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Jury selection commenced on Monday, August 10, 2026, for the Las Vegas murder trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a former gang leader accused of orchestrating the 1996 drive-by shooting of rap legend Tupac Shakur.Duane "Keffe D" Davis, aged 63, previously led the South Side Compton Crips. He has entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of murder with a deadly weapon, which includes a gang enhancement.According to prosecutors, Davis planned the shooting as an act of retaliation. This attack followed a brawl at a casino earlier that evening, which involved Shakur's entourage and Davis’s nephew, Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson. Under Nevada law, a person can be found guilty of murder for aiding and abetting, even if they did not directly fire the weapon.The prosecution's argument heavily depends on Davis's own public statements and his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legends, in which he detailed his involvement in acquiring the firearm and riding in the white Cadillac from which the lethal shots were discharged. Furthermore, a judge has permitted the use of a recorded police interview from 2008 as evidence against him.Davis is the sole surviving occupant of the Cadillac. The alleged shooter, Orlando Anderson, along with the other two passengers, Deandrae "Freaky" Smith and Terry "Bubble Up" Brown, have all passed away since the 1996 incident.The process of selecting potential jurors began on Monday at the Clark County District Court, overseen by Judge Carli Kierny. A total of 16 jurors, including alternates, will be chosen. This vetting process is anticipated to extend throughout much of the week.Once the jury is established, opening statements will commence. The highly publicized trial is projected to last approximately one month.Due to significant public interest, courtroom seating is limited and allocated through a daily lottery, although a live feed is available.
The principal accusations against Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Moshood Jimoh, who leads the Zone 2 Command in Lagos, revolve around corruption, evidence manipulation, and violations of human rights.* The main charges were presented in late July and early August 2026 by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, commonly referred to as VeryDarkMan (VDM).VDM claimed that AIG Jimoh interfered with the investigations into two notable homicides in the Ajiran/Eti-Osa region of Lagos—the 2023 killing of Sheriff Salami and the 2024 murder of Prince Ademola Akinloye.The activist accused AIG Jimoh of colluding with a businessman to falsely accuse and frame another individual, Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, for these murders. VDM contended that initial confessions from suspects did not mention Akanbi, but later statements that connected him to the crimes were allegedly obtained through severe coercion and torture by officers under Jimoh's authority.Further intensifying the scrutiny, civil society organizations such as the #EndBadGovernance Movement (Lagos Chapter) issued public statements calling for Jimoh’s suspension. They argue that the Ajiran case is merely a fragment of a larger, persistent pattern of human rights abuses, police brutality, and misuse of power throughout his career.The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has initiated administrative measures to address these allegations, although they stress that no guilt has been determined in a court of law.The NPF confirmed that the Assistant Inspector-General overseeing the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) has officially summoned AIG Moshood Jimoh for questioning as part of an internal administrative inquiry.The FCID has also formally invited VDM to come to Abuja to validate his claims and present his documentary evidence. Initially, VDM resisted the invitation, insisting on an independent investigative panel rather than a conventional police review, citing concerns over potential bias.The police have reiterated that the actual murder case is currently before a court and remains sub judice. They have cautioned against any interference with the ongoing legal proceedings. Jimoh was born on August 10, 1971, in Ilorin. He joined the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as a cadet officer on May 1, 2000. Throughout his career, which spans over twenty years, he has progressed through various key operational and administrative roles.
Arsenal has acquired Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for a fee of £75 million. The former captain of Newcastle expressed his desire to join the Premier League champions earlier this summer. The 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder has signed a four-year contract with an option for an additional year, describing the decision as one of the "most challenging" of his life. "This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me," he added. "But I wanted to experience something new in my life. I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family."Newcastle extended their best wishes to Guimaraes and his family.
Earlier this week, Guimaraes departed from Newcastle's training camp in La Manga, Spain, to finalize his transfer to the Emirates Stadium following a successful negotiation.
He mentioned that he received messages from several of his future teammates, including compatriot Gabriel and fellow midfielder Declan Rice. After their previous encounters on the pitch, Rice humorously told him, "come here and please no more fights, now we're friends." "At this stage of my life, I believe I need a challenge like this," Guimaraes remarked. "I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I'm in the right place to do it. I'm so excited to start."
Guimaraes joined Newcastle during a period of relegation concerns in January 2022 and played a pivotal role in their resurgence under former head coach Eddie Howe. The Brazilian became the first captain in seventy years to lift a significant domestic trophy for Newcastle after their victory over Liverpool in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.
He was also part of the team that qualified for the Champions League in 2023 and 2025, although they fell to 12th place in the Premier League last season.
Air Canada has officially commenced the regulatory process to establish its inaugural direct, scheduled flights to Lagos, Nigeria, with a target launch window set for 2027.
This strategic initiative follows the landmark signing of an expanded Bilateral Air Transport Agreement (BASA) between the Government of Canada and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Abuja on August 6, 2026.
The newly negotiated framework enhances a restrictive 2014 agreement that previously confined cooperation solely to codeshare services via intermediate third-country hubs.
Air Canada is diligently collaborating with aviation authorities in both nations to obtain standard foreign operator permits, safety certifications, and slot allocations prior to the formal publication of commercial schedules.
Specific flight frequencies, precise departure hubs (such as Toronto Pearson or Montréal-Trudeau), ticketing timelines, and aircraft types (typically long-haul widebodies like the Boeing 777 or 787 Dreamliner) will be disclosed in due course once the necessary clearances navigate through the regulatory process.
The route aims to meet a high-volume demand corridor fueled by the rapid growth of the Nigerian diaspora in Canada, which includes over 25,000 Nigerian students holding valid Canadian study permits.
Currently, passengers traveling from Nigeria to Canada by air must utilize international airlines that involve a layover in Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.
Real Madrid has officially announced the significant acquisition of 19-year-old winger Yan Diomandé from RB Leipzig.
The overall financial arrangement could amount to €140 million, positioning him as the most expensive signing in the history of Real Madrid, contingent upon the fulfillment of all conditions.
The guaranteed base fee stands at €125 million, with add-ons and performance bonuses totaling €15 million—€10 million of which is considered easily attainable, while €5 million is tied to more challenging milestones.
Diomandé has signed a seven-year contract that will keep the Ivory Coast international at the Santiago Bernabéu until June 30, 2033. This transfer surpasses Jude Bellingham's 2023 fee, thereby establishing a new record for the club and simultaneously making Diomandé the most expensive African footballer in history.
