File photo used to illustrate story.

A 62-year-old herbalist, Godwin Sanda, has been arrested by the police for allegedly raping a 14-year-old mentally ill patient who was brought to him for treatment in Adamawa State.
On Saturday, Sandra raped his patient at Zagun village in the Numan Local Government Area, after convincing her mother, Maryam Abubakar, to leave her under his care and go home, according to a police report seen by SaharaReporters. 

The spokesperson for the Adamawa State police command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the incident to Saharareporters, saying, "Sanda took undue advantage of the patient kept under his care. 
"The Adamawa State Police Command on 23/7/2022 apprehended a 62-year-old man for raping a 14-year-old minor in Zagun village, Numan Local Government Area.
"The suspect, one Godwin Sanda, a resident of Zagun village, Numan took undue advantage of the victim's status, who was kept in his custody as a herbalist for treatment. 
"The incident was reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Numan by the victim's mother, Maryam Abubakar.
"Preliminary investigation reveals that the victim was suffering from mental disorder and was rushed to the suspect for possible medication by her mother.
"In a twist of event, the suspect advised the mother to go back home pending when the victim will recover and it was as a result of the mother's absence for a period of five days, the suspect had unlawful canal knowledge of the victim, which led to her escape from his premises back to her parents' house.
"The suspect is undergoing investigation by detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) based on the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, CP Sikiru Akande. 
"The CP advised members of the public, particularly parents to be wary of questionable characters within their neighbourhoods and always seek expert opinion before taking any decision, especially on issues concerning human health generally," he said.

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Operatives of the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly shot a young man at a checkpoint for refusing to give them money.
The incident was said to have occurred at about 2 pm on Thursday, July 21, 2022.

The video of the incident seen by SaharaReporters on Sunday shows some policemen carrying the man into a waiting vehicle.
Reacting to the incident on Sunday, the Enugu State Police Command confirmed the shooting but said that the man was not killed. He said the young man refused to stop after being asked to stop by the police, alleging that he also knocked down a police officer. 
A statement by the Enugu Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Daniel Ndukwe said, “It has been drawn to a viral video alleging that 'the Police shot a young man and his GF (which is supposed to mean GirlFriend) dead, at Monkey Roundabout, close to EFCC Office”, Enugu; and hereby wishes to set the record straight as follows:
“That on 21/07/2022 at about 2 pm, a team of Police Operatives serving in No. 3 PMF Enugu, while on routine stop and search duty at EFCC Roundabout, Independence Layout, flagged down the driver of a Lexus Saloon Car.
“The driver, rather than stop, recklessly zoomed off, knocking down one of the Operatives and pulled him along to a distance of about four (4) poles, before he was forced to stop by the other members of the team, who immediately went after him.
“And in the bid to restrain the driver from further escape, one of the Operatives fired a knee-level shot, which got him in the thigh.
“The Policeman, Inspector Aneka Ndayi, who sustained severe bodily injuries; and the said driver, one Ogwuike Christian, were both moved to the hospital and are responding to treatment and in stable conditions.”
He said the state police commissioner, CP Abubakar Lawal, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID, to thoroughly investigate the incident and come up with actionable findings.
Ndukwe said the commissioner has also urged residents of the state, particularly motorists to always cooperate with police officers legitimately performing road duties, to avoid such an occurrence in the future. 
 

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The terrorists who abducted Kaduna-Abuja train passengers have released another video where the victims were being flogged.
The victims were abducted when bandits attacked the Kaduna-bound train on March 28.

Eight passengers were killed during the train attack, while a yet-to-be-confirmed number of persons were kidnapped.
In the two minutes, 50 seconds video sent by the terrorists to family members of the abductees on Saturday, the male victims are seen crying as they are being flogged by the terrorists.
As the flogging stops, female captives come into the frame. One of them cries out and rues voting in President Muhammadu Buhari.

WATCH: Terrorists Beat Remaining Kidnapped Abuja-Kaduna Passengers, Vow To Destroy Nigeria pic.twitter.com/oKAe4cjFXo

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) July 24, 2022
One of the passengers called on the international community and the United Nations to come to their rescue, especially with the failure of the Nigerian government to rescue them.
Meanwhile, the gunmen have threatened to abduct and kill President Buhari and Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
They boasted that they would destroy the country, kill the remaining passengers in their custody and sell the others.
The gunmen further threatened that if the government failed to comply with their demands, they would turn the area into an abattoir.

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The notorious bandit, Ado Aleiro, who was turbaned as the Sarkin Fulani in Yantodo Emirate of Zamfara State, has said he did not request the title.
Aleiro was recently turbaned as Sarkin Fulani (Chief of Fulani) of Yandoto Emirate by the Emir of the emirate, Aliyu Marafa.

