A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani has reacted to a court ruling which sacked the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi.
Sani said the court ruling would also affect other serving governors who defected.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of an Abuja Federal High Court had sacked Umahi as governor of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe from office.
The judge sacked Umahi and his Deputy over their unlawful defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He ruled that the governor and his Deputy’s defection was unlawful, unconstitutional, null, and void.
The judge ordered them to vacate their offices immediately.
Ekwo held that the vote that brought the governor and his Deputy into office belonged to the PDP and that they cannot hold onto the votes having elected to jettison the party that nominated them.
Reacting, Sani, in a tweet, wrote: “The Court sacking of Ebonyi Governor will affect other serving Governors that defected.”
Former Kaduna State lawmaker, Shehu Sani has revealed what he did after bandits reportedly blocked the road leading to a wedding he was to attend in Kebbi State.
Senator Sani said there were those who said they should pray and then continue with the journey, but that he decided to pray and return to his house.
“We were heading to Kebbi for a wedding, we’ve been informed that bandits have blocked the road. Some said we should pray and move on, I’ve joined those who prayed and moved back home,” Sani tweeted.
Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna Central Senator has raised an alarm that members of staff of Nigerian embassies have been exploiting the country in the guise of paying rents.
He made this revelation on Sunday in an interview saying: “From my observation, diplomatic staff have been fleecing this country in the name of paying rents.
Sani, a former Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, said Nigeria rents about 60 per cent of the nation’s embassies, a costly affair considering the country’s economic challenges.
“I found out that we have been renting about 60 per cent of Nigerian embassies abroad, some existed as far back as 1960 and we are still unable to buy a house in those countries,” the former eight assembly senator said.
He underscored the need for an economic review of the dilapidated state of Nigerian Embassies, so as to avoid colossal loss of foreign missions.
Sani opined that “Everything about the embassy should go back to the foreign affairs ministry; we should have targets, every year we should buy 10 buildings so that in five to six years, we are no longer renting.”
The former lawmaker said while Nigeria worked on buying more diplomatic houses, the country should trade off foreign properties that we may not need.
“I learnt we have a residence for Nigeria’s permanent representatives in New York and that residence has not been used for decades.
“If that residence has not been used for decades, we have no reason to keep that building, we need to sell it off, use the proceeds and buy other properties in other countries.”
He further noted that buying good diplomatic buildings could cost as much as US$2 million, adding that such should be done to chart the way forward to safeguard Nigerian embassy operations abroad.
Former Nigerian senator, Shehu Sani has hailed the Abia State High Court judgment in favour of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Sani declared that no appeal against the judgment would stand.
Justice Ben Anya yesterday ordered the Federal Government to pay one billion naira compensation to Kanu over the violation of his fundamental human rights.
In his ruling, the judge declared Kanu’s arrest as illegal, and ordered the Federal Government to issue a public apology to him.
The IPOB leader had filed a fundamental right suit against the Federal Government before Justice Anya.
Kanu filed the suit through his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor on the grounds of military invasion of his residence in 2017, his rearrest and torture in Kenya, his repatriation to Nigeria, amongst others.
However, the judge further ruled that the government should pursue a political solution in resolving Kanu’s trial.
In a tweet, Sani wrote: “Brother Nnamdi, congratulations for your one billion Naira victory.
“No appeal against this judgment shall succeed. Remember those of us who are not insulting you. Relax Bro.”
Former Kaduna State Senator Shehu Sani has said Nigerian politicians fear western sanctions more than the local laws.
Sani, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said this on Sunday on a monitored Channels Television programme on the heels of the visit of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.
“If you look at the mentality, thinking or psychology of Nigerian political class, they fear that (foreign sanctions) more than the laws of the land because they believe that as long as you belong to the circle of power, you can do anything and get away with it,” Sani said.
“We have had cases of people engaging in all sorts of violence during elections, as long as they are on the side of power, they go scout free.”
Sani’s comment came a few days after Blinken had during his two-day official visit to Nigeria said the report by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for the Victims of #EndSARS protest was critical and the United States was awaiting the actions which would be taken afterward.
And according to Shehu, Blinken’s message to the country is very clear as the United States has the responsibility to intervene once a government uses security agencies to oppress its citizens.
While noting previous killings witnessed in other parts of the country, the PDP chieftain explained that what made the #EndSARS incident unique is that the protesters came out peacefully, raising the national flag.
Shehu added, “What made this very distinct is the fact that ordinary citizens of this country came out and there was the application of force to suppress that protest.
“There were a lot of controversies whether actually there was a massacre or not. But the report that came out from that panel clearly stated that massacre took place.”
The Lagos Panel had on November 15 concluded that the Nigerian Army shot and killed unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.
Shortly after, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu set up a four-member committee led by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) to raise a White Paper on the reports submitted by the panel.
Former senator representing Kaduna central, Shehu Sani says the 9th Assembly can successfully pass the Whistleblower Protection Bill before the end of their legislative tenure if there is the political will to do so.
Senator Sani made known his optimism while participating in a radio town hall meeting on Whistleblowing organized by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG), Friday in Abuja.
