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Military Accuses Politicians of Inciting Mutiny

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Air Marshal Alex Badeh, chief of Defense staff
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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has accused the political class of inciting the public against the military and attempting to cause disaffection among troops with the intent to cause mutiny.

DHQ) also declared that “there is no respite for terrorists.”

Major-Gen. Chris Olukolade, director of Defence Information (DDI) and chairman of the joint security information managers committee made the accusation at a press briefing by the committee in Abuja.

The briefing was attended by Director of Army Information, Brig. Olajide Laleye; Deputy Director of Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Dele Alonge; Naval Commodore Kabiru Aliyu of Naval Directorate of Information; Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, and the representative of the Nigerian Intelligent Agency (NIA).

Olukolade, also disclosed moves to commence the arrests of those sabotaging the ongoing emergency rule in the North- East, vowing that “there is no respite for terrorists.”

He warned those sabotaging the ongoing military operations and working against national interest to desist or face the consequences for violating the State of Emergency Rule Act.

According to him, the security operatives were aware of the State of Emergency Rule Act and are conscious of those violating it.

The DHQ spokesman spoke against the backdrop of the spate of criticisms that have trailed the military’s handling of the fight against terrorism which has seen repeated attacks and killings by Boko Haram insurgents in the North East despite the army’s presence in the area

Olukolade said: “We would apprehend those violating the Act, those who are undermining our operations will pay dearly for doing so but we will follow the due process in doing that.

“This committee has also noted with great concern the orchestrated attack on the morale of the Nigerian security forces engaged in the fight against terrorism by a section of the political elite.

“They make frivolous and unfounded claims and allegations on welfare of soldiers under the pretext of being more caring for the welfare and condition of Nigerian soldiers but their intention is to encourage indiscipline and ultimately mutiny.

“This set of Nigerians has taken up every available media platform to disparage efforts of the leadership of Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against terror. Indeed, the tendency is propelled by nothing altruistic other than to curry undue political capital out of the unfortunate crisis in the North-East.

“They have not only accused the military and security authorities of denying the soldiers and other security personnel of their entitlements, they have been spreading the sick rumour that the gallant Nigerian soldiers are grumbling over inadequate resources and lack of motivation to take on the insurgents. “These unfounded allegations and outright rumour mongering are, to say the least, callous, mischievous and inimical to the wellbeing of our national security.

“It is encouraging, however, that in spite of the false claims, which are intended not only to ridicule the efforts and integrity of the security forces but to weaken their morale and destroy their cohesiveness. Our gallant personnel are determined more than ever before to bring terrorism to an end in our country.”

The committee also reassured the people that “the military and security agencies will not be deterred from the commitment to defend and protect our dear country from any form of insecurity or aggression. The security forces will continue to put in their best and in no distant future, the dividends of these efforts will be incontrovertible.”

He added that the ongoing bombardment of the insurgents’ bases by the security forces, which led to the fleeing terrorists resorted to attacking soft targets, including the Federal Government College in Buni Yardi would not stop until they are completely grounded.

“There is no respite yet for the terrorists as the security forces have continued to launch air raids on their suspected bases while mop up operations by the ground forces are being intensified. “Consequently, scores of the terrorists have either being killed or apprehended and assorted weapons, including machine guns and improvised explosive devices, have been recovered.

“Useful information were also extracted from the confessions of those in the custody of the security forces while patrols are sustained,” the committee stated.

The security agencies also disclosed that simultaneous operations are ongoing nationwide to address every form of insecurity, including oil theft, kidnapping, vandalism, communal clashes, cattle rustling, trafficking in arms and persons.

 


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Sanwo-Olu Hails Jumia for Giant Strides in Growing Nigeria’s E-Commerce Sector

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L-r: Head of Legal, Jumia Nigeria, Uche Allison; Regional Head of PR, Jumia Nigeria, Robert Awodu; Chief Executive Officer, Jumia Nigeria, Sunil Natraj; Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Head of Commercial Operations, Jumia Nigeria, Shola Ositelu, and Head of Commercial, Jumia Nigeria, Oluwafemi Ajulo during a courtesy visit by Jumia Nigeria to the Governor at the State House, Marina, Lagos on Thursday March 27.
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The Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended Africa’s leading e-commerce platform, Jumia Nigeria, for its giant strides and in the growth of the country’s e-commerce sector, as well as its unique contributions to its economic development.

He said that Jumia has earned its place as a major brand, with its growth and trajectory in the country’s e-commerce ecosystem over the years which, he said, has made it a household name. He urged the company to not only strive to maintain its excellent service standards, but to also work towards improving them.

