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…As NGO writes AGF, Head of Service, FCSC alleges Bola Audu’s unlawful reinstatement move

The Federal government has appealed Abuja High Court ruling that discharged and acquitted the suspended employee of government by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Innocent Bola Audu, over his involvement in a trafficking related offence. 

Bala Audu and three others according to the Federal government appeal notice, were earlier charged and tried on allegation of “conspiracy to abuse of position of vulnerability and abuse of position of vulnerability contrary to Sections 13 (2) and 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, but was acquitted. 

The appeal was filed through government legal representative, Liman, Liman & Co, Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public. 

Explaining the reason for the appeal, the Appeal notice said; “Appellant being dissatisfied with the ruling of the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja delivered on 18th day of April, 2023 in charge No. CR/080/2021 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Innocent Bola Audu & 3 Ors Coram: Hon. Justice O. C. Agbaza, FG doth hereby appeal to the Court of Appeal, upon the Grounds stated in paragraph 3 and will upon hearing of the appeal, seek the reliefs set out in paragraph 4.”

The notice also State that the appeal is against “The whole decision of the High Court which upheld the “No Case Submission” of the snd consequently discharge and acquit the respondents of the charges against them.  

The notice further said; “The appeal sought for an order setting aside the Lower Court’s decision, discharging and acquitting the Accuseds/Respondents.”

Furthermore, the appeal notice gave grounds on which it want the Court of Appeal to set aside the lower court ruling. 

“The Learned trial judge erred in law when in determining the No Case Submission of the Respondents went into the merit of the case as though the Appellant was required to have proved the case against the Respondents beyond reasonable doubt instead of a mere prima facile case thus plunging himself into an abyss of error and consequently occasioning a substantial miscarriage of Justice to the Appellant. 

“The learned trial Judge erred in law when he misconceived the charge against the Respondent to be that of an offence of Surrogacy merely because the word “Surrogacy” was mentioned in the cause of the trial thus plunging himself into an abyss of error and consequently occasioning a substantial miscarried of justice to the Appellant. 

“The Learned trial judge erred in law when he held that the Respondents where right to have challenged the validity of the charge upon which the are standing trial through their No Case Submission thus plunging himself onto an abyss of error and consequently occasioning a substantial miscarriage of Justice to the Appellant.”

Meanwhile, a Non-Governmental Organisation under the aegis of Anti-Corruption Outreach for MASS mobilization and Action Against Corruption, has raised alarm over an alleged move by some powerful individuals within the Office of the Account General of the Federation (OAGF), to reinstate Innocent Bola Audu into the Federal Civil Service despite his suspension because of the  ongoing criminal charges against him by the Federal government. 

In separate letters signed by its Executive Director, Ekwoyi Ochigbo,  addressed to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission and the Accountant General of the Federation respectively, urged these principal Federal government offices to uphold the rule of laws and prevent any form of illegal process by any person or group of persons in name of reinstating a civl servant (Innocent Bola Audu), until he is cleared of all wrong doing by law. 

The letters in part read; We are a Non-Governmental Organisation whose mandate is the promotion of accountability, rule of law, probity in the public service. 

“We are bringing to your urgent attention moves being made by self acclaimed powerful individuals in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) with the condemnable intent to hood-wink Government officials at the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) into believing that the Federal Government of Nigeria has abandoned its criminal prosecution of Innocent Bola Audu with the ultimate aim of “helping” him back to the service in flagrant violation of extant provision of the Public Service Rules 030411(a) (i) and (ii). 

“The Federal Government of Nigeria, against the unfounded rumor, has not abandoned nor stopped the criminal prosecution of Innocent Bola Audu. As a matter of fact, the prosecution is ongoing and is pending at the Court of Appeal. Find attached a copy of the Notice of Appeal with Appeal No. CA/ABI/CR/704/23 and charge No. CR/0802021 dated 11th May, 2023 for your information, perusal and necessary action. 

“Members of this cult like group who are in the Disciplinary Department of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and who pride themselves as influential, powerful and well-connected across MDAs have evidently assured Innocent Bola Audu not to worry that they have the wherewithal to circumvent checks and balances in the disciplinary process in the service through planned use of monumental deceit, blackmail, propaganda and other illegal methods to get Innocent Bola Audu suspension lifted and salary restored not withstanding that the criminal prosecution of Innocent Bola Audu by the Federal Government ofNigeria is ongoing at the Court of Appeal. 

“In view of the foregoing, and the urgent need to discourage the activities of the mafia like group who act like cult to protect their members in the Service we hereby demand: That the Honourable Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission should not fall for the ploy of this gang to restore Innocent Bola Audu back to Service in the face of his ongoing prosecution by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Doing so will violate the extant provision of the Public Service Rules 030411(a) (i) and (ii). 

