INNOSON IN TROUBLE AGAIN-COURT ORDERED HIS IMMEDIATE ARREST

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February 10, 2018

Chairman of Innoson Group, Chief Dr innocent Chukwuma OFR popularly known as Innoson has stated that as a law abiding citizen, he is not afraid of arraignment in the court but he must be arraigned through the due process of law. Innoson stated this today why receiving the news of issuance of bench warrant against him today by State High Court Ikeja.

In a ruling by Justice Mojisola Dada, the court ordered that Innoson should be arrested and kept in custody a day before the next adjournment and be produced on the adjourned date, March 14, 2018 for probable arraignment over alleged forgery.

In a related development, the spokesperson of Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe reacting to the issuance of bench warrant against Innoson stated that the decision of Justice Mojisola Dada was done in bad faith because the judge did not grant the counsel to Innoson, Prof J.N Mbadugha Esg a fair hearing.

During the court proceedings of today Prof Mbadugha invited the attention of the court to the motions pending in the matter, viz:

• that the charge is an abuse of process because a similar charge on the same subject matter is pending at the federal high court Lagos division between the same parties in charge no FHC/l/565c/2015;
• a motion pending at the court of appeal to stay commencement of proceedings and execution of the court’s order of 17th January 2018;
• a motion that the court recuse or disqualify itself from further conduct of the proceedings; and a motion that EFCC cannot be heard in any application until it withdraws the charge given a pending motion against it praying that it be restrained from filing any charge in respect of the same subject matter of the charge that was struck out until the determination of the appeal against the court’s order striking out the previous charge- Charge No. ID/197c/2013.

Prof Mbadugha also informed the court that the 3rd defendant has not been served and as such the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

All the submissions of Prof Mbadugha to the judge were not granted, however the judge granted the plea of the counsel to EFCC who prayed the court to issue a bench warrant against Innoson. The issuance of bench warrant led to a wild jubilation by some staff of GTB and their lawyers who were fully seated in the court.

It must be stated that based on the submission of Prof Mbadugha, counsel to Innoson, the judge erred in law by making an order to issue a bench warrant against Innoson.

The court is bound by law to listen and decide the applications submitted rather than making an order to arraign Innoson in a charge that is an abuse of process.

Osigwe have previously maintained that the EFCC charge which is being instigated by GTB is a gross abuse of process. First, an earlier charge which GTB induced the EFCC to file against Innoson was struck out. Innoson appealed against the order striking the charge out on the ground that it ought to be a dismissal and not striking out. The appeal, with Appeal No: CA/L/1328CM/2017 is, till date, still pending when EFCC filed or re-filed, in December 2017, the same charge that was struck out. Secondly, the charge is on the same subject matter and the same party as Charge No: FHC/L/565C/2015 that is pending at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in Appeal No: CA/E/249C/2016.

Both charges are smear campaign by GTB and EFCC to destroy Innoson.

By Cornel Osigwe

BIAFRA LAWSUIT IN USA AGAINST NIGERIA-Duncan Odey

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bvichannel1

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February 10, 2018

Biafran suit in America: US rejects Nigeria’s defence of immunity
– From Duncan Odey –

In a counter Motion filed on February 6, 2018, the US-based lawyers for the Biafran plaintiffs who brought suit against some Nigerian officials have strongly urged a United States federal court to proceed to trial on the merits, stressing the damning fact the the US State Department has rejected a request from the Buhari-led Nigerian government for the State Department to intervene and stop the suit based on the sovereign immunity defense.

At Page 4 of the 35-page Motion obtained by this reporter, Plaintiffs lawyers stated that “Despite an overture by the Government of Nigeria, the United States Department of State has refrained from suggesting any Defendant is immune from Plaintiffs’ TVPA claims under federal common law or otherwise. Neither has the State Department suggested that any Defendant is a head of state in Nigeria”.

