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Nigerian govt files new charges against ex-NSA Dasuki, wants masked witnesses

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The Nigerian government has filed fresh charges of alleged money laundering against a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who was arraigned in September on a single count charge of illegal possession of firearms.
The government also requested that witnesses against Mr. Dasuki be given special cover, including use of facial mask.
Mr. Dasuki was arrested in August by the State Security Services, shortly after he was removed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
On September 1, the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri, told the court that Mr. Dasuki was charged with the unlawful possession of firearms without a licence. The former NSA pleaded not guilty.
The judge granted Mr. Dasuki bail on self-recognition but ordered that his passport and other travel documents be deposited with the deputy court registrar while the case was adjourned to October 26 and 27 for definite hearing.
On resumed hearing Monday, M.S. Labaran, appearing for the prosecution, announced that the one-count charge against Mr. Dasuki had been expanded to include charges bordering on illegal possession of various amounts of local and foreign currency in his Abuja residence and family house in Sokoto.
He said keeping the various amount of foreign currencies was contrary to Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
He also requested that the trial be conducted in secrecy by providing special cover for witnesses from using public routes.
He requested the use of private witness room, use of facial masks, and also urged the court to allow only accredited members of the media to cover the trial.
In a counter motion, one of the counsels to Mr. Dasuki and former president of the Nigeria Bar Association, Joseph Daudu, objected to the request for special cover for prosecution witnesses in the case on the ground that the case was harmless within a democratic setting.
Mr. Daudu said even during military rule, such trials were held openly.
He said in a democracy, rule of law would be the greatest casualty if such trials are made in secret.
“In a criminal trial, the ability of the defence counsel to confront the prosecution witness is pivotal,” he told the court.
He said the identity of the witnesses which the prosecution sought to hide was already in the public domain.
“We consider the trial as harmless to the witnesses. If you make the witnesses anonymous then we may lack the ability to conduct background checks. Even trial of treasonable felony and coup d’état the witnesses are not hidden and we are in a democracy.
“Also for the fact that there has not been cases in this court where witnesses are being molested and in this case it will be a case of injustice if the defence counsel and witnesses are known and the prosecution witnesses who are armed and can protect themselves are shielded. I think all the motions and counter-affidavit have been charged and this is purely an academic exercise,” he argued.
Mr. Daudu also asked the court to release the travel documents of the accused to him so that he would be able to travel abroad for medical check-up.
According to him, Mr. Dasuki was billed to travel a day before his arrest for medical treatment but the arrest and trial had so far prevented him from doing so.
Mr. Labaran, who appeared for the prosecution, therefore requested for adjournment to be able to react to the motion for the release of Mr. Dasuki’s travel documents.
Justice Ademola Adeniyi, who expressed surprise at the new charges, adjourned the case to Wednesday, October 28, 2015 for ruling on prosecution’s request for secret trial and Dasuki’s request for his travel documents to be released to him.

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Nigeria will overcome security challenges — Ex-army chief, Buratai

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Nigeria will overcome security challenges — Ex-army chief, Buratai

Nigeria will overcome security challenges — Ex-army chief, Buratai

 

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Sahara Weekly Reports That A former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), has predicted an end to the security challenges Nigeria is presently passing through saying it will soon be a thing of the past.

 

 

 

 

 

Nigeria will overcome security challenges — Ex-army chief, Buratai

 

 

 

 

General Buratai spoke at the public presentation of books written by the Director Academic, Planning and Quality Assurance, Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State, Brigadier General Mogbekeloluwa Oluyinka Fakokunde, which was held at Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja on Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The former army chief commended the efforts of the Nigerian military in the war against insecurity saying they have given their best within the circumstances they have found themselves. He however expressed optimism in the ability of the military to nip the security challenges in the bud very soon saying insecurity is a global occurrence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to commend them (the military). They are doing well. They are doing their best within the circumstances they find themselves and what is happening. It (insecurity) is not only in Nigeria, it is global. What is happening is Nigeria is not an exception. Within our neighbours, we see what is happening and globally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We see what is happening in Sudan, Ukraine, in the Middle East and so on. They (the military) need to remain resolute, remain focused and continue the project they are doing and surely they will succeed. For sure it (insecurity) cannot be permanent, there must be a solution and we can get out of it one day,” General Buratai told media

