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Tag: ekweremadu

  • 2019: Atiku visits Ekweremadu, explains preference for Peter Obi as running mate

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday visited the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to seek his understanding over the choice of Mr Peter Obi as his running mate.

    On the entourage of Atiku were the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, who is also the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus; and the National Organising Secretary of the party, Col. Austin Akobundu (retd.).

    It was learnt that the visit was meant to appease Ekweremadu, who had hoped that he would be the natural choice for the position.

    It was gathered that the visitors asked for Ekweremadu’s support and explained to him that Obi was picked in the interest of the zone in particular and the nation in general.

    A source said, “He was told that Obi does not have any corruption case against him and that he does not belong to any faction of the party.

    “He was also told that Obi’s emergence has further raised the acceptability level of the PDP across the country.”

    Meanwhile, the party has scheduled its National Executive Committee meeting for Thursday in Abuja.

    The meeting it was gathered, would approve the full composition of the council and also vet its budget for the campaigns.

    Secondus also confirmed the inauguration of the campaign council.

    “Yes, we are meeting on Thursday and the campaign will be inaugurated same day,” he said in a telephone conversation with The Punch.

     

  • Court rejects FG’s request for arrest warrant against Ekweremadu

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday turned down the request by the Federal Government to issue an arrest warrant against the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

    The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property had, on behalf of the Federal Government, urged the court to order the arrest of Ekweremadu following the absence of the senator, who was scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday on charges of non-declaration of assets.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Celcus Ukpong, informed the judge, Justice Binta Nyako, that two counts of failure to declare assets were filed against the senator on May 11, 2018.

    Ukpong said the summons for the arraignment scheduled for Wednesday had been served on the Deputy Senate President, but he chose to ignore it.

    He said, “He decided not to obey the summons. We, therefore, apply for a bench warrant to be issued against him.”

    But responding, Ekweremadu’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to disregard the application for a bench warrant to be issued against his client.

    He informed the court that his client had, on November 1, 2018, filed a motion challenging the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.

    Awomolo argued that without first resolving the application, the matter could not proceed to stage of arraignment.

    He cited some Supreme Court decisions to back his contention.

    Ekweremadu’s properties targeted for interim forfeiture comprised nine in Abuja, two in London, eight in Dubai, and three in Florida, USA.

    Following its findings on the allegedly undeclared assets, the panel, in May this year, filed two counts against Ekweremadu, alleging in one of the counts in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/62/2018, that upon notice to declare his assets in the manner prescribed by the SPIPRPP, the Deputy Senate President “refused” to make the declaration “without reasonable excuse.”

    In the second count, the prosecution alleged that the defendant “neglected to declare” his assets “without reasonable excuse upon the notice to declare” his assets “in the manner prescribed by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property”.

    The alleged offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 3(3)(1)(a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.

  • Ekweremadu threatens to release video clip of ‘assassination attempt’

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on Wednesday threatened to release video clips of how his house was invaded by alleged assassins on Tuesday.

    Ekweremadu said he may be forced to actualise his threat to release the video clip, if the Police fail to withdraw its claim that what happened in his house was a mere case of burglary.

    The Senate resolved to ask the police to do a thorough investigation of the alleged assassination attempt on Ekweremadu, his wife and son in the early hours of Tuesday.

    The upper chamber said the conclusion that the incident was a case of burglary appeared to be hasty.

    Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), who raised the issue, prayed the Senate to condemn the hasty conclusion by the Police that the invasion of Ekweremadu’s residence was a mere burglary case.

    Abaribe lamented that “for the police to quickly without interviewing the very person for whom this incident happened, to come out and determine that it was a burglary, actually burgles the mind. We know in this country that Bola Ige was killed in his home. We know and also it is a fact the former gubernatorial candidate, Funsho Williams was also killed in his home.

    “Our fear today is why the police are engaging in a cover up? Why is the police continually at any time that it concerns people that do not have presidential oversight or cover, they quickly come out and have a report,” the senator queried.

