Nigerian Newspapers Headlines Wednesday Morning

Sanusi To Challenge Detention, Forced Exile, Kano Continues N2.2bn Fraud Probe [PUNCH]

Counsel say deposed Emir being subjected to maximum trauma
May God bless us with good leaders, prays ex-Kano ruler
El-Rufai offers deposed monarch Kaduna board appointment

The immediate past Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II’s lawyers on Tuesday vowed to challenge his banishment and detention by the Kano State Government.

Sanusi’s legal team led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Balarabe-Mahmoud, at a press conference in Kano, said government should release Sanusi or face a legal action. They also raised the alarm over the deposed Emir’s personal safety and security.

The lawyers stated that they had not been able to speak to Sanusi since Monday, adding that the location of the place where the deposed Emir was being detained was meant to cause him “maximum trauma and distress.”

Sanusi, who became the 14th Emir of Kano on June 8, 2014, was dethroned on Monday by the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and banished to Nasarawa State.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, who announced Sanusi’s deposition and the appointment of Alhaji Aminu Bayero as his successor, said the immediate past Emir was removed because of “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the state governor.”

At 5:36pm on Monday, the Emir was forced out of the palace from where he was taken to Loko in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Sanusi was on the road for seven hours, arrived Nasarawa 2am –Lawyers

Criticising the treatment being meted out to Sanusi, the lawyers, at the press conference, said, “We have not spoken to the Emir since yesterday (Monday), but we understand that they are at their destination somewhere in a remote part of Nassarawa State after driving for nearly seven hours in the night and arriving about 2am today.

“We understand that the choice of the location to detain Muhammadu Sanusi II was intended to cause maximum trauma and distress. This again is illegal and unconstitutional.

“According to instructions we received from the Emir through his chief of staff, we are directed to take legal action to challenge the legality of the Emir’s detention and banishment.

“We are of the firm view that this action is illegal and unconstitutional. Section 35 of our constitution guarantees every citizen the right to personal liberty. The bases of the denial of personal liberty are set out clearly in this Section of the Constitution. None applies to the case of the Emir.”

The lawyers said the archaic practice of banishment of deposed Emirs, a colonial practice, had no basis in the country’s constitution.

They said, “The illegality of such a practice was pronounced by the Nigerian Court of Appeal in Attorney General Kebbi State v. the former emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Al-Mustapha Jakolo, and ors 2013 LPELR 22349/CA where the court pronounced it as illegal and unconstitutional gross violation of the rights of the Emir.

“This is what the court said in that case: ‘The banishment and deportation from Kebbi State by the Governor of Kebbi State of the first respondent Jokolo to Lafia in Nasarawa State and later to Obi also in Nasarawa State is most unconstitutional and illegal.

“We call on the authorities, in particular the Inspector-General, the Director General of Department of State Services and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to ensure the immediate release of Sanusi II so that he can be reunited with his family.

Lawyers raise the alarm

“We are concerned about his personal safety and security, and wish to call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community to bring their influence to bear to ensure that he regains his liberty immediately and to guarantee his safety and security.

“We, the legal team of the dethroned Emir, are working both in Kano and Abuja and unless he is released immediately, we will be taking appropriate legal action.”

According to them, the Kano State Emirate Council Law, which was recently enacted by the Government of Kano State, does not give the state executive council or the Governor of Kano State the powers to unilaterally remove the emir.

They said, “The reason given in the letter of deposition of the Emir dated 9th March, 2020, was alleged ‘disrespect to lawful instructions from the authorities’.

‘Sanusi removed without inquiry, fair hearing’

“The Emir was also alleged to have ‘refused to attend official programmes and meetings organized by the Government’, As far as we are aware, there has not been any notice of such disrespect ever given to the Emir or querry issued to him for refusal to attend official functions.

“He was never given any opportunity to defend himself against those charges. Section 13 of the Kano Emirates Council Law 2019 cited in the letter of deposition empowers the Governor to depose an Emir only after due inquiry and in consultation with State Council of Chiefs.

“We are not aware of such due inquiry nor are we aware that the Kano State Council of Chiefs was at any time summoned to any meeting much less discuss the removal of the Emir or give any advice to the Governor on the deposition.”

