The Department of State Security Services has released a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, after detaining him for more than 15 hours.
The former minister, who voluntarily walked into the agency’s headquarters at about 9 a.m on Monday, was released after midnight.
“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai left the SSS premises at 12.35a.m today after more than 15 hours,” the former minister’s media advisor, Muyiwa Adekeye, tweeted at 12.40 this morning.
It is not clear why the interrogation of the opposition All Progressive Congress chieftain took that long.
Both the SSS and Mr. El-Rufai were not available for comment at the time of filing this report at 5.28 this morning.
One of the most active users of social media in Nigeria, Mr. El-Rufai is yet to update his Twitter and Facebook accounts with details of his ordeals in the hands of Nigeria’s secret police as at the time this report was posted.
Mr. El-Rufai had walked into the SSS headquarters at about 9 a.m Monday, three days after the agency launched a manhunt for him.
He was accompanied by the Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi, and a serving senator, Chris Ngige.
Mr. Amaechi, who was also allowed access into the SSS office, later left at about 12 p.m, while Mr. Ngige left two hours later.
One of Mr. El-Rufai’s wives, who accompanied him, also left subsequently as she was disallowed access to her husband, the former minister’s spokesperson had said.
“His wife left because she was just kept within the premises but not where he is,” Mr. Adekeye had told this paper.
Mr. El-Rufai’s lawyer, A. U. Mustapha, however remained with the former minister until his release.
The SSS said the former minister’s comment about possible violence in the coming elections was “provocative” and warned that those making inflammatory remarks might be prosecuted.
But Mr. El-Rufai has denied any wrongdoing, saying his position was only based on Nigeria’s electoral history.
The politician, who is one of the most vociferous critics of this administration, had gone underground Friday after the SSS launched a manhunt for him after he failed to honour an invitation from the agency in connection with his remarks at a conference in Abuja on Wednesday that there might be violence if the 2015 general elections were not credible.
The former minister declined the invitation citing his pending suit against the Service over his detention in a hotel in Awka during the Anambra state governorship election last November 16 as reason.
Mr. El-Rufai also insisted on seeing a valid warrant of arrest before he could report to the SSS office.
On Friday, operatives of the SSS stormed two properties believed to belong to Mr. El-Rufai, looking for him.
At the second property late on Friday, the SSS operatives insisted they wanted to deliver the warrant to Mr. El-Rufai personally, ignoring entreaty by his lawyer that the document should be handed over to him.
The opposition APC condemned the SSS for haunting its deputy national secretary, saying the comments attributed to the former minister were not inciting in any way.
Mr. El-Rufai himself has consistently said he would resist ploys by the SSS to silence him.
“Mallam El-Rufai will not be silenced,” the former minister had said through Mr. Adekeye, Friday.
“He will continue to do his patriotic duty of challenging INEC and the security agencies to guarantee the climate for free and fair elections in Nigeria by desisting from partisanship and the embrace of impunity.”
Premium Times
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Super Eagles to recieve $100,000 bonus for win against Ghana in the CHAN finals
Nigeria’s minister of sports, has offered a bonus of $100,000 (16 million Naira) to the Super Eagles if they defeat Ghana in Wednesday’s semi final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
With a similar incentive in their quarter final game, Nigeria came from a 3-0 first half deficit to defeat Morocco 4-3 after extra time in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Eagles are expected to be paid their last bonus earnings before Wednesday’s clash against rivals the Black Stars.
Abdullahi told media that if “the boys qualify for the final and go ahead to win the trophy, they can be confident that a grateful nation will remember for a long time to come that they, with typical Nigerian grit and determination, have extended our dominance of African football.”
Nigeria are the defending champions of the more prestigious Africa Cup of Nations and look set to win the CHAN, that is open to only players based in their country’s domestic leagues, in their debut appearance at the competition.
With an average of three goals per game, Nigeria will go against Ghana who have scored just four goals so far (three from the penalty spot) and have conceded just once.
The last time both teams met at senior continental level, Ghana ran out 1-0 winners at the 2010 AFCON in Angola.
GOAL
With a similar incentive in their quarter final game, Nigeria came from a 3-0 first half deficit to defeat Morocco 4-3 after extra time in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Eagles are expected to be paid their last bonus earnings before Wednesday’s clash against rivals the Black Stars.
Abdullahi told media that if “the boys qualify for the final and go ahead to win the trophy, they can be confident that a grateful nation will remember for a long time to come that they, with typical Nigerian grit and determination, have extended our dominance of African football.”
Nigeria are the defending champions of the more prestigious Africa Cup of Nations and look set to win the CHAN, that is open to only players based in their country’s domestic leagues, in their debut appearance at the competition.
