TheNewsGuru

Tag: US

  • Watchlist: Anambra Government dares EFCC, says Gov Obiano not in Nigeria, will relocate to US after handing over

    Watchlist: Anambra Government dares EFCC, says Gov Obiano not in Nigeria, will relocate to US after handing over

    Anambra State government has reacted to the placement of the state governor Willie Obiano on the watchlist by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The anti-graft agency had earlier written a letter to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) requesting the immigration to place Governor Obiano on a watchlist and inform it anytime he is travelling out of the country from any of the international airports, as well as other points of entry and exit.

    In reaction to this, Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba said the governor has four months left to remain in office and the commission went to far by publicly announcing that it is investigating Governor Obiano.

    “Governor Obiano has a whole four months to remain in office as the Anambra State chief executive. Nobody in Nigeria can circumscribe his constitutionally conferred immunity which shields him from both criminal and civil prosecution.

    “The EFCC went too far to announce in November that it is observing him. We are not aware of any state governor who had up to four months to be in office and the EFCC went on to sponsor media reports that he was being investigated,” Adinuba said in a press statement signed on Thursday.

     

    Find below the full statement…

     

    EFFC’s Inelegant Drama over Anambra Governor

    1. Nigerians were dismayed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) went a new low on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, when it sponsored media reports claiming that it has placed Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on its watch list. The EFCC provided no details of how Governor Obiano has been placed on its watch list, but made a reference to a letter it purportedly wrote on November 15, 2021, to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) asking it to inform the anti-graft agency anytime the governor is travelling out of the country.

     

    1. Everything that can be wrong with politically motivated statements like this one is obviously wrong with this statement. The EFCC knows full well that it is acting inelegantly in this instance, and so has tried as much as possible not to make an official public statement on the alleged placing of Chief Obiano on the watch list. It furtively gave a section of the media the news report it wrote based on ostensibly its letter to the NIS on November 15.

     

    1. Governor Obiano is out of the country currently. And he travelled through one of the country’s international airports. He did not disguise himself, but rather left the country with his identity fully disclosed at the necessary immigration point.

     

    1. The EFCC sounded more inelegant when it claimed in the sponsored press report that it received intelligence reports that the governor plans to “flee” from Nigeria once he hands over power next March 17 to the newly elected Anambra State governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Chief Obiano has never left any persons in doubt that he will relocate to his base in the United States once he finishes his tenure. As early as Wednesday, March 4, 2020, he announced his decision to a meeting of the Anambra State Council of Elders, comprising such personages as the erstwhile Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe who is also the chairman of both the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers; a former Anambra State governor, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife; an ex-Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, mni; the founding Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi; the Archbishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church in Anambra State, The Most Reverend Dr Maxwell Anikwenwa; and the Catholic Bishop of the Awka Diocese, Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor.

     

    1. Governor Obiano has a whole four months to remain in office as the Anambra State chief executive. Nobody in Nigeria can circumscribe his constitutionally conferred immunity which shields him from both criminal and civil prosecution. The EFCC went too far to announce in November that it is observing him. We are not aware of any state governor who had up to four months to be in office and the EFCC went on to sponsor media reports that he was being investigated.

     

    1. It is, indeed strange that the EFCC is making a show that it is investigating a high public officer. Anti-corruption agencies, like intelligence services, conduct their investigations discreetly, and not on pages of newspapers. Media trial has never benefitted the EFCC.

     

    1. The whole nation knows those behind all the present histrionics about Obiano. They are those who didn’t want the November 6 election to hold. They are those in high places who unsuccessfully canvassed for emergency rule in Anambra supposedly on security grounds. They are those who masterminded the Birnin Kudu High Court charade in Jigawa State over the APGA leadership and, more importantly, the authentic APGA candidate in the November gubernatorial election in Anambra State. They are those responsible for the sacrilege of a customary court in Abuja issuing criminal summons to Professor Soludo, a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor. These people are still fighting the gubernatorial battle on behalf of their badly defeated friends and political associates in the Anambra vote. They will fail badly, as they have done in the recent past.

     

    1. The EFCC should not allow itself to be used by politicians who are mere birds of passage. Its ongoing Anambra drama is in bad taste. It did not serve Governor Obiano any notice. Nor did it invite him to answer questions about his service record. It just went to the press. Yet, the governor is willing to answer any questions about his years in office. After all, he has received a prestigious award from the United Nations Development Programme for social service integrity.

     

    God bless Anambra State, the Light of the Nation.

    Signed

    Don Adinuba

    Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment.

  • Kamala Harris becomes first female VP to hold US President Power as Biden hands over

    Kamala Harris becomes first female VP to hold US President Power as Biden hands over

    President Joe Biden will transfer power to Vice President Kamala Harris during the “brief” time Friday he is under anesthesia for a colonoscopy as part of a regular health check, the White House said.

