Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- August 28, 2024
- 117 views
UK COURT JAILS FOUR NIGERIANS FOR FORGING OVER 2000 MARRIAGE DOCUMENTS TO HELP NIGERIANS STAY ILLEGALLY
UK COURT JAILS FOUR NIGERIANS FOR FORGING OVER 2000 MARRIAGE DOCUMENTS TO HELP NIGERIANS STAY ILLEGALLY A United Kingdom court has sentenced four Nigerians to prison for forging over 2,000 marriage certificates to help Nigerians live illegally in the UK. The convicts, a 41-year-old Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 38-year-old Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 31-year-old Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, and 54-year-old Adekunle Kabir, were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday. According to the Home Office, the four Nigerians were part of an organised criminal group that submitted fraudulent applications under the EU Settlement Scheme for Nigerian nationals. Between March 2019 and May of last year, they provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to help individuals remain in the UK. An investigation by the Home Office in the UK and Lagos uncovered more than 2000 fake marriage documents facilitated by the group, who are all Nigerian nationals themselves. Sky News quoted Home Office Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran as saying, “This group was prolific in their attempts to abuse our borders and has rightly been brought to justice. Like many criminal gangs, their primary motivation was financial gain. “I am pleased my team was able to disrupt their operations, and I hope these convictions serve as a warning to others who exploit vulnerable people to make money. We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and crack down on such gangs.” Onifade, from Gravesend in Kent, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were both convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. They received prison sentences of six and five years, respectively. Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was found guilty of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation and was sentenced to six years in prison. Kabir, from London, was convicted of possessing an identity document with improper intention but was acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception. He was sentenced to nine months in prison.
- Foreign Affairs
- August 28, 2024
- 89 views
RUSSIA WARNS US OF WORLD WAR III RISKS, SAYS WEST PLAYING WITH FIRE
RUSSIA WARNS US OF WORLD WAR III RISKS, SAYS WEST PLAYING WITH FIRE Russia said the West was playing with fire by considering allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia with Western missiles, and cautioned the United States on Tuesday that World War III would not be confined to Europe. Ukraine attacked Russia’s western Kursk region on August 6 and has carved out a slice of territory in the biggest foreign attack on Russia since World War II. President Vladimir Putin said there would be a worthy response from Russia to the attack. Sergey Lavrov, who has served as Putin’s foreign minister for more than 20 years, said that the West was seeking to escalate the Ukraine war and was “asking for trouble” by considering Ukrainian requests to loosen curbs on using foreign-supplied weapons. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Putin has repeatedly warned of the risk of a much broader war involving the world’s biggest nuclear powers, though he has said Russia does not want a conflict with the US-led Nato alliance. “We are now confirming once again that playing with fire – and they are like small children playing with matches – is a very dangerous thing for grown-up uncles and aunts who are entrusted with nuclear weapons in one or another Western country,” Lavrov told reporters in Moscow. “Americans unequivocally associate conversations about [a] Third World War as something that, God forbid, if it happens, will affect Europe exclusively,” Lavrov said. Lavrov added that Russia was “clarifying” its nuclear doctrine. Russia’s 2020 nuclear doctrine sets out when its president would consider using a nuclear weapon: broadly as a response to an attack using nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction or conventional weapons “when the very existence of the state is put under threat”. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the West of playing with fire by considering allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia, stating a potential World War III would not be confined to Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this month that the assault on Russia’s Kursk region showed that Kremlin threats of retaliation were a bluff. Zelensky said Ukraine, because of the restrictions imposed by allies, could not use the weapons at its disposal to hit some Russian military targets. He urged allies to be bolder in their decisions about how to help Kyiv in the war. Russia has said that Western weaponry, including British tanks and US rocket systems, have been used by Ukraine in Kursk. Kyiv has confirmed using US HIMARS missiles to take out bridges in Kursk. Washington says it was not informed about Ukraine’s plans ahead of the surprise incursion into Kursk. The United States has also said it did not take any part in the operation. Putin’s foreign intelligence chief, Sergei Naryshkin, said on Tuesday that Moscow did not believe Western assertions that it had nothing to do with the Kursk attack. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the involvement of the United States was “an obvious fact”. The New York Times reported that the United States and Britain provided Ukraine with satellite imagery and other information about the Kursk region in the days after the Ukrainian attack. The Times said that the intelligence was aimed at helping Ukraine keep better track of Russian reinforcements.
