Clerk Reveals How Senate Rules were ‘amended’ for Saraki, Ekweremadu’s elections

The deputy clerk of the National Assembly, Benedict Efeturi, confirmed to police investigators that the senate’s standing orders used for the 2015 elections of Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as senate president and deputy respectively, were different from the 2011 version which should have been in use at the time, details of police investigation seen by PREMIUM TIMES show.

Mr. Efeturi made the disclosure to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Nigerian Police, which investigated allegations that the rules were forged to help Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu to their posts.

He however said the alteration, which some senators denounced as illegal as lawmakers were not informed about, was based on the directive of the former senate leadership, led by its president, David Mark.
He said the amendment was done “by convention and practice” and not be “procedure”, as previous versions of the rules were amended by the same method.

Messrs. Saraki, Ekweremadu, Efeturi and a former clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, have been charged with forgery. They were arraigned on Monday before a High Court in Abuja.
They deny wrongdoing. The senate president and his deputy accuse President Muhammadu Buhari of bias, and argue that the case is a violation of the independence of the legislature.
In his statement to the police, Mr. Efeturi, who is also the Clerk of the Senate, said the leadership of the seventh Senate under Mr. Mark ordered the 2015 Standing Rules be amended “not necessarily by procedure” but “by convention and practice”.

According to the report, he “stated that the leadership of the National Assembly of the 7th Senate ordered the 2015 Standing Rules as amended by their convention and practice. (He stated) that the Senate Standing Orders 2003, 2007 and 2011 followed the same procedure as that of 2015. He emphasized that in the Parliament, amendment of the Standing Orders is by practice not necessarily by procedure.
“He further stated that during the ruling of the Senate President on the 24th of June 2015, that the Senate Standing Orders of the Senate 2015 is authentic, final, relevant and cannot be challenged. He attached a copy of the debates of the Senate on Wednesday, the 24th of June where the Senate President ruled (that) the Senate Standing Order 2015 as authentic Standing Orders of the 8th Senate.”

“Fraudulent amendment”

Mr. Maikasuwa, who conducted the elections of Messrs Saraki and Ekweremadu, said he did not refer to any Senate Standing Rules, rather, he said he only performed his duty using “normal procedures for the opening of a new parliament”.

He said, according to the police report, “that before the election, he called on the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly who is also the Clerk to the Senate to read out the guidelines for the election”.
He denied knowledge of the existence or production of an amended Senate Standing Rules 2015, saying he had no business in the daily activities in the Senate.

He told the police Mr. Efeturi was “in better position to know of the 2015 Standing Orders as amended”.
The report says a number of Senators, including Suleiman Hukunyi, Kabiru Marafa, Ahmed Lawan, Abdullahi Gumel, Gbenga Ashafa, Robert Boroffice and Abu Ibrahim, were invited during the investigation.
In their separate statements, they said the seventh Senate did not amend the 2011 Standing Rules and thus, the amendment rules used for inauguration of the eighth assembly was fraudulent since there was no compliance with the requirements for amendment of Senate Rules.

Mr. Lawan, who contested and lost the senate presidency to Mr. Saraki, said, “The procedures for election into the two presiding offices are clearly stipulated in Order 2 (2(i) of the Senate Standing Rules 2011. That contrary to the provision of the above order, the Clerk to the National Assembly introduced and used order 3(3) e (ii) of the purported 2015 Standing Order”.

The report also noted the submissions of some former lawmakers like Ita Enang, who was chairman, Rules and Business in the seventh senate. Mr. Enang, now President Buhari’s assistant on senate matters, told the police that the previous Senate did not amend the rules.

Mr. Ekweremadu accused the police of bias in its investigation. His spokesperson, Uche Anichukwu, told PREMIUM TIMES that only All Progressives Congress Senators in the Unity Forum—a group opposed to the election of Mr. Saraki – were invited for questioning. He queried the basis for his arraignment as he was neither questioned nor indicted by the police.

In the summary, the police’s CIID said the contents of the 2015 Rules “are substantially different from the Senate Standing Order 2011 as amended” and that “Sections 2(iv), 3(3)EI,ii,iii,G and H, 5 and 7 of the Rules are different in the two Orders”.

“The allusion of the Clerk of the Senate to procedure of amending the Standing Orders of the Parliament through ‘practice and not necessarily procedure’ is a misplaced analogy and undemocratic because the Nigerian Senate has clearly laid down without a proviso, the procedure to be adopted in amending its standing orders as contained in the section 110 of 2011 Senate Standing Orders,” the police said.