With an average of three goals per game, Nigeria will go against Ghana who have scored just four goals so far (three from the penalty spot) and have conceded just once.
The last time both teams met at senior continental level, Ghana ran out 1-0 winners at the 2010 AFCON in Angola.
GOAL
Monday, January 27, 2014
Boko Haram attack in Northern Nigeria kills 52
Security officials say suspected Islamic extremists used explosives to attack a village in Nigeria’s northeast, killing 52 people and razing more than 300 homes.
A security official said Monday the attackers planted several explosives at a market around Kawuri village Sunday. A police official who evacuated wounded victims confirmed at least 52 people were killed. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to speak to reporters.
Ari Kolomi, who escaped the massacre, said there were more than 50 attackers.
The security official blamed the Islamic terrorist network Boko Haram, which has killed thousands over four years in Nigeria’s northeast.
Police commissioner Lawan Tanko confirmed the attack, but would not give details on casualties.
Northeast Nigeria has been under a military state of emergency since May.
AP
A security official said Monday the attackers planted several explosives at a market around Kawuri village Sunday. A police official who evacuated wounded victims confirmed at least 52 people were killed. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to speak to reporters.
Ari Kolomi, who escaped the massacre, said there were more than 50 attackers.
The security official blamed the Islamic terrorist network Boko Haram, which has killed thousands over four years in Nigeria’s northeast.
Police commissioner Lawan Tanko confirmed the attack, but would not give details on casualties.
Northeast Nigeria has been under a military state of emergency since May.
AP
Friday, January 24, 2014
Opposition party APC to block budget
Nigeria's main opposition party has called on its MPs to block all legislation including the 2014 budget.
This would remain the case until "the rule of law" was restored in oil-rich Rivers state and "Nigeria in general", the All Progressive Congress said.
The Rivers state governor fell out with President Goodluck Jonathan last year and defected to the APC.
Mr Jonathan's party has lost its majority in the lower chamber of parliament following other defections.
Analysts say the row centres around Mr Jonathan's undeclared intention to contest elections in 2015 for the governing People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Nigeria is one of the world's biggest oil producers, with Rivers state supplying about 40% of all the country's oil, according to business information firm Ngex.
'De facto military governor'
The row between Rivers state Governor Rotimi Amaechi and President Jonathan's supporters has paralysed politics in the state, with the police stopping the local state assembly from meeting in its building.
The APC accuses the state police chief of taking sides and exacerbating tensions - it wants his removal, as demanded by Nigeria's federal House of Representatives last year.
"The culture of lawlessness and impunity" in Rivers was being promoted by the presidency and the state's police chief Joseph Mbu, the APC national executive committee said in a statement.
It went onto describe Mr Mbu as "the de facto military governor of Rivers State and sole administrator of the PDP in the state".
Mr Mbu has denied taking sides in the political dispute.
The APC's call to block legislation will also affect the confirmation of ministers and the security chiefs recently appointed by the president.
MPs returned from recess last week and were due to start considering the budget, which has never been blocked before.
BBC Nigeria analyst Aliyu Tanko says if it is not passed within the next couple of months, it will start to affect government business as there will be no money for salaries and other projects.
The PDP said the APC's directive was "as a clear and direct call for anarchy".
It is the latest crisis to hit Mr Jonathan, whose leadership has recently come in for high-profile criticism from within the PDP, including from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who called on him not to seek another term in office.
Mr Jonathan moved from the vice-presidency to the presidency in 2010 after his predecessor, Umaru Yar'Adua, died in office.
He won presidential elections the following year.
The PDP has won every national election since the end of military rule in 1999.
BBC
This would remain the case until "the rule of law" was restored in oil-rich Rivers state and "Nigeria in general", the All Progressive Congress said.
The Rivers state governor fell out with President Goodluck Jonathan last year and defected to the APC.
Mr Jonathan's party has lost its majority in the lower chamber of parliament following other defections.
Analysts say the row centres around Mr Jonathan's undeclared intention to contest elections in 2015 for the governing People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Nigeria is one of the world's biggest oil producers, with Rivers state supplying about 40% of all the country's oil, according to business information firm Ngex.
'De facto military governor'
The row between Rivers state Governor Rotimi Amaechi and President Jonathan's supporters has paralysed politics in the state, with the police stopping the local state assembly from meeting in its building.
The APC accuses the state police chief of taking sides and exacerbating tensions - it wants his removal, as demanded by Nigeria's federal House of Representatives last year.
"The culture of lawlessness and impunity" in Rivers was being promoted by the presidency and the state's police chief Joseph Mbu, the APC national executive committee said in a statement.
