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka on Tuesday said that investors and other relevant stakeholders in the built sector can now heave a sigh of relief from all forms of fraudulent practices following the recent passage of a law for real estate practitioners by the State House of Assembly. 

Benson-Awoyinka made this disclosure on Tuesday at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island during a Stakeholders Engagement organised by Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, LASRERA, with the theme: “Redefining Opportunities in  Real Estate: Regulations and Expectations’’.

According to her, the State Government is ready to curb fraudulent activities in the real estate industry with the right laws and regulations in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of making Lagos State a 21st Century Economy.

Speaking on the rationale for the Stakeholders Engagement, the Special Adviser said that while LASRERA and its stakeholders are eagerly awaiting Governor Sanwo-Olu's assent to the new law, it was necessary to further engage relevant practitioners in the industry  about the content of the law and also encourage them to take ownership of it. 

Apart from engaging the stakeholders, the Special Adviser added that the forum also seeks ways of exploring the diverse opportunities inherent in the Real Estate industry, while also exposing participants to the industry regulations and expectations.

 "The overall intention for this stakeholders forum is for all participants to learn new and relevant skills that would be useful in upscaling your businesses and develop the industry as a whole." 

She said that the stakeholders Engagement was organised to ensure that the policies of the Lagos State Government for the Real Estate industry gains the confidence of Real Estate Agents, with a view to curb fraudulent practices in the industry.

In her words: " As a government that cares about this profession, we will continue to ensure effective and conducive environment for Real Estate business and investments to thrive in Lagos State.

" Let me inform this gathering that the continuous rise in population, migration and demand for properties from citizens home and abroad, will lead to an increase in the demand for accommodation, property investors and homeownership in Lagos State hence the need for all practitioners in this sector to rise up to this challenge and be ready to leverage on this fact ", the Special Adviser stated. 

Benson-Awoyinka called on all the stakeholders to join hands with the Government so sanitize the sector, saying that " the Real Estate industry has visible and invisible untapped opportunities that can positively impact on the businesses of Estate Agents and other investors in the industry.

Benson-Awoyinka stated that " To achieve this, it would require the collaboration of all industry stakeholders including t real estate professionals, practitioners and property developers to boost the Sector in the State." 

She maintained that in orde to unleash the endless opportunities that the real estate industry has to offer, regulations must be put in place to protect the interest of investors and the general public. 

The Special Adviser assured the stakeholders that there will be transparency in the Real Estate industry,  adding that all hands must be on deck to tackle all the challenges in the industry and alleviate the fears of the public and investors. 

Speaking on the introduction of LASRERA Bill ( The Benefits& Impact), the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo, SAN, clarified that the intention of the law is not to regulate the Practioners, saying that the real estate body already has a body in charge of regulating its activities . 

 He added that the law becomes necessary in order to curb fraudulent practices in the real estate sector and also assure investors in the sector of a fair deal as a way of promoting ease of doing business in Lagos State.

His words: "We're interested in securing the transactions of investors and providing necessary support for all relevant stakeholders in the real estate industry, hence the passage of the new LASRERA law by the legislative arm of the State Government. 

The Keynote speaker at the event, Mr Gboyega Fatimilehin who spoke on the topic "Real Estate Regulation as it affects Estate Agency", said that countries with existing regulatory framework for the real estate sector and its services were better able to attract investors.

“This allows for a transparent and effective functioning of the sector and gives the regulators (or government) the financial and administrative independence to aid in the regulations which reassures investors. 

" A well-regulated, fully-functioning, and transparent real estate market can be a very important factor in the growth of a nation’s economy. A market that is settled, predictable and trusted can experience high levels of growth and investment."

Fatimilehin stated that there was an ongoing crisis in the real estate sector and that stakeholders must continue to see ubiquitous instances of fraud and malpractice in the sector in addition to the aforementioned lack of transparency, which has reduced the level of trust in the market.

“This is a hindrance to investment in the sector both in terms of the local capital and foreign direct investment which is required to address the shortage of adequate real estate products in our market,” he said.

The Guest Speaker, Mr Afolabi Balogun, Managing Partner, Libra Law, speaks on issues surrounding Foreclosure and its effect on Real Estate. He averred that most times banks are the major challenge with the Foreclosure of mortgaged property, due to proper documentation by the bank.

He explained that Foreclosure Clause and redemption of mortgage is governed by Provision of Order 55 Rule of the High Court of Lagos State Civil (Procedure)Rules 2019.

Which requires banks to only file originating summons and furnish the Court with substantial particulars of the debt  but most times banks are unable to do that. 

Balogun stated that  Banks should be more diligent with these approach inorder for Courts to  speed the process of the foreclosure in their favour.

Ahead of 2023, Nigeria's Dominant Political Parties Battle For Survival, Leadership Crises | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin

•APC faces ‘legal ditch’ over Supreme Court ruling in Ondo, legality of Buni’s leadership called to question

APC, PDP, Logos

•PDP in crisis of confidence, plagued by defections, resignations

For the two main political parties in the country – the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – the road to 2023 appears inauspicious. Both parties are not only bogged down by leadership crises, but they are also plagued by seemingly intractable survival battles. Strangely, since the APC was coupled together on February 6 , 2013, by the different tendencies that came together, it has never been able to form a Board of Trustees.

The ruling party is today facing stringent legal complications, which have thrown its leadership into confusion since last weekend, after a Supreme Court judgement in the Ondo State governorship election sounded the alarm. PDP, too, is not only contending with a crisis of confidence but it is also desperately afflicted by a spree of defections by governors, and lawmakers elected on its platform, which has been compounded by yesterday’s resignations of top ranking party officials.

The reality of the delicate state of things in APC did not dawn on majority of members until the Supreme Court judgement in the Ondo State governorship election petition. The judgement suggested that the party would have lost the state to PDP had the opposition party’s governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, joined APC’s National Caretaker Committee Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, in the suit. .

The technicality of the case had split the seven-man Supreme Court panel to a four-three majority decision, with the minority judgement led by Justice Mary Odili, arguing that the apex court should have sacked Governor Rotimi Akeredolu since Buni acted on behalf of the party. But the majority judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim contended that since all the issues revolved around Buni, he should have been joined for the argument to be valid.

The crux of the debate followed the position held by some members of the party that as governor of Yobe State, an executive position, Buni could not at the same time act as the APC chairman, another executive office. They alleged that Buni contravened both Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 17 (iv) of the APC constitution.

ThisDayLive

Herdsmen nabbed as stray cow kills three-month-old baby | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

A stray cow has killed a three-month-old baby in the Ebrumede community, Effurun area of the Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, throwing the community into pandemonium.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred on Monday while the cow was being escorted to a buyer by two herdsmen.

herdman

Sources said the cow suddenly strayed off the DSC Expressway by the Ebrumede Magistrates’ Court, near the DSC roundabout, and attacked a woman from the rear.

The baby, who was strapped to its mother’s back, was said to have been fatally hit by the cow’s horns and died on the spot before medical assistance could be provided.

Eyewitnesses said the cow’s horns hit the baby in the head and broke the skull.

The animal was also said to have injured an elderly man after straying into the nearby court premises, where lawyers and their clients fled for safety.

When contacted, the acting Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident and said the herdsmen escorting the cow had been arrested by the personnel of the Ebrumede Police Station. "

punch

Entertainment: Olamide Finally Reveals The Reason Why He Signed Fireboy DML To His Record Label | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Nigerian singer and YBNL boss, Olamide has disclosed why he decided to sign his music act, Fireboy DML.

Olamide

Olamide was quizzed about the reason he took Fireboy DML in to mentor him aside from signing him.

He intimated that he could see that Fireboy was different with his style of music and deep appreciation for his songwriting ability.

Olamide said:

It’s the sound. Still today, for me, it’s still the same. There are so many young artists out there but they’re nothing compared to the kind of music Fireboy makes. It’s just way beyond his age. I think Fireboy is 57 years old [Fireboy laughs out loud]. He writes like an old man. He’s one of those few people that I learn from sometimes. Like, ‘what does this dude think about when he’s writing?’

