SENATOR OBINNA OGBA, REPRESENTING EBONYI CENTRAL SENATORIAL ZONE, BUILDS BIG CATHEDRAL FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HIS TOWN
Church Building By Sen. Ogba
The construction of the edifice, according to Sen. Ogba, is the fulfillment of the promise he made unto God before the 2015 general elections, that if He (God) crowned his election with victory, that he would build a place where the name of God will forever be reverenced.
The Cathedral will be formally handed over to All Saints Catholic Church, Amanvu, Nkalagu, Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State, his hometown on 12th, March 2022, under the lordship of Most Rev. Dr Peter Nworie Chukwu, Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki.
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MENTIONING THE NAME OF GOV. UMAHI IS PUNISHABLE BY EITHER DEATH, OR TORTURE, OR UNLAWFUL INCARCERATION, OR INDEFINITE DETENTION, SAYS SEN. ANYIM PIUS AS HE LAUDS BAIL OF PDP PUBLICITY SECRETARY IN EBONYI
Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim
{…Mentioning the name of Gov. David Umahi is certain to be punishable by either death or torture or unlawful incarceration or indefinite detention via the instrumentation of a subdued magistrate under a charge that has no place in a democratic society~ ANYIM }
AJM NEWS
Former President of the Senate and a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Anyim Pius Anyim, has commended the bail granted Chika Nwoba, the incarcerated PDP Publicity Secretary in Ebonyi State.
Anyim in a statement said the bail granted the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ebonyi State, Nwoba Chika Nwoba, calls for not only celebration but deep thoughts about the danger democracy is running into in Ebonyi State.
It will be recalled that Nwoba was abducted in a commando-style on January 9, 2021, by men alleged to be members of Ebubeagu outfit. The swift intervention of the State PDP Deputy Chairman, who invited the police to the scene, saved Nwoba from being killed by his abductors. “To the bewilderment of all, rather than arresting the culprits, the police turned around to detain Nwoba until January 26 when he was arraigned in court; for the following offence:
“That you Nwoba Chika Nwoba “M” on the 23rd day of September, 2020 at Ikwo L.G.A. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly and intentionally publish and circulate message via your Facebook Profile (known as Nwoba Chika Nwoba) and falsely credited it to David Umahi, which is a statement, grossly offensive and likely to disturb public peace knowing or having reason to believe that such statement, report is false which statement read:
“The truth is that the people in Gov. David Umahi’s government are not happy. They have a lot of vital information to leak to the public. What their problem has been overtime is, who’ll have the guts to air it out and not uncover the source….”
Anyim said the offence for which Mr. Nwoba was charged brings to the fore the fact that any fair comment on Ebonyi State Government let alone mentioning the name of Gov. David Umahi is certain to be punishable by either death or torture or unlawful incarceration or indefinite detention via the instrumentation of a subdued magistrate under a charge that has no place in a democratic society.
“The celebration today is not just because Nwoba has been granted bail but because he is alive and that the Deputy Chairman was available and intervened to disrupt the abduction. Otherwise, he would have disappeared to be found dead like many others. “Nwoba’s abduction is only one of the many cases of killings, maiming and intimidation of the opposition or any person that holds decent opinion in Ebonyi State since Governor David Umahi defected from the PDP to the APC in 2020.
“In another bizarre development, the governor on January 25, 2022, without reason or cause, directed that Linus Okorie, a former Member of the House of Representatives be declared wanted and followed up same by sending the dreaded Ebubeagu to besiege his Abakaliki home in an attempt to abduct him. His saving grace was that he was not at home at the time of the invasion. “On the 21/2/2022, the seat of the Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Odefa Obasi Odefa, was dramatical declared vacant on a bizarre allegation that he had resigned from his membership of the House of Assembly. In doing this, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly did not even consider the integrity of the House in raising such claim.
“We look forward to seeing the reaction of the Ebonyi State Police Command now that Mr. Odefa has clarified that his signature was forged and he is only being hunted because he affirmed his inability to defect to APC. True to the reign of terror in Ebonyi State, deadly hoodlums numbering over 50 were dispatched to surround his country home with unclear intentions. It took the firm resolve of youths of the community to dislodge them and save the Deputy Speaker and his family from evident danger.”
