Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday said he was willing to waive his constitutionally guaranteed immunity to ensure persons who spread falsehood about him were brought to book.

Mr Osinbajo stated this on his verified Twitter page on Wednesday.

The vice president was reacting to claims made by a former APC official, Timi Frank, that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) provided campaign funds for Mr Osinbajo during the 2019 elections.

“In the past few days, a spate of reckless and malicious falsehoods have been peddled in the media against me by a group of malicious individuals. The defamatory and misleading assertions invented by this clique have been making the social media rounds anonymously,” Mr Osinbajo said.

“I have today instructed the commencement of legal action against two individuals, one Timi Frank and another Katch Ononuju, who have put their names to these odious falsehoods.

“I will waive my constitutional immunity to enable the most robust adjudication of these claims of libel and malicious falsehood,” he said.

The Allegations
Timi Frank, a former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused Mr Osinbajo of mismanaging N90 billion allegedly provided by the FIRS for the 2019 election campaign.

Mr Frank has, since losing out in the APC power struggle, been very critical of the party and the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Mr Frank did not provide any evidence to support his latest claim.

The FIRS has since debunked Mr Frank’s allegation.

Wahab Gbadamosi, FIRS director of information, on Monday dismissed the claim, saying the agency’s annual allocation is not up to N90 billion.

“The attention of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has been drawn to publication in some online and daily newspapers by a certain Comrade Timi Frank, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who claimed that the FIRS supported the`APC, through the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with a phantom N90 billion.”

“… IT IS NOT PLAUSIBLE nor DOES IT MAKE ANY SENSE that FIRS will commit its resources to a phantom campaign of N90 billion as suggested by Mr. Timi Frank and FIRS does not fund political associations,” Mr Gbadamosi said.

The spokesperson said the FIRS is a creation of statute and its activities are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and financials regulations and thus, “IT IS NOT PLAUSIBLE, that its funds could be expended in such a cavalier manner as suggested by Mr. Timi Frank.”

The other person mentioned by Mr Osinbajo, Mr Ononuju, is a public affairs analyst, who at different times had criticized the APC-led government and its policies. It was not clear, at the time of this report, if Mr Ononuju made the same claim as Mr Frank or a different one.

Nationslead

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THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DECLARED TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019, AS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY TO MARK THE NATION’S 59TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, in Abuja on Wednesday, congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the commemoration of this year’s anniversary.

He assured them of government’s commitment to ending the current spate of insecurity in the country.

According to him, peace and stability are necessary conditions for the development of any nation.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians to emulate the nation’s founding fathers in their love for the fatherland.

Aregbesola, while reminding Nigerians of the immense potential the country was endowed with, assured further that with commitment, “we can move the country to the next level of socio-economic development.”

The minister said, “As Nigerians, we should always remember that there is hope for our country and that we are blessed with both human and natural resources, tourism, cultural diversity, selfless spirit of unity and love for one another, as well as bonded brotherhood, all of which are potential we must exploit in the years ahead to make Nigeria the nation of our dreams.”

Aregbesola enjoined all Nigerians to support the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its “avowed determination to build a secure, economically viable and corruption-free nation, in line with the dream of the country’s founding fathers.”

“The minister wishes all Nigerians a happy independence anniversary celebration,” the statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Georgina Ehuriah stated.

…….condemns Ghana coup attempt

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI HAS CONDEMNED THE REPORTED ATTEMPTED COUP AGAINST GHANA CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES

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The president made this known through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Buhari described the incident as a clear case of ‘corruption fighting back.

He said: “Nigeria and Ghana are leading partners in ECOWAS, and Transparency International, and Afrobarometer’s Africa Index 2019 attested that both countries have recorded exceptional advances in fighting corruption.

”When you take on powerful and corrupt vested interests successfully, sometimes they seek to push back. As the saying goes, ‘if you fight corruption, corruption will fight back’.

“The only acceptable form of governance in our region in this 21st century is through democratic elections. It is the only way to install – and the only way to change – an administration. The days of coups and government without votes are over.”

According to the Nigerian leader, Africans hold the nation of Ghana in the highest esteem as the first post-colonial country to gain independence, and the first African country to hold multi-party elections by universal suffrage.

”Ghana is the first, true African democracy.

“We in Nigeria hold out – as always – our hands in support and friendship to our brothers and sisters in Ghana,” he added.

Tropicreporters.com

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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, has granted bail to Omoyele Sowore, Publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener of #RevolutionNow protest.

According to Politics Nigeria, Sowore, who is the Former presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, is also to submit his International passport.

In his ruling, Justice Taiwo Taiwo said the activist should be released to his lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), who is to produce him for arraignment whenever he is required.

