Politics, World News

Raid Of Igboho’s Home By Department Of State Services, Allegations Against Him Stink—Soyinka.

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Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says it is not criminal or illegal for anyone to express intention to leave any federation.

Soyinka also condemned as “bizarre”, the midnight raid by the Department of State Services on the Ibadan house of Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho, last Thursday.

The Nobel laureate, who spoke during an interview with BBC News Pidgin on Monday urged the Muhammadu Buhari-led government to apologise to Igboho.

“How can you place the will for separation as a criminal act? That kind of language doesn’t exist in the constitution, it doesn’t exist in law. It does not exist in the catalogue of immoralities because it is not an immoral act or position to say that you want to stop being part of an entity or you want to join an entity,” he said.

Soyinka subsequently gave examples of people who left a federation or a union to form or join another state including the Bakassi people of Southern Nigeria who seceded to Cameroon.

“More important for me is the position of the government, saying that the ‘existence of these weapons’ proved that he was planning war against the state. That position, very loaded statement, was simply deliberate to conflict issues. It was to obscure the fact that Igboho and other people, myself included, have been decrying the loss of lives of law-abiding citizens, farmers especially all over the nation. Not just civilians, (Minister of Defense, Gen. Theophilus) Danjuma (retd.), told the people, ‘Don’t trust the military anymore, defend yourself’. Some other voices like governors have made similar statements.

“Now, Igboho, even if he had those weapons, he is claiming that his mission is to liberate his people from the tyranny of squatters, who now become violent overlords, and he has a good cause in that sense. Testimonies of farmers who have been brutalised, dehumanised by these squatters, who have acknowledged and identified themselves as Fulani, over decades of this anomalous kind of situation in which the people did not receive the necessary, mandatory and entitled defence and protection by the security forces, in which sometimes, it is the victims who’ve been jailed, the recent case in Ibarapa for instance, is a personal testimony of those who were arrested and detained by the police simply for going to challenge those who were terrorising and raping their women.

“So now, you have a situation where the government who is saying the ‘existence of these weapons’ means that Igboho is planning an armed insurrection against the state. The whole thing from beginning to the end just stinks: the raid, the motivation has become very implausible.”

Soyinka faulted the Federal Government for also not describing AK-47-wielding herdsmen as terrorists who are waging a violent insurrection against the Nigerian state.

“My advice to the government is that they should stop pursuing Igboho as a criminal because you have begun by acting in a criminal fashion against him.

“If and when Igboho comes to trial, I guarantee you the government will be very embarrassed,” he said.

The DSS has on Thursday paraded 13 of Igboho’s guards and close associates in Abuja. The DSS also said it killed two of his associates in a gun duel with the secret police.

Wole Soyinka

Though Yoruba activist had escaped the raid, his house and cars were riddled with bullets while bloodstains splattered over the floors of the house.

The secret police had since declared him wanted.

World News

29 killed, 50 rescued in Philippines military plane crash

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Twenty-nine people have been killed while 50 were rescued when a Philippines Air Force plane carrying troops crashed on landing in the south of the country and broke up in flames on Sunday.

The Lockheed C-130 transport aircraft reportedly crashed at Patikul in Sulu province, in the far south of the archipelago nation where the army has been fighting a long war against Islamist militants from the Abu Sayyaf and other factions, making it the country’s worst military air disaster in nearly 30 years.

A statement by Phillipines Defence Minister, Delfin Lorenzana shortly after the crash, said 29 bodies had been recovered and 50 injured had been rescued so far.”

Lorenzana added that most of the 92 people aboard were troops flying from Laguindingan Airport, some 460 km (290 miles) to the northeast.

Rescue and recovery is ongoing,” Lorenzana said.

Pictures from the scene showed flames and smoke pouring from wreckage strewn among trees as men in combat uniform milled around. A large column of black smoke rose from the coconut palms into the blue sky.

A military spokesman, Colonel Edgard Arevalo, said there was no indication of any attack on the plane, but that a crash investigation had not begun and efforts were focussed on rescue and treatment.

“We are currently attending to the survivors who were immediately brought to the 11th Infantry Division station hospital in Busbus, Jolo, Sulu,” he said.

World News

The mother of the 14-year-old girl killed allegedly by a stray bullet during the Yoruba Nation rally in Lagos on Saturday has expressed sorrow on receiving the news of her daughter’s death.

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The mother of the 14-year-old girl killed allegedly by a stray bullet during the Yoruba Nation rally in Lagos on Saturday has expressed sorrow on receiving the news of her daughter’s death.

Agitators for Yoruba self-determination had gathered at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota amid the presence of armed policemen and soldiers.

This was after the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeen Odumosu, had addressed newsmen at the venue, where he announced that no rally is allowed in the state.

