Nigeria Times – Page 576

Court orders interim seizure of 23 properties linked to Maina

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary forfeiture of 23 landed properties identified by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as belonging to ex-Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.

The embattled former director is currently being held with his 20-year old son, Faisal.

Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo gave the order on Tuesday in a ruling on an ex-parte motion for orders of interim forfeiture filed by the EFCC and argued by the agency’s lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar.

The affected properties were listed in a schedule attached to the motion, included houses that Maina allegedly acquired in his name and those of his late father, mother, wife and son. They are located in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Borno and Sokoto states.

In the ruling, Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo also ordered the EFCC to publish the order in The Nation newspapers to enable interested parties show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Specifically, the reliefs granted by the court are: “An interim order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the assets and properties listed in the schedule to this motion.

“An order of this honourable court, directing the publication of the interim order of forfeiture in The Nation newspapers, inviting any person(s) or body(ies), who may have interest in the assets and properties listed in the schedule to show cause, within 14 days of such publication, why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the said assets and properties should not be made.”

The judge ordered the anti-graft agency to publish the interim forfeiture order within 14 days and return to court on November 19 to report compliance.

It was also learnt on Tuesday that Maina and his son may be arraigned tomorrow before Justice Okon Abang (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja).

The EFCC plans to effect service of the charge, already filed before the court, on Maina and his son before the close of work on Tuesday to pave the way for their arraignment.

The property affected by the interim forfeiture order are: Plot MFl9 Cadastral Zone, covered by MFCT/12/AMAC/KR/MEI9 AGIS FCT48215 (MISC6OI4), located in Karu, Abuja (allegedly acquired in his mother’s name); Plot 18 Road F Malali North East Residential Layout, in Kaduna (said to have been acquired in 2017, using his late father’s name); Block 23 Flat 2 located at Life Camp (2 bedrooms semi-detached) in Abuja (in wife’s name); Plot No 965, Gwarimpa 1 District, Cadastral Zone: C02 covered by Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) No: lafew-fe28z-63a5r-c36eu-10 in Abuja, (in son’s name) and Flat 42C, SMC Quarters, Unguwan Dosa, Kaduna, Kaduna State (allegedly acquired in his pseudo name).

Also affected are: a duplex located at No. 16 A Katuru Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State (in son’s name); 52B, SMC Quarters, Unguwan Dosa, Lot 016 comprising 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalow, in Kaduna, Kaduna State (in wife’s name); Property at Tola Street, Badarawa.

Seized in Kaduna are 3-bedroom and an undeveloped land in Kaduna, Kaduna State (original documents said to have been found in his possession); Plot Y12, Kano Street, Kawo New Extention, Kaduna, Kaduna State (in son’s name); A duplex at No. 21, 52 Crescent, Kubwa Phase IV Estate, Abuja (in his own name) and House 8, 211 road, A Close, FHA/EST/264/TA/O32, 3-bedroom bungalow in Abuja (in the name of a company where his relations are directors).

Others are: a farm at Dorawa, Karshi Development Area, Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State (in son’s name); another Farm at Dorawa, Karshi Development Area, Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State (acquired in son’s name); Plot 3A, Sambo Road, Unguwan Rimi, covered by C of O No: KD15452 comprising uncompleted buildings located in Kaduna, Kaduna State (in son’s name); Property located at 16B/BG Gombe Road, Biu, covered by C of O No: 929/88 in Biu LGA, Borno State (in the name of Cruise City Ltd, where he is allegedly a director); Plot MF-27A, New Pasali Layout, Kuje, Kuje Area Council, Abuja (in his own name) and Plot 1B Ajayi Road, Unguwgn Rimi, covered by C of O, marked: NC24059 in Kaduna, Kaduna State (original document said to have been found in his possession).

