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Ebubeagu operative killed over N1,000 dispute during APC campaign in Ebonyi

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Ajasm Aja, an operative of the South East Security outfit code-named Ebubeagu, has become one of the latest victims in the carnage that has been going on in the South East in recent years, as he was gunned at the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign ground on Monday.

Aja, who was reportedly part of the Ebubeagu team drafted to the Isu community in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to provide security at the APC governorship rally last Saturday, was said to have been felled by his colleague over dispute relating to N1,000.

Reports say the dispute had ensued after the rally, when the team was directed to bring and secure the party’s flags for subsequent rallies as an altercation began between the deceased and his trigger-happy colleague over who should get N1,000.

As the altercation raged, it was said gathered Aja rushed for his Pump Action riffle but his opponent swiftly pulled his pistol, shot him in the head and he died instantly.

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A community source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Today, Saturday 28th January 2023 the APC had their rally at Isu, the council headquarters of Onicha LGA.

“At the close of the event, the Ebubeagu members and G-24 group members loyal to the Onicha LGA Chairman, Mr Chidiebere Uzor (aka Obosi-Aku), were asked to collect back the Party’s flag in readiness for other day’s event.

“In the process of doing so, one of the Ebubeagu members and a leader in the G-24 group, popularly known as Ajasm Aja, who was recently sworn in as Supervisory Councillor for Health in the Onicha council area, was engulfed in a strong altercation with a co-member.

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“As the duo engaged in a war of words, Mr Aja pulled his Pump-Action rifle and aimed to shoot at the other colleague. In a swift response, the colleague was quicker in action, pulled a pistol and shot him in the forehead.

“He fell flat immediately and died on the spot.

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“This event is coming a few hours after the noble Elders of Onicha-Igboeze called ‘”Umunwanyi Oji-Ofo”, laid a curse on anyone who would engage in any activities targeted at instigating violence in Onicha-Igboeze or at killing a fellow brother or sister.

“Many, after hearing the news of the incidence leading to the sudden demise of Mr Aja believed that he had fallen to the curse of the Umunwanyi Oji-Ofo since he’s known as one of the terror figures in the community.”

Ebubeagu Commander in Ebonyi State, Mr Friday Nnana-Ujor, confirmwd the death of the Ebuneagu operative on Monday.

He, however said the attacker wasn’t an operative of the Southeast security outfit, revealing the assistant was a suspected gunman, who also wielded pump action.like his men.

He said: “No. it was not an Ebubeagu person that shot him.

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“That thing was stage-managed; it was people that packed behind a Sienna bus that killed him. The person that did that was sent to do so. People are thinking that it was an Ebubeagu personnel that killed the person, but it is not true.

“It’s because the gun they used in killing the person was Pump Action. No Ebubeagu person goes to the rally ground with arms.

“We had a meeting and made that decision. We are currently investigating the matter and very soon we will arrest the culprit and call journalists to hear from him. I don’t want people to think that it’s politics. Just exercise some patience,” he said.

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BREAKING: Anjarwalla, fleeing Binance boss, sues FG

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Justice Inyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, will on April 8, begin hearing in the case filed by detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Executive Manager, West African Region, over their detention by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged violation of his fundamental rights.

The suit filed by Olujoke Aliyu, from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, Gambaryan, through an originating motion dated and filed March 18, is however now concentrating on the latter, since the escape of Anjarwalla from custody, as legal representation on his behalf has now been withdrawn.

Aliyu, in filing the matter, sought five reliefs on behalf of Gambaryan, while Anjarwalla, who allegedly escaped on Friday, March 22, reportedly filed a separate case also bothering on enforcement of rights.

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Marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, the suits both against the ONSA and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as first and second respondents, with Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, specifically seeking a declaration that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport, contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of 1999 Constitution (As Amended).

Arguing that the act amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by the constitution, he also sought an order directing the authorities to release him from their custody and return his international travel passport with immediate effect.

Gambaryan, who also prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the ONSA and EFCC as well as their agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation into or demands from Binance, also demanded a public apology to him, and bearing the cost of the legal action on a full indemnity basis.

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He argued in his statement supporting the claim that as an American citizen he only visited Nigeria on February 26, along with Anjarwalla, as a representative of Binance, to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.

Giving 11-ground argument why his application should be granted, he said that he and Anjarwalla, dutifully attended the meeting, but were detained thereafter and had since remained in detention since then.

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Maintaining that he did not commit any offence during the meeting, neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time, he added: “The only reason for my detention is because the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands on the company. I am not a member of the Board of Directors of Binance.

