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INEC ad hoc staff protest in Imo

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6 years ago

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Scores of ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commissione, INEC, who did not know their fate Saturday, protested in front of the Owerri office of the establishment.

The protesters, which included Collation and Returning Officers, told Vanguard at the scene that although they received proper training for the exercise, but were yet to be deployed by INEC.

Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the protest, the group’s spokesperson, Mr. Michael Echetama, said they were surprised that INEC have failed to determine their fate and roles in the ongoing polls.

“Although we are from varying Federal Government owned institutions, feelers getting to us, has it that INEC is planning to settle for only the staff of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, for the current exercise”, Echetama said. When contacted on her mobile line for comments, the INEC Public Relations Officer of INEC in Imo state, Mrs. Emmanuella Opara, said the protest was unnecessary. “The protest is not necessary. Honestly, they have not need to cluster in front of our office. The shortlisted ad hoc staff have since, been notified appropriately through text messages”, Opara explained. On the allegation that the Commission only settled for FUTO staff, Mrs. Opara said it was not true. “It is not true that the Commission settled for only FUTO staff. The ad hoc staff the Commission recruited, cut across all institutions”, Opara explained. Meanwhile, a startling discovery was recorded at Naze polling booth 2, Owerri North local government area. Vanguard was told that no fewer than 290 sheets of the Senatorial Ballot Paper was missing and the INEC staff could not account for it, as the materials arrived more than two hours late. A top civil servant, who did not want her name in print, expressed shock over the alleged loss of 290 ballot papers. “What do you call this? Who removed it? Will it eventually count when returned? This is not good for our democracy”, the lady lamented. At Osu Owerri Ward, where the former Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, was supposed to vote, materials were yet to arrive as at 1pm when Vanguard left the voting centre. Reports coming from Ogboko, the country home of Governor Rochas Okorocha, had it that a Premium Is reporter was attacked at one of the polling centres, and at the Divisional Police Officer’s,as at the time of going to press. The situation at Mbaitoli local government area was not particularly rosy in most polling centres visited, as less than two and a half hours to the end of voting, the exercise did not commence. Professor C. B. C. Ohanuzuo, who spoke to Vanguard at the polling unit 7 in Amauzari Ward, Isiala Mbano local government area, lamented that as at 12 noon, there was no sign of INEC there or in any of the polling units in the Ward. “I honestly, don’t know what INEC has up the sleeves. I will not go away from this polling centre. I’ll sit it out here, no matter the pain and frustration”, Professor Ohanuzuo said. Voters at the Modonna Model Secondary School, Works Layout, Owerri, the voters sensed foul play. Speaking to Vanguard on phone,a senior citizen, Chief Donald Ekenta said that although INEC adhoc staff arrived booth 003 at 1.05 pm, he announced to the bewildered voters that he came with incomplete ballot boxes and ballot papers. “The adhoc staff claimed that they were waylaid between Government Secondary School, Owerri, and our voting centre. There is serious tension here, especially as a Toyota Sienna vehicle, with police branding, drove into this arena and the young man away”, Ekenta recounted. Continuing, Chief Ekenta said that nobody was sure if the armed people were real police personnel or fakes. “For now, no voting has taken place at this polling centre. It is only hoped that nobody will turn in any result, purporting it to have come from here”, Chief Ekenta pleaded.

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

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9 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

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21 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

Published

22 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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