Tag: Nigeria

Former minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, has recalled how social media threatened his 40-year-old marriage.

 

Lai, who spoke in Lagos at an event to commemorate the 90th birthday anniversary of Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, stated that one of the pressing challenges he faced in office as minister was the spate of ‘’fake news, misinformation and disinformation” which were far-reaching. 

 

He said; 

 

“Permit me to share publicly with you today for the first time, how social media threatened the foundation of my forty-year-old marriage.

“It was sometimes in 2018 when I came to Lagos from Abuja for an official assignment. As usual, I retire to bed about midnight, but about 3 am, my wife gently roused me from my slumber.

“At first, I panicked, fearing that there had been a security breach, but my wife’s mien belied that possibility, for she was calm and composed.

“Solemnly, my wife asked me if I was fully awake as there were some serious issues to discuss. I could not fathom what was that urgent or serious to warrant being woken up at this time of the night.

“My mind immediately did a kaleidoscope of my rascalities and escapades in the last few months. Daddy, death can come knocking at any moment, please let me also, as your wife, be a signatory to your oversea account in Ali Financial which contains 1.3 billion dollars.

“I spent the next two hours or so, sweating to convince my wife that there is no iota of truth in the allegation. I had to fetch a calculator and reproduce the federal appropriation act for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 in the middle of the night and explain to her why it is simply preposterous for me to have 1.3 billion dollars in a foreign account.

“I explained to her that there is no year my capital budget exceeded N5 billion, which  then, at about N400 to a dollar, was just 12.5 million dollars.

“I explained that, even if I managed to divert every kobo of it to my personal account, it will take at least, 104 years to save the sum of 1.3 billion dollars being peddled that I stole.

“My wife insisted that the whole world believed the story and that her friends had as a result, besieged her with all kinds of requests.

“She said every effort on her part to deny the existence of this foreign account only succeeded in depicting her in the minds of her friends as a selfish, greedy and uncaring friend. Is my wife truly convinced of my innocence? The answer is in the wind!”

 

Lai Mohammed also averred that social media remain the platforms of choice for the purveyors of fake news, anti-state groups, anarchists, secessionists, terrorists and bandits. The former minister called for a robust regulatory frameworks to curb the spread of false information while safeguarding freedom of expression.

 

He said; 

 

“The consequences of disinformation and misinformation are far-reaching. They undermine democratic processes, sow discord within communities, and pose significant threats to public health and safety.

“Today, even the media is at the risk of losing its credibility because of the proliferation of fake news on the social media.

“Therefore, the media, as custodians of the public trust, must take decisive action to combat the scourge of disinformation and misinformation.”

 

 

The police in Kaduna State in collaboration with military have arrested a suspected notorious kidnappers’ gang leader, Saidu Yakubu, also known as “Ismail.”

 

A statement on Saturday by the Command’s spokesman ASP Mansir Hassan, said that the suspect was arrested on Friday, March 22, 2024.

 

According to the statement, the gang was allegedly behind the September 7, 2023 attack at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Fadan Kamanta, Kafanchan Diocese, in the Jema’ah Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

 

SaharaReporters reports that during the attack, the parish house was razed together with a seminarian, Na’aman Danladi, to death.

 

He said, “In a commendable display of swift action and dedication to public safety, the Kaduna State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner, Ali Dabigi, has successfully apprehended a notorious kidnapper, Yakubu Saidu, also known as Ismail ‘M’ who was involved in banditry, culpable homicide and mischief by fire.

 

“On September 7, 2023, at approximately 2030hrs, the Officer in Charge of Fadan Kamanta, Zonkwa, alerted authorities of a distressing situation at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, where suspected kidnappers had launched an attack. Despite the urgency of the situation, police operatives, in collaboration with military personnel, swiftly mobilised to the scene.

 

 

“Regrettably, the suspects had already set ablaze the priest’s residence before the arrival of the security personnel. Despite the valiant efforts, one seminarian, Stephen Naaman, tragically lost his life in the inferno and property worth millions of naira, including a Honda vehicle and a motorcycle, were consumed by the fire.

 

“Due to diligence and the tireless pursuit of the issue by the police, on March 22, 2024, one Yakubu Saidu, the alleged mastermind and leader of the notorious kidnapping gang, was apprehended and he confessed to his involvement in the heinous crime.”

 

He stated that the state Commissioner of Police commended the police operatives for the swift and effective response to the distress call.

 

“Their dedication and bravery are a testament to their commitment to protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Kaduna State.”

