Protests rock S/Africa ahead of no-confidence vote on Zuma
Protesters on Tuesday blocked the roads and disrupted traffic in parts of South Africa ahead of the no-confidence vote against President Jacob Zuma.
They blocked roads using rocks and burning tyres from as early as 4 am in parts of Gatueng province.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) confirmed the protests.
The police said the protests were related to the motion of no- confidence in President Zuma, set to take place in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
Bus services were disrupted by blockades‚ hours ahead of the crucial vote in parliament.
The biggest bus operator in Johannesburg tweeted: “Rea Vaya buses are not operating this morning due to road blockages in Soweto. Passengers will be updated on the situation during the day.”
Affected areas in Johannesburg and Pretoria include Soweto, Zandspruit, Booysens, Turffontein, Soshanguve, Atteredgeville and Mamelodi.
JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minaar urged motorists to exercise caution as protesters had blocked some roads in the city.
“Soweto and Turffontein residents burnt tyres and blockaded streets from around 4am on Tuesday morning. Roads leading from the Soweto highway have been blocked,” said Mr Minnaar.
Johannesburg member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety, Michael Sun said that the protests were not approved by the city and were thus illegal.
“We received reports yesterday that political parties will be holding protest marches; some are peaceful and have displayed placards over the bridges but others are violent, with protesters burning tyres and blocking roads. This is creating chaos in our city,” Mr Sun said in a statement.
He said they were concerned that the protesters were blocking roads and causing traffic jams.
“We are calling on motorists to take alternative routes but they should be careful because the debris from the protests still lies on the roads,” he said.
PDP Fire Buruji Kashamu ! “We don’t want you in our party anymore”-South West Party Zonal Leaders
“So, our meeting resolved that we don’t want him again in our party. We are not ready to have anything to do with him again. We have directed all the states to stay clear from him.”
Leaders and other Southwest stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday dissociated themselves from Senator Buruji Kashamu.
The senator currently represents Ogun East in the National Assembly.
He was the Chairman of the party’s National Mobilisation Committee.
The zonal leadership also said it had cut ties with the senator and directed the leadership of the party in Ogun State to stop dealings and meetings with him and his agents until further notice.
The zonal leaders spoke at the end of a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where they discussed and took decisions on important issues affecting the progress of the PDP in the Southwest.
The meeting was attended by PDP leaders from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos states.
They include Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, a former Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Bode George, former Ogun State Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore, Dr. Saka Balogun, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Elder Wole Oyelese and a former Southwest Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo.
Others include a former Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, Senator Hosea Agboola and Senator Ayo Adeseun.
The leaders, who condemned what they called Kashamu’s “destabilising and anti-party activities”, also called for disciplinary actions against him for his alleged roles in the party’s electoral loss in Ogun, Ondo and Edo states.
Welcoming the leaders to the meeting, the Zonal Chairman, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, expressed joy over the party’s victory at the Supreme Court, which upheld the Ahmed Markafi faction of the party.
Fayose, who accused Kashamu of being responsible for the challenges confronting the party in the Southwest, advised the state party leaders to take charge of their states and disallow other people from hijacking the party from them.
He said: “All people that are destabilising the peace in PDP, we must sanction them. Nobody is greater that this party. If you call yourself a leader and you are waging war against it, definitely you are an enemy of the party.
“So, our meeting resolved that we don’t want him again in our party. We are not ready to have anything to do with him again. We have directed all the states to stay clear from him.”
A communique issued at the end of the meeting reads in part: “The Zonal Leadership also hereby condemns and regrets the action and ignoble role of some of its membership that led to the unfortunate experience and trauma that held the entire party down for over a year now and pray that may such never recur again in our great party
“The entire Southwest leadership and stakeholders condemn the destabilizing and anti-party activities of Senator Buruji Kashamu and demand disciplinary actions against him for his roles in the loss of the party in Ogun, Ondo and Edo states.