TRAGEDY: MOTHER AND HER 3 CHILDREN BURN TO ASHES IN IKWO, EBONYI STATE. CAUSE OF FIRE YET UNKNOWN
Burnt House With The Occupants
AJM NEWS
Report has it that a woman, Mrs. Chigozie Nte Onuobu and her 3 children were yesterday night burnt to ashes at their home in Agubata Echara, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
However, Onyitex Okoro who said the victim, Chigozie Nte Onuobu is his sister, also noted that the cause of the fire outbreak was yet unknown.
Onyitex who broke the news via his Facebook handle, wrote:
“A sister of mine and three of her children burnt to ashes at their country home Agubata Echara.
“Chigozie Nte Onuobu formerly known as Chigozie Nwoba and three of her children have been burnt to ashes last night, uptill now, the cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be identified. Rip sister Chigozie”.
EBONYI ASSEMBLY THROUGH THE DIRECTIVE OF GOVERNOR UMAHI, SUSPENDS HON. NGOZI EZIULO (REPRESENTING AFIKPO NORTH EAST ), SAME WAY AND REASON HER PREDECESSOR, HON. MARIA UDE NWACHI WAS SUSPENDED
The Suspension Is Coming Two Days After The Lawmaker, Hon. Eziulo Refuted The Claim That She Had Defected To The APC, As Announced In Her Absence By The House Of Assembly. She Went Further To Reveal That She Has Not Been Paid Her Salary And Entitlements Since Governor Umahi Joined APC
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AJM NEWS
The lawmaker representing Afikpo North East State Constituency, at the Ebonyi State House Of Assembly, Hon. Ngozi Lillian Eziulo, has alleged maltreatment by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly over her refusal to dump the Peoples Democratic Party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Hon. Eziulo said the powers that be have denied her every entitlement and salary due to her because she refused to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the state governor, Dave Umahi.
The lawmaker also denounced letters that were read on the floor of the House, stating that she defected to the APC and resigned as a member of the House.
On Monday, the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru read a letter alleging that the female lawmaker had resigned her membership of the House and defected to the APC.
But speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, Eziulo said she never wrote such documents, describing the so-called resignation as false.
“I never wrote the letter and can never write such letter. I am still wondering how they came about such a letter. That letter is a forgery. If they said I have resigned, let them bring such a letter let me see it with my signature.
“I am considering legal action because that letter is forged and you know forgery is a criminal offence,” she said.
The lawmaker said she had no reason to leave the PDP, which she said had been good to her.
She was absent during the plenary when the said letters were read on her behalf on the floor of the House.
She added: “Ever since the Governor defected, I have not been paid my entitlement including salary. When I asked, they said their reason is that I have not joined them in APC, that once I join, they will start paying. I told them if that is the condition, I will never join and they are still holding on to it,” she said.
She noted that despite a series of letters and reminders written by her lawyers to the House for her entitlements to be paid, the House has vehemently refused to pay her.
According to her, her life is being threatened by those who are hell-bent on forcing her to join the APC.
“My lawyer has written them twice asking them to pay my entitlements but they have refused. In fact, they have threatened to take my official car. They have also been threatening my life, by saying they will send their thugs after me all because I refused to join them,” she alleged.
The lawmaker said despite not being paid her entitlements, she has always attended sittings and other functions of the House of Assembly.
She vowed not to leave the PDP, saying, “I don’t see any reason why I should leave my party, PDP. This is a party that brought me to the House. I am somebody that will ever remain grateful to people that do me good. PDP did me well so I can’t leave the party.
“I have people that voted me into power. I didn’t vote myself into power. So, I can’t just leave without their permission and approval. When the issue of defecting to the APC came up, I asked for time to consult with my constituents and stakeholders who gave me the mandate.
“I consulted them and they told me to remain in PDP, so I remained in PDP. I have a love for my people and they have a love for me. So, if they said I wrote such a letter, I am saying to you here right now that I didn’t write such, it is fake. If they said I wrote and submitted it yesterday, I was in Abuja, so how is that possible?”
She added that the House may be plotting to suspend her from the House very soon.
She said, “I have been quiet in the house but that doesn’t mean I am weak. They should not take my quietness for weakness. I know after this; they will likely suspend me. I won’t be surprised if they do that. They have already planned to suspend me but I am not bothered. I have God and He will fight for me. Justice will always prevail in the long run.
“Since they stopped my salary and entitlements, I have been surviving because God has been providing for me through my stakeholders and party leaders who have stood by me.