T.J. Krukrubo (SAN), who initially appeared for both petitioners, while reminding the court that though the respondents were served two days ago, they were not represented in court, however, drew the attention of the court to the notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Anjarwalla filed on March 26, though he did not give details of why they were withdrawing their legal representation.

Ekwo, while acknowledging that such move meant that the applicant had no legal representation, but must be accorded, one, said he had to adjourn to enable him seek legal representation and for the respondents to be given an opportunity to come to court.

He therefore announced April 8 for further mention and to enable both the ONSA and EFCC, to file their response to the application in the case of Gambaryan.

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We must cure destructive malaise of defections in political parties – Ganduje

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Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday, attributed what he termed incessant and reckless defection of politicians from one political party to another in Nigeria, to lack of ideology, a malaise, which he said must be cured to create an enduring democratic ethos.

Ganduje, former Governor of Kano, who bemoaned the parlous situation, insisted that political parties must now begin to build enduring ideologies and party identities to ensure stability.

The party boss, who spoke when he inaugurated the party’s zonal coordinators across the country, adding that the trend must change for the better, indicated that the zonal coordinators would be in charge of the six geo-political zones of the country.

The event saw the former governor naming Hope Uzodimma of Imo as the coordinator for the South-East, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara as that of the North-Central, while Mai Mala Buni would coordinate the North-East.

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Others, in the arrangement which is supposed to keep the party busy at all times, and maintain constant links with the national leadership, were Uba Sani of Kaduna state for the North-West, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will serve as the South-West and Bassey Otu of Cross River for the South-South coordinator.

Giving the governors the charge, he said: “They should liaise with the party to commence the immediate process of genuine reconciliation of aggrieved members in the geo-political zone. mobilise governor’s of the zones to effectively and physically participate in the party’s activities in the zone, consult with governor’s and resolve issues that will further enhance its progress and unity.

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“They are to also assist the party on resource mobilisation in serving the party and participate in any other activity that may be assigned by the party. We want to change the narrative, we want our political party to be active throughout the year, therefore, all our offices must be physically operational, all our offices must be functionally operational. Right from the local government to state level, there must be activities throughout, but this cannot happen by chance.”

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BREAKING: At last, Enugu LP lawmakers defect to PDP, meet Mbah

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After weeks of speculations, six members of the Enugu State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) finally announced their defection to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, on Thursday, in what indicates a likely bandwagon, as a result of the crisis rocking one Nigeria’s main opposition parties.

The LP, which emerged third in reckoning after the 2023 general elections, has been embroiled in internecine crisis, with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), its parent body, insisting on the ouster of Julius Abure, as the National Chairman.

Incidentally, Abure, was re-elected at the party convention called to choose new leaders expected to take to the next stage after putting up a stellar performance during the last election, a development, which itself, had also sunk into controversy, as both the NLC and the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), dismissed it as a sham and insisted on taking over its leadership.

Apparently, seizing the moment, the Enugu lawmakers who have been speculated were eager to shift loyalty, cited the “existence of irreconcilable division, incessant crisis within the Labour Party at the national level and across all the state chapters,” as their reason.

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The Nigerian constitution forbids defection from one party to another by elected political office holders, except in cases of division in their original parties, or in the case of the merger of the previous parties, a loophole, the Enugu lawmakers, have now exploited to make good their long-expected switch.

While presenting themselves to Peter Mbah, the Governor of the state, they added: “Regrettably, the party has evolved into state of perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles, thereby undermining its ability to effectively serve the interest of the people.

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“The Labour Party once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas have regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfil the aspirations of electorate.”

Citing the national leadership tussle between the factions of Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa as well as the national treasurer as some of the crises within the opposition party, they expressed hope that the PDP would give them the platform to continue to serve the interests of their people and thanked the leadership of the Labour Party for their support.

The defectors include the Chief Whip of the House and member representing Igboeze North I, Ejike Eze; the leader of the House and member representing Enugu North, Johnson Ugwu; the member representing Enugu South Urban, Princess Ugwu; member representing Nsukka West, Pius Ezeugwu; member representing Igbo-Etiti East, Amuka Williams, and member representing Oji River, Osita Eze.

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After move through a motion for their defection was moved by Iloabuchi Aniagu and was seconded by Jane Eneh, Harrison Ogara, spokesman of the Assembly, also elected on the platform of the party, said though the lawmakers enjoyed freedom of association, they should know that there is a section of the Constitution that states that any member of a political party that defects to another political party without fulfilling the constitutional provisions for defection will automatically lose his or her seat.

Ogara insisted that there was no crisis at ward, local government, and state levels of the party in Enugu State as well as the national level of the party that would have warranted them to defect to another political party.

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