Yandoton Daji is one of the two new emirates created by the Zamfara government in May.
The turbaning ceremony was held at the palace of the suspended Emir and was attended by the council chairman of Tsafe Local Government and the state Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, DIG Ibrahim Mamman Tsafe (rtd).
The bandit leader was the arrowhead of a deadly raid on Kadisau, a community in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, where about 52 people were killed.
He was declared wanted by the Katsina Police Command in 2019 with a bounty of N5 million put on his head.
Speaking in an interview with DW Hausa, the terrorist said, “Honestly I didn’t solicit for the title, I was summoned by the Emirate which initially I rejected.
“After consultations with our leaders over the development, they suggested that I shouldn’t turn down the offer since the new emir insisted it had to happen in his emirate; that was how I accepted it.” 

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A graduating student of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos, identified as Abraham is dead.
Abraham died on Friday while celebrating with his coursemates after their final examination at school.

Abraham was dancing on a car during the sign-out celebration and fell off the moving vehicle, after which he became unconscious. Efforts by his course mates to resuscitate him were abortive as he passed away a few minutes after.
The deceased who was studying computer engineering was reported to be the only child of his parents. 
The National Association of Polytechnic Students confirmed the incident.
“With pain in our hearts, we announce the passing on to glory of one of us. Abraham, a part-time finalist of Computer Engineering, also the only son of his parents was reportedly part of an entourage of students driving round campus celebrating their success. But met ill luck as he fell off the moving vehicle and sustained severe injuries to the head,” Yusuf Ridwan, the association president said in a statement.

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Some angry youths of Northern extraction have blocked a major highway in Abia State to protest against incessant attacks and killing of herders and cows by unknown gunmen.
The youths in their hundreds condemned the recent killing of scores of cows and a herder at Lokpanta cattle market.

They said the situation has affected their movement, thereby making it impossible for them to exercise freedom of movement in search of their daily livelihood.
Some residents of Abia State recently demanded the immediate relocation of the Regional Cattle Market at Lokpanta which they alleged provides cover for criminal herdsmen behind incessant kidnappings in the area.
The government a few days ago embarked on the demolition of brothels and shanties at the regional cattle market, saying that they now serve as hideouts for criminals terrorising people around the area.
It also said that the demolished shanties had since been converted into a haven for hard drug traffickers, adding that a kidnapper was recently arrested in one of the shanties.
In February, some unknown gunmen invaded another cattle market at Omumauzor in the Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, killing eight traders from the North and slaughtering over 20 cows.

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The Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) chaired by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, says the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is within its rights to protest against the continued stay of students at home, following the failure of the Nigerian government to reach an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed had described the planned nationwide solidarity protest in support of ASUU as illegal.

The group also said it had "mobilised lawyers in the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 States of the Federation to provide legal services for the protesters.” 
The NLC had announced that it would embark on a nationwide protest on July 26 and 27 to compel the Nigerian government to resolve the over five-month-old strike.
However, Mohammed claimed the protest will create anarchy in the country.
ASCAB in a statement on Sunday said the proposed protest cannot be said to be illegal since it is an expression of the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly of Nigerian workers guaranteed by sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and articles 39 and 40 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The group added that it has mobilised lawyers in the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states of the country to provide legal services for the protesters. 
The statement read, “As a sequel to the failure of the Federal Government to resolve the industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over 5 months ago, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to embark on nationwide protest marches and rallies in support of ASUU on July 26 and 27. 2022. However, the Federal Government has declared the proposed protest illegal. The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed stated this while briefing journalists on the decisions of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting in Abuja last Wednesday.
“With respect, the proposed protest cannot be said to be illegal since it is an expression of the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly of Nigerian workers guaranteed by sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and articles 39 and 40 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Indeed the fundamental right of the people of Nigeria to protest for and against the Government was upheld by the Court of Appeal in the celebrated case of the Inspector-General of Police v All Nigeria Peoples Party (2008) 12 WRN 65. 
“In the leading judgment of the Court of Appeal, Adekeye JCA (as then was) held that "Public Order Act should be promulgated to compliment sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution in context and not to stifle or cripple it. A rally or placard-carrying demonstration has become a form of expression of views on current issues affecting government and the governed in a sovereign state. It is a trend recognised and deeply entrenched in the system of governance in civilised countries. It will not only be primitive but also retrogressive if Nigeria continues to require a pass to hold a rally. We must borrow a leaf from those who have trekked the rugged path of democracy and are now reaping the dividend of their experience.
“In line with the injunction of the Court of Appeal, the National Assembly ensured that the right of Nigerian citizens to assemble and express themselves freely and peacefully has been complemented by the Police Establishment Act 2020. The Act has imposed a duty on the Nigeria Police Force to provide adequate security during meetings, rallies and processions convened by Nigerian citizens. Specifically, section 83(4) of the Act stipulates as follows:
"Where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilize personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession.
“Having confirmed that the Nigeria Labour Congress has notified the Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force of the planned protest marches and rallies in strict compliance with the aforementioned provision of the Police Establishment Act, 2020, we call on the Federal Government to respect the democratic wishes of Nigerian workers to identify with the striking university lecturers. Since the protest by the NLC is just and legitimate the ASCAB has mobilised lawyers in the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 States of the Federation to provide legal services for the protesters.”