Fireboy DML recounted his first encounter with Olamide. He explained that their first meeting was at a hotel and they built their relationship from there.

He said:

“I remember. Because that was a big moment for me. I met him for the first time in person at a hotel in Lekki. We exchanged a few words — he’s a man of few words. But I think we started recording that same day, working on the album.

KufoTv

Olympics: Blessing Oborodudu wins silver For Nigeria | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Wrestler Blessing Oborududu has won the first silver medal for Nigeria in the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Blessing Oborududu 

This adds to the earlier bronze won by long jumper, Ese Brume, in the long jump final.

Oborududu who had carried the hope of team Nigeria for a Gold medal lost 4-1 to her opponent USA’s Tamyra Mensah-Stock in the final of the women’s freestyle 68kg Tuesday.

Blessing Oborududu is the first Nigerian wrestler ever to win a silver medal at the ongoing Games.

TVcnews

RRS Arrests 6 Notorious Miscreants In Lagos | AgegePulse Magazine

 

.... Suspects arraigned at Lagos Mobile Court

....Recover bags of Indian hemp and other outlawed drugs.

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

The Operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) over the weekend recovered bags of Indian hemp and other outlawed drugs from six (6) arrested notorious miscreants. 

Tunde Azees 39yrs (M), Wasiu Animashaun 38yrs (M), Emmanuel Cletus 46yrs (M), John Mensah 24yrs (M), Lateef Gbolahan 37yrs (M) and Osas Ayo 34yrs (M), were all arrested under Marina Bridge towards Onikan Round-about on Lagos Island.

Investigation revealed that they were notorious  criminals who after smoking Indian hemp at different hideouts rob innocent motorists during traffic on Marina/Eko Bridge and dispossess them of their valuables such as money, laptops, jewelries and phones.

The Commander RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi confirmed that the six (6) arrested notorious miscreants  were immediately arraigned at the Lagos State Mobile Court on the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Hakeem Odumosu.

They were charged with two (2) counts of 'Conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace by smoking Indian hemp and constituting nuisance' and 'Did found wandering in a public place or disorderly purpose punishable under section 168 (1)(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

Magistrate Oluwatosin Fagbohun who presided over the case convicted one of the notorious miscreants (Tunde Azees) to Six (6) weeks imprisonment after he pleaded 'Guilty' to the two (2) counts charged levelled against him.

The remaining five (5) arrested notorious miscreants who pleaded 'Not Guilty' and had their cases adjourned to 10th of August, 2021 with an attached bail conditions of the sum N50,000 (Fifty Thousand) and a surety each with a verified address.

Hushpuppi paid Abba Kyari N8m to detain Chibuzo, FBI alleges | AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin

Abbas Hushpuppi, Abba Kyari

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has alleged that money laundering suspect, Abass Ramon, aka Hushpuppi, paid N8m or $20,600 to the embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, to arrest and detain a “co-conspirator,” Chibuzo Kelly Vincent.

A document issued by the United States District Court for the Central District of California and dated February 12, 2021, alleged that Hushpuppi contracted the services of Kyari after Chibuzo allegedly threatened to expose an alleged $1.1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.

“Kyari provided the account information for a bank account at a Nigerian bank, Zenith Bank, in the name of a person other than Kyari himself,” Page 59, item 145 of the document stated.

FBI Special Agent, Andrew John Innocenti, made the allegation in the ‘Criminal Complaint By Telephone Or Other Reliable Electronic Means’ filed before the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Detailing the events leading to the alleged payment, the document stated, “On January 16, 2020, Abbas sent a message to Kyari on WhatsApp, and then placed five calls to another phone number (+2348060733588) that was listed as ‘Abba Kyari.’ Call records show that the last three of the calls were answered and that one of the calls lasted more than two minutes.

“Shortly after that, Abbas received a message from Kyari, confirming ‘We would pick him today or tomorrow.’ Abbas wrote, ‘I will take care of the team also after they pick him up.’ Kyari confirmed ‘Yes ooo.’”

The document averred that, based on the conversation described in paragraphs 143 to 145, Abbas planned to pay the Nigeria Police Force officers who arrested Chibuzo for that service.

It alleged that “This was not the only time that Abbas arranged payments with Kyari”, adding, “On May 20, 2020, Abbas sent Kyari transaction receipts for two transactions from accounts at Nigerian banks (GTBank and Zenith Bank) of a person Abbas knew in the U.A.E.— a person also arrested with Abbas in Abbas’ apartment in the U.A.E. by Dubai Police on June 9, 2020 — to the Nigerian bank accounts of another person in Nigeria.

“The amounts on the transaction receipts totalled 8 million Nigerian Naira, which was approximately $20,600 based on publicly available exchange rate information.”

The FBI document noted that, “Attempting to reason with Abbas, on January 18, 2020, Chibuzo recounted for Abbas all the assistance he had provided in the scheme to victimize the victim Businessperson, including creating the “power of attorney” document, devising a story to tell the victim Businessperson, and facilitating the creation of the “telephone banking” number and fake Wells Fargo website.

“On January 20, 2020, Kyari sent to Abbas a biographical, identifying information for Chibuzo, along with a photograph of him. In a conversation immediately following, Abbas confirmed, ‘that is him sir.’

“Kyari stated, ‘We have arrested the guy. He is in my cell now. This is his picture after we arrested him today.”

According to the document, Kyari then sent the biographical information about, and photograph of Chibuzo to Abbas, using two different WhatsApp numbers — the second of which Kyari said was his “private number.”

“From that point on, Kyari and Abbas primarily discussed the arrest and detention of Chibuzo through WhatsApp on this ‘private number,’” the document stated further.

“After receiving the photograph of Chibuzo, Abbas stated, ‘I want him to go through serious beating of his life.’ Kyari responded, ‘Hahahaha,’ and Abbas replied, ‘Seriously sir.’

“Kyari then asked for details about what Chibuzo did on audio, which Kyari said was ‘So that we will know what to do.’

“In response to Kyari’s question about what Chibuzo had done to Abbas, Abbas sent Kyari an audio message, which is transcribed here, describing how Chibuzo had tried to steal away a fraud victim (i.e., “the job”) from him:

What he did is, I have one job. The job want to pay me 500, umm, 75,000 dollars [i.e., $575,000]. He went to message the job behind me because I told him to help me make one document for me to give the job. Then he went—he has a—I gave him the details.

Then he went to message the job behind my back and try to divert the money and in this process, he tell the job because of the documents he gave me that I gave the job, he tell the job, ‘These document they sent to you before. These people are fake. This money—is me who can help you to get it. Come to me le—bring this money you want to pay these people to me. I’m the only one who can help you,’ and all these things to divert the job for himself.

“After listening to the message, Kyari wrote, “Ok I understand. But he has not succeeded.” Abbas claimed Chibuzo had taken some money, and provided Kyari with two screenshots, one of which contained the phone number 3054405586 (the phone number Chibuzo used to contact the Victim Businessperson).

“Abbas then told Kyari, ‘Now the [Victim Businessperson] was skeptic to pay me the money cos he keep attacking the [Victim Businessperson] from his end. Now I can handle the [Victim Businessperson] correctly.”

The document further alleged that “Abbas further told Kyari that he wanted to pay money to send Chibuzo to jail for a long time, stating, ‘Please sir, I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.’

“Kyari responded, “Ok bro, I understand; I will discuss with my team who arrested him . . . And handling the case We will do something about it.’

“Abbas responded, ‘Let me know how I can send money to the team sir. Let them deal with him like armed robber.’ Kyari responded, ‘OK I will send their account details to u.'”

“Abbas further wrote, ‘He betray me and try to take food out my mouth, this is great punishable sin,’ and Kyari  responded, ‘Yeah bro.’

