NEWS
Reps. Member Idris Zacharias Congratulates Echocho on His Victory at NASS Election Petition Tribunal
By Jeremiah Ocheme
The member Representing Idah, Ibaji, Igalamele/Odolu and Ofu at the House of Representatives David Idris Zacharias has felicitated with Distinguished Sen. Isah Jibrin Echocho on his victory at the National Assembly Election Petition over the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sen.
Attai Aidoko.Zacharias also felicitated with the APC in Kogi State and Kogi East in particular that the judgment of the tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday dismissed the application of Aidoko and sustain the victory of Echocho.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Hon.
Zacharias, Jeremiah Ocheme on Tuesday in Abuja, he said the opposition PDP and Aidoko fought a fight that is against the will of the Igala/ Bassa people and the gods of the land are fighting back.He commended the tribunal for standing for justice and fair play, honesty, equity, describing the tribunal as speaking in the language the people will understand.
The statement which urged Sen. Isah Echocho to be focused on representing the good people of Kogi East, described the move Aidoko to upturn the will of the people in the tribunal as “evil and conspiracy against the development of Igala/Bassa land that will not stand the taste of time
The statement said that the victory of Echocho at the last election which dislodged Attai Aidoka at the first instance, totally ended the over two decades of misrepresentation, self-centeredness, underrepresentation and political evil against the Igala /Bassa people whose political destiny has been denied them over the years.
He noted that as at the time Echocho came onto the senatorial race, Aidoko had already lost touch with the people he has deceived several years in the name of representation with nothing to show for in the constituency, noting that his plans to rig the election failed through the collective will of the people.
“While I wholeheartedly congratulate our brother Isah Jibrin Echocho on his victory, I strongly believe that tribunal has done the needful by dismissing the application of both Attai and the PDP.
He urged Echocho to remain strongly determined to better the lot of those he represents and justify the confidence the people have reposed in him by massively embarking voting for him during the election.
“The tribunal has taken away the fears for the calamity that would have befallen our people if the judgment was otherwise, as Aidoko is reputed for using technicalities to steal the people’s mandate”
“While I congratulate you and urge you to pursue as well, defend your mandate beyond the tribunal, I urge our members to remain calm, resolute, steadfast and continue to follow all legal and legitimate ways in pursuing the case as it proceeds”.
The statement commended the visibly vibrant presence of Sen. Echocho in the red chambers since his assumption of duty shown in his contributions at plenary, and urged him to keep the Igala/Bassa people prominent against what it used to be by constantly contributing to bills, motions and effectively flying the banner of the party and Igala nation at large.
NEWS
Kebbi Gets New Head of Service
The Kebbi Government has appointed Malami Muhammad-Shekari as the substantive Head of Civil Service of the state.The Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, made this known in a statement in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.Idris said the appointment had been conveyed to Muhammad-Shekari in a letter dated Nov.
1.He added that the appointment took effect from Oct. 28.“The Executive Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency, Dr Nasir Idris, FCNA (Kauran Gwandu), has approved the appointment of TPL. Malami Muhammad Shekare (mni) as the substantive Head of the Civil Service with effect from 28th Oct. 2024,” Idris quoted the letter as stating. (NAN)NEWS
APC Stalwart Faults Ex-Kogi Gov’s Trial
All Progressives Congress (APC) Stalwart Isaac Onuh and a former Ambassador to Botswana has faulted the trial of former Kogi Gov. Yahaya Bello over corruption charges.In a news conference on Friday in Lokoja, Onuh described Bello’s trial as an “unfortunate witchhunt”.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has, on Thursday, asked a Federal High court in Abuja to begin the trial of Bello in his absence.
The anti-graft agency has also filed a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80 billion. But Onuh alleged that the anti-corruption agency was harassing and intimidating the ex-governor.He said that Bello deserved to be respected by government agencies, including EFCC, having served the state for eight years.He alleged that the EFCC had yet to provide ample evidence to substantiate its allegations of financial impropriety against Bello.He noted that Kogi was governed by laws made by the state House of Assembly which established the state anti-corruption commission that consistently gave clean bill to Bello during his administration.But the EFCC insisted that it asked Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, to proceed with the trial of Bello in absentia, arguing that his non-appearance in court for arraignment should not be allowed to frustrate his trial.The EFCC through its lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, also urged the court to enter a plea of “not guilty” on behalf of Bello.According to EFCC, Bello is facing trial on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2billion.It notes that the court had summoned him for arraignment six consecutive times.Pinheiro noted that the former governor’s refusal to appear for his arraignment was malicious and that the court should not demonstrate helplessness by not trying him in absentia.(NAN)NEWS
Ebonyi: Police Arrest 4 Suspected Organ Harvesters, 173 Others
The Nigeria Police command in Ebonyi said it arrested no fewer than 177 suspected criminals for various offences in the month of October, 2024. The Command noted that four out of the 177 suspects were alleged to be involved in human organ harvesting and ritual killings. DSP Joshua Ukandu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) disclosed this in a news conference in Abakaliki on Friday.
Ukandu explained that officers and men of the command arrested a total of 177 suspects which includes 162 males and 15 females. “92 suspects among them have been charged to court, while others would be arraigned once investigations are completed. “On behalf of the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi Command, CP Anthonia Uche-Anya, I want to warmly welcome you to this press conference “I am here to update you on the Command’s achievements within October 2024 and our relentless efforts to combat crimes and ensure a safe and prosperous environment for socio-economic growth in the State. “The command has employed strategic steps through increased stakeholders engagement to help bring crimes to the barest minimum. “Through this approach, we have been able to reduce the incidences of violent crimes, while operatives of the command are not relenting in our efforts to make the state safe for all. “During the month under review, the command arrested 162 males and 15 females, totalling 177 suspects for various offences. 92 suspects have already been charged in court, while others will be arraigned once investigations are complete,” Ukandu explained. On the alleged organ harvesting and ritual killings, the Command’s Spokesman said that on October 11, Mrs Blessing Chikezie reported to the command of her missing husband, Mr Idenyi Chikezie, who left home on September 9 for a business trip to Lagos. “Command operatives from the Anti-kidnapping unit, through a painstaking investigation and credible intelligence, arrested one Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi; they made useful statements, which led the police to arrest Obinna Nwanguru and Oda Peter. “They confessed to killing Chikezie Idenyi, Chibu Odii and Eze Fabian on different dates while trying to extract their blood/ organs to use it to cure a cognitively impaired person (Down syndrome). “Operatives of the command have recovered the corpses of Chikezie Idenyi and Chibu Odii while effort is ongoing to recover the remains of the third victim,” Ukandu stated. Some other suspects were arrested for kidnappings, murder, robbery and unlawful possession of firearms. (NAN)