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The Human & Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has condemned what it called incessant attempts to gag the media and other civil society organisations by President Muhammadu Buhari's government.
This followed the recent arrest, detention and release of journalists of Peoples Gazette (an online media platform) by officers of the Federal Capital Territory's Police Command in Utako, Abuja, 
 
In a statement signed by the Chairman of HEDA, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society group warned whoever may be concerned that the civic space, media and other rights activists would never be gagged nor made to succumb to any form of intimidation in any guise by any force(s).
The HEDA boss decried the use and compromise of the police to criminalise allegations of defamation against the civic space which he described as a threat to Nigeria's democracy and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and other international laws to which Nigeria is bound to obey.
He called on President Buhari and the National Human Rights Commission to communicate the implications of this ugly trend to the police leadership, condemn the actions and act accordingly.
It called for an end to “incessant attacks and harassment” of the media and civil society groups by public officials using the instrumentalities of the military and paramilitary personnel.
Suraju recalled sadly how the immediate former Army Chief, Tukur Buratai, used the military to oppress the media and civil society organisations. 
“This harassment on the media, civil groups and crusaders of good governance, rights activists and advocates of justice and equity has become a recurring ritual, that no military or paramilitary chief leaves office without stepping on the toes of these aforementioned groups and individuals.
“It’s unfortunate this administration, in particular, does not know the relevance of the media and CSOs in a democratic era. They fail to understand that the more they rise against us, the more their atrocities are exposed. Truth cannot be suppressed,” he affirmed.
He charged other civil society organisations not to be daunted in the fight against bad governance, maladministration and mismanagement of public resources, noting that with time and steadfastness, evil will bow to Godliness.
Last week, armed police officers broke into the Peoples Gazette’s office opposite NNPC Quarters in Utako and arrested Mr John Adenekan, an Assistant Managing Editor and four other staff members: Ameedat Adeyemi, Grace Oke, Sammy Ogbu and Justina Tayani.

“The officers declined to state the reason for their assault but demanded to see the paper’s Managing Editor, Samuel Ogundipe, and reporter Adefemola Akintade,” the statement quoted the newspaper as saying.
But both journalists were reportedly not available during the operation, prompting the officers to arrest Mr Adenekan. But on Friday night, Peoples Gazette announced that they had been freed.
“We are excited about the release of our colleagues, John Adenekan and Grace Oke,” Managing Editor Samuel Ogundipe was quoted to have said last Friday evening. “We thank our lawyers and the Nigerian public for mounting appropriate pressure.”
Ogundipe thanked all Nigerians and organisations, including the CPJ and SERAP, who showed solidarity towards the media platform, saying the fight to detach Nigeria from the brutalities of its dark days should be sustained.
Earlier, spokesman for the FCT Police Command, DSP Josephine Adeh, said the journalists and staff members of the newspaper were only invited for questioning over a petition written against them, accusing the paper of defaming the character of Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff.
“Our officers did not raid any media house. We don’t raid media houses because we know better, and media houses are not criminal hideouts.
“Someone had written a petition accusing the newspaper of defamation of character. The newspaper was accused of defaming the character of the former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. However, we got a warrant from the court to invite them for questioning.
“We have no malicious intent for inviting them. Our officers went to Peoples Gazette office this morning to invite them to come to give a statement in response to the petition at the Utako police station. And as I speak to you, the NUJ Secretary is with them at the Utako police station as they’re making their statements,” she had said.
 

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There is fresh information regarding how the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has initiated moves to lobby and bribe some leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to get their support for its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. 
Some top APC members of the Christian extraction have kicked against the Muslim-Muslim ticket and expressed their dissatisfaction with the choice of former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima as Bola Tinubu’s running mate.  