It added that, “This practice where some group of senators amend the Rules of the Senate without following legal procedures is not only criminal but portends danger for growing democracy”.
The report, dated July 14, 2015, was forwarded to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to determine “if this conduct constitutes crime or should be treated as an internal affairs of the Senate”.

Saraki, Ekweremadu not mentioned or indicted

In the report, no complaint was raised against Mr. Saraki. He was not indicted. Although Mr. Ekweremadu was also not expressly indicted by the report, he was part of the seventh Senate leadership which Mr. Efeturi said gave orders for the rules to be amended. Mr. Ekweremadu was deputy senate president under Mr. Mark.
The criminal charges came about a year after the report was submitted to the Federal Government.
Mr. Saraki and the  other three accused persons were arraigned before an Abuja High Court on Monday, triggering a war of words between Mr. Saraki and President Muhammadu Buhari.

“That is what infuriated the Senate,” Mr. Anichukwu said. “How could you prosecute Saraki and Ekweremadu who were neither questioned nor indicted in the Police report.”

Source: PREMIUM TIMES
 

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Abia State: INEC issues Certificate of Return to Samson Ogah as new governor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has issued Mr. Samson Ogah Certificate of Return as the new governor of Abia State, three days after Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was sacked by a court, the News Agency of Nigeria has reported.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Monday directed Mr. Ikpeazu to immediately vacate office after convicting him of tax evasion.
The court also ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to Mr. Ogah, who contested the governorship ticket with the governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Mr. Ikpeazu had said through his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, that he remained the governor because he was challenging the judgment in a higher court.
As an appointee of Abia State Government from 2011 to 2014, he argued that his taxes were deducted at source.
He also argued that the state Board of Internal Revenue in 2014 issued him with valid tax receipts shortly before he contested the governorship election in the state.

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At Last, Buhari Signs 2016 Budget

Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed the 2016 budget of N6.06 trillion into law.
This is just as he said he was not unaware of the hardship being faced by the people because their cries get to him.
‎While signing the budget, Buhari said it gave him great pleasure to sign the first full-year budget of this administration into law.
He gave the assurance that he would be speaking in details about the budget, its implementation and the over-all national economic and social policies of the government in his address on May 29th.
While thanking the leadership of the National Assembly, for their cooperation in making this a reality, Buhari said: ‎ “As I said in my New Year message, living in the State House does not in any way alienate me from your daily struggles. I read the newspapers and listen to the TV and radio news. I hear your cries. Share your pains”.
According to him, the budget was to signpost a renewal of his administration's commitment to restoring it as a serious article of faith with the Nigerian people.
He said, “This administration is committed to ensuring that henceforth the annual appropriation bill is presented to the National Assembly in time for the passage of the Act before the beginning of the fiscal year.
“Through the 2016 budget, aptly titled 'Budget of Change', the government seeks to fulfill its own side of the social contract. The Budget I have signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N6.06trn. Further details of the approved budget, as well as our Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget, will be provided by the Honourable Minister of Budget & National Planning.
“In designing the 2016 budget, we made a deliberate choice to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy despite the huge decline in government revenues from crude oil exports. This is why we decided to enlarge the budget deficit at this time, to be financed principally through foreign and domestic borrowings”.
The president said that all borrowings would however be applied towards growth-enhancing capital expenditures.
Buhari said that N350 billion would immediately be injected into the economy.
He said “The signing of the budget today will trigger concerted efforts to reflate the Nigerian economy, a key element of which is an immediate injection of N350bn into the economy by way of capital projects.
“To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200bn to road construction as against a paltry N18bn allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget”.
Buhari said that ‎despite the current difficulties, his government would work extra hard to achieve his revenue projections.
He said: “Our revenue generating agencies are coming under better management and are being re-oriented. The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is expected to contribute significantly to improving transparency over government revenues.
“Our determined fight against corruption is resulting in improvements in the quality of public expenditure. The work of the Efficiency Unit, as well as other public financial management initiatives, are also contributing in this regard. The continuing efforts to reduce recurrent expenditures should hopefully free up more funds for capital expenditure in 2017 and beyond.
“We are experiencing probably the toughest economic times in the history of our nation. I want to commend the sacrifice, resilience and toughness of all Nigerians young and old who have despite the hardships continued to have hope and confidence of a great future for Nigerians.
“But permit me to say that this government is also like none other. We are absolutely committed to changing the structure of the Nigerian economy once and for all.
“We are working night and day to diversify the economy such that we never again have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country. So that we can produce the food we eat, make our own textiles, and produce most of things we use. We intend to create the environment for our young people to be able to innovate and create jobs through technology.
“I cannot promise you that this will be an easy journey but in the interest of so much and so many we must tread this difficult path. But I can assure you this government you have freely elected will work with honesty and dedication day and night to ensure that our country prospers and that the prosperity benefits all Nigerians.
The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki also spoke with journalists after the budget was signed. He said:‎ “First congratulations to all of us, to the Government of Nigeria and the legislative arm.
“Like I said in my remarks, the passing of the appropriation bill is the most difficult all over the world.
“Even America that we copy sometimes the government is shut down, we didn't see that in our case, it is a first time, is a new government so these sort of challenges are rare.
“But I'm happy we are all here to see that we have passed the budget and the president has ‎signed it and what we await now is implementation.
“I want to assure Nigerians that from the comment from the mouth of the president, our commitment is to see that the budget is implemented. It is not just the assent; it is now the implementation that is when Nigerians will begin to see the benefits.
“Like I said let's focus on the good part and pay less on the controversy that is behind us now and I want to assure Nigerians that the benefit expected from this budget is implemented”.
Shortly after the budget was signed, the Minister for Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma and the Minister of State, Hajia Zainab Ahmed ‎briefed journalists.
Udoma said‎, “The budget size that the legislature came out with was just slightly lower figure than what the executive submitted. So, it was N6.06 trillion, just slightly lower.
According to him the revenue assumptions of the budget passed by the National Assembly were the same.
Udoma said the budget had 2.2 per million barrels a day at $38 dollars.
Present at the budget signing ceremony yesterday were the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, among others.

