#BBB NEWS| EFCC: Dasuki Used Arms Cash To Buy Assets In London, Dubai

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday accused the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), of compromising the security of the nation and committing economic sabotage through his alleged diversion of over N32bn meant for the purchase of arms to fight terrorists in the North -East.

The commission, which also gave more details about the alleged diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms by the office of the NSA during Dasuki’s tenure, said there were documents showing that the ex-NSA gave the approval for the release of the funds to the accounts of private companies and individuals for the procurement of arms.

EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said this before Justice Yusuf Baba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, while opposing the bail applications filed by Dasuki and his co-accused persons, who are being prosecuted on 19 counts of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of the money.

#BBB NEWS| Senate Investigates Differences In Buhari, Enang Budget Proposals

The Senate leadership has mandated its Committee on Appropriation led by Senator Danjuma Goje to identify the discrepancies in the 2016 budget presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari and the other version allegedly printed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang (pictured above).

The development, according to investigation, may not be unconnected with the series of public criticisms that greeted the claims by the senate on Thursday that another version of the budget different from the one laid by Buhari was in circulation in its chamber.

Many critics have alleged that the failure of the senate to identify the differences in the two documents was blackmail against Buhari’s government because similar incident was not recorded in the House of Representatives.

#BBB NEWS| President Buhari Leads Nigeria’s Delegation To World Energy Summit In UAE

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday embark on a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates.

In the course of the visit, President Buhari will join the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and other participants as a special guest of honour at this year’s edition of the World Future Energy Summit, a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said.

The Summit, which is now in its ninth year, is dedicated to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies.

President Buhari will also lead a team of his ministers to bilateral talks with the government of the UAE.

#BBB NEWS| Dammy Krane & Wizkid Take A Pic Together After Their Fight At Quilox [PHOTO]

Quilox owner Shina Peller shared the photo and wrote "Disputes between two friends are bound to happen, but all that matters is how fast it's resolved. I'm proud of my sons for brushing it off their shoulders as this picture was taken after the situation."

#BBB NEWS| "I Have Learnt Not To Look Down On A Fellow Mortal, Except I 'm Admiring His Shoes"- Goodluck Jonathan [PHOTOS]

Remarks by former pres. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Atlanta, on Thursday 14th, January, 2016.

Read more after the jump..

#BBB NEWS| Armed Forces Remembrance Day: President Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, Others Honours Fallen Heroes [PHOTOS]

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice president Yemi Osibanjo, participated at the wreath laying ceremony to mark the end of 2016 Armed forces remembrance day celebration on Friday, January 15, at the National Arcade, Eagle Square Abuja.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN) Mahmud Mohammed  and Minister of Defence, Dan Ali Mansur were among government officials present at the ceremony.

See more photos after the cut..

#BBB NEWS| Ebola Case Reported In Sierra Leone After Area Declared Disease-Free

Ebola has made a reappearance in West Africa despite the World Health Organization declaring its disappearance after two years, health officials report.

The body of 22-year-old Sierra Leone native, Mariatu Jalloh, tested positive for the disease, according to the New York Times. Not once between the exposure to Ebola—predicted sometime in late December to early January and her death on Tuesday (Jan. 12)—did doctors draw her symptoms to the epidemic.

The Ebola virus travels though the blood and bodily fluids. At least 27 people were reportedly put at risk of contraction due to inadequate medical procedures as signs like vomiting and diarrhea progressed and through burial methods conducted by family and friends.

#BBB NEWS| Mos Def’s Rep Clarifies His Reported Arrest In South Africa

Earlier Friday morning (Jan. 15), Mos Def was reportedly arrested after failing to issue a valid passport while planning to travel out of Cape Town International airport in South Africa.

According to the Associated Press, the Brooklyn native produced a “world passport” to authorities, who later revealed that the famed MC is banned from entering South Africa for five years after violating the country’s immigration laws.

He’s lived in the country since 2013, but reports also state that he extended the stay of his visitor’s permit. Now in an interview with OkayAfrica, Def’s rep is clearing the air on the matter.

