APC reacts to Governor Ortom's defection, says it is ''somewhat surprising''

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the defection of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom from the Party, describing it as “somewhat surprising.”

The party in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said


“The Party recalls efforts made by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to address some of the grievances raised by the Benue State Governor pertaining to the local politics in Benue State. The Governor had left the meeting saying he was satisfied with the assurances given by Party leaders. We are still working on giving effect to the resolutions from the meeting. Therefore, we are somewhat surprised by Governor Ortom’s decision.

“The Party reiterates its earlier position that it respects the rights of every citizen to chose their political affiliation but expresses hope that those who have left the Party will rescind their decisions. Even with this development, we don’t think it is too late for reconciliation. We have to continue to talk. As long as people keep their minds open and have the courage to put the real issues on the table, reconciliation is still possible.

“We once again call on members across the country to remain calm as the Party leadership continues to work hard to position the Party strongly for the next general elections.”

Photos: APC senators all smiles as they pay President Buhari a solidarity visit

The 53 APC senators in the Nigerian senate, last night paid a solidarity visit to President Buhari at the presidential villa. The visist came a day after 15 senators who came into the upper chamber as members of the APC, defected to PDP and ADC.

They were led to the meeting by the party's National chairman, Adams Oshiomole.

Among the senators were Shehu Sani, Remi Tinubu, Ali Ndume, Lanre Tejuoso and many others. See more photos below

Clear photo of Beyonce's twin's faces emerges

A recent photo of Beyonce cradling her twin babies, Sir and Rumi Carter has emerged.

The singer is seen wearing a huge smile as she held both twins during the family's vacation.

President Trump postpones the visit of Vladimir Putin to the US till 2019

The follow-up meeting President Donald Trump proposed holding with his Russian counterpart in a few weeks will no longer happen this year, the White House said on Wednesday.



"The President believes that the next bilateral meeting with President Putin should take place after the Russia witch hunt is over, so we've agreed that it will be after the first of the year" Trump's national security adviser John Bolton said in a statement.



The second set of talks, which Trump instructed Bolton to organize last week, drew surprise and consternation among some national security officials. The invitation was abruptly announced on Twitter by White House press secretary Sarah Sanders.

N3.2bn Fraud: Court to rule on Ex-Abia governor, Orji Kalu's no-case submission on July 31

Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, adjourned to July 31, 2018 for ruling on a no-case submission filed by a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, and others.



Kalu alongside his former Commissioner for Finance,Jones Udeogu, and a company, Slok Nigeria Limited, are being prosecuted for a N3.2bn fraud. At today's sitting, the defence counsel led by Awa Kalu, SAN, told the court that they had filed a no-case submission dated May 28, 2018 and adopted same as their written address.



Kalu also informed the court that the defence had served the prosecution a reply on point of law dated July 20, 2018 and filed July 24, 2018. Also, during today's proceedings, counsel to the second defendant drew the attention of the court to Section 126 of the Evidence Act that states that every evidence must emanate from the eyewitness, who will give direct evidence.



He further argued that exhibits D14 and D1 were not signed by the maker (bank), but an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The defence counsel, therefore, prayed the court to discharge their clients on the grounds that the prosecution had not proven the charges against them beyond reasonable doubts.



However, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court that he had established a prima farcie case against the defendants. He also told the court that he received the reply on point of law by the defendants last night.



"My Lord, what the defendants gave to me was not reply on point of law, but just arguments," he added. In response to the submission of the counsel to the second defendant , Jacobs told the court that exhibit D14 came with a letter from the bank with reference.



He further stated that it also carried a main letter attached to it from the bank, adding that "the witness who gave evidence in respect of the exhibit was the maker."

Pre-wedding photos of late President Yar'adua's son and his beautiful bride-to-be

Ibrahim, son of late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua will be getting married to Saratu Sodangi, this week.

The wedding ceremonies begins on today, July 26, in Kaduna State.



Ibrahim graduated from Brunei University London with a degree in Law in July, 2016. His beautiful bride-to-be is a lawyer.

High Court grants Senator Dino Melaye bail to the tune of N5m following his arraignment yesterday

The Nigerian Police Force on Wednesday arraigned Senator Dino Melaye before an Abuja High Court sitting in Apo. The lawmaker was arraigned on six counts bordering on attempted suicide, attempt to escape from custody and damage of police property.



The prosecution counsel, Alex Izinyonu, said Melaye escaped from police custody on April 24, 2018, after he broke the glass on the second window of a bus belonging to the Police, using his left elbow.



The lawmaker was said to have jumped into a waiting vehicle, an action which the Police says amounted to an offence punishable under section 327 of the Penal Code Law. He said the defendant while being conveyed in a police vehicle to Lokoja, forced his way out of the bus and escaped.



Melaye however denied committing the offences and the trial judge, Silvanus Oriji granted him bail in the sum of N5million.



Oriji also ordered Melaye to produce two sureties in like sum, as part of the bail condition. He ordered that the sureties must be directors in the civil service, reside in the FCT, and depose to affidavits of means.