Diomandé’s ascent in global football has been remarkable. In 2024, he was playing at the DME Academy in Florida before transferring to the Spanish club Leganés. RB Leipzig acquired him for a mere €20 million in July 2025.
During his outstanding single season in the Bundesliga, he netted 12 goals and provided 9 assists in 33 matches, earning the title of Rookie of the Season in the league. His value surged further after a standout performance for the Ivory Coast at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez to decisively outmaneuver interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.
Diomandé is the centerpiece of a significant summer restructuring under head coach José Mourinho, as the club aims to end a two-season drought of major trophies. He joins a prestigious list of new signings this transfer window:
Bernardo Silva (Free transfer)
Ibrahima Konaté (Free transfer)
Marc Cucurella (€55 million)
Denzel Dumfries (€20 million)
Carlos Espí (€25 million).
Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on November 14, 2006, he relocated alone to the United States at the age of 15 to enroll in Florida's DME Academy.
He excelled with the DME-affiliated team AS Frenzi, clinching a local league title in 2023.Signed his first professional contract with Spanish La Liga side Leganés in January 2025.He made his professional senior debut against Real Madrid on March 29, 2025.
In July 2025, he transferred to the Bundesliga giant RB Leipzig for approximately €20 million, where he netted 12 goals in the Bundesliga and was awarded Rookie of the Month after an impressive hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt. He earned his senior international debut for the Ivory Coast national team in October 2025, contributing to their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially initiated a seven-week plan to formulate a National Policing Bill, which will establish the necessary legal and operational framework for the implementation of state police throughout the nation.
This initiative was announced by the State House on August 3, 2026, and the executive bill seeks to create a dual-policing system that harmonizes local security requirements with stringent federal oversight.
A two-week period has been allocated for citizens, civil society, and stakeholders to present their policy proposals and memoranda.
The draft Executive Bill is set to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The completion of the seven-week work program, which commenced on July 27, will facilitate the bill's transmission to the National Assembly.
The National Policing Bill aims to implement the recently approved Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026. As stated by the Presidential Working Group led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, the framework establishes rigorous guidelines.
States will not be permitted to deploy forces until they demonstrate operational capacity in areas such as recruitment, training, equipment, firearms control, and financial sustainability.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, highlighted that the legislation includes legal safeguards to prevent state police from being misused as instruments of political persecution by governors.
States that are unprepared or lack the financial resources to support their own forces will continue to depend entirely on the Federal Police Service.
The legislation delineates the responsibilities between local forces and federal agencies, ensuring that national security issues, such as terrorism and border control, remain under federal jurisdiction.
The high-level drafting committee includes collaborative oversight from the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.The Northern Nigeria Governors' Forum, along with traditional rulers from the north, has officially supported the establishment of state police to address localized terrorism and banditry. They have called on the National Assembly to expedite the necessary constitutional amendments and have committed to providing financial resources for regional security.
Additionally, governors from the South and various socio-political organizations are in strong favor of decentralization. Furthermore, certain leaders from the southern and middle-belt regions assert that state governors should possess complete authority to appoint and dismiss state police commissioners, thereby embodying the principles of true federalism.
Oprah Winfrey has declared that the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in South Africa will officially cease operations at the conclusion of the 2027 academic year.
This decision signifies the end of a two-decade-long residential boarding model as Winfrey redirects her philanthropic efforts towards a more extensive, nationwide scholarship initiative.
The 52-acre, state-of-the-art campus located in Henley-on-Klip will be transferred to the Gauteng Department of Education. This handover is in accordance with the original partnership agreement established at the time of the school's construction.
Students who are currently enrolled and will not graduate by the 2027 closure date will be awarded full scholarships to continue their education at other prestigious institutions, ensuring uninterrupted financial support.
Since its inception in January 2007, with an initial investment of $40 million, the academy has graduated over 500 to 1,000 disadvantaged, academically gifted girls. Many of these graduates have proceeded to attend elite universities worldwide and have secured prominent careers.
As stated by the academy, the primary aim of this transition is to enhance educational access. Operating a single luxury residential boarding school requires substantial resources. By shifting to a broader national scholarship program, Winfrey’s foundation anticipates funding academically talented girls across various leading South African institutions, effectively doubling the number of students they can assist.
Numerous fans and commentators have expressed their sadness over the closure of the physical boarding school, which has served as a beacon of hope and legacy for two decades. Supporters, however, have embraced the strategic change, highlighting that a distributed scholarship model can significantly increase the number of young women receiving educational support.
Reassurance Over Continuity: Audiences have responded positively to the commitment that current students will have their education fully funded until graduation, and that local authorities will maintain the campus as an operational school.
The United States Department of State will officially cease routine processing of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas at its embassy in Abuja, along with 24 other African diplomatic missions, starting August 1, 2026.This operational consolidation will shift routine visa applications to 20 centralized regional processing hubs to improve national security vetting, optimize government resources, and create uniform vetting standards as established during the Trump administration.Embassies and consulates that will lose their routine visa processing capabilities include: Abuja (Nigeria) Antananarivo (Madagascar) Asmara (Eritrea) Bamako (Mali) Banjul (The Gambia) Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo) Bujumbura (Burundi) Conakry (Guinea) Cotonou (Benin) Durban (South Africa) Freetown (Sierra Leone) Gaborone (Botswana) Harare (Zimbabwe) Juba (South Sudan) Libreville (Gabon) Lilongwe (Malawi) Lusaka (Zambia) Maputo (Mozambique) Maseru (Lesotho) Mbabane (Eswatini) N'Djamena (Chad) Niamey (Niger) Nouakchott (Mauritania) Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) Windhoek (Namibia)However, applicants residing in countries with affected missions will need to travel to one of the 20 designated regional hubs for interviews and visa issuance. Notable processing hubs include: Region Designated Active Processing Hubs West Africa Lagos (Nigeria), Accra (Ghana), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Dakar (Senegal), Lome (Togo), Monrovia (Liberia), Praia (Cape Verde) East & Central Africa Nairobi (Kenya), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Kampala (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), Kinshasa (DRC), Yaoundé (Cameroon), Djibouti Southern Africa Johannesburg (South Africa), Cape Town (South Africa), Luanda (Angola) Other Hubs Dar-Es-Salaam (Tanzania), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Port Louis (Mauritius).It is important to note that no diplomatic posts are being closed. Affected missions will continue to provide American Citizen Services (ACS) and carry out local diplomatic functions.Additionally, visas that have already been issued will remain fully valid and will not be impacted by this consolidation.Beginning on August 1, 2026, individuals applying from non-hub countries will be required to pay their Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fees and schedule appointments directly via the portal of their assigned regional hub.Responses to the U.S. decision to cease routine visa processing at 25 diplomatic posts throughout Africa, effective August 1, 2026, include criticism regarding the rise in travel expenses , apprehensions about exacerbating existing backlogs, and justifications of the policy as a necessary security measure.Experts in international mobility and various critics contend that this consolidation serves as a covert strategy to impede legal immigration, further intensifying the already lengthy multi-year wait times for interviews.Business and trade organizations emphasize that this transition introduces considerable transactional barriers and additional costs for cross-border talent and corporate mobility.