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The author, Brigadier General Fakokunde, while speaking with Tribune Online, said the books were written with the intention to solve societal problems such as stress, drug abuse and addiction as well as providing the leeway for teachers to manage stress associated with their profession.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He said as builders of talents, teachers need the required skills and qualifications to excel and impart knowledge on their students as leaders of tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“If you look at these books, they are not just ordinary books, they are also working instruments addressing the problems of the society like problem of drug addicts, problem of occupational stress and others ravaging the workforce now. These are competencies they need to imbibe so that they can manage their stress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The rate of drug abuse is a serious thing now and is prevalent among the students and the youths. With these publications, we have instruments that can be used to manage drug abuse among our youths, our workforce and every strata of the society. The intention is to solve problems of the society and that is what we have done by unveiling these books.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The books’ reviewer, Professor Mary Ogechi Esere, of the University of Ilorin, while commending the author for his efforts said the books describe Nigeria’s current realities and provide solutions for the way out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She said the books could not have come at a better time describing them as tools for stress management and to tackle the menace of drug abuse especially among the youths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The author has deemed it fit to give us tools that we can use to manage the stress and tackle drug abuse which is prevalent among our students right from primary schools. The books are apt, written at the right time. It is scholarly and the writing style is unique,” she said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The books presented are Handbook of Occupational Stress Management for Teachers, Psychological Testing and Technique in Continuous Assessment for Colleges and Universities, Drug Abuse Awareness Scale (DAAS) and Drug Abuse Awareness Scale (DAAS) Manual.

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Every woman should emulate Oluremi Tinubu, she’s a precious gem-prophet Ikuru

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By Collins Nkwocha

The prophetic hall of fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry has described the first lady of the federal republic of Nigeria,Mrs.Oluremi Tinubu as a precious gem with impeccable qualities.

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Speaking today in Ikeja, Lagos,the prophet showered encomium on the first lady for her immense contribution to nation building “Mrs.Oluremi Tinubu has been absolutely stupendous, she’s a woman with rare qualities that are worth emulating, she’s been absolutely supportive to the president, attending meetings, bringing ideas and opinions that will help make Nigeria a better place for everyone,she must be applauded and commended for this”

He reiterated that anyone man that has someone like her has indeed got someone to rely on ” anyone that has someone like the first lady has someone indeed,she has been solidly behind Asiwaju, even during the election, she played her part actively to ensure that Asiwaju emerges,what a woman!”

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Fubara, don’t bite the hand that fed you, it’s very dangerous -prophet Ikuru

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By Collins Nkwocha

The prophetic hall of fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry has called on the governor of Rivers state Siminalayi Fubara to discard the Idea of probing Wike’s administration and ultimately make peace with his political father,Wike.

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Speaking in Lagos today, the prophet insisted that the Idea of probing Wike’s administration is an affront Which sounded like a bad joke, delivered in the middle of a funeral sermon “you don’t have to disrespect Wike to the extent that you want to probe him, it’s an insult,you were nobody in Rivers state, Wike picked you and made you prominent and relevant in Rivers state, remember you were the account general under Wike’s administration,be wise, don’t bite the hand that fed you”.

He pointed out that it will be a wise decision if they can sort out their differences so that peace can return to Rivers state”I want to appeal to Wike and Fubara, Father and son, please kindly sort out your differences, Rivers state is suffering,the people living in Rivers state are apprehensive because of the both of you,I call and pray for peace “.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prophetgodwinikuru/

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Twitter: https://x.com/prophetgodwin11

 

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