Trump tells Muslim world to “drive out” terrorists and criticizes Iran in his Riyadh speech

The president changed his tone on Islam and asked Muslim leaders to take responsibility in the fight against terror.

(Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

On Sunday President Trump delivered a speech in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where he called on the Muslim world to strengthen the fight against extremism and “drive out” the terrorists, as he also promised not to lecture or impose America’s belief systems on other countries. The speech portrayed a somber and reserved president, which is a stark contrast from the man who, on the campaign trail last year, said that he believed “Islam hates us.”

“This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations. This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it,” Trump said in his speech. “If we do not stand in uniform condemnation of this killing, then we not only will be judged by our people, not only will be judged by history, but we will be judged by God.”

Trump has previously criticized former President Barack Obama and others for not using the term “radical Islamic terrorism,” but the president did not utter the term during his speech either and instead used phrases such as “Islamist extremism.” Trump also clearly indicated that he would refrain from telling other nations how to act, so long as a partnership is formed, even though nations like Saudi Arabia have been criticized for egregious human rights violations.

“America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens,” Trump said. “We are not here to lecture — we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership — based on shared interests and values — to pursue a better future for us all.”

The speech also condemned Iran and its leaders for “spreading destruction and chaos across the region,” and said they have “fueled the fires” of terrorism even though, as former Salon writer Ben Norton pointed out, that Saudi Arabia hasglobally exported and profusely funded Wahhabism, the “ultra-puritanical” form of Islam that is largely embraced by terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Qaeda. Trump suggested that nations should forge a partnership to isolate Iran until its leaders are “willing to be a partner for peace.”

Controversy Over Money Recovered From Justice Ngwuta

There was a mild drama in a Federal High Court on Friday May 26 as part of the money recovered from the official residence of a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta got missing. The money which was ordered by a Federal High Court in Abuja, to be deposited in the Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday May 25 revealed a discrepancy of a total amount of N22,160. Our source reports that Justice John Tsoho, before whom Ngwuta is being prosecuted on money laundering and passport fraud charges, disclosed on Friday that while the prosecution claimed to have tendered N35,358,000, the counting witnessed by representatives of the court and parties in the case on Thursday, revealed that the amount actually tendered was N35,335,840. The judge said this while informing the court about the report of the counting submitted to him shortly after proceedings commenced on Friday. Justice Sylvester Ngwuta There were no problems with the money in other currencies. The prosecution had through the leader of the Department of State Service’s search team, Mr. John Utazi that allegedly recovered the various sums of money in local and foreign currencies from Ngwuta’s house, tendered the money before the court as exhibits earlier on Thursday. The money was contained in nine bags and boxes. Out of the nine items, eight of them contained naira notes, which Utazi said totaled N35,358,000. He said the ninth bag contained £25,915; $319,596 (USD); R50 (South African rands); €280 (euros); 380 ( dirhams); and 420 dalasis. The items were opened during the Thursday’s proceedings to reveal the content but the counting in the presence of the representatives of the court and parties to the case was done after court proceedings on Thursday. But under cross-examination by the lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), on Friday, Utazi insisted that the amount he delivered to the court was N35,358,000, which he earlier claimed and not N35,335,840 which the report of the counting revealed. Utazi said, “What I delivered to the exhibit keeper yesterday (Thursday) was N35,358,000.” When asked, he said, “I was not present when the money was counted.” When pressed to answer if he disagreed with the report of the counting, Utazi said, “What I delivered N35,358,000. “I stand by what I delivered to the court. “I meticulously counted the money. I don’t know whether to agree or not but what I delivered to the court was N35,358,000”. 