IRATE YOUTHS ATTACK FEDERAL LAWMAKER, CLAIM HE ABANDONED THEM AFTER ELECTION
IRATE YOUTHS ATTACK FEDERAL LAWMAKER, CLAIM HE ABANDONED THEM AFTER ELECTION The Member representing Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Hon. Adamu Hashimu Ranga, was almost mobbed by irate youths who attacked his car in Ningi on Sunday. The Federal Lawmaker, who was elected in 2023 under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had joined prominent sons of the Ningi Emirate Council to mourn and bury the late Emir of Ningi, Muhammadu Yunusa Danyaya, who died and was buried on Sunday. The angry youths are part of his constituents who have not been happy with his representation, accusing him of abandoning them after his election and relocation to Abuja. Recall that recently, the Constituents had attempted to recall him from the National Assembly as they had secured signatures to that effect, but the intervention of the late Emir of Ningi and other people prevailed on them to drop off the idea. The incident occurred at the Emir’s Palace in Ningi, where the lawmaker had attended the funeral prayer of the late Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Dr. Yunusa Muhammadu Dan Yaya. As he was leaving the palace at around 5:42 p.m., a group of youths reportedly began chanting “Ba mu yi, ba mu yi” in Hausa while hurling sand and stones at him as he scampered for safety. Though efforts were made to pacify the youths, the attack intensified as the lawmaker moved towards his vehicle with actions resulting in significant damage to the vehicle he rode in as the car’s screen and windows, as well as the rear mirrors, shattered. An eyewitness who spoke via a telephone conversation described the incident as most unfortunate, noting the severity and timing of the attack. According to him, “I came out of the palace deeply saddened by the Emir’s demise, only to hear chants and see youths throwing sand and stones at a car. When I moved closer, I realised it was our representative being attacked.” The eyewitness who did not want his name mentioned added, “I cannot confirm if he was injured, but the vehicle’s glasses and rear mirror were shattered.” Another eyewitness said that the moment the irate youths sighted him, they went to mobilise themselves and stationed at a strategic point close to his car, and as soon as he came out to enter the car, they started shouting and throwing pebbles at him. It took the interventions of security operatives and some other people around to shield the Federal Lawmaker to enable him to enter the car, and the driver manoeuvred his way out of the place to safety. All efforts made to reach Hon. Adamu Hashim Ranga for comments proved abortive as his mobile phone number was diverted each time it was called and neither responded to the SMS nor WhatsApp messages sent to the number.
US ECONOMIST SLAMS TINUBU OVER MULTI-MILLIOM-DOLLAR JET PURCHASE AMID HARDSHIP, SOARING INFLATION
McUS ECONOMIST SLAMS TINUBU OVER MULTI-MILLIOM-DOLLAR JET PURCHASE AMID HARDSHIP, SOARING INFLATION An American professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University, Steve Hanke, has criticised Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu for purchasing a new presidential jet amidst the country’s economic challenges. Hanke’s criticism comes in light of Tinubu’s recent acquisition of a $150 million Airbus A330 private jet, which the Nigerian leader recently flew to France. Hanke, known for his expertise in inflation analysis, described the current state of Nigeria’s economy as alarming, stating the country’s soaring inflation rate. According to Hanke’s assertions, Nigeria’s inflation stands at a staggering 114% per year, far higher than the official figures, as stated on his X account on Tuesday. Hanke labelled President Tinubu as “arrogant, ignorant, and incompetent,” criticising the Nigerian leader for prioritising luxury at a time when many Nigerians face economic hardship. “Tinubu flaunted his new $100 million A330 private jet en route to France. Meanwhile, I accurately measure Nigeria’s inflation at a SHOCKING 114% per year,” Hanke stated. President Tinubu last Monday embarked on a trip to France and returned on Friday, four days later. This followed the recent release of the aircraft, which was one of the three presidential jets recently confiscated by a French court in favour of a Chinese firm over a dispute with Ogun State Government. SaharaReporters recently reported that Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited had announced the release of one of the three presidential aircraft belonging to Nigeria, which had been detained in France. The Chinese company characterised the release of the aircraft as a goodwill gesture, citing the upcoming meeting between President Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron at the time. The company stated that it recognised the significance of the aircraft for the diplomatic engagement and took steps to ensure its availability, thereby facilitating the meeting. In July, SaharaReporters reported the aircraft was in France and had been spotted at an advanced stage of preparation. The plane had been assigned a tail registration featuring the seal of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and was ready for delivery. The aircraft in question is an ACJ330-200, VP-CAC (msn 1053), registered as 5N-FGA. It features a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom at the front, followed by an office and a conference and dining room. It also has an airline-style first-class and economy seating at the rear.