Others are: Property at No: 62 A/C Maternity Ward, Damaturu Road, Biu, in Biu Local Government, Borno State (original documents found in his possession); Plot of C of O Bo/426 beacon B5086, 135087, B5105, B5104, B5099 Cadastral Zone, B05 Utako, in Abuja (allegedly acquired in wife’s name); Plot 37, Kinshasa Road, Maiduguri, Borno State; No 16 Dabai Road, off Mangoro Road, Sokoto, Sokoto State; No. 13 Korau Road, Nassarawa District, Kano, Kano State and Plot 965 Cadastral Zone C02, Gwarimpa, Abuja. – The Nation Newspaper

Atiku vs Buhari: Stop the delay, constitute panel based on seniority, Frank tells CJN

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Tanko Muhammad, to stop unnecessary delay in constituting a Supreme Court panel to determine Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s case challenging the Presidential Tribunal ruling in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Frank demanded that the CJN should constitute the Supreme Court panel based on the tradition of seniority and not “consulting or waiting on the advice of the presidency.”

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, the political activist said it amounts to injustice for the CJN to delay the constitution of the 7-man panel more than a month after the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appealed the Presidential Tribunal’s judgement.

“We are reliably informed of an unholy alliance between the CJN and the presidency which is causing the delay in constitution of the panel, such move is dangerous for Nigeria’s democracy.

“The CJN must respect the normal tradition of following the order of seniority in selecting the justices. Even all the times Bubari himself had approached the Supreme Court in the past, order of seniority was followed.The precedent is set contrary to the ongoing shopping for judges who will be favorable to the whims and caprices of General Buhari and the APC.

“If anything contrary to the tradition of order of seniority which we all know is allowed to happen, that will confirm that the CJN has bowed to the pressure from the presidency and that will also confirm the allegation made earlier by the CUPP.

“It is obvious that the judiciary under the current administration seems to have been caged but it is high time our judiciary showed courage. The whole world witnessed the courage showed by the Supreme Court in the United Kingdom recently. Even in Africa, Kenya’s Supreme Court has also proven to be independent when it recently nullified presidential election of a sitting president, Nigeria’s judiciary must prove its worth in this case.

“A situation where the CJN has to consult the presidency or the AGF before a panel is constituted does not show an independent judiciary,” Frank stated.

While calling the attention of the international community on the matter, the Bayelsa born activist said in a democratic system once justice is not seen to be given, anarchy and chaos will be the order of the day.

Frank also called on the former CJNs to call Justice Tank to order, to avoid playing politics but adhere to precedents laid by them.

“Nigeria is greater and more important than General Buhari and his cabal. I therefore, call on the good people of Nigeria, the African Union (AU) and other International Community to ensure that the independence of the judiciary must remain sacrosanct and inalienable, and compel Justice Tanko to do the right thing,” Frank stated.

Xenophobia: In spite of Buhari’s visit, South Africans attack Nigerians again

Nigeria’s Consul-General in South Africa, Godwin Adama, has called for protection of Nigerians and their properties in South Africa.

He spoke at a meeting with the South Africa Police Command, following fresh attacks on Nigerians in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

About five Nigerian-owned businesses were attacked, vandalised and burnt in the attacks.

The businesses included a big spare parts dealership, two restaurants, a grocery shop and Nigerian foodstuffs shop.

Taxi drivers were blamed for taking the laws into their hands and unleashing violence on Nigerians.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari visited South Africa during which the visitor received assurances of the protection of Nigerians by the South African government.

The leadership of Nigerian Citizens South Africa (NICASA) and the Nigeria Consul-General to South Africa were said to be on the ground gathering information on the attacks.

NICASA Chairman Ben Okoli told The Nation that the attacks were totally unprovoked and unwarranted.

But he explained that it was not another case of xenophobia attacks.

The chairman said the Nigeria Consul-General had met with the police command of the affected province and demanded protection for Nigerians.

Okoli said: “Today (yesterday), there was an attack on Nigerian-own businesses in Witbank Mpumalanga. This attack happened around 9 a.m. I drove with the CG in his car to the province where we engaged the police and the Nigerian community in a meeting inside the police conference room.