“The zonal leadership and stakeholders hereby dissociate the zone from the activities of Senator Buruji Kashamu and resolve further to henceforth desist from dealing with him in any capacity in the zone, and the leadership of the party in Ogun state is hereby directed to stop all dealings and meetings involvement with Senator Buruji Kashamu and his agents until further notice
“The Zonal Leadership and stakeholders also hereby reject any association whatsoever with Senator Buruji Kashamu henceforth.”
Return or resign protest: Buhari won’t resign, says Presidency
President Muhammadu Buhari will not resign from office, The Presidency said yesterday.
It was in response to a call by some civil society organisations that the President should resign or return to work.
President Buhari has been in the United Kingdom since May 7 for a follow-up appointment with his doctors.
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu told reporters at the State House that the President had not breached any law.
He said: “They are exercising their rights in line with the constitution of this country. Of what use or value is a democracy in which citizens cannot embark on peaceful protests? So we respect their right to convene or undertake peaceful protest.
“On the second issue, whether the President should resign or disclose or whatever, I think they are stepping outside the laws of this country.
“Anyone conversant with the constitution of this country will have noticed or seen that Mr President has complied 100 per cent with the requirements of the constitution..
“He has handed over power to the Vice President, relying on the constitution and the Vice President is carrying on with the affairs of this country; he is undertaking activities of government in line with the constitution in a way that the President himself has given words of commendation.
“So the President has not breached any law. What he has done is perfectly in line with the constitution of this country and people are looking for things to say. I think they should do their research very well.”
In a statement later, Shehu added: “I wish to respond to media enquiries following demonstration by a few citizens this morning in Abuja. The demonstration is in the exercise of their freedom under the constitution, which guarantees their right to embark on peaceful protests.
“There is nothing like a power vacuum in the country, given the competence and general harmony with which the whole government is running.
“Any such calls as being made by this or any other group represents an irrational assault on the constitution and should be ignored by well-meaning members of the public.
“The need of the hour for this country is to rid it of corruption, reform and reinvigorate the economy and to fight crime and insurgency.
“The government is busy with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure all over the country. It is creating jobs for the unemployed. It has set its sight on the larger picture of the country’s development; investing in rail and power projects and redeeming the country’s image from the mountains of corruption scandals that have marred it. We will not, therefore, be distracted by this or any other groups.”
It was learnt yesterday that the President’s wife, Hajia Aisha Buhari, left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on Sunday.
Mrs Buhari, who returned from the UK last week, had on several occasions, insisted that her husband was recovering fast and would soon return to the country.
Although there was no official statement on Mrs Buhari’s trip, some officials in the Presidency confirmed it.
In Abuja, the coalition of civil society groups demanded the return of President Buhari from his medical leave or resign.
It also urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 144 sub Section 4 of the Constitution and set up a medical panel to determine the President’s health status.
Convener of the protest Deji Adeyanju, expressed regret on whay he called “the failure of the National Assembly to launch an investigation or set up a panel to look into the true status of the President Buhari’s health”.
Adeyanju said: “The leadership of the National Assembly must choose between the Nigerian people and the cabal. 90 days is too long for a president to be away from his country without any explanation to the people that voted him into office.
“If Buhari had become incapacitated, he should do the honourable thing and resign because he cannot continue to hold the country to ransom; his absence in the country is being exploited by a cabal to loot the treasury.”
He added: “We hereby demand that the National Assembly invoke Section 144 sub Section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution and direct the setting up of a medical panel in conjunction with the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to ascertain whether the President is incapacitated.”
A leader of the group and member, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, said the Federal Executive Council should disclose to Nigerians the nature of Buhari’s illness.
Protesters led by artiste Charles Oputa (Charlie Boy), defied the early morning showers and walked from the Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja to the Presidential Villa junction to demand the return of the President.
The protest was spearheaded by the National Coordinator, Foundation For True Freedom and Good Leadership, Deji Adeyanju; Publicity Secretary, #OurMumuDonDo Movement, Adebayo Raphael; Convener, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, Ariyo-Dare Atoye; and Secretary of Concerned Nigerians, John Danfulani.