The Governor who was speaking during a courtesy visit by the management of Jumia Nigeria to the State House in Marina on Thursday March 27, reaffirmed the strategic importance of the company in the economic development of Lagos State and Nigeria, especially in job creation.

He restated his administration’s commitment in ensuring that Lagos State remains environmentally friendly for businesses to grow.

“Our administration has always prioritized creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Through various initiatives, we have strengthened the ease of doing business, and fostered innovation to drive economic growth, and we will continue to support businesses and create opportunities that will aid in their growth”, Sanwo-Olu said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said that the Lagos State Government remains open to collaborations with the private sector to enhance service delivery, infrastructure development, and create opportunities for residents, with the aim of building a resilient and sustainable future.

He said the administration recognises the importance of working with the private sector to achieve its goals of improving the lives of its citizens.

Speaking also, the Chief Executive Officer of Jumia Nigeria, Sunil Natraj, thanked the governor for creating an enabling environment in the state for businesses like Jumia to grow. He stated Jumia’s commitment to contributing towards the growth and development of the state, and the country.

Natraj said the company has made tremendous strides from its early days as a tech start-up in Lagos and has grown to become the number one e-commerce platform in Nigeria, with a presence in nine African countries.  He said the company presently employs hundreds of Nigerians directly, and thousands more indirectly as independent sales agents and partners.

He restated Jumia Nigeria’s commitment to providing excellent service, focusing on delivering exceptional value and fostering long-term relationships with its customers around the country.

Among other things, he said the company is actively working to enhance customer experience, aiming to simplify the e-commerce process, making it easier for customers to navigate and shop online.

According to him, Jumia aims to transform everyday life in Africa by making it easier for consumers to access goods and services conveniently and affordably, adding that the company is focused on expanding access to retail across the country.


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NNPC Ready to Go to Capital Market for IPO- CFIO

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Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced its readiness for the capital market with an Initial Public Offer (IPO) now in the final stage.

NNPC Ready to Go to Capital Market for IPO- CFIO

Mr. Olugbenga Oluwaniyi, chief finance and investor relations officer (CFIO), NNPC, stated this at a consultative meeting with partners at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, on Thursday.

He said the move aligned with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

He said NNPCL was currently engaging with prospective partners in an exercise tagged: “NNPC Ltd. IPO Beauty Parade” in line with capital market regulations before the commencement of the IPO.

According to the CFIO, the aim of the IPO Beauty Parade is to assess potential partners and determine in what ways they could be of support to the company.

He listed the areas of partnership required to include Investor Relations, IPO Readiness Advisors, and Investment Bank Partners.

He said the company with the best offer in terms of project partnership would be selected for each of the three categories.

The PIA provides for NNPCL to list its shares in the capital market in line with the provisions of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 1990.


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Court Throws Out Falana’s Fraud Case against Ekeh, Zinox Boss and Others

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Femi Falana and Leo Stan Ekeh
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Federal High Court in the Bwari Judicial Division has thrown out a case of fraud filed against the Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, his wife, Chioma Ekeh, and 11 others.

Court Throws Out Falana’s Fraud Case against Ekeh, Zinox Boss and Others

Femi Falana and Leo Stan Ekeh

This is the umpteenth time.

The latest is the dismissal of the suit by Justice Akpan Okon Ebong of the FCT High Court, who struck out the case filed by Mr. Femi Falana SAN, purporting to act on a fiat donated to him by Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, attorney general and minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, against Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman of Zinox Technologies, and 12 others.

The other defendants are Mr. Chris Eze Ozims, Oyebode Folashade, Charles Adigwe, Obilo Onuoha, Agartha Ukoha, Anya O. Anya, Femi Dosumu, Nnenna Kalu, Admas Digital Technologies Limited, Technology Distributions Limited and Zinox Technologies Limited.

In the suit No. FCT/HC/CR/985/24 filed in November 2024, Falana, on behalf of his client, Benjamin Joseph, the CEO of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, an Ibadan-based computer firm, filed charges against Ekeh, 9 other individuals and 3 companies before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly diverting N162,247,513.80 being payment for laptop supply contract at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Headquarters which Technology Distribution Ltd (now TD Africa), the biggest tech equipment distributor in sub-Saharan Africa supplied on behalf of Citadel in 2012.

