This is a round-up of some-breaking news in Nigeria Today, Wednesday, 2nd, 2020.
1. Kayode Demands Apology, N6bn From Daily Trust
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has asked the management of Media Trust Limited – publisher of Daily Trust – to enter into a negotiation for a possible settlement of N6 billion for defamation of character.
This was made known in a letter by Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Adeola Adesipe, addressed to the Managing Director of the newspaper dated August 31, 2020, and titled, ‘Defamation of the Character of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode by Iliyasu Gadu’.
The letter was in response to an article titled, ‘FFK, the Drug Addled Thug in Designer Wears’ dated August 30, 2020, and published on Daily Trust.
Gadu, the writer of the article, lambasted Fani-Kayode for his conduct during a press conference in which he described a Daily Trust reporter in Calabar, Eyo Charles, as ‘stupid’ after the journalist asked who was “bankrolling” his current tour of southern states.
He claimed Fani-Kayode, who attended Cambridge University, was once “a drug addict” and had sought rehabilitation in Ghana but “till today has not been cured of the habit”.
Reacting in his litigation letter, Femi Fani-Kayode described the article as libelous and demanded an apology from the newspaper, which must be published in other national dailies.
He also asked the newspaper to enter into negotiation over the possible payment of N6 billion due to the irreparable loss the article had caused him.
It read in part, “Be aware that our client has not only suffered the immeasurable loss of goodwill, but he is also currently confronted with unbearable opprobrium by his fans, followers, and colleagues across the globe.
“Our client is alive to his rights both in law and equity but is disposed to an opportunity to undo the evil you have done by retracting the said insalubrious remarks on the same platform it was published and apologizing to him in two other national dailies.
“You are also advised to enter into negotiations with us for the sum of N6bn being a token amount for penitence as opposed to the magnitude of infraction caused to our client’s nobility.”
Fani-Kayode gave the newspaper 14 days to comply with the demands in the letter or face legal action.
BabyKey Empire reports that the former minister also wrote a similar letter to Gadu, who authored the article.
2. Two Policemen Killed As Oshiomhole Escapes Death In Benin
The former Governor of Edo State and immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday narrowly escaped death.
Information gathered revealed that a trailer ran into the convoy of the former Governor, which saw his car destroyed, and two policemen killed, who were part of his escort along the Benin bye-pass in Benin, the state capital.
This is coming a few hours after the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, escaped after his convoy was attacked by a group of armed robbers at Erua Village in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state.
It was reported that security operatives repelled the attackers who attempted to block his convoy near the Jehovah’s Witness international headquarters, adjacent Ehor town.
3. Presidency Speaks On Buhari’s Close Aide ‘Testing Positive’ For COVID-19
Bashir Ahmad, the personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on new media, has debunked rumors that a close personal aide of the president has tested positive to the coronavirus infection.
Earlier, some reports had it that Sarki Abba, Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to President Buhari has tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The report added that Abba had not been seen at the Presidential Villa since contracting the virus two weeks ago and those who had come in contact with him had also been asked to self-isolate.
However, Bashir Ahamd in a swift reaction on Tuesday has countered the story, described it as false, and shared a picture with Abba in his office.
He wrote: “I might have fallen and believed this story if I wasn’t in the Sarki Abba’s office when a friend sent me this tweet from @SaharaReporters. The news is not true, Sarki Abba is currently in his office, at the State House.”
See his tweet:
4. Finally, Akinwunmi Adesina Sworn In As President AFDB
The African Development Bank (AfDB), has sworn in Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina for a second term in office as president.
In an event that was broadcast virtually, Adesina was sworn in today at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Adesina was a former minister of agriculture in Nigeria after he became the first Nigerian to be elected to the presidential position of the AFDB in May 2015.
He was re-elected later Thursday, August 27, during the annual meetings of the AfDB.
Adesina is the first president to be elected by 100 percent of votes by regional and non-regional members of the bank.
During the ceremony, the oath of office was administered by Kenneth Ofori-Attah, Ghana’s finance minister and chair of the AfDB board of governors.
Reacting to his victory, Adesina said: “I am deeply grateful for the collective trust, strong confidence and support of our shareholders for electing me for a second term as President. It is yet another call for selfless service to Africa and the African Development Bank, to which I will passionately devote myself”.
“The future beckons us for a more developed Africa and a much stronger and resilient African Development Bank Group. We will build on the strong foundations of success in the past five years, while further strengthening the institution, for greater effectiveness and impacts”
5. What We Would Do To Buhari’s Appointee Who Insult, Disrespect Us Henceforth – Senate
A warning has been forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointees after a continuous face-off that has been happening for about two weeks between the executive cabinet members and the legislature in the last few weeks.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan who addressed the State House reporters on Monday, August 31 after Buhari inaugurated the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led Executive/Legislative/Party Consultative Committee, disclosed that the President has addressed the issues.
He opened that following the address, that should be the end of appointees knocking heads with legislators, adding that they would henceforth work together.
He stated also that the President made it very clear that he is not going to tolerate any of his appointees doing things that are not respectable, things that have no dignity to the National Assembly.
“For us in the National Assembly, I think what has happened has happened. We pray nobody goes to the National Assembly to do the kind of things that disrespect the President and of course abuse the National Assembly.
“We are not going to tolerate that because anyone who wants to see Nigeria progress will continue to ensure that this consultative forum produces the kind of result and outcomes that will make Nigeria better in terms of governance.”
Also, lawan noted that the legislature would always perform its oversight function and check the possible excesses of the executive.
He added that it is incumbent upon APC leaders at all levels and as a party to ensure that they met the expectations and aspirations of Nigerians.
Lawan noted that they must fulfill the promise made to them during the electioneering campaigns.
Lawan said; “But we also believe that separation of powers also means there should be cooperation, consultation, coordination and partnership for the benefits of the people of this country. This is not in any way to compromise the different functions we’re tasked and scheduled to discharge.”
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