Metro
PDP chieftain condemns continuous detention of Emefele by DSS
From Daniel Abel, Lafia
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic party, (PDP), Engr. Anslem Ijebor on Friday faulted the continued detention of the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefele.
He called on the federal government to urgently intervene in his continuous incarceration by the Department of State Security, (DSS)
Ijebor, an ally of Peter Obi, in the last presidential election, on ground of his conviction, made the call while speaking with Journalists in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
The former PDP House of Representatives Aspirant in Edo state was also quick to condemn DSS for unnecessarily detentaining the former CBN governor, stating that “Agencies of government should always live by example by obeying court orders.
According to the PDP Chieftain, “for the nation’s democracy to be taken seriously in the comity of nations, the president must live by example and not seen as being above the law. All Federal agencies should accord the citizens their legitimate right and stop making then second citizens of our great nation that is widely celebrated as the pride of Africa”.
“Our security agencies especially DSS have constantly trampled on our justice system by mindlessly infringing on the fundamental rights of noble Nigerians”, the Frontline politician alleged.
According to the one time House of Representatives Aspirant in Edo state, the action of the DSS is not only portraying the nation in bad light, but gradually killing the country’s democracy.
While he further advised DSS to obey the court order and release the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefele, Ijebor also admonished the security agencies to be more civil, patriotic and tread with caution not to demystify the Nigerian judicial system.
“It should be clear that not even the president of the federal republic of Nigeria is in any way can say is greater than the court. Government agencies should stop infringing on the rights of citizens”; Ijebor said.
On the removal of fuel subsidy, the PDP Chieftain declared the action of the Tinibu led government as not only ill timing, but likely to increase the hardship Nigerians were already facing.
Rhetorical he questioned how the government removed the subsidy without proper palliative measures in place to cushion the effect of the anticipated suffering of Nigerians?
Ijebor, further suggested that funds saved from the subsidy should be channeled into areas such as Agriculture, Power, Health Care and Educational sectors.
He said such consideration would ensure adequate palliative measures where Nigerians can have access to reduction in prices of food stuff especially staple foods like rice, affordable health care and education for all Nigerians in a manner that could easily enhance the standard of living of all her citizens.
“Nigerians are very strong willed, If proper policy directions were provided, Nigerians can even afford to purchase fuel at any amount without complain.
“Removal of fuel subsidy in itself is not a bad thing but the timing is what is wrong. My only advise to the federal government is that they should channel the funds originally meant for subsidy to the aforementioned areas that would impact on the lives of the generality of the Nigerian Citizens.
“Funds saved from subsidy be used to urgently improve on technical education in the country, in a bid to realize skill acquisition that would essentially drive the small and medium scale enterprises in growing our economy to greater heights of prosperity
Metro
ENSG Cracks Down on School Bullying, Orders Arrest of Culprits
The Enugu State Government (ENSG) has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of students involved in the bullying and physical assault of a fellow student at the Federal Government College, Enugu.
This is coming after a disturbing video of the incident surfaced on social media, sparking widespread condemnation.
In a statement, Commissioner for Education Prof. Ndubueze Mbah expressed deep concern, labeling the incident as “emotionally distressing” and underscoring the government’s zero-tolerance policy for bullying and abuse in schools.
He confirmed that the state government is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that all those involved, including any school authorities who failed in their duties, face appropriate consequences.
“The safety and welfare of our students are paramount,” Prof. Mbah stated, pointing to the state’s significant investment in education under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration as evidence of its commitment to providing a safe learning environment.
He warned that acts of harassment, intimidation, and violence will be met with strict repercussions.
Meanwhile, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at FGC Enugu sought to clarify the situation, dispelling rumors of cult involvement.
PTA Chairman Dr. Chinedu Mba explained that the disturbance began when a student was found with Indian hemp.
He emphasized that parents should counsel their children on avoiding harmful behaviors and reassured the public of the PTA’s commitment to student safety.
Metro
Group Calls for Suspension, Investigation, Prosecution of FERMA MD Over Alleged Corruption
A group, Coalition for National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (CNRR), has issued a formal plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate suspension, investigation, and potential prosecution of the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
Their call is coming amid series of damning allegations surrounding corruption, incompetence, and misuse of office.
The group who converged on Thursday morning at the Headquarters of the FERMA at the Wuse 11 in the Federal Capital Territory carried banners and placards with inscriptions calling for the investigation and possible sack of the Managing Director of the Agency, Engr Emeka Agbasi.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President and Commader in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Three Arms Zone, and read by the National converner of the coalition Alhaji Ali Abacha, they outlined numerous accusations against the FERMA boss.
They accused him of gross mismanagement and criminal activity, which threaten to undermine the government’s anti-corruption drive. Key allegations include the sale of contracts for financial gain, abuse of Direct Labor Agencies for unauthorized projects, and financial irregularities involving the illegal virement and swapping of payments without due process.
According to the letter, the FERMA MD is also accused of laundering money through fronts operating via Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and Zenith Bank, living lavishly in Abuja hotel suites such as Pinnatech Suites Ltd., and sidelining experienced contractors in favor of cronies.
Furthermore, the MD is being accused of ignoring directives from the Ministry of Works, acting independently and awarding contracts unrelated to federal road maintenance.
Abacha stressed the importance of suspending and investigating the official to maintain public trust and uphold the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to take immediate action.
The statement warned that allowing such actions to continue unaddressed would reflect poorly on President Tinubu’s administration, which has made fighting corruption a key priority. CNRR urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further damage to its image and credibility.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Presidency or FERMA regarding these allegations. The Nigerian public and stakeholders in the construction sector are closely watching for developments in what could become a significant test of the government’s resolve in combating corruption.
Metro
Protests Erupt in Abuja Demanding Investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank
A significant protest was held today at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, organized by the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance in Nigeria, calling for an urgent investigation into serious allegations against Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTB). The bank, under the leadership of Segun Agbaje, is facing accusations of corruption, money laundering, unsolicited account openings, and more.
The Chief Convener of the coalition, Comrade Tijani Usman addressed the crowd, highlighting the pervasive issue of corruption that has plagued Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape since 1960. He emphasized the critical role of the banking sector in economic development and criticized the lack of action from regulatory and law enforcement agencies regarding GTB’s alleged infractions.
“The allegations against GTB are serious and cannot be ignored,” Usman stated. He urged the Nigeria Police Force to prioritize these claims and conduct a thorough investigation to hold accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing.
Participants in the protest voiced their concerns about recent operational failures at GTB, particularly a prolonged outage of the bank’s payment systems, which resulted in substantial losses for customers. The coalition called for the bank’s management to focus on resolving these critical issues instead of engaging in activities that undermine trust.
The protesters also appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to take a proactive stance in investigating the allegations and ensuring accountability within the banking sector.
As the coalition continues its peaceful demonstrations, they remain steadfast in their commitment to advocating for justice for affected customers and investors. This protest reflects a growing demand for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s banking system, as civil society seeks to foster an environment where corruption is actively challenged and addressed.
The response from authorities to this protest may significantly impact the future governance of financial institutions in Nigeria, highlighting the necessity for reform and vigilance in the fight against corruption.
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