The National Judicial Council (NJC) has queried the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed, few days after his inauguration at the Presidential Villa by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also queried is the suspended CJN Justice Walter Onnoghen.

It was learnt that the two judges were given seven days to respond to the queries.

While Onnoghen was queried following the allegations leveled against him on his failure to declare all his assets, as stipulated by law, Mohammed, was told to explain why he allowed himself to be sworn-in by President Buhari without the recommendation of the Council, as required by law.

Onnoghen and Mohammed were given seven days to respond.

The third most senior Supreme Court Judge, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour of Lagos State, will replace the Justices if the Council decides to dismiss them.

NJC has also adjourned till Feb. 11, four days to the presidential election.

Source: NAN

The Coalition of Young lawyers under the umbrella of Good Governance Initiative Coalition (GGIC) have shunned the boycott order by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

This is even as the group drummed support for President Muhammadu Buhari in his anti-corruption fight and suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.

The Convener of GGIC, Barr. Hussaini Saraki disclosed the groups support for Buhari during a solidarity rally at Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja.

Saraki urges lawyers under the umbrella to ignore the two days court boycott as directed by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)

He stressed that abiding by the boycott order would be sequel to aligning with suspected highly corrupt citizens working for their selfish gains.

Saraki stressed that the group was of the firm believe that no one was above the law, including the CJN.

The group wondered why the CJN did not do the honourable thing by resigning, since he had already accepted the allegations against him.

They therefore stressed that it was right for the CJN to be aside while the case against him is determined.

You cannot expect the CJN to chair a committee and judge against himself. Infact it is against the doctrine of natural justice to allow the suspended CJN to be a judge in his own case.

It would have been more honorable if he had stepped down on his own accord, the group said.

They called on the National Assembly not do anything that will jeopardize the efforts of President Buhari in the fight against corruption.

Source: NAN

Another section of apex-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Secretary-General, Mr. Uche Okwukwu, has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for second tenure.

Okwukwu, had earlier flayed the endorsement announced by his chairman, Chief John Nwodo in for Democratic Party, PDP.

Okwukwu announced the adoption of President Buhari as the true Ohanaeze candidate who will be formally recognized as such at a coming event at the Aso Rock Villa.

The endorsement of President Buhari was made on Tuesday in Aba, Abia state where the president visited in continuation of his presidential campaign.

According to Mr. Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, the second endorsement was made by the Chairman of Aba Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Dr Isaac Ikonne, Enyi 1 of Aba.

Ikonne, called on all indigenes of Abia State to vote for the All Progressives Party, APC Presidential Candidate.

He said the Igbo people would remain loyal and committed to President Buhari for the payment of pensions to ex-Biafran security personnel and for the administrations policy on ease of doing business which, the traditional ruler said, had benefited the Igbo more than any other ethnic group.

He also referred to the massive infrastructural development going on throughout the southeast as another reason for endorsing President Buhari.

You love Nigeria and you need to return to consolidate your fight against the monster of corruption and to take us to the Next Level.

I want to assure you that Aba and Abians and indeed all Igbos will massively vote for you, the royal father told the President as he raised his hand and proclaimed him winner of the coming presidential poll.

On his part, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, welcomed the existing synergy between the federal government and his state which he said, had come with enormous gains that are cherished by the government and the people.
President Muhammadu Buhari who took his presidential rally to Aba, said the South East deserved more and more infrastructure.

He promised he would continue to give priority to infrastructure in the region as impetus to the spirit of industry, hard work and competitiveness for which the Igbo are known.

They deserve more and more infrastructure to further excel, the President said.

Business owners at the popular Ariaria Market came out en mass hailing the President Buhari who was at the market for the official unveiling of the AriariaIPP.

Business owners at the popular Ariaria Market hailing the President, His Excellency as he heads down for the official unveiling of the in Aba, Abia State. . .

REA Nigeria (@realREANigeria)

Source: NAN

The 2nd Regional Protection Dialogue on the Lake Chad Basin held in Abuja on Tuesday with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) asking for $135 million for humanitarian needs of refugees.

Mr Volker Turk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, UNHCR, disclosed this on the side-line of the 2nd Regional Protection Dialogue on the Lake Chad Basin held in Abuja.

NAN reports that the 2019-2021 Humanitarian Response Strategy (HRS) and the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP), were seeking $848 million and $135 million respectively to continue provision of food, water, shelter and protection to the most vulnerable people in Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

The Humanitarian Response Strategy also articulates a collective vision for the next three years of humanitarian action and marked the first time in Nigeria that humanitarian actors were adopting a multi-year approach.

Turk said that about seven million people were affected by insecurity in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states with 2.5million internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

According to him, the refugees response plan is for refugees in Nigeria and other neighbouring countries.

As you know, about seven million people are affected by the insecurity and violence in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, there are 2.5million persons whose life has been disrupted.

