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*Urges court to direct police to investigate ex-minister’s conflicting certificates

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has filed a criminal complaint case against the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva at a Chief Magistrate Court Abuja.

In the suit filed by his Counsel, Edward Omaga Esq. of Graylaw Practice LP chambers, Frank urged the Chief Magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to cause a direct criminal compliant to be issued against Sylva over alleged inconsistencies in his name and doubts over participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, averred that based on documents before him, the actual identity of the former minister seems to be in doubt.

The suit reads in part: “Over the years, the complainant (Frank) has also shown his resolve in fighting and exposing corruption in public places and holding public officers accountable to their oath of office.

“The defendant (Sylva) on his part once served as the Executive Governor of Bayelsa state between2008 till 2012 and recently resigned his position as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources sometime around 30th March 2023.

“Facts and documents available to the complainant reveal that the actual identity of the aforesaid defendant is in serious doubt.

“Recently, the complainant while undertaking a private investigation visited the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania where Chief Timipre Sylva instituted a libel case against one Jackson Ude.

“In the course of hearing, Chief Timipre Sylva signed a verification of interrogatories answers dated April l, 2022 and attached various documents in proof of his identity.

“The said academic documents include a First School Leaving Certificate with No. 092915 dated 1st July, 1976 issued to Anagha Timipere who finished from Ajeromi Central School, Araromi-Apapa, Lagos State.

“Also, the defendant claims to hold a West African Examination Council (WAEC) General Certificate of Education with certificate No. PO851528 and Candidate No. 21735215 dated December 1981 issued to Marlin Anagha Timipre…

“The complainant equally discovered that the erstwhile Minister of State for Petroleum Resources parades a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with Second Class (Upper Division) from University of Port Harcourt dated 19th August, 1986 issued to Anagha Timipre Marlin.

“The defendant equally holds a Doctorate in International Relations (Honoris Causa) from UBIS University in Geneva, Switzerland, dated 22nd September, 2011 and issued to Chief Timipre Sylva.

“The certificates mentioned above have visible anomalies and do not depict the true identity of Chief Timipre Sylva. It is confusing as to who Chief Timipre Sylva is.

“There is no evidence anywhere showing that Chief Timipre Sylva ever changed his name from Anagha Timipre Marlin to Timipre Sylva in 1986 after he purportedly graduated from University of Port Harcourt.

“Investigation by the complainant further reveals that there is also no record that the defendant has National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge or Exemption Certificate, as the case may be, either in the name of Anagha Timipre Marlin or Timipre Sylva.

“Records abound in public domain that Chief Timipre Sylva intentionally presented the aforementioned inconsistent, conflicting or forged academic documents before the Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Screening Committee in 2007 as well as the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives in 2019 under oath for purposes of screening into the positions of Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

“In a bid to escape the long arms of the law, Chief Timipre Sylva concocted a Deed Poll and Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette dated 11th and 12th May, 2022 to cover up his alleged offences.

“In the documents…Sylva attempted, albeit belatedly to make the general public believe that the manifestly conflicting names: Anagha Timipere, Marlin Anagha Timipre, Anagha Timipre Marlin and Chief Timipre Sylva appearing on the academic certificates he has been parading for decades all belongs to him.

“The complainant believes that the said Deed Poll and Official Gazette are nothing but mere pieces of paper…procured by Sylva to mislead people and wriggle himself out of being investigated, prosecuted and jailed for the alleged offence.

“The Complainant is worried like every other reasonable Nigerian as to why the defendant waited till May 2022 before procuring the Deed Poll and Official Gazette…

“That the complainant is crying for justice in this matter and only an intervention by the Court can answer the cry.

“That it will be in the best interest of Justice to bring the defendant to answer to the complaint.

“Based on the foregoing, the complainant humbly prays the Honourable Court to direct the Nigeria Police Force to carry out investigation of the alleged offences concerning the defendant.

“Whereof the action of the defendant constitutes the offence of forgery contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code.”

Nkechi Odogwu

An association called the North-West Support Groups For Asiwaju 2023 has refuted allegations by one Aminu Sani Jaji as being solely responsible for the electoral victory of the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed  Tinubu in the North West and other parts of the North.