Inter Miami CF has officially secured the signing of five-time UEFA Champions League-winning midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer. The 34-year-old Brazilian international joins the team after leaving Manchester United, but this high-profile acquisition has immediately triggered a formal investigation by Major League Soccer (MLS) regarding potential tampering.The contract is set to last until the end of the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, with an option for the club to extend it until June 2029. Notably, Casemiro will not take up a Designated Player (DP) slot, as he is joining through a different mechanism, allowing Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Germán Berterame to occupy Miami's three DP positions. He will don the No. 5 jersey, which was previously worn by Sergio Busquets.
While Inter Miami completed the transfer, MLS concurrently initiated an investigation into the adherence to league regulations. The LA Galaxy initially held Casemiro's.Casemiro, who represented Brazil in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressed that his main motivations are his desire to win and the ambitions of the club. He specifically mentioned that Inter Miami was the sole MLS team he wished to join. Co-owner David Beckham and Managing Owner Jorge Mas conveyed their immense pride in welcoming his championship experience to South Florida as they aim to elevate the team to a global standard.
Carlos Henrique Casemiro is widely acknowledged as one of the most prominent defensive midfielders of his era, serving as a cornerstone for some of the most successful club teams in contemporary football history.
Renowned for his tactical acumen, strong tackling, and significant leadership qualities, he has crafted an impressive career across elite leagues in South America, Europe, and North America. He currently plays for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF and the Brazil national team.
The U.S. military has carried out its 11th consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth officially confirming that the ongoing war, which has lasted five months, has cost American taxpayers $37.5 billion to date.U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has focused on Iranian military operations centers, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and logistics infrastructure.
Recent strikes targeted Larak Island, areas near Qeshm Island, and activated air defenses around Tehran, the capital city. Additionally, an electrical installation close to the Bushehr nuclear power plant was struck.
President Donald Trump has cautioned that the U.S. military may soon intensify its focus on Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified underground site believed to contain significant Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the ongoing military actions, asserting that they are essential to prevent Iran from establishing lasting hostility and control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor.
The official cost of $37.5 billion marks an increase of nearly $8 billion since May. Independent financial analysts suggest that the overall societal and economic repercussions—including fluctuating energy prices—could already surpass $100 billion.
However, Defense Secretary Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine have testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee to obtain an urgent $67 billion supplemental funding increase to replenish ammunition stockpiles and support operations in the Middle East.
Reports indicate that U.S. casualties have risen to 18 service members killed and over 450 wounded since major combat operations commenced on February 28, 2026. President Trump is scheduled to participate in a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for personnel recently killed by drone and missile strikes in Jordan and Iraq.
In reaction to actions taken by the United States, Iran has initiated drone and missile attacks aimed at U.S. assets and hosting facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. The military of Jordan has reported the interception of several Iranian missiles that were traversing its airspace.
In the midst of the ongoing conflict and a simultaneous threat of a blockade in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels, global energy markets experienced a surge, with Brent crude reaching $92.09 per barrel and oil benchmarks trading at their highest levels in several weeks.
Despite the intense nightly bombardments, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, along with U.S. officials, has confirmed that indirect diplomatic communications through regional mediators are still in progress, aiming to establish a pathway toward a ceasefire.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared the elimination of VAT on household electricity bills, reducing the tax rate from 5% to 0%, effective October 1. This initiative is projected to save the average household approximately £45 each year and is financed by discontinuing the previous government's Digital ID programme.
The objective is to provide immediate "breathing space" for families facing challenges due to the escalating cost of living.
However, Burnham has indicated that he will "consider" the possibility of allowing individuals to earn more before they begin paying income tax, thereby adjusting the so-called personal allowance. During his inaugural address as Prime Minister, he acknowledged that implementing such a change would be "difficult" given the current economic conditions.
According to existing government policy, the thresholds for income tax and National Insurance have been frozen until April 2031 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This means that as individuals earn more, a larger portion of their income is subject to taxation.
This policy serves as a significant source of revenue for the government, and any partial reversal would necessitate finding alternative funding or resorting to borrowing. Burnham has also suggested the possibility of "requesting a little bit more" in taxes from certain individuals.
A significant part of Burnham's political influence originates from his term as the mayor of Greater Manchester, especially concerning modifications to the bus network. Announcements about bus fares are expected this week, but due to devolution, his influence is mainly limited to developments within England.
Spain secured their second Men's FIFA World Cup title on July 19, 2026, by defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final held in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Substitute Ferran Torres netted the decisive goal in the 106th minute of extra time, clinching the victory and preventing Lionel Messi from achieving a final championship.
Spain's first Men's FIFA World Cup victory occurred on July 11, 2010. In a landmark final at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Spain triumphed over the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time. The crucial goal was scored by Andrés Iniesta in the 116th minute, marking the nation's inaugural global title.
Spain's preparation for the 2026 Men's FIFA World Cup was characterized by a carefully crafted strategy that integrated advanced data analytics, tactical adaptability under head coach Luis de la Fuente, and a strong emphasis on overall physical conditioning. Under the leadership of RFEF coaching director Eduardo Gutiérrez, Spain adjusted to the increasingly physical and fast-paced nature of contemporary football.
With their recent triumph at the 2026 World Cup, Spain's football federation made history by becoming the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men's and women's World Cup trophies.
Following their 2026 World Cup success, players on Spain's national team may receive a gross payout of €754,701.92 ($865,000 to $995,000 USD) each from the team's prize money pool.
In addition to direct cash bonuses from the federation, the players will also receive various official tokens and commercial enhancements:
Championship Rings: For the first time in tournament history, players will be awarded custom, engraved World Cup championship rings, akin to traditions in American sports.
Gold Medals & Replicas: Players will receive official gold medals along with individual gold-plated replicas of the World Cup trophy.