The movement said it would continue with daily protests in Abuja and London to press for the return of the President.
The House of Representatives said about N6.1 billion had been earmarked for new Peugeot 508 cars that will be distributed to all the 360 members, Premium Times reports.
The House spokesperson, Abdulrazak Namdas, told reporters that 200 lawmakers have taken deliveries of their cars within the last few months, at the cost of N17 million per unit. Others are still anticipating their deliveries, which are expected to be met before the year runs out.
“Over 200 cars have been supplied out of 360, and we are still getting more. Every member will get their car by the end of this year,” Mr. Namdas said.
The car purchase binge, which is the latest in a culture that has persisted for decades, was criticised by Nigerians when it was first made public last year.
In December, a lawyer dragged the parliament to court in Lagos after it was discovered that lawmakers budgeted N3.6 billion for the cars.
At the time, it was estimated that the cars would cost N10 million each. But Mr. Namdas said the exchange rate crisis that beset the country for almost two years had taken its toll on the budget of the parliament and warranted an upward review of procurement.
Taxpayers will now pay more than 70% more for the cars, based on Mr. Namdas’ new estimates of N17 million per unit.
But, “the payment for the vehicle is being done in instalments,” Mr. Namdas said, implying that lawmakers would be made to pay back all the expenses from their respective salaries and benefits.
But critics said the tactics had often been deployed to deceive Nigerians as lawmakers would be allowed to go with their cars at auction price when their tenures expire in 2019.
“This is a worn-out strategy that they’re bragging about,” Victor Okhai, a social critic, told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday morning. “We know they would pay little to nothing from their pockets and still walk away with the car at a ridiculously cheap amount.”
Mr. Okhai said the purchase was “insensitive and gutsy” when past lawmakers embarked on it, and even more distasteful now.
“At a time when barely a fraction of Nigerians could afford to comfortably feed themselves, these lawmakers are buying cars that they don’t need,” he said. “Of what use is a 508 Peugeot to Speaker Yakubu Dogara who already has some of the most exotic cars in his convoy?” he added.
“They hold Nigerians in disdain and they’re not even pretending about it.”
But Mr. Namdas said the House entered an understanding with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria for lawmakers to settle the cost on their own over a few years.
Besides, Mr. Namdas said the purchase would further stimulate the country’s struggling economy, which has been in recession for a year, through employment opportunities in the supply chain.
A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos today ordered permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government of a $37.5m skyscrapper on the highbrow Banana Island, Lagos, belonging to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The Presiding Judge (Professor) Chuka Obiozor, also ordered that the sums of $2,740,197.96 and N84,537,840.70 realised as rents on the property should also be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Chuka Obiozor made the order following a motion on notice argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency had on July 19, 2017, obtained a court order to temporarily seize the property located at Block B, Bella Vista Plot 1, Zone N, Federal Government Layout, Banana Island Foreshore Estate, which is said to have 24 apartments, 18 flats and six penthouses.
The court directed that the temporary forfeiture order be published in a newspaper and then adjourned till today, for anyone interested in the property and funds to appear to convince the court why the seized items should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
At the resumed hearing of the matter today, the EFCC lawyer, Mr. Anselem Ozioko, told the court that the publication order had been complied with. He however, stated that no one has contested the forfeiture order.
“In summary, it appears as if they are not willing to contest this application,” Ozioko said.
He urged Justice Obiozor to go ahead and order the permanent forfeiture of the property and the funds. In a short ruling, Justice Obiozor granted the orders.
The judge held, “In the face of the publication, which I find in Exhibit B of the affidavit of compliance before me, and there being no responses from any interested party, I have no other option but to grant the orders as prayed.”
The EFCC had earlier told the judge that the Banana Island mansion was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities by Diezani.
The anti-graft agency said its investigations revealed that Diezani bought the property sometime in 2013 at the price of $37.5m and paid for it in cash.
According to the EFCC, the $37.5m was moved straight from Diezani’s house in Abuja and paid into the selller’s First Bank account in Abuja.