“Our meeting was very engaging and frank. We went around the affected shops and businesses and we also visited those admitted in the hospital for the injuries they sustained.

“In the meeting with the police, we informed them that it was totally uncceptable to us as a nation that people should not have been allowed to take the laws into their hands unless the country has become lawless. We demanded the protection of the lives of our people in the province and elsewhere in the country.

“This was not a xenophobic attack but criminality masterminded by the taxi drivers under the guise of fighting crime.” – with Nation Newspaper

I invest in Nigeria to tackle poverty – Dangote

The Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, has said that he will continue to help in alleviating poverty and spread wealth through his investments.

He also urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country.

The richest man in Africa spoke in response to the commendation by winners in the ongoing extended Dangote Cement bag of Goodies National Consumer Promotion in Akure, Ondo State and Asaba, Delta State.

The winners lauded the gesture by the entrepreneur for the promo which they termed ‘economic life-saving promo’.

Dangote, in a statement made available to our correspondent, was quoted as saying that his joy was to touch as many lives as he could.

Represented by the Dangote Cement National Sales Director, Mr Yemi Fajobi, at the presentation of a star prize to a block moulder, a former local government councilor in Akure, Dangote said most of his businesses were driven by the desire to touch lives and improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

He said, “The ‘bag of Goodies promo’ is not just a promo. The uniqueness of it is in the choice of items being won by the people. Our company is intentionally empowering its customers through the promo. The cars, tricycles and motorcycles are items that economically lift the customers by creating additional means of livelihood and improve their economy.” – PUNCH

Why Ndume And His Ilk Dread Peace in Borno State

By Richard Murphy

I expect Nigerians to persistently and courageously interrogate their leaders who hold any mandate in public trust. This is a cliché resounded so many times to the point of boredom. But most of us ignore or prefer to overlook it for very selfish reasons.

May I not sound like a simpleton. But some of these politicians are the architects of our problems and they seek elevation to promote very personal interests, which are detrimental to us and public good. And It is not a healthy development either for the confined development of places where these leaders are anointed to lead or for the general good or progress of Nigeria.

Holding leaders accountable and answerable to us is a lawful duty, which is also flavored by religious sacredness. And sustaining the tempo of subjecting these leaders accountable for their past and present actions must not be preached before all of us understand its potency.

A nation with a complacent citizenry easily sounds its death knell irremediably! But the generality of Nigerians appears to be contented with the inglorious path of overlooking our leaders and whatever they do even in our collective degeneration.

How many of us have ever heard of Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume? He is a national parliamentarian who makes laws that govern all of us. Ali Ndume is qualified by every touchstone of assessment to be described as the doyen of lawmaking in Nigeria and a distinguished legislator. Since 2003, Ali Ndume has been on the corridors of the National Assembly (NASS) from the green to the red chambers now. He is from Borno and currently represents Borno South senatorial district in NASS.

But I doubt if he has added value to his constituents or home state of Borno or Nigeria. Though from a region which smokes with acerbic terrorism, his actions are overtly coloured with embroideries of a leader neither enthusiastic about peace nor the security of his people, even though occupying a vintage position of leadership. His utterances about counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast are “very discouraging,” if one borrows the phrase of popular comedian Gondons.

Sen. Ali Ndume appears like someone whose only preoccupation is how to work behind the mask and scenes to ensure Nigeria is eternally tethered to the strings of Boko Haram terrorism. Ndume and his minions seems to have covenanted with the devil in ensuring distressed populations and the people devastated by years of insurgency never find consolation on account of the overriding materialistic and political gains a prolonged insurgency war berths on their doorstep!

Most annoyingly, Sen. Ali Ndume and his league of evildoers think Nigerians are unaware of their political manipulation of the Boko Haram insurgency. And in furthering this sinister plot covertly, Ali Ndume, especially carelessly undermines the military’s wakeful nights, scorching sun, unbearable downpours and sacrifices to anchor peace and security for his kith and kin. And politicians of his ilk are too many in the Northeast. There is every need for security agents to beam a search light on them before we are led to the Golgotha to the cheers and jeers of their apostates.

