News

Ararume talks tough, says Tinubu disobeying court’s order

Published

5 months ago

December 3, 2023

Senator Ifeanyi Ararume

Ararume talks tough, says Tinubu disobeying court’s order

Senator Ifeanyi Ararume has kicked against the appointment of a new Non-Executive Chairman for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Ararume, who is the court-recognised chairman of the board, stated that the move by President Bola Tinubu is in breach of an order of court.

In a public notice issued on November 30, by his lawyer, Dr. Ogwu Onoja (SAN), the former senator stressed that he remains the chairman of the board until ordered otherwise by the court.

“Our attention has been drawn to the news of the appointment of new members of NNPC Limited Board, including a new Non-Executive Chairman by the President on the 27th November 2023, in utter violation of the judgment and order of the Federal High Court, Abuja dated 18th April 2023 in Suit No:

FHC/ABJ/CS/1621/2022 – Between Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume V. the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, NNPCL and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) wherein the court restrained the president from removing the name of Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume from the Corporate Affairs Commission as a Non-Executive Director of NNPCL and that he be allowed to continue to function as the Chairman of the Board of NNPCL. This judgment remains valid and subsisting until this moment without being set aside”, the notice read in part.

Ararume expressed the shock that the president could brazenly disobey the court judgment by purporting to appoint a New Board and Management Team for NNPCL instead of giving implementation to the said judgment of the Federal High Court.

“It is shocking that rather than obey the valid and extant judgment of the court, the president has taken the laws into his hands to overrule the courts and usurp the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal before whom, the President has filed an appeal which is pending, by taking steps to undermine the judgment by such illegal appointments.

READ ALSO:

“This singular act of Mr. President unfortunately denotes a wanton disregard for the rule of law and a direct affront on the judiciary,” the notice added.

It argued that with the said judgment still valid and subsisting, it is clear as crystal even to the common man that the appointment of the new Board and Management of the NNPCL by the President on November 27, 2023, is illegal, wrongful, null and void and of no legal consequence”.

The notice warned the general public to “beware of those illegal appointments in their own interest” and avoid having any dealings whatsoever with the new Board and Management of the NNPCL “as anyone who goes ahead to do any business or transactions with them will be doing so at his or her own peril.“We hereby call on Mr. President, who is a huge beneficiary of judicial pronouncements and the rule of law, to reverse his decision and allow the flow of the rule of law.

“Mr. President should have known that respect for the rule of law is equally a strong factor in the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which he has been traveling all over the world to promote.”

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, had on April 18, 2023, set aside the removal of Senator Ararume as the Non-Executive Chairman of the newly Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Board.

Justice Ekwo in the judgment held that Ararume’s removal by the then President Muhammadu Buhari contravened provisions of the NNPCL laws as well as the Company’s and Allied Matters Act.In addition, Ekwo had held that Ararume’s removal after his appointment by Buhari was illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and subsequently nullified the president’s action.The court also declared as nullity all decisions and actions taken so far by the board in the absence of Ararume.

While Ekwo had made an order reinstating Ararume as Non-Executive Chairman of the NNPCL Board with immediate effect, he had made another order directing the defendants which included Buhari, NNPCL, and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to pay Ararume the sum of N5 billion being damages he suffered following his unlawful removal as NNPC Board Chairman.

Ararume talks tough, says Tinubu disobeying court’s order

(THISDAY)

News

Confession of 85-year-old monarch: I intended killing my son, use boy parts for ritual

Published

6 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin

Confession of 85-year-old monarch: I intended killing my son, use boy parts for ritual

The police in Lagos, recently, recorded a breakthrough by arresting 10 members of suspected criminals who specialize in exhuming body parts from cemeteries and killing human beings for rituals.

Among the arrested suspects was an 85-year-old traditional ruler in Benin Republic, Yusuf Lawal Muse, the son of a pastor said to be the kingpin, Ademola Akinlosota, 33, an Ifa priest, Sunday Badonu, aka Osekure, 25, his father, Vijamiya Badonu, an idol priest and Osetura’s father, Dada Trival, 33, Bale of Akalekumo in Badagry, Hunsu Segun,35, Balogun in Ogboni fraternity, Badagry, Amodu Wahab, aka Alhaji Bororo, 58, specialists in collecting human parts both fresh and dry, Kamolu Aderibigbe, 44, a trade-medical doctor in Ijedfodo and Muyibat Adesina, 49, the herbalist who uses human parts to prepare concoctions for people.

