International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Putin

The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Russian President, Vladimir Putin, for war crimes committed in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Hague-based court via its website on Friday.

Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, was also included in the arrest warrant.

In the statement, both Putin and Lvova-Belova were slammed with allegations of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children into Russian territory, thereby violating articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute.

The release read in part;

“There are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Putin bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes, (i) for having committed the acts directly, jointly with others and/or through others (article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute), and (ii) for his failure to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts, or allowed for their commission, and who were under his effective authority and control, pursuant to superior responsibility (article 28(b) of the Rome Statute).

“Ms Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, born on 25 October 1984, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation (under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute.”

According to the statement, the ICC decided to keep the warrant documents a secret “in order to protect victims and witnesses and also to safeguard the investigation.”

“Nevertheless, mindful that the conduct addressed in the present situation is allegedly ongoing, and that the public awareness of the warrants may contribute to the prevention of the further commission of crimes, the Chamber considered that it is in the interests of justice to authorise the Registry to publicly disclose the existence of the warrants, the name of the suspects, the crimes for which the warrants are issued, and the modes of liability as established by the Chamber,” read the statement.

The Russian-Ukraine war began on February 24, 2022 after the Russian army invaded the neighbouring country.

The war, which has raged for over a year has led to the loss of life, destruction of properties and further escalation of tensions between Russia and Western nations.

TikTok app banned from UK Government phones over Chinese ‘spying fears’

TikTok has been banned from UK Government phones with immediate effect over cyber-security ‘risks.’

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden disclosed that the block on the Chinese-owned app came after a review by Government experts.

He also revealed that only third-party apps from an approved list would be allowed on official devices.

The restriction comes in response to concerns that users’ sensitive data could be accessed by the authorities in Beijing via TikTok’s firm’s owner ByteDance, which has its headquarters in China.

Members of the Government and officials will also be discouraged from keeping the controversial video-sharing app on their personal phones, but they will not be banned from using them in their own time.

It follows moves by the US, the EU, and Canada to stop officials using the app on their work devices, and comes after the Government declared that China ‘poses an epoch-defining challenge’.

Parliament’s TikTok account was shut down last year after MPs raised concerns about the firm’s links to China.

The official Downing Street TikTok page has not been updated since the summer. But the Ministry of Defence opened an account only last week.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who has called for a more robust attitude towards Beijing, welcomed the development.

But he told MailOnline the ban had to be extended to the personal phones of ministers and senior civil servants to work effectively.

‘While they are ministers they should be denied access. If it is a security risk on the government phones it is a security risk on their phones,’ he said.

‘The idea that they do nothing with the Government other than on their secure phones – I’m sorry, that is not true. This app should not be on their personal phones.’

TikTok has said bans have been based on ‘misplaced fears and seemingly driven by wider geopolitics’, saying it would be ‘disappointed by such a move’ in the UK.

But Alicia Kearns, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said: ‘Significant questions remain around TikTok’s ability to act as a data Trojan Horse. The Government has a duty to protect our people from the acquisition of our personal data by a hostile states.’

Asked about a possible ban earlier this week, security minister Tom Tugendhat told Times Radio he had asked the National Cyber Security Centre, a branch of GCHQ, to assess the risk.

‘We need to make sure that our phones are not spyware, but useful tools for us,’ he said.

It comes after the Biden administration threatened to ban TikTok in the US unless its Chinese owner sells its shares in the app.

Three Nigerians arrested in Indonesia for drug smuggling

Indonesian authorities on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, said they have arrested four foreigners including three Nigerians for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs into the country.

The Nigerian nationals were arrested separately between January and March at Soekarno-Hatta international airport in Jakarta and several apartments in the capital, police spokesperson Trunoyudo Wisnu Andika told a news conference in Jakarta.

One of the Nigerians arrested had allegedly swallowed dozens of capsules filled with more than a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of methamphetamine.

Indonesia is a major hub for drug trafficking in Southeast Asia and has strict drug laws, with convicted smugglers sometimes executed by firing squad.