“Abbas then continued, ‘I want him to suffer for many years.’ Kyari responded, ‘Hahahaha! Hahahaha.'”

The document alleged that, “Approximately six minutes later, Kyari provided the account information for a bank account at a Nigerian bank, Zenith Bank, in the name of a person other than Kyari himself.

“Abbas responded, ‘Ok sir, tomorrow by noon,’ indicating that he would make the payment to Kyari’s team by the next day.

“Approximately a month later, on February 19, 2020, Kyari sent a message to Abbas, saying, ‘Hello hush with [sic] need to talk about the subject under detention with me.’

“Abbas asked, ‘Should I call u on this number sir?’ to which Kyari replied ‘Yes call me.’

“The following day, Kyari sent Abbas multiple photographs of Chibuzo to Abbas, including close-up photographs showing a rash or skin disease on Chibuzo’s torso and arms.

“Abbas responded, ‘I don pity am, make them leave am from Tuesday.’ Kyari wrote, ‘Ok bro, they just brought him from hospital. The fever and the rashes is giving him serious wahala. He got the disease from other suspects in the cell.’

“Abbas responded, ‘I see am, I no too pity am. That’s what people like him deserve, but I go forgive am for God sake.’

“Abbas then said, ‘No problem sir from Tuesday he can go,” apparently giving Kyari his blessing to release Chibuzo from custody.

“Kyari responded, ‘Ok bro. We will also keep his phone and other gadgets for some weeks.’ Abbas responded, “Yes those ones they should not give him again, those ones are gone . . . Make he no see those ones again for life.’

Kyari has been suspended by the Police Service Commission as Head of the Intelligence Response Team based on the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba. A panel has also been established to probe the matter.

Former RRS Commander, DCP Tunji Disu To Replace Abba Kyari As Police IRT Boss | AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin

DCP, Tunji Disu

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has today, 2nd August, 2021 approved the posting of DCP Tunji Disu as the new Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The posting of the officer is on the heels of Management’s decision to fill the leadership gap within the IRT and refocus the Unit for better service delivery. 

The IGP has charged the new Head of the IRT to demonstrate his professional competence in his leadership of the Unit. He also assured citizens that the IRT will remain focused in the discharge of its duties in line with national statutes and international best practices.  

3. Prior to his appointment as the new Head of the IRT, DCP Tunji Disu, a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos State, was the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja. He had also previously served at the State CID, Rivers State as the Deputy Head of the Unit. He was also a former Commander of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the African Union (AU) Peace Keeping Mission in Dafur, Sudan.

4. DCP Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State. He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad: Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the Cambridge University, UK, Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos, amongst others. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel management, amongst other professional bodies. 

His posting is with immediate effect. 

Chai! Slay Queen Embarrassed By Bolt Driver For Not Paying, Boyfriend Couldn't Show Up | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

A yet to be identified Lagos bolt driver made a video of a slay queen who couldn’t pay for her ride of because her boyfriend who is supposed to pay suddenly stopped picking calls.

The scene between the lady and bolt driver attracted a passerby who tried to resolve the matter amicably between both parties but could not.

According to the lady warning not to be recorded, she said she is a video vixen and people know her a lot. She told the peacemaker that she only needed the driver to calm down for her boyfriend to pick the call and do a transfer.

On his part, the driver said he had ended the trip and another rider has requested him but the boyfriend has refused to pick calls.

He said, “It is better for everybody to know what is happening because when they say, they say bolt drivers are rude.

”When I pick a rider, a rider pays me and comes down from my car. Am not to be bothered if a boyfriend or someone is not picking call.

“I ended her trip at 10 o’clock and waited 30mins before taking any action and this is already to eleven.

She refused when the cab man suggested that she should drop a valuable that she can collect back when her boyfriend pays for the trip.

Towards the end of the video, he requested for her phone but she held on tightly to it.

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Abiyamo 

LASRERA To Engage Real Estate Stakeholders On Regulatory Law | Theme: Redefining Opportunities in Real Estate: Regulations & Expectations" AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin  

Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, LASRERA, has concluded plans to engage relevant stakeholders in the Real Estate Sector towards redefining opportunities in Real Estate with relevant guidelines and Laws. 

 The Stakeholders' Forum scheduled to hold on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021 at  Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, with the theme:

"Redefining Opportunities in Real Estate : Regulations & Expectations", will focus on the impacts and benefits of LASRERA Law towards sanitising the Sector. 

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka said that discussions around the amended Estate Agency Regulatory Authority Law 2006, now the Real Estate Regulatory Authority Law 2021, becomes necessary in order to create a sustainable climate for ease of doing business in the sector. 

Benson-Awoyinka said that the Keynote Speaker for the event is Mr. Gboyega Fatimilehin,  Founding Partner, Diya Fatimilehin and Co while 

other Speakers include,  the MD/CEO, Knight Frank & Rutley, Mr. Frank Okosun,

Principal Partner, Gbenga Ismail, Vice Chairman NIESV, Lagos Chapter, Mr Wale Ayilara, MD/CEO Landwey Investment Group, Sarah Ene, Executive Director, International Center for Human Rights, Non-Violence and Safety Awareness, Uchenna Ikechukwu, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, Fayoade Adegoke, Officer-in-Charge State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Kunle Awolaja, Director, Lagos State Valuation Office, Bamidele Onalaja, GMD RevolutionPlus Group / Chairman REDAN 

How Buni, Malami Defied Osinbajo’s Directive to Stop APC Congresses | AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

•Stakeholders canvass reinstatement of dissolved NWC without Oshiomhole

•Your ward congresses are a nullity, says PDP

•APC: Opposition party not an interpreter of 

Worried by the narrow escape of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in retaining Ondo State and the broader implications of the pronouncement by the Supreme Court, particularly, as it relates to the position of the National Chairman of APC, Mai Mala Buni, President Muhammadu Buhari, from faraway London, had directed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to take charge of the legal concerns and come up with a decision in the overall interest of the party.

Osinbajo, too, wasted no time in summoning a meeting of all the lawyers in the cabinet to deliberate on what to do as the congresses were just a day away, Saturday to be precise.

At the meeting, competent sources said, the consensus of opinions was that the party should pause the congresses slated for last Saturday before weighing other options. But only Malami objected, arguing that the exercise could go ahead, regardless.

Those in attendance at the meeting which held at the vice president’s office were the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of State for Labour, Mr. Festus Keyamo; and Professor Tahir Mamman, a former Director General of the Nigeria Law School and legal adviser/member of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the APC.

After what allegedly turned out a heated debate, everyone at the meeting, THISDAY gathered, agreed that the first step to addressing the “elephant in the room” was to suspend the congresses, which unfortunately, held last weekend.

A majority of those in attendance, THISDAY was told, shared some of the argument that followed the Supreme Court judgment on Ondo and had contended that it was only logical to minimize the damage the APC might suffer in the final analysis, by first suspending the congresses and then, fashion out other possible options.

But Malami would have none of it. “He disagreed with the submissions of others and insisted that the congresses could go ahead.”

“The resolution reached was to suspend the congresses,” a source privy to the meeting stated.

While debate was still on, Osinbajo was said to have made effort to reach the President by phone to intimate him of developments but failed.

Having reached the decision to pause the congress, Osinbajo decided to call Governor Buni on the resolution to suspend to congresses scheduled for Saturday.

But to his shock, Buni flatly rejected his directive, insisting like Malami that the congresses would go ahead as planned. Malami and Buni belong to the CPC tendency of the APC.

It was a bemused Osinbajo, who watched helplessly as Buni refused to obey his directive to suspend the congresses.

According to sources, Malami and Buni’s hesitance to discard experts’ opinions despite glaring danger might have been because some people identified as cabal in the presidency did not want to lose their current hold on the party especially, that they were believed to have had a choice presidential candidate in mind, of which a change in the course of the party could undo.