“Nothing could be more suspicious than someone keeping such huge amounts in her apartment. Why was she doing that? To avoid attention?.
“We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt because as of the time this happened, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke was still in public service as the Minister of Petroleum Resources,” the EFCC lawyer, Ozioko, had told Justice Obiozor.
In a 41-paragraph affidavit attached to the application, an investigative officer with the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, explained that Diezani, in connivance with one Nwokedi purposely incorporated a company, Rusimpex Limited, on September 11, 2013 to facilitate the alleged fraud scheme.
Bawa said Nwokedi later registered Rusimpex Limited at the Corporate Affairs Commission, wherein a lawyer in his law firm, and a Russian, Vladmir Jourauleu, were listed as the directors of the company.
The investigator explained further that: “Sometime in 2013, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, invited Nwokedi, to her house in Abuja for a meeting where she informed him to incorporate a company and use same as a front to manage landed properties on her behalf without using her name in any of the incorporation documents.
Diezani was also said to have further directed Nwokedi to meet with Mr. Bisi Onasanya, the Group Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Plc for that purpose.
“Mr. Stephen Onasanya was invited by the commission and he came and volunteered an extrajudicial statement wherein he stated that he marketed a property at Bella Vista, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, belonging to Mr. Youseff Fattau of Ibatex Nigeria Limited to Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke later bought the property from Mr. Youseff Fattau, through Nwokedi (who she introduced to him) and that the payment for the said property was made through the Abuja office of First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
“First Bank of Nigeria Plc, through Mr. Barau Muazu, wrote to the commission and also volunteered an extrajudicial statement in writing that they made the payments totalling US37,500,000 to Ibatex Nigeria Limited & YF Construction Development and Real Estate Limited on behalf of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and that they collected the entire cash from Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke at her residence of No. 10, Fredrick Chiluba Close of Jose Marti Street, Asokor, Abuja and paid into the First Bank of Nigeria Plc accounts of Ibatex and YF Construction Development and Real Estate Limited on her instructions.
The property is a 15-storey building, which comprises 18 flats and six penthouses.
Mauritania has joined Senegal in abolishing the Senate, its upper legislative chambers.
It was one of the decisions made by voters in a referendum conducted at the weekend.
The voters also decided to alter their national flag, the electoral commission announced on Sunday, in a clear victory for President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz the day after the vote.
While turnout was 53.73 percent, 85 percent of voters on Saturday declared “Yes” to changes put to a referendum when they were defeated in the Senate in March, despite fierce criticism from a boycott movement that called mass protests during campaigning.
Abdel Aziz, who last week described the senate as “useless and too costly,” has said the move to abolish the governing body would improve governance by introducing more local forms of lawmaking.
But the boycott movement drew broad political support from figures as diverse as religious conservatives and anti-slavery activists.
Members of opposition parties leading the boycotters held a press conference on Sunday during which they denounced an “electoral farce which has given way to open-air fraud,” adding that people “had clearly rejected the constitutional amendments.”
They said they would not recognise the results of the referendum, having previously claimed the government would rig the vote.
The most contentious issue surrounding the vote, given that just one opposition party campaigned for “No” while the boycott campaign attracted several parties and civil society movements, was the turnout.
Turnout was just 36 percent in the capital, Nouakchott, but was much higher in the remote West African nation’s rural areas, at times hitting 80 percent, the electoral commission said.
The boycott movement held several protests attracting thousands of supporters, but were also prevented from demonstrating by the security forces, who on Thursday shut down several planned rallies close to the capital with tear gas and beat protesters back with batons.
The UN Human Rights Office said on Thursday that “protest leaders were reportedly beaten up and a number of them were arrested” during campaign rallies in the last few weeks, urging the government to ensure fair and credible elections.
Around 1.4 million Mauritanians were eligible to vote and celebrations were expected from the select opposition parties that did support the revision.
The opposition groups opposed to the measure say they are concerned that, despite Aziz’s claims to the contrary, he is laying the groundwork for a third term in power – with his own prime minister saying back in July that he supported the idea.