Crime Guard learned that the traditional ruler, Yusuf Lawal Muse is from Diasou in Benin Republic and is married to six women with 21 children. He reportedly relocated to Ibatefin-Ikpoka in Ogun state and later to Adodo in a same Ogun state where he lived with his wives and children until his arrest.

He told our reporter that he relocated to Ogun state after losing about 14 children in his domain and later married a new wife who gave birth to the son he wanted to kill and use his body parts.

His confession

The octogenarian told reporters that after getting married to their new wife, he wanted to have fun only to discover that she was already pregnant. According to him, I had no other alternative than to accept the child after birth and I named him Musa. While growing up, he became a torn in my flesh.

“He was into a lot of criminal activities, very stubborn, stealing, and even threatening to kill me. The whole thing came to a climax after he learnt that I wrote a will and excluded him. He then openly resorted to threatening to take my life. That was why I engaged people to kill him first and send his head, heart, fingers and hands to me for herbal purposes.

READ ALSO:

“Unfortunately, after I contracted the people, they met with an Idol Priest whom I had planned to do business with in the past who, not only discouraged the people I hired but also leaked the plan to my son’s mother. On hearing this, his mother fled to another town with him and we were still discussing the issue when the police arrested me.”

Regrets

Looking remorseful, the octogenarian told Crime Guard,” I regret what I planned to do to my son. I have now realized that he is my son and he will bear children tomorrow in my name. My greatest worry now is that my people in Benin Republic have heard this ugly story. I am afraid they may dethrone me. I just don’t know what next to do than to appeal to God to forgive me.”

However, while the traditional ruler was confessing to the team of policemen from Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Special Squad Team 3, led by DSP Toyin Omosebi, it was learned that the leader of the ritualist’s gang, Ademola Akinlosotu, 33, son of a Pastor, opened up stating that he was the person contracted by the traditional ruler to kill his son. He reportedly also stated that before then, they were taking dismembered body parts, both dry and fresh, to the traditional ruler after killing their victims.

He confessed that so far, they killed two victims since November, last year and taken the body parts to both the traditional ruler and other buyers who have all been arrested.
How it all started

According to him, I started by supplying dry corpses exhumed from cemeteries but my clients later coerced me to be supplying fresh body parts. That was how I graduated from supplying dried body parts from burial grounds to supplying newly murdered fresh body parts of newly murdered to my clients. My clients said dried human parts were no longer in vogue. “My first victim was a desperate job seeker whom I met at Okeho in Ogun state at a drinking joint where he normally relaxed with some bottles of drinks every evening. It was the boy who approached me saying he needed a job in Lagos. I then called my client, Alhaji Amodu Wahab and told him that I had seen somebody to kill. I took the unsuspecting boy from Okeho to Alhaji’s office where the boy was accessed and confirmed good for ritual.

How victims were killed

“While I was on my way, I called an Ifa Priest named Sunday Padonu popularly known as Osetura and informed him of the whole arrangements but on their way, Osetura wasn’t picking up his calls anymore. I had to call Baale to inform him but he called Balogun and briefed him that Osetura was not picking up his calls. Balogun then assures that he has a slaughtering ground where the boy can be killed. We took the boy to Ado Odo, slaughtered him dismembered his body and then took the body parts to Alhaji.”

READ ALSO:

He also told police investigators that he was introduced to Osetura, one of the arrested suspects, by Baale and they started chatting online. “Osetura asked me how I used to exhume bodies and I narrated the process to him. We know the hours when security men at the cemeteries stay out and after targeting them, we strike by exhuming the bodies quickly and disappearing from the scene. So, after this, Osekura assured me that he had a space in his house at Igbo-Ora, Ogun state where he could kill and dismember dead human bodies. He usually carried out divination after we had gotten a victim to know whether the ritual would work or not. Once he confirmed that our victim was okay, we would kill the person and cut his body which would be distributed and sold to clients.

Drama at the Slaughterhouse

“We nearly missed killing our second victim. When he was shot, the bullet missed and caught him in the hand. He did not suspect me when I led him to the enclave. As he was bleeding and crying out, we purposely allowed him to bleed to death after stamping on his stomach and body.

“We took the body which was still shaking from that spot to where he was being cut into pieces. I sat on the guy’s stomach while Osekura brought a knife to cut his head. Others held the victim’s legs and as Osekura was trying to strangulate him, his fingers mistakenly entered our victim’s mouth and got stuck. He had to quickly use a knife to slit his throat and that was how he was able to remove his fingers.