The truth of the matter is that the APC is currently facing an existential threat as two major tendencies wrestle for control of the party. These tendencies as represented by the legacy parties that merged to form the ruling party – the Congress for Progressive Change and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Indeed, there was said to be an understanding at inception that while the CPC, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, would control the government, how the party is run would be the prerogative of the ACN, a party led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Unfortunately, the fear of what might likely be in 2023 has begun dawn on and force the CPC tendency to not only renege on this understanding, but also doing all within its reach to completely take over the party and dominate the other tendencies especially, the ACN.

Therefore, while the PDP wing of the merger, led by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has since been relegated from exerting any form of control or accorded any sense of belonging especially, that his other allies had since returned to their former party, the PDP; the CPC tendency has literally taken over the party now and is desperately working to consolidate its hold ahead of the 2023 general election.

Thus, by going ahead with the congresses last weekend, despite concerns about the legal implications that option portended for the party, it demonstrates once again that it is willing to risk the existence of the party in pursuit of its narrow objective. The CPC tendency clearly seeks to plant his loyalists across the board and finally cut other tendencies to size even when its equity to the merger (states controlled pre-2015 polls) was the least, when compared to other legacy parties.

However, shedding more light on the Supreme Court judgment in a position paper, which appears in sync with Festus Keyamo’s position on the raging crisis, a former National Legal Adviser of the APC, Babatunde Ogala stated, “I have read suggestions by my brother silk, Festus Keyamo, SAN to the effect that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party as well as its Board of Trustees (BOT) should take charge of the affairs of the Party through a committee set up by either organ.

“This is a very wise proposition except that NEC alongside all other organs of the Party were purportedly dissolved at a meeting convened and presided over by Governor Mai Mala Buni. Sadly, the Notice for the NEC meeting was issued by the same tainted leadership of the party.

“Therefore, it is my view that the meeting may not have been properly convened in the eyes of the law and its resolution(s) may have been void ab initio. This gives a leeway for the NEC to resume its duties and convene meetings immediately where it will decide the future of the party.

“The Board of Trustees of the Party was never and has still not been constituted till date. So, in effect, the Party does not have a BOT that could convene even a meeting of the BOT, talk more of convening a National Convention or indeed any statutory meeting of the Party.

“The reinstatement of the dissolved National Working Committee (NWC) without the erstwhile Chairman, who was suspended from office by Order of a court of competent jurisdiction should be seriously considered in other to cloak the impending Ward, Local Government Area and State Congresses as well as National Convention with the imprint of legality.

“Many of the NWC members have since moved on to better things and would be reluctant to return to their positions but this is the hard decision we must all take for the sake of saving our dear party,” Ogala maintained.

Ogala, who was not physically present at the meeting, continued: “It is my opinion, that in this moment, there is no place for parochial grandstanding. Just as the former NWC accepted their dissolution without much hassle, it is time for the current Caretaker Committee to sacrifice for the posterity of APC.

“The fate of APC is at stake in that all successes, victories and triumphs gained by the party will continue to hang on a very thin thread in the face of the progressive attitude of our courts on election and political matters.”

He contended that the decision of the Supreme Court had opened the flood gates for endless litigation challenging every action and decision of the APC leadership as presently constituted.

“In closing,” Ogala said, “I acknowledge the Supreme Court for its decision and specifically note the hint the Court gave to us to clean our acts and come into the bounds of legality before the worse happens at the forthcoming general election.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), last night, said the ward congress conducted by the APC amounted to a nullity, given the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, which invalidated the Buni-led national executive.

The PDP, therefore, vilified Buni and other APC leaders for deceiving innocent Nigerians and cajoling them to participate in the needless exercise, which ended in violent crisis and avoidable deaths, when they knew it was all in futility.

But the leadership of the APC , while dismissing the PDP as no interpreter of the law, has asked it to keep its “baseless comments” on APC leadership to itself, saying it was aimed at distracting attention from its depleting fortunes and rudderless leadership, which has led its members and leaders abandoning the party.

According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said, it was indeed callous that the leaders of the APC, despite knowing that any process conducted by the Buni-led national executive, whose legal status, in the face of section 183 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 17(4) of the APC constitution, has been queried by the Supreme Court, could extort from their innocent followers and subject them to a fraudulent exercise that is a nullity.

“While Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) bars a sitting governor from holding any other office while serving as state governor, Article 17(4) of the APC constitution clearly states that ‘no officer in any organ of the party shall hold executive position office in government concurrently,” he said.

The PDP explained that the implication was that with Buni as chairman, the APC has no valid national executive and as such any congress or any other statutory process conducted by the APC under this circumstance remained a nullity.

“Our party, therefore, counsels those who participated in the ridiculous drama called APC ward congress to know that they have been viciously scammed. They should not worsen their situation by allowing the deceptive APC leaders to further set them against one another in bloody clashes for a party that has technically gone defunct,” the PDP said.

But the National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement issued yesterday said, instead of being humbled by the defeat of the recent Supreme Court judgement on the Ondo Governorship election, the PDP has turned itself to an interpreter of law.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an old, lonely, toothless and hungry Hyena wandering aimlessly in the jungle of political wilderness. Nigerians are fully aware of its antecedents and will never take it seriously no matter how much empty noise it makes.

“We note how arrogantly the PDP has become an interpreter of the laws of the nation by ignorant comments on the recent Supreme Court judgement, which affirmed the election victory of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and dismissed the PDP’s case on the grounds that it was incompetent,” he said.

Akpanudoedehe noted that the PDP had reached the end of its political road and Nigerians would never trust it again with the governance of this country.

ThisDay

Angry mum stabs daughter to death for spending night outside home | AgegePulse Magazine

Angry mum stabs daughter to death for spending night outside home | AgegePulse Magazine 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Kafayat Lawal

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old woman, Kafayat Lawal, for allegedly stabbing her 17-year-old daughter Ayomide Adekoya with a broken bottle to death.

The woman also stabbed another of her children with a broken bottle in the hand which led to the victim’s hospitalisation.

The spokesperson for the police in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi disclosed this in a statement on Friday. Oyeyemi stated that the suspect was arrested following information received by the Divisional Police Officer, Ogijo Divisional headquarters, CSP Mohammed Baba, at about 2;30 pm.

Oyeyemi said the suspect locked her two daughters in a room where she beat and injured them with a broken bottle.

He said “Upon information, the DPO mobilised his men and moved to the scene where the two victims were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment before one of them gave up the ghost.

“The suspect was then arrested and taken to custody. On interrogation, the suspect who claimed to have separated from her husband nine years ago informed the police that her two daughters left home during the Sallah and didn’t return till the following day.

“This infuriated her, and when she wanted to beat them, people around pleaded on their behalf and she left them, only for them to go out again the following day and passed the night outside. It was the annoyance that made her lock them inside and injured them both with a broken bottle.

“The older one Blessing Adekoya 19 was injured in the hand, while her younger sister Ayomide was stabbed in the chest and unfortunately gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.”

Oyeyemi however said the Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the homicide section of the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and diligent prosecution.

Abiyamo 

Details Of FBI’s Meeting With Inspector-General Of Police Over Abba Kyari Revealed | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Abba Kyari, FBI

Operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Friday met with the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, in Abuja over the arrest warrant issued on Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

This is coming after the Nigerian super cop was linked in a fraud trial involving internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

According to SaharaReporters, top sources in the office of the IGP disclosed that FBI detectives were with the IGP till he went for Friday’s Juma’at prayers.

The sources further stated that the embattled police officer was given till next week to formally respond to the allegations till his extradition to the US would be decided by the police authorities.

One of the sources said, “The FBI detectives left when he (IGP) went for Friday Juma’at prayers. The FBI personnel were insistent and had a long meeting with the IGP till the close of work.”

DailyTimes

Why Lagos State Govt. Shut Ladipo Market | AgegePulse Magazine

 By  Ayodele Ifasakin  

Lagos State Government has shut down the nation’s largest auto spare part market, Ladipo Market, in Mushin Local Government Area of the state indefinitely.