“Be that as it may, the decision to challenge the removal is solely that of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. At this moment no such instruction has been given to us.”

How Sanusi, family members were harassed —Lawyers

Police threw tear gas canisters in palace

The head of the legal team also explained how Sanusi and his family were harassed after the deposition of the Emir.

He said while Sanusi was waiting for his deposition letter there was commotion in the private wing of the palace as some unauthorized persons tried to gain entry into the family section.

The SAN said, ‘’This led to some scuffle and tear-gas canisters were fired by the security operatives. Normalcy was restored after the unauthorized persons along with armed security operatives retreated from the inner part of the palace.”

He said the Emir later received the letter which indicated that he was to be moved to Nasarawa State.

Balarabe-Mahmoud stated, “We requested to know if he was under arrest and if so we needed to see the warrant. The Commissioner of Police informed us that he was not under arrest. We informed the Commissioner of Police that it was illegal and a violation of his constitutional rights to remove to Nasarawa State against his wish.

“The Emir informed the Commissioner of Police that his friends had sent an aircraft to fly him and his family to Lagos and requested that they should be provided with necessary security to the airport so that he could leave.

‘’The commissioner refused saying that was not their instruction. They were willing to allow the family to leave for Lagos but he was to be flown to Abuja then onwards taken to Nasarawa State.”

He said when it was clear that the police were bent on using force to achieve their objective, the Emir cooperated with them in order not to jeopardize his safety, that of his family and persons around.

Balarabe-Mahmoud said the Emir was taken in a private aircraft at 6:40pm, while the family subsequently boarded the aircraft arranged by his friends and departed for Lagos about 15 minutes later.

We won’t drop Sanusi’s N2.2bn land scam probe, says Kano anti-graft agency

There were indications on Tuesday that more troubles awaited Sanusi II, as Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission said it would not drop investigations into the N2.2bn land scam against him.

The Chairman of the commission, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Tuesday, said the investigation into the N2.2bn land scam allegation against the dethroned Emir was going on.

The anti-graft agency had a few weeks ago begun a probe of the deposed Emir over illegal sale of landed property.

Before his removal, the anti-corruption commission had issued an invitation letter to him to appear before it on March 9, to clear himself of the allegations.

But on March 6, a Federal High Court sitting in Kano granted an interim injunction restraining the Kano State anti-commission agency from further investigating the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

The chairman of the commission, Mr Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, in the interview with The PUNCH said the investigation had not stopped.

He stated, “Even yesterday (Monday) some companies were invited by the commission, but on the emir, the investigation will continue after the court order (has been vacated).”

He said with the deposition of embattled monarch, the commission would have what he described as ‘fertile ground’ to carry out its investigation without any interference.

We now have fertile ground to investigate deposed Emir —Commission chairman

Rimingado said, “It is now that we have the fertile ground for our investigation since the emir is not around.”

How we used police to force Sanusi out of palace –Ganduje’s aide

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Media, Salihu Yakasai, on Tuesday said Sanusi refused to leave the palace even after he had been formally informed of his dethronement on Monday.

Yakasai said the state government had to use policemen to force him out of the place. The governor’s spokesman said this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday.

He said if Sanusi had humbled himself and left the palace immediately he was informed of his removal, he would have been spared the drama.

No government can condone Sanusi’s criticisms – Ganduje’s spokesman

He also defended Sanusi’s removal, saying he was deposed because he was fond of criticising the government of Ganduje in public. He said no one in power could condone such public criticisms.

Yakasai said this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday.

He said Sanusi, who had easy access to Ganduje, should have private discussions with the governor on state issues instead of criticising the governor publicly.

The governor’s spokesman said, “The emir had access to the governor and could have advised him if he wanted to but unfortunately, he only finds podiums and stages as the only means to advise the government, which is not right.

“So, you can portray it has political or whatever but the fact remains that no one would allow such disrespect and open criticism when you have access to him.”

May God bless us with good leaders, Sanusi prays for Nigeria

Sanusi, in his farewell to Kano people in his palace on Monday, urged them to remain peaceful. He thanked them for their support during his reign as the 14th Emir of Kano.