The counter Motion was necessitated by a motion filed by defence lawyers to dismiss the suit based on grounds that included the act of state doctrine, lack of jurisdiction and sovereign immunity. Dr Bruce Fein and associates, lawyers to the Biafran Plaintiffs argued in-opposite that such defenses are not allowed under the Statutes upon which the suit was brought.
Plaintiffs’ counsel also argued that defence Motions are questionable because the defense lawyers are, before the court, fighting amongst themselves as to who should be recognized to represent the defendants.

The case is pending before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against sixteen Nigerian officials for their direct or indirect complicity in the extrajudicial killings of IPOB members/Biafrans who had launched peaceful protests in the wake of arrest and detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The officials are: Tukur Yusuf Buratai; Lawal Musa Daura; Ibrahim Attahiru; M.I. Ibrahim; Kasim Umar Sidi; Issah Maigari Abdullahi; Solomon Arase; Ibrahim Kpotun Idris; Okezie Ikpeazu; Willie Obiano; Habila Hosea; Peter Nwagbara; James Oshim Nwafor; Hosea Karma; Bassey Abang; and Johnson Babatunde Kokomo.

In the counter motion, counsel to Plaintiffs argued, amongst others, that jurisdiction has vested through service of the summons and complaint by certified international courier on all defendants.

The Suit is grounded on two muscular United States’ statutes – the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA or ATS – the Alien Tort Statute); and the Torture Victims Protection Act (TVPA). Both laws have extraterritorial reach, meaning that they allow US federal courts to assert long-arm jurisdiction that extends beyond the borders of United States.

Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) provides that ‘the district courts shall have original jurisdiction on any civil action by an alien (foreigner) for a civil wrong committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States’. Since 1980, courts have interpreted this statute to allow foreign citizens to seek remedies in US courts for human rights violations for conduct committed outside the United States.

Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991 is a statute that permits civil suits in the United States against foreign individuals who – acting in an official capacity for any foreign nation – committed torture and/or extrajudicial killings.

In the suit, Plaintiffs lawyers argued that ‘The factual case against the Defendants is convincing. The world already knows of the widespread beatings and slaughter of protesting Igbos/IPOB by elements of Nigerian security forces at various locations after Nnamdi Kanu was arrested.

Amnesty International and other credible foreign sources have confirmed those killings and torture’. Those reports were filed in Court. Beyond the latest processes, and at the ensuing trial, Defendants will be required to personally appear before the US court to testify under oath and probing cross-examination that will dwell on the details of the IPOB killings and the complicity of other unnamed Nigerian officials.

SOURCE: FACEBOOK

Breaking News:Our Meeting with British Authorities was Fruitful-Barr Emeka

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bvichannel1

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February 10, 2018

BVI Channel 1 online news can confirm that a diplomatic channel has been established with the British Government.This was disclosed by the Team Leader of Biafra Project 2 – Barr Emeka Emekasri immediately after several hours meeting with the Representatives of the British Government yesterday in UK.

The release reads ‘For now ,we can only inform you that the outcome of the meeting was very successful.Note that wisdom and tact are required at this stage to navigate the turbulent ship towards the right direction’ Barr Emeka simply concluded.

Ndubuisi reporting for BVI Channel 1 Online news

Federal Govt. to Shutdown Multichoice DSTV/GOTV

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Queen Madu

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February 8, 2018

The Federal Government may have notified the management of MultiChoice DSTV/GOTV that their operations, in Nigeria, will come to an end in 2019 as their license expires June next year.

According to a letter to that effect issued, on Tuesday, by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation(NBC), the license issued to them in 2014 by NBC will not be renewed because it was not in line with Digital Switch Over (DSO) White Paper.

If Multichoice DSTV/GOTV will ever operate in Nigeria again after expiration of its license, the only option left for them is to go to licensed Signal Distribution company, that is Pinnacle Communications Ltd or ITS.