Tinubu and Shettima are Muslims – a combination that has triggered varying reactions since the former recently announced the latter as his running mate in Katsina.
Tinubu is from Southern Nigeria while Shettima, a former Borno governor, is from the Muslim-dominated Northern part of the country.
The APC Christian leaders have described the Muslim-Muslim ticket as an insult, particularly as the party’s leadership claimed that competence was the yardstick - implying that no Christian across the north possesses this quality. 
CAN and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have both kicked against the team of Tinubu and Shettima as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the ruling party. 
Some respected party members have either quit their membership or stepped aside from the APC’s presidential campaign and are now ready to hit the streets to drive home their grievances. 
The APC candidate recently met with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, following the controversy trailing the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Sources at the weekend told SaharaReporters that Tinubu had set up a team of eminent persons with whom he was scheduled to meet the Christian leaders within the party and faith-based organisations like CAN, PFN and the Catholic, to appeal to them and secure their support.
“The APC, having failed to justify its Muslim-Muslim ticket through other mediums, have reached out to the leadership of the Christian Association in Nigeria to endorse its choice of vice presidential candidate,” a Christian leader and member of CAN told SaharaReporters.
“The APC has concluded plans to secure the endorsement of CAN towards quelling the agitations that have come about due to its choice of Senator Kashim Shettima, a Muslim as the vice-presidential candidate of the party. 
"I can tell you authoritatively that APC leadership has sent emissaries to our leadership (CAN) to support or endorse the decision to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Talks are ongoing, and the inducement figure is very tempting. I won't be shocked in the days and weeks ahead; we might see a statement from a faction of CAN endorsing the APC presidential team.
“This is a big challenge for the APC. I think it has realized that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has elicited resentment from most people who view such disposition as an affront to the sensibilities of Christians across the country." 
He continued, “My fear is that some CAN leaders may not resist the offer. It is structured in such a way that it would leave no traces behind. And the amount involved is huge. Talks are ongoing through a senior member of the association with the mandate to get the buy-in of other critical stakeholders in the association."
The statement was corroborated by a close associate of one of the leaders of CAN. He stated that there had been tremendous pressure to appease the association. 
“Before the unveiling of Kashim Shettima, some APC stalwarts reached out to the leadership of CAN, extending an invitation to attend the event. This was rebuffed by CAN, citing no moral justification to attend the event in the face of a clear lack of respect for the sensibilities of Christians in the country,” he said.
“The condition given was the replacement of Kashim Shettima as the vice-presidential candidate of the APC. The decision was hinged on the fact that other political parties respected the ethnic and religious sensitivities in the country, and the APC should not be an exception.” 
He added, “I am ashamed of what is going on. I can’t believe that such a topic would be deliberated upon in the first instance. I know the money promised is very tempting, but as servants of the Lord, and at this stage, they ought to have risen above this inducement.
“Why do you think the Christian community can’t speak in one voice? Most of the members of CAN have been grandstanding. They are in the habit of taking care of themselves. If only Nigerians would realize the rot in CAN, they would henceforth take with a pinch of salt whatever statement that emanates from the association.”
An APC chieftain confirmed to SaharaReporters that emissaries had been sent to CAN leadership. He however denied the Christian leaders were being induced with cash.
“We are talking about competence over religious considerations. Talks have reached advanced stages through proxies.“
Calls put across by SaharaReporters to Felix Morka, APC spokesman were not answered or returned.

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Terrorists who attacked an Abuja-Kaduna train and killed eight people have released a fresh hostage video showing their victims in an unidentified location suspected to be a forest.
The victims were abducted when bandits attacked the Kaduna-bound train on March 28.

Eight passengers were killed during the train attack, while scores of persons were kidnapped.
The terrorists in a viral video during the weekend threatened to abduct and kill President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
They boasted that they would destroy Nigeria. 
They also threatened to sell the remaining hostages, adding that they would turn the area into an abattoir if the Nigerian government failed to comply with their demands. 
“This is our message to the government of Nigeria and just as you have seen these people here, by God’s grace, you will see your leaders; your senators and governors will come before us. These ones you are seeing here, we will keep some as our slaves and sell them off just as our Imam told you in the past,” one of the terrorists said.
He further stated in Hausa: “Just like the Chibok girls that were sold off, we will equally sell these ones as slaves. If you don’t adhere to our demands, we will kill the ones we need to kill and sell the remaining. By God’s grace, El-Rufai, Buhari, we will bring you here.”
On the night of April 14, 2014, 276 mostly Christian female students aged between 16 and 18 were kidnapped by the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno.

Before the raid, the school had been closed for four weeks due to deteriorating security conditions, but the girls were in attendance to take their final physics examination.
 
Also, 57 of the schoolgirls escaped immediately after the incident by jumping from the trucks on which they were being transported, and some others have been rescued by the Nigerian Armed Forces on various occasions.
 
In January, the Kibaku (Chibok) Area Development Association (KADA), on behalf of the entire Chibok community, indicated that 110 of the 276 girls abducted were still unaccounted for.

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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for “failing to prosecute those suspected of vote-buying and electoral bribery during the recently concluded Ekiti State governorship election.”
According to reports, there was a brazen pattern of vote-buying and electoral bribery in several polling units during the recently concluded Ekiti governorship election, including bargaining prices for votes and payments made in uncompleted buildings.
 