In a video released in the early morning hours of Tuesday, the dethroned Emir of Kano said he accepted the dethronement as a will of God. He prayed that God bless “us with good leaders.”

He stated, “We wish to call on the public to remain peaceful, whosoever is made the Emir, we hereby instruct our family members, children and all those we have authority on to declare their allegiance to him.

“We have always said it that being an Emir is limited by time. The days Allah has willed for one to remain as Emir are limited. Once those days are completed one must vacate the throne whether he wants to or not. As a result of that, we accept whatever Allah wills. We accept, we are thankful, we are happy and we believe it is the best for us.

“May Allah bless you all, keep you alive and enrich our dear land. May He bless us with good leaders. May Allah bless this Emirate and our country at large. May He return our land to us.”

Sanusi moved to another Nasarawa town

The deposed Emir, who arrived at Loko, a town in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Tuesday morning , was again moved to Awe town in the Awe Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that Sanusi was moved to Awe because of lack of amenities in Loko, a town that shares boundary with the Federal Capital Territory.

The traditional ruler of Loko, Abubakar Sabo, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, that Sanusi had been relocated from his domain.

He said, “The emir of Kano left my domain around 1:40pm. I don’t know where they have taken him to. They came with a helicopter and took him away. He has left.”

El-Rufai gives deposed Emir new appointment

But 24 hours after his deposition, the Kaduna State Government on Tuesday appointed Sanusi into the board of the state investment promotion agency

A statement by the state Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, said, “Kaduna State hopes to benefit from the profile, experience, intellect and networks of His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi, who before becoming Emir, had built a solid reputation in global financial circles.

“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai said that Kaduna State was honoured to be able to call on the services of a man of such a calibre to drive its development.”

According to the statement, the state Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe will chair the board while Sanusi will be vice-chairman.

Sanusi’s banishment unconstitutional – Awomolo, Falana

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mr Adegboyega Awomolo and Femi Falana, faulted the banishment of Sanusi by the Kano State Government.

In separate statements, they said the banishment was a violation of the ex-Emir’s fundamental rights guaranteed under sections 34, 35, 40 and 41 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Falana noted that Sanusi was dethroned by Ganduje-led state executive council for insubordination without according him fair hearing.

The senior lawyer, who contended that the practice of banishing dethroned monarchs belonged to the era of colonialism, explained that the Court of Appeal had in 2013 in the case of a former Emir of Gwandu in Kebbi State, Al-Mustapha Jokolo, against Kebbi State Government, declared the practice as unconstitutional.

He said, “The British colonial regime got away with such atrocities because colonial powers at the material time operated outside the ambit of law and civilised standards.

“But under the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria no state government has the power to remove a traditional ruler and subject him to banishment and detention without following due process.”

He, therefore, urged the Kano State Government “to release Sanusi forthwith and allow him to enjoy his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of locomotion as well as the right to contest his removal from the Kano throne if he so desires.”

On his part, Awomolo urged the Attorney -General of the state to “properly guide the governor” to the effect that the former Emir could not be banished without a court order.

Awomolo said, “I will appeal to the honourable Attorney general of Kano State to guide the governor, properly on five constitutional issues”, including the fact that “the constitutional and executive territorial jurisdiction of the governor is limited to Kano State.

Lagos Assembly Seals Sacked Lawmakers’ Offices As Crisis Worsens [PUNCH]

The crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly worsened on Tuesday as the offices of the sacked principal officers were sealed.

The PUNCH learnt that those said to have been suspended indefinitely were also shut out of their offices.

The House had on Monday ousted the Chief Whip, Rotimi Abiru (Somolu II), and the Deputy Majority Leader, Olumuyiwa Jimoh (Apapa II).

Two other members, Moshood Osun (Lagos Mainland II) and Adewale Raheem (Ibeju/Lekki Constituency II), were suspended indefinitely for gross misconduct and insubordination.

Court Orders Interim Forfeiture Of Kwara Herbalist’s Building [PUNCH]

A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, on Tuesday, granted an order for the temporary forfeiture of a four-bedroom bungalow.

The building, which is situated at Oke Foma in Ilorin, belongs to a herbalist, Jamiu Isiaka, who is on trial for alleged Internet fraud.

The Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on June 10, 2019, arraigned Jamiu for allegedly defrauding a Korean, Keun Sig Kim, and impersonating some government officials, including the then Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru; the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina; and the National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Aminat Zakari, among others.

Moving the application, the counsel for the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, sought an order for the interim forfeiture of the assets and property of the accused listed in the attached scheduled.

He also prayed the court to grant an order stopping the disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation, or otherwise, tampering with the property/assets described in the schedule by Jamiu.

The EFCC counsel also asked the court presided over by Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar to authorise the commission to appoint a competent person or firm to manage the property.

According to him, the motion was brought pursuant to sections 6, 7 and 29 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act of 2004; Section 335 of the Kwara State Administration of Criminal Justice Law of 2018; and Section 46 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

In the affidavit deposed to by one Musa Sanni, an EFCC operative, the commission said, “The respondent, Jamiu Isiaka, told his victim that certain certificates would be presented to him by the NNPC.”

After listening to the prosecution counsel, Justice Abdulgafar granted the application and ordered the interim forfeiture of the property.

Senate Queries $4m Payment To Lawyer From ECA [PUNCH]

The Senate on Tuesday asked the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, to supply details of the lawyer who was paid $4m from the already depleted excess crude account.

The accountant general was in the red chamber to explain the Federal Government’s achievements so far on the revenue projection for 2020. He was also expected to give reasons for the depletion in the ECA.

Idris said the country currently had $71.8m in the ECA from $2.2bn which the administration of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), inherited from the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2015.

The money in the ECA, according to Idris, rose to $2.6bn in 2016 and reduced to $2.4bn in 2017.

He added that the money was further depleted in 2018 to $631.4m; $324.9m in 2019 and reduced drastically to $71.8m.

He said the sum of $254m was paid out this year from the $324.96m balance carried over from 2019.

Sanusi’s Lawyers To Sue Kano Govt Over Detention, Banishment [THE NATION]

THE legal team of the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi ll, has threatened to sue the Kano State Government over what it called “illegal detention and banishment “ of its client.

It said was driven at night for seven hours to a remote village in Nasarawa State, all in a bid to cause him “maximum trauma and distress.”

Mr Abubakar Balarabe-Mahmoud, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and leader of the team, made this known just as the state Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission said it would resume the investigation of Sanusi.

Balarabe-Mahmoud , at a news conference in Kano on Tuesday, said: “We have not spoken to the (deposed)Emir since Monday, but we understand they are at their destination somewhere in a remote part of Nassarawa State after driving for nearly seven hours in the night and arrived at about 2am on Tuesday.

“We understand the choice of location to detain Sanusi was intended to cause him maximum trauma and distress. This again is illegal and unconstitutional.

“According to instructions we received from the Emir through his Chief of Staff, we are directed to take legal action to challenge the legality of his detention and banishment.

“We are of the firm view that this action is illegal and unconstitutional. Section 35 of our Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to personal liberty. The basis of the denial of personal liberty are set out clearly in this Section of the Constitution. None applies to the case of Sanusi.

“The archaic practice of banishment of deposed Emirs, a colonial practice, has no basis under Nigerian law or Constitution. We are totally perplexed at the resort to this practice in present day Nigeria by its political leaders.

“The illegality of such practice was pronounced by the Court of Appeal in Attorney-General, Kebbi State vs. former Emir of Kwandu, Alhaji Al-Mustapha Jakolo and ors 2013 LPELR 22349/CA where the court pronounced it as illegal and unconstitutional and gross violation of the rights of the Emir.

“This is what the court said in that case: The banishment and deportation from Kebbi State by the governor of Kebbi State of the first respondent, Jokolo, to Lafia in Nassarawa State and later to Obi also in Nassarawa State is most unconstitutional and illegal.”

APC Crisis: Party Chiefs At Secretariat [THE NATION]

‘No NWC meeting’

THE police on Tuesday allowed access to the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party’s headquarters was sealed of last week following a leadership tussle.

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) court barred National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole from parading himself as such while a Federal High Court sitting in Kano ordered maintenance of status quo in the party’s leadership.

The police then locked the secretariat.

