World News

‘Show genuine repentance for the 16-year misrule in Nigeria,’ APC tells PDP

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to humbly accept its defeat in the Ondo State governorship election.

The Supreme Court had last week upheld the victory of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in October 10, 2020 election in the state.

But three out of seven justices in the apex court’s panel ruled against the governor on the petition against him.

In its reaction to the ruling, PDP commended the Supreme Court justices for upholding the integrity of the nation’s judiciary.

The party claimed that the justices agreed that the Chairman of the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni violated 1999 Constitution by holding two separate positions at the same time.

Mala Buniis also the governor of Yobe State.

But in a statement issued by the Secretary of the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, the party urged the PDP to accept its defeat at the Supreme Court in good faith rather than attempting to constitute itself into an alternate court of law and misinterpreting the apex court’s judgments.

APC described the PDP as an “old, lonely, toothless and hungry Hyena” which had become rudderless, saying it would not join issues with the major opposition party on the status of Mai Mala Buni-led committee.

The party urged its major rival to show genuine repentance its 16 years misrule in the country.

The statement read: “The Peoples Democratic Party PDP is an old, lonely, toothless, and hungry Hyena wandering aimlessly in the jungle of political wilderness. Nigerians are fully aware of its antecedents and will never take it seriously no matter how much empty noise it makes.

We note how arrogantly the PDP has become an interpreter of the laws of the nation with ignorant comments on the recent Supreme Court judgment which affirmed the election victory of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN and dismissed the PDP’s case on the grounds that it was incompetent.

Instead of being humbled by that defeat, the PDP has turned itself into an alternate court by misrepresenting the decision of majority members of the Supreme Court that did not hinge its ruling on Section 183 of the 1999 constitution as the PDP labours to spin.

“Our position stands. It is not our intention to join issues with self-proclaimed interpreters of our laws which unsurprisingly now includes the PDP on the status of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC ) and its membership. The apex court ruling had no bearing on the validity or otherwise of the APC CECPC chaired by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

While the PDP and their fellow travelers labour to sell their falsehoods, backed by solid legal guidance, APC is on good grounds to conduct its Congresses leading to the National Convention.

“One asks, is the PDP now a Court of Law? It is a reflection of their propensity to hang on straws and murky thinking which shows that they should not be trusted with power again because they have no capacity to think clearly, talkless of running a country properly.

“The PDP is apparently using these baseless comments on the APC leadership to distract attention from its depleting fortunes and rudderless leadership which has led its members and leaders to abandon the failed opposition in droves for the APC which is providing Nigerians with purposeful leadership, rebuilding the nation and institutionalising the rule of law.

That the Uche Secondus-led PDP leadership is currently grappling with a serious crisis of confidence among its members and leaders is no longer news. However, we offer free advice: imbibe internal democracy; have focus; shun corruption and be orderly in your conduct as a sign of repentance and atonement for wasting 16 years misgoverning our country.

“The APC’s internal democracy and progressive politics which has been deepened by the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led leadership of the APC CECPC has demonstrated its sterling organisational capability which led to credible ward congresses. On the other hand, the PDP is so disorganised that it is unable to complete its abandoned national secretariat.

PDP has reached the end of its political road and Nigerians will never trust it again with the governance of this country.”

World News

Lagos NDLEA nabs woman with 35 wraps of cocaine concealed in underwear

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abuja on Sunday, disclosed that it has nabbed a lady, Ebere Edith Okafor, with 35 wraps of cocaine concealed in her underwear.

She was nabbed during the outward clearance of passengers on Air Cotevoire, to Monrovia, Liberia from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), in Lagos.

The spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect who was arrested on Saturday, July 31, tucked the pellets of cocaine in her underwear to beat security checks at the airport but was picked up for search and questioning during which the wraps of the illicit drug were found on her.

During a preliminary interview, she claimed her desire to make money pushed her into drug trafficking,” Babafemi said.

Also, Babafemi disclosed that another suspect, Echendu Jerry Maduakolam, an intending male passenger going to Istanbul was arrested at Gate A departure hall of the MMIA on Tuesday, July 27, during outward clearance of Egypt airline to Turkey with 78 grams of cannabis mixed with dried bitter leaves.

He noted that on the same day, another intending male passenger, Egbon Osarodion, going to Milan, Italy was arrested at the airport’s Gate A departure hall during outward clearance of passengers on Egypt airline with different quantities of 225mg Tramadol and Rohypnol concealed in foil papers wrapped in a polyethylene bag.

