The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the remaining two aides of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, alias Sunday Igboho, who have been in custody since July 1.
The detainees’ lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, confirmed their release.
The DSS had during a midnight raid of Igboho’s Soka house in Ibadan, Oyo State, arrested 12 of the activist’s allies and whisked them away to Abuja, where they were kept in detention, but 10 were released.
Those earlier released were Abideen Shittu, Abdullateef Onaolapo, Ayobami Donald, Olakunle Oluwapelumi, Dikeola Ademola, Bamidele Sunday, Raji Kazeem, Taiwo Tajudeen, Tajudeen rinloye and Uthman Adelabu.
The secret police had held on to the remaining two aides despite an order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja on August 4, for the release of all the 12 detained associates.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the DSS went ahead to slam five-count terrorism charges against the two aides.
Olajengbesi, in a terse statement on Friday said: “This is to officially announce the release of Amudat Babatunde Abibat AKA Lady-K and Jamiu Noah Oyetunji, the remaining two Sunday Igboho’s aides, from the State Security Service Custody today – 22nd October, 2021.
“While the matter is still a subject of litigation, we shall have no comment further on this for now.”
It was a monumental cause a year ago that unified the brilliant young people of our great nation. It was a cause that they believed in, embarked upon, and demanded for transparent accountability, good leadership, inclusiveness in governance, equal rights for all irrespective of social status or position of privilege. Our young people are the greatest assets of our nation and they are determined to help Nigeria achieve its potential as they have the fire of patriotism burning inside of them.
We must not shy away from our collective challenges because this nation belongs to us all and our youths remain the most critical stakeholders in finding solutions to our problems and driving the future of Nigeria into its desired destinations. They are full of creativity, honesty, authenticity, and most importantly with a hopeful ambition to build a secure future that we all can be proud of through their innovative spirit. No matter how fierce and conscripted the struggle may be, our nationalism spirit can win the battle of greatness that Nigeria seeks when we are purposefully.
To all Nigerian youths, whatever the hopes of this nation will be in the future lies in your hand. This beautiful nation with abundant God given resources belongs to you all. I would like to crave your indulgence to seek for active participation in governance through the democratic system. You have numerical strengths, and no one can defeat you when you come together in unity.
I implore our political leaders to begin to seek for honest, frank, and genuine conversations with our young people as well as stimulate the credible governance system that all Nigerians can trust as history is a reminder of the past and the preserver of the future of all human endeavours. In a free and open society, the solid foundation of the leadership responsibilities is laid on selflessness. Therefore, we must restore the hope of good governance, implement a system that is not reactive, but proactive and responsive to the demands of Nigeria. No one is above the blessing of this beautiful country Nigeria, as every political officeholder is a servant of the Nigerian state.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied claims ordering a to sit-at-home order across the Southeast region on October 18, 19, and 21 for its leader, and one year anniversary of #EndSARS protest.
In a statement released by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB warned those behind the rumour to retrace their steps and stop tarnishing its image. The group said it did not issue any sit-at-home directive except on October 21 when its leader was expected to appear in court.
The statement in part reads
“Our attention has been drawn to the fabricated statement being circulated by mischief makers and paid agents of darkness that IPOB had directed Biafrans to sit-at-home Monday, October 18; Tuesday, October 19; and Thursday, October 21 for our leader, and One year anniversary of#EndSARS protest.
We want to make it categorically clear that the above purported statement did not emanate from IPOB, and we completely dissociate with such falsehood. IPOB did not issue any sit-at-home except on October 21 when our leader is expected to appear in court.
We, therefore, urge members of the public to ignore the purported statement and utter falsehood being peddled by paid agents of the government to create confusion and demarket IPOB. Their intension is to portray IPOB as a violent and insensitive movement but we know their antics, and shall beat them to it.
““We must engage with IPoB. Yes, we must find a way to talk about the issues at stake. These people are not as bad as the ones in the Northeast or northwest who go to schools and seize the whole population of teachers and students or invade the mosques and churches and kidnap all the worshippers and nobody can find them until ransom is paid.
“”AT THE EARLIEST TIME, WE THOUGHT IPOB WAS JOKING. TIME HAS SHOWN THAT THEY MEAN BUSINESS”.
“”I AM A GOVERNOR, NNAMDI KANU IS A LEADER OF IPOB WITH MASS MOVEMENT”. Nnamdi Kanu’s right must be protected because he is not a criminal.
“WE THE GOVERNORS CAN’T STOP IPOB BECAUSE WE DON’T CONTROL THE LAND ANY LONGER”
“NIGERIAN SECURITY IS WEAK TO DEAL WITH IPOB because of their determination.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday commissioned Bayview Estate; a 100-unit housing project in Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki area of the State.
The 100-unit housing project made up of 68 terraces of four bedrooms and 32 flats of three bedrooms built on a total land area of 23,000sqm, is a joint venture project between the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) and Misa Ltd.
Speaking during the commissioning of the project, which was initiated during his tenure as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Governor Sanwo-Olu said his government is building for the upper-middle market and middle market, as well as the medium to low earners.
”We are in a dynamic environment and we will continue to work with our private sector developers. There are so many other private sector schemes that we are jointly working with the Organised Private Sector to be able to have houses that are affordable and accessible to our citizens.
”We have promised our citizens and people that we will meet their housing needs. We have done 11 housing estates in over two and a half years that we came to government, and we still have a lot more that we are pushing,” the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu during the event named a block of the LSDPC building after a GL-15 staff, the late Wakilu Hamzat, who died in the early hours of Wednesday, October 13, few hours before the inauguration of the Bayview Estate.
The Governor also announced State Government scholarships for the children of the deceased.
He said: “We name Block C in honour of Engr Wakilu Hamzat. I enjoin our engineers to specially paint the block and we will be able to acknowledge his great work.