Some chieftains of the party were sighted at the national secretariat yesterday. But there was no meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Those sighted include: Acting National Secretary Victor Giadom; National Vice Chairman (Northeast) Salihu Mustapha; National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Bankole Oluwajana; National Organising Secretary Emma Ubeduro; National Youth Leader Abubakar Sadiq; National Women Leader Hajiya Salamatu Beiwa and Acting National Auditor Isa Mabuchu.

Also at the secretariat was the factional Edo APC Chairman Anslem Ojeszua.

An official said there was no meeting. “We just came to office”.

Also on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the Forum of APC State Chairmen, Lawal Liman, said the Forum will meet next week.

According to Liman, who is the Zamfara State Chairman, “all issues would be resolved at the next NEC meeting and, hopefully, we will hold a meeting of the Forum before the said NEC meeting.”

In Edo on Tuesday, a socio-political group – Safe Edo Movement pitched tent with Oshiomhole and Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

COVID-19 Taking Huge Toll On Economy, Says Buhari [THE NATION]

Coronavirus continued its global dislocations on Tuesday. From Nigeria where a scary economic meltdown now looms with shrinking revenue as oil money goes downhill, to the global canvass where the Coronavirus scare has forced the United Nations General Assembly to cancel its Beijing assembly.

THE reality of a worrisome economic meltdown as a result of the touring Coronavirus, which as at last count has touched down on 90 countries, came closer home on Tuesday, with President Muhammadu Buhari, admitting that the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has started affecting the nation’s revenue negatively.

The President made this known when workers in the health sector, under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly Healthcare Professionals Associations (AHPA), paid him a courtesy call in his office.

The President, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, appealed to the health workers to consider the current state of the economy and be moderate in their demands, assuring that government was looking into their issues with a view to resolving them.

He said: “Your case is certainly receiving attention, but you must bear in mind the condition that the country is in now. Coronavirus is not improving matters. It is affecting what we very much depend on, the petroleum industry and therefore revenue,” he said.

President Buhari also called on the visitors to appeal to the patriotic sentiments of their members in these trying times and continue to work for further development of the country.

“So please try and help us with your people. Let us be patriotic, let us look at the ways and means of the government and appeal for restraint.

“We have to emphasize that it is very important we maintain cohesion together, because if we allow sentiments or popularity to overwhelm our reasoning faculties, we will be in trouble and it will be too late for us to adjust, so please bear with us,” said the President.

JOHESU, an amalgam of five registered trade unions and AHPA, under the leadership of Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah, had come to intimate the President with some of the contentious issues in the sector and to thank him for some of the positive developments.

Stocks Lose N985b In Two Days [THE NATION]

NIGERIAN equities recorded their largest single-day decline in a decade on Tuesday.

The losses were triggered by the tumbling crude oil prices and the confirmation of a second Coronavirus case which continued to fuel major selloffs at the stock market.

The stocks depreciated by N656 billion on Tuesday, bringing the total loss within the past two trading sessions to N985 billion.

All transactions, with the exception of three, on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) were at discounts, forcing the market to its largest daily decline since March 19, 2010. Average decline stood at 4.9 per cent on Tuesday, equivalent to net capital depreciation of N656 billion.

The aggregate market value of all quoted equities at the NSE dropped from its opening value of N13.366 trillion to close at N12.710 trillion.

The All Share Index (ASI) – the benchmark index for the stock market, declined from its opening index of 25,647.54 points to close at 24,388.66 points. Average year-to-date return worsened to -9.1 per cent.

The ASI had opened Monday at 26,279.61 points while market capitalisation opened at N13.695 trillion.

Several major quoted companies hit their lowest prices in one year yesterday.

They (companies) include: Guaranty Trust Bank (N19.95); Zenith Bank (N13.05); Nigerian Breweries (N33.10); Nestle Nigeria (N1, 017); PZ Cussons Nigeria (N4.05); Stanbic IBTC Holdings (N28.35); GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (N3.45); Oando (N2.19); Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (N2.03); Cadbury Nigeria (N6.65) and NASCON Allied Industries, which dropped to a 52-week low of (N11.70) per share.