Babafemi disclosed that in another development, operatives of the agency from the Kontagora Area Command, acting on credible intelligence, in the early hours of Thursday, July 29, raided a warehouse at Mailefe village in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State, where drug supplies for bandits operating in parts of the state were stored.

He said, “After a thorough search of the warehouse, 125 bags of cannabis sativa were recovered while a man seen praying in front of the house fled into the forest when he sighted the narcotic officers from afar.”

World News

91 Boko Haram insurgents surrender to troops in North-East – Nigerian Army

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The Nigerian Army said on Friday at least 91 members of the Boko Haram sect and their families have surrendered to troops in the North-East.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He said the troops of 202 Battalion took custody of eight insurgents and their families who surrendered at Ruwaza village in Bama local government area of Borno State.

These, according to him, comprised 10 adult females and 22 children.

The army spokesman added that the troops of Forward Operational Base operating along BoCobs-Bama road also arrested 20 terrorists and their families at Nbewa village in Bama LGA.

Nwachukwu said: “The surrendered families of the insurgents comprised 15 adult females and 26 children.

“The suspects all surrendered to the troops during clearance operations in the areas on July 29 following ongoing intense clearance operations by troops in the general areas.

“The children among the surrendering suspects have been vaccinated with polio vaccines, while the adult and female suspects, who have been documented and screened are currently undergoing preliminary investigations.”

World News

‘I need my wife’s services’, Malawi President explains decision for taking family to virtual conference in London

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The President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera has revealed the rationale behind his decision to travel with his family to a virtual conference in London.

Chakwera further slammed allegations of nepotism by critics over his decision.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the President incurred the wrath of his country after he flew out to the United Kingdom to attend the Global Educational Summit hosted by British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

According to media reports in the country, Chakwera was said to have traveled to London for the summit owing to a bad internet connection in his country which could affect his participation.

Meanwhile, in explaining his decision to travel with his family, the President said his daughter was included in the delegation to take care of his wife who is not feeling well, and to give physical support.

Chakwera made this clarification during a BBC Hardtalk interview with Sarah Montague.

When asked why his wife, daughter and son-in-law were on the team, even when his foreign minister were left out, he said;

“Each member of the delegation has a specific function and provides services that justify their presence at the summit,” he explained.

Responding to a question from Montague on the inclusion of his wife in the London delegation, the President said, “Everyone has a responsibility. I brought my wife because I needed her.

“I have done virtual conferences before and this was an appeal for me to be present personally. I also brought Malawians who are also valuable.

Each one in my delegation has a specific function and I need their services”, he said.

Politics, World News

Abba Kyari opens up on alleged bribe to arrest Hushpuppi’s ally.

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Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari has denied receiving a bribe from a Nigerian Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

The United States Department of Justice had said ongoing investigations showed that Hushpuppi allegedly bribed Kyari to arrest one Kelly Chibuzo Vincent, one of his accomplices in Nigeria.
Reacting to the allegations on Thursday morning, the DCP in a statement on his verified Facebook page said his hands are clean.

According to Kyari, nobody demanded money from the embattled Instagram influencer, stating that the focus of the police was to save people’s lives that were purportedly threatened.
Kyari explained that Hushpuppi had informed the police that somebody in Nigeria was threatening to kill his family. He added that the social media celebrity, who was based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before his incarceration, also sent the suspect’s phone number, urging the police to act fast to save his family.
He however said the suspect was allowed to go after investigation showed they were long time friends with disagreements over money. Kyari insisted that he did not demand a dime from Hushuppi, saying the only time they had discussions about money was when the fraudster demanded to know who sews his native clothes and caps, adding that after linking both party, Hushpuppi sent N300,000 for five sets of attires.
Kyari said the clothes and caps were delivered to his office after which someone collected them for Hushpuppi. He urged anyone interested in further pursuing the matter to contact Vincent for confirmation.
He urged his supporters to remain calm, stating that those working towards damaging his reputation would be disgraced.
The statement reads in part, “For those who are celebrating that this is an indictment on us and mentioning some fictitious big money, They will be disappointed once again as our hands are clean and our record of service for two decades is open for everybody to see. They will continue seeing us serving our fatherland and we will continue responding to ALL distress calls from ALL Nigerians provided they are life threatening.

“For good Nigerians who appreciate our service, please don’t worry as our hands are clean and they should please not respond to those celebrating and creating many false narratives without any evidence. We are used to such types of people and false newsmakers and distributors”.

World News

Floods from torrential rain, landslide kill 180 in India

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At least 180 people have died in the West Indian state of Maharashtra after torrential monsoon rains caused landslides and flooded low-lying areas cut off hundreds of villages.

