Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says US-based media giant, CNN, should be sanctioned for “irresponsible reporting.”

He was reacting to the broadcaster’s investigative report on the October 20 shooting at Lekki Toll Plaza.

Men of the Nigerian Army had fired bullets at the plaza where peaceful protesters gathered. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed that the incident led to the death of two unidentified persons.

The army denied firing live bullets at the protesters, saying it only fired blank bullets into the air to disperse the protesters.

But the CNN refuted the claim, reporting that live bullets were indeed fired at protesters. It traced one of the bullets to Serbia where it was allegedly bought by the military.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Mohammed described the report as one-dimensional and lacking in balance.

He said the report should earn CNN sanctions because it “relied heavily” on “unverified” and “possibly doctored” videos.

He also alleged that the media outfit sourced information from “questionable sources” to reach its conclusions.

The minister insisted that the military fired blank bullets into the air and not at the crowd, noting that he has no reason to doubt Brig. Gen. Ahmed who testified before the Lagos State Judicial Panel investigating the incident.

Mohammed rubbished the claim of a massacre, describing it as “a massacre without bodies or blood.”

He urged persons who have alleged a massacre, as well as relatives with missing family members, to report at the judicial panel to lay official complaints.

The minister also said the CNN report “conveniently excluded” the looting, violence by citizens, 269 private facilities burnt and looted, 243 government facilities vandalised.

Mohammed added that security agents deserve commendation, not condemnation.

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over 12 “prime assets” belonging to the Chairman of Global Fleet Group, Jimoh Ibrahim, and had his accounts frozen over a N69.4 billion debt.

This followed an order by Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, according to a statement by the Head of Corporate Communication at AMCON, Jude Nwauzor.

Based on the order of the court, AMCON took possession of top properties belonging to the businessman on Wednesday, through its debt recovery agent – Pinheiro Legal Partners.

Nwauzor said AMCON took over all the assets listed by the court and scattered around Abuja and Lagos on Wednesday with the help of court bailiffs and officers and men of the Nigerian police as mandated by the court.

The properties include the NICON Investment Limited building at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja; NICON Hotels Limited building at Plot 557, Port-Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, Abuja; and the NICON Lekki Limited building at No. 5, Customs Street, Lagos.

Others are Abuja International Hotels Limited building located at No. 3, Hospital Road, Lagos; another property at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Abuja; the former Allied Bank building on Mile 2, Oshodi Express Way, Apapa Road, Lagos; Energy House located on No. 94, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; NICON Building at No. 40, Madeira Street, Maitama, Abuja; a Residential Apartment at Road 2, House A14, Victoria Garden City, Lagos; NICON Hotels building at Plot 3, Road 3, Victoria Garden City, Lagos; as well as the NICON Luxury Hotel’s building, Garki I, FCT, Abuja.

Apart from the buildings, the court also ordered the freezing of all accounts belonging to Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim and his companies including Global Fleet Oil & Gas Limited and NICON Investment Limited all of who are defendants in Suit No. FHL/L/CL/776/2016 presided over by Justice Aikawa on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

In addition, the court granted AMCON possession over all shares belonging to Ibrahim and his two companies that are domiciled in Nigerian Re-Insurance Company Plc, NICON Insurance Company Plc, Nigeria Stockbrokers Limited (NSL), and NICON Trustees Limited.

Nwauzor said the assets were taken over without incident.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has commended the latest Supreme Court verdict on the election of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and the deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

The governor, in a statement, described the ruling as “a victory for democracy”.

He said, “The verdict is a victory for democracy. The Supreme Court has upheld the wishes of Bayelsans.”

The governor, who said the ruling has put paid to issues surrounding the election, noted that Diri is now free from any entanglement to deliver on his promises to Bayelsa people in line with the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

“While it was necessary for the law to run its course, there was no denying that the legal battle may have stalled some critical projects. With the ruling, we are confident that Bayelsa people would now enjoy the full benefits of the Governor Douye-led PDP government in the state,” he said.

The governor added, “I also commend the Supreme Court on the verdict, which restores stability to the government and puts the state on the path of progress. Bayelsans would be better for it in the long run. I once again congratulate the government and people of Bayelsa State for the outcome at the apex court.”