The government accused the traders of contravening repeated environmental warnings against indiscriminate dumping of junk auto parts

THISDAY checks has it that the order from government was carried out by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) which sealed the market in the early hours of yesterday.

Closure of the market was confirmed through a statement by Assistant Director of Public Affairs for LAWMA, Hakeem Akinleye, who lamented that the deplorable state of the environment within and around the market is appalling.

According to LAWMA, the market would remain shut until the traders turned a new leaf by adhering to the environmental laws that were put in place to protect the environment and residents.

It appealed to other markets and business centres in Lagos to shun indiscriminate dumping of refuse and other related environmental offences to avoid suffering the same fate as Ladipo Market.

The waste authority stated that the infractions could not be overlooked due to flagrant acts of improper waste disposal that could aid an outbreak of disease across the state.

The agency assured residents of Lagos that it would leave no stone unturned in making sure sanitation law defaulters were adequately penalised for their actions to serve as a deterrent to others considering to embark on such.

thisDay

Veteran Nigerian actress, RACHAEL ONIGA, Dies | AgegePulse Magazine

 

Veteran Nigerian actress, RACHAEL ONIGA, Dies | AgegePulse Magazine 

She was aged 62.

RACHAEL ONIGA

She reportedly died soon after partaking in a movie project in Ogun State.

She died of an undisclosed sickness.

APC crisis: Buhari orders Osinbajo to intervene | AgegePulse Magazine VP meets Ministers Malami, Keyamo, Fashola, Lai Mohammed

By  Ayodele Ifasakin 

• Tension in states as congresses take off •Party threatens sanctions for parallel congress

 

L-R: Buhari, Buni, Osinbajo 

Worried by the impact of the judgment of the Supreme Court on the fate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to meet with all ministers who are lawyers in his cabinet.

The move was meant to douse the tension sparked by the minority ruling of the apex court on the legality of actions taken by the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), headed by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.

But many of the state chapters of the party were still in the grip of tension last night as they prepared for the ward congresses today.

At least one state, Kwara, may hold parallel congresses despite threat yesterday by the CECPC to sanction any one organising a parallel congress.

Sequel to Buhari’s directive, Osinbajo summoned a session with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), Works Minister Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Minister of State for Labour and Employment Festus Keyamo (SAN) and Information and Culture Minister  Lai Mohammed.

The session debated the status of the CECPC chairman and whether the party should proceed with the ward congresses beginning today.

Buhari was awaiting a feedback from the Vice President to enable him give a clear directive.

A reliable source said the majority of participants at yesterday’s session “spoke in the right direction and supported the suspension of the congresses in order to avoid any consequence on the party’s fortunes in 2023.

“They also favoured a proposal to ask Buni to step aside in the light of the judgment.

“But Malami at the meeting said there won’t be any legal or constitutional obstacles if Buni leads the caretaker committee to conduct the congresses. 

They were of the strong opinion that the judgment does not affect the status of Buni or APC.

“Those concerned also pleaded that Buni should not be disgraced out of his seat. They demanded an ingenuous way of resolving the aftermath of the judgment of the Supreme Court.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The VP is expected to get back to the President on the aggregate opinion of the meeting. 

Although the President mandated him to take appropriate decision, he will still defer to the number one leader.”

The President was yet to take his final decision at press time.

It was also gathered that there had been no communication between the Vice President and Buni on the next step by the party.

However, Buni, in a statement through his Director-General for Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, insisted that the Ward Congresses would   go ahead.

He pleaded with APC members nationwide to be peaceful during the congresses.

He asked members to “place the party and members interest above personal interests” and warned that the APC would “not hesitate to take decisive measures against anyone who deliberately sabotages the congresses.”

“We have come a long way repositioning the party. We have reconciled many groups and individuals. We must not allow personal interests in this election to divide us and draw us back,” he said.

Organise parallel congress, get sanctioned, CECPC warns

The Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in a similar warning, said the party would sanction any individual or group that holds a parallel congress.

Akpanudoedehe reminded all party members and stakeholders of the National Executive Council (NEC) resolution of 8th December 2020, which he claimed subsists and extends to the conduct of party members during the congresses.

He said: “For purposes of clarity, may I re-state the relevant point in the resolution to wit: All pending litigations instituted by members against the party should be withdrawn forthwith, and going forward, no member should institute matters against the party without exhausting the internal mechanism for conflict resolution as enshrined in the party’s constitution.

“Consequent upon the above, party members should please note that:

“(i) All activities that may be carried out by persons to put the party and its officers in a bad light before, during and after the congresses should be jettisoned.

“(ii) All activities or processes leading up to the congresses and thereafter which do not have the approval of the CECPC are exercises in futility. This is to say that: any purported; parallel congress, a parallel party organ, and or parallel party office, is, to say the least, a nullity.

“These divisive activities will not be tolerated.

“(iii) For the avoidance of doubt, the party shall deploy the full weight of the law as stipulated in section 21(D) of our party’s Constitution on anyone who perpetrates such unlawful Act(s) and also on their sponsors.

“All persons who are affected by Article 31 of our Constitution should apply for waivers as stipulated under sub. Section 3 of the said Article 31, is also clearly spelt out in the “Special provisions” of our guidelines.”

Also yesterday, member of the CECPC, Prof. Mamman Tahir, at a press conference at the party’s national secretariat, told newsmen of the resolve of the committee to go ahead with the exercise, having obtained the approval of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

He said the party relied on the office of the Attorney General of the Federation for guidance and it was convinced that the party was doing the right thing.

His words: “I am here to reconfirm that our Congresses are on course to hold tomorrow and this Committee is working closely with the Attorney-General of the Federation. And he has offered advice that we are on good ground and we are comfortable with that position. So our programmes will continue to roll on in the normal course of things.

“So we want to assure teeming members of the APC across the country to come out and elect officers at the ward level. This party believes so much in grassroots politics, grassroots democracy; that is the strength of the party.

 

“So we encourage all members to come out tomorrow and elect leaders of their choice at that level before we move to the next stage of our democratisation process and constitution of the leadership of the party.

“This is in a nutshell the message from the party and the Secretariat. That the court hasn’t made any pronouncement or any judgement that undermines our position. And you don’t go into speculating what the courts will do in the future. So, we’re comfortable with our position.”

It was also learnt that governors elected on the platform of the APC held an emergency meeting in Abuja on Thursday night to review the situation, and proceeded to endorse the position of the CECPC

The meeting, which took place at the Asokoro residence of one of the governors, also resolved to call for a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as soon as the President returns from his UK trip.

Kwara APC set for parallel congress on Saturday

Loyalists of Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed in the Kwara State chapter of the party said yesterday that they had secured nomination forms for all its aspirants in the state.

The caretaker legal adviser of the party in the state, Barrister Ladi Mustapha, told reporters in Ilorin that the Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa-led faction was prepared for the congresses provided every other thing remains constant.

He said the Bashir Bolarinwa Omolaja-led executive of the party had notified relevant agencies as required by the Electoral Act 2006 (As Amended).

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court ruling on Jegede Vs. Rotimi Akeredolu Governorship election should be bold enough on the wall of justice that Hon. Bashir Ọmọlaja Bolarinwa’s chairmanship is as solid, in law, as the Rock of Gibraltar,” he said.

Court stops APC congresses in Imo

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday warned the APC to desist from proceeding with today’s ward congresses in Imo State pending the hearing of a suit filed by Okey Anyikwa, APC Chairman in Ideato South Local Government Area.

The Applicant had approached the Court for an injunction restraining the APC from going ahead with the congresses because of the judgment of the Appeal Court that upheld the tenure of the State EXCO elected in 2018.

Justice Valentine Oriji threatened to invalidate the outcome of congresses should the party disregard the position of the Court.

Oriji ordered that all actions regarding the APC congresses in the state should be stayed, pending the hearing of the application slated for August 10.