38 people were confirmed dead in Taliye, 18km South-East of India’s financial capital, Mumbai, when a landslide flattened most of the small village, state government officials said on Tuesday.

A representative from the state’s Disaster Management, Relief, and Rehabilitation Department told journalists that 27 persons had died in the Satara district in the last 48 hours.

In nine other landslides in parts of Maharashtra, 59 people died and another 15 were killed in accidents linked to the heavy rainfall, officials said.

Another 84 deaths were recorded in the coastal district of Raigad, an official with the National Disaster Response Force said on Monday.

The toll increased after 31 people who were reported missing after Thursday’s landslide had been confirmed dead.

Maharashtra and neighboring states of Goa, Karnataka, and Telangana had faced heavy rainfall since last Thursday.

World News

Many Feared Dead As Hoodlums Attack Enugu Community.

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An unspecified number of indigenes of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State were in the early hours of Monday attacked by hoodlums suspected to be herdsmen.

The victims were on their way to the market when they were attacked at Opanda village, in Uzo-Uwani, leaving many of them injured.

It was gathered that an unspecified number of people were killed in the attack, while eight sustained injuries.

A native said the villagers were still searching for more victims of the Monday attack in the farms and bushes.

He said the victims were rushed to the Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, from where they were referred to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu.

Daily Trust reports that the community suffered a similar attack in 2016 during which nine people were killed.

The spokesperson of the state Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident but was silent on whether lives were lost.

Ndukwe, in a statement, said, “Following an information received at Nimbo Police Division in the early hours of today, 26/07/2021, alleging that yet-to-be-identified hoodlums attacked some persons in a location at Opanda Village in Nimbo Community of Uzo-Uwani LGA, police operatives attached to the Division raced to the scene and found three young men with degrees of machete cuts.

“They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are responding to treatment.

“Meanwhile, the area is calm, while the Commissioner of Police, CP, Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu, has ordered the conduct of thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to book. He also calls on residents of the area to remain calm and assist the police with useful information.”

Politics, World News

FG extends SIM-NIN linkage till October 31.

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The national identification number (NIN) and subscriber identity module (SIM) integration exercise has been extended by the federal government till October 31.

Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) who disclosed that there are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments with an average of three to four SIMs per NIN, said the exercise was extended to “accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, and Nigerians in the diaspora”.

He said;
“The Federal Government has approved the extension of the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to October 31, 2021.

“The decision to extend the deadline was made following a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrolment statistics.

“The decision also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress, hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.

“As at July 24, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.

“The administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the extension as part of efforts to make it easier for its citizens within and outside the country, and legal residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.

“The NIN-SIM linkage also makes it easier for the security agencies to carry out their statutory duties and the relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are supporting them as required.

“There are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN. With the great number of enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, every citizen, legal resident, and Nigerian citizens living in diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs.”

Lifestyle, World News

R Kelly had sexual contact with underage boy as well as girls, prosecutors say.

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R.Kelly has found himself in more problems as federal prosecutors have revealed more sex trafficking allegations against the disgraced singer including that he had sexual contact with an underage boy.

Recall Kelly faces multiple charges in New York, Minnesota and Illinois, many of them related to his alleged abuse of underage girls.

In a court filing on Friday, July 23, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York revealed it believes he also violated at least one male victim.

According to the filing, which includes new information but no new charges, Mr. Kelly met a 17-year-old boy at a McDonald’s around December 2006, and invited him to a party. When the teen showed up with his mother and stepfather, Mr Kelly allegedly asked him to come alone next time.

After that, prosecutors say he invited the boy to his studio, “under the guise of helping and mentoring John Doe #1 with his musical aspirations”.
“Kelly also asked John Doe #1 what he was willing to do to succeed in the music business and clarified that he wanted John Doe #1 to engage in sexual contact with Kelly,” the document says. “With that backdrop, Kelly then engaged in sexual contact with John Doe #1, in violation of Illinois law.”

Mr. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denies ever abusing anyone.
Prosecutors, however, are accusing the musician of coordinating a vast criminal enterprise involving his bodyguards, managers, and other members of his entourage, all geared toward gratifying Mr Kelly’s sexual desires.

“The purposes of the Enterprise were to promote R Kelly’s music and the R Kelly brand, to recruit women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity with Kelly and to produce pornography, including child pornography,” the US attorney’s office says.

Friday’s court filing spans 55 pages, and includes 20 “Jane Does” and two “John Does”.
Prosecutors say Mr Kelly also asked John Doe #1 to contact a juror in his 2008 child pornography trial, and to tell the juror that Mr Kelly was a “good guy”. They also allege that he tried to start a sexual relationship with a friend of John Doe #1’s, who was 16 or 17 at the time.
Mr Kelly’s New York trial is set to begin on 9 August.