However, his announcement was defied by the agitators who flaunted their banners and chanted all sorts of slogans to express their determination towards the breakaway of the Yoruba group from Nigeria.

This displeased the security operatives at the venue who fired teargas canisters and used water cannons to disperse the crowd.

This didn’t deter the agitators who returned to their converging point and carried on from where they left off.

The next action from the security operatives had everyone at the rally scampering to safety as gunshots sounded from different directions.

When the situation became a bit calm, a young girl who was displaying drinks at a shop close by was seen lying in a pool of blood.

She was reported to have been hit by a stray bullet when security operatives were dispersing the crowd at the rally.

Reacting, the Lagos State Police Command issued a statement through the Public Relations Officer, Olamuyiwa Adejobi, denying that the girl died as a result of the actions of security operatives.

Adejobi said, “The said corpse was found wrapped and abandoned at a distance, far from Ojota venue of the rally, behind MRS Filling Station, inward Maryland, on the other side of the venue, with dried blood stains suggesting that the corpse is not fresh.

“After a close look at the corpse, a wound suspectedly sustained from a sharp object was seen on it.

“The news is false and mischievous. The Command, therefore, urges the general public to disregard the news and go about their lawful normal daily activities while investigation to unravel the incident will commence immediately.”

However, the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Oodua, through a statement by its Media Communications Secretary, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, faulted the police for the young girl’s death.

“We want to inform the whole world that a stray bullet fired by officers of the Nigerian Police killed a yet-to-be-identified soft drinks seller at Ojota, venue of the Yoruba Nation rally held July 3rd, 2021,” he said.

Meanwhile, a video circulating on social media has shown a woman alleged to be the girl’s mother weeping and inconsolable.

Speaking in Yoruba, the wailing mother said, “What happened?” as some people held her to prevent her from collapsing.

“My life is ruined. I’m already mourning a child at a young age. Who did this to me, oh God?” She wailed on.

Politics, World News

The Lagos State Government has inspected facilities at the Synagogue Church of All Nations for COVID safety and prevention protocols compliance in preparation for the funeral of its late founder, Prophet Temitope Joshua.

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The Lagos State Government has inspected facilities at the Synagogue Church of All Nations for COVID safety and prevention protocols compliance in preparation for the funeral of its late founder, Prophet Temitope Joshua.

The delegation from the Lagos State Government was led by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola.

Speaking after the inspection of the church facilities and meeting with the church officials, Abayomi said the inspection was in line with the third wave mitigation strategy of the Lagos State Government to prevent the importation and spread of new deadly strains of COVID into Lagos and Nigeria.

Abayomi added that the inspection and meeting with officials of SCOAN was to limit any possibilities of the introduction of foreign COVID variants among the congregation and by extension to the community.

He said, “On behalf of the Lagos State Government we want to offer our deep condolences to the family of the prophet and members of the congregation. In these very precarious times that we are in, with a global pandemic that is evolving dynamically; what we now know is that there are different strains of the virus circulating around the world, and Lagos State has a very strong third wave prevention strategy.

“The likely cause of a third wave is going to be an importation from visitors who are infected with the virus, so we are particularly careful about working with the Synagogue to make sure that we have a collaboration that will reduce the opportunity to zero of us either importing a virus or even allowing someone who is positive to interact with the community.

“So we have had series of engagements with the officials and executive of SCOAN, we are also in touch with the Federal Government; the Presidential Steering Committee, and the Federal Ministry of Health.

“And the Incident Commander, Governor has said that this a priority event and we have to ensure that we give SCOAN all the support it requires to make sure that the series of planned events for the funeral scheduled between the 5th of July to the 11th of July are performed under the strictness guidelines to limit any possibilities of introduction of foreign COVID variants amongst the congregation or the movement of the virus in such an environment that would make transmission easier.

“So, we’ve engaged with several stakeholders, we are looking at the airport, we are looking at the land borders, we are looking at event preceding the five or seven days of the funeral, we are looking at the funeral activities itself, we have a detailed account of the programme, we are putting some guidelines in place.

“Any visitor coming into the country has to go through the mandatory seven days of isolation plus testing before they can participate in any of the activities. We’ve inspected all the accommodation, we’ve looked at the auditorium and we’ve calculated how to completely eliminate the chance and the risk of infectious transmission.”

Politics, World News

Igboho’s Lawyer Demands N500 Million For Damage Done By Department Of State Services To Client’s Property.

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Solicitor to Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho has demanded N500 million as compensation from the Federal Government for the losses incurred by his client after the raid on Igboho’s house by men of the Department of State Services (DSS). The DSS operatives stormed the activist’s residence in Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday.

