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OPINION: NIGERIA NOW RANKS IN THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS OF VENEZUELA AND ZIMBABWE – ABIODUN ODUKOYA

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Nigeria now ranks in the league of nations of Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Were this not true; one would think it a blighted joke! Look what has become of Nigeria!! To whom do we now shout? To whom do we address our supplications? To whom and where do we turn? How well Ghanaian poet, Kofi Awoonor’s verse in his ever green poem, Songs of Sorrow now aptly describes our once proud nation?

Nigeria now has Venezuela and Zimbabwe for company – two widely acknowledged failed states – according to the latest index of Chandler Good Governance Report. It is therefore galling that some hailers still have the reckless and seemingly insane audacity to ascribe any modicum of success to the administration of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). Not even Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen nor Somalia is worse governed than Nigeria. Woe has betide the Giant of Africa and by implication the entire African continent.

There is nothing more ironical than seeing those who support the retired General, now scorching Nigeria, being strongly antagonistic of the former American President, Donald Trump and his supporters, because their similarities are enormous. Whilst Trump supporters, as much damage as he did to America’s reputation – internationally, believe he is very nationalistic and was on the verge of “Making America Great Again”, Buhari supporters, even though with the present level of unprecedented nepotism, cronyism, chauvinism and tribalism believe he is the best thing that ever happened to Nigeria. They talk of the “Next Level” like filling mortuaries, expanding cemeteries and rotten sepulchers are what a nation should aspire to.

As much as I would have loved to be reticent about Nigeria’s issues, my love for my nation will not permit me. It is very sad that any reasonable person can still expend an iota of commendation to this administration. This alone is enough for me to maintain a look and laugh stance, especially when I see people that I have some level of respect for falling into this error of judgement. One would think their perfidious error of electing the unrepentant General was enough burden for them. Whatever bug has bitten them is certainly not one that will bring glad tidings to them and the nation.

Buhari’s administration has destroyed Nigeria. The country is disintegrating. Nigeria is in a state of war and has degenerated into the Hobessian state of nature where life is brutish, nasty and short. Never in the history of our nation has it been this fragmented. The blood that has been shed, the lives that have been lost and the homes that have been saddened and made desolate under Buhari’s watch are too many to recount. Buhari is the asphyxiation of the Nigerian state.

Lawlessness has become the order of the day, banditry is trending, kidnapping is now a very lucrative enterprise and terrorism now has a place in the executive chambers of our nation. How sad and incomprehensible!

The violent agitations we witness across the country now are an offshoot of the crass nepotism, callousness and gross insensitivity of Buhari. His feudalist agenda is too conspicuous for it to be mistaken for anything other than what it is. His arrogance and that of his cronies with power is cringe worthy and will embarrass any true democracy and democratic traditions.

Buhari has continually made it obvious that his agenda is to develop Niger Republic and her citizens at the expense of Nigeria and Nigerians. He has rigidly stuck with 95% good governance- that is if there is any, for those that gave him 95% votes and made life unbearable for those that gave him 5% votes in a free exercise of their franchise and will as he threatened as soon as he was elected President. Nothing can be more damning of a democratically elected President.

There is just one glimmer of hope. Many of the despot’s ardent supporters have now realised the huge mistake they made in voting for him or supporting him in anyway but they are now unfortunately sentimental about the appalling poor judgement they made in electing him. They now argue that his old age somehow excuses him and the present predicament of Nigeria can be partially blamed on that. But guess what, Buhari might not be as lucid as you want a leader of a diverse nation like Nigeria to be, but truth is that even if Buhari was agile and in his prime of life, his fundamentalism would not have allowed him serve us any better palate of governance. Buhari who was a senior prefect of the Northern feudalist school of thought is now the Principal of that School that has continually held Nigeria down. What then do you expect?

Finally I decry the collective amnesia for which we are famed! It is responsible for saddling us with a Buhari Presidency that is now threatening to consume all of us. We have shown that we are very forgetful and easily vulnerable to propaganda. If not, how could we easily forget Buhari and his antecedents? Take this little examples for safe keep: Buhari was Chairman of General Sanni Abacha’s Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). How well did he perform in that role? In the 30 years Buhari was out of government what did he contribute to national development? Who is the Grand Patron of Miyeti ALLAH? Who was the sore loser in successive Presidential elections who threatened the corporate existence of Nigeria on account of losing elections? He threatened to set the nation ablaze, remember?

The fruits of our forgetfulness have come to haunt us manifold! I will just make an example of one that is critical to our national existence at this time: No reasonable leader of a mutli tribal and secular state like Nigeria will have a man like Abubakar Ali Pantami in his government. With all that has now been revealed about the terrorist and irredentist religious fundamentalist, it is really the most irresponsible and spiteful government against its own citizens that will defend and become the mouthpiece of a Communications Minister that should be long gone even in a “Banana” republic.