    Ekweremadu said a Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations visited his house with the FCT Police Commissioner on Tuesday afternoon to sympathise with him.

    “I showed them round and of course they were very sympathetic of what happened.”

    He also informed the Senate that he was shocked when he woke up yesterday morning to hear police saying that what happened in his house was “a mere case of burglary”.

    Ekweremadu said: “I am at a loss because as we speak, they have not taken any statement from my son, who was hospitalised; they have not gone to the hospital to find out what exactly happened to my son. They have invited security personnel attached to me, who reported yesterday. Some are still reporting this morning.

    “They (the Police) looked at the CCTV tapes operated by the DSS and a staff of my house; apparently they were not able to figure it out. So, it was easy for them to quickly dismiss what really happened.”

    He noted that he has been able to figure out the correct picture of what happened and added that he now has the video clip.

    “Unfortunately for them, later yesterday evening, a technician came and was able to figure out and was able to produce the CCTV footage, including how they gained entrance into my house and how they got a way into my room and the fight between them, my wife and my son and all the efforts we made to save our lives. I am happy that we have that in our custody, which the police is not aware of.

    He added: “I may now be forced to release those footage to the media, international communities so that Nigerians and ordinary people will judge whether it was a case of burglary or attempt to kill me or whether they just want to come to my house to have a breakfast or have a handshake with me.”

    The House of Representatives also yesterday resolved to constitute an ad hoc Committee to investigate the alleged assassination attempt on Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and members of his family.

    The committee is also mandated to find out the circumstances surrounding the late response of the Police to the emergency.

    The committee is to report back to the House in two weeks for further legislative action.

    The chamber also urged the relevant security agencies to ensure increased security surveillance around the Deputy Senate President as well as other members of the National Assembly.

  • Ekweremadu: South-East govs demand full investigations into alleged assassination attempt

    The South-East Governors’ Forum has called for a thorough and unbiased investigation into the alleged assassination attempt on Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.

    The forum also rejected what it described as “hasty conclusion’’ by the investigating security agency that the attack was a case of burglary.

    Director-General of the forum, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, made the call on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the governors’ position on the issue.

    Ortuanya said that the careful and methodical execution of the plot as reported pointed to something more sinister than burglary.

    According to him, if the mission was mere burglary, the so-called burglars would not have prevailed on the son to take them to his father’s bedroom.

    He said that the alleged attempted attack on Ekweremadu had cast a dark shadow on the security of lives and property in Nigeria.

  • Dogara condemns assassination attempt on Ekweremadu

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has condemned the apparent assassination attempt on the deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, his wife and son, by unknown gunmen, adding that as the 2019 elections draw closer, the Nigeria Police and indeed all security agencies must ensure that acts of intimidation and coercion such as political assassinations are prevented.

    The Speaker noted in a press statement that the incident which occurred at the residence of the distinguished Deputy President of the Senate in Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, was a clear indication that insecurity in the country has climaxed to the point that nowhere and nobody is safe in the country.

    Hon Dogara added that as the general elections draw closer, security agencies in the country must ensure that lives and properties of all Nigerians are secured and protected.

    “There is no room for excuses anymore. The security agencies must be alive to their responsibility of securing the lives and properties of Nigerians. . This is unacceptable. The Police must ensure that the gunman and all those involved are not only apprehended but brought to justice.

    “As the 2019 elections draws closer, it is of utmost importance that the Police and other security agencies deploy its intelligence to forestall wanton killings and other violent acts that are programmed to cause fear and panic among Nigerians. These kind of incidents must be nipped in the bud before it gets out of hand.

    “I commiserate with the Ekweremadu family and pray that God will continue to keep them safe.”

  • Police arrest, parade suspects over assassination attempt on Ekweremadu

    The Nigeria Police has arrested and paraded one Mohammed Yusuf a native of Kauranamuda, Zamfara State and are still trailing one other suspect Ali at large declared wanted by the Police in connection with the case of alleged assignation attempt at Sen. Ike Ekweremmadu the Deputy President of the Senate.

