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You’re spreading lies, falsehoods over Mambilla power project – Former Minister slams Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been accused by former Minister of Power and Steel Olu Agunloye with deliberately disseminating lies to divert attention away from his own performance on the Mambilla power project.

Agunloye’s remarks coincide with his ongoing legal dispute over a fraud case involving the Mambilla Hydroelectric Plant that is worth billions of dollars.

Agunloye, currently the National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), is facing seven charges filed by the Nigerian government related to the controversial project.

The case, brought before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, alleges that Agunloye was involved in a $6 billion fraud during his tenure as Minister of Power and Steel from 2002 to 2003 under the Obasanjo administration.

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In a statement released on Friday, Agunloye claimed that the former president was deliberately distorting facts to obscure his own involvement in the Mambilla project.

He argued that Obasanjo’s public statements and actions were designed to deflect blame and protect his own legacy concerning the power project.

Agunloye also expressed frustration over what he perceived as efforts to use him as a scapegoat to perpetuate the narrative of widespread corruption, particularly in relation to the project’s arbitration process.

He suggested that the dispute was rooted in personal conflicts between Obasanjo and key figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Leno Adesanya, the owner of Sunrise Power Company, who he claimed were part of the broader issue.

Furthermore, Agunloye accused Obasanjo of feigning ignorance regarding the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract during his presidency, only to later misrepresent the facts in both public statements and legal proceedings.

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Agunloye’s accusations add another layer to the ongoing saga of the Mambilla project, which has been marred by years of delays and controversy.

“The government seeks to use me as a scapegoat to portray systemic corruption to the arbitration panel and undermine Sunrise’s claims. Challenges stem from personal conflicts between President Obasanjo and two of his associates: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Leno Adesanya, owner of Sunrise Power Company.

“Obasanjo feigned ignorance of the BOT contract during his presidency and later distorted the facts in public and judicial settings.

“The arbitration in France arose from actions taken by successive administrations, particularly under President Buhari. In 2017, then-Minister of Power Babatunde Fashola bypassed a 2012 agreement signed under President Goodluck Jonathan with Sunrise and awarded the contract to another company.

“Despite advice from the Chinese government to resolve the dispute amicably, the FGN failed to honor two settlement agreements, leading Sunrise to return to arbitration.

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“The government is spreading misinformation and using me as a pawn to divert attention from the actions of its own officials and four former presidents who handled the project over two decades.”

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Man allegedly stabs Uber Driver, steals his car

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Man allegedly stabs Uber Driver, steals his car

The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a suspect accused of stabbing a uber driver and dispossessing him of his car.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

Hundeyin said that the incident happened on Saturday at 7:34p.m., at Ile-Zik in the Agege area of the state.

“A uber driver reported at Isokoko Division that the suspect boarded his Toyota Camry at Nitel by Old Abeokuta Motor Road, Agege, to Marriott Hotel, GRA, Ikeja.

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“On getting to Ile-Zik along the way, the suspect brought out a sharp knife, stabbed him all over his body and stole his vehicle, ” he said.

Hundeyin said that based on the report,
a team of policemen later trailed the vehicle to Oshodi where the suspect was intercepted.

“He was immediately apprhended and the vehicle was recovered from him to the station, ” he said.

The police spokesman said that the victim had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

Hundeyin said that investigation into the case was ongoing. (NAN)

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BREAKING; Killing: University closed down by School’s Management over students’ protest

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BREAKING; Killing University closed down by School’s Management over students’ protest

The Management of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State has announced a one-week Mid-Semester break starting from Feb. 24.

The closure of the school followed a protest embarked on by the students on Sunday after they alleged that the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) had shot to death one of their colleagues.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students’ protest continued Monday morning.

Reports indicated that the JTF members on Sunday shot the student, alleging that he was an informant.

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The FUDMA Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, announced the decision of the Senate to close the school in a statement issued in Katsina on Monday.

Bichi further advised the students to leave campus before 6.00 p.m. on Feb. 24.

“The Management wishes the students a happy and peaceful mid-semester break,” he said. (NAN)

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Controversy as Ganduje, Senate Deputy President attend NNPP Senator’s family events in Kano

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Controversy as Ganduje, Senate Deputy President attend NNPP Senator’s family events in Kano

Prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), such as National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, recently attended a prominent opposition senator’s private ceremonies in Kano, sparking political controversy and speculation.

Prior to the 2023 elections, Senator Kawu Sumaila, who is currently the representative for Kano South in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), made news when he left the APC after a protracted leadership dispute inside the party.

His recent choice to invite APC members to his family gatherings has drawn criticism, with many speculating about the political ramifications.

On Friday, Jibrin, who led a delegation of federal lawmakers, confirmed their attendance at the wedding of Sumaila’s children, which took place in Sumaila town, Kano State on February 21.

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The wedding united Dr. Khadija Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Faisal Abdulmanaf Sarina, and Maryam Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Bello Ibrahim Ma’aji, in a ceremony officiated by Professor Salisu Shehu, Imam of Sumaila Jumaat Mosque.

Jibrin’s statement also highlighted the attendance of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, who joined the festivities and offered blessings for the newlyweds.

“May Allah bless their union and give them patience, endurance, tolerance, and love. Congratulations to the newlyweds,” Jibrin added in his post.

The following day, both Jibrin and Ganduje were present at the first convocation of Al-Istiqama University, a private institution reportedly founded by Senator Sumaila in the Sumaila Local Government Area. This further fueled speculation about the growing relationship between the APC and the NNPP senator.

Within the NNPP, these moves have sparked unease, with many members expressing concern over Sumaila’s increasing openness to opposition figures. There are growing rumors that Sumaila may be contemplating a return to the APC, especially as he continues to distance himself from NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso and Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano.

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The senator’s tensions with the state government have been well documented, especially over the controversial reinstatement of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, and the repeal of the 2019 State Emirate Council Law, which had consolidated power in five emirates.

The involvement of APC heavyweights at Sumaila’s events, including former Kano governor Ibrahim Shekarau of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left many questioning the senator’s allegiance.

With his history of disagreements with the state government, particularly over the dissolution of emirates created under Ganduje’s administration, there’s increasing speculation that Sumaila may once again align with the APC.

Should Sumaila make the move back to the APC, he would join a growing list of opposition lawmakers defecting to the ruling party, further shifting the political dynamics in Kano.

The NNPP, which currently holds the title of Nigeria’s fourth-largest party in terms of parliamentary representation, has been struggling to maintain its influence in Kano—the only state it governs.

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While NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso managed to secure a victory only in Kano, a potential shift in allegiance by Sumaila could mark a significant blow to the party’s already fragile standing.

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