Some ex-members of the Niger Delta militants, weekend, begged President Muhammadu Buhari to ask the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to leave ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, alone.The group warned them to follow the rule of law in its dealings with the former militant.The former agitators, who met under the aegis of the Transformed Niger Delta Ex-militants Forum, declared that some persons, who were envious of Tompolo, wrote a petition against him to the EFCC, but advised that the commission in the discharge of its duties should respect the rule of law.In a communiqué signed by its national president, Meshach Bebenimibo and others, theysaid, "We appeal to the President as a matter of urgency to instruct the EFCC to follow due process within 1999 Constitution as amended."At the meeting held in Warri were Prince Bebenimibo, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ondo coordinators of the group, Peter Ayeebide, Austin Peremobowei, Korebor Minama, Anthony Youbai, Oluwah Michael and Oloye Tamarayende.They said: "We want EFCC to leave Tompolo alone because the petitioners are acting out of jealousy to indict and incarcerate him, that is why they are lying to the whole world that Tompolo sold the land for the building of Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko."According to the communiqué, "The petitioners know the truth and the truth is that Tompolo only sold the International Diving Institute buildings at Kurutie community and the place was sand filled before he built the school. Amongthe structures are lecture halls, multipurpose pavilion, administrative block, vice- chancellor's lodge and hostels for male and female students.""The previous government brought valuers and did all necessary legal things and collected VAT money before paying him about 90 per cent as agreed."We also urge EFCC to have a rethink and defreeze Mieka and GlobalWest accounts."The group, however, commended President Buhari for his interest in the region, particularlythe inclusion of fund for the Amnesty programme in the 2016 Budget presented to the National Assembly, saying, "We really appreciateyour kind gesture."Dailypost
The Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, has declared support for the Peace Corps bill passed by the National Assembly. The bill, which seeks to turn the Peace Corps, a non-government organisation, into a government paramilitary agency, has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians. Proponents see it as an avenue to create jobs for thousands of youth while critics describe as a duplication of functions already being performed by existing agencies and creation of another bureaucracy at a time the country is finding it difficult to pay workers' salaries. The bill was opposed by existing military and security institutions in Nigeria and the Peace Corps leader Dickson Akoh is currently being prosecuted for alleged fraud. Apart from lawmakers, the bill is also supported by some prominent Nigerians including the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, who also asked Mr. Buhari to sign to it. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Katsina emir made a similar call on the president on Thursda...
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