Ward congress in open contest, says Uzodinma

But Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State said the congresses would be based on the party’s guidelines that make the process an open contest.

He said the exercise should be devoid of writing and submission of list of favoured members by party leaders.

He said that the congress must be that of the people and for the people and that the least that can be tolerated is affirmation of preferred candidates by the people in line with the APC guidelines.

The governor spoke on Friday at the Government House Owerri during a stakeholders meeting of leaders of the party drawn from the 27 LGAs of the state.

He seized the opportunity to congratulate the APC leaders for their solidarity and show of interest in the affairs of the party so far, thanking all for the successes recorded in the past one year and the synergy and harmonious relationship currently being experienced in the party.

Governor Uzodimma informed that the APC in Imo State today represents a new order of inclusiveness, poised to work together to win all elections in the state.

APC sues for peaceful congress in Lagos

Ahead of the ward congresses, the national leadership of the APC yesterday implored leaders and members to cooperate with one another to ensure a peaceful congress in Lagos State.

Speaking during a stakeholders meeting organised by the APC National Committee on Ward Congress for Lagos State with party leaders in Ikeja yesterday, the committee chairman, Dr. Bashiru Ruwangodiya, said the congresses would be done in line with the guidelines set by APC Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for election of 26 ward executives in each of the 377 wards in Lagos State.

Party executives who are expected to emerge through the ward congresses in the 377 wards in Lagos on Saturday are: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Youth Leader, Women Leader and Auditor, among others.

Ruwangodiya said  the the mode of electing the party executives at ward level is either through consensus or election as stipulated by the party’s constitution, adding that the winner would be determined by simple majority of votes cast.

However, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, said the party had agreed on a consensus arrangement for its ward executives.

Oladejo said the consensus arrangement was agreed at the stakeholders meetings held in all the 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs).

According to him, stakeholders in each of the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs agreed on consensus arrangement to produce ward executives in order to engender unity.

“The meeting was sequel to the directive of the National Caretaker Committee to bring all party leaders and members together to rub minds on the forthcoming congresses towards achieving cohesion and acceptable consensus.

“The various meetings agreed on the desirability of a consensus arrangement that will consider all interests and unite the party as we count down to the next national elections,” Oladejo said.

The spokesman said that stakeholders admonished all members to participate actively in the congresses and uphold party discipline at all times.

Oladejo said the event at various council areas gave the newly elected local government chairmen, vice-chairmen and councilors opportunity to express their commitment and appreciation to the party for the mandate to serve the people.

APC youths protest in Osun over consensus congress

Scores of APC members in Osun State under the aegis of Youth Wings yesterday protested against the arrangement for today’s ward congresses. The protesters claimed they had no access to nomination forms for the various elective offices.

The protesters moved from Aregbe junction at about 4 pm to Ogo-Oluwa area with placards and banners, chanting democracy songs. The protest led to a gridlock on the road.

Some of the placards carried inscriptions such as: “We say no to consensus”; “We want free and fair congress”; “We say no to imposition”; and “We say no to party members’ harassment”.

We were not hijacked – Chairman Osun APC Congress Committee

The Chairman of APC, Osun State Congress Committee, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye yesterday denied a rumour that he and other committee members were kidnapped by bandits or hijacked by some people in the state.

Elegbeleye during a meeting with Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and other party leaders in the state ahead of the ward congresses said logistics forced them to arrive the state late.

“The idea that Osun Committee members have been kidnapped is a lie. I have not been kidnapped by any bandit. We are just arriving in your state. Nobody kidnapped us,” he said.

Governor Oyetola stressed that the congresses should not be used to create problems in the party and that is why the National Secretariat advised the way of consensus.

Earlier, the APC Caretaker Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun explained that “as recommended by the National Secretariat we have adopted consensus in Osun for the purpose of the smooth running of the party.

 

“Things have been properly done. Our homework has been done properly. Our fathers and leaders have scrutinised the 332 wards that we have in Osun.

“We have concluded the exercise that will lead us to a very good congress tomorrow. The state government has provided adequate security across the state. We are peace-loving.”

Consensus list ready in Ondo

The list of party ward executives to be affirmed during the ward congresses of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State is ready.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and other stakeholders of the Ondo APC had agreed to conduct the congresses using the consensus method.

The purpose was to avoid rancorous elections that might lead to litigations and factions.

It was gathered that the Ondo APC also set up committees to look into complaints of some members that they were not carried along in compiling the list.

Acting Chairman of Ondo APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, said the ward congresses would be conducted in a family way.

Adetimehin said leaders of the party want to remain united after the congresses.

He said the Supreme Court ruling affirming the election of Governor Akeredolu has further united the party.

Abe asks loyalists to boycott ward congress

A former Senator representing Rivers South East, Mr. Magnus Abe, yesterday asked his loyalists in the party to boycott the congresses in the interest of peace and tranquility.

Abe is currently locked in a battle for the soul of the party in the state with Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

Addressing his supporters in Port Harcout ahead of the congress, Abe said that all efforts to restore peace within the party in the state had failed.

He appealed to them to bury the hatchet and allow peace to prevail during the exercise while he continues to engage the national leadership of the party on settling the issues.

Amaechi loyalists accuse Abe of trying to stop congresses

The Rotimi Amaechi faction of the APC in the state yesterday accused the faction led by Senator Abe of plotting to stop the congresses of the party in the state through a court order.

The APC faction, through its spokesman, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, claimed that at about 4 pm yesterday, members of Abe’s Unity House in the company of their lawyers were spotted at the premises of the Judiciary in furtherance of the plot.

Nwuke said: “We have learnt that at about 4pm today, Friday, 30th July, 2021, Senator Abe’s lawyers were filing papers to stop the APC from going along with its planned congress as approved by the National Secretariat.

“We have further learnt that the Chief Judge of the State who was still within the court premises may any moment from now assign the matter to a judge who would be expected to issue a restraining order.

“We are not surprised by the existence of the plot which was put to the test before the 2019 elections by Senator Magnus Abe and his external collaborators.

“It has become necessary to inform members of the public, including our teeming supporters, of the existence of the plot that is being hatched to obstruct the conduct of the congress.

“It is quite clear by now that each time the APC plans to deepen its internal democracy through processes that would enable members test their popularity, certain paper tigers in our midst who lack active grassroots support connive with their friends in the other party to file frivolous cases.

“In the meantime, we urge our members to remain calm. We wish to assure the people of Rivers State, particularly our supporters, that no matter how long it takes to obtain justice, our party shall secure legal reliefs, which would guarantee the right of our members to pursue their legitimate aspirations. This is our promise.”

Group begs ex-senate president, Nnamani, to save Enugu APC

A group in Enugu State, APC Grassroots Vanguards, yesterday appealed to former Senate president, Dr. Ken Nnamani, to use his position to save the party from collapse in the state.

The group, which said it was not satisfied with the situation of things in the party in the state, appealed to Nnamani to ensure “a total shift to more result oriented individuals who are willing to pay the supreme price of not compromising the party faithful’s aspirations”.

Chairman of the group, Hon Nsude Oguejiofor, said: “It’s time to say no to impositions and planting of fake people as APC leaders who are APC in the morning but PDP during the night. We’re optimistic that a new dawn will be here in Enugu APC and with the team on board, including the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Geoffrey Onyeama our leader, the ugly rhetoric in the activities of the party will be a thing of the past”.

Akwa Ibom APC elders kick against consensus

Elders of the APC in Akwa Ibom State kicked against consensus arrangement for the planned congresses.

The APC elders said the consensus arrangement was unpopular and not in the best interest of the party.

They said only an elective congress would unite and strengthen the party ahead of the 2023 elections in the state.

In a communique at the end of a meeting in Uyo, the APC Elders accused the Acting National Secretary of the party, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, of manipulating the activities of the party in the state for his own personal benefit.