In a press conference on Tuesday in Kaduna, the leader of the group, Comrade Khalid Shehu Kaoho

 said that Aminu Sani Jaji’s claims were unfounded and dubious as the claimant was not known to have campaigned for Tinubu . It added that only the Governor of Zamfara, Mohammed Bello Matawalle was the only factor that galvanised support for the group when it was campaigning  for   President-Elect .

“We are compelled to react to this blatant false claims because we are a critical factor in the Asiwaju campaign and should know those directly or remotely associated with the victory in all the North-West states and some states in other zones.

“In our capacity as such, the only person that closely identified with our activities and in various forms, actively supported our every move to promote the Asiwaju and the APC, is the Governor of Zamfara State, Mohammed Bello Matawalle in his capacity as the North- West coordinator of the Tinubu campaign.

“Matawalle was almost the only man who showed real commitment to what we were doing by way of logistics, monitoring and guidance.

The group further called on the President-Elect and other critical stakeholders to be wary of dealing with Sani Jaji and his like who are simply out to deceive them .

“By this, we call on the President-elect to be wary of such political merchants that parade themselves as significant factors whereas they are inconsequential, hypocritical and self- centred.

By: Makati Musawa

….

The Arewa Defenders Forum has warned Obono-Obla, a former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecutions to steer clear of former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari and instead face his criminal charges of falsification, forgery of school results and misappropriation of public funds.

The Defenders Forum was reacting to Obono-Obla’s recent comments that Abdulaziz Yari, a front runner in the Senate Presidency race, should be disciplined before he scatters the All Progressives Congress (APC)

A statement by the Forum’s Chairman, Lawal Waziri Bako said Obono-Obla currently on bail on account of charges of forgery, certificate falsification and other corruption-related charges, ought to see himself as grossly incompetent to remark on other personalities or even on any national issue.

“For a person charged with dishonestly” forging a General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level, May/June 1982 (GCE) Statement of Result with candidate No: 09403/247 showing an O’Level credit (6) score for Literature in English and using same “as genuine”, to study Law for the 1985/86 academic session in the University of Jos (UNIJOS), to now venture comments on respected personalities like Yari, is certainly the peak of shameless rascality,” the Defenders Forum said.

The Forum noted that the result falsification and forgery charges are part of 10 counts, charges against Obono-Obla which include corruption allegations instituted against him by the ICPC at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 1, 2020.”We cannot forget how Obono-Obla, his former Senior Assistant, Special Duties (Protocol), Aliyu Ibrahim, and the Managing Director of ABR Global Petroleum Resources Ltd, Daniel Omughele Efe, charged as co-defendants and subsequently, granted bail by the court in the sum of N1 million, with one surety.

“Records available to the public also show how President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Mr Obono-Obla from his position as the chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for the Recovery of Public Property, based on ICPC report accusing him of “falsification of records and financial impropriety” in August 2019.

“About a month later, on September 17, 2019, the President disbanded the SPIP, ordered the ICPC to conclude its investigations, send its final report to him, and prosecute Mr Obono-Obla, who was also the President’s special adviser and prosecutions.

“In the charges subsequently filed against him, the ICPC alleged, among others, that Mr Obono-Obla, his former Senior Assistant, Special Duties Ibrahim, Aliyu Ibrahim, and the Managing Director of ABR Global Petroleum Resources Ltd, Daniel Omughele Efe, conspired in 2018 and to use their offices to confer an unfair advantage on Mr Ibrahim by allegedly diverting N19,994,185 received from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to furnish SPIP offices.

“ICPC said in another count that Obono-Obla, around July 2018 in Abuja, as SPIP Chairman “failed to attend/honour an invitation” by ICPC for an investigation, contrary to Section 28(1)(a) and (6) and punishable under section 28(10) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000,” the Forums Chairman, Bako recalled.

The Forum said Obono-Obla an inconsequential factor in the politics of his state who could not be trusted to become Senator in his state should ordinarily be hiding his face in shame and not making unfounded remarks against leaders who have clear record of being trusted and elected to various positions at various times.

*Urges UK, EU to replicate same

A political activist and former National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has commended the government of United States of America for announcing Visa ban on those who undermined democracy during the 2023 general elections.

The US in a statement on the US State Department website, Secretary of State Antony Binken, had said “the United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. Today, I am announcing that we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle.”