Politics, World News

Gov Uzodinma challenges Imo people to expose him if he’s stolen public money.

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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has called on the people of the state to expose him if he had in any way stolen public money since he assumed office as governor of the state.

The governor while addressing a crowd at Imo stakeholders meeting in Owerri on Saturday, July 24, 2021, said that he was ready to subject himself to public probity to show that he has not spent any public money.

He said, “As I recover Imo properties converted to personal ownership by those who have political power, back to Imo people, the same awaits me when I leave office. This is why I want to reiterate before you that I did not become governor to become richer than the state after my tenure, but to serve you in truth and with fear of God. This being so, I will leave no stone unturned in my efforts to recover all Imo people’s stolen wealth.”

“Among the recovered was the former Eastern Palm University now K. O. Mbadiwe University.

“You will also recall that insecurity was heightened in the state immediately when we opened the White Paper reports on lands.”

In a bid to deter Imo youths from taking to crime, Uzodinma said his administration has spent over N6 billion on youth empowerment.

He added that his administration had constructed over 46 roads with several roundabouts.

The governor also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to restore peace in Imo State and all the security agencies for their sacrifices to ensure a secured Imo.

In recent time, insecurity was rife in the south-east state as gunmen attacked security operatives and government properties.

Politics, World News

South-West govs not quiet on Igboho’s case, working behind the scenes -Sanwo-Olu.

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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said people were working behind the scenes in the case of the arrest and trial of the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Igboho.

The governor disclosed this on Saturday while addressing the press at Polling Unit 019, Ward 08, Ikoyi II, where he cast his vote during the Local Government/Council Areas election.

Fielding questions from journalists on the presumed silence of South West governors on Igboho’s arrest, Sanwo-Olu explained that people were working behind the scenes, noting that the case doesn’t have to be a public conversation.

“These are very difficult times for all of us. I can assure you that people are working behind the scenes. On occasions like this, it’s not by how many press people you call.

“I’m aware that a lot of people have responses that they are doing quietly and privately and it doesn’t have to be a public conversation,” he said.

Igboho was arrested with his German wife, Ropo on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, while they were reportedly trying to catch a flight to Germany.

Five days after the arrest and planned extradition of Yoruba Nation agitator to Nigeria, the six governours in the South-West region have kept mute over the issue.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said people were working behind the scenes in the case of the arrest and trial of the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Igboho.

The governor disclosed this on Saturday while addressing the press at Polling Unit 019, Ward 08, Ikoyi II, where he cast his vote during the Local Government/Council Areas election.

Fielding questions from journalists on the presumed silence of South West governors on Igboho’s arrest, Sanwo-Olu explained that people were working behind the scenes, noting that the case doesn’t have to be a public conversation.

“These are very difficult times for all of us. I can assure you that people are working behind the scenes. On occasions like this, it’s not by how many press people you call.

“I’m aware that a lot of people have responses that they are doing quietly and privately and it doesn’t have to be a public conversation,” he said.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that Igboho was arrested with his German wife, Ropo on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, while they were reportedly trying to catch a flight to Germany.

Five days after the arrest and planned extradition of Yoruba Nation agitator to Nigeria, the six governours in the South-West region have kept mute over the issue.

The governors are Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

World News

Bandits Attack Kaduna School, Cart Away Examination Papers Mistaken For Money.

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Gun-wielding bandits on Friday attacked Government Secondary School, Unguwar Sarki, in Kaduna State and took away packaged question papers which were mistaken for a bag of money.

It was gathered that Senior Secondary School students of the school were about to write their National Examination Council (NECO) paper when the gunmen stormed the premises and ordered the NECO supervisor to surrender the examination papers.

The supervisor’s explanation that it was question papers meant for final year students who were writing NECO fell on deaf ears as the attackers grabbed the packaged papers.

“They snatched the wrapped examination papers and answer sheets and left,” Abdullah Mohammed, one of the students said.

The Principal of the school, Hajiya Bilkisu Aliyu, explained that the gunmen trailed the NECO supervisor from a commercial bank along Alkali Road where she had gone to collect the exam questions and answer sheets.

“Thinking it was money, they demanded she hands over the bulk of the wrapped papers to them and threatened to shoot her.

“They were told it was not money but they would not listen. They snatched the papers and disappeared into thin air,” she said.

Meanwhile, some of the parents were agitated as they called for government’s intervention.

One of them, Sanusi Umar, whose child was among those writing the senior exams, said, “What we heard initially was bandits had come to kidnap our students. So, hundreds of parents stormed the school.