“From what I’ve read their allegations are wrong. He attempted to leave the country for a professional commitment and was denied the ability to board an airplane after providing his World Passport,” the rep stated.

#BBB NEWS| ‘Empire’ Set To Return To Fox For Season 3 [PHOTO]

Get ready to block off everything on Wednesday nights, because season three of Empire is returning to takeover your primetime lineup.

Fox announced that they’re renewing the award-winning drama, which welcomed an average of 21.2 million viewers for its second season.

#BBB NEWS| Customs Officers To Declare Assets In 14 Days

All Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service are to make full disclosure of their assets in a new measure put in place to push transparency and compliance with the Rule of Law. (pictured above) Ali Hameed, Director General of Customs

The directive on Assets Declaration is contained in a Circular, signed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and addressed to all Deputy Comptrollers-General, Zonal Coordinators and Customs Area Controllers. All Officers are to comply with the directive within 14 days.

According to the Circular, the directive on Assets Declaration is in compliance with “The Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act Cap B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Though the Act provides for Asset Declaration by all Bank employees, it also empowers the President to extend its application to other categories of persons.

#BBB NEWS| Biafra: IPOB Threatens To Resume Protest Over Sick Kanu

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has threatened to continue its protest in the South East and South South states of the federation if  by January 18, 2016, its leader and Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu was not released from the cell of Department of State Services, DSS.

IPOB alleged that apart from denying Mr. Kanu access to his doctors, the Federal Government through the DSS, has devised another way of complicating his already deteriorating health condition, by making him to sleep on bare floor, thereby making him to contract pneumonia, which may possibly kill him.

‘Release Kanu to Igbo leaders’

Similarly, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu to Igbo leaders, assuring that they would make him realize the futility of continuing his pro- Biafra stance.

#BBB NEWS| Plateau Confirms Fresh Cases Of Bird Flu

The Plateau State Government on Friday announced a fresh outbreak of Avian Influenza, saying that the bird flu had so far affected six farms.

The announcement is contained in a statement signed by the state’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Doris Bitrus, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos.

According to him, the fresh cases of bird flu were reported to the Ministry of Health on January 8.

“Six farms have been confirmed positive of the disease; the farms host a total of 10,000 birds,” the statement said.

It said the government had taken proactive measures to contain and control the disease, so as to arrest its spread to other farms.

#BBB NEWS| DasukiGate: Olisa Metuh Remanded In Kuje Prison [PHOTOS]

Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh is to remain in Kuje prison till Tuesday, January 19, when his bail application would be considered.

The embattled spokesperson and his company, Destra Investments Limited, were today docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice O.E Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a 7-count charge bordering on money laundering, an offence punishable under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012(as amended).

Metuh is alleged to have received N400m (Four hundred million naira) from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) from funds meant for arms procurement.

One of the counts reads:

#BBB NEWS| President Buhari Orders EFCC To Probe Former CDS Barde, Ex-Chief Of Air Staff Amosu And Other Serving And Former Military Leaders Over Arms Procurement Fraud

On the recommendation of the committee established to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to 2015.

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to  carry out further investigation into the misconduct established against the following retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army:

#BBB NEWS| #Dasukigate: Court Orders Olisa Metuh To Be Remanded In Prison Custody

Embattled spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh was today remanded in prison custody following his arraignment  before a Federal High Court in sitting in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations that he engaged in  N400 million fraud that involved his firm, Destra Investment Limited.

Metuh is standing trial on a 7-count charge brought against him for allegedly diverting and sharing part of the $2.1bn arms purchase funds by a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Metuh, who was arrested on January 5, has been in the custody of the EFCC. During his arraignment today, a bearded Metuh donned a white native dress with matching red cap arrived the court at 9.00am with retinue of his political supporters who came to show solidarity support. Mr. Metuh's supporters began chanting "Free Metuh, Free Metuh, Free Metuh" however they were prevented from gaining access into the court by the security operatives.

After the charges had been read to him in the dock Mr. Metuh pleaded not guilty to the charges.