Jersey Stars & Badges: Spain will add a second star to their official kit, along with the official FIFA Champions gold badge to display for the next four years.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office is currently seeking Antwane Sintell Thurmond, aged 45, who is wanted in connection with the murder of his former live-in girlfriend, Tia Vidon Keith, aged 44.
The tragic shooting occurred on the night of Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Subhanallah Food Mart located on Mountain View Road. According to investigators, Thurmond ambushed Keith while she was in her vehicle, shooting her multiple times, and then pursued her into the convenience store where she sought refuge, continuing to fire at her.
Thurmond is actively evading capture in the Metro Atlanta area and is deemed armed and dangerous. Authorities have provided the following description:
He stands 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs approximately 212 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes.Distinguishing features include a prosthetic lower left leg, which results in a slight limp, and a neck tattoo that reads "ROMANS 12:19," along with various other tattoos on his body.
Deputies have recovered the vehicle that Thurmond used to flee the scene and executed a search warrant at a residence in metro Atlanta. Although investigators found unspecified evidence during the search, Thurmond remains at large, and law enforcement is currently unaware of the vehicle he may be using.
Thurmond is facing multiple active warrants, including charges of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault under Georgia's Family Violence Act.
If you encounter Thurmond, do not approach him; instead, call 911 immediately. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Hall County Sheriff's Office investigators directly at 770-503-3232 or submit tips via email at 𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘙𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵@𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘺.𝘰𝘳𝘨.
South African law enforcement has apprehended 69 individuals following an anti-immigrant demonstration that escalated into public disorder and extensive looting. This unrest occurred on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in the coastal town of Jeffreys Bay, situated in the Eastern Cape province.
The protest was orchestrated by an anti-migrant organization known as "March and March". The demonstration spiraled into chaos, leading to the looting of at least 23 foreign-owned tuck shops (spaza shops). At least three individuals required medical assistance, with one person hospitalized. Several foreign nationals were relocated to temporary shelters for their safety. However, the 69 individuals detained range in age from 18 to 52. They face charges of public violence and are set to appear before the Humansdorp Magistrate Court.This incident is part of a broader trend of anti-immigrant protests that have emerged across South Africa. Notably, prominent anti-migrant groups had previously issued a deadline of June 30 for undocumented migrants to exit the country. Over 900 individuals were arrested during nationwide marches in late June and early July. The ongoing hostility and door-to-door intimidation by vigilante groups have resulted in significant displacements, with approximately 150,000 foreign nationals fleeing or being repatriated by their home countries in recent weeks. While local authorities indicate that the situation in the Kouga region has stabilized, foreign-owned businesses remain closed as a precautionary measure. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has ramped up search-and-seizure operations to recover stolen goods and is actively investigating the leaders of the protest for inciting the violence.
The European Commission has mandated binding antitrust measures that require Google to grant access to essential Android system features for competing AI assistants and to share its extensive search data with rival search engines.
This significant ruling, implemented under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the European Union, seeks to create a more equitable environment and prevent Google from exploiting its dominant Android ecosystem to monopolize the swiftly advancing artificial intelligence industry.
Google is obligated to provide access to 11 specific system-level features for competing artificial intelligence models, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude.
Competing AI agents must be permitted to achieve the same level of system integration as Google’s own Gemini, which includes enabling comprehensive voice activation and the ability to perform background tasks, such as making restaurant reservations through third-party applications.
Additionally, to dismantle Google's near-monopoly on data, the company is required to start sharing anonymized search data with qualifying rival search engines by January 2027.
Noncompliance with these binding directives could lead to substantial fines of up to 10% of Alphabet's global annual revenue.
In the meantime, Kent Walker, Google's President of Global Affairs, has strongly criticized the ruling. He expressed that compelling the company to disclose search metrics to "unfamiliar companies" poses significant privacy risks, data protection concerns, and cybersecurity threats to European citizens.
EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera defended the action, emphasizing that society is experiencing a significant digital transformation that necessitates robust legal protections for fairness and consumer choice.
The vigorous implementation of the Digital Markets Act continues to provoke criticism from U.S. political leaders, who contend that European regulators are unjustly targeting and undermining American technology giants.
Sincere Camps, aged 14, has been apprehended and charged as an adult with murder in relation to the execution-style shooting of a 28-year-old pizza delivery driver in North Philadelphia.
On June 5, 2026, Anshul Kuncha was enticed to a vacant site at the Raymond Rosen Homes housing complex located on the 2300 block of Edgley Street. Investigators report that a fraudulent order for three pizzas was placed to set up an ambush. Surveillance footage captures Kuncha making the delivery, after which two individuals dressed in dark clothing followed him. He was shot once in the back of the head during a robbery.Anshul Kuncha relocated to Philadelphia from India roughly four years ago. He graduated from Drexel University in 2024 and worked as a data analyst while also delivering part-time for Pete's Pizza.
After a month-long investigation, Philadelphia police arrested Camps on July 10, 2026. Due to the severity of the crime, he faces adult charges including:Murder Robber Conspiracy; Carrying a firearm without a license; Possessing an instrument of crime.
Camps is currently being held without bail, with his initial court appearance set for July 21, 2026. Authorities are still searching for the second suspect identified in the surveillance footage.
Every state in the United States permits minors to be charged and tried as adults under certain conditions, particularly for violent felonies. These transfers are generally carried out through judicial waiver, statutory exclusion, or prosecutorial discretion.
At least 28 states have enacted laws that require automatic charging in adult court for minors above a specific age who are accused of particular serious offenses, such as murder or armed robbery. For instance, in Mississippi, 13-year-olds are automatically tried as adults for most violent crimes committed with a firearm.
However, in approximately 13 states (including Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, and Pennsylvania), there is no statutory minimum age for a child to be prosecuted as an adult.In 44 states, the upper limit for juvenile court jurisdiction is set at 17 years of age, whereas Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin establish the adult threshold at 16. In contrast, Vermont allows juvenile jurisdiction to continue until the individual reaches 19 years of age.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the definitive forfeiture of 48 properties, which include Rayhaan University. Located in Birnin Kebbi, associated with former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government.
The decision comes in response to a civil forfeiture petition submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-corruption agency demonstrated that the assets were reasonably believed to be the proceeds of illegal activities.
Justice Abdulmalik rejected multiple applications and claims of ownership presented by Malami, his relatives, and affiliated companies. The judge highlighted that the matter before the court was not about the ownership of the properties, but rather the legitimacy of the funds utilized to acquire them.
