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NASS vs Buhari: Uncertainty as Buhari faces impeachment threat in last days

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The Senator Ahmad Lawan-led ninth Senate is known for absolute loyalty to the executive arm of government and has been cautious not to flex muscle, even if there was seeming infraction on the constitution.

That jinx seemed to have been broken for real, given the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators’ audacious move on Wednesday, 27 July, 2022, where they issued six weeks ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to fix insecurity in Nigeria or got booted out of office.

The minority leader of the Senate and lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Philip Aduda, after a closed-door session, raised a point of order to have a motion of insecurity discussed, but was ruled out of order by the Senate President.

Lawan hinged his decision on a breach of legislative rules by Aduda, as reasons he would not allow the motion to be entertained.

Irked by the Senate President’s resistance, the Minority leader, who was disappointed, insisted that the attacks by terrorists in the Federal Capital Territory, notably that of presidential guards that led to the killing of a lieutenant and a captain in Bwari area of Abuja, as well as abrupt closure of colleges in the Federal Capital Territory as a result of attacks by bandits and terrorists, were issues of “national interest”, which were discussed and agreed behind closed-door.

He mobilized his colleagues and staged a walkout in protest.

He said, “Abuja was no longer safe”, lamenting that all recommendations and resolutions by the legislative arm of government were not implemented, a development the lawmakers claimed were responsible for endless attacks across the country.

Giving clarification on some members of the APC, Senator Aduda said at the time of the briefing, that some of them have identified with the impeachment plot, revealing that the APC Senators have complained of ineptitude of Mr President that have given rise to the attacks in the Federal Capital Territory.

While addressing journalists, the opposition lawmakers were confident that they have the required number of lawmakers to effect the impeachment.

Also, in less than 24 hours, the upper and lower legislative Chambers met to harmonize their plot. After a joint closed-door meeting, the House of Representatives minority caucus leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu assured Senators that they would concur on the impeachment move against President Buhari.

He told the well attended meeting by the opposition lawmakers that he had similarly raised a point of order on the heightening insecurity in Abuja, stressing that the House may have not protested in the manner, the Senators did, but lawmakers in the opposition and some members of APC in the lower legislative Chamber were satisfied that President Buhari should be impeached.

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Apart from insecurity, Elumelu said the free fall of the local currency which stood at N701 per dollar was a nagging issue among other worrisome issues that the parliamentarians must act within their constitutional means to save the nation.

“In the House, we acknowledged how our colleagues in the Senate had to walk out in protest over the state of the nation, as regards to insecurity.

“Concurrently though, we didn’t go the way Senators did, but I drew the House’s attention to what is happening in Nigeria, particularly the FCT, Abuja,” he said.

The lawmaker lamented how terrorists invaded Kuje prison and released suspects, adding the attack on presidential guards at Bwari that led to the killing of some senior military officers was a national embarrassment.

“As if that was not enough, the Minister of Education gave an order that all Schools in FCT be shut. Yesterday, the FCT Minister directed that all FCT schools should be closed and I gave a warning to my colleagues on the floor of the House that Abuja is no longer safe.

“If Abuja is safe, why should the Minister, serving under the APC-led government, instruct that all students should vacate.

“Why should the FCT Minister himself direct that all private schools be closed? Of course, this is a signal that Abuja is not safe”, he said.

Speaking with DAILY POST in Abuja over the weekend, Senator Babba Kaita representing Katsina North and who is barely three months in the Peoples Democratic Party, ruled out any mischief in the impeachment plot against Buhari.

According to him, the impeachment threat would assist Mr President to resolve the security challenges, insisting that insecurity was no respecter of political leanings.

According to him, President Buhari would understand the stand of the lawmakers, as even 40% of Katsina, where President Buhari hails from, is under the control of bandits.

The lawmaker, who is representing President Buhari, expressed optimism that the impeachment plot would compel the President to check security apparatus, wondering how heads haven’t rolled after the attack on Kuje Custodial Centre.

He said: “Let me first of all act as a statesman. This has nothing to do with opposition or political party because security is a general issue for everybody and insecurity doesn’t discriminate against APC, NNPP, Labour Party or PDP. We are tired of the happenings in the polity, day in and day out. We are daily losing citizens and loss of lives is not considered serious any longer in Nigeria.

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“The primary responsibility of any government is to secure the people. Unfortunately, we are faced with serious security challenges and like I said earlier on, the more the effort to tackle insecurity, the more the happenings, which is an anomaly.

“Usually, when the government invests in security, the country becomes more prosperous, stable and people live in peace with one another, but that is not the case with Nigeria.

“The impeachment plot has nothing to do with Mr. President. What we are trying to do is to help Mr President, who I know is an honest person. What we are trying to do is to get him to talk to the security personnel.

