NEWS
Christian Chapel: Governor Yahaya Bello has fulfilled his promise to God – Edward Onoja

The Chief Of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Chief Edward Onoja said the State Governor has fulfilled his pledge to God by constructing a Christian Chapel in the Government House, 28 years after the creation of the State.
Onoja disclosed this while making his remarks at the ground breaking and foundation laying ceremonies of the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, Monday, 22nd July, 2019.
He said the Governor was conscious of the promise he made to God.
Onoja told the Christian-packed rehabilitated Glass House that the Foundation Laying Ceremony has shown the “character of the Governor as a promise keeper”.
“When he was going about campaigning to be Governor, I was his campaign DG and I remembered that he did promise to ensure he builds a befitting place of worship for Christians in Government House.
“We have had Governors before Alh Yahaya Bello, who felt comfortable that there was no place of worship for Christians in the Government House.
But this Governor, being what he is as an unbiased leader, has done what others could not do.
“I also remember that the Governor told me about his experience anytime he was traveling to Makurdi where he once worked and lived.
“He discovered the darkness in Kogi East as over 80% of the District have no electricity. He made a promise to God to light up the District if ever became Governor.
“Today, he has set the call rolling and a Committee is already working hard to actualize the dream.
“This is the reason we see him as an uncommon leader. He has defeated ethnic bigotry, relegated classicism and now, he has shown the whole world that he can promote religious harmony.
“With what the Governor has done in Kogi State, I have faith in Nigeria. I have faith that we can have leaders who will be detribalized and without religious bigotry because we all serve one God”.
Onoja charged all Kogites and Nigerians at large to always believe in the oneness of all people regardless of race, class and religion.
Also speaking at the event, the CAN National President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle told the Governor that anyone who builds a house for the worship of God is “unstoppable”.
He said: “That you have done this for God, God will ensure everything you lay your heart and hands on becomes successful. You will live long and reap the fruits you have sown unto the Kingdom of God today. You will succeed in all that you do.
“Other Governors in Nigeria should come and learn from the acumen of the Governor to promote unity and defeat marginalization and bias. You have done well and God will reward you abundantly”.
Addressing the audience, the Governor said he has decided to ensure that all races and religions will have a sense of equality and fairness in his administration.
He said he will continue to serve the people better.
“We have united this state. We have closed the walls of divisions. We will continue to push the state to the heights it should be.
“The only grouse they have against my administration is the few months salary arrears that we are owing. I thank the President for approving our bailout which was meant for the payment of those arrears, some of which we met on assumption of office.
“In a couple of days, we shall be done with payment. We will remain committed to the welfare of all Kogites whether they are civil servants or not”.
CRIME
Troops arrest 10 Robbers, rescue 3 Victims in Kaduna

By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The military high command, yesterday said its troops deployed on internal operations in Kaduna state has arrested ten armed robbery suspects at Kafanchan town in Jema’a local government area of the state.
A statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko stated the names of the arrested suspects as: Messrs Manga Ismail, a 22 – year-old, Idris Haruna (Ban Sambo), 20- year-old, Sani Bali, 19- year-old.
Others are Shamsudeen Ladan, 25 – year-old, Abdulmajid Yau (Sele), 22 – year – old , Abubakar Hassan, 23 – year-old, Abbas Aliyu, 15 – year-old, Mohammed Umar (Jazuli), 17 – year – old, Jonathan Vincent (Bamai), 19 – year-old and Stephen Joseph, 25 – year-old.
According to him, items recovered from the criminals include: TV, DVD, gas cookers, Mattresses, woofer, phones, scissors, among others.
Gen. Onyeuko also said on the same day, troops acting on intelligence reports, conducted a cordon search operation at Fanock Village, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State and found a Toyota Corolla car with registration number ABUJA KUJ 452 AZ with no occupant.
Onyeuko explained that Troops conducted search operations in the surrounding bush and rescued 3 kidnaped civilians comprising two females and a male.
Speaking further, he said :”Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in a sustained effort to eliminate criminals elements in their Area of operation on 28 June 2022 based credible intelligence conducted clearance operation in conjunction with vigilantes at Kan Duniya Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, neutralized notorious bandit and kidnapper.
“Similarly, on the same day, troops on fighting patrol sighted 2 x suspected kidnappers around Sara High Ground Mangu Local Government Area Plateau State on a motor cycle, suspects abandoned their motor cycle on sighting troops and fled.
” Troop exploited area and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 magazines, 1 motor cycle, 1 iron digger and 2 black jackets amongst others”, he said.
Foreign News
Husband of Slain Kenyan Runner Tirop Seeks Plea Bargain

The husband of slain Kenyan distance runner Agnes Tirop is seeking a plea bargain after initially denying a charge of murder, his lawyer said yesterday.
Tirop, a rising star in the world of athletics, was killed last October in her home in Iten, a high-altitude training hub in western Kenya for top runners.
Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich was arrested after a dramatic late-night chase the day after Tirop’s body was found with stab wounds, and has been in custody ever since.
The 41-year-old denied a charge of murder at a November court appearance.
But in the latest twist in the legal saga, his lawyer Ngigi Mbugua told the Eldoret High Court that Rotich was willing to plead guilty to a lesser charge in the hope of attracting a more lenient sentence.
The prosecution said it was not against the idea of a plea bargain but wanted Tirop’s family to be involved in the process.
A hearing on Rotich’s request will take place on 22 September.
NEWS
HEDA Petitions ICPC over Allegations against Ex-CJN

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the allegations against the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman, HEDA, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, yesterday in Lagos.
Suraju, in a letter to the Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, urged the commission to stand tall over the allegations of corruption, maladministration and incompetence leveled against Muhammad.
“As a leading anti-corruption organisation in Nigeria and non-partisan human rights and development league, we call on the ICPC to commence investigation into the budgetary allocation, utilisation and development process of the judiciary with a view to sanitisation of that critical arm of government,” he said.
Suraju said it was widely reported that the immediate past CJN responded to the allegations brought against him by 14 Justices on the aforementioned allegations.
“It is unarguable that the judiciary is the last hope of the helpless and its judges are only meant to be heard and not seen.
“However, these allegations made by fellow Justices of the apex court against the CJN cannot be overlooked as it is weighty and must be diligently investigated by the commission in order to protect that vital institution.
“If the Supreme Court of Nigeria is infested with corrupt persons, then our democracy is doomed, ICPC and others relevant bodies should rise and act fast to redeem the temple of justice from possible collapse,” HEDA said. (NAN)