Despite President Buhari’s endless struggles and commitment to end Boko Haram terrorism, they still find demonic methods to puncture it. It doesn’t matter to them if the entire Northeast region is engulfed in the flames of Boko Haram insurgency, insofar as political milestones and wealth accumulation interests are secured, the Machiavellian style.

Nigerians sitting on the fence; I mean the onlookers, engaging in idle talks about the inability of President Muhammdu Buhari to completely blight the fire of terrorism within timeframes, without probing the roles of politicians in the region or cautioning them are unpardonably worse enemies of this country. An African proverb says, a man whose house is on fire should not stand aloof while neighbours converge to help him put out the fire.

But in Borno state, the reverse is the case. While President Buhari and the Nigerian military are doing everything humanly possible to completely exterminate the fire of terrorism, Ndume and his soul mates, suspiciously retire into dark shadows to enliven the fire for repulsively selfish gains.

Most politicians in the Northeast, despite publicly feigning joy over decimated and defeated Boko Haram insurgents, but still giggle in exclusive places, eternal sadness that our troops led by the COAS and punch man of the counter-terrorism operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai has not allowed it to smoulder anymore. More and more villages and communities in the Northeast are experiencing peace. There is mass exodus of IDPs from camps back to previously ruined and deserted villages.

It goes to say, as forlorn villages swell with populations of returnees, IDPs camps in the Northeast have depleted considerably. So, the politicians are no longer ennobled to pressurize the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for emergency contracts on relief materials supply. It’s a punch below the belt, but stunningly expresses the odiousness of some politicians in Nigeria. While anguished people suffer all forms of deprivations, they regale in profiteering over their unfortunate fate.

Again, the years of insurgency in the Northeast have opened up the vaults of states anf local governments for plundering by politicians, who nicely help themselves to public commonwealth and retire account books as monies spent on security. It’s difficult to probe security expenditures and it is their fervent prayers that Boko Haram terrorism should never end. They prefer the Northeast to be overran by insurgents and should become a ghost region, while they smile to the banks every day to service their already fat personal bank accounts.

Furthermore, it is quite a “crazy” idea that President Buhari should put his foot on ground to ensure Boko Haram becomes history in Nigeria. To these reprehensible political sons and daughters of Jezebel, a festering Boko Haram, freely visiting awful and horrendous atrocities on Nigerians, spurring national and international outrages against the government of the day would cause Presidential invitation of some prominent politicians to anchor talks with the fanatical, religious dissidents and killers. Sponsorship of negotiations with leaders of insurgents by the government swallows sumptuous sums of taxpayers’ money from security votes.

And the monetary gains are amazing. Politicians have built mansions, business empires and acquired shares in national and global companies from the proceeds of this evil acts of negotiations with terrorists. So, the beneficiaries of such scams are finding it difficult to reconcile with the reality that insurgency is no longer viral to require government’s recruitment of their services to personally enrich themselves. Sen. Ali Ndume is a living testimony because under the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, he served on the committee that anchored talks with Boko Haram.

Though, the talks with Boko Haram were fruitless, but the members benefitted from the largesse of federal sponsorship of negotiations with terrorists. I challenge Ali Ndume to publicly state how much each member of the committee received in estacodes and allowances on this lawful “national duty.” We shall be shocked, if the figures are published.

Nonetheless, there has been a trend of perpetuation of elected leaders in the age and region of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. I can’t just imagine that Sen. Ali Ndume has been the best brain in Borno South axis and so since 2003, he has been in NASS. He moved from House of Reps to the Senate and has remained glued to date.

The reason is that the people he represents are already distraught, distressed and dehumanized by insurgency. Naturally such constituents are more obsessed with every day survival and how to get back to their forsaken homesteads, than the psychological and mental stability /co-ordination to pry into the quality or otherwise of those elected to represent them. Therefore, year in; year out, once the politicians pick reelection tickets on a political party’s platform, victory is assured seamlessly. Why would should politicians work for Boko Harm insurgency to end?