    Biden, the oldest person to hold the presidency in US history, went to the Walter Reed Medical Center just outside of Washington early Friday on the eve of his 79th birthday.

    The White House described the appointment as Biden’s “routine annual physical.” It was his first since taking office in January.

    Despite the administration’s stressing that there was nothing unusual in the hospital visit, Biden’s departure by motorcade from the White House early Friday was announced at the last minute.

    His public schedule, issued the previous night, listed only the traditional ceremony to “pardon” a turkey ahead of Thanksgiving and departure for a weekend at home in Delaware.

    During a colonoscopy examination, Biden will be anesthetized and as in past practice the vice president will assume power, which includes control over the US armed forces and the nuclear weapons arsenal.

    “President Biden will transfer power to the vice president for the brief period of time when he is under anesthesia. The vice president will work from her office in the West Wing during this time,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

    Harris, 57, is the first woman to hold the vice presidency and made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic Party nomination in 2020, before being picked as Biden’s running mate. However briefly, her temporary holding of presidential powers will also make history.

    Psaki noted that a similar temporary transfer of power, “following the process set out in the Constitution,” had been carried out when president George W. Bush underwent the same procedure in 2002 and 2007.

    Psaki said that a written “summary” of the findings from the president’s exam would be released “later this afternoon.”

    Any details on Biden’s health are sure to be closely watched, given speculation on whether he will stand by his stated intention to seek a second term in 2024.

    Biden pledged before his election a year ago to be “totally transparent” with voters about all aspects of his health.

  • US removes Nigeria from religious violators’ list; designates Boko Haram, ISIS, Al-Shabab others ‘Entities of Particular Concern’

    US removes Nigeria from religious violators’ list; designates Boko Haram, ISIS, Al-Shabab others ‘Entities of Particular Concern’

    The United States on Wednesday excluded Nigeria from its list of religious violators.

    In a statement by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, the US blacklisted Russia, China, and eight other countries.

    The communique listed the nations as “Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated ‘systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

    Blinken’s statement which was titled, ‘Religious Freedom Designations’, also disclosed that Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua have all been placed on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom.”

    In a similar vein, the US also designated Al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern.

    The US Secretary of State, in his statement, said, “The United States will not waiver in its commitment to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for all and in every country.

    “In far too many places around the world, we continue to see governments harass, arrest, threaten, jail, and kill individuals simply for seeking to live their lives in accordance with their beliefs.

    “This Administration is committed to supporting every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right”.

    He added that “the challenges to religious freedom in the world today are structural, systemic, and deeply entrenched. They exist in every country. They demand sustained global commitment from all who are unwilling to accept hatred, intolerance, and persecution as the status quo. They require the international community’s urgent attention.

    “We will continue to press all governments to remedy shortcomings in their laws and practices and to promote accountability for those responsible for abuses.

    “The United States remains committed to working with governments, civil society organizations, and members of religious communities to advance religious freedom around the world and address the plight of individuals and communities facing abuse, harassment, and discrimination on account of what they believe, or what they do not believe”.

    In 2020, the US placed Nigeria and six other countries on its special watch list of states that had engaged in or tolerated the severe violation of religious freedom, however, the nation was exempted in the 2021 list.

    Wednesday’s development comes as a plus ahead of Blinken’s scheduled visit to Nigeria within the week.

    The US Secretary of State, who is currently in Kenya on an official visit, is expected to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and other members of his administration.

    In his remark in Kenya, Blinken warned that ‘democratic recession’ is growing around the world, stressing that vibrant democracies have become increasingly vulnerable to misinformation, corruption, political violence, and voter intimidation.

    When he arrives in Nigeria, the US Secretary of State is expected to broadly address the COVID-19 pandemic and build back to a more inclusive global economy, combating the climate crisis, revitalising democracies, and advancing peace and security.

  • #EndSARS report: We look forward to your responses, US tells FG, Lagos Government

    #EndSARS report: We look forward to your responses, US tells FG, Lagos Government

    The United States on Tuesday said it was looking forward to a response from the Lagos state government after the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry submitted its final report.

    The panel was commissioned by the state government to look into the events of October 2020, including the shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate, and review cases of police brutality.

    “The United States welcomes the conclusion of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry with the transmission of its final report,” a statement from the US Embassy in Lagos said.

    “We look forward to the Lagos State government’s response as part of a process that represents an important mechanism of accountability regarding the #EndSARS protests and the events that took place near the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.

    “Those events led to serious allegations against some members of the security forces, and we look forward to the Lagos State and federal governments taking suitable measures to address those alleged abuses as well as the grievances of the victims and their families.”