The agency’s spokesman later issued a statement confirming the raid, disclosing that two of Igboho’s aides were killed and ammunition, charms and other exhibits allegedly retrieved from his residence.

But, in a letter addressed to the Federal Government by Igboho’s lawyer, Yomi Alliyu (SAN) of Chief Yomi Alliyu & Co, on Saturday, the counsel demanded N500 million as reparation for damage done by the DSS’ officers to his client’s exotic cars which included Mercedes Benz G-Class and 2019 Lexus car.

He stated that the DSS carted away €1,000, N2 million, expensive jewellery worth millions, travel documents, amulets, Igboho’s iPhone 12 and phones of about 15 others living in the house including those killed by the officers and other yet-to-be-identified belongings.

He wrote, “We hereby demand that the Federal Government orders an investigation into the actions of the various security operatives led by DSS that raided Chief Sunday Adeyemo’s house with a view to sanctioning them and release all the innocent people arrested and compensate the families of those murdered. Our client should also be paid N500m as reparation for damage to his exotic cars that include Mercedes Benz G-Class and 2019 Lexus car. We also demand a public apology.’’

The lawyer further said every Nigerian was aware that in all of Igboho’s rallies and open agitations for the self-determination of the Yoruba Nation, he always preached peace and warned his followers never to resort to violence.

He added, “He always said that It is God and alale that will fight for the Yoruba Nation. We can boldly say that as people who followed his campaign, but not necessarily supporting dismemberment of Nigeria, that no casualty has ever occurred wherever such rallies were carried out. This must have been done in more than 20 Yoruba towns and cities as at date.

“No demand to enter was made but rather they shot their way into the house allegedly killing seven people though DSS spokesman admitted killing two people which involved an old Imam that used to lead Muslim occupants in prayers and observing Tahjud at the time of the barbaric raid. A lady among the invaders was allegedly shouting, ‘If you get him gun him down.'”

Alliyu also alleged that the operatives were disappointed that they couldn’t find a single gun or ammunition in his client’s house, hence arrested two police escorts of Igboho’s guests and added their “guns to those harvested from their armoury to make members of the public believe that our client keeps militia or as stated by them, he is about waging war on Nigeria. Will this be with his mere amulets? People who know our client of over 20 years will testify that Igboho oosa does not carry gun on his person!’’
Igboho’s Lawyer Demands N500 Million For Damage Done By Department Of State Services To Client’s Property.

Solicitor to Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho has demanded N500 million as compensation from the Federal Government for the losses incurred by his client after the raid on Igboho’s house by men of the Department of State Services (DSS). The DSS operatives stormed the activist’s residence in Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday.

The agency’s spokesman later issued a statement confirming the raid, disclosing that two of Igboho’s aides were killed and ammunition, charms and other exhibits allegedly retrieved from his residence.

But, in a letter addressed to the Federal Government by Igboho’s lawyer, Yomi Alliyu (SAN) of Chief Yomi Alliyu & Co, on Saturday, the counsel demanded N500 million as reparation for damage done by the DSS’ officers to his client’s exotic cars which included Mercedes Benz G-Class and 2019 Lexus car.

He stated that the DSS carted away €1,000, N2 million, expensive jewellery worth millions, travel documents, amulets, Igboho’s iPhone 12 and phones of about 15 others living in the house including those killed by the officers and other yet-to-be-identified belongings.

He wrote, “We hereby demand that the Federal Government orders an investigation into the actions of the various security operatives led by DSS that raided Chief Sunday Adeyemo’s house with a view to sanctioning them and release all the innocent people arrested and compensate the families of those murdered. Our client should also be paid N500m as reparation for damage to his exotic cars that include Mercedes Benz G-Class and 2019 Lexus car. We also demand a public apology.’’

The lawyer further said every Nigerian was aware that in all of Igboho’s rallies and open agitations for the self-determination of the Yoruba Nation, he always preached peace and warned his followers never to resort to violence.

He added, “He always said that It is God and alale that will fight for the Yoruba Nation. We can boldly say that as people who followed his campaign, but not necessarily supporting dismemberment of Nigeria, that no casualty has ever occurred wherever such rallies were carried out. This must have been done in more than 20 Yoruba towns and cities as at date.

“No demand to enter was made but rather they shot their way into the house allegedly killing seven people though DSS spokesman admitted killing two people which involved an old Imam that used to lead Muslim occupants in prayers and observing Tahjud at the time of the barbaric raid. A lady among the invaders was allegedly shouting, ‘If you get him gun him down.'”

Alliyu also alleged that the operatives were disappointed that they couldn’t find a single gun or ammunition in his client’s house, hence arrested two police escorts of Igboho’s guests and added their “guns to those harvested from their armoury to make members of the public believe that our client keeps militia or as stated by them, he is about waging war on Nigeria. Will this be with his mere amulets? People who know our client of over 20 years will testify that Igboho oosa does not carry gun on his person!’’