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Governor Kayode Fayemi said on Tuesday that he has no preferred candidates for the forthcoming primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said he remained committed to his earlier stance that there would be no anointed aspirants, cautioning people against dropping his name in a bid to scuttle laid down procedure.

The governor also directed the leadership of the APC in the state to ensure a transparent and hitchfree process for the emergence of the party’s candidates.

Governor Fayemi said that every effort must be made to ensure genuine consensus on candidates’ emergence, adding that clear primary should be the mode of selection, where consensus is impossible.

“Primaries must be well done in a way that even losers will know that they lost fair and square and I have no preferred candidate anywhere. Everybody should go and work for the support of their people. After all, I went through primaries even as a former Governor and leader of the party,” he said.

The governor also urged members of the party to show good examples to others by observing laid down rules of the party and ensuring that differences arising from the contest are resolved amicably.

the Nation

• 

Liverpool moved back five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Chelsea on Sunday.

At Stamford Bridge, Jurgen Klopp’s men stretched their Premier League winning run to 15 games thanks to two well-worked set-pieces in the first half-hour.

Trent Alexander-Arnold curled brilliantly into the top corner after Mohamed Salah flicked a free-kick into his path to open the scoring.

Chelsea were then denied an equaliser scored by Cesar Azpilicueta by a VAR review for offside against Mason Mount.

Frank Lampard is still to win at home in four matches as Chelsea boss, but his side continued to press the European champions with Adrian stopping Tammy Abraham when the in-form striker was clean through on goal.

Chelsea’s defensive deficiencies were shown up again, though, as Roberto Firmino was afforded a simple header from Andy Robertson’s cross to make it 2-0.

“We are only six matches in,” said Klopp as Liverpool look to end a 30-year drought to win the league.

“We have to be ready for each opponent. They are all waiting and want to give us a knock, rightly so but we have to be ready to do what we have to do.”

Lampard’s men did finally get some reward for a vibrant performance when N’Golo Kante skipped through midfield and curled beautifully beyond Adrian, but Liverpool held on to extend their advantage over Manchester City once more.More in Home

“Performance wise we were the better team,” said Lampard. “We had more energy in our game, character and spirit. That’s why the crowd applauded at the end. Let’s take this forward.”

• 

Arrangements are on for the conferment of a special recognition award on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his wife, Tamunominini, by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Governance Searchlight.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NGO, Otunba Tokunbo Babs-Olurinde, in a statement at the weekend signed by the Publicity Secretary of the organisation , Cornelius Kayode, said following monitoring of the first 100 days of first-term governors in the Southwest, the NGO found Governor Makinde outstanding.

She said: “Without doubt, following our research and close monitoring, members of the Governance Searchlight found His Excellency, Governor Makinde, outstanding among his peers in the Southwest and unique in his approach to governance. He has an exemplary style of leadership that we cannot but recognise .”

Babs-Olurinde said besides the aforementioned, the governor had excelled in security, health, education, expansion of the economy, workers’ welfare, reconstruction, rehabilitation and renovation of schools through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Ministry of Education, among others.

She said the feat performed within Makinde’s 100 days at the helm in Oyo State showed that he is a man of the people, who doesn’t only listen to their plight, but also has a large heart and care for their welfare

This, she said, would take Oyo State to the next level.

Babs-Olurinde said the organisation was proud to associate with the style of leadership of Governor Makinde, hence the special recognition award, “Beacon of Hope for a Greater Nigeria”, to be conferred on him and his wife before the Independence Day celebration.

Source: Authority

• 

Senior pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, has demanded N50 million from Mrs Busola Dakola as damages for accusing him wrongly. In an application filed through his lawyers, he asked the FCT High Court to dismiss the suit filed by Busola Dakolo on the grounds that it is incompetent and frivolous.

This recent moves came about two weeks after Mrs Dakolo had asked for an apology from the pastor for allegedly defiling her, which she said had adversely affected her sex life.

Recall that in a writ filed on her behalf by her lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi and Co of Law corridor, Busola demanded that Pastor Fatoyinbo writes a clearly worded apology on the front page of at least two national newspapers and two national television stations for seven days running consecutively.

She also demanded that the COZA pastor addresses a ‘personal apology letter’ showing honest remorse for his misdeed. Mrs Dakolo also demanded that a cost of action estimated at the sum of N10,000,000 (ten million naira) be paid. The application below 

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An apprentice at a tailoring shop in Lagos, Adenike Fatai, committed suicide just three months after her boyfriend identified as Bayo Atanda did same.

The 25-year-old indigene of Kwara State who lived with her mother at Igbekele Street, Iyana Cele bus stop, Shibiri area of Lagos State has reportedly been battling depression since her boyfriend died and she took a poisonous substance suspected to be ‘sniper’.