According to him, the Whistleblower Protection Bill currently at the National Assembly can scale through despite time running out on the lawmakers if there is political will and concerted effort made.
Senator Sani who urged the National Assembly and Executive arm of the Government to use their cordial relationship to speed up the passage of the whistleblowing and whistleblower protection bill stressed that both tiers of government must always bear in mind that power is transient.
“They (NASS) should speed up and make sure the whistleblower law comes into being since both the National Assembly and Executive portray themselves to be one.
“It is possible to make the whistleblower law within two to three weeks because you do first reading, you do a second reading, then you do public hearing, you do harmonization between the two houses and then you send it to the president.
“You can achieve it, but if you don’t want to achieve it, after the public hearing you will never hear anything about it again and then when you try to raise it they will tell you to turn off the mic.”
Sani stated that the Federal Government is not pushing hard enough for the passage of a whistleblower law due to fear of the law going against them. “Already the government has seen that the fight against corruption is something they should do themselves and in that sense, they are afraid of a law that would make it impossible for them to do what is called selective justice.”
An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Nelson Kebordih said that the enthusiasm that the whistleblower policy came with have diffused following the lack of legal framework, adding that the country was losing a lot due to the current state of things.
Barr. Kebordih called on the legislature to ensure that the long-awaited law contained proper protection mechanisms before passage, adding that incentive for whistleblowing and how to access it must be transparent in the law to encourage citizen’s participation and ownership of the program.
On her part, a Media Consultant and Activist, Princess Halima Jubril described the lack of legislation for whistleblowing in Nigeria as unfortunate.
Jubril who noted that poverty was a big factor that is deterring citizens from blowing the whistle on corrupt acts, however, stated that the spirit of many Nigerians who are been demoralized by the shortcoming of the whistleblowing policy can be reawakened if they are assured of adequate protection and proper legislation.
While, the Editor of the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper, Emmanuel Ibeleme encouraged journalists to be courageous in their job despite facing remuneration challenges.
He urged journalists not to stay on the job if not motivated to avoid destroying the profession.
His words: “If you are not well paid in an organization that cannot motivate you to do what you should do, not what you want to do, then you go and look for something else to do instead of staying there and desecrating the profession,” Ibeleme stressed.
The PRIMORG’s Town Hall Meeting Against Corruption series is aimed at calling the public and government attention to specific issues of corruption in Nigeria.
The syndicated radio program runs with support from the MacArthur Foundation
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended selling tickets for its Abuja-Kaduna train line operations, following a bomb scare.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Shehu Sani and a host of other Nigerians escaped death after bandits allegedly bombed a section of the Abuja-Kaduna rail track and allegedly opened fire on one of the trains plying the route.
While there is no official statement from the authorities on the incident yet, the NRC has stopped selling tickets on its e-ticketing platform.
TNG reports the NRC had introduced the e-ticketing platform as the only option to book tickets for traveling in the Abuja-Kaduna train route, following unwholesome practices by ticket racketeers.
A visit to the e-ticketing platform shows a scrolling widget with the message: “due to unforseen circumstances, train services have been immediately suspended for the safety of our dear passengers. Efforts are in place to restore service. Further information would follow immediately service is restored”.
Pop up message on NRC e-ticketing platform
Attempts to book a ticket on the platform proved abortive as the fields to select source station, destination station and date to travel have been temporarily disabled.
Recall that following the bomb scare, former Kaduna lawmaker Sani had urged the NRC to suspend all Abuja-Kaduna train operations until the issue is addressed.
In a tweet, the former Kaduna lawmaker alleged that the bandits had attacked a Kaduna-Abuja train on Wednesday with explosives. He alleged that the terrorists also opened fire on the engine driver and tank of the train.
Sani revealed that he was on board when the train he boarded on Thursday ran over a rail track damaged by the bandits on Wednesday, and that it took a miracle for them to escape.
“Yesterday, terrorists attacked the Kaduna Abuja railway with an explosive & opened fire on the train, targeting the Engine Driver & the Tank.This morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged rail track. It took a miracle for us to escape,” Senator Sani tweeted.
According to Senator Sani, the bandits planted the explosive that damaged the rail track along the rail track and that the explosion shattered the windshield of the train engine.
“They also opened fire, targeting the driver and the tank. It happened between Dutse and Rijana stations. The driver struggled to move towards Kaduna Rigasa station.
“This early morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged railings. The train nearly skid off its track, then we miraculously escaped.
“All Kaduna Abuja train operations need to be suspended for today until this issue is addressed,” Sani stated via his official Facebook page.
Abuja – Kaduna Train attacked last night.
The rail track bombarded today. Where are we heading to?
By Malam
Sincerely, the State Government are treating this security matter with kids gloves. The report I read was very disturbing. It is now joint terrorist-bandits operation!
While here in the South West they are enjoying peace, the North, especially Kaduna State always report scores of kidnap and/or murder victims!