“That the Honourable Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission should initiate a novel process that will fish out Public Servants who are working tirelessly to shield Innocent Bola Audu from justice without due process. We anticipate that prompt action will be taken on our demands to forestall a nationwide protest which could erupt without any notice if Innocent Bola Audu is smuggled back to the service while he is undergoing prosecution by the Federal Government of Nigeria as being boasted by the mafia like group in the Office Of the Accountant General of the Federation.”

Voices have grown louder for the arrest and prosecution of a chieftain of people’s Democratic party (PDP) in Kaduna State for intimidating officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the March 18 governorship election won by Uba Sani of All Progressives Congress (APC).

A member and chieftain of PDP Danjuma Sarki was seen in a viral video at Kaduna North INEC Office intimidating and threatening to deal with officials of the commission for alleged support for APC.

An act many pointed out was capable of overheating the ongoing hearing at election petition tribunal and throwing the state into political skirmish.

Latest condemnation of the Sarki’s action was contained in a statement issued to Journalists over the weekend in Kaduna by a group known as Kaduna Concerned Stakeholders.

Action of Sarki was described as unruly, rascally and capable of causing crisis between parties’ supporters In the state.

The statement signed by Chairman of the group Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim further called on security agencies such as; the DSS and Police to investigate and Prosecute Danjuma Sarki and his collaborators to save the state and protect lives and property of citizens.

“We condemn in strongest terms action of one Danjuma Sarki, a member of PDP in Kaduna state who took laws into his hand by invading INEC’s office and threatening to cause chaos if the wishes of his party were not granted.

“We by this statement joining other peace loving individuals of the state who equally condemned the action of PDP supporters led by Sarki whose motive is to cause chaos because they have seen that their candidate is fighting a lost battle at the tribunal.

“What Danjuma Sarki did is dramatic and funny and we want the public to know that INEC is answerable to the court not to him and his cohorts.

“We are advocates of rule of law and adherents of constitutional provisions which should as well be upheld by all political actors in our political terrain for peace and development of our democracy.

“It is in this light We enjoin all parties in the ongoing tribunal hearings to desist from acts capable of overheating the temperature of our politics and governance.

“We therefore, call on security agencies to forthwith arrest and Prosecute Danjuma Sarki and anybody who by any guise found culpable of causing crisis in our dear state,” the statement added.

By Joe Sunday

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has asked governors of South-Eastern states to take measures to protect the lives and properties of Northerners living as minorities in south-eastern communities as the IPOB Sit-at-home enforcement violence escalates.

A statement by President of the AYCF, Yerima Shattima on condemned what he called the mindless, unrelenting violent disturbances created by certain interest groups in the South-East, in the form of the agitation for a separate State of Biafra.

“Aware that the perpetrators of violence relentlessly pursuing this agenda of destruction and collective mayhem, fervently hope it will engulf the entire country and bring about mass killings and suffering of innocent people, the AYCF is calling for guaranteed protection of the lives and properties of Northerners in the entire southeast.

“We are worried that often the mindless violence and extremist terrorist actions perpetrated by IPOB and its followers in the South-East resort to the long-practiced tactics of attacks against northerners and against agents and symbols of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“We are therefore compelled to demand from the South-East governors action to ensure an environment in which the Northerner is safe and secure wherever he choses to live and work in the Southeast just as the North is ready to support other Nigerians to benefit from our tolerance and accommodation if they show appropriate respect for the context of their livelihoods.

“It is in our culture to welcome and live with outsiders, and we must never be tired of reminding other Nigerians that the laws of the land demand that every Nigerian lives and earns his legitimate living in any part of Nigeria without discrimination or molestation,” Shettima said.

He however said the North is very much aware that unlike the previous set of governors of South-Eastern states, the current state administrations are showing some level of commitment in resisting the terrorist tactics of the IPOB.

“We also commend the renewed gallantry of our troops under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to checkmate the maneuvers of all terror outfits in the country, ” he said.

ENDS

There are heightened expectations globally as billions of people from around the world anticipate the upcoming healing crusade from Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

Preparations are in top gear as people from all walks of life get ready for what may be the most exceptional three days of their lives from the 28th to 30th of July 2023 as Pastor Chris hits the airwaves to beam the power and presence of God through the Healing Streams Live Healing Services.

The services have continued to make tremendous spiritual impact globally in the lives of believers who have experienced the limitless transforming and glorious saving power of God as it releases people from the shackles of the devil, healing from diseases and turnaround from dire situations.

Undoubtedly, Pastor Chris arguably holds the world’s largest healing crusade, where miracles and wonders are a constant occurrence, with people all over the world waiting with expectation for each edition of the Live Healing Services as God moves across nations and boundaries. There are several testimonies of the miraculous which repeatedly confounded logical calculations and medical sciences, and prove the supremacy of God’s Word and the power in Jesus’ Name.