Closely related to it too is the subsisting atmosphere of insecurity in the region, which does not give room for a robust electioneering campaigns itinerary of potential leaders vying for elections. For the years Boko Haram raged in the Northeast, constituencies most hit by the scourge, have aspiring leaders campaigning at IDPs camps only. They take a few items to IDPs camps and reel out deceptive messages, which the traumatized people have neither the energy or mental comprehension to discern.

And on election day, agents of same politicians, some of whom would purchase IDPs Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and invade the camps with little cash as baits to sway their votes. It moderates campaign expenses. Why would such politicians want Boko Haram terrorism terminated as President Buhari and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Gen. Buratai struggles every day?

So, Sen. Ali Ndume and his irksome lot are allegedly principal beneficiaries of this skewed system. And much against reason, they are inherently afraid of peace in Borno State and plots subversion of anti-terrorism operations every day to keep the insurgency war ferociously and menacingly raging. They commune with Angels in the day time, kicking against terrorism, but wickedly relapse into the darkest chambers of Lucifer to promote it at nights. These are questions the governed should fearlessly and consistently be asking their leaders.

Murphy is a security expert and contributed this piece from Calabar.

Boko Haram: Group asks Senate to strip Ndume of Army Committee Chair

Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has called on the Senate leadership to strip Senator Ali Ndume of his role as Chairman Committee on Army over his recent flawed remarks aimed to plant terror in the heart of Nigerians.

The group said at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday that it is a “dangerous situation where a known terrorist supporter is now posturing as an expert in security matters”.

In a statement signed by National Coordinator, Comrade Gabriel Onoja, CATE revealed that the Borno South lawmaker is exploiting this sensitive position to the advantage of Boko Haram terrorists.

Mr Ndume, once linked to the radical Islamic sect, had claimed that 847 soldiers were killed by the group – a statement that has since backfired.

In order to avoid such gaffes in the future, CATE advised the Senate leadership to stop playing politics with the lives of innocent Nigerians as well as jeopardizing the amiable effort of the gallant troops on the frontline and replace Ndume.

Mr Onoja added that the lawmaker should be assigned any other committee in which he can’t directly manipulate or offer tactical support to terrorists.

Read full statement below:

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has followed with interest the claims by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, as they pertain to the ongoing war against terrorism in the north-east of the country.

For us, it is a tragedy that Senator Ndume unfortunately seems to have locus to speak on the matter being the Senator representing Borno South senatorial district and even more worryingly is political horse trading that landed him oversight over an institution as sensitive and crucial to national security as the Nigerian Army. The combination of these factors have created a dangerous situation where a known terrorist supporter is now posturing as an expert in security matters.

Sadly for Nigeria and dangerously for the people of Borno state and the entire north-east, Senator Ndume appears to be exploiting this sensitive position to the advantage of Boko Haram terrorists. He has deployed his position of influence to sow terror in the hearts of the people by making claims that could only be intended to make Boko Haram terrorists appear like the superior side in the battle between the forces of good and evil.

It is on record that Ndume is yet to open up on his involvement in the kidnap of Chibok girls and Dapchi girls so that Nigerians can appreciate the full extent of his involvement. We have credible information that this Senator continue sponsor Boko Haram terrorist group and supports their activities.

This is why Senator Ndume could cook up his own statistics that claimed that 847 soldiers have died fighting Boko Haram. He even stooped to the low ebb of regurgitating the claims by pro-Boko Haram foreign NGOs and media circuits that had claimed that they saw unmarked graves and mass graves holding the remains of the military casualties that he had dreamt up.

Beyond speaking to advance the interests of Boko Haram terrorists, the other intents of the senator became apparent upon a deeper analysis of his recent showmanship. His claim that one percent military budget showed lack of seriousness to fight insurgency made him appeared as someone that has the interest of the people’s security at heart but the reverse is the case. Rather than seeing the plight of a people suffering the repercussions of his sponsorship of terrorism, what the senator sees is a business opportunity. Rather than genuinely canvassing for the army to be appropriately equipped, he is keen on lining his own pocket.

