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INEC Chairman, Yakubu, to deliver GOCOP annual lecture October 6

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1 year ago

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• INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has confirmed his readiness to keynote the 2022 conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

His confirmation was conveyed via a letter dated September 19, 2022 and addressed to the President of GOCOP, Maureen Chigbo.

The Chairman, Planning Committee of the conference, Ken Ugbechie, said the theme is ‘2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome’ and will be chaired by Dr. Umar Ardo, Founder of Centre for Alternative Policy Perspectives and Strategy (CAPPS).

Three panellists drawn from relevant stakeholders in civil society, legal profession, security and international organisations are expected at the event.

They are Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN; Dr. Solomon Arase (Retired Inspector General of Police) and Dr. ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director, Ford Foundation (West Africa).

Ugbechie noted that this year’s conference will be holding barely five months to the 2023 general elections and one week into the official commencement of campaigns by political parties, adding that it will provide a fitting roadmap for political actors and the various publics on the need to play by the rules and conform to acceptable electoral behaviour.

He further highlighted that this year’s conference will be heralded by a business luncheon with GOCOP partners and other media stakeholders on Wednesday, October 5, at the same venue.

It could be recalled that previous speakers at GOCOP conferences included Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto who took to the podium in 2019 to speak on “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward”. In 2021, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation keynoted the Conference in his capacity as Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19. He spoke on: “Post Covid-19 Pandemic: Recovery and Reconstruction in Nigeria.”

SEE ALSO:  UK granted 132,000 visas to Nigerians in first half 2023 — Envoy

A press statement by Remmy Nweke, Publicity Secretary of GOCOP quoted Ugbechie as saying that “the Guild was established to ensure that online publishers uphold the tenets of journalism in doing their jobs with membership cutting across Editors and senior journalists who, having distinguished themselves in the print and broadcast journalism, ventured into online journalism which is both the present and future of journalism globally.”

“The conference is therefore a veritable platform for the distillation and sharing of ideas from a carefully chosen array of resource persons from the entire socio-political ecosystem. GOCOP intends to use the opportunity of the conference to moderate the already tense political climate as well as to proffer solutions to current and anticipated challenges arising from the elections,” the statement said.

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

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4 hours ago

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September 27, 2023

By

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.

SEE ALSO:  UK granted 132,000 visas to Nigerians in first half 2023 — Envoy

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

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8 hours ago

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September 27, 2023

By

• 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.

SEE ALSO:  Alleged death of ESUT students over management negligence fabricated, fake – Enugu govt

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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17 hours ago

on

September 26, 2023

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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.

SEE ALSO:  Alleged death of ESUT students over management negligence fabricated, fake – Enugu govt

“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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