Gatot Sugeng Wibowo, chief of customs at Soekarno-Hatta, said officers arrested Malachi Onyekachukwu Umanu, a Nigerian who arrived at the airport from Ethiopia on March 5 with no suitcase or bag.

His suspicious behavior prompted officers to check his body, and an X-ray turned up some 64 capsules inside his stomach.

Authorities managed to force all the capsules, which were filled with a total of 1.07 kilograms (2.3 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine, out of his stomach within three days, Wibowo said.

Customs officers at the airport also arrested a Brazilian man, Gustavo Pinto da Silveira, shortly after he arrived from Rio de Janeiro in early January, carrying a backpack, suitcase and surfboard.

He initially refused to let officers test the contents of liquids in his luggage.

His resistance led officers to further investigate the substance, which was stored in six toiletry bottles and had a strong odor.

Lab tests confirmed the fluid was 2 liters (67.6 ounces) of liquid cocaine. Police said it was $1.3 million.

Police also arrested two other Nigerian nationals along with an Indonesian man and woman who tried to smuggle 1.04 kilograms (2.2 pounds) of crystal meth from India wrapped in lace fabric through a post office in Jakarta.

Mukti Juharsa, the police director of drug investigations in the capital, He said the suspects would be punished according to Indonesia’s strict narcotics law, with a minimum of five years’ imprisonment and a potential death sentence.

NLC suspends strike in Imo state

The Nigeria Labour Congress has suspended its ongoing industrial action in Imo State. NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, who confirmed this, said the suspension of the strike was due to interventions made by “highly respected and well- meaning Nigerians from within and outside Imo state.”

The NLC who noted that suspension of the industrial action was to enable residents of the state vote candidates of their choice during this Saturday’s House of Assembly elections in the state, added that they’ll resume the industrial action if the state government fails to reverse its anti- Labour policies.

The statement read;

“Due to persistent interventions by highly respected and well-meaning Nigerians from within and outside Imo State; assurances by agents of the state government to make amends; and especially, in order to have an enabling environment for citizens in the state to perform their civic duty on Saturday, March 18 by way of voting for State House of Assembly candidates of their choice, on behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress, I hereby announce the suspension of the ongoing strike action in Imo state.

“The suspension is expected to last two weeks during which the state government or its agencies are expected to meet up with the demands of the workers in the state.

“In the event this window of opportunity is not being utilized, the Nigeria Labour Congress will be left with no choice than to resume the suspended action with more ferocity.”

Elephant attacks man who posed for selfie with it

A man is in critical condition in hospital after an elephant attacked him when he posed for a selfie with the animal in Tanzania.

The elephant was part of a herd that escaped a conservation area in the northern Manyara region and was eating farm crops in one of the villages, according to authorities.

A regional police commissioner said the elephants became agitated after a group of locals approached them while taking selfies.

It attacked one of the men, wounding him.

“The man has been admitted at Kiteto district hospital and is undergoing treatment…He has had some improvement,” said George Katabazi.

Human-wildlife conflict is common in Tanzania, where dry periods often lead to wildlife straying onto farms for food.

Torrey Craig loses tooth ss Bucks Defeat Suns in NBA Roundup

Phoenix Suns forward, Torrey Craig, lost a tooth in the National Basket Association game Roundup, following defeat from Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

Craig lost the tooth in the third quarter after taking an inadvertent elbow from an opponent player, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

He laid on the floor for a few seconds before finding his tooth on the ground, which he picked up and took to the bench.

He returned to the game in the fourth quarter.

Antetokounmpo scored 36 points, Brook Lopez added 21 and the NBA-leading Bucks clinched a playoff spot by beating the Phoenix Suns 116-104 on Tuesday night to become the first team to have 50 wins this season.

NIMC releases new fees for NIN verification for passports

Nigerians applying for passports will henceforth be charged N1000 in the country for the verification of their National Identification Number.

The announcement was made on Monday, February 13, by the Head of Corporate Communications at the National Identity Management Commission, Kayode Adegoke.

According to the NIMC, the fee is to improve the quality of service, accuracy, and speed of passport services through timely verification of NIN.

In the new framework agreed upon with the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerians applying for passports in Nigeria will pay N1000 for NIN verification in Nigeria, $5 in other African countries, and $15 in other countries.