However, in the certified true copy of the judgment dated March 20, 2025, Justice Ebong ruled as follows: “It is my conclusion based on the foregoing that this charge (No. FCT/HC/CR/985/2024, Federal Republic of Nigeria v Leo Stan Ekeh and 12 ORS) constitutes a gross abuse of court process and is liable to dismissal. I accordingly hereby dismiss it.”

Before arriving at his judgment, which has put the final nail in the coffin of a case that other courts had also dismissed in the past as dead on arrival, Justice Ebong considered the outcome of previous cases and petitions filed by Mr. Joseph, none of which was in his favour.

Justice Ebong said: “One intriguing aspect of this matter is that none of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of the nominal complainant’s (Mr. Joseph) numerous petitions has found merit in any of his allegations against the defendants. When called upon before Senchi J. (Justice Danlami Z. Senchi) to prove his said allegations to the court, he failed to turn up in court. One then wonders on what premise he wants to maintain this campaign of persecution against the defendants.”

Previous judgments on the matter had established that rather than being the culprit, Ekeh and the 12 others were actually the victims of a failed money diversion scheme plotted by Mr. Joseph and Citadel.

When contacted, one of the defendants, Mr. Chris Eze Ozims, a lawyer, said: “This ruling truly reflects our consistent position on the allegations, and it is good that we have been vindicated, once more, by a competent high court.”

He asserted that the judgment of Justice Ebong was consistent with the position of the defendants and in tandem with the rulings of other judges who had previously adjudicated on the same matter.

Mr. Matthew Burkaa SAN, chief counsel to the defendants, described the judgment as a victory for integrity and the rule of law.

Court papers showed that Falana’s suit was based on the same claims that various courts had dismissed in the past as falsehood and baseless. The case arose from a contract between Citadel and Technology Distributions Limited over the supply of computers to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), a project fully funded by Technology Distributions and has no bearing whatsoever with Zinox and its promoter, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh.

It will be recalled that Mr. Joseph had lost the case and its adjunct suits at different courts in the past. In his petition to the police in 2013, police authorities discovered that Mr. Joseph provided false information to the police, prompting the Inspector General of Police to charge him for false information in charge no.CR/216/16.

In another case filed by the EFCC in his instance against his partner, Princess Kama, in charge no. FCT/HC/CR/244/2018,  Honorable Justice Danlami Z. Senchi of the FCT High Court (as he then was) dismissed as false all the allegations made by Benjamin Joseph, and imposed the sum of N20 million as damages against him for false petitioning in relation to these same allegations.

Earlier court papers showed that Joseph, in his statement on oath in suit No:LD/4335/2014 in the High Court of Justice, Lagos State, dated June 28, 2019, averred that his company, Citadel, did not execute any contract with FIRS and that he was not aware that a contract had been awarded to Citadel.

In his deposition under oath, Joseph claimed that Citadel “did not at any time execute any contract for the FIRS and neither did the 2nd defendant (Princess O. Kama) who is its agent in respect of the contract it bid for with the FIRS deliver/release any documents to the Claimant (Citadel) indicating that the contract it bid for, or any other contract was awarded to it by the FIRS or any other body.”

However, a letter from the FIRS addressed to the chamber of Afe Babalola & Co dated February 11, 2014 (FIRS/PD/GDS/2559) and signed by one Idrissa Kogo, Head Legal Department, stated: “Contrary to your client’s claim that they knew nothing about the execution of the contract awarded to them and that they did not receive any payment for the execution of the contract, our record reveals otherwise.

“Your client instructed FIRS through a letter dated December 13, 2012, to deal with Princess O. Kama (Your client’s agent) in relation to the contract. Through three separate letters dated December 20, 2012, your client instructed FIRS to pay to the client’s account with Access Bank plc. Please note that FIRS acted in compliance with your client’s instruction and with due diligence,” the FIRS letter stated.

The FIRS letter was a response to inquiry by Afe Babalola Chamber, lawyers to Citadel Oracle Concept Ltd and its MD, Mr. Benjamin Joseph, at that time.

The current charges filed by Falana on the basis of a fiat from the Attorney General is the third in a row as Mr Joseph had earlier filed charge no.CR/469/2022, which was struck out by Honorable Justice C. O. Oba of the FCT High Court, by an order dated November 8, 2022.

Determined to push through with his case, Mr Joseph filed the same charges before Honorable Justice A. S. Adepoju of the FCT High Court, and the charges were, once again, struck out by the Honorable Court on March 19, 2024, with Honorable Justice Adepoju holding that: “This matter was brought in dead, extinct and should be confined into the dustbin of history…I hold that the instant suit is an abuse of the process of court, and it is hereby struck out accordingly.”


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