It is impossible for PDP to disqualify APC’s presidential candidate in 2023, says Omo-Agege

Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, insisted yesterday that it is impossible for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other political party to get the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) disqualified in 2023.

The Deputy Senate President, in his second statement on the implication of the minority ruling of the Supreme Court on the status of the APC CECPC chair, asked those canvassing that the ward congresses of the APC be postponed in view of the ruling to “eschew mischievous behaviours and deliberate attempts at misinterpreting and misrepresenting the law to satisfy an egocentric agenda.”

“It is elementary knowledge that complaints touching on the nomination or election of leaders of a political party or issues as to membership of a political party are matters exclusively within the internal affairs of a political party and are not justiciable,” he said.

Omo-Agege added: “The Supreme Court in the case of UFOMBA V. INEC & ORS (2017) LPELR-42079 (SC), Pp. 46-48, paras. D-B, clearly held thus:

‘…The issue now is, are claims against the nomination of members or leaders of the political party justifiable? My simple answer to that question is a capital NO. The law is trite that Courts jurisdiction is ousted in matters dealing with internal affairs or resolution of a political party regarding nomination or leadership of that political party as in this instant case…’

“How the process of electing the leaders or Executives of the APC on Saturday, 31st day of July, 2021, can be relied upon by the PDP or any other opposition party, to disqualify our candidates in 2023, is what beats my imagination.

“Assuming but not conceding, that the grievances (if any) arising from the Congresses would amount or qualify as a pre-election dispute and assuming the PDP or any other opposition  party has the right to challenge the outcome of the Congresses, such a right of action will not last in perpetuity. “

S/Court ruling has invalidated existence of APC, says PDP

Weighing in on the controversy yesterday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the ruling of the Supreme Court had technically invalidated the existence of the APC as one of the political parties in Nigeria.

Spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, told reporters in Abuja that by virtue of the ruling, the APC now lacks the statutory structure to operate as a political party in the country.

Ologbondiyan said the pronouncement of the Supreme Court “clearly pointed to the nullity of APC’s subsistence and activities as a political party for having a sitting governor, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, as its Chairman, in total violation of section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the provisions of Article 17(4) of the APC constitution.

“A further interpretation of the pronouncement of the Supreme Court showed that all activities of the APC under Mai Mala Buni, including nomination of candidates for elections, agreements, official decision reached, establishment of committees for statutory activities as well as its planned ward, local government and states congresses now hang loosely on the threat of invalidity.

“The fate of the APC as a defunct party is already sealed and the party cannot come out of this self-inflicted quagmire even if it engages in the drama of appointing a new National Chairman in place of Mai Mala Buni.

“This is because the APC has become statutorily vacuous, without a valid National Working Committee, without a valid National Executive Committee (NEC) and without a valid Board of Trustees (BoT) to legally initiate or carry out any official function, including convoking any platform for the administration of the party. It is end of the road for the APC.

“In this regard, the PDP counsels all aspirants for the planned APC ward, local government and state congresses as well as the national convention to note that the APC is now in a state of ‘let the buyer beware’.

“Such intending aspirants should be cautious of putting their precious time and resources in a damaged vehicle that has come to the end of an ill-fated journey.”

The Nation

Lady Makes A Portrait Of Ooni Of Ife Using Water Sachets, Presents It To Him | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Adejoke lasisi

A Nigerian lady identified as Adejoke Lasisi wow the Ooni of Ife on ….. as she present to him a portrait of the king made with “Pure Water” sachets, WonderTV Media reports.

The young lady who is famous for “recycling sachets” said when she heard she was going to be honoured by the Ooni as one of the South-West MSME Ambassadors, she started thinking of what she could present to the King as a gift in a show of gratitude.

After a long thought, she consulted her team and they all came up with different ideas, she ordered for the leftover sachets in the stores to be brought which were used to make the portrait of the king and their artist came up with an idea of using straws as beads and they made use of them.

The young lady stated that the Ooni of Ife couldn’t believe a portrait of him could be made with “pure water” sachets and straws.

“Kabiyesi kept touching the straws and he couldn’t believe this portrait of him was made from the woven pure water sachets waste and the straws as beads”, the lady said.

Abiyamo

LG Poll: LASIEC Picks August 7, For Councillorship Rerun Election in Agege LG | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin

Following the inconclusiveness of the last Saturday councillorship that happened in Ward F, Agege, The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has said, that there will be a Re-Run of the Councillorship election in Ward F between the All Progressives Congress Party and Peoples Democratic Party Councillorship Candidates on the 7th of August, 2021

Recall, This was as a result of the tie between the two Candidates where no winner was declared at the last concluded Lagos LG Polls.

AgegePulse gathered that, the requirements for a candidate to be returned as a winner were not met due to the tie between the Candidates according to Lasiec Collation Officer.

Aransi Ola Yussuf, Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 784 Votes while Sakiru Motunrakin Akinwande, also polled 784 Votes in last election.

This election becomes necessary when the first election fails to produce a clear winner for the position of the Councillor. This will only involve just the two leading contenders.

According to electoral rules, a re-run will be so declared to have a clear winner that will represent the good People of Ward F at the Agege Local Government Legislative Chamber Agege Legislative Council

The question now is will the rerun give a record breaking chance to the PDP Candidate or will it be all APC affairs in the 9th Agege Legislative council

How Hushpuppi Allegedly Bribed Nigerian Police Chief Abba Kyari To Arrest A Fellow Yahoo Boy In Nigeria Says United States Department of Justice | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Hushpuppi 

Six Indicted in International Scheme to Defraud Qatari School Founder and then Launder over $1 Million in Illicit Proceeds

Nigerian National Known as ‘Hushpuppi’ Admits Money Laundering in School Financing Scam and Additional Cyber and Business Email Compromise Schemes

            LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury indictment unsealed this week alleges an elaborate scheme to steal more than $1.1 million from a businessperson attempting to finance the construction of a school for children in Qatar – and the subsequent laundering of illicit proceeds through bank accounts around the world.

            The three-count indictment returned on April 29 and unsealed Monday charges three U.S.-based defendants who were arrested last week – as well as three defendants believed to be in Africa – with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to engage in money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.

            The criminal complaint that initiated the prosecution in February was also unsealed Monday, revealing that Ramon Olorunwa Abbas – also known by his social media handle of “Ray Hushpuppi” – was initially charged in this case. Court documents ordered unsealed today show that Abbas, a 37-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty on April 20. A version of Abbas’ plea agreement filed late Tuesday outlines his role in the school-finance scheme, as well as several other cyber and business email compromise schemes that cumulatively caused more than $24 million in losses.

            “The defendants allegedly faked the financing of a Qatari school by playing the roles of bank officials and creating a bogus website in a scheme that also bribed a foreign official to keep the elaborate pretense going after the victim was tipped off,” said Acting United States Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison. “Mr. Abbas, who played a significant role in the scheme, funded his luxurious lifestyle by laundering illicit proceeds generated by con artists who use increasingly sophisticated means. In conjunction with our law enforcement partners, we will identify and prosecute perpetrators of business email compromise scams, which is a massive and growing international crime problem.”

            “Mr. Abbas, among the most high-profile money launderers in the world, has admitted to his significant role in perpetrating global BEC fraud, a scheme currently plaguing Americans,” said Kristi K. Johnson, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “His celebrity status and ability to make connections seeped into legitimate organizations and led to several spin-off schemes in the U.S. and abroad. Today’s announcement deals a crucial blow to this international network and hopefully serves as a warning to potential victims targeted with this type of theft.”

            According to the indictment, Abbas allegedly conspired with Abdulrahman Imraan Juma, a.k.a. “Abdul,” 28, of Kenya, and Kelly Chibuzo Vincent, 40, of Nigeria, to defraud the Qatari businessperson by claiming to be consultants and bankers who could facilitate a loan to finance construction of the planned school. Juma allegedly posed as a facilitator and consultant for the illusory bank loans, while Abbas played the role of “Malik,” a Wells Fargo banker in New York, according to court documents. Vincent, in turn, allegedly provided support for the false narratives fed to the victim by, among other things, creating bogus documents and arranging for the creation of a fake bank website and phone banking line.