  • US doles out N93m to Nigerian Guild of Editors

    US doles out N93m to Nigerian Guild of Editors

    The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has received a grant from the U.S. to facilitate the capacity building of its members and other senior journalists.

    The grant of $226 .889 (about N93.3million) is to facilitate activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of the media in performing its responsibilities.

    The NGE , in a statement jointly signed by its President, Mustapha Isah and General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiarem, on Sunday said the US gave the support through its embassy in Lagos.

    The guild said the capacity building would include training programmes for editors and other senior journalists on press freedom and democracy as well as town hall meetings on media regulation framework.

    “The project also entails printing and distribution of the journalism code of ethics, and strengthening of the NGE’s website-news alerts on media violations.

    “The capacity building conferences, which will hold in the six geo-political zones across the country, are to provide a platform for editors to be reminded of the sacred duties they are tasked to perform by the constitution on behalf of the citizens.

    “Drawing copious examples from the advanced democracies around the world, like US -after which the Nigerian constitution is formed, the conferences are expected to instill in the editors the need to perform their duties with the highest form of standard and sense of responsibilities,” it said.

    The NGE said, with the project, it hoped that a professional media would have the spin-off effect of advancing democratic growth .

    It said the project would also enable NGE strengthen its website to meet up with the demands for news alerts on media violations , public feedback and complaints on allegations of malicious media reportage .

    ‘’This would provide an opportunity for the Guild to strengthen its online presence to promptly disseminate current information with members and the general public, including international partners and audiences.

    ‘’A third component is the printing and distribution of Nigeria Journalism Code of Ethics to all journalists, including editors to popularise among editors and senior journalists the professional code of ethics that guides their profession and have these instilled in their sub-consciousness and serve as a guiding principle” it said.

    On the Town Hall meeting component, the guild said it would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to assess media performance in consolidating democracy and outline an agenda for the future.

    The guild said it had planned strategic meetings with Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other media focused NGOs on framework for self-regulation for Nigerian media.

    “This will provide a platform for media stakeholders to undertake self-introspection and develop a framework for media regulation, which will not only have their buy-in but also improve the standard for media practice in Nigeria, thereby reducing, if not eliminate incidence of substandard and unprofessional reportage in the Nigerian media.

    “Such conversations and hopefully eventual adoption of self-regulatory framework could also have a regional spin-off whereby countries within the region , and indeed Africa, could be encouraged to borrow a leaf from the Nigerian example, as was the case with the adoption of a Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria, subsequently having a spin off in Ghana,” it said.

    The Guild said from the timelines of the project, the South-West conference and the Town Hall meeting were scheduled to hold in Lagos between Dec. 2 and Dec. 4.

  • Anambra poll: US reads riot act to likely trouble makers, threatens visa ban

    Anambra poll: US reads riot act to likely trouble makers, threatens visa ban

    The United States Government has warned likely trouble makers in the forth coming Anambra governorship poll of the dire consequences.

    In a statement ahead of the election, the U.S said it was prepared to slam would-be perpetrators of violence with the ban.

    US said it looks forward to a peaceful and transparent exercise with results that accurately reflects the will of residents.

    The statement from the US Embassy in Abuja reads: “The United States looks forward to a gubernatorial election in Anambra State on November 6 that is peaceful and transparent, with results that accurately reflect the will of the state’s residents.

    “We will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere with the democratic process or instigate violence against civilian populations before, during, or after the elections.

    “We will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process.

    “Under US immigration law, certain violations also may lead to restrictions on family members.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that tension is generally high on the possibility of violent break out owing to the recently gunmen attacks on the state.

  • Yinka Ayefele reiterates love for Davido

    Yinka Ayefele reiterates love for Davido

    Popular gospel artiste, Yinka Ayefele has reiterated his love for pop star , David ‘Davido’ Adeleke, following their meeting at Atlanta in the United States.

    Ayefele, who is also the founder of Fresh 105.9 FM, a popular radio station in Ibadan, Oyo state, shared a picture of their meeting via his verified Instagram page on Monday.

    Ayefele went on to praise the ‘Assurance’ crooner, stating that his love for Davido has increased due to his humility.

    Describing their meeting, Ayefele revealed that Davido was the one who ran to meet him, adding that the singer was ‘different from them.’

    Ayefele said, “I admire your humbleness my brother. I didn’t see him but he saw me from a distance and ran down to me. @davido I love you more today. You are different from them.”

    Davido, in turn, shared Ayefele’s post on his Instagram story.

    This current meeting is not the first between the duo, as Ayefele and Davido once met at an event in Ogun state.