“I thought he will not defraud me because he is a pastor,’ Titi Atiku

Mrs Titi Atiku, wife of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku on Tuesday, May 23, told an Ikeja High Court, that she trusted a business partner who allegedly defrauded her of N918 million because of his status as a pastor. “I thought that the first defendant, being a pastor, he will not defraud me.“I thought that he was being genuine with me during our business dealings “ Mrs Atiku said while being cross examined in the ongoing fraud trial against a pastor, Nsikakabasi Akpan-Jacobs, Abdulmalik Ibrahim and Dana Motors Ltd. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed the accused with a 15- count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of property worth N918 million belonging to THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd. Mr Amos Ibe, the defence counsel to Akpan-Jacobs while cross examining Mrs Atiku, questioned why she used different monikers in company documents relating to the fraud. “Before I start cross examining you Ma, should I refer to you as Your Excellency? “Why was the name Florence Doregos used in the petition from the EFCC which is exhibit one, as well as other fake names in documents you used to transact business with the first defendant?,” Ibe queried. Replying, Titi said: “I am Her Excellency forever, it was under my instruction and direction that the petition was written. “My name is Florence Doregos, my name is Titi Amina Atiku Abubakar, the Mrs in the petition is a mistake made by my Lawyer. “Florence is my name and it was easy for me to use Doregos while I was in state service. “The name of my biological father is Dorego Albert, we are from Ilesha but I have cousins who are from the Republic of Benin. “I can choose Doregos, I can choose Albert as my surname, they are all my names, even Dino Melaye, his name is Daniel but he calls himself Dino. “I can twist my name anyhow I want.” Responding to Ibe’s questions about her identity when she married the former Vice-President, she said “I married my husband at the Ikoyi Registry in 1971. “I was a Christian before I married my husband, Angelina is my baptismal name, Florence is my confirmation name. “When I got married to my husband, I converted to Islam and I have been called Amina Titilayo, Titilayo was what I was called at home,” she said. Ibe, however, still questioning Mrs Atiku’s real identity, told her that a book written in honour of her husband titled ‘Atiku: The Story of Atiku Abubakar,’ claimed that she was from a Local Government Area in Adamawa. “I am from my husband’s Local Government Area by virtue of marriage. “Whether I’m from the moon o, that’s not the matter on ground,” she said. Ibe, sought to tender the book written in honour of the former Vice-President to the court but it was rejected by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye. “The document does not fall under the definition of a public document under the Evidence Act, it is a private document, it is therefore rejected,” Ipaye said. THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd, a company created in 2000 belonged to Mrs Atiku, Akpan-Jacobs and Fred Holmes. She was allegedly to be the majority shareholder with 49 per cent shares, while Holmes and Akpan-Jacobs each had 25 per cent shares. Akpan-Jacobs, who also doubled as the company’s Managing Director and Secretary, was accused to have gone to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and altered the share holding in his favour and forging the company’s board resolution. He allegedly under the new share arrangement allotted 70 per cent shares to himself and 15 per cent shares each to Titi and Holmes. According to the EFCC, welding a fraudulent shareholding power, Akpan-jacobs sold a property belonging to the company to Dana Motors Nigeria Ltd for N918 million. The property is located at Plot C63 A, Amuwo-Odofin Commercial Layout along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos. During Tuesday’s proceedings, the defence disputed Mrs Atiku’s claims that she invested over N1.2billion into the business transactions with the defendants. “Your petition stated that you invested over N200 million and in another document it stated that you invested over N1.2billion, which fact is correct? “Do you have accounting reports, did you hire an auditor to look at the accounts, how did you arrive at N1.2billion? “N200 million is the money I spent in building the bonded terminal, by the time it was ready, it was worth N1.2billion. “Akpan-Jacobs never gave me any records, I was in the state service, I did not get any auditor, Akpan-Jacobs has the evidence of the money I spent, I didn’t know that our business transactions will become a court case,” she said. Mrs Atiku while in the witness box, accused Akpan-Jacobs of using her company property as a collateral for a bank loan that he sought when he wanted to run for the Akwa-Ibom gubernatorial elections. “He used my bonded terminal as a collateral for a loan when he wanted to run for governorship of Akwa-Ibom, when he couldn’t refund the money the bank wanted to acquire the bonded terminal, he sold it to Dana Motors Ltd. “I was the largest shareholder of THA Shipping Company with 49% of shares, my German partner Fred Holmes had 26% and Akpan-Jacobs has 25%. “Akpan-Jacobs never contributed a dime to the company, I couldn’t be involved in all the documentation because I was in service. “He did the registration and promotion of the company, he brought all the papers to me at the villa to sign, he later fraudulently changed the shareholding powers of my shipping company to favour himself. “He gave me 15 percent, Holmes 15 percent and he took 70 percent shareholding power for himself. “I never entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with him to sell the company, that is why I’m in court, when he couldn’t repay the loan, he sold the company to Dana Motors Ltd. “When the fraud happened, we initially agreed to settle out of court, but instead of settling, he went to sell the cranes and the company, giving the EFCC N16 million which I received," she said. Akpan-Jacobs lawyer, asked the court to cancel the next court date slated for May 24 for continuation of the trial on the grounds of his Ill health. “My Lord, I ask for the previously adjourned date of May 24 to be vacated because I am currently battling ill health,” Ibe said. Mr Babatunde Sonoiki, the EFCC counsel however, opposed Ibe’s request. “There have been four adjournments at the cost of the plaintiff, she flies in at great risk to her safety from Abuja for every court date and she is supposed to be helping take care of a newborn of one of her children. “We have another witness who has traveled on four occasions for 15 hours by road from Yola and the case keeps being adjourned, I will like to request for a cost of N750,000 from the defendants to cover the financial expenses of the plaintiff,” he said. Justice Ipaye granted a cost of N100,000 against Akpan-Jacobs and adjourned the case until July 5 and 6 for continuation of trial. Meanwhile, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, said that the current structure of the country is not working and advocated for a restructuring for a better nation. Atiku spoke at an event to mark his conferment as “the Hero of Nigeria Democracy” organized by the Hall of Grace Magazine in Lagos. The All Progressives Congress chieftain called for restructuring of power that will see the federation units have more powers concentrated on them. 