#BBB NEWS| Missing Budget: PDP Wants Buhari, 2 Ministers Removed From Office

Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has asked the National Assembly to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari, over the budget scandal rocking the National Assembly.

The party also demanded the resignation of two ministers, and the central bank governor.

The Senate on Thursday accused ‎a senior special assistant to President Buhari, Ita Enang, of presenting to lawmakers an altered version of the 2016 budget.

Senators had earlier told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that budget documents presented by the president in December were missing, prompting a senate investigation.

At its plenary on Thursday, the Senate said Mr. Enang, a former senator and now Mr. Buhari’s assistant on National Assembly, changed the contents of the original document as presented by Mr. Buhari.

#BBB NEWS| “The Wire” Alum, Jamie Hector, Set to Play Tupac’s Stepfather In “All Eyez On Me” [PHOTOS]

The cast of Tupac’s upcoming biopic, All Eyez On Me, is growing. Just three days after it was announced that The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira would play Tupac’s mother in the Benny Boom-directed movie, Deadline reports that The Wire alum, Jamie Hector will star as the late rapper’s stepfather, Mutulu Shakur.

Mutulu Shakur was a nationalist widely known for his placement on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list as a result of his four years on the run. Shakur, who had a daughter with the rapper’s mother, was convicted for his participation in robberies, homicides, and a 1979 prison escape in 1988. He is currently serving a 60-year sentence.

As Mutulu Shakur, Hector, who played Marlo Stanfield in the classic HBO series, will join a star-studded roster as Demetrius Shipp Jr. leads as Pac and Kat Graham stars as the rapper’s close friend, Jada Pinkett Smith.

#BBB NEWS| Brandy On Marriage: “I Don’t Want To Go Down That Road”

Marriage seems to be the talk of the town this week. After Nick Cannon announced he wouldn’t walk down the aisle again, Brandy sat with the ladies of The Real Thursday (January 14) to echo the same sentiments.

“I’m so satisfied being by myself. I love it,” the 36-year-old Zoe Ever After actress said. “I’ve never taken this much time on myself. I haven’t been on a date in like a year. I just like me right now. I just feel like the way it feels being by myself and taking care of my daughter and just doing my thing. I’m all about my career right now.”

Brandy’s personal life has been a bit rocky. In 2004, was once engaged to NBA guard Quentin Richardson, and in 2012 engaged to music executive Ryan Press, but the couple called off their engagement just two years later.

#BBB NEWS| Ice Cube On Oscar Snub “I’m Not Surprised, It’s The Oscars, They Do What They Do” [VIDEO]

If you think Ice Cube is upset about his co-produced film Straight Outta Compton only receiving one Academy Award nomination, surprisingly, you’d be wrong.

Cube stopped by The Wendy Williams Show Thursday (January 14) shortly after the nominations were announced, and in essence let the snub roll off his back.

“I’m not pissed, I’m not surprised. It’s the Oscars, they do what they do,” the 45-year-old rap veteran said. “The people love the movie and the people supported the movie.”

The NWA biopic, which was also produced by Dr. Dre and Eazy-E’s widow, received aBest Original Screenplay nominations. The F. Gary Gray directed film, which debuted last August, smashed box office records earning $200 million million worldwide as well as landing at No. 1.

#BBB NEWS| Rick Ross On 50 Cent: “I’m The Biggest L He Ever Took”

Thirteen days in 2016 and it appears as if the ongoing feud between Rick Ross and 50 Cent isn’t coming to a halt anytime soon.

During a brief Q&A with Rolling Stone, the Black Market emcee touched on a plethora of topics including his 2015 house arrest, DJ Khaled’s scary, yet entertaining adventure of being lost at sea, which he Snapchatted and his unwavering admiration for Adele.

“I love Adele,” Ross said. “When I see her, I may kiss Adele. She speaks for so many people. When I hear her voice, I stop and make that face and say, ‘What the f—k man?’ “

But it couldn’t be a Rozay interview without at least one jab at his greatest adversary. When asked about 50 Cent making fun of his first-week album sales, Renzel responded in kind.

