The decision was taken few hours ago when Governor Soludo, Transport and Market Leaders held a town hall meeting.
After the meeting, Soludo said “I have just concluded the first in what would become a regular interaction with Market leaders and leaders of various transport unions in the State. Part of our interaction bordered on the welfare of our traders, artisans, and business owners”.
“I reiterated the commitment of the State to phase out the old method of revenue collection. The new method we would deploy, will leverage the use of technology and ensure that a larger percentage of government revenues from this source fully comes into government coffers for effective use”.
“We have further agreed with the Market and Transport union leaders to put an end to the “Monday sit at home” that has proven to be counter-productive. Our people are losing productive hours and competitiveness to the activities of criminal elements who have taken advantage of this self-defeating strategy to destroy the economy of our dear State. This has to stop and immediately too”.
In the new system that we are collectively building with the active support of these critical stakeholders, there will be zero tolerance for touting and any form of criminality that seeks to maim, kill or threaten the peace of the people”.
“Anambra must work in our time and beyond” he included.
The Anambra State Police Command says it has arrested thirteen suspects for various crimes in the state, including; touting, illegal revenue collection, criminality among others.
According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, this is part of the ongoing effort to rid Anambra State of all manner of crimes and criminality adding that it’s yielding enviable results.
In a statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, a gun and other incriminating Items were recovered from the suspects.
The statement reads:
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Echeng Echeng has stated that the ongoing effort to rid Anambra State of all manner of crimes and criminality is yielding enviable results.
The CP stated this, today Friday 25th March, 2022, following the successful arrest of thirteen suspects for various offences ranging from touting and illegal revenue collections, vandalism and other related violent crimes across the State.
Four of the suspects, namely: Emmanuel Igwe ‘M’, aged 20years, Chukwudi Obasi ‘M’, aged 38years, Izuchukwu Enemuwa ‘M’ aged 28years and Uchenna Benedict, ‘M’ aged 28 years on 23/3/2022 were arrested along the Headbridge, Onitsha while touting and collecting revenue illegally from motorists and other members of the public.
Another suspect, one Chimezie Nwankwo ‘M’ Aged 34years of Ezimunya village, Umunya, was intercepted and arrested on 23rd March, 2022, along airport road, Neteje. The police recovered from him: a hiace bus, three hammers, two axes and a police belt with which he, alongside two others still at large, terrorize citizens and steal armored cables installed around the Anambra State Airport.
Similarly, Ali Friday ‘M’ Aged 28yrs, of Dusogu Village, Awkuzu, Onuorsh Chukwuemeka, ‘M’ Aged 21years, of Eziama village, Igbariam, Igboegbunam Chiemelie, ‘M’ Aged 20, of Amabor Village, Abba, Chinedu Chukwuobi ‘M’, Aged 45years of Imengu Village, Igbariam and Oforbuike Alegu, ‘M’ Aged 27years of Akpu Village, Abagana on 22/3/2022 were arrested for being in possession of vandalized armoured cables and a car battery.
Finally, Chukwuemeka Anyanti ‘M’ 26years, Chijoke Anyanti ‘M’ 22years, Onyedika Anyanti ‘M’ 20years, all native of Nkwelle Village, Oyi LGA of Anambra State were arrested on 24/3/2022 for being in possession of one locally fabricated single barrel pistol and two live cartridges.
The CP while reiterating the unwavering commitment of the Command towards weeding out all criminal elements in the state, enjoins all law-abiding citizens of the State to remain vigilant and continue to support the Command especially through prompt and accurate information.
Former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, was on Wednesday night granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Obiano, whose tenure ended last week Thursday, was intercepted and arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos while on his way to the United States.
The former governor was reportedly heading to Houston Texas hours after handing over power to Governor Charles Soludo.
On Monday, the chairman of the anti-graft agency, AbdulRasheed Bawa, said he was still being detained for not meeting the bail conditions granted to him, dispelling rumors of political persecution.
An operative who leaked a video clip of the former governor on red short and white T-shirt drinking water while being detained at the facility of the EFCC is said to be undergoing disciplinary measures.
On Wednesday night, Mr Obiano was released and his passport confiscated as part of his bail conditions.
According to Premium Times, He is reportedly being probed over alleged misappropriation of public funds, including, N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash.