Though she left no suicide note, a quick check on her Facebook page revealed that she engaged in posts which centered on death and depression. It was further learnt that her trauma was heightened by her late boyfriend family and friends’ allegation of causing his death.

Tawa, Adenike’s mother who confirmed her death told Punch that she met her dead after she returned home from an evening prayer.

She said, “That day, she finished cooking around 7pm and ate. She was outside after eating while I went to the mosque. Around 8pm, she came to the mosque to collect the key to our apartment and I told her to check the shop.

“On getting home some minutes after, I saw her lying on the floor with a bottle of sniper beside her. I called for help but it was late.

“She was learning tailoring in her sister’s place in Ikorodu. All of a sudden, her boss sent her away. She told me she had got another place to learn the vocation in Orile and that she would be living with a friend. I asked her to come and learn it at my place but she refused.

“Whenever I asked to see the friend, she would say she was not around. It was when I threatened to disown her that she told me she was living with her boyfriend. I tried to convince her that what she did was wrong, but she said the man’s (Bayo’s) house was close to where she was learning tailoring. I met with the man and he said he really wanted to marry her. He looked very gentle. We were planning the introduction when he died.

“On a Sunday around 11pm, my daughter called me and started crying on the phone. She said Bayo drank sniper. They took him to the Lagos Island General Hospital, but he died the following morning. That time, she said she would follow him and I tried to caution her.”

Tawa admitted that Adenike got depressed after her boyfriend’s death and even relocated to Ikorodu area of Lagos state. She however said she (Adenike) returned after her condition improved.
“I never thought she was thinking of suicide because she looked happy. Some clerics warned us that death was hovering around her and I prayed over it.

“I learnt she called somebody that evening and told the person that she wanted to go and meet Bayo and that she would drink sniper. I don’t know the kind of love she had for him.

“There was a day a friend of Bayo called her and accused her of killing him. I told her to ignore them. The mistake I made was that I should have changed her SIM card,” she added.

Also confirming the death of his daughter, Adenike’s father said he never knew she was battling depression. Idris said he only spoke to her on the phone since he separated from her mother.

“Since her mother and I separated, I usually talked to her (Fatai) on the phone. Probably she would have told me what was bothering her if we had the opportunity of seeing each other” he said.

• 

The Federal Government on Friday charged the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, with treasonable felony and money laundering.

Sowore, promoter of an online media platform – Sahara Reporters, who was also presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the last presidential election, is charged along with Olawale Bakare, also known as Mandate, in a seven-count charge filed by the office of the Attornery General of the Federation.

Sowore is currently being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) upon an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja given on August 8, 2019, permitting the DSS to detain him for 45 days in the first instance, following the security agency’s claim that he was involved in acts of terrorism and plotted to topple the government; allegations he has since denied.

The charge filed yesterday was signed on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), by Aminu Alilu, a Chief State Counsel in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The two defendants are, in the charge, accused of committing conspiracy to commit treasonable felony in breach of section 516 of the Criminal Code Act by allegedly staging “a revolution campaign on September 5, 2019 aimed at removing the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

They are also alleged to have actually committed the offence of reasonable felony in breach of Section, 4(1)(c) of the Criminal Code Act, by using the platform of Coalition for Revolution, in August 2019 in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, to stagedthe #RevolutionNow protest allegedly aimed at removing the President.

Sowore was, in the charge, accused of involvement in cybercrime offences in violation of section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, by “knowingly” sending “messages by means of press interview granted on Arise Television network, “which you knew to be false, for the purpose of causing insult, enmity, hatred and ill-will on the person of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The state aso accused Sowore of money laundering offences in breach of section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 by allegedly transferring by means of swift wire various sums of money from his United Bank of Africa Plc account with number 3002246104 into Sahara Reporters Media Foundation’s account with Guaranty Trust Bank in order to conceal the origin of the funds.

He was alleged to have allegedly transfered $19,975 on April 2, 2019; $20,475 on May 21, 2019, $16,975 on June 27, 2019, and another $16,975 on July 16, 2019.

Listed as exhibits to be relied upon by the prosection are Sowore’s written statement, transcripts of his statement, video recordings, audio recordings, statements of bank accounts, media publication and “any other exhibits the prosecution may later supply in its additional proof of evidence.”

The prosecution also listed six specific witnesses to be called.

They are Paul Clement, Moses Amadi, Cyril Odawn, Paul Okafor, UBA employee, GTB employee and “any other witness or witnesses to be supplied later in the additional proof of evidence.”

The DSS arrested Sowore in Lagos on August 2, 2019, following his call for revolution in a protest he organised to take place in some major cities on August 5, 2019.