Scrapping term limits would enable Abdel Aziz to follow leaders of more than a dozen other African countries including in Uganda, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and more recently Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Aziz himself fuelled speculation on Saturday by saying that “in two years, or even 10 years, other amendments could arise to adapt our constitution to reality,” without elaborating.
The proposal to modify the constitution, in force since 1991, was rejected by the Senate in March, leading Aziz to call the referendum to push through the changes.
Around 20 senators, who have held a sit-in for three days at their chamber, suspended their protest and said they would gather on Monday to consider the “fraud” committed by Aziz and his supporters, according to a statement.
President Aziz came to power in a coup in 2008 and was elected in 2009 and again in 2014 for a second five-year term.
The Mauritanian flag will now feature red bands added to the current green flag with yellow Islamic crescent and star, to honour the blood spilled by those who fought for freedom from colonial master France.
For upward of 24 hours now, no word coming from the minister or the ministry refuting the stone age statement of an awkward attempt to tax beggars.
Should it remain a policy conceived by those in charge of Nigeria, also to be implemented by them on Nigerians. There are few issues I wish we jointly appraise.
TAX
An involuntary financial charge / levy imposed upon citizens and or corporate citizens for the development of the SOCIETY.
SOCIETY
The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
That is all classes of humans, from the the elite through the middle-class to those at the lowest rung on the ladder; the vulnerable poor and also those who are weak, physically, mentally and psychologically.
Who out of the perceived weakness resort to unproductive means of survival
to fend for themselves and their own dependants, the BEGGARS.
BEGGARS
A poor person who asks others or begs for money and or food.
They are about the lowest class in most societies, they depend on others to survive. Are indeed a burden on the system, yet they are entitled to existence in any society they find themselves.
Most responsible government draw up programs for them, their dependants towards their eradication ensuring their offsprings get educated, have access to healthcare in a bid to break the cycle.
NEED FOR TAX
Nigeria is indeed in a terrible economic condition, where there is need for the government to provide loads of amenities, facilities and services for the teeming population, sadly there are limited funds to provide the listed.
In view of all this, I feel the government has the potential to meet the yearnings of the citizens without subjecting the lowest class of the society to unnecessary tax burden, not to talk having to include beggars in the tax net!
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY
# MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER
# PROTECT LIVES
# PROVIDE SOCIAL WELFARE
# PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
# PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS
# MAINTENANCE OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS
# PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
From the above listed responsibility of government to the citizens, how well can we rate govt on each of the item in uplifting the people’s lot?
Assume government is able to vigorously pursue items 3, 4 and 6 effectively.
There will be enough funds in form of tax that will be available for government.
# Improved and increased social welfare, will compel the people to reciprocate the good gesture of government, Lagos is a classic illustration on this, as the number of those who pay tax without compulsion have increased tremendously.
# Promotion of economic development is visible, yet there is need to amongst other things improve access to single digit loans for small and medium scale entrepreneurs.
Small and medium scale entrepreneurs, the world over drives economies of states to enviable level.
# Employment opportunities, where the citizens experience outright preference for foreigners over them by the government leaves much to be desired.
There is need for protection of citizens rights in the workplace.
There is also need to ensure the employment of citizens over foreigners, to enhance their technical skills, improve their cash flow and general wellbeing.
Outside technical personnel, foreigners working in administrative, accounting and related humanities need not get priority over citizens.
The listed and more are the expectations of Nigerians.
MODE OF TAXATION
Everything is digitalised, nothing is left out of technological revolution.
On a lighter mood, I want put it to our dear IT conscious and compliant minister, how she intends to mop up tax out the ” ALMAJIRIS”?
Historically, Idumuje people who are part of Idumuje clan in Aniocha North L/G.A. Delta State trace their roots to ancient Bini kingdom, just like most of Ezechima and Odiani people that left Benin in the 18th century.