“Two weeks ago, there was a security breach at the Kuje Custodial Centre and heads didn’t roll. The Minister is still in charge; the Perm Sec is there; the head of prison is there; nobody is accountable. We cannot continue like this. So this is a real challenge, we want to ginger Mr President to do the right thing.

“People are just politicking. Somebody like me cannot see how elections can be conducted under these circumstances. About 30 to 40% of my State is insecure. From Funtua down to Katsina North in Jibia Local Government Council, up to Zamfara and Kaduna, are not safe. How do you hope to conduct an election under this circumstance? There is nothing political and as Senators, we are supposed to be responsible.

“We must be bipartisan and help the government by securing the country. Security doesn’t know political parties. My brother in the bush has a father, mother and brothers and it can affect anybody, so we don’t politicize security. I know that the government needs to do more at this critical time.”

However, Senator Mohammed Sankara, representing Jigawa North West Senatorial district differed on moves to impeach President Buhari.

He spoke amid reports that he had earlier indicated to join the opposition.

In a statement he issued over the weekend, the lawmaker distanced himself from the reported plans to impeach the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, as well as President Buhari.

This is not the first time, lawmakers would raise impeachment plot against President Buhari as the eight Senate similarly threatened to remove Buhari from office for spending the sum of $496,374,470 to purchase Tucano Jets without passing through the parliament as provided in law.

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Senator Mathew Uroghide, Chairman of Senate Committee on Public Accounts raised concerns over impunity of Mr President in spending a humongous amount of money without recourse to the National Assembly, but which was blocked by the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

However, if lawmakers will work on their talk, time may be a serious constraint as Buhari has barely ten months to end his second term of office, even as checks by DAILY POST on the number of opposition Senators revealed that, PDP currently has 37 Senators, APGA 1, Labour 1, NNPP 3, YPP 2, totalling 43.

As required by law, the lawmakers must have two-third majority to impeach President Buhari, and it couldn’t be confirmed, the number of APC Senators that would join the opposition in the impeachment project.

Another factor that may stop the lawmakers from carrying out their threats is the “lack of time” on their own part.

They are currently on a two-month vacation, to resume on September 20, after which they are coming to face the 2023 appropriation bill, which precedes electioneering campaigns for the 2023 general election.

Speaking on the legal implications of impeaching a sitting President, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Barrister James Omagbogu, citing relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution as amended, submitted that the procedure was tedious and cannot be observed before President Buhari’s time runs out.

He wondered why the lawmakers suddenly woke up to their constitutional obligation, lamenting that it was unfortunate for parliamentarians to cry wolf now that terrorists had taken the battle to their doorstep.

In his view, the impeachment process would involve the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who also doubles as President Buhari’s in-law, hence, it would amount to futility any attempt to remove him from office now.

He said: “The failure of the presidency to tame the tide of insecurity is also that of the parliament. Where were they all these while? There is no time, or is it the Attorney-General of the Federation, who will play a role in the process that will work against his in-law?”

Meanwhile, the presidency, in a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu, described the impeachment plot as “performative and babyish”, adding that it would amount to an empty threat. (Daily Post)

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Eid-el-Maulud: Gov. Mbah calls for religious harmony, patriotism, support for gov’t

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Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has called on Nigerians to learn to coexist peacefully regardless of their religious beliefs, adding that doing so would promote peace and accelerate the country’s development.

In an Eid-el-Maulud message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dan Nwomeh, Governor Mbah expressed his congratulations to the Muslim community in the state, Nigeria, and throughout the world as they celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

Mbah urged the Muslim Ummah to always exhibit the same humility, empathy, and sympathy for the poor and needy as exhibited by Prophet Muhammad, and to not let the lessons of Eid-el-Mualud slip their minds.

He urged the populace to embrace the spirit of patriotism by assisting government initiatives both locally and nationally.

“As we celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, let me implore our people to take inspiration from his life and practise the virtues of peace, humility, selfless sacrifice, devotion, love of neighbours, and support for the government at all levels.

“In a time like this in the history of our nation, there is much we can learn from the Prophet’s life that will act as a catalyst for nation-building and national growth. We owe it to ourselves to always uphold the law.

“As a state, we will continue to defend our people and residents, guarantee that they live in a safe environment, and make the ultimate sacrifice of escorting whatever unlawful activity there may be out of the state. We are wasting no time in providing the necessary amenities for our people to enjoy decent standard of living, “he said.

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Murder of Oruku Traditional Ruler: Enugu court remands Police Inspector Dennis, Moses Nnamani

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• In the dock: Police Inspector Daniel Dennis and Moses Nnamani at Enugu Magistrate Court on Tuesday
An Enugu State Magistrate Court sitting in Enugu North, on Tuesday, remanded 46-year-old Inspector Daniel Dennis and one Mr Moses Nnamani for allegedly killing Igwe Emmanuel Chidiebere Mbah, the traditional ruler of Oruku community in Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State.