GOTV has been accused of being used as a conduit to siphon foreign exchange from Nigeria by its parent company, South African Multi Choice DSTV.(the sun)

Breaking News: Plateau Gov. Fires all 17 Commissioners

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Queen Madu

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February 8, 2018

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has relieved all his 17 commissioners of their duties and directed them to hand over to Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries with immediate effect.

Governor Lalong, in a press statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, appreciated the commissioners for their selfless service in the delivery of dividends of democracy to Plateau people.

Part of the statement read: “The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has dissolved the State Executive Cabinet with effect from the 8th of February 2018.

“The governor expresses his sincere appreciation to the Honourable Commissioners for their selfless service and immense contributions in delivering to the people of Plateau State, the Dividends of Democracy and in engendering hope in the APC led Administration in the state.”

The governor, while wishing the Commissioners the best in their future endeavours, assured them that, as stakeholders in the Plateau Project, their wealth of experience would continuously be relied upon in building the Plateau of our dream.

He, therefore, called on them not to relent in availing their services when called upon in the future to serve the State.

“The Honourable Commissioners are to hand over to Permanent Secretaries in their respective Ministries.”(the sun)

IBB’s letter: Police apologised to me –Afegbua

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bvichannel1

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February 8, 2018

Spokesman of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, Prince Kassim Afegbua, declared wanted by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, over the statement he issued on behalf of his principal on Sunday, said the police have apologised for declaring him wanted.

Afegbua, who reported at the Force Headquarters, in Abuja, about 10:10am, yesterday, also disclosed that Babangida was fully in support of the statement and stood solidly behind him.
He turned up at the Louis Edet House in Abuja, accompanied by his legal team, led by his lead counsel, Dr. Kayode Ajulo.

He told newsmen, shortly before entering the Louis Edet House that; “the former president is fully behind me and he has been in touch with me. There’s no need for him to say anything more than he has already said.”

Afegbua said General Babangida was surprised and wondered why the police declared him wanted when he is not a criminal and added that it was the former president who called to inform him that he has wanted by the police.
He said: “It will even interest you to know that when I was declared wanted on national television, my boss, IBB was the one who called me and asked, ‘why are they declaring you wanted? Are you a criminal?’ and we laughed over it.”

After the meeting with police authorities, Afegbua, in an interview with journalists, said: “Incidentally, it became a very fair discussion. The police said there was a mixed up somewhere, to have warranted me being declared wanted and they apologised.

On the N1 billion suit he instituted against the police and some media houses, he said: “Of course, you know we have a case in court, my lawyers will advise what steps we are going to take.”

Police authorities were not available to comment on the apologies Afegbua said they had offered to him
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Security Services (DSS), has invited Afegbua for a chat with its Director-General, Mr Lawal Musa Daura, today.

The DSS invitation came few hours after Afegbua voluntarily honoured Police invitation at Force Headquarters and was subsequently cleared of any wrong doing by the police authority yesterday morning.

Afegbua’s lead counsel, Dr Kayode Ajulo, said his client received a call from the DSS yesterday evening indicating that he should come for a chat with the DG between the hours of 11:00am or 12:00noon.

He added that Afegbua would be going to the expansive headquarters of the secret police this morning, but could not confirm the motive of the invitation as at the time of filing this report.

“My client has right to legal entitlements which every other citizens should enjoy without fear of the government or other fellow citizens. These are rights which cannot be said to have been given to man by man, but are earned by man for being a human, because they are necessary for his continuous happy existence with himself, his fellow man and for participation in a complex society. Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is very clear about this,” Ajulo said.

Afegbua’s invitation by the DSS, some rights activists said, followed criticism of the agency that it often acted in a knee-jerk manner to arrest opposition elements critical of the Buhari’s administration, while looking the other way, when the ‘president’s friends’, make incendiary statements.