Reacting to the development through a statement released Tuesday in Abuja, Timi Frank called on the United Kingdom and the European Union to follow suit in punishing fraudulent and compromised individuals who participated in undermining the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

The political activist said the news came as a breather to ordinary Nigerian whose rights and fate are being determined by the criminal politicians.

He said: “I would like to thank and appreciate the decision of the United States, through it’s Secretary of State (Mr Anthony Blinken) for its bold move in dealing decisively with all rogue politicians and individuals who participated actively in compromising the conduct and process of the 2023 General elections.

“Indeed this news comes as a breather to the ordinary Nigerian whose rights and fate are being determined by these criminal politicians.

“The decision of the US has once again given us hope, that the era of brazenly undermining the process of a democratic exercise will have dire consequences. It is indeed a wake up call for all other political actors who have mastered the art of sabotaging and scuttling democratic electioneering processes for personal gains. The US has proven once again that it indeed has the interest of the Nigerian people in ensuring that democracy thrives unhindered to the benefit of the people.”

Frank further urged the government of America to extend a similar ban to the families and cronies of these individuals currently in the US, to serve as a deterrent to all crooked politicians.

“Furthermore, I’d like to reiterate and plead with the US, to extend a similar ban to the families and cronies of these individuals currently in the US, to serve as a deterrent to all crooked politicians.

“The US must beam its searchlights on all collaborators and conspirators who participated actively in disenfranchising the people especially top officials of the DSS. These co-conspirators must also be held liable for the roles they played in undermining the conduct of the elections.

Timi Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, also called on the UK and the EU to as a matter of urgency, replicate same measure to every culpable and profiled person’s who’s role aided the compromise of the Presidential elections.

“I will like to call on the UK and the EU to as a matter of urgency, replicate same measure to every culpable and profiled person’s who’s role aided the compromise of the Presidential elections. You must stand firm and unswayed irrespective of whomsoever is involved and help sustain the true tenets of a democratic nation. The ongoing appeal at the Presidential elections tribunal should also be of keen interest to the international community, especially the US and UK at this time.

“Once again, my esteemed appreciation to the US for it’s timely interventions in dealing decisively with all rogue politicians and their accomplices.”

Bwala Malam

…A Yoruba socio -political group, ‘Oduwa Frontiers’ has called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to follow the path of honour and justice by reversing the unsolicited, unpopular zoning proposal and allow democracy and its tenets to thrive.

The group called on the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to interrogate this skewed arrangement and give direction that reflects our collective commitment to equality, fairness, and inclusivity as a basis for participatory democracy.National President, of the group, Kolawale Adediji Kazeem, made the call in a statement made available to journalist in Abuja, on Saturday.

“We join the Southern Governors Forum and other concerned Nigerians in calling on the National Working Committee of the APC to follow the path of justice.”

According to him, “As stakeholders in the affairs of the South-west and Nigeria generally, we hereby corroborate the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum’s views and adopt all the issues raised which are very sensitive, not only to the president-elect and the APC, but also to the corporate existence of the country.

“We warn the President-elect not to wave aside the views of the Southern Governors Forum and majority of his genuine lovers in other regions, in order to avoid falling into the traps laid to set him up against other sections of the country and damage the image of his administration even before it takes off.“

“We hereby state our strong position that the manner in which the party leadership directly meddled in the affairs of the legislative arm of government, which is an independent body, amounts to an infringement on the constitutionally guaranteed legislative independence and autonomy.

“We warn that the APC cannot afford to make the mistake of allowing the repeat of what transpired in the eighth Assembly when Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara emerged Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives,

” he said .Kazeem also enjoined the APC to replay its exemplary leadership of allowing open contest and level ground for the party primaries that paved the way for the emergence of the Asiwaju as its Presidential Candidate.

“It is therefore expedient for the APC to allow open contests for all interested candidates irrespective of region or geopolitical zone and allow the members of the National Assembly to vote for their leaders.”

Speaking further ,he noted that this calculated design to give the incoming administration of Asiwaju a bad name even before it takes off, is without a doubt, part of the disturbances that have been created since the emergence of a South Western presidency.In particular, the despotic move to zone the National Assembly leadership positions to suit certain vested interests with false love for the President-elect only aims to set a dangerous foundation of distrust and suspicion as traps to undermine the coming.