Idumuje Unor and Idumuje Ugboko are one people that settled in different locations. They share boundaries with towns like Igbodo in Ika North East LGA, Onicha Ugbo and Ugbodu,in Aniocha North LGA and Ewohinmi in Edo State.
They belong to the Igboid linguistic group, but their political power structure, institutions and practices; draw largely from the ancient Bini kingdom.
Agriculture was their major preoccupation, but over time, commerce and other crafts as well as blue collar jobs, professional training, etc, have become part of the transformation that came with access to education and exposure to other civilisations.
Idumuje Ugboko is the epicenter of this analysis and it must be said that to understand a people one must look at their history, mores, social and interpersonal relationship, religion, culture and other values that inform their world views.
Hence they say that those who ignore the lessons of history would repeat its tragedy.
A lot of half truths and misleading facts are been fed to the public through a media team whose mandate is to propagate false hood.
To understand the unfolding events, it is important to follow the historical trajectory of the hidden discontent and structures in the Royal family and the Idumuje Ugboko before the death of the king.
The Royal family in Idumuje Ugboko is among the ten largest in the world. Idumuje-Ugboko which is some four kilometers away from her sister community Idumuje-Uno was founded by a large number of people who migrated Idumuje-Uno as a result of a quarrel on the Odogwu traditional chieftaincy title as it where then at Idumuje. This exodus was led by Nwoko a candidate for the Odogwu chieftaincy title who later became the first Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko.
What is happening in Idumuje Ugboko kingdom today has all the trappings of a palace coup d’état and the two surviving widows of the late monarch are not hiding their views about the bizarre event.
They have written a petition to the Inspect General of Police, demanding for an autopsy of the late monarch whom they claimed was strangled to death. and the IGP has directed that an autopsy should be carried out on the late king.
At the time of this report, a petition was written to the Assistant Inspector General of Police zone 5 in Benin city to enforce a warrant of arrest which has been issued against Prince Nonso Nwoko is battling over five criminal cases.
Bench Warrants of Arrest has been ordered against Prince Justin Chukwunonso Nwoko in the stated charge no: CMA/420C/2016 and CHARGE NO: MUO/5C/2016 since March, 2017 and renewed on 29th June, 2017.
It is a fact that when the case came up for continuation of hearing on 29th June, 2017, the Police Prosecution Counsel who at the sitting of the court on 31st May, 2017 had applied for an order of the court which was granted by the court in (charge no: CMA/420C/2016) to enable the police verify the medical certificate from the Hospital Management Board, Owa-Oyibo tendered by Prince Barr.
Mbanefo Nwoko (Counsel to the Accused) as reason for the first accused absence in court, tendered before the court a disclaimer of the medical report from Hospital Management Board, Owa-Oyibo which was tendered on behalf of Prince Nwoko who was absent in court on 31st May, 2017 by the counsel.
The Chief Magistrate in his ruling on 29th June, 2017, ordered the police to investigate the said medical report from Hospital Management Board, Owa-Oyibo with a view to unraveling those behind it.
The medical report is alleged to have been forged. So far, Nwoko has used the excuse that he is mourning the death of his father to avoid responding to the police invitations. A conviction on any of them could disqualify him from the kingship aspiration.
The move to drag the star university project into the kingship tussle is only a ploy to exploit the emotive content associated with land matters to garner support for his schemes and divert attention from real problems that are rooted in history, culture and destiny of the people.
As stated above, there are historical and socio-cultural issues associated with who becomes the next monarch in Idumuje Ugboko after the demise of the last monarch. Before his exit, there were deep crisis in the Royal family as reflected in a position paper presented by Prince Dan. O. Nwoko, to the inaugural meeting of the Umu Obi Omorhusi Executive Council in the Royal Palace on April 6, 2016, in Idumuje Ugboko.
Some of the issues raised centered on lack of respect for senior members of the Royal family, exhibition of acts of indiscipline and unbridled ambition, disregard for traditional and protocols, usurpation of the functions of the monarch and the concept of primogeniture in Idumuje Ugboko kingdom.