One such testimony is that of Quefengqin from China, who had a sudden awkward fall in 2019 that resulted in muscle and multiple bone complications for her. She was diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis, bone spurs, meniscus detachment, and ligament rupture.

These led to frequent headaches, swelling and stiffness of her knee joints, chronic pains in her waist, and more. All recourse to find a cure was to no avail until she came to the March 2023 Healing Streams Live Healing Services with Pastor Chris. Quefengqin received her healing as the man of God called her name and commanded health to her body. “I slept soundly that night and woke up full of strength. I no longer have to wear a strap belt; I can exercise now, and all the pain is gone,” she attests.

Like Quefengqin, many are set for a special divine encounter at the upcoming July 2023 edition of Healing Streams Live Healing Services with Pastor Chris. You can take a step of faith towards your miracle as you register now at healingstreams.tv/LHS.

Preparations are in high gear, starting with saints worldwide engaging in unceasing prayers toward the success of the program. At the just-concluded Global Day of Prayer with Pastor Chris Global Day of Prayer with Pastor Chris, he underscored the importance of prayer in effecting healing miracles and supernatural change in lives and nations all over the world. “Pray for the nations. Use the Name of Jesus in cutting off the power and influence of the adversary. Proclaim Jesus’ name and salvation will spring forth,” he said.

At the end of the program, Pastor Chris announced the upcoming edition of the healing services and encouraged the global audience thus: “Look, don’t miss this one. Plan for it. We’ve had several already and billions of people around the world have been reached with this amazing healing program.

It’s a big healing crusade to the ends of the earth. It’s huge and the beautiful thing is that so many get healed of all kinds of illnesses. We’ve got ministers, saints of God, and churches around the world working with us on this. That’s why we can reach billions.”

Now more than ever, the nations and their people need divine intervention and healing. No matter how grave the condition, every ailment will bow to the power of God at the healing services. Get involved by joining God’s people to fill One Million Prayer Clouds with power that will be released in torrents of faith, hope, and unending miracles. Find out how to activate the prayer clouds and get others to join you at healingstreams.tv/prayer.

The Healing Streams Live Healing Services will be broadcast in thousands of languages and you can participate from anywhere in the world in your preferred language. Simply go to healingstreams.tv or watch live on Loveworld Networks and other designated TV stations.

For more information, please send an email to info@healingstreams.tv or call centers: +27799675852 (South Africa), +234(1)8885066(Nigeria), +18327249390 (USA), +12896221634(Canada), +44(0)3331880710 (UK), +919650096633(Asia), +917794993762 (India).

Victor Uwajeh, the Chief Investigator of UK-based firm, Global Private Investigators Limited, has called for a thorough inquiry into the controversy trailing the highest scorer in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Uwajeh, a renowned International Investigator, in a statement released yesterday in Abuja, urged the authorities in Nigeria to carry out an independent probe without involving the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

On Sunday, JAMB accused Ejikeme Mmesoma of “manipulating” her result in this year’s examination. It consequently barred the Anambra native from sitting for the exam for the next three years, claiming that she simply falsified a copy of a result slip of a candidate named “Asimiyu Mariam Omobolanle,” who sat the UTME in 2021 and scored 138.

Reqcting to the development, Uwajeh said there is more to the drama than meets the eye.

According to him, the way and manner JAMB has gone about the controversy leaves a lot to be desired.

Rather than carry out a comprehensive probe, Uwajeh lamented that the exam body has resorted to a media trial, thereby putting the young girl under serious trauma.

He said even if Mmesoma forged her results, the law affords her some protection as a child in the circumstance.

Uwajeh said: “It is rather unfortunate that JAMB being the Nigerian entrance examination Board for tertiary-level institutions, has been reduced to an object of ridicule. How do you accuse a teenager of fraud without proof?

“In saner climes, things of this nature are well investigated before it gets to the public domain. But JAMB has instead resorted to media trial.

“Let’s even assume that she is guilty of the act, which is unlikely; the law affords her some protection as a child in the circumstance. JAMB has not only exposed the poor girl and her family to severe embarrassment, but they have set a bad precedence for young people.

“JAMB has also defamed the poor girl, exposed her to public opprobrium, and most especially failed to discharge its duty to the girl child under the Child’s Right Act. This is intimidation and oppression in every sense. Unacceptable!

“On this note, there is an urgent need to investigate this alleged forgery case for the sake of posterity. We can’t just ignore the alleged scandals in the exam body over the years. Now is the time to take a holistic look into their affairs.

“I, on behalf of other well-meaning Nigerians, demand a discrete probe of the 2023 UTME exams. The Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and other security agencies should do more to unravel where the glitch could have come from. The young Mmesoma may not have the capacity to forge the result. Either someone else manipulated the result for her, or there is a compromise from JAMB.”