    The residence of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu at No 2, Jim Nwobodo Street, APO Legislative Quarters was broken into by Mohammed Yusuf who was arrested at the scene and now in Police custody along with one Ali (other name unknown) who escaped from the scene at about 0430hrs of today, 6th November, 2018.

    Briefing newsmen on the incident on Tuesday evening the Force Public Relations Officer Ag.Dcp Jimoh Moshood said the Police has commenced investigation into the crime and the principal suspect Mohammed Yusuf of Kauranamuda have volunteered confessional statement after interrogation admitting to the crime and mentioned one Ali (other name unknown) now at large, who escaped from the scene to have carried out the crime along with him. Exhibits recovered from them includes (i) Motor Jack (ii) Big Screw Driver (iii) A big Rod (iv) A small kitchen knife and other house breaking implements.

    He said that preliminary investigation carried out so far did not reveal assassination attempt on the life of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his family but a case of Burglary. However, investigation is still ongoing to determine if there is any other motive behind the offence.The same suspects had earlier at about 0300Hrs broken into the residence of one Mr. Haliru Adamu of No. 38 Denis Osadebey Crescent, APO Legislative quarters where they stole phones, jewelleries and other valuables before proceeding to the residence of the Deputy Senate President. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Mr. Haliru Adamu have made statements to the Police about the two (2) incidents.

    According to him,there was no delay in Police intervention in the incident that occurred in the residence of the Deputy Senate President.

    He informed that four Police personnel and One personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps on duty at the residence of the Deputy Senate President at the time of the incidence have been arrested and currently in detention for investigation for negligent acts and dereliction of duty.

    The Force image maker added that investigation into the two cases are ongoing and the outcome is going to be made public and suspects will be prosecuted.

  • 2019: Ekweremadu speaks on alleged plans to dump PDP

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has debunked speculations that he was leaving the Peoples Democratic Party.
     
    He reassured his supported that he remained a member of the opposition party.
     
    Ekweremadu said this in a statement posted on his Facebook page, @iamekweremadu, on Wednesday.
     
    The Senator wrote: “I am presently out of the country on a pre-scheduled engagement.
     
    “In the past 24 hours, I have been inundated with calls from friends and political associates seeking clarification on the rumours of my departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has dominated the media.
     
    “Let it be known that my path in politics is in the hands of the Almighty God, who has indeed been very faithful and gracious to me. I’m very grateful to God for this.
     
    “My vision in politics is a system that works for everybody, a social and political environment where everybody, every section, and every tribe not only counts, but is also seen to count. As leaders, we must be mindful of this, for any system built on anything less will not endure.
     
    “I am grateful to you – members of my family, my friends, political associates, and admirers across Nigeria and beyond – for your uncommon concern. I am indeed humbled by your kind words of solidarity and support.
     
    “Please, rest assured that I am still in the PDP.”

  • Defections: Why we suspended impeachment moves against Saraki, Ekweremadu – Senate Leader