I end this in forlorn hope that Buhari will heed the warnings of reasonable Nigerians and at least live up to his sworn oath to save Nigeria. It is his responsibility to hand over the semblance of a nation to the next elected President in 2023 so we can then start the hard task of salvaging whatever is left of Nigeria.

Omo’oba Abiodun Odukoya
abiodun_odukoya@yahoo.com
Writes in From London.

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Reactions as Korra Obidi travels to Hawaii for vacation after fans donated $50,000 for legal fee

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Nigerians across social media have begun to slam popular Nigerian-American singer and dancer, Korra Obidi, as she flew immediately to Hawaii in the United States after completing her GoFundMe $50,000 target.

Obidi created GoFundMe on Friday to seek a good lawyer, adding that she wants to overturn the right of her ex-husband, Justin Dean, over their kids.

According to her, she would need money to get a good lawyer, which is why she created the GoFundMe account to meet the target of $100,000.

The account generated over $50,000 raised from over 950 donors worldwide.

“As a mother, it’s time to fight for myself and my kids,” Obidi said. She also shared her GoFundMe account details, seeking the assistance of fans and friends.

However, on Sunday, the dancer, after raising the money, said during a live session on Facebook that she had plans for a vacation in Hawaii.

Her decision has been greeted by outrage from her fans, with many alleging that the main intent of the GoFundMe was never to file a suit against the husband but to lavish on her extravagant lifestyle.

Wanda Johnson, a Facebook user, said, “She got y’all’s money, now she’s at the airport. Some of you are so weak to believe her foolishness. She is always begging, scamming, and manipulating.”

“You are gradually becoming a professional beggar on social media,” one Chigoziri Ohochukwu on Facebook opined.

“Mad that she can’t post pictures because without posting pictures she can’t make money. She needs to post pictures of her kids to make money. But she would rather go to Hawaii than see.Her children sickening and people gave her $.Or whatever was on that go find me.People needs to report the go fund me everybody needs to report to get their money back,” a user who identifies as Jennifer Lynn Russell claimed.

Nene Peters stated, “WTF you was just on here crying about you need a lawyer now, you traveling. I’m done with you wow.”

“Two days ago she was crying for donation now she is traveling,” said Hermi Matilya

Meanwhile, Bridget O’Connell said, “Yeah I’m not gonna lie Traveling to Hawaii is crazy after receiving all that money for Lawyer girl! You shoulda did that in silence.”

Also, Mary Monique Napont said, “It’s none of your business lady. She is an influencer, performer, student, and most importantly a great mother. Leave her be. You are a part of the problem. She’s not hurting you in any way. If you don’t like her, don’t follow her. It’s that simple.”

Recall that the divorce and custody battle between Obidi and Dean has been on the public scene lately. Recent developments have granted Justin the right to restrict their two children from featuring on Obidi’s online content.

She posted a plea online, accusing Dean of abuse and “gaslighting” during their marriage, claiming he is now subjecting their daughters to similar treatment.

 

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Police declare Lagos socialite wanted for murder, cyber-stalking

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The Nigeria Police Force, on Sunday, declared a Lagos socialite and blogger, Dorcas Adeyinka, wanted for alleged cyber-stalking, abduction and murder, among others.

The police urged members of the public to “arrest and hand over the suspect to the nearest police station or the office of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja.”

The police further described Adeyinka as a married female Yoruba blogger from Ekiti State and Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

She is said to be approximately 1.64m tall with an oval face, tribal marks, pointed nose, wide mouth, full and white dentition, and light-skinned with black eyes.

The police added that she lives in the United Kingdom, and frequently visits Ikeja, Ogudu and Fagba in Lagos State, as well as Otta and Sango in Ogun State.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had earlier reported that a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, summoned two social media users for defaming Adeyinka by allegedly sharing her nude photo online.

In the court summons dated Thursday, May 9, 2024, which was obtained by our correspondent, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the two defendants – Tolulope Adeoye aka Abike Jagaban, and Tolulope Odegbami aka Olowosibi – to appear in persons before the court on June 4, 2024, to answer the charges levelled against them by the complainant.

The summons followed a criminal complaint filed by the complainant’s lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of an Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor.

The socialite accused the defendants of sharing her nude photo on social media and ridiculing her.

The application partly read, “On March 5, 2022, Abike Jagaban shared the complainant’s nude pictures on YouTube, directing her followers to different online platforms where the complainant’s pictures were/are shared and ridiculed the complainant in the process.

“The video was captioned, ‘Abike Jagaban on Dorcas Adeyinka, aka TMS Blog.’ These actions have exposed the complainant to contempt, hatred and detestation as some people can be seen making disparaging remarks against the person of the complainant in the comment section of the above-referenced post. Abike Jagaban has also bullied the complainant in another video titled, ‘How Abike Jagaban bullied Dorcas Adeyinka,” among others.”