Prince Dan O. Nwoko raised issues concerning primogeniture, qualifications and eligibility of the presumed Crown Prince eventually qualifying to exercise his birthday right. In other words, “the term Crown is a floating term as it hovers over whosoever is tagged the ‘Crown Prince’, until it crystallizes and rests on his head that is when he is put on the throne.”
Therefore, it can be frustrated under unwritten customs and laws. Such frustration can take place under the following circumstances: If the Crown Prince is pre-deceased the reigning monarch; If the Crown Prince is of unsound mind and is incapable of knowing or understanding what he is doing. No one will have an idiot as a king; and if he is arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction of criminal offence, found guilty, sentenced and or fined. Certainly, no one will like to crown a criminal or ex-convict as a king.
This has three dimensional phases taboo stage, tragic stage and tragedy stage. The three stages must be completed, before action can be taken for the ambulatory (floating) crown to continue its movement and search for the right person.
The tradition of Idumuje Ugboko allowed the period of regency from 1955 to 1981 when departed HRM Obi Albert Nwoko, III, Ph.D, MON, JP was crowned the Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko.
Even though it is an established tradition that to be crowned king, both parents of the Crown Prince must be bonafide indigenes of Idumuje-Ugboko, in this case, mother of Prince Nonso Justin Nwoko hails from Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local government. His own wife and mother of his children hail from Anambra state.
There are two contenders to the throne, who Prince Justin Chukwunonso Nwoko, whose mother is from Ubulu-Uku, been one, and Prince Uche Stephen Nwoko, a son of a woman who hail from Idumuje-Ugboko.
Royal watchers assert that right from the first monarch, HRM Obi Nwoko I, his first son, Prince Omoje never ascended the throne because his mother was from neighbouring and sister town Idumuje – Unor. The crown went to Prince Omorhusi Nwoko, Prince Omoje s first son whose mother hailed from Ogbe-Ofu village.
When Obi Omorhusi died, his first son Prince Justin Nkeze Nwoko whose mother was from Atuma village in Idumuje-Ugboko became king and known as Obi Nwoko II. When Obi Nkeze died in 1955; the issue of succession came up because the actual first son died before him.
Prince Rowland S. O. Nwoko, who showed interest, was denied because his own mother was from Idumuje-Unor. The choice fell on Prince Demas Nwoko, but declined because his wife is from Umunze in Anambra state and that disqualifies his children from succeeding him as kings.
The mother of Prince Albert Nwoko was from Ugbodu and his wife was from Ubulu Uku, these precipitated a regency period from 1955 to 1981 (26yrs). The situation became unbearable for the people. The elders and the chiefs then met and contrived a plan to make Prince Albert Nwoko the king but with a proviso that he must marry a woman from his native land whose first son would succeed him for the throne.
Even before his contrived death on February 6, 2017, the late Monarch had been held prisoner in the Palace by Prince Nonso, Prince Richard Obiajulu and Prince Ejimofor amongst others. He was made unreachable and rendered incommunicado by some cabals in the Palace. Not even his wives nor the chiefs could reach him yet he was not in poor health.
The crown prince took over the administration of the kingdom, issuing proclamation which led to the Chiefs instituting a civil case in suit No. HCI/1/16 before the State High Court Issele-Uku in March, 2016 and obtained an Injuction retraining Prince Chukwunonso and others from usurping the duties of the Chiefs. This court order he has flouted severally.
Prince Dan O Nwoko warn him in his Position paper of April 2, 2016, cited earlier in this article. According to the tradition of Idumuje Ugboko, a Crown Prince does not participate in the administration of the kingdom while the father is alive. In one of such Court matters, Prince Edwin Nwoko deposed to an affidavit discontinuing with the matter claiming that they were acting without authority of the king or the family at large.
The Iyase of Idumuje Ugboko, Chief Chris Ogwu, the Odogwu Chief Sunday Edemodu, the Chairman of the Land Allocation Committee, Chief Kennedy Illoh, members of the Onotu amongst others participated in the Izu-Ani where the application for the allocation of the land for the Star University project have all become victims of acts of vandalism, arson and threat to their lives.