Politics, World News

Court Rules In Favour Of Senior Lecturer Dismissed From Nigeria’s First University Over Refusal To Vacate Office Space.

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The National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ruled in favour of Adenike Ogunshe, a senior lecturer at the University of Ibadan, who was dismissed by the school’s governing council in 2016 over her refusal to vacate an office space.The judgement was delivered by Justice J. D. Peters of the court on June 24, 2021.

Ogunshe had in September 2016 instituted a suit against the university and its governing council after her appointment as a senior lecturer was terminated.

From the judgement, it was stated that Ogunshe was directed by her Head of Department to vacate her office, which is said to be a ‘preparatory room’ for the final year laboratory.

She, however, refused to comply with this directive arguing that there were many other offices in the annex but only hers was labelled ‘a preparatory laboratory’.

It was also stated that the department provided her with another office but with claims of threat to life, she refused to move to the office.

The court, in its ruling on June 24, however, held that the defendants — the university and her governing council — had failed to comply with the applicable rules and regulations guiding the employment relationship relating to termination as stated in the university’s staff information handbook of rules and regulations.

The court also held that the ’employment of a staff (member) with statutory flavour who has been found guilty of misconduct cannot be terminated by the employer as presented in this case without full compliance with the established disciplinary procedure’.

Hence, the court ordered the immediate reinstatement of Ogunshe to her position as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology.

It also held that the university should pay her a sum of N13, 607, 028.08 as salary arrears of the claimant from August 15, 2016 to the date of the judgement.

The defendants were also ordered to pay Ogunshe N200, 000 as the cost of the legal proceedings.

World News

The Vatican to charge Cardinal, others for alleged fraud

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A senior Cardinal and nine others are set to face trial for alleged financial recklessness at the Vatican.

The alleged financial malfeasance was linked to the purchase of a plush property by the defendants in London.

The Italian Cardinal, Angelo Becciu, who is a close ally of Pope Francis, will appear before a tribunal on July 27.

The 73-year-old was dismissed from a powerful Vatican job last September after he was accused of siphoning charity funds to help his siblings.

The charges against Becciu include embezzlement, abuse of power, and witness tampering in the case leading to a loss-making Vatican investment in Central London under his watch.

Before his dismissal, Becciu led the Vatican’s department on sainthood.

He was also the Substitute for General Affairs, a role likened to Chief of Staff in Vatican’s central bureaucracy from 2011 to 2018.

But in a statement on Saturday, the Catholic priest insisted he is innocent.

The cardinal maintained that he had been pilloried by the media and pleaded for a chance to prove his innocence.

According to reports, the Vatican lost several million Euros on the London property and other bad investments.

Other defendants in the case are Rene Bruelhart, the Swiss former head of Financial Information Authority.

Bruelhart will face charges for abuse of power as will Enrico Crasso, an investment fund manager who controlled millions of Euros including private donations to the Church.

Entertainment, Football, World News

Bucks beat Hawks, to face Phoenix in NBA Finals.

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Khris Middleton scored 32 points to power the Milwaukee Bucks into the NBA Finals on Saturday with a series-clinching 118-107 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

The third-seeded Bucks beat the host Hawks in the best-of-seven series 4-2 to book their first appearance in the league championship since 1974.

“As a little kid everybody wanted to be part of this chance to go to the finals. This is amazing,” said Bucks guard Jrue Holiday.

Milwaukee will face the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns in the finals which begin on Tuesday.

The Bucks won despite the absence of two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out with a injured left knee. The 26-year-old Greek forward hyperextended the knee when he landed awkwardly in game four of the series.

The Hawks got their top player Trae Young back after he missed the previous two games with a bruised foot. But Young struggled to score in game six, shooting just four-of-17, missing all six of his three point attempts and finishing with just 14 points.

Holiday stepped up for the second straight game to help fill Milwaukee’s offensive void with Antetokounmpo out. Holiday flirted with a triple double, finishing with 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Brook Lopez, who was the star of Thursday’s game five win with 33 points, delivered 13 points on Saturday for the Bucks.

The young Hawks, who last made it to the finals 60 years ago when they were based in St. Louis, were trying to force a seventh game.
Cam Reddish came off the bench to score a team high 21 points, Bogdan Bogdanovic had 20 points and John Collins finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Middleton shot 10-of-22 from the field and made all eight of his free throws as he scored 16 straight points for the Bucks in the second half.

“I just tried to shoot and be confident, just play the right way,” Middleton said.

The Bucks started quickly, jumping out to a 15-4 lead in the first quarter after a Lopez dunk. The Hawks clawed their way back into it in the second quarter to trail by just four, 47-43, at the half.

