Enugu State Governor, Governor Peter Mbah, has accused a Finland-based Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, of murdering and terrorising residents of Nigeria’s South-East.

Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the IPOB, has been allegedly linked to some deadly attacks and enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders in the region.

The governor who received members of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence in Enugu, accused the Biafra agitator of being a “scammer” who has been “feeding fat” on the suffering of Igbos.

“It is surprising that the Finnish government allows this man to reside peacefully in their country and then perpetrate terrorism in Nigeria,” Mbah said.

“And I think this is something your committee may have to wade into and see how this guy can be repatriated and then be brought to justice.

“Through his (Ekpa) statements and his actions, a lot of people have died and he continues in that trajectory. So, this is a tragedy that we must all work as a country to end. He doesn’t represent the Igbo interest.”

According to the governor, his administration has ended the illegal sit-at-home situation in the state and will remain determined to ensure the safety of all residents.

He also called on young people in the South-east not to yield to Mr Ekpa’s antics and vowed that the state government would not be intimidated by the agitators’ threats.

“As you may also have noticed recently, they have continued to make attempts, particularly, that megalomaniac (Ekpa), who ironically resides with his family peacefully in Finland, a country where the rule of law reigns, but he encourages anarchy here and goad some of our youths to their self-destruction.

“This is also a business for him (Ekpa), pretending to be fighting for Igbo’s interest, but does not know anything about the Igbo or have their interest at heart,” he stated.

The President of the Dangote Group has called on the House of Representatives to investigate the quality of diesel and petrol at filling stations.

Dangote made the call on Saturday when he received the leadership of the House led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and his deputy Benjamin Kalu.

To carry out the investigation, he urged the House to set up a committee to test products at various filling stations across the country.

Decrying the damage being done to vehicles and engines by substandard products, also called on the House to investigate the quality of laboratories being used to test imported products and compare that with the one at the Dangote Refinery.

He informed the lawmakers, who had earlier toured the refinery, that he was also open to independent testing of his refinery’s products as that would only attest to their quality while exposing the problem with some of the products being sold by other players in the sector.

The management of Dangote Refinery has complained in recent months about what they say is an attempt by international oil companies (IOCs) to sabotage the refinery. It has also decried what it says is the importation of substandard products.

In turn, the refinery has been accused of essentially pushing for a monopoly.

Dangote, however, dismissed the monopoly claims insisting that the Dangote Group did not receive any special incentive when the refinery was being built.

He also said there was no effort to prevent other players from operating.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered illicit substances in Lagos.

The items – consignments of Cocaine and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis – were concealed in incense candles, game packs, dry hibiscus leaves and ladies’, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi said.

According to a Sunday statement, the hard drugs were meant to be smuggled in and out of Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).

Babafemi said some suspects were apprehended

“A businessman, Abdulwahab Owolabi Alebiosu was on Thursday 18th July 2024 arrested at his Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos residence after a consignment of 40 parcels of Loud weighing 20.30 kilograms hidden in packs of chessboards, scrabbles, checkers, and poker set, brought in from Canada on a British Airways flight was intercepted at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport during a joint examination of the cargo with men of Customs Service,” the statement read.

“A search of his home also led to the recovery of more exhibits including some drug paraphernalia, such as a weighing scale, and cannabis potency test kit, while four vaping machines were recovered from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki. A Mikano black truck with registration number FST 657 HP was also recovered from his house.

“In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA on Friday 19th July intercepted two jumbo bags going to Pakistan. The bags contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves and other food items, which were used to conceal four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of Loud, both weighing 1.360kg. Further investigations led to the arrest of a businesswoman, Eze Queen Ogechi who claimed she was sending the illicit consignment to Pakistan on the instruction of her brother, Eze Nnamdi Promise based in the South Asia country.

“Also at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives attached to Terminal II, Departure Gate of the MMIA, on Thursday 18th July intercepted a male Beninese passenger, Orobi Adoubi Amen, travelling with a bag containing some female native dresses. The suspect was going to Dubai via Accra, Ghana on an Air Peace Airline flight and a connecting flight to Dubai, UAE on Emirates Airline. A thorough search of the bag revealed eight parcels of Loud weighing 2.10kg were concealed in the ladies’ native wears. The suspect claimed he was given the consignment for a fee of N600,000 on successful delivery in Dubai.”

On his part, the NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commended anti-narcotics officers for the seizures.

He said that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country are well appreciated, urging them not to rest on their oars but continue to intensify ongoing drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afam Osigwe, has emerged as the president-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following the 2024 NBA election held online.  

Osigwe secured the highest number of votes, with 20,395, surpassing his closest rival, Tobenna Erojikwe, who got 10,970 votes, and Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), who received 9,007 votes.

He will succeed the outgoing president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN).

See below the other positions filled by the newly elected executives of the NBA:

1st Vice-President: Sabastine Anyia defeated Bartholomew Aguegbodo

2nd Vice-President: Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun with 26,534 votes, defeating Pius Oiwoh, who scored 11,121 votes.