Uwajeh, therefore, pledged to deploy his expertise, resources, and modern technologies through the Global Private Investigators Limited to get to the bottom of this unpalatable incident if called upon

Victor Uwajeh, the Chief Investigator of UK-based firm, Global Private Investigators Limited, has called for a thorough inquiry into the controversy trailing the highest scorer in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Uwajeh, a renowned International Investigator, in a statement released yesterday in Abuja, urged the authorities in Nigeria to carry out an independent probe without involving the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

On Sunday, JAMB accused Ejikeme Mmesoma of “manipulating” her result in this year’s examination. It consequently barred the Anambra native from sitting for the exam for the next three years, claiming that she simply falsified a copy of a result slip of a candidate named “Asimiyu Mariam Omobolanle,” who sat the UTME in 2021 and scored 138.

Reqcting to the development, Uwajeh said there is more to the drama than meets the eye.

According to him, the way and manner JAMB has gone about the controversy leaves a lot to be desired.

Rather than carry out a comprehensive probe, Uwajeh lamented that the exam body has resorted to a media trial, thereby putting the young girl under serious trauma.

He said even if Mmesoma forged her results, the law affords her some protection as a child in the circumstance.

Uwajeh said: “It is rather unfortunate that JAMB being the Nigerian entrance examination Board for tertiary-level institutions, has been reduced to an object of ridicule. How do you accuse a teenager of fraud without proof?

“In saner climes, things of this nature are well investigated before it gets to the public domain. But JAMB has instead resorted to media trial.

“Let’s even assume that she is guilty of the act, which is unlikely; the law affords her some protection as a child in the circumstance. JAMB has not only exposed the poor girl and her family to severe embarrassment, but they have set a bad precedence for young people.

“JAMB has also defamed the poor girl, exposed her to public opprobrium, and most especially failed to discharge its duty to the girl child under the Child’s Right Act. This is intimidation and oppression in every sense. Unacceptable!

“On this note, there is an urgent need to investigate this alleged forgery case for the sake of posterity. We can’t just ignore the alleged scandals in the exam body over the years. Now is the time to take a holistic look into their affairs.

“I, on behalf of other well-meaning Nigerians, demand a discrete probe of the 2023 UTME exams. The Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and other security agencies should do more to unravel where the glitch could have come from. The young Mmesoma may not have the capacity to forge the result. Either someone else manipulated the result for her, or there is a compromise from JAMB.”

Uwajeh, therefore, pledged to deploy his expertise, resources, and modern technologies through the Global Private Investigators Limited to get to the bottom of this unpalatable incident if called upon

*Hails outgoing President Sirawoo for uplifting SWAN’s status

*Says all would be carried along according to statutes of association

By; Mike Odeh James

The frontrunner for the Presidency of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria( SWAN),and the immediate past Chairman of SWAN, Kaduna Chapter, Mr.Isaiah Benjamin has while hailing the outgoing President Sir Honour Sirawoo for uplifting the image of the association, has assured that he would hit the ground running if elected National President of the body next week.

Mr. Benjamin spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the preparation of the National under 21 Female Volleyball team’s departure for Niger Republic for the Africa Zone 3 Tournament, saying that if he is elected SWAN National President, he will immediately visit state chapters in all parts of the country with the aim of resuscitating projects that were paused or abandoned.

He added that the body, in consolidating the achievements of Sir Sirawoo, has a lot of lofty projects that would better the lot of members of the Association, however, internal crisis, he noted had held the body back the implementation of such projects .

“When I am elected as the President of SWAN, I would hit the ground running, I am in a hurry to implement projects and ideas that would bring about the development of members of the body in financial terms, academics and all other aspects, that would consolidate on achievements of our amiable outgoing President.

“Sports Writers Association of Nigeria have lot of lofty ideas but for to minor disagreements here and there, many of these projects could be be implemented to the letter .

“I intend to ensure that we get those projects working, to this end, I will visit all SWAN Chapters in all part of the country to know what projects we can help support,” he said.

On the issue of disagreement between members of SWAN on one hand, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the presidential front runner for SWAN said genuine consultations are ongoing with all members who are aggrieved and that in no distant time, there would reconciliation.

“I can assure that genuine reconcilation talks are in progressive and very soon, everything shall be resolved amicably, while relying on the SWAN statutes.

“I have listened to aggrieved individuals, I have spoken to virtually all stakeholders and we are almost reaching an understanding,” he assured.

Isaiah who was till his resignation, the chairman of the Kaduna Chapter, attributed the success story of SWAN Kaduna to collective efforts by both the officials and members of the body.

“I couldn’t have succeeded as the Chairman of SWAN Kaduna, if the Excos and members had not cooperated with me.

“They supported me, brought good ideas and helped to implement these ideas and that is why we were successful,” he added.