These issues have not been resolved and could not be resolved by evoking emotions on issues that are already in court of law. Some of these excesses have been afoot in the past four years when the Crown Prince relocated from Lagos to Asaba, as he claimed, to monitor the events in the kingdom..
The issue of acquisition of land and payment of compensation to the farmers has been in Court in the past two years. The process of ascending the throne in towns within Aniocha North is duly recognised by the Council of Traditional Rulers and the Delta State Government, it would be a bad precedence to allow a palace coup and usurpation of the kingship throne in Idumuje Ugboko to succeed no matter how persuasive the propaganda may seem, the rule of law must prevail above the rule of the jungle and brute force.
At least eight people were killed at least one armed man on Sunday stormed the St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, the police have said.
Witnesses initially said the attack was carried out by gunmen, but the police have now clarified it may have been carried out by a lone gunman.
A witness told the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday that the gunmen went into the church during the 5:45 a.m. mass and identified a particular man and shot him.
He said they later went on rampage and shot at the remaining over 100 worshippers.
Several people were killed in the church while other critically injured worshippers died on the way to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.
Speaking on the attack, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Garba Umar, said the remains of the dead had been deposited at theNnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi.
Mr. Umar also said that the injured were taken to the hospital.
He said that preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the attack was carried out by a native of the area.
“From our findings, it is very clear that the person who carried the attack must be an indigene of the area.
“We gathered that worshippers for 6 o’clock Sunday mass at St. Philip Ozobulu were in the service when a gunman dressed in black attire covering his face with a cap entered the church and moved straight to a particular direction and opened fire.
“The man after shooting at his targeted victims still went on a shooting spree, killing and wounding other worshippers,’’ he said.
The commissioner said information available to police showed that the attacker was speaking undiluted Igbo Language at the time he was firing at worshippers.
Mr. Umar said though no arrest had been made but that the police already learnt that the attack followed a quarrel between two natives of Ozubulu residing overseas.
Describing the act as sacrilegious, he said it was wrong for the perpetrators of the act to extend their quarrel into the church.
He added: “such conduct shows the people behind the act do not fear God.’’
He said the police had launched a manhunt on those behind the act and gave an assurance that everybody behind the act would be brought to justice.
Mr. Umar described any insinuation that the attack was carried out by Boko Haram elements as false and urged the people to go about their normal businesses.
Cristiano Ronaldo told a Spanish court he “would like to return to England” due to his tax troubles in Spain, Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported on Saturday.
The Real Madrid star was called to testify in court on Monday over accusations he evaded 14.7 million euros ($17.3 million) in tax on his image rights via a complicated web of shell companies based in the British Virgin Islands and Ireland.
However, Ronaldo has insisted he did not create a “special structure” to manage his image rights when he moved to Real in 2009 but simply maintained the one set up in 2004 while he was at Manchester United.
That structure had been recommended to the Portuguese captain by United via their specialist sports lawyer Chris Farnell.
“Chris told me it was what all the footballers did and I didn’t want to be an exception,” Ronaldo added in court.
“On the field I always want to be an exception, but off it I want to be like everyone else.”
If Ronaldo is found guilty he faces a fine of at least 28 million euros and potentially a three-and-a half year jail term, according to the Gestha union of experts at Spain’s Inland Revenue.
However, despite being just the latest in a series of high-profile players to be investigated over their image rights in recent years, Ronaldo believes he is being targeted due to his fame.
“If I wasn’t called Cristiano Ronaldo I wouldn’t be here,” Ronaldo also reportedly told the court according to Spanish media.
The four-time World Player of the Year posted on social media site Instagram on Tuesday: “What bothers people is my brilliance, insects only attack lamps that shine!!!!”
Ronaldo will return to training with his Madrid teammates later on Saturday for the first time since lifting the Champions League final in June.
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane had given Ronaldo an extended break due to his participation in the Confederations Cup with Portugal and his court appearance.