    The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, on Friday gave indication that peace has returned to the National Assembly and no need to impeach Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
    Prior to the reconvening of the National Assembly on Tuesday, Lawan had declared at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention at the Eagle Square on Saturday night that APC will not allow leadership of the National Assembly run away with its mandate.
    While the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has been of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Senate President, Bukola Saraki had recently defected from the APC to the PDP.
    But speaking on the crisis with State House correspondents on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Lawan said “I don’t know what informed your view to anticipate crisis but let me tell you that NASS will continue to remain focus on national issues, we must be patriotic, nationalistic, we must put national interest above individual, parochial or partisan interest.
    “We definitely have to bury our hatchets for us to work for Nigeria and Nigerians perhaps that might have informed the disappointment of many people that there will be crisis in the National Assembly.
    “Let me also say that disagreements are usual, in fact they are very practical components of any parliament, when you have 2 to 3 parties or even within parties you will have views that may differ.
    “It is traditional, it is usual for us to disagree maybe this disagreements may crop up and some other issues but for now our focus is on national interest.” he said
    Asked if the idea of impeachment has been dropped, he said “The National Assembly is a Nigerian parliament and therefore the best thing to do is to ensure that Nigerians gets a good deal and for now the good deal is for Nigeria to have all those pending request of Mr President approved by the National Assembly.
    “I think the national interest for now override any other interest.” he said
    Speaking further on the resumption day, he said “Well you could see from day one, day one Tuesday was not an eventful day because the National Assembly lost a member, a member from Kwara. So traditionally, we normally don’t work on such a day when the death will be officially announced.
    “But Wednesday and Thursday witnessed the focus and concentration of members of the National Assembly on the request of Mr President for the funding of INEC for elections to be conducted in 2019 and we passed in the Senate and the House did also.
    “We passed the request of Mr President for N189 billion for INEC activities for 2019.On Thursday the committee on appropriation invited the head of the security agencies to come and defend the request that Mr President made on their behalf for funding of their supervisory and oversight roles during the elections in 2019.
    “We also had the referral of the request of Mr President approval for foreign loan component of the 2018 appropriation and that is about 2.78 billion dollars eurobond. We have gone full blast consciously, purposely to ensure that Mr President gets what’s he request, we lost time because some of the issues were requested for before we went on our recess.
    “But we have also in the Senate passed confirmations of the CBN deputy governor, ICPC governing body and we are determined to continue to do this throughout this period.
    “Our intention is to ensure that Mr President doesn’t lack from inactivity of the NASS that whatever he requests, the fundamentals aspects especially will be attended to, this is our determination both as APC senators infact as senate and National Assembly.” he added

  • FG charges Ekweremadu, one other over refusal to declare assets

    The Federal Government has charged the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and Senator Bassey Akpan, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District in Akwa Ibom State, with offences bordering on their alleged refusal and negligence to declare their assets to the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property.
    On Wednesday, Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja where two separate sets of charges were instituted against the senators, ordered that the charges and other accompanying papers be served on the two of them through the Clerk of the National Assembly.
    The judge, after granting the orders for service through substituted means, fixed October 22 for the next hearing date in respect of Ekweremadu’s case and November 19 for Akpan’s.
    The Okoi Obono-Obla-led SPIPRPP had, on behalf of the Federal Government, filed the two separate criminal suits containing two counts each against the senators.
    It filed the criminal suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/62/2018 against Ekweremadu on May 11, 2018, while it instituted the one marked FHC/ABJ/CR/88/2018 against Akpan on June 13, 2018.
     
    Details later…
     
     
     
     

  • Ekweremadu insists on single term for president, governors, others

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on Wednesday, proposed that governors and president spend only a single term of six years in office.

    Ekweremadu shared his thoughts on his social media handles, revealing that many nations across the world had adopted the single term presidency until their democracies were matured enough to transit to other options.

    “In the 1970s, many Latin American democracies faced the same challenges we face in Nigeria today. As many of them transited from military and autocratic regimes to democratic regimes, they discovered that the politics of succession, including incumbents’ penchant for self-perpetuation, overheated their polities and threatened their democracies. They adopted the single term presidency until such a time their respective democracies matured and stabilised.”

    He added that the proposal was shared in the national assembly, however, it wasn’t well received: “In Nigeria’s case we proposed a single term for the President and Governors with several transitional options during the constitution amendment exercise in the 7th National Assembly.

    Unfortunately, it was misunderstood by various political and sectional interests for various reasons and the proposal did not succeed.”

    Sharing his stance, Ekweremadu said: “However, I strongly believe a single term of five or six years for President and Governors, even if for a stipulated period as was the case with several Latin American democracies, is something Nigerians should revisit after the 2019 general elections. This will substantially reduce the political tensions and executive excesses that come with self-succession.”

    See his post on Facebook below: