After several hours of siege and drama, yesterday,at his Maitama,Abuja residence,operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.They broke into his residence and whisked him away.The operatives gained entrance into Okorocha’s sitting room after dispersing his supporters, who were chanting solidarity songs to protest the siege.

The operative fired gunshots in an attempt to arrest the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant.

The senator’s second son, Amen, was injured in the fracas.

The anti-graft agency’s agents laid siege to Okorocha’s Maitama home at 11.30 am.

They barricaded the entrance gate with their vehicles. Armed policemen were stationed at strategic locations in and outside the premises.

Briefing reporters before he was arrested, Okorocha described the siege as an ugly development.

He said the invasion was to stop him from attending the APC presidential screening, which he said was ongoing.

The former governor also explained that no formal invitation was extended to him before the EFCC raid.

He said: “The situation I find myself in is a situation of what I call hostage.

“Policemen and EFCC operatives are currently in my compound to possibly whisk me away and my gate is blocked.

‘’All I am asking is to be allowed to go for my screening because I am a presidential aspirant and our election comes up on Sunday. If I am not allowed to go for this screening, I might miss it.

‘’I am not an unknown person in the country. I have an address and people know me in the country.

“All it takes for the EFCC is to send me an invitation and I will gladly oblige.’’

Okorocha’s lawyer, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), described the attempt to arrest the Senator without a search warrant as a violation of rights.

He told TheNation: “I got a distress call that the Rochas family is under siege.

“I got here and I met a detachment of EFCC officers and security men led by investigation officers.

“I asked what was going on and was told that the Director of Operations wanted to have a meeting with Senator Okorocha.

“Extant court orders are restraining his arrest. There are no letters of invitation or warrants of arrest. There is none.

“I requested that the invitee should be given time to report either later this week or early next or any other time other than the day of the presidential aspirants under the platform of APC, which the distinguished Senator is a most prominent person who is to be screened for the presidency of Nigeria.

“Today (yesterday) is the day of screening and an invitation by any security agencies that are not preceded by a letter of invitation or notice before now to us is very prejudicial.

“That is why we requested that a day be fixed so that the Senator can voluntarily go and keep an appointment with whoever it is that is inviting him. Again that has been turned down.

“I dare say it (the siege) is a breach of the fundamental human rights of citizen Rochas Okorocha and it has to stop.”

But the EFCC said its operatives laid siege to Okorocha’s residence due to his refusal to honour the commission’s invitations.

It said Okorocha jumped an administrative bail granted him by EFCC.

It also alleged that attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha was twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes.

The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren.

The statement said: “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), today May 24, 2022, arrived at the Maitama, Abuja home of a former governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, to effect his arrest.

“The move followed the refusal of the former governor to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the commission.

“EFCC had on January 24, 2022, filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9billion against Okorocha.

“The case was assigned to Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja but attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha was twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes.

“At the last adjourned date, March 28th, 2022, Justice Ekwo before adjourning until May 30th, 2022, had warned that it was ‘the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter’.

“In the circumstances, the commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial.”

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-05-25

The President Muhammadu Buhari, has ordered all members of his cabinet and appointees vying for electoral offices to resign on or before May 16, 2022.

The order came at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the President at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.

Nigeria information and culture minister Lai Mohamed disclosed this on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting.

He said that the directive excludes the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, because he is an elected member of the cabinet.

Mohammed affirmed that if there are any amendments or additions to this directive they would be made shortly.

He said the directive might involve political appointees if the need arises.

Cabinet members affected include Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; Justice minister and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. Others include the Minister of State Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar, who is running for governorship position in Cross Rivers State, the Minister of Women Affairs, Paulline Tallen, who declared her ambition to contest for the senatorial seat in Plateau State.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-05-11

Ogun frontline,House of Representative hopeful,Barrister Taiwo Shote,popularly knowns as 'Pepe',has emerged as the PDP candidate for Ijebu Central Federal Constituency.The nephew to Late Buruji Kashamu,pulled 100 votes to beat other contestants.He later wrote to appreciate,all those who contributed to his success.

FROM THE DEPTH OF MY HEART, I SAY THANK YOU ALL

I write to expressly state my appreciation to all the elders, leaders, local government and ward executives, delegates and indeed, the entire members of our beloved People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ijebu Ode, Odogbolu and Ijebu north east local government areas.

I am truly humbled by the overwhelming support you showed before, during and particularly after I was declared winner of the primary election held yesterday, 22nd of May, 2022. I looked through and all I saw was a group of people, who have so much trust in me and are determined to give their all in ensuring my victory, not only at the primaries, but most importantly at the general elections, come 2023.

I cannot afford to disappoint you all and I am giving my words to you once again, that I will be the type of representative you all have been clamouring for. Once again, I truly appreciate you all and I am not taking this show of love for granted.

God bless Ijebu central federal constituency

God bless PDP

God bless Nigeria !!!

*BARR. TAIWO ABDULKABIR SHOTE (PEPE)*

2023 PDP HOUSE OF REPS CANDIDATE, IJEBU CENTRAL FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY

In the same vein,Rasheed Kashamu, son of the late Senator,Buruji Kashamu,has stepped into the political shoes,his father left behind.Rasheed,also clinched a ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ogun State House of Assembly seat.