The complainant told the court that the alleged actions of the defendants constituted criminal defamation and contravened Section 391 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, in suit number CR/93/2024 with motion number MN/140/2024, Magistrate Iyanna ordered the complainant to serve the defendants with the criminal summons and all other subsequent processes of the court via their social media handles or pages @Tolulope Omolara Ghaba (Facebook) and @Princess Tolulope Ajike Olowosibi (Facebook).

The magistrate adjourned the matter till June 4, 2024, and ordered that the two defendants be present in court on the said date.

 

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Even if arrest warrant was illegally obtained, Bello should’ve appeared in court – Judge

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By Taiye Agbaje

 

Abuja, May 10, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday granted the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear in court for his trial.

 

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the former governor ought to appeared before the court before making any application.

 

He insisted that even if the arrest warrant was illegally obtained, the defendant (Bello) should have still shown up in court.

 

It would be tracked that the judge had, on April 23, fixed today for the ruling on the former governor’s application to set aside the arrest warrant against him.

 

The EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had, on April 17, moved the ex-parte application for the arrest warrant.

 

But Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, on April 23, prayed the court to set aside the arrest warrant against their client

.

He canvassed that the arrest warrant had become unnecessary since their lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, had accepted the service of the charge on behalf of the ex-governor.

 

He argued that the arrest warrant order, having been made before the charge ought to be set aside suo motu (on its own accord, without any request by the parties involved).

 

The senior lawyer argued that contrary to the submission of the lawyer who appeared for EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, that the ex-governor must be in court first before any application could be entertained being a criminal case.

 

He said that the anti-graft agency also made an application on April 18 after the warrant arrest was issued to EFCC on April 17 and that the court granted it.

 

The lawyer submitted that the arrest warrant was issued in favour of the EFCC by the court in violation of fair hearing to their client.

 

He noted that the complainant made an application for substituted service on 18th day of April after the arrest warrant had been issued on 17th day of April and today, my noble lord granted it.

 

“The court must satisfy itself that the defendant (Bello) will not be prejudiced in fairness if the warrant of arrest continues to hang on his neck, having been made before service of the charge contrary to Section 394 of ACJA,” Adeola argued.

 

He argued that justice should be a three-way traffic; that is, justice to the prosecution, the defendant and the public.

 

He said for Bello to appear in court, he must have the notion that he would get justice.

 

Adedipe also argued that the EFCC was an unconstitutional body because its establishment was not ratified by the 36 states of the federation.

 

He said that for the EFCC to become a constitutional body, the 36 states of the federation must ratify the law establishing it as against the current position, that the EFCC Establishment Act was unilaterally ratified by the Federal Government.

 

He, therefore, asked the judge to vacate the arrest warrant against the former governor.

 

But Pinheiro vehemently opposed the application.

 

The senior lawyer argued that for the arrest warrant to be vacated, the former governor must be arraigned and take his plea in compliance with Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

 

Delivering the ruling on Friday, the judge agreed with the argument of the EFCC.

 

He said that the order of court subsisted until it is set aside, even if there is irregularity.

 

The judge said Yahaya Bello’s staying away amounted to disregard to the sanctity of the court.

 

“Therefore, the application by the counsel for the defendant cannot be moved unless the defendant is present in court.

 

“Bello should come to court in his own not through EFCC for arraignment on the next adjourn date,” the judge declared.

 

Meanwhile, shortly after the ruling, Mohammed, who appeared for the former governor, informed the court of a motion on notice filed on May 9.

 

He said the motion prayed the court to stay further hearing of the alleged money laundering suit filed against Bello until the Court of Appeal decides a pending case relating to same matter.

 

The senior lawyer said the anti-graft agency had, by a motion ex-parte, got an order of the Appeal Court stopping the contempt proceedings filed by the ex-governor against the agency at the High Court sitting in Lokoja.

 

He said the appellate court had already fixed May 20 to hear the case.

 

He said it would be important the Federal High Court, Abuja awaits the outcome before going further with the trial.

 

But the EFCC’s lawyer, Oyedepo, disagreed with Mohammed’s submission.

 

In a short ruling, Justice Nwite refused Mohammed’s application.

 

The judge said that the matter had generated controversy all over the world and was unnecessary.

 

Reacting, Mohammed responded that the former governor was not afraid to come to court but was only afraid of his life.

 

Justice Nwite, however, said that Bello should not be misguided but should be advised to come and answer to the alleged charge.

 

“It is just a charge. It has not been proven. Counsel, it is your duty to bring him and you prepare yourselves.

 

“We thank lordship. We will take your admonition to him because that is just his fear,” Mohammed said.

 

He assured that efforts would be made to contact the former govenor to appear in court in the next adjourned date.

 

Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until June 13 for arraignment.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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