It went onto describe Mr Mbu as "the de facto military governor of Rivers State and sole administrator of the PDP in the state".
Mr Mbu has denied taking sides in the political dispute.
The APC's call to block legislation will also affect the confirmation of ministers and the security chiefs recently appointed by the president.
MPs returned from recess last week and were due to start considering the budget, which has never been blocked before.
BBC Nigeria analyst Aliyu Tanko says if it is not passed within the next couple of months, it will start to affect government business as there will be no money for salaries and other projects.
The PDP said the APC's directive was "as a clear and direct call for anarchy".
It is the latest crisis to hit Mr Jonathan, whose leadership has recently come in for high-profile criticism from within the PDP, including from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who called on him not to seek another term in office.
Mr Jonathan moved from the vice-presidency to the presidency in 2010 after his predecessor, Umaru Yar'Adua, died in office.
He won presidential elections the following year.
The PDP has won every national election since the end of military rule in 1999.
BBC
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Mob throws stones at trial of school principal and 6 others accused of homosexuality
There was pandemonium at the Upper Court 4 in Anguwan Jaki, Bauchi State, yesterday, as an angry mob almost lynched seven suspected homosexuals brought to court for trial.
One of the suspects was identified as the Principal of a Government Secondary School in the state.
The development forced security personnel at the court premises to rescue the suspects by firing gunshots in the air and using teargas to disperse the mob.
The suspects are Ibrahim Marafa, Shehu Adamu, Yusuf Adamu, Aliyu Dalhatu, Abdulmalik Tanko, Usman Sabo and Hazif Sabo Abubakar.
The angry mob hurled stones at the van carrying them as it sped dangerously back to prison. A few people sustained injuries in the process.
The suspects faced charges of allegedly engaging in gay activities in Bauchi State, an action that contravenes the Islamic laws which the state is operating.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said the suspects were arrested by the Bauchi State Sharia Commission.
The atmosphere around the court was tense as the suspects came out of the court with the mob reigning abuses and pelting them with stones.
Earlier, inside the rowdy court, counsel to the Sharia Commission, Danlami Ayuba, told the court that one of the suspects was identified as Ibrahim Marafa, the Principal of Government Secondary School, Mainamaji.
When the case was slated for hearing, counsel to the suspect, Abdul Musa, said he was not ready and sought for bail for his client to enable them study the charges. The bail application was rejected by the counsel to the Sharia commission.
The presiding judge, El-Yaqub Aliyu, refused to grant the bail and adjourned the case till Monday to enable the prosecutors present their witness.
Similarly the State Sharia Commission counsel paraded six other suspects. When their case was mentioned, the presiding judge cautioned the Sharia commission’s counsel to ensure that they had proper evidence on the accused persons before arraigning them.
Vanguard
Related stories: Video - Nigeria's anti-gay law denounced
Video - CNN covers anti-gay law in Nigeria
One of the suspects was identified as the Principal of a Government Secondary School in the state.
The development forced security personnel at the court premises to rescue the suspects by firing gunshots in the air and using teargas to disperse the mob.
The suspects are Ibrahim Marafa, Shehu Adamu, Yusuf Adamu, Aliyu Dalhatu, Abdulmalik Tanko, Usman Sabo and Hazif Sabo Abubakar.
The angry mob hurled stones at the van carrying them as it sped dangerously back to prison. A few people sustained injuries in the process.
The suspects faced charges of allegedly engaging in gay activities in Bauchi State, an action that contravenes the Islamic laws which the state is operating.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said the suspects were arrested by the Bauchi State Sharia Commission.
The atmosphere around the court was tense as the suspects came out of the court with the mob reigning abuses and pelting them with stones.
Earlier, inside the rowdy court, counsel to the Sharia Commission, Danlami Ayuba, told the court that one of the suspects was identified as Ibrahim Marafa, the Principal of Government Secondary School, Mainamaji.
When the case was slated for hearing, counsel to the suspect, Abdul Musa, said he was not ready and sought for bail for his client to enable them study the charges. The bail application was rejected by the counsel to the Sharia commission.
The presiding judge, El-Yaqub Aliyu, refused to grant the bail and adjourned the case till Monday to enable the prosecutors present their witness.
Similarly the State Sharia Commission counsel paraded six other suspects. When their case was mentioned, the presiding judge cautioned the Sharia commission’s counsel to ensure that they had proper evidence on the accused persons before arraigning them.
Vanguard
Related stories: Video - Nigeria's anti-gay law denounced
Video - CNN covers anti-gay law in Nigeria
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