News Summary 31 October 2016, Don’t Drag Buhari into Judges Arrest

Don’t Drag Buhari into Judges Arrest

The presidency has advised journalists and other Nigerians to stop linking president Muhammadu buhari to the legal travails of some recently arrested judges in the country.

The senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said president Muhammadu buhari would be the last person to authorize anybody to induce a judge to pervert the course of justice.

Malam Shehu recalled that, despite his personal familiarity with some court judges, the president had never used that familiarity to seek favors from them from 2003, 2007 and 2011 when he was challenging the fairness of the presidential election results, from the lowest to the highest courts in the land during the periods in question.

The senior special assistant also explained that, as a politician, buhari had never suggested to his lawyers to approach any judge for assistance to win his cases.

He said the president lives by this principle and has never deviated from it.

On the fate of the judicial officers facing corruption allegations, the presidential media aide said the president does not tell courts how to do their jobs and that anybody accused of corruption is protected by law to defend their innocence.

He explained that the purpose of the law is to punish the guilty and acquit the innocent, noting that the law protects the rights of everyone.

Malam Garba Shehu said the president does not have any powers to force any court to convict anybody who is innocent, arguing that in a democratic society, that cannot happen without resistance by the people.

Vice President in US
vice president Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated his call on Nigerian elites to come together based on a common consensus to build the nation.

Speaking at the dinner event organized by the Christian association of Nigerian-Americans, in Houston, U.S.A., the vice president noted that there is a growing consensus by all and sundry on the need for good governance.
Explaining the need for a group of Nigerians who are committed to lifting the nation to rise up, vice president Osinbajo noted that this was important to counter and stop those who are working to pillage the resources of the country.
He said the Buhari administration takes diaspora issue very seriously, and commended members of the association for their demonstration of patriotism even while outside the shores of the country.

The vice president was presented with an honorary congressional proclamation by us congress woman Sheila Jackson-Lee, who indicated that the US congress takes Nigeria as a very serious partner.

President of the association, Dr. James Fadel enjoined Nigerians to reject the tendency to be a consuming nation without the desire to also produce, and to pray for the country to win the battle against the nation’s opposing forces.

President Buhari Condemns Missile Attack On Makkah.

President Muhammadu buhari has condemned the ballistic missile launched by houthi militias targeting the holy city of Makkah. This was during a telephone call with king Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Sa’ud of Saudi Arabia.

A statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity Femi Adeshina stated that president Buhari said it is reprehensible and ignoble for terrorists to target a holy land where millions of Muslims gather for pilgrimage.

President Buhari reiterated the need to strengthen international support and coalition in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism noting that when the world stands together, there is no way good will not prevail over evil.

Boko Haram Terrorists Ambush Troops

Nine persons have been reported dead following an ambush by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. They include 5 soldiers, 3 vigilantes and 1 civilian JTF, while 19 soldiers and 1 civilian JTF sustained various degrees of injuries.

A statement from the acting director army public relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman said the operation Lafiya Dole troops were  ambushed by suspected boko haram terrorists at Ugundiri village, Damboa local government area, Borno state,  while returning to base after clearance operations.

The bodies of the late soldiers and civilians have been evacuated to Maiduguri while the injured are receiving commensurate medical care and are in stable condition.

The statement said the troops destroyed the terrorists gun truck and recovered 2 anti-aircraft guns, 2 spare gun barrels, 1 general purpose machine gun, 1 rocket propelled grenade, 1 ak-47 rifle and 320 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

Colonel Kukasheka Usman stated that the troops have been mobilized into blocking positions to further neutralize fleeing Boko Haram terrorists. Another set of troops had earlier cleared Zira, Abulam, Dusula, and Buk villages before returning to base in Bulabulin.

In a related development, based on information received about gathering of some suspected Boko Haram terrorists around Bori village, which is 16 kilometers away from Mainok, outskirts of Maiduguri, troops swung into action and neutralized them and recovered various items from them.

Sema Distributes Foodstuff to IDP’s

Following the creation of exit camps in Borno to enhance management of internally displaced persons trooping out of liberated communities. The state emergency management agency has taken measures to ensure their well-being.

Food stuff worth millions of Naira is being distributed to the IDP’s.

Saraki Commends Military on Made-In-Nigeria Goods.

Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki has commended the Nigerian army for its decision to patronize local manufacturers in Aba for the

shoes of officers and soldiers.

in a statement signed by his special adviser, media and publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the senate president noted that the move shows that the military is living up to its billing as an institution that can play vital roles in boosting the national economy and in ending economic recession.

while urging other military and Para-Military forces to emulate the army, senator Saraki further urged them not to limit their patronage and promotion of made-in-Nigeria goods

to shoes only.

he also commended the Nigerian air force for forging cooperation with a local motor manufacturing group in the manufacture of some aircraft parts.

NIPR on Professionalism

Public relations practitioners in the country have been challenged to initiate and promote ideas that will foster unity for the attainment and sustainability of the country.

this was the submission of speakers at the dinner and awards night to honor distinguished Nigerians.

the event was organized by the Nigerian institute of public relations in Lagos.

READ: Stop Linking Buhari To Judges Arrest – Presidency