     

  • JUST IN: US announces new COVID-19 travel rules, effective from Nov 8

    JUST IN: US announces new COVID-19 travel rules, effective from Nov 8

    The United States (US) has announced and released new COVID-19 travelling rules.

    The new rule stipulates that air travellers entering the country would have to to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status before boarding.

    The new global travel system takes effect from November 8, 2021, replacing the existing country-by-country restrictions, putting in place a consistent approach worldwide.

    Under the new rules, the US government do not expect foreign national travellers who had been in one of the 33 countries with restrictions to obtain national interest exceptions to travel to the US.

    According to a statement titled: ‘New vaccine requirements for travel to the United States starting November 8, 2021,’ the US Centre for Disease Control said for the purposes of entry, vaccines accepted will include those approved or authorised by the Food and Drugs Administration as well as vaccines with an emergency use listing from the World Health Organisation.

    The statement reads: “Beginning on November 8, foreign national air travelers to the United States will be required – with only limited exceptions– to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the United States.

    “This new global travel system replaces the existing country-by-country restrictions, putting in place a consistent approach worldwide.

    “With the implementation of these new vaccine requirements, foreign national travelers who have been in one of the 33 countries with restrictions do not need to obtain national interest exceptions in order to travel to the United States.

    “The CDC has determined that for the purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include those FDA approved or authorized, as well as vaccines with an emergency use listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO).

    “When it comes to testing, fully vaccinated air travelers will continue to be required to show documentation of a pre-departure negative viral test taken within three calendar days of travel to the United States before boarding.

    “That includes all travelers – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals. For example, if a vaccinated traveler is traveling to the United States on Saturday, they can test from Wednesday on.

    “To further strengthen protections, unvaccinated travelers – whether U.S. citizens, LPRs, or the small number of excepted unvaccinated foreign nationals – will now need to show proof of a negative test within one calendar day of travel to the United States.”

  • Hushpuppi: Why suspended DCP Abba Kyari is yet to be extradited to US – IGP

    Hushpuppi: Why suspended DCP Abba Kyari is yet to be extradited to US – IGP

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has explained why embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr Abba Kyari is yet to extradited following his indictment by a United States Court.

    According to the police chief, no formal extradition request has been made by the United States for the suspended Deputy Commissioner.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Kyari had earlier in the year been accused of being a conspirator in a 1.1-million-dollar fraud deal involving Instagram celebrity Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

    Giving an update on the case, IGP Alkali Baba disclosed on Thursday that he had only heard it on social media, stressing that there was no extradition request as some have reported.

    The Inspector General further explained that the panel constituted to investigate the case has submitted its report to the Secretary General of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha for vetting and advice on the findings.

    He added that the Force has only just received feedback from the SGF and is contemplating the next step to take.

    The police chief’s comment is the latest on the controversial issue in spite of a warrant issued by a US magistrate judge, Otis Wright, ordering the arrest of Kyari.

    About a month ago, Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi while affirming that investigations have been concluded and findings submitted, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari will have the final consideration on the matter.

    Earlier in the year, a US court document suggested that Nigerian socialite Hushpuppi bribed the super cop to arrest and jail a certain Chibuzo Vincent, an estranged ‘co-conspirator,’ in a $1.1 million fraud case.

    The document also revealed that Hushpuppi, who had been arrested in Dubai and handed over to US authorities, pleaded guilty to the multi-million-dollar fraud charges filed against him by the US Government.

    It further explained that the proceeds from the crime had been spent.

    Reacting to the allegations against him, Abba Kyari denied the claims, saying that he collected money to help Hushpuppi sew some clothes. Kyari later stated that he acted as a debt collector for Hushpuppi in a Facebook post which has since been deleted.

    The police had assured that a careful and expeditious review of recommendations by its committee would be undertaken by the Force Management Team and thereafter forwarded to appropriate quarters for necessary action(s).

    While investigations continued, the embattled police officer was suspended and the IGP appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, to replace Kyari as Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

  • US to #ENDSARS protesters: Engage yourselves politically to realise change you desire

    US to #ENDSARS protesters: Engage yourselves politically to realise change you desire

    The United States Mission to Nigeria has advised #EndSARS protesters to take a political approach in achieving the change they desire in their country.

    The US said this in a Facebook post on Wednesday while also expressing support for ongoing police reforms.

    The post read, “Today is a day to reflect on the loss of life and property during last year’s #EndSARS protests. We appreciate the work done by the various judicial panels and look forward to the implementation of recommendations and compensation to victims of police brutality.

    “We support ongoing police reform efforts. We encourage those who demonstrated for change to engage politically to achieve it.”

    Protesters took to the streets of major cities on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests of October 2020.

    While the protests were without hitches in Abuja, policemen in Lagos arrested several protesters at the Lekki toll plaza.