I WAS ACCUSED OF PLANNING A COUP AFTER KENYA VISIT – OBASANJO
I WAS ACCUSED OF PLANNING A COUP AFTER KENYA VISIT – OBASANJO Elder statesman and former Nigerian president has said that he was once accused of planning a coup just for visiting an African country. Chief Obasanjo shared the story after the Kenyan trip. He said, the visit landed him in trouble in his country as he was accused of planning a coup. Obasanjo said he had only gone to honour an invitation of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga only to be confronted with the allegation upon returning home to the country?
PETER OBI BLASTS TINUBU’S GOVT OVER ARREST, DETENTION OF JOURNALISTS, WANTS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF PIDOM
PETER OBI BLASTS TINUBU’S GOVT OVER ARREST, DETENTION OF JOURNALISTS, WANTS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF PIDOM Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has criticized the federal government for the ongoing arrest and detention of journalists who expose corruption. He warned that if this trend continues, Nigeria could descend into a Banana Republic. Obi expressed concern over the government’s use of security and intelligence agencies to target investigative journalists, emphasizing the need for the National Assembly to enact a stronger Freedom of Information Act. He argued that the right to free speech is closely tied to the public’s ability to access information about government actions. In a statement released on Tuesday, Obi said, “The fundamental right to free speech is directly connected to the right to access information about government activities and decision-making. The troubling trend of government agents suppressing information unrelated to national security highlights the urgent need for a robust Freedom of Information Bill.” He stressed the importance of journalists in holding the government accountable, especially when those in power overstep their bounds. Obi condemned the recent harassment, abduction, and detention of investigative journalists in Nigeria, calling these actions “deeply disturbing and unacceptable.” Obi also called for the immediate release of the journalist PIDOM, who was arrested by the police last week. He underscored the importance of maintaining an open society where citizens can freely exercise their right to free speech. “The disappearance and detention of journalist PIDOMNIGERIA is a serious issue. Nigerian authorities must be held accountable for his whereabouts and any alleged wrongdoing. If such practices persist, Nigeria risks turning into a Banana Republic, where journalists are silenced or disappear for simply doing their job,” Obi stated. “This is not the Nigeria we aspire to. We demand justice, accountability, and an end to these severe attacks on press freedom. We seek an open society where citizens can freely express themselves, access unclassified information, and hold the government accountable. These are the fundamental requirements for the new society we are striving to build,” he added.
FUBARA UNDER PRESSURE TO LEAVE PDP
GOV FUBARA UNDER PRESSURE TO LEAVE PDP Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is facing growing pressure to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) amid ongoing political battles with former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The tension between the two has led to speculation that Fubara may defect to another political party ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial elections. Despite court injunctions temporarily halting impeachment proceedings against Fubara, the situation remains tense as both factions await a Supreme Court ruling. The Action Peoples Party (APP) has already extended an invitation to Fubara, encouraging him to seek re-election under its banner. Meanwhile, APP State Chairman Sunny Wokekoro has criticised the PDP, arguing that it is no longer a viable option for politicians with integrity. Wokekoro also dismissed rumours that Fubara is currently affiliated with the APP, but expressed hope that the governor might consider joining them in the future. Speculation about Fubara’s potential defection intensified following an explosion at the APP’s secretariat in Port Harcourt, which some believe may be linked to the ongoing political turmoil. However, Fubara has publicly denied any plans to leave the PDP, reaffirming his commitment to the party during a recent meeting with the PDP Board of Trustees. The political landscape in Rivers State remains volatile, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the 2027 elections.