Because they have to flee to other parts internally within Nigeria, over 1.5million has also crossed into neighbouring Cameroun, Niger and Chad.

We also have about half a million internally displaced people in Cameroun, it shows that people get displaced because of the insecurity.

And its so crucial for us to find ways and means to be able to respond to their humanitarian needs. We have asked the international community to make available, 135million dollars.

Based on needs assessment that we have done, including host communities, we need to respond to their humanitarian and development needs and that is precisely what the refugee response plan is trying to achieve, he said.

Turk said that the 2019-2021 humanitarian response strategy for the North-East Nigeria and 2019-2020 regional refugee response plans were launched to provide better humanitarian activities for the people who were affected.

He said that it was crucial that the international community worked with neighbouring countries and Nigeria to respond to the very need that the people lacked.

We really need to do everything not to forget our brothers and sisters in the North East and in the neighbouring countries and this is why we have launched the humanitarian response plan.

As well as the refugees response plan so that we can provide better services, better humanitarian activities for the people who are affected, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Nigerian Air Forces Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has raided and destroyed a Boko Harams logistics base in Sambisa forest, Borno state.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said on Tuesday in Abuja that the operation was carried out on Monday.

The operation was carried out after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed a resurgence of human and vehicular activities at the logistics base, which had hitherto been abandoned.

Accordingly, the ATF scrambled two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the location.

Overhead the target area, several structures and vehicles were seen camouflaged under the thick vegetation of the Forest, with significant human activity observed within the area.

The attack aircraft recorded direct hits on the target area resulting in the destruction of several structures and neutralisation of some BHTs, he said.

Daramola added that the terrorists, who survived the bomb strikes, were seen fleeing the area.

The spokesman said the criminals were mopped-up in follow-on attacks.

Also troops of Operation Egwu Eke III, also known as Operation Python Dance 3, have rescued two kidnap victims around Owerrinta general area of Abia.

Col. Sagir Musa, Deputy Director Public Relations of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, made this known in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday.

The statement was entitled; Update on Exercise Egwu Eke III in South-East Geo-Political Zone between Jan. 20 and Jan. 27.

Musa said that based on a distress call at about 5 p.m. on Jan. 22 that alerted troops of a kidnap incident at Ubakala Junction along Owerrinta general area of Abia, troops of Sector 2, Sub-sector Charlie successfully cordoned and searched the area.

Consequently, the kidnappers abandoned their victims Mrs Loveth Nonye Ofoegbu and Mr Kaodi Onuaha.

The rescued persons have been handed over to the Police Command in Abia for further actions, he said.

He also said that following credible information, troops of Sector 2, Sub-sector Alfa, at about 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 24 raided a hideout of suspected armed robbers in Ahaba Imenyi community of Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia.

The army spokesman said that a suspect, Mr Chidiebere Orji, was arrested while others were at large.

Source: NAN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a directive for the commencement of the end-to-end electronic payment of salaries, pensions, suppliers and taxes.

The CBN issued the directive in a circular posted on its website on Tuesday and signed by Mr Sam Okojere, Director of Payments System Management Department.

The apex bank said the directive would help to enhance the adoption of electronic payment while ensuring stability in the payment system.

The regulator said further to the implementation of the guideline, commercial banks were to dishonour payment instructions not transmitted through a banks approved electronic payment and collection platform.

It said that the new system meant payment instructions and associated schedules would no longer to be transmitted to banks through unsecured channels by qualifying public and private sector organisations.

The apex bank added that enforcement of the directive shall be effective from the date of the issuance of the regulation.

The objective of the end-to-end electronic payment of salaries, pensions, suppliers and taxes initiative is fully aligned with the core objectives of the National Payment System, Vision 2020 (PSV2020).

PSV2020 is to ensure the availability of safe, effective and efficient mechanisms for conveniently making and receiving all types of payments from any location and at any time, through multiple electronic channels.

This will reduce the time and costs of transactions, minimise leakages in revenue receipts and at the same time provide reliable audit trails, thereby making the Nigerian payments system align with international best practices.

Source: NAN

The Kaduna police command has commenced the prosecution of those alleged to have engaged in hate speeches during campaigns, the Commissioner, Mallam Ahmad AbdurRahman, told visiting U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington.

AbdurRahman assured that the command would do its best in providing level playing field to all political parties, candidates and the electorates to actively participate in the polls.

He said it however behoves on all Nigerians, to behave and conduct themselves according to the rules guiding the election.

The Police has no interest in the outcome of the elections or the person who wins eventually, ours is to police the process to its conclusion.

We are the referees without a team, just abide by the rules and dont engage in hate speeches right from the campaign to elections, Abdur-Rahman said.

Symington had earlier said that Nigeria should get the 2019 elections right in order not to disappoint those that looked up to it after the feat recorded in 2015.

The State of Kaduna is an important place during this election. I am here to underscore a couple of key ideas.