3rd Vice-President: Mrs. Zainab Garba with 23,550 votes, defeating Michael Olorunmola, who received 13,897 votes.

General Secretary: Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara with 25,713 votes, defeating Abdulwasiu Alfa, who received 11,730 votes.

Assistant General Secretary: Henry Ehi with 28,552 votes, defeating Oluwaseun Aka, who received 8,317 votes.

Treasurer: Mrs. Blessing Udofa-Poromon with 17,998 votes, defeating Mbamala Chukwuemeka, who garnered 9,825 votes.

Publicity Secretary: Mrs. Bridget Edokwe with 19,542 votes, defeating Charles Ajiboye, who scored 10,989 votes.

Assistant Publicity Secretary: Miss Ebiere Ekpese with 26,955 votes, defeating Lawrence Ayewa, who scored 9,690 votes.

Welfare Secretary: Nyada Auta with 18,369 votes, defeating Oaikhena Osagie, who scored 12,855 votes.

A former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has berated presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, for claiming that the proposed nationwide protest is aimed at destabilizing the country.

He argued that Onanuga’s statement was uncharitable and wicked.

The former minister lamented that President Bola Tinubu and his ‘locust cabal’ love only the wealth of Nigeria.

Speaking via his X handle on Saturday, Dalung insisted that the proposed protest is sacrosanct, adding that it is to demand accountability from those who are destroying Nigeria’s common heritage.

According to him, “The generation of Nigerians demanding for good governance, accountability and justice are more entitled to Nigeria than the group of scavengers occupying power.

 “Make no mistake about it, we love our country but @officialABAT and his locust cabal love only the wealth of Nigeria

“The protests are to demand for accountability from those who are destroying our common heritage. Nigerians have nowhere to go but @officialABAT has France, while others have Europe, Canada and USA.

“Therefore @aonanuga1956 calling out Nigerians as those planning to destabilize Nigeria is not only uncharitable but wicked.

“The generation of Nigerians demanding for good governance, accountability and justice are more entitled to Nigeria than the group of scavengers occupying power. Take it to the bank, the protests are sacrosanct.

“Deploying antics of divide and rule will not only fail but antiquitated. The only antidote to the protests is for @officialABAT and his cult of plunderers to surrender to the demands of the people.

“The fear of the protests degenerating into anarchy is evil imaginations of your mind calculated at abating holding the government responsible. All we are demanding is good governance, which is not too much.”

A series of Nigerian football icons including Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, and John Mikel Obi were left out of the 25 greatest African athletes of the 21st century list.

In the 25 greatest African athletes of the 21st century list released by American publication, ESPN, Ethiopia’s long-distance runner, Kenenisa Bekele is said to be the greatest athlete the continent has ever seen from the year 2000 to date, followed by a Kenya distance runner, Eliud Kipchoge.

Cameroonian football icon, Samuel Eto’o is the first footballer to appear on the list as he occupies the third spot, followed by a swimmer from Zimbabwe, Kirsty Coventry, and Ethiopian female distance runner, Tirunesh Dibaba.

Surprisingly, only five Nigerian athletes made it into the 25 greatest African athletes of the 21st century list. They are: Asisat Oshoala who is ranked 9th on the list, Israel Adesanya ranked 15, and Perpetua Nkwocha ranked 20th.

Other Nigerians on the list are: Former UFC Welterweight Champion, Kamaru Usman ranked 23rd, and New York Giants legend Osi Umenyiora ranked 24th.

To the surprise of many, in the list in which Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, and even Perpetual found a spot, Kanu and Obi who won everything the aforementioned players won and more, weren’t included.

Kanu won league titles in Nigeria, Netherlands (multiple times), and of course at Arsenal (twice). He also won the Champions League once with Ajax and played in the final twice. To crown it all, he won Africa its first gold in football at the Olympics (1966). Yet, he wasn’t deemed fit for a place on the list.

The same argument can be applied to Mikel Obi who also won virtually everything in both club and international football. He even won a bronze medal at the Olympics, a title other footballers who made the list can’t boast of.

Based on the key factors that were used to compile the list which includes the performance of the athletes and the number of major titles won since 2000, it is understandable that the highly skilful Jay Jay Okocha didn’t make the list but can the same be said about the exclusion of Kanu Nwankwo and John Mikel Obi?

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed that the Federal Government did not give him any incentive to build his $20 billion refinery located at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

He stated that he paid $100 million for the land the refinery was built on.

Dangote disclosed this on Saturday when he received the leadership of the House led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and his deputy Benjamin Kalu.

According to him, “In the refinery, we did not, and I repeat, we did not collect one single incentive from the Federal Government of Nigeria or even Lagos State. Yes, the Lagos State gave us a good deal but we paid $100m for the land. It wasn’t a free land; we paid for it.

“Majority of the population are with us. So, we are not discouraged, we will continue what we are doing.”

Speaking further, Dangote said the claim in some quarters that his group of companies enjoy monopoly is not true.

He said, “If you look at all our operations at Dangote (Group), we add value; we take local raw materials and turn them into products, and we sell.