 

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SubNews Magazine unveils foundation …urges Buhari to declare emergency in critical job creation agencies

SubNews Magazine today officially announced the unveiling of the SubNews Empowerment Foundation (SEF); a novelty that would bring about positive impact on the lives of the unemployed Nigerians and less privilege of the society.

Speaking at the unveiling event in Abuja, the Editor-in-Chief, SubNews Magazine, Mr. Tony Christian, said that SEF is an organ of SubNews Magazine essentially floated to complement various empowerment policies and programs of government in rural communities.

Tony Christian said the Foundation would regularly conduct research on the needs in communities and publish information that might be useful for government planning and empowerment strategies.

While expressing confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari’s job and wealth creation agenda, he called on the President to declare a state of emergency in critical job and wealth creation agencies of federal government across the country. 

“With the unveiling of SEF, SubNews Magazine has opened a new chapter in the history of Nigeria media practice where media organizations do not only tell stories but cooperate with government, corporate bodies and relevant stakeholders to empower the downtrodden in our communities.

“Concerned over the growing unemployment rate in Nigeria, SEF is calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in critical job and wealth creation agency of federal government, namely: the Bank of Industries Ltd (BoI), Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Industrial Training Funds (ITF), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) as well as the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND).

“SEF is particularly worried that while Nigerians are not in doubt about President Buhari strong and robust determination to reposition and restructure BoI to effectively serve as number one delivery vehicle to tackle unemployment and wealth creation challenges of the country, it would be counterproductive if the president fails to overhaul the existing management teams as presently constituted and replace them with individual who truly shares the vision and aspiration of the president alongside his change agenda.

“SEF is confident that with patient and support of all, the present administration will not only fulfill the promises made to Nigerians, but would lay a solid foundation upon which will lead to Nigeria’s greatness”, he stated.

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EXPOSED! Positions and job titles of 91 beneficiaries of the CBN Secret recruitment.