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1189/2022 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to seek and obtain detailed information about reports of vote-buying by the three leading political parties in the 2022 Ekiti State governorship election.”
The group is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to promptly and effectively prosecute those arrested, and to bring to justice anyone who sponsored, aided and abetted them.”
 “Vote buying is a threat to fair and representative elections. Vote buying amounts to undue influence and improper electoral influence,” SERAP has argued. 
According to SERAP, “Wealthy candidates and their sponsors ought not to be allowed to profit from their crimes. Arresting and prosecuting vote buyers will end widespread impunity for vote buying ahead of the February 2023 general elections.”
“Vote buying encourages poor governance and weakens citizens’ capacity to hold their ‘elected officials’ accountable for their actions,” it said. 
The group is also arguing that “Vote buying undermines the ability of INEC to discharge its responsibilities under Section 153 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule of the Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.”
SERAP is also arguing that “Corruption of the ballot box intrudes on the freedom of Nigerian voters to make up their own minds. Vote buying and other forms of electoral corruption freeze out the less wealthy candidates and parties.
“When political candidates or their sponsors decide to buy the support of the people rather than contest fairly for their votes, there are possibilities that such candidates and sponsors will show a disregard for democratic rules and a disposition to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi, read in part: “Vote buying is entirely an act of election malpractice connected with vested interest since an election can be said to be free and fair when it is devoid of vote buying. 
“Ending impunity for vote-buying and electoral bribery would contribute to free and fair elections. A corruption-free electoral process is essential for building public confidence in the electoral process, and the credibility and legitimacy of the 2023 elections.
“One of the people’s most sacred rights is the right to vote. INEC has a constitutional and statutory responsibility to ensure the effective exercise of the right of all eligible voters to participate in their own government in free and fair elections.
“Preventing and combating vote buying and electoral bribery would advance the people’s right to vote and to participate in their own government, as well as bolster the ability of INEC to effectively discharge its constitutional and statutory mandates.
“Many years of allegations of vote-buying and electoral bribery and entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined public confidence in the electoral process.
“Prosecuting allegations of vote-buying and electoral bribery would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the country’s international human rights anti-corruption obligations.
“Agents of the three dominant political parties in the state, namely All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), were reportedly involved in buying votes across the state, and voters offered as high as N10,000 in exchange for their votes.
“The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’
“Section 145(2) of the Electoral Act provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.’”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
 
 

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The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has publicly declared his assets ahead of the 2023 general elections.
A civic organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had challenged the activist to publish details of his assets and to publicly commit to rejecting vote-buying and electoral bribery before and during the elections.

“Dear ‪@YeleSowore‬ Ahead of the February 2023 presidential election, we're again calling on you to show leadership by urgently publishing details of your assets and publicly rejecting vote-buying and electoral bribery before and during the elections,” SERAP had tweeted.

I have 2 used cars: a Toyota Camry & Lexus RX 350, a home in my village worth maybe N5m, three iPhones, a Galaxy Note 10 Lite (if you could call those assets), SaharaReporters Media Group ( don’t know the worth as of today), a four bedroom bungalow in New Jersey & nothing more!

— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) July 23, 2022
Responding, Sowore said he had two cars, a house in his hometown in Ondo State worth N5million among other assets.
He added that he had never operated any offshore account(s) or worked with a tax haven to hide any asset.
“I have 2 used cars: a Toyota Camry & Lexus RX 350, a home in my village worth maybe N5m, three iPhones, a Galaxy Note 10 Lite (if you could call those assets), SaharaReporters Media Group (don’t know the worth as of today), a four bedroom bungalow in New Jersey & nothing more,” Sowore said.
“The Federal government of Nigeria froze my bank accounts since 2019 after I was arrested over ‪#RevolutionNow‬ protest on August 3rd 2019. A ‪@gtbank‬ account I operated in Nigeria had N4,800 left in before my arrest, I managed to open a ‪ @kudabankhelp‬ with N463.00 as of this evening.
“I reject vote-buying on or before 2023 election date. I also recently opened a ‪@capitalone‬ US bank account that has in it about $300, I have a ‪@ZenithBank‬ campaign account for the ‪#Sowore2023‬ Presidential account. I have nothing more besides financial support that I occasionally get from friends and family (if those count as assets).
“I have never operated any offshore account(s) or worked with a tax haven to hide my assets. These are the assets I have in my entire life.”
 

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The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) says the 2023 general elections would the most decisive since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.
NEF spokesman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated this on his verified Twitter handle on Saturday.