The court's ruling was made under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act. It concluded that the respondents did not provide evidence that the assets were obtained through lawful means of income.
The EFCC had previously obtained an interim forfeiture order in January 2026 for 57 properties valued at ₦212.8 billion. In the final ruling, the court annulled the interim order for some of the assets, confirming the permanent forfeiture of 48 properties.
Abubakar Malami, who held the position of Nigeria’s Chief Law Officer from 2015 to 2023 during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, is also facing distinct criminal charges. These charges include a trial for ₦8.7 billion in money laundering and abuse of office involving his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami.
The United States has initiated its third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran and is officially reinstating a naval blockade on Iranian ports. This significant military escalation effectively dismantles the fragile ceasefire that was established in April 2026.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) executed five hours of extensive strikes aimed at coastal military infrastructure, missile bases, and drone facilities. The objective of this operation is to diminish Tehran's capacity to assault commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions and missile impacts have been recorded at several strategically important locations in Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and the Gulf Islands.
President Donald Trump informed Congress that limited military action has recommenced after accusing Iran of breaching a June memorandum of understanding.
CENTCOM will officially reinstate the naval blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports. Any unauthorized ships attempting to enter the blockaded coastal areas will be subject to interception, diversion, or capture.
In a remarkable policy shift, Trump declared on Truth Social that the U.S. will serve as "The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait." The U.S. intends to impose a 20% cargo fee on all non-Iranian merchant vessels passing through the waterway in exchange for maritime protection.
International maritime law typically prohibits such transit fees. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi publicly ridiculed the proposal, labeling it as "piracy" and jesting that Tehran would secure the strait for a lower fee.
The breakdown of the truce has swiftly incited broader regional conflict and financial instability, as Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) targeted commercial traffic, striking and disabling two tankers. The United Arab Emirates confirmed that two of its supertankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles in Omani waters, resulting in the death of an Indian crew member.
Iran initiated a series of drone and missile assaults targeting U.S. bases and allies in the region. Jordan's air defense systems effectively intercepted four Iranian missiles that were traversing its airspace. Concurrently, Tehran asserted that it had hit and "eliminated" assets at a U.S.-controlled airbase in Bahrain.
Fueled by concerns over potential extended disruptions in shipping through a channel responsible for approximately 20% of the world's oil supply, Brent crude prices surged by more than 9.5% in just one day.
A second American humanitarian worker who contracted the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been safely evacuated and admitted to Frankfurt University Hospital in Germany. This transfer was organized after U.S. authorities sought assistance to facilitate quicker medical treatment in a specialized high-level isolation unit.
German health officials, including Dr. Timo Wolf, who leads the special isolation unit, have confirmed that the patient is in stable condition and is receiving excellent early treatment. The individual is being kept in complete isolation—segregated from the rest of the facility—and poses no risk to the general public or other patients.
The U.S. State Department and the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinated the transfer to Germany instead of directly to the United States for two main reasons:
The flight duration from the DRC to Europe is considerably shorter than a trans-Atlantic flight to the United States. Given that evacuation conditions can be precarious, a shorter transport route to high-quality care is prioritized for critical cases. Additionally, Germany has a specialized network of high-level isolation units specifically designed for managing highly infectious diseases, which includes advanced air filtration systems, on-site wastewater decontamination, and fully inflated protective suits worn by medical personnel.
This evacuation takes place amid an ongoing outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain in eastern DRC. According to the latest statistics, there are over 1,900 confirmed cases and more than 700 confirmed deaths in the country. Due to the absence of a widely approved vaccine or cure specifically for the Bundibugyo strain, early clinical management and isolation are essential.
This incident marks the second occasion in recent months that a U.S. citizen has been evacuated from Congo to Germany for Ebola treatment, following the successful recovery of an American doctor at Charité University Hospital in Berlin in May.
The CDC has put a temporary halt on entry into the United States for foreign nationals who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan. However, U.S. citizens and green card holders are allowed to enter but must arrive at designated airports, such as Washington-Dulles and Atlanta, for enhanced screening procedures. All individuals returning must engage in self-monitoring for a period of 21 days.
At present, there are no authorized vaccines or specific treatments available for this particular strain. The vaccines that were effective during previous outbreaks were designed for the Zaire strain and do not provide protection against the current strain.
Manchester United has successfully finalized an agreement to acquire Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans after activating a £35 million release clause in his contract.This unexpected deal advanced swiftly after United's intended £35 million transfer for Atalanta midfielder Éderson fell through due to a medical concern identified during his assessment. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has provided his signature "Here we go" confirmation for Tielemans, who has opted for the Old Trafford project over other competing offers. The 29-year-old Belgian international is set to undergo his medical examination tomorrow.
United triggered a specific £35 million (€41m) release clause, facilitating straightforward negotiations despite Aston Villa's hesitance to part with the player. In the meantime, Tielemans rejected a new contract proposal from Aston Villa as well as other external offers, demonstrating a strong inclination to play under manager Michael Carrick.
Tielemans experienced a minor hamstring injury during the warm-up prior to Belgium's World Cup quarter-final loss against Spain. However, the injury is not considered long-term, and United anticipates that he will be prepared for pre-season training.
He is included in a significant summer midfield overhaul by Carrick following the departure of Casemiro and a serious knee injury to Manuel Ugarte. This agreement coincides with the same day that United completed and officially announced the £48 million signing of midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed "until further notice".
The IRGC indicated that no vessels will be allowed to transit this vital international waterway until the United States ceases what Tehran refers to as its regional interventions. This announcement has effectively dismantled a fragile interim ceasefire agreement established the previous month, significantly heightening tensions throughout the Middle East.
The closure follows an IRGC assault on a Cyprus-flagged container ship navigating the strait. Iranian state media reported that the military launched warning cruise missiles after the vessel disregarded instructions and traveled along an "unapproved" route.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that the targeted commercial vessel sustained considerable damage to its engine room, resulting in a fire that compelled the crew to evacuate into lifeboats. One civilian crew member is still unaccounted for.
In response, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) executed its third significant wave of airstrikes this week, targeting approximately 140 Iranian military installations, including drone hangars, missile sites, coastal surveillance facilities, and naval assets.
U.S. President Donald Trump and military officials publicly challenged Iran's closure announcement, asserting that freedom of navigation is being upheld. CENTCOM responded by stating that "Iran does not control the strait" and that maritime traffic continues to operate via an expanded southern route near Oman.