Senator Ndume’ interest in asking for improved funding for the Army is driven by an interest to get his cut of the money that would be so allocated for fighting terrorism, which he plans to achieve by leveraging his position as Senate Committee Chairman on Army. He is so desperate to do this that he did not mind lying about the military casualty from the operations against Boko Haram. He is so beclouded by greed that he gave no thought to how his utterances are helping the terrorists to sow fear in the land.

This did not however come as a surprise to us in CATE considering that he is currently on trial for sponsoring terrorism. We now know that not even this trial has done enough to discourage him from continuing to be the grand merchant of death by doing those very things that strengthen Boko Haram terrorists. This latest confirmation that he continues to work for these terrorists is unacceptable and we believe that it is something that the entire country must unite and rise up against.

For this we hold the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership of the Senate responsible for. It is the party that made the mistake of given him a position as sensitive as the Chairman Senate Committee on Army in a bid to pacify him for losing out on becoming the Senate President, a position he lost because the responsible ones among his peers know that no sane country makes a terrorist supporter its third most powerful citizen.

CATE is therefore demanding that the Senate leadership without delay removes Senator Ali Ndume as Chairman of the Committee on Army based on the reality that he is exploiting the position to the detriment of the nation. The Senate is welcome to assign him any other such committee that he cannot manipulate to offer tactical support to terrorists.

Even if the Senate leadership, out of political expediency, decides to leave Senator Ndume in this sensitive post, it is our expectation that he will find it in him to seek the honour that is not found among terrorist supporters by voluntarily recusing himself from leading the Senate Committee on Army and requesting an assignment that does not conflict with his extracurricular dalliance with terrorists and child kidnappers.

Boko Haram, Ndume and the Rest of Us

By Abraham Yomi

Senator Ali Ndume is a lucky man. But that luck has become torture for him so he is desperate to undo it in the hope that he can point to whatever sufferings follows as proof that karma has dealt him punishment for the bad things he has done against the land, against the rest of us. He is hooked on seeking redemption through penance for being among the leading financial backers and strategic supporters of Boko Haram terrorist group, more like the major godfather that allowed it grow from an irritant band of extremists into the bloodthirsty machine that requires the army to destroy.

The court of law might have acquitted Ndume of sponsoring Boko Haram but the real court, the court presided over by conscience has not allowed him rest. He knows that minus the technicalities that sometimes allow hardened criminals to evade justice, the arrest of the spokesman of the terrorist sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, also known Al-Zawahiri, in his house is a crime that is intolerable. It is understandable if this has sent him into a manic-depressive spin.
That acquittal has damaged Ndume on two levels.

First is that he suffers the pain of not being able to satisfactorily pay for his sins, which makes him feel haunted by the sheer number of people that his associates have killed. It is this profound guilt that seems to take charge in the moments he tend to display a nationalistic zeal about crushing or defeating Boko Haram.

But on the dark side, escaping justice has made an unrepentant monster out of a man that has benefited so much from terrorism that not even a troubled conscience can make him kick the addiction of getting highs from the killings he paid for. His being re-elected as the Senator representing Borno South District has worsened his identity crisis as he now goes around with the notion that it matters not that his political empire is built out of human skeletons and watered by blood. He will have no incentives to halt his murderous pastime.

Unfortunately, irrespective of what remorse he feels in his human moment, the inordinate ambition in him has become set in using Boko Haram to haunt the rest of us. He has graduated from merely housing the spokesperson of the terrorist group to becoming its defacto mouthpiece. Why be seen with senior propaganda commanders of Boko Haram when he can himself run the propaganda while exploiting parliamentary immunity that ensures no one remembers to charge him to court as was the case when he was found out harbouring a terrorist.