Baba-Ahmed said the 2023 elections would show if Nigerians have decided to reverse the journey to destruction.
He pointed out that the next general election would show if Nigeria would sink towards destruction.
Baba-Ahmed added that Nigerians would decide the fate of the country at the polls next year.
He said, “2023 elections are the most decisive since 1999. They will show whether we have decided to reverse the journey to destruction, or we will sink irretrievably towards destruction. Will you be part of those who will decide, or will you watch others do it. Register and vote. Seven days left.”

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The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to an hour-long Television interview.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Tinubu camp lambasted Atiku, saying he was ill-prepared for the Nigerian presidency and bungled a TV interview, and couldn't address specific issues thrown at him.

Reacting to the allegation of Tinubu Campaign Organisation that he was not prepared to lead the country because of some of the issues discussed during his last Television interview, the former vice president dared Tinubu to take up the challenge.
“‘We would like to challenge Bola Tinubu to subject himself to an hour long interview, like the Waziri did, and if he is able to be as articulate and mentally present as our candidate, then he can talk. Until then, we will only want to remind him and his yes men that they are not in a position to point fingers when they have not sat on the hot seat,” Atiku said in a statement which Paul Ibe, his Media Adviser, issued on his behalf.
Ibe added that the former vice president was “amused to read the knee jerk response from the Tinubu Campaign Organisation to the wave making interview granted by Atiku Abubakar.”
He said the Tinubu campaign “exposed its gross desperation and vacuousness by citing the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999, to declare Waziri Atiku Abubakar’s stance on engaging in a side business while he was a young custom officer as a breach of the law. It is pertinent to educate the Tinubu campaign organisation that Nigeria is not under a military regime and our Constitutions are not retroactive in nature.”
“Atiku Abubakar has earned Master’s degree from Anglia Ruskin University. We challenge any of the present Presidential candidates to present an equal or higher degree. Moreover, his university attendance is a matter of verified record. Can we say the same about some other persons?”

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The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to an hour-long Television interview.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Tinubu camp lambasted Atiku, saying he was ill-prepared for the Nigerian presidency and bungled a TV interview, and couldn't address specific issues thrown at him.

Reacting to the allegation of Tinubu Campaign Organisation that he was not prepared to lead the country because of some of the issues discussed during his last Television interview, the former vice president dared Tinubu to take up the challenge.
“‘We would like to challenge Bola Tinubu to subject himself to an hour long interview, like the Waziri did, and if he is able to be as articulate and mentally present as our candidate, then he can talk. Until then, we will only want to remind him and his yes men that they are not in a position to point fingers when they have not sat on the hot seat,” Atiku said in a statement which Paul Ibe, his Media Adviser, issued on his behalf.
Ibe added that the former vice president was “amused to read the knee jerk response from the Tinubu Campaign Organisation to the wave making interview granted by Atiku Abubakar.”
He said the Tinubu campaign “exposed its gross desperation and vacuousness by citing the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999, to declare Waziri Atiku Abubakar’s stance on engaging in a side business while he was a young custom officer as a breach of the law. It is pertinent to educate the Tinubu campaign organisation that Nigeria is not under a military regime and our Constitutions are not retroactive in nature.”
“Atiku Abubakar has earned Master’s degree from Anglia Ruskin University. We challenge any of the present Presidential candidates to present an equal or higher degree. Moreover, his university attendance is a matter of verified record. Can we say the same about some other persons?”

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The lingering crisis rocking the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), following the party's primaries especially that of the governorship is yet to abate.
SaharaReporters learnt that former governors, James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan on Saturday shunned the party's "Mega Rally" held at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, stadium, Ozoro, headquarters of the Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.

Also conspicuously absent at the rally were an aggrieved senator representing Delta South senatorial district and former governorship aspirant, James Manager, the state deputy governor and former governorship aspirant, Kingsley Otuaro, former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Peter Mrakpo among other stakeholders of the party. 
The party in the state has been divided into two camps and engulfed with crisis following the PDP primaries where Okowa was accused to have secretly supported and imposed his preferred candidate on the people across the state.
A chieftain of the party in the state who pleaded for anonymity said, “One faction is being led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who has thrown his weight behind his anointed governorship candidate and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori and the second faction is being led by the former governor James Ibori whose anointed governorship candidate and former Commissioner for Finance, David Edevbie is being frustrated by Okowa.
“Okowa has vowed that over his dead body should Edevbie, his immediate past chief of staff be the governor of the state. The current crisis if not properly handled will consume the party in the 2023 general elections.
"With what is happening now, the party has no governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections because of cases in court bothering on the discrepancies in academic credentials of the state governorship candidate and speaker of the state house of Assembly, Sheriff.”