Following the American airstrikes, the IRGC initiated retaliatory missile and drone strikes against U.S. military bases and allied infrastructure throughout the Gulf, targeting locations in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, and the UAE. The Strait of Hormuz is recognized as the world's most crucial maritime chokepoint, typically facilitating approximately 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.
The reimposed closure poses a risk to global energy markets and causes an increase in crude oil prices.
At the same time, the U.S. Treasury Department has rescinded a temporary sanctions waiver that had permitted Iran to sell crude oil under the initial agreement from the previous month.
Regional mediators from Qatar and Oman are currently engaged in urgent discussions with Iranian officials to preserve diplomatic avenues, although Iranian military leaders have cautioned that their "fingers are on the trigger" for a more intense reaction should additional strikes take place.
The statement from South Africa's Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, addresses the unexpected and tragic death of Jayden Adams, a midfielder for Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns, who passed away at the age of 25.
His death was confirmed on July 11, 2026, occurring just weeks after he played a pivotal role in his nation's remarkable journey during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Adams participated in all three group-stage matches, contributing to South Africa's advancement to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time in history. Earlier that year, he celebrated victory in the CAF Champions League with the prominent domestic club, Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.
McKenzie disclosed that Adams competed while enduring profound personal sorrow during the tournament, taking to the field against the Czech Republic mere hours after receiving the news of his grandmother's passing.
His body was found at a residence in Cape Town, leading local authorities to initiate an investigation. A definitive cause of death has yet to be established, and officials have requested privacy for his family during this difficult time.
Tributes have been received from around the world, including messages from the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The Nigerian House of Representatives has officially called on the Federal Government to impose strong diplomatic measures against South Africa over a fresh wave of escalating xenophobic attacks. The legislative resolution followed the unanimous adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau). The motion addressed the recurring violence, extrajudicial killings, and systemic persecution targeting Nigerians and other African nationals legally residing in South Africa. The House directed the Federal Government to immediately summon South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria. The envoy must provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the recent killings of Nigerian citizens and clarify Pretoria's official position on protecting foreign nationals.While lawmakers demanded a tough stance, the House rejected proposals to completely suspend or cut diplomatic ties with Pretoria. Lawmakers opted instead to prioritize intensive diplomatic pressure, bilateral reviews, and international legal mechanisms. The Nigerian Parliament called for an independent, transparent, and internationally monitored investigation into the latest extrajudicial killings. Also The House urged the government to engage the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to reinforce safety frameworks for migrants across the continent. In addition Lawmakers demanded immediate enhancements to consular services, emergency evacuation protocols, legal support, and adequate compensation for victims whose businesses and properties were looted or destroyed.The legislative uproar was triggered by the recent killings of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa, one of whom reportedly died while under South African police custody.Simultaneously, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed significant discontent regarding South Africa's indifferent reaction to the looting of Nigerian enterprises and the mistreatment of children in educational institutions.
In light of the urgent threat, President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned emergency evacuation flights. The fourth Air Peace flight successfully brought back 282 Nigerians, which included 12 infants, to Lagos.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has completed arrangements to establish 112 as the country's sole, unified national emergency number, applicable across all levels of government and response agencies. This initiative, revealed on July 9, 2026, is part of a structural reform by the National Economic Council (NEC) aimed at eliminating delays caused by bureaucratic obstacles and a disjointed system of multiple agency hotlines.
The 112 toll-free line will act as a single point of contact for all significant emergencies, including fires, crimes, medical crises, floods, and natural disasters.
The implementation of this rollout is overseen by a multi-agency committee co-chaired by the Office of the Vice President and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Currently, the NCC has established approximately 35 Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across the nation. State governors are being actively involved to finalize operational logistics, ensure institutional ownership, and sustain this local infrastructure.
The infrastructure is being enhanced with advanced features such as geolocation, color identification numbers, call diversion, and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), with the aim of decreasing emergency response times by as much as 40%.
By eliminating the need for agency-specific hotlines, citizens will no longer have to remember different phone numbers for police, ambulance services, or fire departments. A single call to 112 will connect the caller directly to the nearest appropriate response unit based on their physical location.Several African countries, including Egypt, Ghana, and South Africa, have implemented unified or centralized national emergency numbers—most notably 112 or 999—to link citizens directly to police, medical, and fire dispatch services. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has adopted Resolution 100 to actively advocate for a standardized, common emergency number throughout the African continent.
On July 6, 2026, Belgium triumphed over the United States with a score of 4-1, thereby eliminating the host nation from the FIFA World Cup during the Round of 16.
The match took place at Lumen Field in Seattle, shattering the Americans' aspirations for a significant tournament run on their home turf.
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere initiated the scoring in the 9th minute, but US midfielder Malik Tillman quickly equalized to 1-1 with a deflected free kick. Merely 61 seconds later, De Ketelaere netted his second goal, restoring Belgium's lead.
A mistake in the second half by US goalkeeper Matt Freese permitted Hans Vanaken to score Belgium's third goal. Romelu Lukaku concluded the commanding performance with a goal during stoppage time.
With the exit of the USMNT, all three host nations for 2026 (the USA, Mexico, and Canada) have now been officially eliminated. Belgium progresses to the quarterfinals, where they are set to compete against Spain on Friday, July 10.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has officially raised an objection and notified U.S. Soccer of its intention to contest the eligibility of striker Folarin Balogun.
This action follows the suspension of the one-match ban by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee and the rejection of Belgium's challenge by FIFA's Appeal Committee, which deemed it "inadmissible" due to the federation's lack of standing to appeal.
In an unprecedented action, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee applied Article 27 of its disciplinary code to postpone Balogun's ban to a one-year probationary period, allowing him to participate in matches immediately.
Folarin Balogun received a direct red card during the U.S. match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which results in an automatic one-match suspension. In the wake of this contentious sending-off, U.S. President Donald Trump made several calls to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, urging a review of the suspension. Trump has since defended his involvement, labeling the original red card as "horrible."
In response to the decision reversal, the Belgian federation demanded the official rationale for the ruling and the referee's report. After FIFA deemed Belgium's inquiry inadmissible, the RBFA declared that it had "no choice but to challenge the player's eligibility" if he appears on the official team sheet.
Furthermore, the decision to lift the ban has faced significant backlash from UEFA, which characterized FIFA's intervention as crossing a "red line."
Nevertheless, by filing a pre-match contestation, Belgium preserves its right to seek additional legal recourse following the conclusion of the match.
They might elevate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a procedure that could require several months to reach a resolution and would considerably hinder the tournament's advancement if applied retroactively.
