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Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) failed to arrest Senator Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi West) on Thursday, April 5, Vanguard reports.

The senator, who was declared wanted by the police over his implication in handing over illegal weapons to some kidnappers who claimed to be his thugs, was attending the 8th fidau prayers for late deputy majority leader of the House of Representatives, Buba Jubril, in Lokoja, Kogi state, when the security agents reportedly arrived.

It was learnt that the lawmaker was however protected from arrest by local vigilante men who encircled him, making it impossible for the SARS operatives to get close to him.

The senator reportedly stole the show, raising two fingers in the air, to great cheers from the crowd. After the prayer session, the local vigilantes led Melaye into the waiting vehicle of the Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, who had also attended the event.

The SARS operatives reportedly subsequently besieged the house of Chief Rasaq Kutepa, which was the venue of the reception; but were disappointed as the senator had left for Obajana airstrip for a flight to Kastina, in Saraki’s convoy.

At the fidau prayer session earlier, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, leader of the House of Representatives, had stated that Jubril’s death left him in tears.

He said: “He was a personal friend, a leader and a colleague; we learned a lot from each other, we are going to miss him. I am trying to absorb the shock in my system. You can see the amazing crowd at the prayer; that is a testament to the kind of person he was.

“Politicians should continue to work hard with commitment and just do the best and leave the rest. Live every day as if it’s your last day on earth.”

Idris Wada, the immediate past governor of Kogi, described Jubril’s death as a major loss for politics in the state.

In his words: “Buba is a very nice man, very vibrant politician. He has the interest of the people at heart. We will all miss him greatly. We pray that his soul rests in peace. Death should teach politicians that there is an end to everything in life. That is why we should not push things beyond limit.

“We all miss Buba. He was a great man and he has contributed positively to the upliftment and the politics of Kogi State. His politics and style make him a man of the people, he listens to people and he does something about their complaints.

“He is just a good man. He had network across the country, a detribalised Nigerian with very good qualities and he was not a religious bigot. Politicians should emulate him.”

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BIG STORY

President Tinubu Appoints Abiola’s Son Jamiu SSA On Linguistics, Foreign Matters

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November 27, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.

Abiola is one of the children of the winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida, the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

He was previously appointed as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice-President.

In a statement on Wednesday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, Abiola’s appointment takes effect from November 14, 2024.

Imohiosen stated that the appointment aligns with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.

He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.

“The appointment takes effect from 14th November, 2024. This is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.

“Until his appointment, Jamiu served as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice President.

“President Tinubu tasks the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.”

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BIG STORY

Senate Passes Bill For Ijebu State Creation For First Reading

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2 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed a bill for the creation of Ijebu State, marking the first reading of the proposal during its plenary session.

The bill, which seeks to establish Ijebu as an independent state, was sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun State.

Titled the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth 1 Alteration) Bill, 2024 (Creation of Ijebu State),” the proposed legislation aims to carve out Ijebu from the current Ogun State.

The bill was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Michael Bamidele of the All Progressives Congress as the “fourth order of the day” during the plenary.

After reading the title of the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio moved the proposal forward, passing it for its first reading and setting the stage for further legislative processes.

The bill will now undergo a series of discussions and evaluations before it can proceed to the next stages of approval.

The push for the creation of Ijebu State is part of a broader national discourse on the need for more state creation across Nigeria, particularly in regions where there are growing demands for administrative autonomy.

If the bill successfully progresses through the required legislative procedures, Ijebu, currently a part of Ogun State, could become a separate state with its own governance structures.

This development comes amid increasing calls for state creation in various parts of the country, with proponents arguing that new states could better address local needs, foster economic growth, and enhance political representation.

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BIG STORY

Alleged N110bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello, Other’s Bail Ruling To December 10

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8 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to December 10 for a ruling on the bail application by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others.

Bello had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The former governor, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as the 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh N110bn 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.

Bello, the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryanne Anenih as they were read out to them.

After taking their plea, the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved an application for bail.

However, the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, arguing that it had expired in October.

Clarifying the issue, the Defendant’s Counsel stated that the only relevant application before the Court was the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant, which was filed on November 22.

Relying on all the paragraphs of the affidavit, he added that the bail application was also supported with a written address.

Justice Anenih ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

The EFCC had filed an N110bn alleged fraud suit against the former governor.

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