SOURCE :SUN

INEC to monitor 2019 polls via satellite

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bvichannel1

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February 8, 2018

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed it would deploy satellite to remote areas where 3G and 4G networks are not available, to monitor the 2019 general elections.

Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this when he visited the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), Abimbola Alale, in Abuja, yesterday.

“In continuation of consultations with national agencies in the telecommunications sector, INEC considers this interactive meeting critical to the success of our commitment to deepening of the application of technology to elections.

“While we appreciate the tremendous reach of the telecommunications operators, we are equally aware that some of our polling Uunits are located in places where 3G and 4G networks are not available for real time electronic transmission of results.

“It is for this reason that we wish to leverage on the capacity of NIGCOMSAT to provide a wide range of telecommunication services. In particular, your broadband service offers a tremendous flexible bandwidth capacity that can be deployed almost anywhere and in a short period of time, including hard-to-reach and temporary locations.

“These are invaluable to the work of INEC. Working with you and in partnership with the NCC as well as the telecommunications operators, we believe the challenges to the seamless transmission of results are not insurmountable

“We are similarly aware that NIGCOMSAT has the capacity for Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting, multimedia, video streaming, Hotspot event services and indoor and outdoor electronic message displays. These services are invaluable to our work on voter education, sensitisation and mobilisation for elections…”

source :sun

VOTERS CARD-Our Weapon Against Bad Governance-IGBO PATRIOTS

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bvichannel1

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February 7, 2018

A new Igbo group has emerged to fight for the welfare and well- being of Igbo people through good governance laced with transparency ,probity and accountability.The group-The Igbo Patriots in a world press conference signed by the Coordinator- Obumneke Okafor and forwarded to BVI Channel 1 Newsonline advised the Assemblymen and the Governors of South Eastern States to enact anti grazing and cattle colony laws as a matter of urgency.The group which is non partisan announced that they are representing the interest of Ndigbo across the globe and has commenced the collection a million signatures of Ndigbo against Cattle Colony or Grazing Reserve and Call for Prohibition of Open Grazing in Alaigbo.

Igbo Patriots noted with great concern the abysmal performance of Ndigbo in the ongoing voters registration exercise as shown in the table below .

S/N ZONE REGISTERED FIGURE
1 SOUTH SOUTH 10,676,957
2 SOUTH EAST 8,146,833
3 SOUTH WEST 14,220,569
4 NORTH EAST 9,325,647
5 NORTH CENTRAL 11,157,988
6 NORTH WEST 18,033,850

The group called for change of altitude and advised Ndigbo to flood the INEC Voters Registration centers throughout Alaigbo as the efficacy of Voters Card is more effective than Bomb.Addressing the World press conference at Filbon Hotel in Enugu, the Coordinator of the Igbo group, Obumneke Okafor, noted, “PVC is the only legitimate weapon through which you can participate and influence the electoral process by electing true representatives who will understand the yearnings and aspirations of Ndigbo as a people.”Okafor who was flanked by his Secretary,Arthur Nwakanma, and five others, said,“Ndigbo should take time away from their shops, markets and offices, avail themselves of the opportunity and get registered and collect their PVC. It is your civic right to vote and be voted for. Do not sell your vote because your vote is your power. And ensure that you vote on all the elections and insist that votes are transparently counted,recorded and announced.

In a Concluding message,Rita Anigbogu,One of the Leaders of Igbo Patriots told BVI Channel 1 Online Reporter that the time of reckoning has come.She made it clear that the Igbo people will use the Power of Voters Card to remove any Politician that goes against the aspiration of Ndigbo and that efforts are on top gear to mobilize the masses against internal conspirators .

Ndubuisi reporting for BVI Channel 1 onlines News

2019: NASS rejigs election schedule — 7th February 2018

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bvichannel1

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February 7, 2018

Clear signs that President Muhammadu Buhari and other presidential candidates in the 2019 general elections will walk on tight rope emerged yesterday, with the rejigging of election timetable by the National Assembly Conference Committee on Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.