- Foreign Affairs
- August 27, 2024
- 83 views
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PRESSURED META TO CENSOR INFORMATION ONLINE – ZUCKERBERG
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PRESSURED META TO CENSOR INFORMATION ONLINE -ZUCKERBERG I censored Biden family’s corruption, other unfavourable stories on Facebook after FBI, White House pressure: Mark Zuckerberg “I regret that we were not more outspoken about it. I also think we made some choices that…we wouldn’t make today,” said Mr Zuckerberg. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has admitted that Facebook censored a story exposing U.S. President Joe Biden’s family’s alleged corruption after being pressured by the White House and the FBI. In a letter dated August 26 addressed to Republican Jim Jordan, House judiciary committee chair, circulated on social media, Mr Zuckerberg said Facebook “demoted” a story exposing Mr Biden’s family corruption due to an earlier warning on potential Russian disinformation from the FBI. “In a separate situation, the FBI warned us about a potential Russian disinformation operation about the Biden family and Burisma in the lead-up to the 2020 election. That fall, when we saw a New York Post story reporting on corruption allegations involving then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s family, we sent that story to fact-checkers for review and temporarily demoted it while waiting for a reply,” Mr Zuckerberg said in the letter. The Facebook czar added, “It’s since been made clear that the reporting was not Russian disinformation, and in retrospect, we shouldn’t have demoted the story. We’ve changed our policies and processes to make sure this doesn’t happen again for instance, we no longer temporarily demote things in the U.S. while waiting for fact-checkers.” The Meta chief also said Facebook changed its enforcement of COVID-19-related content after Mr Biden’s government pressured them to censor content related to the global pandemic. “In 2021, senior officials from the Biden Administration, including the White House, repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire, and expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didn’t agree,” Mr Zuckerberg explained. “Ultimately, it was our decision whether or not to take content down, and we own our decisions, including COVID-19-related changes we made to our enforcement in the wake of this pressure.” “I believe the government pressure was wrong,” Mr Zuckerberg stressed, “and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it. I also think we made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn’t make today.” The Meta boss told “our teams at the time, I feel strongly that we should not compromise our content standards due to pressure from any Administration in either direction and we’re ready to push back if something like this happens again.” However, Mr Zuckerberg said he would not donate to election infrastructure this year because he wants to stay neutral. Mr Biden’s government and the FBI have not responded to Mr Zuckerberg’s claims.
- Foreign Affairs
- August 27, 2024
- 107 views
#REPUBLICANSFORHARRIS TRENDS
REPUBLICANSFORHARRIS.TRENDS More than 200 Republicans who previously worked for either former President George W. Bush, the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., or Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president in an open letter Monday obtained exclusively by USA TODAY. From the letter: “Of course, we have plenty of honest, ideological disagreements with Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz. That’s to be expected. The alternative, however, is simply untenable.”
SEYI TINUBU’S PRESENCE AT CJN’S SWEARING-IN SPARKS REACTIONS
SEYI TINUBU’S PRESENCE AT CJN’S SWEARING IN SPARKS REACTIONS Reactions have trailed the appearance of Seyi, son of President Bola Tinubu, at the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria, pending her confirmation by the Senate.Kekere-Ekun took the oath of office and signed the oath register on Friday. The event was held at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.On Monday, X users posted a picture showing Seyi sitting comfortably at the event.Checks by Daily Trust revealed that the image was not photoshopped. A Google reverse image search didn’t indicate that the picture was doctored or had appeared before.Meanwhile, the posts generated divergent views with majority criticizing Seyi.@USMOVIC said: “It’s their turn.”@BadmusFranca wrote: “Don’t be surprised when he becomes a governor tomorrow. He is being mentored.”@Don17488409: “They have turned this country to a joke, family affair.”@INwaudunna37240: “Anything is possible in Nigeria take it or leave it.”@chukwuchidiB: “Seyi Tinubu is the Deputy Chief of Staff to Tinubu.”However, some netizens aligned with Seyi.@WORLDWIDEFINAN5 said: “If your father is Nigeria president may you be banished from entering Aso villa like a fugitive, bcoz your relationship with your father is not good doesn’t mean other children don’t enjoy cordial relationship with their father irrespective of their status.”@alto_nate: “He’s learning the ropes. Na your next president o”@wilex_williams: “Honestly i have not issue with children of public office holders following them around in as much as its wont affect running of that office, especially executive arm of the government.”In October 2023, President Tinubu had warned Seyi and other persons from interrupting meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).The president said he observed Seyi and other unauthorised persons breezing in and out of the federal cabinet meeting convened every week to discuss the most crucial issues of national importance. He cautioned specifically that such activities must end.“Last week, I noticed the undue access of people sneaking in and out of this Council, including… I saw the photograph of my son, Seyi, sitting behind. That is not acceptable. I will announce to you those people who are supposed to be here,” he had said.President Tinubu mentioned his Special Advisers on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Usman; Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola and Private Secretary, Damilotun Aderemi.“Those are people who are granted exception to be here when we’re conducting the business of the nation. Unless I sent for you, don’t come, make it clear. Secretary to the Government and Head of Service, please take note.“Unless your staff that are included, no one is privileged to have access sitting in this (Council Chambers), except those four that I’ve announced to you,” the President had warned.