Declining comments, Mr Bawa said the EFCC will not reveal why Mr Obiano is being investigated because the anti-graft agency is being accused of media trials in the past, a habit he said will not continue under his watch.
I don’t know what update you want me to give, because you have been accusing us of media trials, and you want me to say we are doing this and that. No, we (EFCC) would not do that. We would continue to do our investigation professionally as we have been doing,” Mr Bawa told journalists in Abuja.
Part of the funds, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported, was also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state.
His successor recalled inheriting about N300 million and over N109 billion debt from the former governor.
Certificate education has killed our system . As I walk the street , I keep on wondering how our young people in the schools and out of school will be accommodated in our ecosystem.
Our school system is tailored towards certificate incentive. A lot of emphasis is placed on certificate. Many young people go to university just because of certificate . Our society has made it such that any person without University education is considered uneducated and inferior.
This is the time for need based education. GGM will continue to emphasis on problem solving education . A situation where our professors and Engineers cannot resolve the issues of affordable housing , bad roads etc is bad example of our education system . Good Governance Ministry will change the way we deal with issues. Ndubuisi
Former governor of Anambra State and the vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 election, Mr. Peter Obi has declared his intention to contest for the President of Nigeria in 2023 amidst blessings from the traditional rulers of Anambra State.
He made the declaration in Awka while addressing the royal father’s and Presidents General of the 181 communities in the state at Government House, Awka.
Obi said he decided to start the journey from his state by first informing the traditional rulers and the PGs who are the custodians of the people.
He said: “We are all Nigerians and we know how things are shared in the country. Many people had called to ask my position on this matter and my answer then was that I needed to consult widely.
The reason I called you, therefore, is to officially inform you that I am aspiring for the president of Nigeria in 2023.
After a careful study of the country, I notice that we’re too divided and I promise to lead a united and secure Nigeria to be able to attract foreign investments.
“The Nigeria I will lead will create jobs, boost our economy, improve education. If I have the opportunity, I will turn around the country for better.
“I will move Nigeria from a consuming nation to a productive nation. As a Nigerian, I want all parts of the country to be secured. I’m not aspiring for a political position, but to serve the country.
Let me assure you that I will seriously contest for the president of Nigeria on the platform of the PDP.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, their zonal chairmen from the three senatorial zones .said they support his aspiration and pledge to assist him realize his ambition.
They said that Nigerians have so much respect for Obi because of his excellent performance as a governor, assuring that he would replicate same if elected president of Nigeria.
Igwe Peter Anugwu of Mbaukwu regretted, however, that of recent, Igbo people appear to be in disarray and urged them to he united to ensure the success.
He observed that many prominent Nigerians were looking in the direction of Obi to rescue the country and urged all Nigerians to support him.
Obi’s comportment and humility have endeared him among Nigerians.and they have been waiting for to declare. Now that he has declared, I believe that Nigerians will give him their maximum support,” Igwe Anugwu said
Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who served as Obi’s SSG described him as a tested hand who will put Nigeria on the path of greatness.
We worked with him and the results are there to show. We have always stood by him and we know that he will do well. If he gets the opportunity to rule Nigeria” Obaze said..
The senator representing Anambra Central, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife said Nigerians have been waiting for Obi to declare and expressed happiness that he is coming from her senatorial zone.
We’re here to receive royal blessings from the traditional rulers. This is Anambra project and we want the royal father’s to mobilize their subjects for the project.
“Nigerians have been saying that Igbo have not declared their intention but with Obi in the race, Nigerians will now know that Igbo are seriously in the race,” she said.
Senator Stella Oduah is now set to sign as surety for former Governor Willie Obiano who was detained by the EFCC according to reliable information reaching 9news Nigeria.
9news Nigeria understands that Senator Stella Oduah has stepped forward to sign for former Governor after many of his close associates abandoned him in the middle of his predicament.
It would be recalled that Obiano was detained by the Economic and Crimes Commission over economic infractions and other graft offense. He was arrested along with his wife, Ebelechukwu as they were about to board a plane to the Texas, United States of America.
The EFCC named Obiano in several multi-billion naira fraud including inflation of cost of constructions at the new Anambra Airport, Umueri.
Since his arrest, the former governor has been languishing at the EFCC detention despite being granted bail.