Analysts agreed that the steep decline was due to the unabated spread of Covid-19 and the crash in crude oil price occasioned by the crude oil output war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

N3.7bn Recovered From NDDC Contractors –Buhari [SUN]

president Muhammadu Buhari said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over N3.7 billion and various assets worth billions of naira from contractors and former directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“Furthermore, I am told that Government agencies have placed liens on over N6 billion of assets which are being investigated,” he said.

He made the disclosure yesterday, in Abuja, at the inauguration of NDDC Advisory Committee, comprising nine governors of the Niger Delta region and the ministers of Niger Delta Affairs and Environment.

Buhari said it was in the bid to forestal graft and impunity that he approved that forensic audit should be carried out on the commission and an advisory board inaugurated.

The Niger Delta states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

The President told the advisory committee that the abuses of the past showed the need for strict and diligent oversight of the NDDC.

He said he looked forward to seeing positive changes in the administration of the NDDC as well as improvement in infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.

Falling Oil Price: Senate Prepares For Downward Review Of 2020 Budget [SUN]

As Reps express concern

The Senate, yesterday constituted a joint-committee to engage the Executive on measures to stave off the negative effect of crude oil price crash on the Nigerian economy.

The panel is also expected to work with the Executive in the event that it wants to review the 2020 budget downward, in view of the unstable global oil market.

The action by the Senate was sequel to a point of order raised by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, at plenary on rising concerns over the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID – 19) disease, which has led to the crash global oil prices across the world.

Abdullahi had earlier prevailed on the Senate in view of the price crash of crude “to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”

According to him, “Our Committees should be prepared, so that whatever happens, we hope this crisis does not last for long, but if it does, we have to be prepared.” He urged the joint committee to come up with workable strategies that will be harmonised with those of the Executive to stem the impact of the oil price crash on the economy.

President of the Senate, thereafter, constituted the four joint committees to include Finance, National Planning, Appropriation, and Petroleum (Upstream).

ASUU Members Comply With Warning Strike, Shun Lecture Halls [SUN]

Our members not part of on-going strike – CONUA

Gabriel Dike, Bimbola Oyesola, Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja, Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin, Seye Ojo, Ibadan, and Judex Okoro, Calabar

Academic activities were, yesterday, paralysed nationwide following industrial action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to press home the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement and stoppage of their February salaries by the Federal Government.

Reports from branches of ASUU across the country confirmed that lecturers complied and stayed away from academic activities, including lectures.

ASUU had on Monday directed its members to embark on a two-week warning strike because the Federal Government failed to pay salaries of lecturers who did not enroll in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and non-implementation of the 2009 agreement and MoU.

The decision to embark on the two-week strike was taken during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu.

However, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has dissociated its members in nine universities from the strike.

CONUA leader, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, told Daily Sun that the body took a decision in November 2019 to enroll in the IPPIS: “CONUA will not participate in the strike. Our members enrolled in the IPPIS, so there is no need to embark on strike. But we expect the Federal Government to address other outstanding issues.”

Deposed Emir: Lawyers Threathen Legal Action [SUN]

Desmond Mgboh, Kano, Ndubuisi Orji and Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Okwe Obi, Abuja

The dust raised by the sack of Muhammad Sanusi 11 is not in a hurry to settle as his legal team has threatened to go to court.

The counsel described his banishment and detention as unconstitutional and illegal.

Kano Government dethroned Sanusi on Monday, over what it tagged “outright disregard for the state government and Kano Emirate’s traditional norms.”

Sanusi was earlier taken to Loko Development Area of Nasarawa State and later relocated to Awe Local Government Area also in the state.

The legal team pointed out that Section 35 of the constitution guaranteed the right of every citizen to personal liberty.

“The basis of denial of personal liberty are set set out clearly in this section of the constitution. None applies to the case of the Emir.

“We call on the authorities, in particular the Inspector General of police, the Director General of the Department of State Services and the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure the immediate release of the HH Muhammadu Sanusi so that he could reunite with his family.

The lawyers said though they have no instruction from the deposed Emir to challenge his deposition, the entire action was illegal and unconstitutional.

Sanusi Relocates To Awe, As His Lawyers Vow Legal Action [LEADERSHIP]

Dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, has been relocated from Loko town in Nasarawa State to Awe, the headquarters of Awe local government area of the state.