“However, on getting to the school, we were told it was armed robbers that came to take away the wrapped examination papers thinking it was money.

“I want to call on the government and security agencies to beef up security in schools since these criminals are now targeting our schools.”

It was gathered that the school and NECO staff had to mobilise exam papers from other centres to enable the students to write the affected papers under strict security surveillance.

Gunmen had on Monday, July 7, stormed Bethel Baptist School and kidnapped 121 students. The Kaduna State Government in the penultimate week closed down some schools that are prone to security threats.

Kaduna is known as a nerve centre for security threats.

World News

How Lagos Speaker’s Security Personnel, Policemen Tortured, Teargassed Lawyer Inside Assembly Complex

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A lawyer and human rights’ activist, Yakubu Arowoshola Eleto, has narrated how he was beaten, dehumanised and tear-gassed by the policemen and security personnel attached to the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.

SaharaReporters learnt that the incident occurred last Thursday.

Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa
In his personal account sent to SaharaReporters, Eleto explained that he had instituted an action against the Lagos State House of Assembly and the state’s Electoral Commission over the ongoing local government election in the state.

According to him, the ex parte application was refused and the judge had asked him to put the defendants in notice.

He said he further went to the State House of Assembly but was denied entry and thereafter tortured and brutalised by the policemen and hoodlums working for Obasa at the complex.

He said, “The facts below are what happened to me at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex on the 15th day of July 2021 at 11:16am. I instituted an action on the instruction of some of my clients against the unconstitutionality of the forthcoming local council elections in Lagos State and joined the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) as co-defendants.

“Both LASIEC and LSHA were served the copies of the court processes on the 9th and 12th July 2021 respectively. The copies for the house of assembly were received by the office of the clerk on the 12th day of July by 8:30am. The suit in question with no: FHC/L/CS/741/2021 came up for hearing on the 12th day of July 2021 where I and three other lawyers represented the applicants.

“The court later instructed us to put the defendants on notice and further adjourned till Monday, the 19th day of July. I tried getting the ruling from the court but it was not made available to me, even till Thursday, 14th July 2021.

“Upon getting to the assembly gate around 11am on the 16th day of July 2021 to submit the letter and court ruling, I met a Paramilitary officer who told me point blank that they didn’t receive correspondences on Fridays.

“I engaged him further, by informing him that it’s not a correspondence per se but a letter notifying the law-making body in Lagos State that there would be a court sitting on Monday, 19th, July 2021 and the LSHA is a necessary party to the suit. The paramilitary officer quickly called the attention of the head of the securities on duty and he attended to me requesting whether he can be availed a copy of the letter, which I did immediately.

”I informed him that the matter was coming up on Monday, therefore the option of coming back on Monday will defeat the purpose, so I would wait instead. Suddenly, I saw a tall dark young man (later identified as the Chief Security Officer to the Speaker) approaching the gate from the assembly complex.

“I noticed the CSO returned with eight mobile policemen. The CSO said it point-blank that I came to the assembly with a destructive mission and that he had the instructions to deal with me. He, therefore, asked them to seize my phones, forcefully collected my pens, dragged my shirt, pulled me in the company of the mobile policemen and carried me to the assembly gate into a waiting police van with plate no RRS 387 LA.

“They eventually dragged me on the floor, tear-gassed me, poured pepper spray on my face, brutalised me, dehumanised me and forcefully made me enter the car identified above, and whisked me in a commando manner to the Alausa Police Station where I was kept behind the counter till I became unconscious.

“Upon regaining my strength, I requested for my phone to call my other colleagues, the police woman on duty at Alausa Police Station, obliged me my phone, and I called four of my colleagues and asked them to reach out to our seniors in the bar to wit; Mr. Femi Falana and Chief Wahab Shittu.

“Immediately, they heard the names I called they asked me to stand up, I didn’t respond as I had no strength left, they ransacked me once again, gave me dirty slaps, used metals on my joints, used their gun to hit me on my thigh while mentioning that I was proving stubborn.

“I became seriously weak, they carried me once again into their van and took me to an unknown destination. They later drove me around Ikeja and back to the House of Assembly, where I was locked in the car with a plate number RRS 387 LA for several hours.”

The lawyer narrated that the policemen came back later in the night, returned all his belongings and asked him to go.

He said, “I left the assembly and went home with stains and pains all over my body. It was a tough experience and the above facts are within my knowledge.

“I use this medium to thank my colleagues in the bar, Senior Lawyers, family, and friends for showing supports to me during the time I spent with police at the Lagos State House of Assembly and torture I received from the hand of the CSO to the speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly.”