9news Nigeria learnt that he was unable to meat his bail conditions as most of his closest allies ghosted him.
According to a source, “one of the conditions for his bail stipulates that a Senator from Anambra State will sign the bail bond, and that is what Stella Oduah is doing”.
Recall that EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, at an event in Abuja said Obiano will be freed to go once he meets their bail condition for him, though he didn’t mention them, but based on discreet investigations, the conditions are:
A Senator from his State
Two Directors from Federal Ministry with Landed Property in Abuja, etc.
According to sources who are privy with the development, the Senator decided to focus on love and not hate as widely promoted against the former governor following his controversial hand over ceremony.
She is volunteering to do this on the grounds that the former Governor is among his constituents and also an illustrious Son of Anambra State.
Commenting on this move, Chinedu Obigwe of APGA Media Warriors Forum says;
”This is honestly kind of Senator Stella Oduah and I thank her immensely for that but unfortunately, Former Governor Obiano bail condition did not stipulate that a Senator from Anambra will sign his bail bond.
By Christian ABURIME
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo had during his Inauguration speech appealed to any group that claims it is not part of the senseless killings and kidnappings in the South East to step out and show leadership by joining hands to do something about the senseless killings and disruption of economic activities in the region
Find below an extract from Governor Soludo’s speech where he specifically called for end to the incessant killings, kidnappings and disruption of economic activities in the South Eastern Region.
“To IPOB/ESN, the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), as well as the disparate armed groups in the forests, it is time to interrogate both the purpose and means of your campaign.
To the politicians playing politics with the insecurity, you are riding a tiger. The current trajectory is a road to desolation. Let us get around the table and talk. Let the elite in the closet come out, and let’s debate our future and forge a consensus.
The conspiracy of silence by the elite and some community leaders must end. If you see something, say or do something! Securing Igboland and Nigeria must be our collective responsibility. Let those in the forests come out, surrender their guns and let’s work together to rehabilitate and empower you to contribute positively to the peace and prosperity of our homeland
A significant part of our state economy is powered by artisans, keke drivers, vulcanizers, hairdressers, cart pushers, petty traders, bricklayers, women frying akara, and all those who depend upon daily toil and sweat to feed their families. Every day, there is a “sit at home”, these poor masses lose an estimated N19.6 billion in Anambra alone.
Due to the protracted breakdown of law and order, businesses are relocating outside Igboland, with growing unemployment, and traders who used to come to shop in Onitsha, Aba etc are going elsewhere. Who is losing? By forcing our children—the future of Igboland—to stay at home instead of being in school, while even the critically sick people (including pregnant women) cannot go to hospital, we harm our future .
I hereby challenge any of the disparate groups that claims that it is not part of the senseless killings and kidnappings to step out and show leadership by joining hands with us to DO something about it. If you love our homeland, there is no place for bloodshed. Our Lord Jesus Christ admonished in Matthew 26: 52: “put your sword back in its sheath, for all who live by the sword will die by the sword”.
In the traditional religion, the land places a curse upon those who spill the blood of the innocent.
For me, this issue is personal and emotional. My mother died during the civil war; our last born, Chukwuemeka died during the war; my father bore a bullet inside him for years; my elder brother – at 16, was in the ‘Boys Company’. At 8, I became the “man of the house”, with all the men at the war front. My uncles, cousins, etc, died during the war.
This is 2022, and there are certainly far better ways to protest than shedding the blood of the innocent or resorting to criminality.
That is why I call on all of us today to join hands with me to execute the real agenda—a livable and prosperous homeland of opportunities and jobs for our youth while maximizing the benefits of a united Nigeria/Africa. With Ohanaeze’s estimate that some 11.6 million Igbos live in the North and over 7 million in Lagos state and over 70% of our non-land assets scattered all over Nigeria and the world, we need Nigeria and Nigeria needs us. We need Africa and the world and they need us.
Yes, we have heard every genuine agitation for fairness, justice, equity and equality in the Nigerian Federation. No, we refuse to turn our homeland into a crime scene and all manners of criminality. No group has ever succeeded in any struggle in history by turning the sword against themselves.