News website, Sahara Reporters, has published the positions and job titles of 91 children and relatives of politically exposed person secretly recruited by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Top government officials and party members whose children or relatives were hired in secretly hired by the bank include President Muhammadu Buhari, whose niece was employed; former Vice President Abubakar Atiku; Mamman Daura, a close ally of the president; Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, whose sons were hired, and the Minister of Interior, Abdurahman Danbazzau.
The recruitments have drawn widespread condemnations from Nigerians.
The CBN told PREMIUM TIMES it conducted a “targeted recruitment” to pick “specialists”, although it refused to directly confirm the names first published by Sahara Reporters over a week ago.
The presidency has not commented on the report, neither has any of the named ministers.
Quoting a top official of the CBN, Sahara Reporters said the governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, had arranged the hiring as way of endearing himself to the presidency and in return for saving his job.
According to the website, the CBN, in order to hide the scandal, often adjusted names of some of the beneficiaries. A common method used by the bank was using candidates’ first names and their fathers’ middle name instead of surnames.
For instance, the daughter of Mr Abubakar, Maryam, was listed as Maryam Atiku, instead of “Maryam Abubakar,” while the son of Mr. Dambazau became “Nagodi Abdulrahman, instead of Nagodi Dambazau.
The website on Wednesday published the positions and job titles of 91 beneficiaries of the clandestine recruitment.
1. Fatima Baba Shehu – Assistant Manager Step 01
2. Carpenter Barka Muhammad – Assistant Manager Step 02
3. Abiola Ologburo Adeniran – Assistant Manager Step 01
4. Akinwunmi Ayodeji Akintola – Assistant Manager Step 01
5. Abubakar Mohammed Yahaya – Assistant Manager Step 01
6. Usman Buba Jalo – Assistant Manager Step 01
7. Aduwak Laraba – Deputy Manager Step 01
8. Aina Michael O – Deputy Manager Step 01
9. Taslim Ganiyu Olalekan – Deputy Manager Step 01
10. Ethel Isioma Ojije – Deputy Manager Step 01
11. Abdulnasir Haruna – Deputy Manager Step 02
12. Iheomamere Chikezie Chikwendu – Deputy Manager Step 02
13. Solomon Ezra Monde – Deputy Manager Step 02
14. Aminu Ahmadu Dauda- Manager Step 01
15. Sunday John Momoh – Manager Step 02
16. Mustapha Mariam Bukola – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
17. Ayoola Oluwabukola – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
18. Adefela H. Adejuwon – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 02
19. Owoade Adedamola Kazeem – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
20. Omitokun Omolola Temitope – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
21. Ibrahim Ahmed Lawan – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
22. Maryam Adamu Bahamas – Senior Supervisor 1 step 0
23. Olajide Tolani Kudirat – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
24. Temitope Adeola Odunowo – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
25. Mohammed Ameer Ibrahim Bunu – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
26. Hajara Sani – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
27. Abdulmalik Atta – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
28. Nagode Abdulrahman – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
29. Ahmed Aminu-Kano – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
30. John Irimiya Balewa – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
31. Na’abba Fatima Ghali -Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
32. Abdullahi Mohammed Nuradeen – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
33. Sadiq Inuwa Baba – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
34. Sadik Uba Sule – Senior supervisor i step 01
35. Olawunmi Adedoyin Kayode – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
36. Ibironke Ifeoluwa Adetunbi – Senior supervisor 1 Step 01
37. Ikyembe Terseel Ikyembe – Senior supervisor 1 Step 01
38. Princewill Eva – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
39. Abdul-hakeem Mohammed Ali – Senior Supervisor 1 step 01
40. Mbwiduffu Ibrahim Auta – Senior supervisor 1 step 01
41. Essien Innocent Joshua – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
42. Titilayo Tola Olowoniyi – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
43. Aminu Halimat Sadia Abdullahi – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 02
44. Abba Mustapha Shettima – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 02
45. Farida Zuhair – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 02
46. Ekayi Nyofo Shitta – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
47. Omoile Kingsley Ucheka – Senior supervisor 2 Step 01
48. Muhammed Hassan – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
49. Ukute Patrick Ewere – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
50. Ibrahim Kabir Tijjani – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
51. Maryam Abubakar – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
52. Odelola Oyekunle Isimenme – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
53. Yinusa Bilikis Orekuleyin – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
54. Muhammad Muhammad Magasa – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
55. Ayoola B Oyebanjo – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
56. Mohammad Ahmad Adamu – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
57. Alexandar Chukwuka Okakwu – Senior Supervisor 1 Step 01
58. Okocha Uzoma Meshwork – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
59. Hassan Usman – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
60. Dahiru Isa Abba – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
61. Joel Ugochukwu Jones – Senior Supervisor 2 step 01
62. Ibrahim usman – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
63. Fatima Imam – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
64. Yisa Daniel Nma – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
65. Yamani Sanusi – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
66. Ejike Emmanuel Ibe – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
67. Jibril Abdullahi Ibrahim – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
68. Shima Kuma – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
69. Loretta Laye – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
70. Hanafi Abubakar Mujeli – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
71. Ahmed Zainab Shehu – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
72. Musa Ibrahim – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
73. Oruche Chukwudubem Godwin – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
74. Yakub Umar Yakub – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
75. Idigo Ifeanyi Charles – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
76. Asuzu Obioma C – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
77. James Elizabeth Edidiong – Senior supervisor 2 Step 01
78. Salami Bashirat Omolola – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
79. Ibrahim Muhammed Kabir – Senior supervisor ii step 01
80. Kamaludden Tukur Tafida – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
81. Ibeh Nnadozie Nathaniel – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
82. Samaila Shehu – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
83. Mohammed Ali – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
84. Rabiu Musa Mbulo – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
85. Aliyu Aisha Yakubu – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
86. Yahaya Sani – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
87. Muhammad Isah Rumu – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
88. Onoja Uwane Jessica – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
89. Ahmad Aminu – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
90. Nasreen Mamman-Daura – Senior Supervisor 2 step 02
91. Babayo Abdulhakeem Abdullahi – Senior Supervisor 2 Step 01
 Source: PREMIUM TIME