#BBB NEWS| Major Key: DJ Khaled Meets With Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel [PHOTOS]

DJ Khaled, the undisputed king of Snapchat, joined the app’s CEO Evan Spiegel Tuesday (Jan. 12) for a meeting of the minds at Snapchat headquarters.

“Major 🔑 Great meeting Evan Spiegel THE CEO OF SNAPCHAT… MOGUL TALK” he wrote on Instagram alongside a pic of the two laughing…probably at how much money they’re going to make doing whatever they’re doing!

#BBB NEWS| WATCH: Check Out Taraji P. Henson’s ‘Baby Boy’ Audition [VIDEO]

Before Taraji P. Henson was dominating television screens across the country as Cookie Lyon, the newly-minted Golden Globe winner was fed up with Jody’s boyish ways as Yvette in Baby Boy.

Now, just two days after Henson took home the gold for Best Actress in a TV Drama for her work in Empire, video has surfaced of her audition tape alongside Tyrese.

In the minute-long footage, the pair act out scenes from the cult classic that skyrocketed both of their movie careers to superstardom.

The video, filmed at the turn of the millennium, sees the on-screen couple battling it out over several of their relationship problems including Jody’s cheating and frequent strip club visits. After asking several questions and receiving insufficient answers, Yvette’s anger gets the best of her and she lunges at her unfaithful boyfriend. Immediately after Henson demonstrated Yvette’s kung-fu skills, she and her longtime friend, Tyrese, couldn’t help but break character and burst into laughter as the video ends.

#BBB NEWS| Kat Graham To Play Jada Pinkett-Smith In Tupac Biopic “All Eyez On Me”

As production continues on the Benny Boom directed Tupac biopic All Eyez On Me, its just been reported CW actress Kat Graham has been cast to play Jada Pinkett-Smith.

The Vampire Diaries actress will join Danai Gurira who will star as Afeni Shakur and Demetrius Shipp Jr who place ‘Pac.

Jada Pinkett-Smith and Tupac were high school classmates who attended The Baltimore School for The Arts and remained close friends until his murder in 1996.

#BBB NEWS| MTN Barred From Accessing Funds In Nigerian Banks

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Lagos barred MTN Nigeria Communications Limited from moving any funds abroad it may have in Nigerian banks until the hearing of its suit challenging the N1.4 trillion fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The Federal Government brought a motion to restrain the 21 commercial banks, in which MTN has funds, from releasing money to the telecommunications giant.

“The FG seeks an order of Mareva injunction [a court order which requests assets be frozen] restraining the aforementioned banks from releasing, making a sale, transferring, or paying any of the monies maintained by the plaintiff MTN,” the motion read in part.

#BBB NEWS| Metuh To EFCC: I Would Rather Starve Than Refund N400 Million

Detectives have hit a stalemate in their bid to recover the N400 million traced to a company in which Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh has a stake.

He is said to have told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he would rather go on hunger strike than refund the money, which is believed to be part of the $2.1 billion arms cash allegedly diverted at the Office National Security Adviser (ONSA).

EFCC chair Ibrahim Magu, who revealed Metuh’s position yesterday in Lagos, stressed that the war against corruption had just begun.

Speaking during a meeting with online reporters, Magu vowed to bring corrupt elements to justice, explaining that the looting of the nation’s treasury “is mind boggling”.

He said former Military Administrator of Kaduna State Brig.-Gen.Jafaru Isa had refunded N100 million of the N160million he collected from the ONSA.

#BBB NEWS| Tupac Biopic ‘All Eyez On Me’ Casts ‘The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira As Afeni Shakur [PHOTOS]

A new development on the forthcoming Tupac biopic, All Eyez On Me, just surfaced Monday evening (Jan. 11). According to Deadline, The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira will helm the role of the legendary rapper’s mother, Afeni Shakur.

Recently, Gurira made headlines for her critically-acclaimed Broadway play Eclipsed, which also starred Lupita Nyong’o during its off-Broadway stint. Her role as Michonne on The Walking Dead also made her a fan favorite among viewers.