World News

Passengers escape death as plane crashes in Ilorin.

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Many passengers, including some highly-placed Nigerians, narrowly escaped death after an aircraft belonging to Air Peace crashed around 9.30am on Friday morning upon landing in Ilorin from Abuja.

The Nation reports that the plane had tyre burst and a bang which affected the cabin with luggage falling on passengers. It was gathered with the impact of the crash, the plane could not taxi to the tarmac.

The incident has forced authorities of the airport to close the runway of the airport and cancel all flights.

No official statements have been released from the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) and other aviation regulatory agencies.

World News

Students of the Greatest University of Ife, Meet with Nigeria’s Luxury King – Sujimoto.

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“Nigerian youths don’t need Mathematics to succeed, what they need is Motomatics”, these were the words of Mr. Sijibomi Ogundele, the Managing Director of Nigeria’s foremost luxury real estate firm, while addressing the prestigious students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on an eye opening tour of Sujimoto projects.

Speaking on the meaning of Motomatics, Mr. Ogundele explained while some may be comfortable with the norm, Motomatics is a concept that means going beyond and above expectations, to deliver excellence. For him, Motomatics is being born in Agege but never allowing Agege to define his destiny. He admonished the students not to be content with the ordinary but to always dig deeper and push for excellence in order to achieve the extraordinary.

The students, who were very excited to see the King of Luxury Real Estate, travelled all the way from their University in the royal land of Ife, where the royal Father, Ooni of Ife hails, to see the luxury connoisseur and have a firsthand view of his renowned jaw-dropping projects. The Sujimoto team, led by Mr. Ogundele himself, gave the students a thorough tour of the company’s projects, starting from their first project in Nigeria, which is dubbed ‘the MediciBySujimoto”, down to their latest mind-blowing project, ‘Lucrezia De Medici.’

The Lucrezia, the edifice on which the tour was focused on, upon completion will be the tallest residential building in Africa’s highbrow neighborhood, Banana Island, and will be rich with the best fittings ranging from a luxury creche to nurse the leaders of tomorrow, to the indulgence of an infinity pool; to the immersive experience of an IMAX cinema, down to the presence of the prestigious Zaha Hadid by Porcelanosa sanitary wares, a Virtual Golf Bar with over 2500 courses among others. The students were awed by the magnificence of the building currently standing 12 floors tall.

World News

FG urges states to sign death warrant in order to decongest custodial facilities.

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The Federal Government says it is seeking the cooperation of State Governments in addressing the challenges of congestion in custodial facilities across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, stated this at the commissioning of the Osun State Command office complex of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Osogbo Friday, 23rd July, 2021.

Aregbesola in his address titled ” UNMATCHED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT” stated that “the entire national custodial facilities have a maximum capacity for 57,278 inmates. But by the last count earlier in the week, there is a total population of 68,747 inmates, made up of 67,422 males and 1,325 females. We have therefore shot above the capacity by 18 per cent.”

He informed that 50,992 inmates, representing 74 per cent of the total population of inmates in the custodial centres are awaiting trial inmates while only 17,755 inmates which is 26 per cent are actual convicts. Bringing to the fore the reality of the limitations in the effective management of the criminal justice administration and therefore urged state governments to work with the federal government in addressing this challenge as an overwhelming majority of inmates in custody are state offenders being tried by their respective State Governments.

Aregbesola who espoused on the various measures undertaken by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari aimed at decongesting custodial facilities urged State Governments to do three things –

  1. Accelerate the wheel of justice as a lot of inmates have been in custody for a period longer than the maximum sentence their alleged offences carry. This fundamentally is a miscarriage of justice.
  2. Share in the burden of decongesting custodial facilities by building modern holding centres, setting aside a sum for the maintenance of inmates, while the service will provide the personnel to man and run the facilities efficiently.
  3. State Governors to summon the will to do the needful on death row convicts and bring closure to their cases; set some others free on compassionate ground, especially those who have grown old on account of the long time in custody, those who are terminally ill and those who have been reformed and demonstrated exceptionally good behaviour; and commute others’ sentences to life or a specific terms in jail, informing that there are presently 3,008 condemned criminals consisting of 2,952 males and 56 females.

Aregbesola commended the Controller General Haliru Nababa, mni, Officers and men of the NCoS for their service in realising the mandate of keeping convicts and awaiting trial suspects in safe and legal custody and reforming convicts to be better citizens.

The Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his generous disposition towards the ministry of interior and the four agencies under it while appreciating the Government and the good people of the State of Osun for freely donating the land and various assistance to the NCOS.