The Advocate reports that the arraignment of the 46-year-old police officer and Nnamani, a 57-year-old native of Oruku, came 2 years and 8 months after the gruesome murder of the monarch, who was committed to the restoration of peace in Oruku, a hitherto peaceful community that had been devastated by endless communal feud.

Several lives and property worth millions of naira had been lost on account of the senseless conflict while the community has long been deserted by the natives.

It was learnt that the Nigeria Police Force on September 14, this year,  finally released the police Inspector who allegedly shot and killed the traditional ruler and one of his collaborators, who led the police team to the scene of the incident, for trial.

The younger brother of the late traditional ruler, Mr Ejike Mbah, had on Monday, September 11, 2023 petitioned the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, asking him to intervene and ensure the prosecution of the Police Inspector  and his collaborators.

The traditional ruler was allegedly shot and killed on December 26, 2020, by Inspector Dennis who was attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the police, while he was addressing an annual general meeting of his community.

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On Tuesday, the Enugu State Police Command arraigned the duo on two counts bordering on conspiracy and murder in a suit numbered CME/673c/2023

The presiding Magistrate, (Mrs) Ngozi Edeani, subsequently remanded the duo at the Enugu Maximum Correctional Custodial Centre after the charges were read to them because the court had no jurisdiction on the matter.

The two-count charge obtained by The Advocate reads: “That you Moses Nnamani ‘m’, Daniel Dennis ‘m’, others now in Correctional Centre, Enugu in Charge No. CME/100C/2022 and CME/158C/2022-C.O.P vs. Emmanuel Nwobodo and others now at large on the 26th day of December 2020 at about 1400hours at Oruku Community in Nkanu East Magisterial District holden in Enugu did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 494 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.

“That you Moses Nnamani ‘m’, Daniel Dennis ‘m’, others now in Correctional Centre, Enugu in Charge No. CME/100C/2022 and CME/158C/2022- C.O.P vs. Emmanuel Nwobodo and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully kill the Traditional Ruler of Oruku Community, HRH Igwe Emmanuel Chidiebere Mbah ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun which led to his death and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.”

Meanwhile, the court adjourned to October 18, 2023, to get the opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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The Charge sheet:

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How Gateman plotted kidnap of master’s mother in-law, Nanny, Baby in Enugu – Police

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• Suspects paraded by Enugu State Police Command on Tuesday
• Twelve kidnap victims rescued
The police in Enugu on Tuesday revealed how one Kelechi Okwara aged 27, from Ohafia, Abia State, allegedly conspired with his brother serving as a gateman and kidnapped his master’s mother in-law, his nanny and little baby.
The incident occurred in Enugu last Saturday, September 23,2023, according to the State Police Commissioner, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu.
The gateman who is now at large was working in a house in Trans-Ekulu Enugu when they plotted the kidnap.
Kelechi and his gateman brother had taken the victims to an unknown destination, on 23/09/2023 at about 8pm, demanded and obtained a ransom of N3 million from the said master.
They were said to have used the proceed to buy a red coloured Toyota Corolla car, which was recovered upon his arrest last Sunday 24/09/2023 at about 6.30pm at Nokpa/Ezimma Nike boundary point, by Police Operatives in Abakpa and Trans-Ekulu Police Divisions, with assistance from Neighbourhood Watch Group.

Kelechi was among 92 suspected criminals arrested between August 16 and September 25 and paraded Tuesday by the Enugu State Police Command.

The suspects were arrested for cultism, robbery, murder, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.

Items recovered from them included four AK 47 rifles, 66 other firearms of different calibres, 333 live ammunition of different calibres, 25 vehicles and several other incriminating items such as charms and phones.

Addressing his maiden press conference as the 28th commissioner of police in Enugu, the CP, Kanayo Uzuegbu, disclosed that  12 kidnapped victims were also rescued from various parts of the state within the period under review.
Uzuegbu, who said the task of effectively policing the society is daily becoming daunting, however said he had since assumption of duty, ensured that the right policing strategies are devised to tackle existing and emerging security challenges in the State.

“These strategies are subsumed in my grassroots-driven, proactive, people-oriented and problem-solving policing thrust, which is in line with the policing Vision and Mission of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM.

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“In view of this, I have met and interacted with critical security stakeholders, including local government chairmen, traditional rulers, heads of other security agencies and many others, on the best ways to collectively tackle security challenges in the State. These engagements I must tell you have started paying off, as we are making remarkable progress in tackling violent crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery and the criminal activities of subversive criminals.

“It is a known fact that it is humanly impossible to totally eliminate crimes in human society. However, I want to assure the good people of Enugu State and visitors that we remain committed to ensuring that maximum security and tranquility are maintained in the State”.

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