That explains Ndume’s new tactics of hiding behind oversight visits and poor budgetary funding to continue the work he has being doing for Boko Haram terrorists, helping them to project the Nigerian military, indeed the entire Nigerian state in bad light. To get this job done, he quoted figures of military fatalities that strongly confirm that he got his own tallies from Boko Haram commanders, who definitely inflated figures to create the impression that they gave the Nigerian military as much bloodied nose as they have been given the present administration first came into office.

Ndume, who is handicapped enough to not know how to improve the lives of the people he claims to represents, was able to find graves and mass graves in a cemetery, making it sound as if cemeteries are meant to perform other functions other than holding human remains. Perhaps, his confusion arose from not seeing as many graves there as his boys had promised him he would find.

The Senator will never learn to the extent that the rest of us, particularly his constituents, have neglected to teach him the lessons he deserves to learn. His demotion from House Leader and rejection when he attempted to become the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria were befitting outcomes that had already set him on the path of rehabilitation from his obsessive pursuit of power.

But some people later fell for his blackmail and made him the chairman of Senate Committee on Army; if the intention of those that did this was to ‘give the cat custody of the fish’ then it is not working. This cat does not possess the requisite capacity for remorse to know not to eat the fish in its custody. Giving Ndume oversight of the Army in Senate has not done much to dampen his murderous pursuits. If anything, he now sees an easier way to achieve ascendancy for Boko Haram in a way that is far more effective than when he was holding secret telephone conversations with the group’s commanders or when he was providing them accommodation.

On top of that, the position has now given him the platform to play the hand we have given him against the country. He is now baiting the country, taunting the rest of us with a supposed prowess of Boko Haram against an Army we assigned with keeping us safe. It is a situation we should all be worried about for the very reason that this same man that is openly supporting Boko Haram gets to decide what funding the Army gets as it continues its war against terrorists. To the extent that he has not given up his ways, affiliation and sympathies for the group then the military will not get the legislative support it requires to function effectively.

Logic dictates that the Senate leadership should drop Ndume from the current role that gave him oversight of the Army. But even if the Senate gets around to doing this, Ndume will remain a threat to national security so long as he remains in the Senate. A country that has a pressing need to defeat terrorism cannot afford to have even one pro-terrorist lawmaker in its parliament, even when it is one facing the emotional crisis of confronting his past and ongoing romance with terrorists.

Yomi is a security expert based in Lagos.

Frank backs Saraki’s Bayelsa reconciliation panel, appeals to defectors

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has expressed support for the reconciliation panel headed by the former Senate President Bukola Saraki in his home state of Bayelsa.

Frank said the political experience and influence of the former Kwara state governor had begun to yield good fruits within the rank and file in the state’s ruling party.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the Bayelsa born activist said the state has been a traditional PDP state since 1999 and nothing should be allowed to destroy the legacy.

He also appealed to those who are aggrieved as a result of the outcome of the primary election to give Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation panel a chance.

Frank expressed confidence that Senator Saraki will look at all issues and aggrieved parties dispassionately and make necessary recommendations for peace to reign.

While appealing to those who are considering leaving the PDP in the state to give Saraki panel a chance, Frank said for the sake of the party and the development of the state, they should look beyond the individuals involve in the disagreement but the larger interest of the state.

He also appealed to governor Seriaki Dickson to show commitment to whatever recommendation make by the Saraki-led panel so as to allow peace, saying going to an election as a divided house might be dangerous to the party.

“As a stakeholder in the state, I appeal to Governor Seriaki Dickson to work with Saraki-led reconciliation committee and meet all the conditions that might have been recommended to bring about the necessary peace to stop the ongoing defection within the PDP.

“I still believe that victory is possible for the PDP in the coming governorship election if the governor and all other stakeholders will make sacrifices and give each other a sense of belonging.

“I also appeal to all the aggrieved parties to give Saraki a chance to amicably resolve their grievances because the former Senate President is known for always delivering on any assignment given to him by his party (PDP).