The Governor of Osun state , Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola in his speech called for more concerted efforts at rehabilitating inmates, saying they are also a significant part of the capacity the nation needs to achieve it’s objectives.

The Governor solicited for all to be done within the nation’s capacity to rehabilitate and reintegrate them back into the society for the collective and sustainable development of the nation.

Oyetola who was represented by the Secretary to the Government, Prince Oyebamiji Oluwole, also commended the Federal Government and the NCoS for providing a conducive environment for the staff adding that it will encourage and boast staff moral in effective service delivery, stating the State’s government’s support to the NCoS.

He alluded to the fact that renaming the service will enable it to achieve its vision of rehabilitating citizens who find themselves on the wrong side of the law and to help them contribute their quotas to the building of their fatherland.

According to Governor Oyetola, “I appreciate the Nigerian Correctional Service, Osun Command, for keying into the vision of the Service and for providing Osun with best services.

“As a nation and a people, we need all the talents, skills and competencies we can muster from all our people to move forward. It is therefore commendable that the Service is doing all within its power to put everyone in the service net.

“The New Office Complex we are inaugurating today is another chapter in the resolve of the Nigerian Correctional Service to provide improved services in contemporary Nigeria which seeks a viable place in a competitive world. The New Office Complex speaks to the resolve of the Service to compete in the knowledge- and technology-driven Century.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Controller General of NCoS, Haliru Nababa, mni, who expressed the service’s appreciation to members of National Assembly for their commitments to equipping the service for optimal performance, assured that the NCoS will justify the Federal Government gesture.

Other dignitaries at the event include the Ataoja of Osogbo, the representative of the Ooni of Ife, the Senator representing Osun Central, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru, the Commissioner of Police in Osun, leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, market women and people from all walks of life.

Politics, World News

Akume to Benue APC members: I have failed you in the past.

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The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume has assured that he will not influence the emergence of candidates for various elective positions in Benue chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC for the 2023 general elections.
Akume who spoke on Friday while addressing Benue APC stakeholders ahead of their forthcoming party congresses in the state in Makurdi also apologised to members of the party, saying that he has failed them in the past.

He promised that the forthcoming ward congresses of the party in the State will be free and fair.
“In 2023 you people will decide your candidates and I will only be briefed. I have failed you people in the past and I have apologised.

“Both in the congresses and 2023 elections I have no special candidates. APC is one and together we are bigger than one individual,” he said.
The former governor of Benue and Minority Leader of the Senate further boosted that the APC has not failed Nigerians as the party has advanced the education sector as well as huge investment in infrastructure, among others.

He also said President Muhammadu Buhari has executed or is executing 24 development projects in Benue.
Akume said Buhari has executed a total of 24 projects across the state, adding that this is not about playing politics but stating the “objective reality”.
According to him, some of the projects are already completed while others were at various stages of completion.

He listed the projects to include the N2.08b Zaki Biam Power Sub-station in Ukum LG; Loko-Oweto bridge; Adoka-Naka-Makurdi road; Makurdi-Yadev-Ugbema road; Otukpo-Aliade road, and dualisation of Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi road.

Others are Makurdi and Katsina-ala bridges; 3.35km Idye flood control project; 8.25MW solar hybrid power plant at JS Tarka University Makurdi; and establishment of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.
Akume added that the projects also included establishment of Federal Polytechnic Wannue and Federal College of Education Odugbo, award of contract for the rehabilitation of Gboko-Ameladu road, among others.

Earlier in his welcome address, the state Caretaker Chairman, Mr Abba Yaro, assured of free and fair party congresses.
Also, Mr Emmanuel Jime, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, thanked the stakeholders for their sustained support and steadfastness in spite losing the govenorship election in 2019.

Jime said that the leaders of the party in the state have resolved to conduct credible congresses that would stand a test of time so as to win the 2023 govenorship election in the state.
NAN reports that over 20 govenorship aspirants, senatorial aspirants and major stakeholders attended the meeting.
Major stakeholders who attended the meeting included Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Stephen Lawani, Dr Sam Ode, Prof. Terhemba Shija, Chief Akange Audu and Prof. Jonathan Uever.

World News

Court sentences 10 pirates to 12 years in jail for hijacking Chinese ship.

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10 pirates have been handed a twelve year jail senetence each for hijacking a Chinese fishing vessel, FV Hai Lu Feng II, in May 2020.

The convicts said to be residents in Nigeria were identified as Frank Abaka, Jude Ebaragha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adekole Philip, Matthew Masi, and Bright Agbedeyi.

They pleaded “not guilty” after being arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on the hijacking of the vessel in international waters off the coast of Cote D’Ivoire.