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The People’s Redemption Party, known as the Real PRP, has expressed support for the Nigerian Labour Congress nationwide protest to demand an end to the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) strike.
The real PRP in a release on Friday by its national chairman, Comrade Abdulmajid Yakubu Daudu, said the Nigerian government was exploiting the Nigerian students, and it was necessary to “mobilise, organise, and march against de-education, and for the fulfillment of ASUU's genuine demands.”

The party described the Muhammadu Buhari-led government as a “failed and reactionary federal government” while calling for all Nigerians to join the mass action.
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria embarked on a legitimate total strike on the 14th February 2022. It did so after several appeals, diplomatic efforts and warning strikes to draw the attention of the federal government to the union's demands, and to the government's own responsibility to respect agreements sealed under its authority. Further, the academics, as usual, engaged in broad consultations with stakeholders and its general membership, all in an effort to stave off the last option in industrial relations: strike. Though these efforts were not perfect, they carried the support of the majority.
“The demands of ASUU were not necessarily new or unknown to their employer, the federal government, via its education ministry. If there was anything new in the package, it had to do with roping university salary administration with the single treasury account system adopted by the federal government. Here the snag was a choice between the state imposed Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and the union's preferred University Transparency Account System (UTAS). Both sides were agreed that the payroll and personnel information system needed improvement. In sum, ASUU's demands, among other things, centred on: improving facilities, funding, payment of withheld  salaries and allowances; a new salary package; and ASUU proposed electronic payment system (UTAS), as against that imposed by the government (IPPIS). 
“The PRP is aware of the hushed fears of government, that acceding to ASUU demands will trigger copycat strikes in the entire higher education sector and outside it. Already polytechnics are on the move, so are monotechnics and sister institutions. All are justified in this struggle for sector survival and improvement under a generalised system of state education sector exploitation and  'de-leveraging', as opposed to systematic leveraging of for-profit higher and sub-higher institutions owned by cronies and 'vulture capitalists'. Even here, the less influential amongst these have come under the hammer of extortionist taxation, while operators in underclass neighbourhoods have to invent multiple charges to stay in the school business and still make profit at the parents expense.
“Although previous administrations have underperformed in their handling of industrial relations in the higher education sector, this administration has outperformed most in its insensitivity, incompetence, and sheer lack of good faith to resolve the issue. So third party participants in the negotiations have observed and categorically stated. The tortuous negotiations between ASUU and the federal government's team have not just dragged on for too long, but amount to regime sabotage of the nation's development. Children of ranking public office holders, as ordinary folks are quick to point out, school abroad where there are no ASUU strikes and lost semesters.
“While we in the real PRP declare our unflinching support for the ongoing ASUU strike and for NLC`s solidarity protest coming up on the 26th and 27th of July 2022, we view the Nigerian student as among the most oppressed and exploited in the world, both by government and a few odd actors amongst the teaching and administrative fraternity in the higher education sector. This, however, is no time for blame game. The fight at hand is a good fight. Let's network, mobilise, organise, and march against deeducation, and for the fulfillment of ASUU's genuine demands by a failed and reactionary federal government and the exploitative social system that it represents.
“Recall that in this struggle for salvaging the university system, some have, in the long wait, passed on, while others, especially students, may never return back to campus again, futures permanently altered. For this reason alone, it is justified to hold an unaccountable government accountable, in the only language it understands: mass protest. 
“We call on all real PRP members nationwide to join the protest on the 26th and 27th of July 2022.”

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The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he will soon reveal the “actual truth” about the recent happenings in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his relationship with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said it had become pertinent for him to speak and reveal to Nigerians all that had transpired in the PDP since the emergence of former Vice President, Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of the party.

"On Atiku, I will speak soon and Nigerians will know the actual truth of all that has transpired in the PDP in recent times," Wike said.
SaharaReporters on July 6 reported that the governor also rejected the call for him to have one-on-one meeting with the Atiku, over the lingering crisis on the choice of running mate.
The PDP has been enmeshed in deep crisis since Atiku picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as running mate for the 2023 general elections.
The crisis has also degenerated to some members of the party calling for the resignation of its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
Wike, who came second in the party’s primary election, had asked Atiku to rather meet with his team for peace talks on the terms proposed to the party, especially as it concerns the resignation of Ayu.
The Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin, had suggested that Atiku should lead a reconciliation team to Wike, but Wike indicated that he would depend on the advisory from the “Strategy Team.”
Also, a BoT member of the party, Waziri Adamu, had suggested that Wike should be appointed as Director-General of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation.
Meanwhile, Wike who rejected the one-on-one meeting with Atiku cited lack of faith in any personal agreement with Atiku.
A source had said, “There is no likelihood of Wike having one-on-one private discussion with Atiku. Shortly after the primary, the governor had a side meeting with Atiku in Abuja and nothing was adhered to.
“He was shocked that Atiku has not told Nigerians what transpired between him and Wike after the primary and how he arrived at Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a running mate.
“Since there was no full disclosure, Wike has directed that fresh talks with Atiku should be with his strategy team members, who will come up with an advisory for him.”