 

The police spokesman also reassured the public of the command’s unwavering resolve to combat crime and ensure the safety and security of all residents in the state.

 

US-based Nigerian Professor, Uju Anya, is engaged to her Lesbian partner, Sirry Alang. 

 

Anya shared the news on her social media handle today, March 23. Uju wrote;

‘’Y’all. She said we were going to Summer Lee’s party. I arrived to pick her up and had the most delicious shock. She colluded with folks, people flew in, we were surrounded by love. In front of our children and dear friends, Sirry Alang asked me to be her wife. And I said yes.”

Sirry who is a Professor as well, took to Uju’s comment section to further express her love. 

 

Watch a video from the surprise proposal below

 

 

 

As the crisis in the Labour Party continues to fester, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party to desist from validating the “illegal Labour Party National Convention” scheduled for March 27, 2024.

 

In separate letters dated March 22, 2024, addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the LP National Legal Adviser and obtained by SaharaReporters, NLC warned that if the party did not desist and stop the Convention, it would sue the LP for contempt in view of the two valid judgements of the Federal High Court.

 

SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday, that members of the Nigeria Labour Congress picketed the offices of Labour Party nationwide, over alleged financial mismanagement by the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the party.

 

SaharaReporters also reported on March 20, that the Political Commission of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) directed state chapters of NLC to mobilise members to picket all Labour Party offices nationwide over the lingering political crisis in the party.

 

NLC had accused the embattled National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure of unilateral decision to hold a national convention of the party, amid financial rascality and contempt for the leadership of the NLC. 

 

Meanwhile, NLC in the letter cited that the proposed National Convention of the Labour Party is in violation of the valid orders of court in suit “Nos; (1) FHC/ABJ/CS/491/2021;

 

(2) FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014

 

Between; (1) Labour Party & 9 Ors Vs Barrister Julius Abure & 2 Ors;

 

(2) Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed & 8 Ors.”

 

In the letter signed by Marshal Abubakar, LP of the Falana and Falana Chambers, solicitors to the NLC, the union specifically warned the National Legal Officer of LP that if the convention holds in violation of the orders of the court, it would not only institute contempt proceedings against him being party to the two judgements of the court, but will report him to the disciplinary committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

 

The organised labour also appealed to INEC chairman to restrain officials of the Commission from undermining the due administration of justice and respect for rule of law by attending the illegal convention.

 

Titled: “Request To Desist From Validating The Illegal Labour Party National Convention Scheduled For March 27, 2024,” the letter addressed to Legal Adviser to LP partly read: “We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress on whose behalf we write this letter.

 

“It has come to our notice that Mr. Julius Abure, the Chairman of the Labour Party and a handful of his supporters are planning to hold a National Convention of the Labour Party on 27th March, 2024 at Abia, Abia State with the active connivance of some officials of the Commission under your able leadership.

 

“As you are no doubt aware, a National Convention conducted by the Abure faction will be violative of the judgement of the Federal High Court in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed, where the court had declared the Labour Party as “an institutional political party founded, promoted and registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on behalf of the Nigerian Workers.” and thus ordered the factions to “convene an expansive and inclusive National Convention of the party.”

 

“Similarly, the plaintiffs in Suit no; FHC/ABJ/CS/ 491/2021 between Labour Party & 9 Ors. Vs Barrister Julius Abure & 2 Ors. had approached the Federal High Court seeking inter alia; an order of injunction in favour of the plainiffs restraining the 1st (Barrister Julius Abure), 2nd (Umar Farouk) 3rd (Barr. Akingbade Samuel Oyelakin) defendants or any and/or all of the national officers appointed in any manner violative of the orders of the federal high court in suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed & Ors. 

 

“In a well-considered ruling, the Federal High Court on Friday July, 23, 2021 ruled, “An order is hereby made for the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum in other not to disturb the res of the matter pending further order of this Court.” Attached is a CTC of the Order.

 

“Worthy of note is the fact that you were the counsel on record and indeed represented the 1st to 3rd Respondents in the foregoing suit.

 

“In view of the foregoing, we are compelled to urge you to refrain yourself and properly advise your clients to desist from proceeding with the illegal national convention of the labour party scheduled for March 27, 2024.

 

“Upon failing, we shall institute contempt proceedings against you and the other defendants and report you to the disciplinary committee of the NBA.

 

“Whilst anticipating your cooperation and understanding, please, accept as usual, our professional regards.”