“Everyone knows the democratic antecedents of the Asiwaju and his unbending commitment to democratic principles of fair-play and the right of choice.“It would therefore be misplaced to believe that a man with such high commitment to democratic processes would be involved in such unconstitutional actions.”

By Usman Yahaya 

The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has said that the principal offices of the National Assembly should not be subjected to regional zoning.

Comrade Israel Uwejeyan,the National Coordinator NDYC, in a statement, explained that “we advocate that the members of the National Assembly are mature and not children, hence they should be left to exercise their autonomy in selecting their own leaders.”

“We contend that the esteemed members of the National Assembly possess the necessary wisdom and maturity to make informed choices regarding leadership. They are well-equipped to identify capable leaders who can effectively address the challenges facing our nation. By granting them the independence to choose their leaders, we foster an environment that encourages independent thinking and political growth.”

“The practice of regional zoning imposes unnecessary limitations and perpetuates division within the National Assembly. It stifles the diversity of thought and restricts the assembly’s ability to elect leaders based on merit, competence, and vision. Removing regional barriers allows for a broader pool of qualified candidates and harnesses the wealth of talent that exists nationwide.”

“Our objective is to cultivate a merit-based leadership selection process that promotes national unity and fosters inclusivity. Leadership positions should be earned based on qualifications, experience, and proven track records, rather than being predetermined by regional considerations. Such a meritocratic approach strengthens our democratic institutions and nurtures a sense of unity.”

“In fact, the zoning of the Senate presidency may end up creating more problems than it solves. For one, it can result in a situation where the most qualified candidate is excluded simply because they do not come from the region or ethnic group that the position has been zoned to. This could lead to a leadership vacuum and contribute to the underdevelopment of the Senate and the country at large.”

“Moreover, zoning is a divisive concept that has the potential to stoke ethnic and regional tensions. It creates a sense of entitlement among certain groups who feel that they are entitled to certain positions, regardless of their qualifications or suitability for the job. This could lead to resentment and friction among different groups, and ultimately undermine national unity and cohesion.”

“The NDYC calls for the National Assembly to transcend parochial interests by abandoning the practice of regional zoning. By doing so, members can prioritize the greater good and work collectively towards the advancement of our nation. This shift will foster an environment of cooperation, enabling robust debate and the emergence of consensus-driven, well-rounded leadership.”

“In conclusion, the NDYC strongly advocates for the elimination of regional zoning for the principal office within the National Assembly. We firmly believe that the mature members of the assembly are capable of selecting their leaders based on merit, competence, and a commitment to national unity. Embracing an autonomous leadership selection process will pave the way for a more inclusive, progressive, and prosperous future for our great nation,” the youth group said.

The Minimum Is For The Judges To Do Right – Labour And Civil Society Front LCSF

The Labour and Civil Society Front is committed to ensuring that the electoral process is protected and that at all times the primacy of the Peoples choice is preserved.

We stated in our debut outing on the 30th of April, 2023 that the Nigerian People are committed to seeing that the Judiciary rises to the urgency of now by passing judgement in the Presidential Election Petition that will truly present the Judiciary in glowing light.

In our Solidarity outing with organized Labour on the 1st of May, 2023 we were unanimous in the call on the Parties to the Petitions before the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal to effectively pursue their call for Justice without let or hindrance, and we believe that democracy is endangered where wrong persons hijack the mandate of the people through electoral malfeasance and larceny.

We have in many ways supported and endorsed the protests, street marches, sit-in and sit-tights that have attended the largely flawed February 25, 2023 General Elections. We are calling on all lovers of democracy, well meaning Nigerians, supporters of the Rule of law, and believers in the noble demands of due process to join forces with us as we urge and nudge the Judiciary to do right.

The Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal which began sitting on the 8th of May, 2023 must not see our protests as an attempt to overawe it. Indeed our protests show that we have great faith in the Judiciary and that we believe that they will do right by ensuring that the true winner of the Presidential Election and no other is sworn in on the 29th of May, 2023, this can be done by expeditiously determining the preliminary prayers of the Petitioners. We urge and nudge the Judiciary to do right.