“I must say that I have not made enough money from this evil deed. I am from a scattered home because my father and mother separated a long time ago and I have not seen my father for a long time. I dropped out of school at the primary level because I could not cope. I ended up being a bricklayer until I started exhuming bodies from cemeteries. Now that I am in the police net, I regret all I have done. I leave my fate in the hands of God with a firm promise to change my ways if given another chance.”:

Confession of 85-year-old monarch: I intended killing my son, use boy parts for ritual

News

2027: Politicians plotting to undermine Tinubu’s support base — Arewa group

Published

7 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2027: Politicians plotting to undermine Tinubu’s support base — Arewa group

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has voiced concerns about alleged attempts by certain politicians to undermine President Tinubu’s support base ahead of the 2027 reelection by interfering with his cabinet.

AYCF President General Yerima Shettima applauded President Tinubu’s administration for its accomplishments, attributing them to a dedicated team of ministers and officials who have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s progress.

Shettima highlighted the roles of several key figures in President Tinubu’s administration, including Femi Gbajamiala, the Chief of Staff, Yusuf Bicci, the Director-General of the State Security Service, Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, the Minister of Interior, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget, and Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence. He praised their contributions to governance, national security, infrastructure development, law enforcement, aviation, fiscal management, and military capabilities.

“First and foremost, Femi Gbajamiala, the Chief of Staff, has been instrumental in coordinating the President’s agenda and ensuring smooth communication and collaboration within the administration.

“His strategic leadership and organizational skills have streamlined decision-making processes and enhanced efficiency in governance. Gbajamiala’s professionalism and dedication make him a trusted advisor and confidant to President Tinubu.

“Yusuf Bicci, the Director-General of the State Security Service, has played a critical role in safeguarding national security and intelligence-gathering efforts.

READ ALSO:

“His expertise and experience in counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence operations have been instrumental in protecting the nation from internal and external threats. Bicci’s unwavering commitment to national security makes him a key asset to the President’s administration.

“Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, has been instrumental in developing and improving infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory. His innovative projects and policies have transformed the FCT into a modern and dynamic city, attracting investments and creating opportunities for its residents. Wike’s commitment to excellence and ability to deliver results make him a valuable asset to the Tinubu administration.

“Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has been leading efforts to improve security and law enforcement in the country. His initiatives have led to a significant decrease in crime rates and enhanced the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens. Ojo’s dedication to protecting the nation and upholding the rule of law make him a key player in President Tinubu’s cabinet.

“Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, has been driving reforms and modernization efforts in the aviation sector. His initiatives have enhanced safety standards, improved infrastructure, and promoted efficiency in air travel. Keyamo’s vision for a world-class aviation industry in Nigeria has positioned the country as a regional hub for air transportation. His leadership and innovation make him a key player in President Tinubu’s administration,” Shettima said.

“Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget, has been instrumental in managing the nation’s finances and ensuring fiscal responsibility. His strategic planning and budgeting skills have helped steer the country towards economic stability and growth. Bagudu’s prudent financial management has earned him respect and admiration within the administration,” Shettima said.

As the 2027 reelection approaches, Shettima urged President Tinubu to maintain strong relationships with his key allies and supporters, relying on their dedication and expertise to navigate political adversity and sustain his administration’s progress.

2027: Politicians plotting to undermine Tinubu’s support base — Arewa group

News

Fuel sells for N2,500/litre black market as scarcity persists

Published

7 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Fuel sells for N2,500/litre black market as scarcity persists

Nigerians continue to bemoan the immense hardship they endure as a result of the statewide fuel shortage, which has made conducting business and other activities extremely challenging.

Commuters in Sokoto state said most filling stations are locked under the guise that they lack product to dispense, while black marketers are selling a litre of fuel between N2,000 and N2,500 across the metropolis, Channels TV reported.

Some residents, speaking with a reporter, called on the government to intervene to bring the situation under control so as not to degenerate.

They said the situation has started affecting business activities and making life difficult for people as the black market price of N2,500 per litre is becoming scarce, and this is bringing business and other activities to a standstill in the metropolis.

READ ALSO:

Chronicle NG reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has blamed the fuel queues that have resurfaced in Lagos, Abuja, and other states of the Federation on “logistics issues.”

However, NNPC Limited declared that the issues had been resolved.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that the tightness in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit currently being experienced in some areas across the country is as a result of logistics issues and that they have been resolved,” the company said in a statement on Thursday evening.

“It also wishes to reiterate that the prices of petroleum products are not changing.”

NNPCL called on Nigerians to “avoid panic buying as there is a sufficiency of products in the country.”