On May 15, 2026, schoolchildren were abducted in Oyo and Borno, and they have now endured 54 days in captivity as rescue operations persist.
In Oyo, 39 students along with seven teachers were taken hostage in Oriire LGA, while in Borno, numerous individuals were seized in Askira-Uba, with six reportedly rescued. Authorities have stated that search efforts are ongoing, while health professionals caution that the children are at risk of life-threatening conditions due to their prolonged exposure in the forest.
In a separate incident, all 15 remaining church worshippers who were kidnapped in Ekiti State have been released. These victims, who were taken on April 28, 2026, during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, regained their freedom on July 4, 2026, after spending 67 days in captivity. Unfortunately, an 84-year-old woman among the abducted worshippers passed away due to severe deprivation while in the hands of the kidnappers.
The gunmen initially attacked the church community situated on the border of Ekiti and Kwara states, shot the presiding pastor, and forced the worshippers into the forest. At first, the abductors demanded a ransom of ₦1 billion, which was later lowered to ₦50 million. Security officials reported that their eventual release was the result of coordinated intelligence-led tracking by the Nigeria Police Force, the Military, the Amotekun Corps, and local hunters.
Kidnapping has evolved into a ransom-driven enterprise, which criminal gangs exploit as a means of wealth generation. Consequently, Nigeria has emerged as a significant hotspot for kidnapping, posing major threats to both national and international security.
In Nigeria, crimes such as kidnapping have transformed into a highly lucrative business conducted on a commercial scale.
On July 5, 2026, Novak Djokovic triumphed over Roman Safiullin with a score of 7-6(6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 at Wimbledon, thereby advancing to his 17th quarter-final.This intense four-set match lasted three hours and 25 minutes on a scorching Centre Court. With this win, Djokovic eclipsed Roger Federer's all-time men's record by achieving his 106th singles victory at the All England Club.
He accomplished his 106th win, surpassing Roger Federer's previous record of 105 victories. He now ranks second only to Martina Navratilova, who holds 120 wins on the all-time list, and has reached his 66th career Grand Slam quarter-final out of 83 major tournaments, further extending his own historical record.
At the age of 39, he became the third man in the Open Era to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals at 39 or older, joining the ranks of Ken Rosewall and Federer. He has also maintained an impeccable 34-0 career record against qualifiers in Grand Slam events.
Djokovic is on course to pursue a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title and to match Federer's tally of eight Wimbledon championships. He will compete in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, July 7, against either third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime or 22nd seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
The controversy revolves around the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which the Nigerian Presidency has officially declared to be a fictitious and non-existent organization.
It gained significant national attention after being shockingly allocated over one billion Naira in the 2026 budget.
A man named Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew [38 years] reportedly appointed himself as the Director-General of this council, forged appointment letters that bore government seals, and operated from an office space at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja for more than a year.
The alleged impostor and his associates conducted meetings with government ministers, summoned ambassadors, and utilized falsified documents to establish 34 accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
It is quite unbelievable that this non-existent agency was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budget allocation of one billion three hundred two million nine hundred seventy-eight thousand seven hundred eighty-four Naira. [1. 302 978 784]
The scheme began to unravel when the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) identified overlapping responsibilities, leading the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to submit a petition to the State Security Service (DSS) and the police in late 2025.
Mr. Adeyemi was apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force and is facing an eight-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja for conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation.
While the Presidency denies any knowledge of the council, the accused asserts that his appointment was legitimate, claiming that the Chief of Staff's office received 400 million Naira indirectly to secure the position.
The scandal has ignited intense public debate, raising serious concerns about how a fictitious agency could obtain an official government office, maintain accounts with the central bank, and be included in the national budget without triggering institutional safeguards.
Civil society organizations and opposition leaders have called for transparent, independent inquiries to investigate these significant systemic and oversight failures.
The most recent repatriation flight, which transported 266 Nigerian returnees from South Africa, successfully landed at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on the morning of Friday, July 3, 2026. This special charter flight, funded by the government, was operated by Air Peace Airlines and took off from Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 5:36 a.m.
The evacuation was initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in response to the rising anti-migrant violence and protests directed at black foreign nationals in South Africa. Vigilante and anti-migrant groups in the country had imposed a deadline of June 30, 2026, for undocumented foreigners to exit. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that evacuation efforts will persist beyond this date to safeguard at-risk citizens.
This flight represents the third government-funded operation (and the fourth overall batch) in the ongoing evacuation initiative, with nearly 600 citizens successfully repatriated thus far. Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Nigeria Immigration Service were present to receive the evacuees, who are currently undergoing profiling, medical assessments, and arrangements for onward transportation.
The Federal Government has financed additional flights to facilitate the return of remaining citizens who have voluntarily registered for repatriation.
Furthermore, several countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, have also evacuated or repatriated their citizens from South Africa in light of the recent surge in violent anti-immigrant protests and threats. Although no nation has officially responded with military action or direct economic sanctions, various African states have lodged formal diplomatic protests and issued travel advisories.
The unrest, primarily driven by high unemployment rates and anti-migrant rhetoric, led to protests targeting foreign nationals and their businesses in major South African cities. The diplomatic reactions from governments to this unrest have varied significantly.
In the meantime, the South African government, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, has openly denounced the actions of vigilantes, cautioned citizens against taking the law into their own hands, and emphasized that anti-immigrant ultimatums do not represent state policy.
Manchester City has officially completed a British-record transfer of £116 million for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson. The 23-year-old player underwent his medical examination while on international duty at the World Cup and is poised to sign a five-year contract valued at approximately £300,000 per week, marking Enzo Maresca's first significant acquisition.
The £116 million transfer fee surpasses the previous British record of £105 million established in 2023, exceeding the £100 million that City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021. This deal positions Anderson as the most expensive British player ever, surpassing the former record held by Jude Bellingham.
Anderson’s addition to the Etihad is intended to strengthen the midfield, as the Englishman is seen as a vital component in filling the gap left by the departure of Bernardo Silva. The transfer underscores City’s desire for a robust and adaptable box-to-box midfielder, with statistical analysis indicating that the 23-year-old ranks among the Premier League's elite in terms of duels won and passes into the final third.
The fanbase is predominantly enthusiastic about acquiring one of the most well-rounded young midfielders in Europe to address the significant void created by Bernardo Silva's move to Real Madrid. Nevertheless, a vocal minority of fans on social media and fan channels have voiced concerns regarding the pressure associated with such a hefty price tag, drawing parallels to previous high-pressure signings.
