Dark forces out to smear my name – DSS DG cries out
The Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, has reacted to the alleged drama that ensued between his wife and Kano state gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Abba Yusuf.
According to him, there are dark forces out there to assassinate his character and that of his family over his uncompromising stance on some critical governance and policy issues.
Bichi specifically said those forces behind the plot, have engaged Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations not to only sustain the attacks but to stage further rallies, road-shows and press conferences and use the occasions to discredit him.
It would be recalled, that on Sunday, there was wild drama at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) when Aisha Bichi, wife of the DSS boss reportedly prevented Abba Yusuf, the state gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), from boarding a flight.
Trouble had started after the motorcade of Yusuf allegedly delayed Mrs Bichi’s convoy from gaining access into the VIP lounge, prompted her security details to step into the situation to clear the path, which in the process led to an altercation between the security details and aides of the gubernatorial candidate.
But reacting to the incident through the spokesman of the service, Peter Afunanya via a statement Tuesday morning, the spy chief disclosed that his service has uncovered plans by some politicians and “disgruntled elements” within and outside the government to sponsor smear campaigns against him and his key officials.
According to him, no amount of intimidation, harassment and blackmail will deter it from discharging its duties, adding that it would not idly watch a group of dissatisfied gang to undermine the service and its highly dedicated leadership and management.
The statement read, “The Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered plans by some politicians and disgruntled elements within and outside the government to sponsor smear campaigns against the DGSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR, fwc and his key officials over the Service’s uncompromising stance on some critical governance and policy issues.
“Those behind the plot have engaged Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations to not only sustain but stage further rallies, road-shows and press conferences and use the occasions to discredit Bichi.
“Also, sections of the media have been briefed to implement the strategy through sponsored articles, commentaries and features to malign the DG, his family and select officials of the Service.
“The Service is monitoring developments and will allow the plotters to either exhaust themselves or rescind the plan of action. Otherwise, no amount of intimidation, harassment and blackmail will deter it from discharging its duties.
“However, it would not idly watch a group of dissatisfied gang to undermine the Service and its highly dedicated Leadership and Management. The DSS, therefore, wishes to inform the public to be wary of these tendencies and ignore the antics of dark forces out to impugn the character of the DG.
“It restates its unalloyed support to the President on his resolve to continue to confront head-on, threats to national security as well as create the enabling environment necessary for the 2023 general elections to hold.”
The prosecutor, PC Olapeju Durodola, told the court that the defendant and others now at large committed the offences on Nov. 30, 2024, at Mufu Lanihun, at Yidi Agugu in Ibadan.
She said that the defendant allegedly
added a substance to her boyfriend’s drink, one Waris Olamilekan, to make him lose consciousness.
According to her, the defendant stole the money after adding the substance in the complainant’s drink.
Durodola said the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be a property owner within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second surety must be a blood relation to the defendant.
She, thereafter, adjourned the matter until May 26 for hearing.(NAN)
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Supreme Court nullifies Rivers Local Govt elections conducted by Gov Fubara
Supreme Court nullifies Rivers Local Govt elections conducted by Gov Fubara
The Supreme Court on Friday, nullified the Local Government election in Rivers, which was conducted on Oct. 5, 2024.
A five-member panel of the apex court unanimously held that the election was conducted in violation of relevant laws.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, agreed with the appellant, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that conditions precedent were not complied with before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) held the election.
Justice Tukur held that there was no evidence that the voters’ registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law.(NAN)
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Akpabio harassing me because I refused his s3xual advances – Senator Natasha alleges
Akpabio harassing me because I refused his s3xual advances – Senator Natasha alleges
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, reigniting a heated public dispute.
Speaking on ARISE TV on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed her allegations, which follow a previous confrontation with Akpabio over the unauthorized change of her Senate seat.
The controversial seat change sparked a tense argument between the two, leading to Akpoti-Uduaghan being referred to the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
Chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun (LP, Edo South), the committee was given two weeks to present its findings after lawmakers revisited the matter. They emphasised the importance of adhering to parliamentary rules and maintaining decorum.
Adding fuel to the fire, Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N100.3 billion fundamental human rights lawsuit against Akpabio. During her interview, she claimed to have evidence supporting her allegations, including screenshots of WhatsApp conversations between her and Akpabio.
She also stated that her husband is a witness to the events, and she challenged the Department of State Services (DSS) to examine the conversations for further details, as Akpabio frequently contacted her via the messaging platform.
She said: “My issue with Akpabio started on 8th of December, 2023 when myself and my husband visited Akwa Ibom for Senator Akpabio’s birthday. Akpabio was showing me around his house and was holding my hands with my husband following behind us when he said, he wants me to come and be spending special moments in his house. My husband heard him and later told me not to travel abroad alone or be with the Senate President alone.
“In February, I wanted to move a motion for the investigation on the ills of the corrupt practice in a Ajaokuta steel company. I listed that motion five times. It was the sixth time that it was listed on the order paper that was approved. Many senators can testify to that.
“Before the motion made the order paper, I went to the Senate President in his office, and I said, Senate President,’ you know how important this Ajaokuta Steel Company is to me, you know how important it is to my people and to Nigerians. I’ve noticed that you have stepped down this motion’. As a matter of fact, a number of senators told me to see him and plead with him so that he would take it. I was like, ‘sir, please, why can’t you take this motion? It’s very important’ Then, it was listed the third time and stepped down.
“He then said, ‘Natasha, I’m the Chief presiding officer of the Senate, you can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me. Make me happy’. At that point, I said, ‘Sir, I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear this’. He said, ‘well, the ball is in your court’. I left his office
“My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”
Akpabio has not yet responded to the allegation, which is currently trending online.