He said;

“This new arrangement is in furtherance of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’s directive to streamline passport application, renewal, and issuance processes.

“Consequently, a NIN Verification fee would be charged for each Nigerian passport application for this service.

“NIMC and NIS have agreed on a revised applicant journey that will significantly improve the speed of passport issuance /re-issuance and reduce the traffic visiting the NIS office(s). The NIN service, fees, and the new NIS process will go live on 1st April.

“The delay in the processing of passport applications could be as a result of the integration of data between NIS and the NIMC, which also, in turn, integrate with the BVN data of applicants.”

Popular South African Amapiano artist, Costa Titch passed away

Popular South African Amapiano artist, Costa Titch has sadly passed away after collapsing on stage.

The 27-year-old reportedly had a seizure and collapsed on stage while performing at the Ultra music concert at Expo Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg today Saturday, March 11th.

Costa had shared a poster on his IG page advertising the event Just 11 hours ago.

Costa entered the entertainment industry as a dancer, but over time he transformed and became a rapper/singer.

He recently got signed to Akon’s music label.

NiMet warns Nigerians to watch out for thunderstorm

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted isolated thunderstorms in many parts of the country over the next three days, warning residents to be cautious of identified areas.

The agency’s weather outlook released on Friday indicated that there would be sunshine from Saturday to Friday across the country.

NiMet also envisaged cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine over the North-Central region in the morning hours with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara and Benue states later in the day.

“Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the Inland cities of the South and the coastal region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers state in the morning hours.

“In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Delta and Akwa Ibom state,” it said.

According to NiMet, sunny conditions are anticipated over the northern region on Sunday in the morning hours with chances of thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa and Taraba state in the afternoon and evening hours.It anticipated cloudy conditions with spells of sunshine over the North-Central region in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, there are prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara and Benue states in the afternoon/evening hours.

“Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the Inland cities of the South with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River state.

“Further into the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Delta state,” it said.

The agency predicted sunny skies on Monday over the northern region throughout the forecast period.

According to it, cloudy conditions with intervals of sunshine are forecast over the North-Central region throughout the forecast period.

“Cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are anticipated over the Inland cities of the South with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom state in the morning hours,” it said.

It predicted isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers, Lagos, Delta and Bayelsa state later in the day.

NiMet advised the public to be cautious in the areas where thunderstorms were expected, adding that strong winds were likely to precede the rains and as such, trees, electric poles, unsecured objects and weak buildings might be blown away.

“High temperatures are observed over the country which could cause heat-stress. Public is advised to take necessary caution/coping strategies to reduce heat-stress.

“All Airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports periodically from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said.

Woman Laments Gender Change Books Found In Children’s Library

A yet-to-be-identified woman has expressed her displeasure with the inclusion of gender-changing and explicit sexual books in school libraries for children.

The woman is seen complaining to someone in an office about the books made available to children in the library, in a video shared on social media on Friday.

She described the books as atrocious and opened one of the books that taught children how to make a baby without a male and a female but with the same gender.

She also raised another book for children aged three that teaches them about being okay in the wrong body and a book for 10-year-old children that introduces them to homos*xuality.

Iran and Saudi Arabia set to restore ties after Beijing mediation

Saudi Arabia and Iran announced Friday an agreement to resume relations in a joint statement inked by the two countries and China and carried by Saudi and Iranian state media.

The agreement was a result of talks in Beijing that began Monday, following an initiative from Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at “developing good neighborly relations” between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the statement said.

China hosted and sponsored talks between the two countries following “a desire [from both] to resolve the disputes between them through dialogue and diplomacy within the framework of the fraternal ties that unite them.”

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran in 2016 after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was attacked and burned by Iranian protesters, angered by the kingdom’s execution of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr.

The revered cleric had emerged as a leading figure in protests in the Eastern Province, a Shiite-majority part of the Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia.

Relations between the two gulf countries have continued to decline since. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of supplying weapons to their foes the Houthis, a militant group in neighboring Yemen being fought by a Saudi-led coalition.