Milwaukee broke the game open in the third quarter by outscoring the Hawks 44-29 as Middleton and Holiday took charge of the offence.
Lopez made an alley-oop dunk with 1:29 to go in the fourth to make it 113-110 and PJ Tucker nailed a clutch 23-foot three pointer with 62 seconds remaining to stretch the lead to 10 points and help seal the win.

The second seeded Suns will have home court advantage in the finals based on having a better record in the regular season.

Phoenix edged the Bucks in two games during the regular season, 128-127 in overtime in Milwaukee and 125-124 in Arizona.

They have met just once before in the postseason, back in 1978 when the Bucks won 2-0 in a best-of-three first round series.

Politics, World News

How Igboho’s Associate Was Killed By DSS When Bullets Failed To Penetrate Him—Group.

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The umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, has alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services, during the raid on the Ibadan residence of Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho), shot at one of Igboho’s associate, Adogan 48 times before butchering him to death.

In a statement shared with SaharaReporters by Olayomi Koiki, Igboho’s media aide, the Ilana Omo Oodua group led by historian, Banji Akintoye, claimed that the DSS operatives shot Saheed Adisa, popularly called Adogan, 48 times and when the bullets failed, a mortar was used to kill the young man.

It read, “This is the face of a true warrior. His name is Adogan. He took 48 bullets to his body and was still standing like a fearless Ikoyi Eso. When shots failed the DSS, they had to slam a mortal on his head, butchering him to death.

“While DSS operatives were butchering Adogan, Majasola Igboho Oosa (May peace and blessings of Eedua always be with him) had made his exit to fight another day.

“It was said that the DSS so brutally decapitated Adogan’s body that they were ashamed to leave his body behind. They whisked his body away, but his blood trailed them from Chief Igboho’s living room to the DSS headquarters in Abuja. Trust me; we will take our revenge. RIP my good brother! No going back on the Yoruba nation. Lagos rally goes on, as planned, tomorrow. Ifa Dare.”

It was gathered that Adogan was killed alongside Igboho’s maternal uncle, known as Alfa.

Koiki also said, “One of them was shot by the DSS while a bullet did not kill the other person, they tried shooting at him, but he was not affected, so they butchered him. They killed him in cold blood.”

Recall that the DSS confirmed the attack on Igboho’s house, stating that they killed two allies of the Yoruba rights activist during the invasion of his residence in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Politics, World News

Yoruba nation agitators, on Saturday, announced their presence at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos State, as they appeared in cultural regalia synonymous with African traditional religion.

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Yoruba nation agitators, on Saturday, announced their presence at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos State, as they appeared in cultural regalia synonymous with African traditional religion.

The separatists hold the rally for the secession of the South-West geopolitical zone despite repeated warnings by security operatives.

The agitators led by Professor Banji Akintoye Ilana Oodua group had held similar rallies in other states in the South-West.

Politics, World News

The umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, has alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services…

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The umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, has alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services, during the raid on the Ibadan residence of Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho), shot at one of Igboho’s associate, Adogan 48 times before butchering him to death.

In a statement shared with SaharaReporters by Olayomi Koiki, Igboho’s media aide, the Ilana Omo Oodua group led by historian, Banji Akintoye, claimed that the DSS operatives shot Saheed Adisa, popularly called Adogan, 48 times and when the bullets failed, a mortar was used to kill the young man.

Sunday Igboho

Politics, World News

Yoruba Nation Rally: Heavy Police Presence In Lagos As Protesters Shun Venue.

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Nigerian police officers have been deployed en masse to Ojota, Lagos State, ahead of the much anticipated Yoruba Nation Now rally slated to hold in Lagos today.

It was gathered that police vans were stationed at the venue to forestall the breakdown of law and order and to arrest protesters. Protesters were not seen at the venue in the early hours of Saturday.

The Oduduwa Nation agitators, led by Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho), had called for the rally to drum attention to their demands.

However, following attacks on Igboho’s Ibadan residence, he backed out of the plan.

Meanwhile, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had, during a joint press briefing with the Lagos Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, on Thursday, banned the planned rally because an intelligence report revealed plans to hijack the protest.

Reiterating this position on Friday, the police boss, who addressed a security gathering comprising operatives of the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Federal Road Safety Commission at the Command headquarters, said they were prepared for the agitators.

Lifestyle, World News

Female corrections officer jailed for sex with inmate in front of 11 others.

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A female California corrections officer has been jailed for reportedly having sex with an inmate in full view of 11 other inmates.

Tina Gonzalez, 26, who worked as a Fresno County corrections officer since 2016 was arrested in May 2020 following an investigation into her conduct. The Sheriff’s Office was reportedly given a tip-off that an inmate had been having sex with a correctional officer and that she had smuggled in a phone.