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Discover how to create your own information product on ANY Subject

We just open registration into our new online course and accepting a LIMITED number of students into our NEW Class. 

So, if you would like to learn a proven system to help you create product that addresses your customer’s deepest desires, then enrolling in the Masterclass will be one of THE BEST investments you’ve ever made in yourself this year!

If you look around at some of the TOP Internet markers and successful online entrepreneurs, what do they all have in common? 

They ALL have their own product or line of products to sell

That’s why I believe that having your own information product right now is probably the most exciting thing for anyone who is serious about building their own business and personal brand online. 

People are hungrier for information now than ever. The demand is there and bigger than ever. But what has changed is HOW to create product that people really love and want to buy. 

Sadly enough, most of what is being taught about HOW to do this is not just wrong, but totally awful.

Too many information products and programs have been flying out there that pour on you an avalanche of ideas, strategies, technical details, tips and tools. 

Many failed Internet marketers go on to make their own products often teaching others the very same systems that had failed for them. 

To make matter worse, most products and programs are practically similar or at least, rehearsed over and over again. 

I believe this is one of the reasons why most current product creation teachings is outdated and frankly just does not work. 

After 6 years online, running my own information business and coaching startup infopreneurs to success, I’ve seen a few things come down the road since I started. And I can tell you that most products out there are full of theories and don’t actually work. 

That's why I created this new course to show anyone how to create simple digital information product that you can sell online. 

If you’re searching for a way to make a living that is more satisfying and that makes a BIGGER positive impact in the world, you’re invited to join us.

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So hurry, don’t wait join the class NOW. Get more details Click here for more details

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President Buhari Returns From Saudi Arabia

President Muhammadu Buhari is back in Nigeria after a week-long official visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The presidential jet arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, in the nation’s capital, Abuja, at about 5:30pm local time, where the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory received him.

The presidential guard was also on hand for a brief airport ceremony to welcome him.

The President was in Riyadyh for talks with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and senior officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Talks focused on how to achieve greater stability in the price of crude oil exports.

In Qatar, President Buhari held talks with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani, which culminated in the signing of a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to pave way for direct flights between major cities of both countries.

Both countries also signed an agreement to avoid double taxation and tax evasion on the sideline of President Muhammadu Buhari’s state visit to Qatar.

At a meeting with the business community in Qatar, President Buhari also assured them that his government would remove any impediment that could hinder investment in Nigeria.

The Nigerian leader also met with Nigerian community in Qatar where he urged them to urged them to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and selfless service to encourage more foreign investments.

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Forced Marriage: Abducted 14 Year-old Girl Released To Police

A 14-year old girl, Ese Oruru, allegedly abducted in Bayelsa State and taken to Kano for marriage under Islamic rites has been released to the Nigeria Police Force.


It was gathered that the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has instructed that Ese be reunited with her family on Tuesday.

The ordeal of Ese started on August 12, 2015 in Yenagoa of Bayelsa State, when Yinusa a known customer of Ese’s mother, Mrs Rose Oruru, took her away from Bayelsa to Kano on the purported excuse that she had converted to Islam.

Yinusa was a Keke [tricycle] rider in Yenogoa, who sold all his belongings before he eloped with the girl.

Ese’s parents have traveled to Kano State on several occasions in the past six months with officers of the Nigeria Police Force to secure her release without positive result.

Her alleged kidnap has caused quite an outrage, as earlier on Monday the President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade Udengs Eradiri, in Yenagoa issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Arewa Community in Bayelsa State to ensure that she is released and safely returned to the state.

A human rights activist, Ankio Briggs, had also called for her release.

In a tweet, a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, quoted the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as saying that Ese would be taken to Abuja on Tuesday and handed over to the Commissioner of Police in charge of Bayelsa to reunite her with her parents.

“She is crying and refusing to go home. She does not want to go back but I have insisted she must go,” she quoted the Emir as saying.

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