U.S. officials also believe Iran launched attacks from its territory on oil facilities in the kingdom. Tehran has denied involvement.

The tripartite statement said embassies would be reopened within two months, and emphasized the importance of respecting each other’s sovereignty and not interfering in each other’s internal affairs.

Four electrical contractors responding to a power outage brutally killed by mob who mistook them for cable thieves

Four electrical contractors were brutally murdered by community members after being mistaken for cable thieves in Ekurhuleni, South Africa.

Ekurhuleni MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy, Senzi Sibeko, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, March 9, 2023, said an investigation is now underway into the murder of the four electrical contractors.

Sibeko said the incident happened last Monday when the four were responding to a power outage in Germiston area of Ekurhuleni.

“City of Ekurhuleni electricians requested assistance from city-approved electrical contractors to assist on the site of an electrical outage in Sarel Hattingh Street, Klippoortjie AH, Germiston.

These electrical contractors were attacked by an angry mob of community members who wrongfully assumed that these contractors were cable thieves, said Sibeko.

“Despite the contractors producing their paperwork in the form of wayleaves and other documentation, the community proceeded to attack them, which tragically resulted in the death of four contractors.”

Sibeko said the ongoing investigation is led by the South African Police Service and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.

“It has been brought to my attention that the details of this heinous crime have been circulated to the media by a political party represented in council. I want to implore leaders of political parties to refrain from sharing information that is still subject to investigation in order to not muddy the waters and prejudice investigations underway by law-enforcement agencies,” he said.

“Equally, it is insensitive to the families of the deceased that their rights to privacy and dignity in this painful period is infringed upon for political point scoring. I want to plead with our communities and ask that you refrain from engaging in acts of violence and vigilante justice and to allow city officials or contractors in the employ of the city to do their work to ensure that communities receive the services that they deserve.”

Sibeko sent “heartfelt condolence” to the families and loved ones of the contractors who were victims of “senseless acts of violence.”

Several people killed in hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Hamburg

Several people have been shot dead in a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Hamburg, Germany.

According to DW, a German publication, the shooting also left several victims with gunshot wounds.German media reports said the shooting at the Kingdom Hall located in the Gross Borstel district occurred at about 9:00 p.m.

“The dead all have gunshot wounds,” stated a police spokesperson.The motive for the shooting was not immediately known, said the police, and the shooter(s) yet to be identified.The Hamburg Police tweeted that the situation had been brought under control without having to fire a shot.

“Our measures and investigations are running at full speed. As soon as there is reliable information about the use in #GroßBorstel, we will inform you immediately at this point,” said the police.

“We found a lifeless person in a community centre in #GroßBorstel, which we assume could be a perpetrator. In order to rule out the involvement of other perpetrators, we carry out checks and search comprehensively.”

The police noted that “based on the current state of affairs, we assume a perpetrator. The police measures in the area are gradually being discontinued.

Investigations into the background to the crime are ongoing” and that they “have set up a reference portal to which photos and videos of the crime or relevant events in this context can be uploaded.”

Nigerian ‘most wanted’ prostitution ringleader Madam Joy extradited to Italy

Joy Jeff, a ‘most wanted’ Nigerian woman who runs a prostitution ring and was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment, has been extradited to Italy.

Ms Jeff was flown back to Italy – where she committed the crime, after fleeing Rome to Abuja.

The Italian police confirmed on Wednesday that the culprit had been declared wanted since 2010, shortly after she was sentenced.

In a statement, the police described Ms Jeff as a “prominent figure” in the Nigerian mafia.

“She was arrested in Nigeria on June 4, 2022, on an international warrant issued by Italy,” the statement added.

A video clip released by the Italian police showed Ms Jeff being flown from the Nigerian capital Abuja to Ciampino airport in Rome, where she was taken away in a wheelchair by police, according to Reuters.

The extradition was facilitated by a treaty signed by Nigeria and Italy in 2020.

Italian investigators in the eastern city of Ancona said Ms Jeff played a leading role in trafficking women to Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

They added that women, mostly young ladies, were forced into prostitution by violence and threats.