The investigation also revealed that alongside the phone, Gonzalez had smuggled in razors, which could have been used as weapons.

It was also revealed that she cut a hole in her uniform pants to make it easier to have sex in Fresno County Jail, according to The Fresno Bee.

Her former boss, Assistant Sheriff Steve McComas, told the court that he had witnessed many “pretty disgusting things” during his 26-years on the job but nothing as shocking as hearing of Gonzalez’s sex session in full view of other inmates.

“That is something only a depraved mind can come up with,” McComas told the court, according to the local paper.

“She took an oath which she betrayed and in doing so endangered her coworkers’ lives,” McComas said.

“But she has shown no remorse. She continually calls and has sexually explicit conversations with the inmate in question and boasts about the crimes she carried out,” he told the court, according to the Bee.

Gonzalez pleaded no contest in April to sexual activity by a detention facility employee with a consenting inmate, as well as possessing drugs or alcohol, and a cell phone to give to an inmate, the outlet said.

Her former boss called for her to get the maximum sentence of three years and eight months in prison. But Judge Michael Idiart refused, noting that her early plea and lack of criminal history and instead sentenced her to seven months in the county jail followed by two years of probation.

“I think what you did was terrible, stupid and you have ruined your career,” Idiart told Gonzalez.

“But I also believe that people can redeem themselves and you have the rest of your life to do that. Good luck,” the judge told her.

Politics, World News

I Am Back In My House, DSS Did Not Arrest Me—Sunday Igboho.

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Popular Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, (Igboho) has debunked the report which claimed he had been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services.

Reports claim that the Yoruba Nation agitator was arrested with the founder of the One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, on Friday.

But in an audio shared by Igboho’s aide, Olayomi Koiki, the agitator noted that he was not arrested by the DSS but is currently in his house at Ibadan.

Igboho, while speaking on the report making the rounds about his arrest, appreciated his fans and followers across the world for their support.

Sunday Igboho

The Yoruba activist, who stated that he heard that he was arrested at Guru Maharaj Ji, claimed that he is nowhere around the reported location but back in his house in Ibadan.

Politics, World News

Guns Paraded By Department Of State Services Not Mine, I Protect Myself With Traditional Magic — Igboho Reacts To Allegations.

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Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho has reacted to the statement by the Department of State Services (DSS) demanding that he should turn himself in.

Igboho noted that the agency had no right to declare him wanted as there was no prior invitation sent to him by the agency neither was any search warrant used by the officers who invaded his home.

He also said the guns found in his house were ‘government magic’, stating that he only makes use of traditional powers for protection.

This was contained in a statement issued by his aide, Olayomi Koiki, titled, ‘My Persecution By Buhari Regime: Setting The Record Straight’.

Igboho clarified that his intervention was necessitated by the government’s failure to provide security for its citizens noting that his agitations had never involved bloodshed.

He also alleged that the invasion at his house was an attempt by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to silence him so the killer-herdsmen, whom he always antagonised, will take over the South-West region.

Sunday Igboho

The statement read, “The invasion of my home by Nigerian security operatives and the Department of State Services’ (DSS) announcement that I’m wanted has made it essential for me to set the records straight for Nigerians and the international community.

World News

Woman Inserts Hot Iron Rod In Stepdaughter’s Private Parts For Bed-wetting In Adamawa.

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A five-year-old girl (name withheld) from Adamawa state may not live a normal life again due to injuries inflicted on her private parts by her stepmother.

It was learnt that a woman, Aisha Mohammed inserted a hot iron rod into the private parts of her young stepdaughter because she was bed-wetting.

The mother of the victim, Aisha Abdullahi, lamented the situation, saying, “My daughter may never live a normal life as a woman.”

The Federation of International Women Lawyers, FIDA, Adamawa state, has vowed to get justice for the minor, according to Khadija Nasir, a member of the association.

The Adamawa state police command has confirmed that the suspect, Aisha Mohammed, is in its custody.

Spokesperson for the command, DSP Suleiman Nguroje, revealed that ;
“The Adamawa State police command, on 01/7/2021 apprehended an 18-year-old female suspect for torturing and maltreating her 5-year-old stepdaughter”.

“The suspect, Aisha Mohammed, a resident of Wuro Patuji village, Mubi South Local Government Area, took advantage of the baby following the divorce of her mother that brought her under the care and custody of her stepmother”.

“Investigation reveals the suspect, being the second wife to the victim’s father, committed the offence by using hot iron (rod) to torture and inflict injury on the private parts of the baby because she discharged urine on her bed”.