As an executive producer, Afeni Shakur will have a prominent hand in the way her son’s story will unfold in the Benny Boom-directed feature. Playing the likeness of the “California Love” artist will be newcomer Demetrius Shipp Jr. The film is currently underway in Atlanta, Ga., and the plot will follow the pinnacle of Tupac’s career, his stint in jail and his time at Death Row Records.

#BBB NEWS| Foreign Exchange Crisis: CBN Lifts Ban On Cash Deposit Of Dollars, Others

The Central Bank of Nigeria has lifted a ban stopping commercial banks from accepting cash deposits of foreign exchange from customers.

The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, who announced the decision in Abuja on Monday, said the new directive took immediate effect.

Mr. Emefiele said the CBN would henceforth equally discontinue its sales of foreign exchange to Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, accusing them of excessive greed and rent-seeking practices.

The CBN governor explained that the BDC operators would now need to source their foreign exchange from autonomous sources.

He said to ensure that no operator violated the country’s anti-money laundering laws, the CBN would deploy more resources to closely monitor the sources of foreign exchange by the BDCs.

#BBB NEWS| Iconic Singer David Bowie Dies At Age 69 After Battling Cancer [PHOTOS]

Legendary and influential English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, arranger, painter, and actor, David Bowie has passed away, just two days after his 69th birthday.

His spokesperson made the announcement through the singer's Facebook page Sunday evening, writing, " David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."

#BBB NEWS| Missing 10 Year Old Child [PHOTO]

This 10 year old precious child, Damilola Fasanya, is missing. Damilola lives with her parents @ No. 5, Rafel Okonko street, Water bus stop, Ipaja road Lagos State, Nigeria.

According to family members, she was sent to the next street to buy something around 5pm on Saturday 9th January 2016,  and hasn't returned home since then.

#BBB NEWS| Catfish Sticks Woman's Stomach While Swimming Off Coast Of Brazil [PHOTOS]

A female tourist had a painful encounter with a catfish off the coast of Brazil. Ambulance workers took the bizarre picture of the fish stuck to the woman's stomach as they took her to hospital so the offending object could be removed.

Read more and see photos below..

#BBB NEWS| Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Attends The 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Inter-denominational Church Service [PHOTOS]

As part of the activities to mark the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the Inter-denominational Church Service held on Sunday, January 10 at The National Christian Centre in Abuja.

Speaking on behalf of the President, Osinbajo called on Nigerians to build on things that unite rather than divide the country in spite of diverse cultures and religions.

#BBB NEWS| $2.1bn Arms Deal: Tunde Bakare Calls For The Sack Of CBN Governor [VIDEO]

Popular Lagos pastor, Tunde Bakare who ran with President Buhari in the 2011 presidential election, has called for the sack of the Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele for his alleged role in the disbursement of the $2.1 billion arms deal fraud.

Tunde Bakare said this during his state of the nation address yesterday January 10th. He said;

    "The CBN currently contributes negatively to the Nigerian state in more ways than one. Firstly, the CBN has become a conduit for politicians to drain the nation. Otherwise, how can a letter of barely two paragraphs, addressed to the current CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, by the then NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), become the authority to incur expenditure leading to cash flow of $37m and several million euros? In decent climes, the CBN governor cannot continue in office while the NSA is accounting for his alleged offences” he said

Bakare said the current administration will record little or no success if the system of governance is not totally restructured

#BBB NEWS| Denzel Washington Receives Cecil B. DeMille Award At 2016 Golden Globes

 

Denzel Washington was most certainly the man of the hour at the Golden Globes tonight. He received the Cecil B. DeMille award.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association honored the beloved actor with the award tonight for all of Denzel’s hard work and pure talent.

Check out the rest of the story after the jump..

#BBB NEWS| Nicki Minaj And ‘Teen Mom’ Star Farrah Abraham Exchange Insults On Twitter [TWEETS]

It seems as if Nicki Minaj doesn’t appreciate how MTV Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham speaks to her mother. Sunday (January 10) The Pinkprint emcee took to Twitter to call out the 24-year-old for what Minaj believed is disrespect that shouldn’t be tolerated.