“Africa today is a strategic location when looking for fugitives and fighting organised crime,” said Vittorio Rizzi, an Italian police chief responsible for international coordination.

Mr Rizzi said Ms Jeff had been convicted in absentia.

UAE ignores Buhari’s plea, maintains indefinite visa ban on Nigerians

The United Arab Emirates has disregarded the pleas of President Muhammadu Buhari to lift a visa ban slammed on Nigerian nationals since October 2022. The ban, however, does not affect persons holding diplomatic passports.

Last month, Mr Buhari had appealed to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayad Al Nahyan, the UAE president, to remove the visa ban on his country people in a telephone conversation whose content was relayed by his media aide, Garba Shehu.

The Nigerian leader, via the phone, disclosed that he had given instructions to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to increase the amount of foreign exchange allocated to the Emirates Airlines, the bane of the now-resolved months-long diplomatic row between the two nations and as a show of goodwill towards the Arab nation.

Since the phone conversation took place nearly a month ago and with Mr Buhari’s presidency ending in June, the UAE appears uninterested in his offer and has remained silent on the matter.

Instead, the Emirati government has maintained the travel restrictions on Nigerians and other Africans whom it has accused of constituting unrest in its territory through cultism and other illegal activities.

It remains unclear whether Mr Buhari will continue to persuade the Sheikh to remove the ban before his presidency expires or whether he will leave the incoming president, Bola Tinubu, to shoulder that responsibility.

Two Nigerians Arrested At Indian Airport With Cocaine Capsules Concealed In Stomach

Two Nigerian nationals were arrested for concealing 167 capsules of cocaine in their stomach at the Mumbai airport in India.

According to India TV on Tuesday, officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said the two passengers were arrested by police after arriving at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport from Lagos via Addis Ababa on Friday.

The DRI officials took them to court and demanded that they be examined by a doctor because they may have hidden drugs in their bodies.

A medical examination confirmed that the two Nigerians were hiding cocaine in their stomachs and that they purged 167 capsules over three days.

According to the DRI official, the capsules contained a total of 2.97 kg of cocaine worth Rs 29.76 crores and the two were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, a court remanded them in judicial custody.

Over 300 migrants found in abandoned lorry in south-east Mexico

Mexican authorities said they found 343 migrants, including over 100 unaccompanied minors, in an abandoned lorry in the south-eastern state of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico.

The country’s migration authority said in a statement on Monday that the lorry was found on Sunday night abandoned near the community of Acayucan on the road connecting the cities of La Tinaja and Cosamaloapan.

Among the migrants were 103 unaccompanied minors, mostly from Guatemala, authorities said.

The trailer also contained 212 adults from Honduras, El Salvador, and Ecuador.The trailer had been modified to allow ventilation.

According to authorities, the rescued individuals wore colourful bracelets, presumably to be identified by the smugglers.

Last year, more than 50 people believed to have been migrants were found dead in a parked lorry on the outskirts of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas.

They had been left locked in the lorry’s trailer in sweltering heat with no air conditioning.

Between October 2021 and October 2022, the U.S. Border Protection Agency registered more than 2 million attempts by migrants to enter the United States.

Most leave their homes because of poverty, political crises, and crime.

Many people from crisis-ridden Central and South American countries, such as Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela, venture on the long, dangerous journey to the U.S. through Mexico.

Many migrants do not even reach the U.S. border but are stopped by Mexican soldiers and sent back.

Only few Nigerians agreed to return from Tunisia amid attacks on Africans- NiDCOM

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says few Nigerians agreed to return home from Tunisia following the president’s remarks on February 21.

Tunisian President Kais Saied, at the meeting of Tunisia’s National Security Council, called for urgent measures against sub-Saharan migrants.

Mr Saied urged Tunisian security forces to halt illegal immigration and described the migrant influx as a conspiracy to change the country’s democratic makeup.

On her Twitter page on Monday, the chairman of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said Amb. Asari Allotey, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Tunisia, was in consultation with the Nigerian Community.

“Those that have agreed to return to Nigeria are very few, and the mission is working with the IOM to arrange tickets for them.

“The many others want to wait it out, praying it will soon pass, following the intervention of the AU and the African Group of Ambassadors.