Coup; DHQ.Finally Dismisses Rumour

The Defence headquarters has finally dismissed the rumour that Nigerian army are planning to take over the leadership of the country through military intervention. In a statement the Defence headquarters said: "Professionally, it is a command responsibility to caution officers and men on routine basis to conform to ethics of the military. "Officers and men are cautioned to excercise command and control by Appropriate superior authorities through commanders at various levels. "This is to prevent members of the Armedforces from derailing from their core focus of total dedication to their oath of allegiance. "It is pertinent to state that if there are signs of actions that point to likely breaches of military code of conduct as it were, "Cautions or warnings are issued with inveatigations following. This, in the present situation, the Armedforces and Army in particular "Has employed the due process to ensure officers and men remain committed to performing their constitutional roles. "The mention of coup plots from some quarters are assertions which are not confirmed. "Let me assure all Nigerians and lovers of the country that the Armedforces will remain totally loyal to the C-In-C," the statement said.Recently there was reports that the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, warned army officials to stay off politics and politically related activities. The chief said this on Tuesday, May 16, in a statement issued by the Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, a brigadier general. He said: “This is to inform the public that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Nigerian Army, has received information that some individuals have been approaching some officers and soldiers for undisclosed political reasons. On the basis of that, he has warned such persons to desist from these acts, the DHQ in a press conference dismissed the rumor has unwarranted, claiming that 'its normal for military bosses to caution subordinates. The Presidency likewise dismissed the coup rumour. Femi Adesina, the special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, yesterday, May 23 urged Nigerians to ignore the media reports on Coup plot, saying it should not be stretched beyond what the military authorities had said. According to him, what the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, said about the issue was a “routine warning that goes to military officers.The presidential aide addressed the correspondents alongside the Senior Special Assistants to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu and Mr Laolu Akande (Office of the Vice-President). Adesina said: “The Army has spoken and let us take that position. What the Chief of Army Staff said was a routine warning that goes to military officers, don’t hobnob with politicians and the army has explained the position. “Let’s take that position and not stretch it beyond what the military has said because they are the ones that can give us the definitive position and they have spoken on it.’’ 

