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June 12: Otunba Ashiru Sues for Peace, Unity

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Nigerians have been urged to use the occasion of June 12 celebration to pray for unity, peace and justice in the country as a true reflection of the lessons imbibed from the historic 1993 presidential election adjudged to be the most credible ever where electorate across all barriers voted overwhelmingly for the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) late Chief MKO Abiola.

Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and consensus aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru stated this in his message on the celebration of Democracy Day.

Observation of June 12 as the authentic Democracy Day in Nigeria, Otunba Ashiru said opened another glorious chapter in our political history as a nation as it further entrenched the ideals of democracy and underscored the commitment of the present Administration under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari to fast track the essence of democracy as people’s government.

“The nation was put on the brink some twenty five years ago when the election was annulled and five years after in 1998 when the symbol of the struggle, Chief MKO Abiola died in custody”.

“The incident occasioned by protests, destruction of property, arrests, imprisonment and assassination remained indelible in the psyche of Nigerians and the date became a recurring decimal remembered with bitter experience and unprecedented trauma which only God averted what could have resulted in another mayhem”.

Commending the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to revisit the election and recognise Chief MKO Abiola as the winner and confer on him the highest National honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Otunba Ashiru stated was unprecedented and described it as an act that will shoot up the country’s rating in the comity of nations as a country that is committed to the tenets of self government.  Otunba Ashiru also commended the Governor of Ogun State for his steadfastness in the actualisation of the official recognition of June 12 through his incessant calls and advocacy that have always brought Chief Abiola’s contribution to the development of democracy on the front burner every year.

“The efforts of Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun must not go unsung considering his altruistic commitment to make Ogun indigenes and residents savour dividends of democracy by embarking on projects that will eradicate poverty and create wealth in abundance for the people. This was the main theme of the SDP campaign then and the best way to remember a fallen hero and martyr of democracy is to hold aloft his glowing attribute,” he concluded.

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Natasha Disowns Viral TikTok Video Praising Tinubu

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The Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distanced herself from a viral TikTok video that surfaced online showing her dancing to “Omo Ologo”, a song in praise of President Bola Tinubu.

In a public disclaimer released via her verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Akpoti-Uduaghan denied owning any TikTok account, warning the public against being misled by parody accounts across various social media platforms.

“I do not own a TikTok account,” she posted.

“Many parody accounts exist in my name on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Some have garnered large followings.”

She clarified that the circulating video was manipulated from an old 2023 clip and repurposed with “mischievous intent” to mislead the public.

“While I hold the President in utmost respect, I’d urge everyone to disregard the mischievous post made using an old 2023 video of mine,” she stated.

The video, sound-tracked by “Omo Ologo”, a praise song performed by Dauda Kahutu Rarara at a recent event attended by Tinubu in Katsina, appeared to depict the senator aligning herself with the president’s camp.

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Court Hands EFCC Three Days Ultimatum to Conclude 10-Year-Old Corruption Charges Against Dasuki

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Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted three consecutive days to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conclude the ten-year-old corruption charges it instituted against a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Dasuki’s counsel initiated legal arguments when he challenged the status of the subpoena because it was issued to the DSS as an entity not recognised by the law of the country.

The EFCC lawyer, however, countered the objection, insisting that DSS was a creation of statute and that there had been no confusion in the identity of the organisation.

“The document was duly served on Department of State Security (DSS). The Department has no confusion as to its identity.

“The witness did not exhibit any confusion as to his invitation by the Court. The objection as to form does not defeat the end of Justice. We humbly pray the Court not to sustain the objection in the interest of substantial justice.”

In the end, Justice Lifu admitted the subpoena as an exhibit and reserved his ruling to be delivered along with the main charge.

“I have carefully and painstakingly listened to learned counsel on the admissibility of the document sought to be tendered by the prosecution.

“I have also perused the document in relation to the name on the said subpoena. Admissibility of documentary evidence is governed by the law of evidence, and it is determined by relevancy.

“Being a criminal case which is about 10 years old in the docket of this court, coupled with the fact that ACJA 2015 envisages speedy dispensation of criminal justice, this document shall be admitted and a ruling shall be incorporated into the final judgement of this court,” said Justice Lifu.

The judge drew the attention of the parties to the fact that the case had dragged and suffered delay for ten years, having been filed in 2015.

At the proceedings, the first prosecution witness and exhibit keeper with the DSS, Monsur Mohammed, was permitted to give evidence on the strength of the subpoena.

He subsequently presented several items found in Dasuki’s properties at 13 John Khadije Street, Asokoro, Abuja; 46 Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro Abuja; Sabon Birnin Road, Sokoto; and Sultan Abubakar Road, also in Sokoto.

Four different search warrants executed in July 2015 at the four properties led to the recovery of the undisclosed items.

In the end, the DSS exhibit keeper admitted that nothing incriminating was found on the properties.

After the evidence, Justice Lifu held that in the circumstances of the case and by consent of all counsel, “this suit is hereby adjourned to 7, 8 and 9 July 2025 at the instance of the Court for further hearing.

He added: “The learned prosecutor is expected to close his case on these adjourned dates.”

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Tinubu in Anambra, Pleads for Patience, Understanding Amid Hardship

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President Bola Tinubu has issued a passionate call for unity, resilience, and renewed patriotism, urging Nigerians to stand firm behind ongoing reforms aimed at rebuilding the country’s economic foundation.

Speaking during a grand reception in Awka, Anambra State, on the occasion of his state visit, President Tinubu acknowledged the current challenges facing the nation but assured the people that the hard choices were necessary for lasting prosperity.

“We continue to plead with Nigerians for their patience and understanding,” Tinubu appealed.

“We call on all patriots and progressives to rise and continue to work hard every day for the greatness of our dear country. We have no other country but Nigeria. We must make it great as the pride of the black race.”

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development, citing progress made in economic reform, infrastructure investment, and improved public finance management.

“We met near-insolvent public finance… unsustainable multiple subsidies… a chaotic and debilitating forex regime. These monsters have been tackled,” he said.

Highlighting renewed investor confidence and growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology, Tinubu said the “Renewed Hope Agenda” was already yielding visible results.

He particularly commended Anambra for leading in innovation and development, referencing the commissioning of the Solution Fun City and Government House Mini-City as signs of progress.

Describing Governor Chukwuma Soludo as “a brilliant man” and “a thinker who knows the way,” Tinubu added: “We are working together for a better Anambra and Nigeria.”

The president also praised Anambra State for fully implementing and even surpassing the new national minimum wage, calling it “a signal of true leadership and compassion for the working class.”

Asserting the federal government’s commitment to equitable development, Tinubu promised increased investment in roads, power, rail, and digital infrastructure across all regions, including the Southeast.

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