Repentant Insurgents Can Be Prosecuted – Lai Mohammed – Newstrends
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Repentant Insurgents Can Be Prosecuted – Lai Mohammed

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The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that contrary to the misleading report attributed to him, repentant insurgents could be prosecuted.

 

The minister, who spoke in Washington DC, said he was misrepresented in the report claiming that “the decision of the federal government not to prosecute repentant insurgents was in line with global best practice.”

 

The minister, however, reiterated his position that the call to ‘shoot’ repentant insurgents without profiling and prosecution was against best global practice.

 

Mohammed said his words were unambiguous and repeated what he said in the report.

 

“I personally spoke to the military authority before I left Nigeria and they said that what they were doing was what the global practice dictated about soldiers that surrendered they should be treated as prisoners of war.

 

“You cannot just shoot them because there are international conventions that give rights also to prisoners of war.

 

“What the military is doing is that, when they surrender, they profile them to ensure that they are genuine and reintegrate them into the society,’’ he said.

 

He reiterated his position that President Muhammadu Buhari and the military should be commended for their doggedness, which he said had made insurgents to submit themselves to the authorities in droves.

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Trouble as Kogi lawmakers are told to impeach Gov Ododo after his recent action

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Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo

Trouble As Kogi Lawmakers Are Told To Impeach Gov Ododo After His Recent Action

Fresh trouble may be brewing in Kogi State due to a move to impeach the Governor, Usman Ododo.

This is as a human rights lawyer, Deji Ajare, has urged the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Yusuf, to begin impeachment proceedings against Governor Ododo over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.

Ajare conveyed his call in a letter addressed to the speaker, submitted through the clerk of the House on Friday.

Regarding the governor’s use of his motorcade to transport the embattled former governor, Yahaya Bello, Ajare deemed it harboring a fugitive, obstructing justice, and misusing state resources.

“In the light of the above allegations and the inherent potential breaches of statutory duties imposed by the Constitution and other relevant laws of our country, these actions, if proven true, amount to gross misconduct and warrant immediate investigation and commencement of impeachment proceedings.

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“I hereby call on the Kogi State House of Assembly under your leadership to initiate a thorough inquiry into these allegations by Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, to ascertain the truth and to hold Governor Usman Ododo accountable if the allegations are found to be true.

“I also urge the Kogi State House of Assembly to cooperate with national law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC, to ensure all individuals involved are available for questioning and to facilitate a smooth investigation”, he said.

Ajare implored swift and decisive action from the House of Assembly, emphasizing the detrimental effects of the alleged misgovernance on the people of the state.

Responding, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mohammed Yabagi, stated that neither the Clerk nor the Speaker had received such a letter.

Yabagi added that the House had not seen valid reasons to initiate impeachment processes against the governor, asserting that there was no evidence of the governor preventing security agencies from arresting Yahaya Bello.

“As far as the Assembly is concerned, the Assembly supports all constitutionally recognized security agencies. We have not seen any reason why the House should commence any impeachment processes,” he said.

Trouble As Kogi Lawmakers Are Told To Impeach Gov Ododo After His Recent Action

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Tunde Onakoya sets new world record for longest chess marathon

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Tunde Onakoya

Tunde Onakoya sets new world record for longest chess marathon

Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, has set the new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes.

The chestmaster confirmed this in a post on his official X account.

He wrote, “We have done it.

“We’re pushing to 60 hours guys. We’re not stopping yet. Let’s keep going.

“We have a fundraising goal to meet for the education of African children around the world. This is our why – the reason we are doing this.

“Let’s demonstrate to the world the incredible power of love. Together, we can make this happen.”

Onakoya broke the record of Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, who played for 56-hour, 9-minute in 2018 and aimed at reaching 58 hours target.

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The challenge, which is underway at New York City’s iconic Times Square, has currently exceeded 56 hours and a few minutes and already set him adrift the previous record holders.

The new record holder said his attempt was to raise funds and awareness for providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children across Africa.

In a statement by his foundation, Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya said he will be joined by his US counterpart, Shawn Martinez.

It read in part, “This record attempt requires a team of two players. Tunde Onakoya (NG) will be facing off against Shawn Martinez (US) for the challenge. Both players hold the title of National Masters.

“Shawn Martinez, a US National Master, renowned New York City chess legend, and chess coach, poses as a formidable adversary. Both Tunde Onakoya and Shawn Martinez will hold the record title.”

“This record is for the longest time to continuously play chess. This record is to be mentioned in hours, minutes, and seconds. This record is to be attempted by a team of two players,” it added.

After about 23 hours into the game, Martinez joined to make the new world record.

Tunde Onakoya sets new world record for longest chess marathon

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Gov Ododo didn’t stop EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello – Kogi Govt

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Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Governor Usman Ododo

Gov Ododo didn’t stop EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello – Kogi Govt

The Kogi State government says Governor Usman Ododo did not facilitate the escape of his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, from security operatives who wanted to arrest him

On Wednesday, officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had laid a siege to Bello’s Abuja residence in order to apprehend him.

Ododo arrived at the scene and hours after he drove out only to be reported later that the former governor had found his way to Kogi, sparking speculation that his successor whisked him away.

Governor Ododo came under a barrage of criticism for his alleged involvement in the whole incident.

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But speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Fanwo, who also worked under Bello, said Ododo didn’t aid the escape of his former principal from security agencies.

He noted that the incumbent governor is committed to upholding the laws of the country, including respecting its legal processes.

“Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives. Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights,” he said.

Fanwo stated that the anti-graft agency’s claims are baseless and product of an planned disinformation campaign.

He argued further that the ex-governor is not a fugitive, referring a state high court injunction that protects Bello from harassment by the anti-graft agency.

The commissioner therefore criticized the commission ‘s allegations even as he questioned the agency’s certainty about Bello’s whereabouts.

He said Governor Ododo remained a law-abiding leader who respects the rule of law and the Constitution of the country

Gov Ododo didn’t stop EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello – Kogi Govt

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