“The wicked stepmother was arrested by the police in Mubi South Local Government Area following a report received from Aisha Abdullahi (mother of the victim) and Barrister Khadija Nasir, a female lawyer.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Adamu Alhaji, has commended FIDA and the police for exposing and making it impossible for criminals to escape justice.

The police commissioner has directed that a discreet investigation be conducted as the victim is under medical treatment.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts to tackle criminal activities in the state, the police commissioner has deployed officers of the family unit/human rights section to go after anyone committing such heinous crimes.

He equally called on the public to always report people of suspicious character in their neighborhoods to the police.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, Politics, World News

BREAKING: #EndSARS: Court Strikes Out Government-sponsored Motion Against Deji Adeyanju, Davido, 48 Others.

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The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Kubwa, Abuja has dismissed a motion filed by a government-sponsored activist, Kenechukwu Okeke to strike out the substantive suit filed by 50 celebrities and human rights activists to stop their trial and direct criminal complaint/suit filed against them.

The court also by this ruling upheld all injunctive orders restraining the Nigeria Police Force, Kenechukwu Okeke from taking any steps to prosecute the 50 Nigeria individuals over the 2020 EndSARS protest.

Okeke had filed a suit in his capacity at the FCT Magistrate’s Court Wuse Zone 6 against all the 50 individuals for showing support for the October 2020 #EndSARS protest by tweeting about it or getting physically involved.

Ruling on the matter on Friday, Justice Bello Kawu held that the injunctive orders made by the court and the suit filed by the human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju in his representative capacity is proper and legal in law as the FCT High Court sitting in Kubwa-FCT is acting in its supervisory jurisdiction over the lower Magistrate’s Court, against the criminal suit filed by Kenechukwu Okeke.

The lead counsel for Adeyanju, Samuel Ihensekhien, representing 49 others in the suit, commended the ruling, adding that it was a victory for the ordinary people of Nigeria, and a pointer to the fact that peaceful protest is not a crime in Nigeria.

He said the landmark ruling would enable the court to take and entertain their final application to quash and dismiss the frivolous, direct criminal complaint and charge filed by Okeke at the Magistrate’s Court against the affected individuals.

Ihensekhien said, “By virtue of today’s ruling, his motion of dismissal of this substantive case has been dismissed by the honourable FCT High Court. The consequence of it is that the court will hear the substantive application to formally dismiss the pending criminal complaint and charge before the Magistrate’s court.

“We are so happy and justice can still be found in Nigeria in spite of the elaborate and extensive arguments over whether this case should be dismissed or not. Thank God the court held in our favour and we are so grateful.”

The matter has been adjourned to September 7, 2021.

The lawyer alleged that during the protest, his belongings were destroyed and that the defendants who promoted the #EndSARS protests must be brought to justice.

Those listed as defendants include Sam Adeyemi, senior pastor of Daystar Christian Centre; Kanu Nwankwo, former Nigerian international footballer; Innocent Idibia, Nigerian singer and songwriter, popularly known as 2face; David Adeleke, Nigerian Afropop singer, better known as Davido.

Others listed in the suit include Aisha Yesufu, Kiki Mordi, Peter Okoye, Paul Okoye, Deji Adeyanju, Tiwa Savage, Folarin Falana (Falz), Feyikemi Abudu, and Debo Adebayo.

Politics, World News

Lagos Police Embark On Show Of Force, Intimidation Ahead Of Planned Rally By Secessionist Groups.

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The police in Lagos on Friday embarked on a show of force across major areas of the state ahead of a planned Yoruba Nation rally scheduled to hold at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, on Saturday.
The rally had in the past taken place in Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo states.

According to pictures released by the command, hundreds of heavily-armed police officers were seen in different locations within the state.

Muyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos police spokesperson in a statement obtained by SaharaReporters stated that the show of force was to send a warning signal to the “organizers of the said mega rally or any group of persons planning to stage any rally or procession in the state despite the warnings issued during the joint press breifing by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu and the Hon Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotoso.”

The police and the state government had earlier announced a ban on protests, saying the move was to forestall violence in the state.

“The Command and other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and Department of State Services have however put measures in place to prevent any act of lawlessness, oppression and intimidation, of any kind, in the state on the said date, 3rd July, 2021 and beyond as Lagos State cannot afford to record and experience the violence orchestrated by some individuals during the 2020 EndSARS protest that led to massive destruction of lives and properties in the state.

“The command still reiterated its stance that anyone caught participating or facilitating the so-called mega rally in Lagos State will be dealt with within the ambits of the law,” Adejobi said.

The move SaharaReporters learnt is an attempt to intimidate protesters with organisers saying the action of the police is a violation of citizens rights to violence-free protests.