Read more and see tweets below...

#BBB NEWS| Taraji P. Henson Wins Best Actress in a Drama At The Golden Globes [PHOTO]

Our favorite cookie, Taraji P. Henson took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Sunday night (January 10) at the 73rd annual Golden Globe awards, and proved during her acceptance speech why she’s America’s darling

The Empire star’s competition was stiff. Henson was up against How To Get Away With Murder’s Viola Davis, Outlander‘s Caitriona Balfe, Penny Dreadful‘s Eva Green, and House of Cards Robin Wright, and when her name was announced, after fainting for a bit, she celebrated by handing out cookies to everyone in the audience as she walked towards the podium.

“Cookies for everyone tonight, my treat!” Henson said. “Who knew that playing an ex-convict would take me all around the globe? So the world loves real. Thank you.”

As production was telling her to wrap up her acceptance speech in typical Cookie fashion she said “I waited 20 years for this. You gonna wait!”

#BBB NEWS| #BayelsaDecides: How Dickson Won Bayelsa Gov Poll

Governor Seriakae Dickson was yesterday returned as the winner of the Bayelsa State governorship election.

This followed the declaration of the results of the supplementary elections conducted over the weekend in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and 101 polling units in six other local government areas. The supplementary elections followed the cancellation of the election in Southern Ijaw and the 101 units due to irregularities in the governorship election conducted on December 5, 2015.

Dickson, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, polled 134,998 votes to triumph over his predecessor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC,  Timipre Sylva who polled 86,852 votes. A total of 242,114 votes were cast in the election out of which 6,647 votes were rejected as invalid.

Moses Siasia, a younger brother of Nigeria’s Under 23 football coach, Samson Siasia, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, took a distant third with 1,572 votes despite a high-profile campaign.

#BBB NEWS| Seriake Dickson Re-Elected As Governor Of Bayelsa State

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally declared a winner for the highly contentious gubernatorial election in Bayelsa following a supplementary election held on Saturday.

After declaring the results of six other LGAs where supplementary elections held on Saturday, January 9th, and after INEC took a short break waiting for a final collation of election results for Southern Ijaw LGA, the electoral body has concluded the exercise.

However, after resuming to the collation center, a final declaration of results were made which put Governor Seriake Dickson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the official winner of the election.

Todays collation included election results from Nembe, Ekeremor, Brass, Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, Yenagoa and Sagbama local government areas of the Niger Delta state.

#BBB NEWS| At Least 140 Killed In Ethiopia During Protests Against Development Projects [PHOTO]

According to various human rights groups, the security services in Ethiopia have killed at least 140 people during crackdowns on anti-government protests. (pictured above) Oromo Protesters Mourn Victims Of Government Violence Photo Credit: BBC

The protests, which were conducted by the Oromo the country’s largest ethnic group,  were sparked by fears that farmers would be displaced by various development projects launched by the government.

The government admitted to killing dozens, although not the 140 claimed by activists, during clashes between security forces and the protesters. Government officials also promised to launch an investigation into the deaths of the protesters.

However, most of the families of the victims do not believe these investigations will lead anywhere or that the political demands of the protesters will be met.

#BBB NEWS| The Orders For The Bail Of Dasuki & Kanu Should Be Obeyed By Femi Falana

For 16 years that the Peoples Democratic Party was in power, the federal government exhibited total contempt for the Rule of Law. The Constitution and other laws were breached with impunity while court orders were disobeyed on a regular basis.

In the famous case of Attorney-General of Lagos State v Attorney-General of the Federation (2005) 2 WRN 1 at 150 the Supreme Court held that "In our democracy all the Governments of this country as well as organizations and individuals must kowtow to the due process and this they can vindicate by resorting to the courts for redress in the event of any grievance."

One of the reasons why Nigerians voted for the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) during the last general election was his promise to fight corruption and end impunity in the country. Upon winning the election, President Buhari further pledged to abide by the Rule of Law. To that extent, he has a duty to ensure that all organs and officials of the Government operate within the ambit of the law.