Rasheed emerged candidate unopposed for the Ijebu North state constituency 1 (Ijebu Igbo) during the House of Assembly primaries held on Monday in Ijebu North Local Government.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-05-24

After months of hide and seek, former President Goodluck Jonathan may have finally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential race.

A Northern group of supporters of Fulani extraction and Almajiris led by Ibrahim Abdullahi picked the expression of interest and nomination forms for the former President around 6:30 pm.

The All Progressives Congress has received N100m for the presidential form of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan,credited into APC Collection Account domiciled with Heritage Bank,with account number 5600007616.

Jonathan, who spoke on his entrance into the race when some women and youths stormed his office to persuade him to contest the 2023 presidential election some weeks ago, had said the process of joining was in progress.With his entrance, APC presidential aspirants have risen to 26.

Jonathan is yet to announce his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

He took over power when the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died in 2010 and contested the 2011 election, which he won.

He lost his reelection to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and acknowledged defeat before the final collation of the election results.We hear,two Northern Governors,who are close to President Buhari,may have influence the presidential bid of the former President

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-05-09

Presidential hopeful of the All Progressive Congress (APC),Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, says the growing number of people seeking the party’s presidential ticket is good for democracy.

The former Lagos state governor said this after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Tinubu, who met with the president at his official residence, said the trend is in the best interest of the country.

“The more the merrier. The more they come, the more challenging it becomes for you to think deeply, focus on issues and be ready to serve and Nigeria,” he said.

“It’s all about service, it’s nothing else. Think wisely, get committed to your thinking to serve the nation and bring progress and prosperity to the lives of Nigerians.

“It’s good for the country for so many of us to aspire to want to lead, we’re not abandoning our nation. But there’s only one chair and one possibility. We will do that.”

Tinubu said the ruling party would remain intact and united after its presidential primary, noting that President Buhari has shown that he is in support of a transparent democratic process.

We are sure that we will remain united. You know our symbol is the broom, you don’t break it as you go. Nigeria requires commitment, a uniform system and a stable country and that is the only way we can be very proud of Nigeria,” he said.

“The president has shown a great example of leadership, gave us the freedom to say you want to run, you want to attempt, go ahead. He is a democrat and if we are running a constitutional democracy, you don’t hinder the desire, the wish of other people.”

Tinubu added that the president has “been very honest and forthright” with Nigerians.

The list of APC presidential hopefuls has been growing steadily in recent weeks.

The aspirants include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Bola Tinubu, former Lagos governor; Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation; Dave Umahi, Ebonyi state governor; Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo; Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state; Emeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-05-05

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, says he will address the issue of devolution of powers if he becomes president in 2023.

Atiku spoke on Saturday when he visited Abeokuta, the Ogun capital, to seek the support of delegates ahead of the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled for May 28.

He met with  PDP leaders, including Ladi Adebutu, Ogun governorship aspirant, and Sikirullahi Ogundele, the state party chairman.

The former vice-president said he is better qualified to be president due to his experience and maturity, adding that if he is voted into power, he would also focus on unity, security, economy, and education.

“I promise to give every part of this country a sense of belonging as we did in the past,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“When we came to power in 1999, we experienced lack of unity and the first thing we did was to form a government of national unity which engendered the peace we needed for successful governance.

“I am going to tackle insecurity because once you tackle insecurity, there will be peace and when there is peace, you can now begin to implement economic reforms which will create jobs and bring about development.

“I am also going to tackle the issue of decentralisation or rather, devolution of powers to the state and the local governments.”

Speaking further, Atiku also explained why he did not visit Ogun during the 2019 presidential primary of the PDP.

“I was angry with you people because you allowed outsiders from the south-west region to manipulate you and dictate the way you ran your affairs,” he said.

“As long as there is disunity, you will continue to lose election in Ogun.

“Ogun has provided political leadership for the entire nation several times and you are too politically sophisticated and advanced to allow outsiders to interfere in your affairs.

“I am, however, happy because you are now united and I urge you to sustain this unity.”

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-05-08

Presidential hopeful and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress,Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is currently on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The Jagaban of Borgu,was spotted alongside some party chieftains, including Nuhu Ribadu, pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to sources close to Tinubu, he will return to Nigeria by weekend to continue his nationwide consultation for his presidential ambition.

Tinubu has been meeting various National and APC stakeholders to intimate them about his plan to be next President of Nigeria and sharing his vision of a better country he is prepared to lead.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-04-26

Prince Olusegun Adesegun, the Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State,was on Thursday docked in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly being in possession of a Certificate of Occupancy belonging to a retiree. Adesegun is charged with four counts of conspiracy, concealing deeds, forcible entry and forcible possession.

He pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecution Counsel, SP Victor Eruada, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between 2003 and 2017 at the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Cooperation office (NDIC), Lagos.

Eruada alleged that the defendant conspired with others at large, to steal the certificate of Occupancy with N068/68/1994 tittle document and property kept with the NDIC belonging to Mr Babatunde Oderinde, a Retiree.

According to him, the defendant in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, did enter the parcel of land located at No 2, Osilaja St., Opebi- Oregun link road, Lagos belonging to  Oderinde.He alleged that the defendant in a manner likely to cause a reasonable apprehension of the breach of peace, took possession of the parcel of land at the above mentioned address against the complainant who was entitled by law.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 52, 53, 290 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

NAN reports that Section 52 stipulates two years’ jail term for forcible entry of land for any convicted offender.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-04-22