            Yusuf Adekinka Anifowoshe, a.k.a. “AJ,” 26, of Brooklyn, New York, allegedly played a role in the fraud, assisting Abbas with a call to the victim posing as “Malik.” Special agents with the FBI arrested Anifowoshe in New York on July 22.

The conspirators allegedly defrauded the victim out of more than $1.1 million.

            The proceeds of the fraud allegedly were laundered in several ways. According to the indictment, Abbas was assisted in laundering the proceeds of the fraud by Rukayat Motunraya Fashola, a.k.a. “Morayo,” 28, of Valley Stream, New York, and Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka, a.k.a. “Bolamide,” 34, of Linden, New Jersey. These two defendants also were arrested on July 22 by FBI agents.

            Approximately $230,000 of the stolen funds allegedly were used to purchase a Richard Mille RM11-03 watch, which was hand delivered to Abbas in Dubai and subsequently appeared in Hushpuppi’s social media posts. Other illicit proceeds from the scheme were allegedly converted into cashier’s checks, including $50,000 in checks that were used by Abbas and a co-conspirator to fraudulently acquire a St. Christopher and Nevis citizenship, as well as a passport for Abbas obtained by creating a false marriage certificate and then bribing a government official in St. Kitts.

            Court documents outline a dispute among members of the conspiracy, which allegedly prompted Vincent to contact the victim and claim that Abbas and Juma were engaged in fraud. After this contact, Abbas allegedly arranged to have Vincent jailed in Nigeria by Abba Alhaji Kyari, 46, of Nigeria. According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest. Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment.

            Anifowoshe, Fashola and Agbabiaka were arrested in New York and New Jersey on July 22, and they are expected to be arraigned in Los Angeles in August. All three are currently free on bond.

            A criminal complaint and an indictment contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

            Both conspiracy counts alleged in the indictment carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison term.

            The FBI is investigating this matter as part of Operation Top Dog. The FBI thanks the government of the United Arab Emirates and the Dubai Police Department for their substantial assistance in this matter. The FBI also thanks the Kenyan Office of Attorney General, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Directorate of Criminal Investigations for their substantial assistance.

            This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Khaldoun Shobaki of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in this matter.

Abiyamo

SANWO-OLU COMPENSATES FAMILIES OF DECEASED SECURITY PERSONNEL WITH N30m | AgegePulse Magazine

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, has again, reaffirmed his pledge to always give wholesome support to the security agencies as he today, in his government's trademark tradition, handed out, three (3), individual beneficiary cheques of ten million naira (10,000,000.00), each to the bereaved families comprising two (2) RRS and one (1) task force operative at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

Represented by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, the Governor, emphatized with the affected families, describing the monetary support as a token and the government's efforts at comforting affected families, maintaining that, no amount of financial gift  can make up for the lost lives and the gallantry of the fallen Patriots.

The Governor, through the chief of staff commended and appreciated the gallantry of the deceased operatives, reassuring the families and Lagos residents of the government's decisiveness to always work for the good and wellbeing of the masses.

The three (3) beneficiary families include those of late Insptr. Ajibola Gafari,  PC Olufemi Richards of Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and ASP Omisore Oluwashina Olamide of Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement Unit).

Speaking on behalf of the three (3) beneficiary families, a son of one of the deceased, Olufemi Odeniyi, expressed profuse thanks to Governor Sanwo-Olu for the cushion and lifeline, while wishing everyone present and the government greater success and impact in the lives of Lagosians.

Igboho: Buratai Meets Benin Republic President| AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has met with the President of the French-speaking West African nation, Patrice Talon.

R: Buratai with Benin President, Talon

Buratai met with the Beninese President on Tuesday during the official presentation of his letter of credence.

Also, the Ambassador of Germany to Benin Republic, Michael Derus; as well as those of Ghana, Gabon, and Norway also presented their letters of credence to Talon.

Buratai (R) presents his letter of credence to Talon (L)

Buratai’s meeting with the Beninese President occurred amid the planned extradition of wanted Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, who was arrested in Cotonou on July 19, 2021 while he tried to catch a flight to Germany.

A member of Igboho’s legal team, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had said Buratai asked for the extradition of Igboho to the headquarters of the Department of State Services in Abuja, Nigeria but Benin Republic disappointed him.

Buratai, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff between July 2015 and January 2021, was deployed as Nigeria’s envoy in the Benin Republic in June 2021.

Before then, the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had presented Buratai’s nomination to the Senate and the upper chamber of the National Assembly had confirmed the ex-COAS’ nomination despite public outcry of some crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the Nigerian Army under Buratai’s leadership.

In a statement, the Beninese Government said Talon granted audience to each of the new ambassadors and discussed with them on the revitalisation and strengthening of bilateral cooperation between these different countries and Benin.

Talon was also said to have received a brief update on the state of cooperation between Benin, Nigeria and the other countries.

“The President of the Republic also took the opportunity to invite the new Ambassadors to work more on consolidating and strengthening the warm relations that already exist between their countries and Benin,” the statement added.

It was, however, not clear whether or not Buratai discussed Igboho’s extradition with the Beninese President.

Igboho, an arrowhead of the secessionist agitation for Yoruba nation, has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou around 8pm.

Igboho was arrested after the Nigerian Government notified its West African neighbours – including Benin Republic – that he should be hunted.

He was arrested with his wife, Ropo, but the Cour De’appal De Cotonou ordered the release of the Germany-based wife of the activist, saying there were no allegations against her.

The Beninese court, on Monday, however, ordered that Igboho be remanded in a prison facility in the country while further investigations were carried out on the case against the agitator.

Igboho is facing allegations bordering on trafficking in arms, inciting violence and causing disunity in Nigeria.

Some of the other offences said to have been committed by the activist include entering Benin Republic illegally as well as alleged planned intent to cause social unrest in Benin Republic.

Though currently in detention, the court granted the 48-year-old agitator access to medical care while his lawyers continue to battle for his release and kick against his extradition to Nigeria.

Recall that Igboho fled Nigeria after the DSS declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms to cause mayhem under the pretext of Yoruba nation but the activist denied the allegation.

Igboho had narrowly escaped the DSS raid on his Ibadan residence on July 1, 2021 around 1am when the secret police killed two of his associates and arrested about 12 of them.

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AGEGE LG POLL: HON. SOLA OSOLANA APPRECIATES SUPPORTERS, URGES RESIDENTS TO BE CALM AS THE PARTY UNDERSTUDIES THE DECLARED RESULTS

 

AgegePulse Magazine 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

As the Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded Local Government Election in Agege, I want to thank residents, Party Supporters and Well-wishers who upon the intimidation came out to vote and  yearn for greater Agege. I humbly appreciate you all for your supports; before and during the last Saturday Election.

Osolana 

The Political crusade of building greater and new Agege has not ended but just began. We shall continue to be focused on our Agenda for all Agege residents.

Firstly, I want to urge all Agege residents, voters  and supporters to be calm over the declared  results by the Returning Officer of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

It is obvious that the results did not reflect the true position of the poll conducted across the Seven wards but our Party is currently understudying the results and shall disclose our position soon.

Meanwhile, we have noticed and documented all the nefarious activities that characterised Agege Local Government Election but i congratulate the announced winners and wish them success in the spirit of good sportsmanship. 

As a peace-loving individual and Politician, I appeal to all my supporters to remain calm, peaceful and maintain law and order in all ramifications.

I sincerely salute the courage of the voters, party agents and supporters  in spite of the partisanship of some security operatives, intimidation, thuggery, harassment, rigging and snatching of ballot boxes. I appreciate you all.

Hon. Sola Osolana

Agege Chairmanship Candidate

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).