This is even as his legal team has vowed to approach the court with a suit challenging his removal, saying the action of the state government was illegal and unconstitutional.

Kano State government had on Monday announced the dethronement of Sanusi and his subsequent replacement with Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano.

It said Sanusi who was banished to Loko town in Nasarawa state was deposed on grounds of allegations of “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the governor”.

The dethroned monarch, in company of Emirs of Lafia, Keffi and Nasarawa, arrived his new abode at about 3:20pm yesterday.

But hours after arriving Loko where he was originally billed to take asylum, Sanusi was taken out to Awe town.

Although there was no official statement from Nasarawa State government in respect of why the dethroned Emir was moved to Awe, a source told our correspondent that the decision to relocate him was reached after the state governor, Abdullahi Sule, and royal fathers in the state unanimously agreed that Loko town was not habitable for a former traditional ruler like Sanusi.

LEADERSHIP gathered that unlike Loko, Awe has basic amenities such as pipe born water, electricity that is connected to the national grid and all GSM networks.

„Loko has no light, access road, pipe borne water and no network. You know such a revered personality cannot stay there“, the source who did not want his name in print said.

Before Sanusi was taken to Awe, Governor Sule was said to have summoned an emergency meeting with first class traditional rulers in the state.

The governor summoned the meeting to address issues of accommodation and the upkeep of the deposed Emir of Kano.

The Emirs at the emergency meeting include the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage (rtd); Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, the Emir of Nasarawa among others.

For the short period he stayed in Loko town, the dethroned monarch stayed at the residence of the Chief Imam of Loko under tight security.

The traditional ruler of Loko, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed Sabo, who earlier confirmed Sanusi’s relocation to journalists in a telephone chat yesterday said, “He has been relocated from my domain. The Emir of Kano left my domain around 1:40pm. I don’t know where they have taken him to. They came with a helicopter and took him away. He has left“.

It became clearer later in the day that Sanusi II was conveyed in a Police Chopper from Loko to Government House Lafia where he joined a waiting convoy and was driven by road to Awe.

From Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, to Awe is 92 kilometers.

In Awe, the dethroned Emir, was taken to the personal residence of the chairman of Awe local government, Alhaji Umar Abubakar Danakano.

Meanwhile, the legal team of the deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi II, has described removal by the state as illegal and unconstitutional.

APC Prepares Hall For Emergency NEC Meeting [LEADERSHIP]

Preparations for the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) emergency meeting were stepped up yesterday as the party leadership began the cleaning up of the NEC Hall at the party secretariat in Abuja

The hall will serve as the venue of the meeting, slated for Tuesday next week.

The intense preparations came a few days after the embattled party chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) had dissociated itself from the meeting, which it declared as illegal.

But the acting national secretary, Mr. Victor Giadom has insisted that the meeting would hold as planned.

LEADERSHIP yesterday observed the cleaning and arrangement of the NEC Hall apparently for the proposed meeting.

In fact, eight members of the NWC and other party leaders were at the national secretariat for a meeting yesterday which lasted for about three hours before it was moved to another undisclosed venue.

Those in attendance included Giadom, the national vice chairman, North East, Comrade Salihu Mustapha, national vice chairman, South West, Pastor Bankole Oluwajana, and the national organising secretary, Emma Ubeduro.

Also present were the national youth leader, Abubakar Sadiq, the national woman leader, Hajiya Salamatu Beiwa as well as some APC chieftains who are not members of the NWC. They included the party’s chairman in Edo State, Mr. Anslem Ojeshua and three others.

No sooner had the meeting ended than those in attendance drove out in a convoy for another parley in an undisclosed venue.

It was also learnt that the APC State Chairmen Forum will meet before the March 17 NEC meeting.

The publicity secretary of the forum, Hon. Lawal Liman, who disclosed this, dissociated the group from the fraudulent vote of confidence passed on Oshiomhole.

On Monday, the forum chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori and the secretary, Dr. Ben Nwoye, allegedly signed a statement, passing a vote of confidence on the suspended party national chairman.

However, yesterday, Liman said that there was no time such decision was reached by the Forum.

According to him, the group has not met but would meet before the NEC meeting.