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Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been accused of gross impersonation, assault over a landed property belonging to Chief Adetunji Omisore and one Tajudeen Mohammed, at No. 4, Ladoke Akintola Street, GRA Ikeja.
It was gathered that Ayinde, in a bid to forcibly obtain the land, worth N500million, destroyed properties worth millions of naira, by using the police and other security forces to assault the landowners.

“The incessant issue of Lagos State officials meddling in the affairs of landowners and their wanton and indiscriminate destruction of properties among other vices was brought to the fore following an unauthorised demolition and sealing off of a property, belonging to Chief Adetunji Omisore and one Tajudeen Mohammed, at No. 4, Ladoke Akintola Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday July 19, 2022. #4Ladoke.
“Fingered in this allegation playing prominently in this saga is the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State governor, Tayo Ayinde, the owner of Watercrest Hotel and numerous choice properties around the Lagos metropolis, who lives opposite the above-mentioned address, precisely occupying No.5, Ladoke Akintola Street, GRA Ikeja,” a source said.
It was learnt that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSBCA) served the owner and developer of the said property a seven-day demolition notice on Friday, July 15, 2022.
On Monday, July 18, the developer approached the general manager of LSBCA, Gbolahan Oki, who was recently reinstated after he was suspended by the governor, for clarification on the illegal action.
“Note that the property in question is under the authorisation and jurisdiction of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the source added.
Oki was temporarily booted out when a high-rise block of luxury flats under construction in the neighbourhood of Ikoyi collapsed, killing at least 42 people in November 2021.
“The owners' efforts to prove to the agency that they have the approved documents on the said land fell on deaf ears as the owner was kicked out of the office of the general manager and ordered to send the document through official channel the following day.
“However, without waiting for the 7 day notice to lapse, on Tuesday, July 19, the agency moved caterpillar and Black Maria to the site to begin demolition of the over N500million investment as early as 6am in the morning, barricading the property while the workers were assaulted.

“Not only were those who made attempts to record the illegal activities of the policemen attached to the governor's office beaten, their gadgets were also confiscated.
“It took the intervention of the Presidential Committee on Lease in Abuja to put a stop to the demolition after frantic calls were made to them. By then, a new six-bedroom bungalow, a penthouse, the reception of the hotel building among other things had been leveled down on the 3800 square metres property,” he said.
An official at the Lagos State Building Control confirmed Ayinde gave Oki directive for the demolition of the structure.
It was also alleged that after the sealing of the property when demotion was halted by the Nigerian government, the Chief of Staff, who is also a close ally of the leading presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, allocated a portion of the property to a construction company.
The company was awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the road covering the whole stretch of Ladoke Akintola Street, as site office.
“From all indications, it is becoming glaring that Tayo Ayinde's activities are allegedly adding to the long list of nefarious state-backed land-grabbing nightmares,” the source added.
 

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The six-man committee set up by the Zamfara State Government to investigate the circumstances leading to the turbaning of notorious terror kingpin, Ado Aleru as the Sarkin Fulani (the chief of the Fulani) has demanded N3.2million to finance its activities.
Aleru was recently turbaned as Sarkin Fulani (Chief of Fulani) of Yandoto Emirate by the Emir of the emirate, Aliyu Marafa.

Yandoton Daji is one of the two new emirates created by the Zamfara government in May.
The turbaning ceremony was held at the palace of the suspended Emir and was attended by the council chairman of Tsafe Local Government and the state Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, DIG Ibrahim Mamman Tsafe (rtd).
The bandit leader was the arrowhead of a deadly raid on Kadisau, a community in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, where about 52 people were killed.
He was declared wanted by the Katsina Police Command in 2019 with a bounty of N5 million put on his head.
Reacting to the event, Governor Bello Matawalle suspended the Emir and inaugurated a committee to investigate the circumstances leading to his action.
The committee has Yahaya Goro as chairman and Musa Garba as secretary.
The members are Yahay Kanoma, Muhammed Magaji, Lawal Zannah, Isa Moriki.
However, Secretary of the Committee, Bukkuyum in a letter to the government requested funds running into millions of Naira for two weeks’ sitting allowances, stationeries, refreshments and other miscellaneous procurements.
“I humbly write to apply on behalf of the above-mentioned committee for the release of funds to finance its activities which have since commenced today Thursday, 21st July 2022.
“The total amount requested hereby is Three Million Two Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand Eight Hundred Naira (N3,293,800.00) only.”
A breakdown of the committee’s demand includes a N420,000 sitting allowance for the chairman, which is a daily fee of N30,000 for 14 days.

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