The first being that these elections are really about Nigerians, decided by Nigerians under its laws which will define the future of Nigeria.

The election is also for others who have looked up to Nigerias example of democracy in the past especially if it would be as good as that of the elections of 2015.

He therefore said it was important for Nigerians to decide on the elections credibility like they did in 2015, so that its credit will be invested in democracy and freedom throughout West Africa and across the entire World.

He urged Nigerians to also interrogate politicians using hate speeches and disseminating fake news, as they are capable of dividing or causing problems among the people.

These kinds of negative speeches can have negative impacts in the future.

There are other people who have pointed fingers at those who are saying the elections would come out wrong, saying the elections can be right if every citizen of Nigeria act on the understanding that they are individually responsible for anything they get from the polls, he stressed.

He noted that so far, there has been cheering commitments from President Muhammadu Buhari and other leading candidates contesting to rule the country, to ensure that every vote counts.

The U.S ambassador added that people must take responsibility for their actions, first before God, second under the laws of the country, in the eyes of countrymen and lastly in the eyes of the world.

Symington therefore encouraged all Nigerians to participate peacefully in the elections, to guarantee free, fair, peaceful and a credible honest reflection of their choice.

Source: NAN

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment Prof. Nelson Brambaifa as Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

A statement by Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Bayelsa Information and Orientation Commissioner, said on Tuesday that the appointment of Brambaifa was in line with the principle of rotating positions among Niger Delta states.

The Special Assistant to President on Media Mr Femi Adeshina on Friday announced the appointment of the managing director of NDDC alongside other members of the board of the commission.

The governor urged the new NDDC managing director to use his new position to advance the course of development in the state.

He also urged him to partner with the state government to deliver critical road infrastructure that would position the state for more development.

Dickson advised Brambaifa to avoid politics and be focused on implementing projects that would impact positively on the Niger Delta people.

He should not behave like some persons in the past who used their privileged positions at the federal level to short-change the state, he said.

He said that Bayelsa had suffered severe underdevelopment as a result of the attitude of some of its leaders who played politics with golden opportunities.

Dickson assured the new NDDC helmsman of his administrations support toward achieving the mandate of the commission.

We are watching, we want to see how the new MD will navigate the ship of the commission away from the murky waters of politics, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former champion Conor McGregor have been suspended and fined for a brawl that unfolded after their UFC 229 bout in Las Vegas last October.

Nurmagomedov, who defeated McGregor in the octagon, was on Tuesday suspended for nine months and fined $500,000 for scaling the cage and attacking McGregors cornermen while his own entourage ambushed McGregor in the octagon.

McGregor was suspended for six months and fined $50,000 for engaging Nurmagomedovs teammates and attempting to follow Nurmagomedov out of the cage.

Nurmagomedovs suspension can be reduced by three months if he participates with Las Vegas police in an anti-bullying public service announcement that the Nevada Athletic Commission must first approve.

The suspensions for both fighters are retroactive to Oct. 6, the day the fight took place, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

Nurmagomedov posted his reaction to the punishments on Twitter, writing: politics forever.

His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, complained about the penalties to ESPN.

I dont think its fair, Abdelaziz said of the fines. Khabib gets $500K and Conor gets $50K? I think its bulls.

The two fighters have a history of bad blood going back to an incident last April when McGregor threw a hand truck at a bus carrying Nurmagomedov at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Nurmagomedov has complained that McGregor wasnt disciplined for his actions that night.

What about; he talked about my religion, he talks about my country, he talk about my father? He come to Brooklyn and he broke bus. He almost killed a couple of people. What about this?

Source: NAN

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Eight countries are expected to participate in the fifth Agro-food and Plastprintpack Nigeria 2019, aimed at providing solutions to the challenging needs of the entire agricultural value chain.

Mr Akin Alabi, the Managing Partner, Corporate Farmers International, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

The countries to participate in the event scheduled to hold from March 26 to March 28 in Lagos are Belarus, China, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.

The statement quoted Alabi as saying that Nigeria was fast becoming Africas largest food market, according to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Nigeria invests heavily in its food production increasing import of food processing and packaging machinery by 15 per cent in 2017, amounting to about 262 million Euros.

This amount makes Nigeria the second largest importer of packaging technologies in sub-Saharan Africa, while imports for packaging technologies increased by 34 per cent in 2018.

This double digit growth in 2017 and 2018, according to the German Engineering Federation, and the Federal Governments forecasts will also cause a double-digit growth in 2019, he said.

Alabi said that the event would comprise three sub-brands; Agro-Tech Nigeria, Food and Beverage Tech Nigeria, and Food and Hospitality Nigeria.

Agro-Nigeria has been organised by Fairtrade Messe and DLG German Agricultural Society since 2015, focusing on crop and animal production, agricultural engineering and bio-energy.

Source: NAN