The House of Representatives, had in its amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act, included Section 25(1) into the Act by reordering the sequence of the elections to start from that of the National Assembly, followed by governorship and state assemblies before the presidential election.

This is against the earlier sequence rolled out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last year, putting presidential and National Assembly elections first before the governorship and state assembly elections.

In adopting the reordered sequence of election contained in the House of Representatives version of the Amended Electoral Act, the chairman of the committee, Senator Suleiman Nazif, put it to voice votes of the 12 members present to which they all shouted ayes.

He said the bill did not in anyway violate provisions of Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowered INEC to fix dates and conduct elections.

He said the words empowering INEC to that effect were duplicated in the bill just as powers conferred on the National Assembly by Section 4 Sub-section 2 of the Constitution were exercised in relation to rescheduling of elections.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this bill with the inclusion of Section 25(1) which makes provision for sequence of election different from the one earlier rolled out by INEC has not in any way violated any provisions of the laws governing the operations of the electoral body,” he said.

Chairman of the House Committee on INEC, Edward Pwajok, said: “The sequence of election provision in the bill is not targeted at anybody but aimed at further given credibility to the electoral process by way of giving the electorates the opportunity to vote based on individual qualities of candidates vying for National Assembly seat.

“On whether it would be assented to or not by the President as far as we are concerned remains in the realm of conjuncture for now, but if such eventually happens, we will know how to cross the bridge,” he said.

A member of the committee, Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West), said: “Contrary to reports and comments by some Nigerians on the reordered sequence of elections, the National Assembly has not overlapped its boundaries.”

The sequence of election adopted by the 8th National Assembly was earlier proposed by the 4th National Assembly in the 2002 Electoral Bill before it was amended by merging Presidential and National Assembly elections together.

Meanwhile, Buhari formally wrote to the National Assembly informing it of his rejection of three bills recently forwarded to him for assent.

In the letter dated January 25, 2018, and addressed to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, but read by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, Buhari listed the rejected bills to include Police Procurement Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2017; Chartered Institute of Public Management of Nigeria Bill, 2017; and Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill, 2017.

Buhari wrote: “On Police Procurement Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2017, this due to lack of clarity regarding the manner of disbursement of funds, as well as constitutional issues regarding the powers of the National Assembly to appropriate funds allocated to the 36 state governments and 774 local governments, which conflict with Sections 80-82, and 120-122 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“On Chartered Institute of Public Management of Nigeria Bill, 2017, this is due to lack of clarity over the scope of the profession of ‘public management’ that this bill prohibits all persons who are not members of the institute from practicing.

“On the Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill, 2017, this is due to lack of clarity on the scope of the profession of ‘social work’ that this bill prohibits all persons who are not members of the Institute from practicing.”

SOURCE :SUN

Charlyboy gives daughter out in marriage

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bvichannel1

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February 5, 2018

Abuja – Maverick showbiz maestro and activist,Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charlyboy, on Saturday gave out his first daughter, Adaeze Oputa in marriage to Mr Metu Anu, both from Imo Sate. Charly Boy Gives Daughter, Adaeze Hand In Marriage in Abuja The duo tied the knot at a traditional wedding held at the Bride father’s home, situated on CharlyBoy Boulevard in Gwarimpa, Abuja. The marriage rite was followed by a grand reception at the popular Evelyn Event Centre,which hosted celebrities both from within and outside the entertainment Industry. Government functionaries and heads of organisations, including a former minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, were in attendance. Veteran Nollywood actors Francis Duru and Nkem Owoh were the Masters of Ceremony. In a chat on the sideline, CharlyBoy expressed delight and wished the young couple a happy married life. “It is a thing of joy and pride for a father to see his daughter get married, and I wish them well as they begin a new journey together. “I advise them to build friendship and deeper love for each other as husband and wife,” he said. (NAN)

source:vanguard