National
OODUA Integrity Network Asks Dangote To Shun Confrontation.
OODUA Integrity Network has urged Alhaji Aliko Dangote to desist forthwith attacks , incitement, assaults against the government of President Tinubu and by extension the Yoruba, stating that the altercations and utterances is unacceptable.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Chief Adewale Adeosun and Ige Kilanko Chairman and Secretary respectively, stated that the country has been fair to the business mogul in all areas.
The statement also emphasized on the preferential treatment he has enjoyed over the years ahead of other conglomerates.
They warned on the consequences of turning his incitement against the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that his continuous inflammatory statement will not be condoned further.
“The businessman has profited immensely from the country, sometimes at the expense of other manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and the Nigerian public.”
They also accuses the business mogul of been in cahoot with the caliphate to see to the end of the present administration.
“We won’t watch like helpless widows, while he mobilizes to bring down the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration. His actions so far – are a threat to national security and stability.
Alhaji Dangote and other caliphate antagonists, as well some devious forces worked tirelessly against Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.”
The group said they were not unaware of efforts to exterminate the President Ahmed Tinubu from the electioneering days , an effort in futility.
” Their current clandestine acts of sabotage are a continuation of the transferred vengeance and hatred – designed to frustrate the Asiwaju-led government after failing to defeat him at the poll.
The relentless antagonism, pursuit of power and vendetta will only lead to two things – chaos and destruction – if pushed any further.
“The Odua Integrity Network is aware that Dangote and other prominent northern figures are hell bent in their planned protests across the country to bring government to its knees.”
“However, Nigeria does not belong to a set of people, nor are some citizens second class to others.”
” President Tinubu supported General Muhammadu Buhari all the way, despite all the General’s warts and flaws – for the eight gruelling years he served as president. ”
“The north cannot in perpetuity impose itself on the rest of Nigerians. So, those pushing to collapse the government of President Tinubu must therefore watch it. It takes two to tangle. ”
“Sadly enough, for personal aggrandizement and greed, the Executive Vice President of the NNPCL is hand in gloves with Aliko Dangote to unseat Engineer Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL. ”
“It is therefore a clear indication of a larger plot to undermine the federal government, create instability, chaos and encourage insurrection across the country.”
While appealing for calm and understanding, President Tinubu and Mele Kyari are determined to serve their terms in office.
“In the light of the foregoing, we ask Dangote to jettison his unholy intentions and allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Engr. Mele Kyari to serve their terms without interference.
“We therefore urge Dangote to desist from any further actions and allow peace to reign. Nigeria deserves stability progress and development, and not fear amongst citizens, nor chaos and destruction. We call on all Nigerians to join work for dialogue, peace and stability. Let every hand be on deck and be put to work – to build a brighter and egalitarian future for the nation.”
The body asked the business mogul to accept the part of peace , to ensure development of all and sundry.
“Nigeria will be plunged into endless crisis – the social fabrics will crash and so will its politics and economy.
The people shall be the ultimate losers, and the Dangote brand and legacy will be forever smeared.”
They asked Dangote to reconsider his confrontation against the government and leadership of NNPCL in the interest of the nation.
“We make this final appeal to Alhaji Aliko Dangote to sit back and reconsider his actions. All is well that ends well. Let all Nigerians join hands to build a nation where everyone can thrive and be happy.
Let the interest of the nation be put above personal desperation, vendettas and ambitions. “
Gunmen have abducted some female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Makurdi, Benue state.
The students, reportedly numbering up to four, were abducted on Tuesday evening at the university’s North Core campus.
The students were said to have been headed for “night class”, a practice of late-night studying in Nigerian campuses.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the hotel area of the campus before abducting the four students.
Some moments after the incident, operatives of the Nigerian army arrived at the school.
Sewuese Anene, Benue police spokesperson, told TheCable on Wednesday that a report received by the police indicated that only two students were kidnapped during the incident.
Anene added that the police have launched an investigation into the matter.
The Markurdi incident is the latest in a series of abductions targeted at Nigeria’s tertiary school students in recent years.
In August 2024, at least 20 medical and dental students were kidnapped in Benue State while travelling to a convention in Enugu.
In September 2023, gunmen abducted approximately 20 students from a university in Zamfara state.
At Greenfield University in Kaduna State, at least 20 students and two staff members were kidnapped in April 2021.
Tragically, five students were killed during captivity before the remaining hostages were released after a month.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Kogi-born political activist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Austin Okai, in Abuja.
The arrest, which took place on Wednesday morning, was reportedly carried out on the directive of Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Video footage obtained by Elanza shows heavily armed security operatives storming Okai’s residence in the Federal Capital Territory before taking him away.
While no official reason has been given for his arrest, sources suggest it may be connected to his outspoken criticism of the Kogi State government.
Okai, a well-known opposition figure, has frequently condemned the administration’s policies and governance.
His wife, speaking to reporters, claimed that the DSS operatives did not present an arrest warrant before detaining him.
“They came to arrest him at our home in Abuja without a warrant,” she said.
“They ransacked our house, forced their way inside, and took him away. I asked for a warrant, but they had none.”
She further alleged that Okai’s personal gadgets were confiscated during the operation.
As of the time of this report, the DSS has not issued any official statement regarding Okai’s detention.