World News

Kenyan-Ugandan journalist speaks on alleged involvement in Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest

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A Kenyan-Ugandan journalist, David Matsanga, has debunked claims that he aided the arrest and repatriation of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to Nigeria.

He stated this in a live video on his online Television, Africa World Media.

Kanu was reportedly arrested in Kenya and brought to Nigeria. He was taken before the Federal High Court in Abuja for a continuation of his trial on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful society.

Matsanga, in the video, said there have been allegations he aided the Nigerian government in Kanu’s arrest, citing Kanu’s interview with the African World Media.

He debunked this claim stating he had no ties with the Nigerian government or any other country’s government.

He said; “This morning, my attention has been drawn on the propaganda that is circulating on social media originating from Nigeria and from cohorts of the government of Nigeria talking about abduction, interception, kidnap by Nigerian security agencies together with international agencies of Nnamdi Kanu who was interviewed by our television station almost two months ago on 21st of May, 2021.

And as a result of the propaganda churned by the (President Muhammadu) Buhari regime that Mr Nnamdi Kanu was abducted or taken from Kenya, I don’t speak for the government of the Republic of Kenya neither do I work for the government of Kenya. I run a media outlet online that works for Africa neither do I work for any government in Africa regarding activities that can …to be a conspiracy theory.

“We did not approach Mr Nnamdi Kanu for an interview, Nnamdi Kanu through his representatives in Australia approached me, telephoned my television station sometime in May, asking for Mr Nnamdi Kanu to be interviewed on our television station.

My television station has been voluntarily and I repeat, voluntarily defending the people of Biafra, the people of Ambazonia from the forces that have oppressed them in Africa. Our TV station does not harbour any conspiracy theory, especially from myself regarding the suffering of the people of Ambazonia and the people of Biafra.

“We took interest in the Biafran issue and the Southeastern Nigerian issue because of the millions of videos that were sent to us as an online broadcasting institution.

Nnamdi Kanu is able to say and I want to repeat, is able to say where who, how he was able to be arrested by Nigerian and other international Agents. If Nnamdi Kanu, who is still alive in a prison in Abuja, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will point a finger at our station or anybody working with my station or myself, I ask God to take me that day. When Mr Nnamdi Kanu says he ever talked to Dr Matsanga ever since 21st when we last had our interview.

“I want to make it categorically clear that abduction, seduction, kidnap of Kanu will not deter my television station from talking about the ill-treatment, human rights abuses, the poor treatment of the people of Biafra. I am not a Nigerian, I am not a Biafran, I am not paid by any Nigerian to speak my mind. I am a trained, highly trained journalist, investigative journalist worldwide.

I have worked with a reputable organisation like Sky news, therefore I don’t engage myself in activities of the Buhari type of regime. Thank you very much.”

World News

Uncertainty as UK Methodist Church votes to allow same-sex marriage

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Britain’s Methodist Church on Wednesday announced that it will now allow same-sex couples to get married on its premises.

The decision came after debates on the topic at the Methodist Conference on Wednesday, where the proposals to allow same-sex marriages were passed with 254 votes in favor and 46 against.

With the votes, the Church has become the largest religious denomination in Britain to permit gay marriages.

However, following the development, a former vice-president of the Methodist Conference, Carolyn Lawrence, warned that a significant minority of Methodists were planning on leaving or resigning their membership.

Lawrence said: “Today is a line in the sand for many people and seen as a significant departure from our doctrine.”

However, the freedom of conscience clauses entails that ministers will not be forced to conduct such weddings if they oppose the move.

For now, same-sex marriage is not allowed in the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church, while the Scottish Episcopal Church, United Reformed Church, and Quakers in Britain have already embraced same-sex marriages.

With about 164,000 members and more than 4,000 churches, the Methodist Church is Britain’s fourth-largest Christian denomination and now expects the first same-sex weddings in its chapels to take place in the autumn.

Chair of the Dignity and Worth campaign group, Rev Sam McBratney, described the development as a momentous step on the road to justice after many years of painful conversations.

According to him, some have been praying for the day to come for decades, and can hardly believe that it is now here.

He said: “We are so grateful to our fellow Methodists for taking this courageous step to recognise and affirm the value and worth of LGBTQ+ relationships.

“We reassure those who do not support this move that we want to continue to work and worship with you in the Church we all love.”

Meanwhile, a couple, Ben Riley and Jason McMahon, who have been together for 12 years but have waited until they could have a church wedding, said the decision means so much, as they now hope to marry in their local Methodist church in Preston.

Also, Jason, who is training to be a Methodist minister, described it as a very emotional day.

Jason said: “To be told by the Church that you are worthy, that we accept you, and that you can be married in the eyes of God in the church you call home with friends and family – it means a great deal.

“It has helped me feel truly at home within a Church that can embrace anybody.”

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