We, as a major Citizens’ Movement with nationwide Structures, are in alliance with the Free Nigeria Movement (that has been on the Streets for upward of 30days), the UpNorth Ambassadors, the Save Nigeria Group (that has been at the vanguard of protests around the Tribunal venue since Monday), The NCFront-3rd Force Movement of Nigeria, the Coalition of Obidient Movements Worldwide (with relentless channels of protest, calling for the validation of the Peoples Mandate), the League of Nigerian Progressives, the resurgent NADECO challenge, and several other groups committed to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

Our unalterable and unyielding resolve is to salvage our decomposing democracy and restore the fast fading faith in the electoral process.

Finally, we encourage Nigerians to continue, and sustain all ongoing peaceful protests and marches against the monumental electoral larceny of the 25th of February, 2023 until Justice is done. To the Esteemed Judges in whose hands our collective sanity, faith and fate as a nation lie, the minimum we crave is that you do right.

SIGNED.
For Conveners
Olisa Agbakoba SAN
Comrade Shehu Sani
Amb. Nkoyo Toyo
Prof Udenta Udenta
Salisu Mohammed
Osagie Obayuwana
Che Olawale Okunniyi
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr. (Media Coordinator).

Obasanjo, IGP, others for National Daily awards

The much anticipated prestigious National Daily Awards will hold on Friday May 12, 2023, at the Grand BallRoom of Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo as Special Guest of Honour and keynote Speaker, under the chairmanship of Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi.

The National Daily Awards is a celebration of excellence in various sectors of the Nigerian economy and life.

“We will be honoring outstanding achievers in public and private sectors, as well as presenting Lifetime Achievement Awards to exceptional individuals in business, politics, sports and entertainment”, reads a statement signed by Sylvester Ebhodaghe, Editor-in-Chief of National Daily Newspapers.

The statement further said that the IGP Usman Alkali Baba, CFR, will receive the National Daily’s Man of the Year Award at the event, alongside other eminent professional individuals and organisations.

The statement reads: “Other award recipients include Prince Nduka Obaigbena CON of ARISE News/THISDAY Newspaper, to be conferred with African Media Entrepreneur Icon of the Decade Award; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Governor of The Year; Governor Olusola Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Innovation and Infrastructure Governor of the Year; Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, Lifetime Achievement.

“Leo Stan Eke, Development Icon of the Decade (ICT); Alhaji Aliko Dangote, African Business Personality of the Decade; Umaru Dambatta, Public Sector Personality of the Decade; Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, Hero of Human Rights Defence; Sen Ifeanyi Ubah, Lawmaker of the Year (Senate); Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro of Delta State, Outstanding Peace Builder of the Year; NYSC, Most Strategic Government Establishment of the Decade; LSSTF, Most Strategic Government Support Initiative of the Year (State); Allen Onyema, Hero’s Award; including 10 Outstanding NYSC Members, among others that have distinguished themselves in their trade in both the public and private sectors in Nigeria. The award would remain one of the memorable events of the year”.

A non-governmental organization, Center for Reform and Public Advocacy has revealed that the recent visit of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu on the invitation of the state governor, Nyesom Wike is beyond the commissioning as widely publicized.

The Public Relations Officer of the group Ifeanyi Okechukwu in a statement on Wednesday, stated that the decision to commission the Rivers State governor for undermining the PDP’s and Labour’s petitions is on account of the fact that Gov Wike is perceived as not minding to commit his last blood in ensuring that Atiku is not declared the real winner of the election for obvious reasons.

“Indeed, there is high expectation on Governor Wike to use the advantage of the fact that his wife and Rivers State First Lady, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Wike, in whose honour one of the buildings commissioned by Tinubu was named, to network the judiciary for the purpose of discounting the merit in the PDP’s and Labour’s petitions.

“The invitation of Tinubu by Governor Wike to come and commission judiciary building projects was to provide a ground for the Tinubu team to meet with Wike and seal the deal with him.

“In particular, they believe that Wike has what it takes to undermine the petition by the PDP and Atiku, which they’ve adjudged as the most potent.

“It is their considered position that for as long as Wike remains Atiku’s albatross, the Rivers State Governor is more fitted for the task of liquidating the petition by Atiku”. Okechukwu stated.

He added that there is palpable apprehension in the camp of the APC and Tinubu because of the potential merits in Atiku’s and Obi’s case.