Meanwhile, efforts to reach Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige for details on the incident proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
Also, there is no official statement from the authorities yet; however, the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Station Manager, Paschal Nnorli has confirmed to PUNCH that there was an attack on the train, but could not tell if it was with an explosive or not.
“Yes, there was an attack, but right now I cannot confirm if it was an explosive or bomb attack as people are saying.
“Investigations are ongoing and I’ll give you updates as they come in. Out engineers have been mobilised to the area. And right now we have suspended services,” Nnorli said.
It was also gathered that security agents in Kaduna had scuttled an attempt by bandits who tried to plant explosives around certain bridges in the State.
Yesternight,Bandits attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train.They planted an explosive that damaged the rail track and shattered the windshield of the train engine.They also opened fire,targeting the Driver and the Tank.It happened between Dutse and Rijana stations.The Driver struggled to move towards Kaduna Rigasa station.
This early morning,I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged railings.The train nearly skid off its track, then we miraculously escaped.
All Kaduna Abuja train operations need to be suspended for today until this issue is addressed.
Senator Shehu Sani.
Posted by Ukan Kurugh on Thursday, 21 October 2021
Senator Shehu Sani and a host of other Nigerians have escaped death after bandits bombed a section of the Abuja-Kaduna rail track and opened fire on one of the trains plying the route.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Sani was a former Senator, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly (NASS).
In a tweet, the former lawmaker alleged that the bandits had attacked a Kaduna-Abuja train on Wednesday with explosives. He alleged that the terrorists also opened fire on the engine driver and tank of the train.
Sani revealed that he was on board when the train he boarded on Thursday ran over a rail track damaged by the bandits on Wednesday, and that it took a miracle for them to escape.
“Yesterday, terrorists attacked the Kaduna Abuja railway with an explosive & opened fire on the train, targeting the Engine Driver & the Tank.This morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged rail track. It took a miracle for us to escape,” Senator Sani tweeted.
According to Senator Sani, the bandits planted the explosive that damaged the rail track along the rail track and that the explosion shattered the windshield of the train engine.
“They also opened fire, targeting the driver and the tank. It happened between Dutse and Rijana stations. The driver struggled to move towards Kaduna Rigasa station.
“This early morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged railings. The train nearly skid off its track, then we miraculously escaped.
“All Kaduna Abuja train operations need to be suspended for today until this issue is addressed,” Sani stated via his official Facebook page.
TNG reports the train plying the Abuja-Kaduna route has an average of five coaches and each coach takes over 60 passengers.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige for details on the incident proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
Also, there is no official statement from the authorities yet; however, it was gathered that security agents in Kaduna had scuttled an attempt by bandits who tried to plant explosives around certain bridges in the State.
Kaduna State Frontline politician, Senator Shehu Sani has said only Kaduna South and Kaduna North is safe out of 23 Local Government areas in the bandit ridden state.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the former Senator while appearing on national Television programme monitored by TNG on Monday.
According to Senator Sani the situation is fast getting out of control as on a daily basis people are kidnapped and killed, some cases are not even reported in the media.
He said: “they even send notification before raiding communities and they ensure the raid is carried out either a day before the notice deadline or the date of the deadline and Kaduna unfortunately has the highest number of military institutions in Nigeria.
“Despite the heavy presence of the military here nothing is being, all the bandits do is to block major roads with their cattle and cause havoc.
“In most cases when they raid communities the come with motor bikes numbering over 200 to ensure they capture their victims.
“But nothing is being done to checkmate these bandits who operate with China made motor bikes and carrying AK47 to harass, kidnap and kill innocent people.
Sani explained that” I visited parents of the abducted students of Bethel Baptist Academy because they were my constituents when I was in the Senate but what’s baffling me is that elected officers don’t even visit victims of the bandits to even commiserate with them.
“Parents now accompany their children to schools in Kaduna and patiently wait till the school closes and take their children home, it’s that bad.
Immediate past Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has revealed the content of his meeting with Islamic cleric, Sheik Abubakar Gumi on Monday.
Sheik Gumi over the last few months became more popular following his two visits to the criminal bandits enclave discussing with them on ways forward.
In a tweett on Tuesday, Senator Sani disclosed that the Islamic cleric told him that the newly independent Islamic terrorist group, Ansaru are giving the bandits huge support which will make interventions very complicated.
“On my visit, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Gumi revealed that the Islamist terrorist group Ansaru, actually infiltrated some of the bandits in the North West. And that is complicating interventions,” Senator Sani tweeted.
On my visit,Sheikh Dr Ahmad Gumi revealed that the Islamist terrorist group Ansaru,actually infiltrated some of the Bandits in the North West.And that is complicating interventions.
TNG reports Ansaru is an Islamic fundamentalist Jihadist militant organisation based in the northeast of Nigeria. It originated as a faction of Boko Haram, but became officially independent in 2012.
Despite this, Ansaru and other Boko Haram factions continued to work closely together until the former increasingly declined, and stopped its insurgent activities in 2015.
Since then, Ansaru is mostly dormant though its members continue to spread propaganda for their cause.