“And that is the reason why I said I can’t leave the party because I have a lot of support from them. Even without being paid my salary and other entitlements, I have been attending plenary and my other legislative duties. I came to the House to provide quality Leadership to my people not for any financial gain. So, I have not allowed the nonpayment of my entitlements to affect my legislative duties.”
FG BANS MONEY RITUAL SCENES And SMOKING IN NOLLYWOOD MOVIES
Money Ritual Movie
AJM NEWS
Money ritual and smoking scenes have officially joined the list of subjects banned in Nollywood movies by the Muhammadu Buhari regime.
This development was confirmed by Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, during a media visit in Abuja.
The minister said featuring money rituals in some of its movies has negatively influenced the vulnerable youths.
He added: “To mitigate this, I have directed the National Film and Video Censors Board, the body set up to regulate the film and video industry in Nigeria, to take this issue into consideration while performing its role of censoring and classifying films and videos”.
He cited how recently apprehended suspected ritual killers blamed social media and Nollywood for influencing their decision to engage in ritual killings.
“I have also directed NFVCB to engage with stakeholders in the film industry in order to express the concerns of the government and Nigerians on the need to eschew money ritual content in their movies.”
Also on the list of banned subjects is smoking in movies as a non-smoking law was passed in Nollywood movies by the NFVCB. The board’s director, Adedayo Thomas, revealed that the board wants to toughen up awareness on the impacts of smoking and its effect on health.
The move to ban scenes of money ritual in movies follows a long-standing debate of whether Nollywood contributes to Nigeria’s social vices or that the industry is merely a reflection of the larger society.
PRESIDENT PUTIN RECOGNISES INDEPENDENCE OF PRO-RUSSIAN SEPARATISTS IN UKRAINE
President Putin
{…Russian President Vladimir Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin signs documents, including a decree recognising two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent, during a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow on February 21, 2022 }
AJM NEWS
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognised the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine in an emotional address on state-run television, despite warnings from the West this could trigger sweeping sanctions.
“I believe it is necessary to take a long overdue decision, to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic,” he said.
State television then showed Putin signing mutual aid agreements with rebel leaders in the Kremlin.
At the end of an hour-long speech, Putin asked Russia’s upper house of parliament, the Federation Council to “support this decision”.
The Russian leader also demanded that Ukraine end military operations against pro-Moscow rebels in the eastern part of the country, or face more possible bloodshed.
“We demand an immediate end to military operations,” Putin said.
“Otherwise, all responsibility for the possible continuation of bloodshed will be fully on the conscience of the regime in power in Ukraine,” he added.
The West had repeatedly warned Putin not to recognise Ukraine’s rebels, a move that effectively buries a fragile peace agreement regulating the conflict.
But the Russian leader ignored these pleas. He told French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shortly before his address was aired that he would recognise them.
Putin spoke for over an hour in a speech heavy with historical references questioning Ukraine’s right to sovereignty and alleging the West had cheated Moscow.
“Modern Ukraine was entirely and completely created by Russia,” Putin said.
MORE THAN 50 THUGS LOYAL TO EBONYI HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ATTACKED ME, SAYS EBONYI NUJ SECRETARY, NNAMDI AKPA
Nnamdi Akpa
AJM NEWS
The Secretary of Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Correspondent of The Guardian Newspaper, in the state, Nnamdi Akpa, has narrated how he was allegedly beaten by thugs loyal to the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, on Monday.
Akpa said he was hit, pushed down and punched many times by the thugs for refusing to release his phone to them.
He said it took the intervention of the Chairman of the NUJ in the state, Comrade Tony Nwizi, to save him.
He said, “My brother, it was something I never thought of that would happen today.
“I came out to work today, as usual, and I went to the House of Assembly, because of the rumoured move to remove the Deputy Speaker.
“The thugs were about 50 and they are loyal to the Speaker of the House, approached me and demanded that I should give them my phone. I said I won’t give them and all of a sudden, they started beating me. That’s all. I didn’t do anything to them.
“It was Mr Tony Nwizi that came and the thugs left me. I don’t know what would have happened to me if he didn’t come.”
GOVERNOR UMAHI EFFECTS MINOR CABINET RESHUFFLE, REMOVES EZE NWACHUKWU EZE FROM THE CONTROVERSIAL MINISTRY OF MARKETS AND PARKS DEVELOPMENT
Gov. Dave Umahi
AJM NEWS
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has approved the redeployment of Eze Nwachukwu, Ebonyi’s Commissioner for Markets and Parks Development to the state Ministry of Inter-Party Affairs in a minor cabinet reshuffle.
This is contained in a statement by the Secretary to State Government, Kenneth Ugbala, on Saturday in Abakaliki.
“Consequently, Nwachukwu is directed to handover his former office of Market and Parks Development to the Secretary to the State Government and Coordinating Commissioner before the close of work on Monday, February 21,” Mr Ugbala said.
Mr Ugbala said the redeployment was immediate and urged Mr Nwachukwu to handover all property and documents in his possession to the SSGs office.
He said Mr Umahi had also approved the re-designation of his Special Assistant on Social Development Goals (SDGs), Ngozi Obichukwu, to Senior Special Assistant on SDGs and Market Development.
Mr Ugbala, while congratulating the aide for the elevation, said that the re-designation was with immediate effect.
COURT STRIKES OUT SUIT TO DISQUALIFY ATIKU FROM CONTESTING 2023 PRESIDENCY
Atiku Abubakar
AJM NEWS
The Federal High Court on Monday in Abuja struck out a suit that seeking the disqualification of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, from contesting the 2023 Presidential Election.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/177, challenged Atiku’s eligibility on the premise that he is not a Nigerian by birth. It will be recalled that the subject of Atiku’s citizenship came shortly after the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOb, Nnamdi Kanu claimed that he was ‘Cameroonian’ in the build-up to the 2019 Elections.
It was gathered that a group, under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa, EMN, in the suit, urged the court to determine; “Whether section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), is the sole authority that spells out ways by which a person can become a Nigerian citizen by birth?”
“Whether by the provisions of section 131(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), only a Nigeria citizen by birth can contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” The group also joined the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Peoples Democratic Party and the attorney general of the federation as respondents in the case.
The Adamawa State Government, through its Attorney-General (AG), had on July 27, 2021, sought an order of the court to be joined in the suit. The Adamawa government told the court that Atiku was eligible to vie for the office of the president.
Delivering Judgement on the case, presiding justice, Inyang Ekwo struck out the suit for want of merit. Justice Ekwo held that since Plaintiff lacked the locus standi, the court, therefore, did not have the jurisdiction to entertain the case.
SIX DAYS AFTER 3 POLICE MEN WERE GUNNED DOWN AT EZIULO, GUNMEN HAVE KILLED NDLEA OFFICER, RAZED VAN IN EBONYI
Gunmen
AJM NEWS
Gunmen have killed an operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ebonyi State.
The operative was killed when the gunmen attacked an NDLEA team on duty along the Ezzamgbo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway on Sunday morning.
Another operative reportedly sustained a serious injury.
It was gathered that the location of the attack was close to a military checkpoint along the expressway.
A credible source said the incident happened around 3am on Sunday.
The source further disclosed that the gunmen also collected one riffle from the officers.
They also set ablaze an NDLEA patrol Hilux Van.
The source said: “On 20th Feb. 2022, Sunday morning at about 300hrs at a drug checkpoint along Enugu Abakaliki expressway at Ezzangbo, unknown gunmen attacked drug law enforcement agents and shot two drug officers on duty.
“One officer killed while the other one was shot on the leg which fractured his leg. One riffle collected, one patrol Hilux Van burnt. The names of the victims not yet disclosed.”
The attack is coming barely six days after three policemen were shot dead by gunmen at Ezillo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway in Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State.
The three policemen were gunned down in front of the Ezillo police station having mounted a roadblock along the expressway.
The policemen were at roadblock for the routine stop and search operation when the gunmen stormed the place and opened fire on them, killing three of the men.
Just like the attack on officials of the Drug Law Enforcement agents that was carried out around 3am, the Ezzilo attack was carried out at about 12 midnight.
Ezzilo in Ishielu local government area of the State is about few kilometers to Ezzamgbo where the latest attack was carried out by gunmen.
Spokesperson of NDLEA in Ebonyi State, Mr. Audu Benji said he was in a meeting and will get back to our reporter after the meeting.
He was yet to do so hours after the meeting even as he refused to take subsequent calls or reply to messages.
Police spokesperson, Loveth Odah could not be reached on phone.
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