Rice Scarcity Loom,Farmers Start Protest In Kebbi State

Thousands of rice farmers under the aegis of Kebbi State Rice Farmers Association staged a peaceful protest in Birnin Kebbi to protest rice importation. The farmers marched through the streets of Birnin Kebbi carrying placards before retiring to the Government House, to lodge their complaints to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. The state chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Alhaji Muhammad Sahabi Augie, while delivering his speech to the governor, said the proposed importation of foreign rice into the country was not in the best interest of local farmers. Governor Bagudu who is the chairman presidential committee on rice and wheat production in Nigeria, said he would convey the farmers’ message to the president. Meanwhile, the national president of RIFAN, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, in an interview with Daily Trust on Tuesday, May 24, said the protest would continue all over the country.Goronyo said government has done everything possible to ensure that Nigeria feeds itself with locally produced rice adding that: “The enemies of this country who are mostly foreigners have connived with our people to import rice into the country. “We will continue to protest every now and then you will hear protest as long as that moves is in the pipeline, we will not allow them to displace the 24 million people, who are gainfully employed by the FG rice policy." 

Nigerians would be out of recession in the 3rd quarter of the year- Emefiele

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The Central Bank Governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele has assured Nigerians that the country would be out of recession in the 3rd quarter of the
year following the positive economic indicators.

The governor stated this while briefing newsmen after the conclusion of that apex bank’s Monetary policy meeting in Abuja.

Emefiele noted that the positive indicators such as inflation moving upwards and GDP moving up from negative aggregate are indications that by the third quarter of the year, the country will be out of recession.

The governor, however, noted that the committee voted to keep the MPR at 14%, CRR at 22.5% and the liquidity ratio at 30%.

BREAKING: Customs intercepts container-load of arms in Lagos port

A container load of arms has been intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service at the Tin Can Island in Lagos. Reports gathered that the container was discovered at the ports cargo terminal. A source at the ports said the customs authority have ordered everyone out of the terminal and locked everywhere. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Customs, Tin Can command Uche Ejesieme said details of the discovery made will be made public in due time.“We are still counting,” Mr. Ejesieme said.Earlier reported has it that the service intercepted 661 pump actions in Lagos on January 30. The ammunition, the service said, would be able to arm a battalion. The comptroller general of Nigeria Customs Service Hameed Ali, (rtd) had told journalists that despite the federal government’s ban on pump action rifles and other firearms, 661 pieces of the rifle were found in 49 boxes. He said the pump actions were concealed in steel doors and other merchandise goods in a 40-feet container conveyed in a Mack truck with registration number BDG 265 XG. Three suspects were also arrested in connection with the illegal arms importation into the country. 

Don't sign 2017 budget - Falana to Osinbajo

Human rights activist, Femi Falana has advised acting president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo not to sign the 2017 budgeted sent to him by the National Assembly. Falana made the speech in Ilorin during a colloquium organised by the Movement for Genuine Change to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of Kwara State. He said President Muhammadu Buhari lacks the competence to sign the bill into law since he was away on vacation. He said the president cannot exercise power until he transmit another letter to the National Assembly. According to him “The President is not competent to sign any bill into law while he is on vacation. The constitution did not envisage that a President who is on a vacation and an acting president, who is standing proxy for him will be exercising presidential powers simultaneously. “To that extent, pending the resumption of duties by President Buhari, the Acting President, Prof. Osinbajo, is competent to sign all bills validly passed by the NASS. “If President Buhari did not exercise powers during his vacation even though he was in the country, why would he want to do so while he is on medical vacation abroad? “Instead of dissipating energy over the competence of an appropriation bill signed into law by the Acting President, Nigerians should subject the 2017 budget to scrutiny. “We are therefore calling on the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is a professor of law not to endorse and sign the illegal appropriation bill of 2017 into law.” Falana said the National Assembly has no right to increase its budget and urged the acting president to peruse it properly. “The enemies of democracy are desperately trying to exploit President Buhari’s ill health to truncate the democratic dispensation. “Notwithstanding, the glaring shortcomings of the fragile democratic process, the people should be allowed to take advantage of the democratic structures to take their political destiny in their own hands. On their own part, the political class should stop playing into the hands of potential coup plotters. “While the decision of the Army chief to alert the nation of the devilish plot is appreciated, the authorites should proceed to fish out the coup plotters and their civilian collaborators with a view to trying them for treasonable felony.” Chief Ayo Opadokun who also spoke at the occasion agreed with Falana about the budget. He said: “The legislature does not have the legal authority to increase the budget because they are not the ones that will scout the revenues that will come in and they are not the ones to execute it.”