“We have never consciously or unconsciously stop anybody from doing the same business that we are doing.

“When we first came into cement production, it was only Lafarge that was operating here in Nigeria…Nobody ever called Lafarge a monopoly,” he said, adding that labelling his group of companies as monopolistic is disheartening.

“Monopoly is when you stop people, you block them through legal means. No, it is a level playing field whereby whatever Dangote was given in cement, for example, other people were given because some of them even got more than us.”

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has issued a stern warning to those orchestrating the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship.

The protest, which has gained significant traction on social media, is scheduled to take place across all states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in August.

Onanuga accused supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, of being behind the planned protest.

He emphasized that while it is the democratic right of citizens to protest, the organizers must be cautious to prevent the demonstration from being hijacked by elements that might cause chaos.

Explaining more on the post on his X (formerly Twitter) when he accused Peter Obi’s supporters of the planned protest, he told Sunday Vanguard on the phone, “My post is just to highlight that the people who are organizing this so-called nationwide protest are members of Labour party, they are Peter Obi supporters, so that’s my own take of it, it’s my own opinion so I am not going to say more than this.”

Reminded that Omoyele Sowore, an activist and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, in the 2023 elections, has cautioned that nobody would stop an action in which its time has come, Onanuga insisted that he was not interested in whatever those behind the planned protest want to do.

He said, “That is their problem; I am not interested in what they want to do. I am just trying to say, look, these are the people that are saying, we must do Kenya, so these are the people mobilizing; that is my own point.

“So, nobody is saying you must not protest; protest is legitimate in a democracy. The concern of people is that when you start a protest, and it is not well managed, the end cannot be predicted, just like people could not predict the end of EndSars.

“So, that’s just the concern of people. And again, when you are saying revolution now, revolution now, do they know the meaning of revolution now? Revolution means you are calling for a coup d’etat; that’s the meaning of it, and that’s the point that I am making, nothing more than that. So anybody can protest; it’s within their rights to protest; nobody says you should not protest.”

Further asked if he has any evidence to prove that it’s supporters of Peter Obi that are planning the protest, he said, “Check their handles and see what they are posting, just follow what they have been posting. What I did was to do content analysis of what these people are posting as a journalist.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State chapter has reacted to the defection of the reinstated Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu.

Recall that Shaibu, alongside prominent members with their supporters dumped the PDP on Saturday.

The decamping took place in Benin at the inauguration of the National Campaign Council by the APC National chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The deputy governor fell out with Governor Godwin Obaseki over his ambition to succeed his principal and was impeached after he lost to Asue Ighodalo in the PDP primary.

He was, however, reinstated by the court on Wednesday by the Abuja High Court and this has further caused division between Obaseki and him.

Speaking at the event, Shaibu said he was back to add value to the APC.

He said, “On behalf of the Legacy Group, I announce our movement to the APC. We have come to add value to the party.

“It is time to take back our state. We will not talk too much because action will speak for us. We are not afraid; we are ready to move forward.”

Reacting to Shaibu’s defection while speaking to Punch, the Chairman of the PDP in the state, Tony Aziegbemi wished the deputy governor well.

He claimed that those who were calling to join the party after Shaibu’s exit were more than those leaving.

He said, “I wish them good luck in their official endeavours. The PDP cannot be depleted because of this.

“Every vote counts but those who are now coming to us because of his exit are more than those who are leaving the party, so we are good. People have been calling me since he left to say they want to join our party.”

WhatsApp says its parent body, Meta, will be appealing the $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) regarding its violation of Nigeria’s data privacy laws.

The messaging app said this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

It said: “We disagree with the decision today as well as the fine and Meta will be appealing the decision.

“In 2021, we went to users globally to explain how talking to businesses among other things would work and while there was a lot of confusion then, it has actually proven quite popular,” the organisation said.

The reaction follows a statement released by the FCCPC and signed by its acting Executive Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, saying that Meta had denied Nigerian users control over their data.

The FCCPC said that Meta had also shared the users’ data without consent, and abused its market dominance.

According to the statement released to the media, the FCCPC’s final order imposed a monetary penalty of two hundred and twenty million U.S. dollars only, on Meta.

The penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020, the statement said.

The FCCPC announced that it initiated its investigation in May 2021, based on evidence suggesting that Meta, through its platforms, had breached the provisions of the FCCPA 2018 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019.

It stated that these regulations were in effect prior to the enactment and implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

The competition protection body noted that Meta responded to document requests and summons by providing some information.

It stated that Meta’s representatives and retained legal counsel had consistently engaged with and met investigators and analysts from the commission and the NDPC, including as recently as April 4, 2024.

The FCCPC highlighted that its investigation uncovered evidence of Meta engaging in practices that were abusive and invasive towards data consumers in Nigeria.

This included collecting personal data without consent and implementing discriminatory practices against Nigerians, among other issues.

Meta Platforms, Inc., doing business as Meta, is an American multinational technology conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California.
The company owns and operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, among other products and services.