I promise to work hard with other governors and leaders in the South East and others to take your agitations to the table of all Nigeria, and we hope to bargain for a win-win solution for all Nigeria. I will engage all parties to the breakdown of peace and order in Anambra from a point of determination to solve problems and resolve disagreements with openness, integrity, equity and justice.
I will absolutely invest my political capital within our State, our South East and with the Presidency, Federal Government and its establishments as a matter of topmost priority.
With good faith and hard work by all parties, I am convinced that justice, peace and order will return to Anambra and the South East within the shortest possible horizon”
The appearance of Prof Soludo on the Arise TV morning show has compounded the woes of Chief Willie Obiano while even though he called him a good man.
How Soludo described the state coffers and what was handed over to him have significantly changed the mind set of those who were defending Obiano against his arrest and detention by EFCC.
Prof Soludo vindicated EFCC when he said, “our treasury is funny… but in terms of what I met in our coffers, my brother, it’s pathetic. Please let us not go there. God will help us.”
Again, Prof Soludo while speaking on Arise TV condemned the viral video of Obiano at EFCC interrogation room. He said he was glad that Obiano had been granted bail, so he can have his day at the trial.
Obiano should pray that his successor stops appearing on media chats. Despite trying to protect Obiano and initially stating that the state account has been audited and published, he was able to go further to reveal the funny state of the state coffers.
Sadly, despite a debt of over 100 billion naira, the state contractors are heavily being owed by Obiano administration.
This may be the reason Prof Solo Chukwulobe was retained as SSG. His services may be needed to unearth the mess in the past administration.
Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the new governor ofAnambra State, has said that his predecessor, Willie Obiano left a debt of N100 billion and N300 million in cash.
Soludo who spoke on Arise TV on Tuesday, noted that what he saw in the state’s coffers when he came in was N300 million, while the debt is about N100 billion.
He, however, said the new administration is still trying to reconcile accounts, while promising that he will run a transparent government.
“In terms of the debt, it is about N100 billion,” Soludo said, “but in terms of the cash that we met, it is about N300 million or N400 million, that’s what I saw.”
The new governor, however, said other financial details from January to date are still unavailable, but said he expects those documents to be made available as soon as possible, stressing they are public documents.
While the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi is still struggling to retain his seat following his sack by An Abuja Federal High Court, another hight court in the nation’s capital will on Friday, deliver judgment in a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River.
The PDP, through its counsel Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, had filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021 before Justice Taiwo Taiwo to seek for an order sacking the governor and his deputy over their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), among others.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the judgment in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021 filed by the PDP against Cross River governor and his deputy will come up on Friday, March 25.
Justice Taiwo had on Monday, ordered two House of Representatives members representing Cross River and 18 lawmakers from the state’s House of Assembly to vacate their seats over their defection to APC.
The judge gave the order following a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/971/2021 filed on Aug. 27, 2021, by the PDP to challenge the 20 lawmakers’ defection to APC, alongside the governor on May 20, 2021.
Justice Taiwo, in the judgment, dismissed the defence argument that the PDP (plaintiff) had no locus standi (legal rights) to institute the case.
He also dismissed other preliminary objections raised by the sacked lawmakers.
Taiwo ruled that the argument of the lawmakers that there was rancour in the PDP which necessitated their defection to APC was a ploy to mislead the court.
The judge, who granted all the reliefs sought by the PDP, held that it was disheartening that politicians in the country treat citizens as if they do not matter once they get into office.“A day must surely come when elected officials, must either resign from their office or ask the people who voted for them before defecting to other political parties, instead of defecting to another party without recourse to the law and the citizens, ” he said.
According to him, we cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound.
The affected two members of the House of Representatives from the state are Michael Etaba and Legor Idagbor.
The 18 state’s lawmakers include the Speaker, House of Assembly, Eteng Williams; Mich Etaba, Legor Idagbor, Joseph Bassey, Odey Agbe and Okon Ephraim.
Others are: Regina Anyogo, Matthew Olory, Ekpo Bassey, Ogbor Udop, Ekpe Okon, Hillary Bisong, Francis Asuquo, Elvert Ayambem, Davis Etta, Sunday Achunekan, Cynthia Nkasi, Edward Ajang, Chris Ogar and Maria Akwaji.
While Mr Etaba represents Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency of Cross River, Mr Idagbor represents Obudu/Obaliku/Bekwarra Federal Constituency of the state.