“Wakilu was somebody I knew personally. He will be greatly missed; but we thank God for his life. He has put in not less than 25 years in the service. The government will sponsor the education of his children through a scholarship,” Governor Sanwo-Olu promised.
Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, in his remarks, said the State Government will not only bring solutions to the issue of housing deficit but would also revitalise the economy.
He said: “In completing more homes, we are re-echoing and underscoring a resolve not only to bring solutions to the housing deficit, but also to revitalise the economy, improve our total environment and increase the sense of wellbeing of the people.
“In line with the transformational agenda of this administration, the state has continued to charge forward in addressing the issues that are germane to the wellbeing of the citizenry. Construction works at the various sites of housing schemes have resulted in economic vibrancy for both skilled workers and artisans through creation of direct and indirect employment.
“The local economies of the project areas have also been greatly revitalised with increased commercial activities from both the supply and demand angle of housing development. We will spare no efforts in ensuring that no housing scheme is left uncompleted. With the support and cooperation of everyone, the dream of a Greater Lagos will emerge fully even in our time.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director of LSDPC, Mr. Dhikrullah Har-Yusuph, said the estate is ready for habitation without any fear of flooding.
”This land was marshy, swampy lowland that is typical of the terrain in this vicinity. To this end, I would like to acknowledge the massive investment committed by our partner, Messrs. Misa Ltd into the sub-structural element of the estate. Today, we have an estate ready for habitation without any fear of flooding, despite the terrain,” he said.
It’s Irritating To Arrest Chiwetalu Agu While Gumi Praises Bandits – Human Right Group.
Civic advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria, has tackled the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army over the arrest and detention of veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu.
Chiwetalu Agu
The group described as injustice the arrest of the actor for wearing ‘Biafran colours’, while controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, roamS reely with bloodthirsty bandits.
Soldiers on Thursday had arrested the actor around Upper Iweka Bridge in Onitsha for wearing an outfit with Biafra inscriptions.
In a viral video, Agu had denied the allegations, saying his attire was a civil dress with an image of a rising sun and not Biafra.
The military later released the actor on Friday and handed him over the DSS.
Gumi with bandits
DSS Spokesman, Peter Afunanya, who confirmed that Agu is in the custody of the secret police, said the law would take its full course.
Meanwhile, Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was seen holding nocturnal meetings with the terrorists who kidnapped many school children and held them hostage for months in the forests but despite the obvious evidence that the said Ahmad Gumi made many television and newspaper appearances and granted extensive interviews including the one that he accused the military of helping to weaponise terrorists in the North-West, there was never any attempt on the part of the DSS or Army to invite him or arrest him for these treasonous acts of fraternizing and colluding with terrorists.
…unable to repatriate over $144m revenue as CBN rations forex
As the naira crisis continues to worsen, foreign carriers operating in Nigeria have begun moves to reduce the total number of tickets they sell on Nigerian routes amid worsening dollar scarcity that has made it difficult for them to repatriate billions of naira in ticket sale proceeds to their head offices abroad.
The development will lead to a significant reduction in the about N1tn total ticket sales over 25 foreign carriers make on Nigerian routes.
This is happening as the International Air Transport Association–the global body for international carriers–said foreign airlines operating in Nigeria had been unable to repatriate about $144m (N60bn) in ticket sales back to their home countries, calling on the Federal Government to make forex available to the carriers to do so.
Already, United Kingdom mega carrier, British Airways, which make billions of naira in ticket sales from Nigerians annually, has issued a notice to travel agents informing them that it would be restricting ticket inventory in Nigeria due to exchange problems in the country.
“Chiwetalu Agu is still not free. He is with DSS now. Colleagues say they are looking for a top lawyer to bail him,” Nwonwu wrote on his known Facebook page on Friday.
Recall that there were widespread reports on Friday that Agu had been released by the Nigerian Army, following his arrest on Thursday, for wearing Biafra regalia.
Agu was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State. His manhandling and subsequent seizure was strongly condemned by majority of social media users. The army came out to say it arrested Agu for soliciting support for the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
A statement put out by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu had said: “Troops of Nigerian Army (NA) have arrested one Chiwetalu Agu while inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“Dressed in a very well known attire of the proscribed group, Chiwetalu Agu was picked up for questioning while inciting members of the public to join the proscribed group. Though he attempted puting up some resistance when troops made effort to take him into custody, he was not assaulted or subjected to brutalization.
“While the NA recognizes the inalienable rights of the citizenry to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is apparently a violation for any individual or group to incite the public to cause mayhem or break down of law and order. It is therefore pertinent to state that while exercising such freedoms, it must be done within the confines of the law, bearing in mind the imperative for peace, and national security.”
But now, a top media practitioner has claimed the entertainer has still not regained freedom.
I Visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Today In The Company Of Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor( Lead Counsel) At The DSS Headquarters Abuja.I Saw In Mazi Nnamdi Kanu ,Extraordinary Strength ,Hope And Stronger Energy.After Our Discussions He Left Biafrans With The Most Powerful Words Of Encouragements .He Said And I Quote.
At the end of a victorious battle there is always a celebration. You shall celebrate. Times may seem hard and tough but never forget that you are more than victorious. Hard times don’t come to ordinary men it happens to great men. So stand as a great man and fight this through. Never give up, keep pressing on, cause your better days are ahead. Tomorrow is pregnant, no problem lasts forever. Great people are people who never turn their back at a problem, who never stop believing for better days. Challenges may throw you on the ground but you have to get up and dust yourself off. It’s in believing you will conquer, so hold on still and keep believing. There is no problem without a solution. You either solve it or you manage it. Your hard times did not come to break you but to mold you to your place of value.
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