News
How MKO Abiola framed my dad, Fela Kuti for robbery, wanted him killed – Seun Kuti
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
One of the sons of Afro-beats legend, Fela Kuti, Seun, has disclosed how the late MKO Abiola and his wife, Simbiat, framed his father up for armed robbery during the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari.
Seun claimed that Abiola and Simbiat accused Fela of stealing their Ferrari car at gunpoint.
During Buhari’s military era, his Deputy Head of State, Tunde Idiagbon, ensured the enforcement of laws that made armed robbery punishable by death.
However, Seun said Fela escaped the setup because he was performing in Cameroon while the Abiolas raised the allegation at a police station.
In a live Instagram post, Seun Kuti said: “Abiola and his wife, Simbiat, lied against Fela that he and his boys robbed her of her Ferrari at gunpoint under Idiagbon’s regime. This was Abiola and his wife’s plan to kill my dad because, under Idiagbon, armed robbery was punishable by death.
“Abiola and Simbiat wrote a statement at a police station that they saw Fela and his gang rob her at gunpoint. This led to Fela’s arrest which is punishable by death, but luckily for Fela, he was performing in Cameroon the very day Simbiat was lying about the theft. Fela escaped the case because he can’t be in two places at the same time; its either he’s on a stage in Cameroon or robbing in Lagos.
“Responding, Fela and my elder brother, Femi, took 12 buckets of faeces go and listen to his song – give me shit, I give you shit – then you will have a better understanding. They took it to Abiola’s house in the middle of the night and smeared his compound.
“The next day, the police visited my father’s house saying they came to investigate the shit-show in Abiola’s house the previous day.
But Fela denied the act saying if given the opportunity, he would smear Abiola’s house with faeces.”
News
Insecurity: Police recover eight explosives in Borno
The Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal(EOD) Unit, on Friday, recovered unexploded military ordnances in Maiduguri following reports from vigilant residents.
This was revealed in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Saturday.
The statement disclosed that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) team was deployed to secure the affected areas.
“All ordnances were safely evacuated without any loss of life, injury, or property damage, and normalcy has been restored.
“In the Dala Kacchallah area, the operatives recovered six (6) unexploded projectiles and one (1) mortar bomb near an uncompleted building. Reports indicate that the items, washed ashore by recent flooding, were abandoned by local scavengers.
“Similarly, at the Gwange Riverbank, a military hand grenade was discovered. In both instances, the EOD-CBRN team safely removed the ordnances, declared the areas safe, and conducted explosive risk awareness campaigns to sensitize residents.
“Commending the professionalism and prompt response of the EOD-CBRN Unit, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, NPM has assured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to ensuring public safety and security.
The IGP also noted that the EOD team in Borno State has been consistent in responsiveness and professionalism in preventing series of calamities as many IEDs have been safely recovered in many instances within the state. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origins of the recovered items and to prevent future occurrences.
“The Inspector-General of Police urges members of the public to refrain from handling suspicious objects and to promptly report such discoveries to the police. The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mandate to protect lives and property across Maiduguri and its environs,” the statement read.
News
Simon Ekpa: FG’s attempt to extradite self acclimated freedom fighter may hit brickwall
The Federal Government’s attempt to extradite pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa, from Finland to face terrorism charges in Nigeria may hit brickwall.
According to The Africa Report, this is due to Finnish legal restrictions.
The self-declared prime minister of the Biafra Government In Exile (BRIGE) was arrested alongside four others by Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over terrorism related activities.
The Finnish police said they suspect that Mr Ekpa “has contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in South-eastern Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s defence chief, General Christopher Musa while reacting to the arrest, said the country will proceed to push for Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria.
While Finland has confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, the country made it clear that, according to Finnish law, the country will not extradite its nationals outside the European Union or Nordic countries.
This further complicates Nigeria’s request since there is no extradition treaty between the two countries.
Even though Finland and Nigeria are in contact, the legal framework prohibits the transfer of citizens for trial in non-EU countries.
According to reports, everything has to be done according to Finnish legislation, which has very strong protections for freedom of speech
“The issue of an extradition treaty is very fundamental. If there is no extradition treaty between the two countries, there can be no legal basis or justification for extraditing Ekpa,” a Lagos-based lawyer Festus Ogun said.
Vince Onyekwelu, former British Police Officer and National Security Risk Strategist said the chances of Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria are also slim.
Onyekwelu said while appearing on Arise TV:
“Professionally speaking, the Finnish Authorities have done their due diligence and have every right to arrest Simon Ekpa. It is left for the court to look into the request by the Chief of Defence Staff to extradite Ekpa to Nigeria. However, with the absence of an extradition treaty between Nigeria and Finland, Ekpa’s extradition will seem unlikely.”
News
Minimum wage: Yobe Gov approves N70k for workers
Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants in the state effective December 2024.
This is contained in a memo signed by the governor, following recommendations by the committee on Minimum wage constituted by the state government.
The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.
The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.
The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.
The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.
According to a statement signed by the spokesman to the governor, Mamman Mohammed, the Government expects civil servants in the state to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to ensure effective and efficient service delivery
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