“The party members and Bayelsans should not forget the sacrifices and efforts of the likes of former President Goodluck Jonathan by ensuring their full support for the candidate of the PDP who is a traditional party in Bayelsa.”

He, however appealed to all the governors, National Assembly members and other national leaders to mobilise support for the party in Bayelsa to avoid a defeat.

The Hottest Hairstyle at Fashion Week Is Not on the Runways

You’re probably thinking that you know everything there is to know about the Rooftop Concert Series You’re saying to yourself, it started in 1986 and was on for 9 seasons and starred Andy Griffith.

Just because you can do something, should you? Samsung thinks so. Its second experimentally screened phone taps into its hardware R&D and production clout to offer something not many other companies.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM THIS CONCERT?

The Rooftop Concert Series began in 2010 when four Provo residents (Sarah Wiley, C. Jane Kendrick, Mindy Gledhill, and Justin Hackworth) met together to discuss ways they could get more people to come downtown.

Ccity has to offer one obvious starting point was the music that was being made played, and performed in Provo. How about concerts on the roof someone said and the Rooftop Concert Series was born.

Buy 2016 Concert Tickets at Ticketpocket

There are lots of places to park in downtown Provo and close to the venue. Check out this map here. We also have free valet bicycle parking available, courtesy of the Provo Bicycle Collective. Ride your bike to the concert and take advantage of the most convenient parking available.

LIVE ON STAGE OR INDOOR HALL?

The exploration of space stands as one of humanity’s greatest achievements. While history has hailed the men and women who reached the cosmos, and those who helped them get there, much of the infrastructure that sent them skyward lies forgotten and dilapidated.

Red Rocks Entertainment Concerts

And how does Apple’s biggest phone compare to the Note Edge? Well, both remain unwieldy to grip, and the Note Edge is wider. However, the edged screen nuzzles into my hand better and those software tweaks mentioned above give it the advantage. However, just like the stylus, there’s a while before you get the knack of all the little provisions Samsung’s made to ease users into this screen size.

Roland Miller has spent nearly half his life chronicling these landmarks before they are lost forever long been obsessed with space as a child, he dreamed of being an astronaut.

FREE ENTRANCE

Its curves are subjective and divisive; my friends and colleagues have offered up reactions ranging from outright bemusement to adoration. The screen looks great, with the punchy contrast and sharpness that’s been a Samsung flagship mainstay for years. We’ll get back to that edge, but it’s the headline part of a 5.6-inch Quad-HD+ display.

LIVE SOUND

Make this secondary menu transparent, allowing me to maintain all that screen space. The ability to shrink the likes of Chrome and Google Maps to a popup window and layer it on top of other apps is also useful I’d love to see something similar on the iPhone 6 Plus continues to clear away.

AUDIO

If you’re looking to learn more about the stylus uses, I’d advise a quick read of Brad’s Galaxy Note 4 review, because the setup is identical here. Yes, there are TouchWiz bits running on Android 4.4 KitKat.

But let’s focus on what’s different here: that edge. There are two display modes you can flit between: a slender, unassuming bar that can display a customized message and a more substantial column that attempts to offer extra functionality, notifications or context-dependent.

Courtroom Concerts 2015 – 2016 A Free Weekly Lunchtime Concert Series

While I’m not a huge selfie taker, you’ll have to ask our Senior Selfie Editor, but I do take a whole lot of photos with my smartphone.

When it’s expanded, the UI is a basic row of icons, which you can navigate with a little swipe. This may look a little unusual, but swishing through the various mini-screens is immensely satisfying.

However, just like the stylus, there’s a while before you get the knack of all the little provisions Samsung’s made to ease users into this screen size.

The screen is marginally smaller than the Note 4, despite the cranked-up pixel count. Like the Note 4, text pops a little more, and pictures you take with the 16MP camera are obviously better replicated on the Note Edge’s screen.

Well, both remain unwieldy to grip, and the Note Edge is wider. However, the edged screen nuzzles into my hand better and those software tweaks mentioned above give it the advantage.

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