“Though we don’t really have a large community of Nigerians in Tunisia as many of them are those rescued from the Mediterranean after a failed attempt to cross from Libya, the mission will update if they do request to return.”

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the Tunisian president denounced making racist comments.

March 11 Elections- INEC to reconfigure BVAS, seek court permission

The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will approach the Appeal Court on Monday for an order to allow it to reconfigure its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the March 11 elections.

On Sunday, a credible source in the commission revealed that the order was significant following an order restraining it from tampering with the information embedded in the BVAS machines until the due inspection was conducted and certified true copies of them issued.

The source, who requested anonymity, said INEC would require sufficient time to reconfigure the BVAS needed to conduct the elections that would take place on Saturday.

“The commission’s legal department is actually preparing an application to be filled in the court on Monday to seek an order for it to reconfigure its BVAS for Saturday governorship and state houses of assembly elections,” the source said.

The source explained that considering the number of BVAS required to conduct the election across states, INEC needed to reconfigure the BVAS used for the March 25 elections and deploy them to polling units for the Saturday election.

The source added that INEC technical team have to be deployed on time to commence the re-configuration of the device, which has to be done one by one.

The source explained that the order was important if the Saturday governorship and state parliamentary elections must hold as scheduled, otherwise the postponement of the election became inevitable.

On Friday, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal granted leave to the presidential candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, to have access to all the sensitive materials used by INEC for the conduct of the February 25 presidential election.

A panel of the appellate court led by Justice Joseph Ikyegh made the order after it heard two separate ex parte applications the two aggrieved presidential candidates filed alongside their political parties.

Specifically, the applicants urged the court to compel INEC to allow them to obtain documents it used for the presidential election to aid their petitions against the outcome of the presidential election.

“An order granting the applicants’ permission to do electronic scanning and make photocopies of voter’s registration, ballot papers used in the conduct of the election for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria held on the February 25,” said the court document.

“An order granting leave to the applicants to carry out Digital Forensic Inspection of BVAS machines used for the conduct of the February 25 election for the Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The plaintiffs also sought an order restraining INEC “from tampering with the information embedded in the BVAS machines until due inspection was conducted and Certified True Copies of them issued.”

The court, in its consideration, ordered INEC to allow the applicants to inspect all the electoral materials used in the conduct of the presidential election.

The court permitted the appellants to do electronic scanning and or make photocopies of the voter’s registration and ballot papers used in the presidential election.

“That leave is hereby granted to the applicants to carry out digital forensic inspection of BVAS machines used for the conduct of the February 25, 2023 Election for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the court had ordered.

Bride dies during her wedding ceremony, family gives younger sister to groom so wedding can continue

A bride in Bhavnagar d!ed of a heart attack in the middle of her wedding rituals at the marriage venue in the Subhashnagar area, India. 

This unfortunate incident took place in late February, in front of the Bhagwaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Bhavnagar. 

Hetal, the daughter of a man identified as Jinabhai Rathore, was in the process of marrying Vishal, the son of Ranabhai Butabhai Algotar of Nari village. 

Guests filled the venue with wedding songs playing in the background when celebrations were forced to halt. While performing her wedding rituals, Hetal reportedly felt dizzy and fainted. 

She was rushed to a nearby hospital and the doctors said she had d!ed of a heart attack. 

Even as the family mourned the death of Hetal, relatives proposed an alternative plan to ensure the wedding celebrations continued.

They suggested the bride’s younger sister take her place and marry Vishal. 

The family agreed to marry her sister to the groom and continued the wedding rituals with her younger sister. 

Hetal’s body was reportedly kept in cold storage until the ceremony was over. 

Corporator of Bhavnagar city and leader of Maldhari Samaj, Laxmanbhai Rathore described the incident as very sad.

He said even though the family was shocked by the death of their daughter, members of society convinced them to set an example and not send the bridegroom and his family “empty handed.”

This is not the first time a family would give away another daughter after one d!ed during the wedding ceremony. 

In June 2021, in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India, a family gave the younger sister to the groom after the bride collapsed during the wedding ceremony.