The convicts who were first arraigned by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on July 13, 2020 were accused of “committing an illegal act of violence against the crew on board FV Hai Lu Feng II belonging to Haina Fishing Company by putting them in fear in order to take control of the vessel while armed with weapons”.

The government which said their action violated Section 3 of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act, 2019, punishable under Section 2 of the same Act, urged the court to use the case to send a strong message to pirates that Nigeria would not condone such criminal activities which had huge implications for the country.

Ruling on the case, Justice Ayokunle Faji said their actions affect the well-being of all Nigerians also ordered each pirate to pay a fine of N1million each.

Faji said;

“I agree with the prosecution counsel, Labaran Magaji that the prosecution has proved the essential ingredients of the offence committed by each of the defendants; the defendants conspired to commit the illegal act.

“All the defendants acted in hijacking the ship to achieve their common goal.

“Consequently I find each of the defendants guilty as charged on all the counts.

“Each defendant is hereby sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

“In addition, the defendants should pay a fine of N1million each.

“The offence committed by the defendants affects the wellbeing of Nigerians and our image in the diaspora.

“The naira sum, dollars, and various currencies recovered from the defendants by the Nigerian Navy are hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

World News

DSS warns against public display of wealth.

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned Nigerians against the public display of wealth.

The Deputy Director, Security Enforcement of the secrete Service in Kwara Command, Paul Oduh, gave the warning while presenting a paper titled “Security tips for health practitioners in Kwara”, at a symposium organized by the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the state today July 23.

Oduh said the show of affluence in public was one of the factors that usually attract the attention of criminal elements. He explained that uncontrolled exhibition of flamboyant lifestyle and deliberate show of affluence has the potency of attracting kidnappers, bandits and other criminals.

“People must adopt moderate lifestyles, so as not to fall prey to these criminal elements. The country is ravaged by insecurity on daily basis. However, people should not despair, security should be concern of all people and they must be enlightened on it” , he said.
Oduh described security tips as protection tips, given to protect and secure lives and property.

“Security can never be 100 per cent everywhere in the world. People should be knowledgeable enough on those things they can do to protect themselves. Security denotes free from danger and protection of lives and property where individuals can pursue their lawful activities.

There is need to accept that threats exist and people are targets of these threats. This is why people should put in place measures to safeguard themselves from such threats” he said.

The DSS director listed types of threats to individuals, families and the country to include assassination, terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, ritual killing, cultism, robbery and arson. He advised people to secure their homes and properties with physical security measures like burglary proofs, protective security gadgets, security lights and perimeter fencing, among others.

World News

Nigerian Ex-Banker, Wife, Mother-In-Law Jailed 60 Years for Stealing Depositors’ Funds.

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Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye of Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti sentenced the trio on 12 counts of conspiracy and stealing contrary to section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Laws Cap 16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, brought against them by the Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

A former bank cashier, Ebenezer Adeolu Alonge, his wife, Isakunle Olamide Oyinlola, and his mother-in-law, Isakunle Eunice Moradeke were on Friday convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye of Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti sentenced the trio on 12 counts of conspiracy and stealing contrary to section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Laws Cap 16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, brought against them by the Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

Justice Ogunmoye, in his judgement, ruled that the prosecution team, led by Abdulrasheed Lanre Suleiman, proved their case beyond reasonable doubt and that the suspects failed to extricate themselves from the evidence before the court.

The EFCC, in the course of the trial, called two witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove their case.

The convicts were found guilty on all 12 counts and sentenced to five years on each count. The cumulative 60 years prison terms will, however, run concurrently.

The journey to the dock started when the illicit activities of Ebenezer got exposed through a petition to the EFCC from one of the new generation banks alleging that one of her staff members by the name, Ebenezer Adeolu Alonge was involved in fraudulent activities.
It was alleged that sometime in February 2018, the bank received a complaint concerning the financial impropriety of the sum of N62, 400.00 in respect of a customer’s account.

According to the petitioner, on February 15, 2017, a customer put the said sum into her account but the transaction could not be traced in the customer’s account even after the customer presented a copy of the slip signed by Alonge.

In the course of the investigation, the said transaction was allegedly traced to Ebenezer Alonge’s wife’s account.

Further investigation, however, revealed that there was a turnover of over N21, 000,000.00 (Twenty-One Million Naira) as deposits from other customers in his wife’s account. Also, it was alleged that other sums were traced to his mother-in-law’s account, who was also a beneficiary of the fraudulent act.

The court also ordered Alonge to forfeit his house, which shall be sold, and the proceeds used to restitute the bank.

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