Additionally, supporters from rival clubs, particularly Manchester United (who were also monitoring the player), have criticized the fee as excessively high. Many argue that City overpaid and were "rinsed" by committing £116 million upfront without any add-ons for a player they contend is currently among the top 10, but not within the top 5, in his position.
The Lagos State Government has issued an urgent evacuation notice, advising residents to brace for additional heavy rainfall and severe flash flooding in the upcoming weeks.Tokunbo Wahab, the state's Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, has strongly recommended that individuals living in low-lying and flood-prone areas relocate to safer, elevated locations without delay to safeguard lives and property. This directive comes in response to several days of relentless torrential rain that have inundated major roads, trapped drivers, disrupted commercial activities, and led to tragic fatalities. The state government has clearly identified the regions that require immediate evacuation and those currently deemed low-risk: Immediate Relocation Required for the Ajilete axis of Ajegunle, parts of the Lekki corridor, the Isheri/OPIC axis, and coastal communities in Ikorodu (including Majidun). Meanwhile, Ikeja, Mushin, and Epe are currently classified as Relatively Safe Zones. Environmental and Public Health Advisory Government officials and public health experts have highlighted the following essential protocols for all residents during this critical period: Residents are advised to avoid submerged roads and refrain from attempting to drive or walk through flowing floodwaters, as just a foot of rushing water can sweep away vehicles. Flooding has raised significant concerns regarding waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria. It is imperative to ensure that all drinking water is adequately boiled or treated, keep food items securely covered, and uphold strict personal hygiene practices. Residents are legally obligated to clean and maintain the tertiary drains in front of their properties. It is crucial to cease the disposal of household waste into gutters, as this causes immediate blockages during heavy runoff events.The Lagos State Government asserts that although flash floods are an inevitable geographical challenge for a coastal city, proactive mitigation measures are currently being implemented:Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sanctioned the prompt dredging and structural upkeep of 28 major water channels throughout the state. The government has mobilized emergency teams to carry out the demolition of illegal constructions and shanties obstructing highway medians and natural drainage routes along significant channels such as the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.Additionally, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has activated community responders, established local emergency relief centers, and positioned teams on high alert to address distress calls.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially revoked the operating licenses of 46 microfinance banks (MFBs), effective July 1, 2026.
This decision, approved by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, arises from non-compliance with regulatory standards. The revocation, which aims to safeguard depositors, was prompted by factors such as insufficient assets, dormant operations, and failure to satisfy minimum capital requirements.
In a statement signed by Sidi-Ali Halama (Mrs), the Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, it was stated, “The Central Bank of Nigeria remains committed to promoting a safe, sound and resilient financial system and will continue to take appropriate supervisory and regulatory actions, where necessary, to maintain public confidence in the Nigerian financial system,”
Numerous institutions, including NOW NOW Digital MFB, Sycamore MFB, among others, have been affected, with the complete list accessible on the CBN website. The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) is overseeing the liquidation process to ensure compensation for depositors.
The UK government's recently introduced Immigration and Asylum Bill, presented by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on June 30, 2026, brings forth significant structural modifications.
Home Secretary emphasized that the policy aims to alleviate the financial strain on British taxpayers, asserting that receiving asylum support is both a "responsibility" and a right.
Adults who are granted asylum and possess the means to do so are required to repay a flat-rate fee of approximately £10,000 to the Home Office.
This amount will be collected as a contribution towards their accommodation and living support expenses once they begin earning an income. Full repayment of this sum is mandatory before individuals can apply for permanent residency or settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain).
However, children are completely exempt from this requirement, and the rule will not be applied retroactively.
The Home Office has indicated that these regulations aim to reduce the annual asylum support expenditure, which reached £4 billion in the previous year. Government representatives have stated that these stringent measures are inspired by Denmark's rigorous asylum policies.
Human rights organizations, including the Refugee Council, have condemned the fee as an unjust "additional tax on refugees." They contend that it imposes a significant financial burden on families who arrived destitute and are striving to rebuild their lives.
The body of 6-year-old Ramon "RJ" Jett, who had been missing, was discovered in a pond in Clayton County, Georgia, on the morning of June 29, 2026.RJ, who was nonverbal and autistic, disappeared around 11:00 AM on Sunday, June 28, from the Sutter Lake Apartments located on Webb Road in Riverdale. His family became aware of his absence after waking from a nap and noticing that the front door was ajar. Authorities observed that the apartment did not have the high-set door locks that the family utilized at their primary residence to ensure his safety.
After a comprehensive search that included K-9 units, drones, and dive teams, police dogs traced his scent to a pond situated approximately 125 yards from the location where he went missing. Dive teams recovered his body from the water at around 9:20 AM on Monday.
The Clayton County Police Department has confirmed that the investigation is still active and ongoing as detectives strive to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his death. However, authorities have indicated that they do not anticipate any criminal charges being filed in what seems to be a tragic drowning incident.
In the meantime, the Clayton County Police Department has expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, GBI, Georgia DNR, City of Morrow, City of Jonesboro, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Team Adam, Troup County Fire Department, volunteers, and community partners who dedicated their efforts throughout this search.
The authorities are also profoundly grateful to the members of our community who provided information, disseminated alerts, offered assistance, and kept RJ and his family in their thoughts. Furthermore, the public is urged to respect the family's privacy as they navigate their grief.
Nigeria holds the second position worldwide for the highest number of UK visa rejections, as per official statistics released by the UK Home Office. From 2005 to the first quarter of 2026, the UK government denied a total of 1,344,595 visa applications from Nigerian citizens. This substantial figure accounts for 15.2% of all UK visa rejections globally and 44.4% of all denials across Africa during this 21-year timeframe.
Over 4.09 million applications were submitted, with final decisions made on approximately 4.07 million. A total of 2,723,558 visas were successfully granted to Nigerians, positioning Nigeria as the third-largest recipient of UK visas worldwide, following China and India.
The average refusal rate stands at 33.1%, which is more than double the global average refusal rate of 14.8%. Visitor visas constituted the majority of the denials, totaling 1,127,088 (nearly 84%) of the overall rejections.
A significant tightening of British immigration policies in 2024 has notably altered these trends. Stricter regulations—including an increase in the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas to £38,700 and the removal of dependent visas for international students and care workers—led to a 68% decline in Nigerian work visa applications within a single year.
In the wake of these changes, the overall refusal rates for Nigerians have consistently increased. Denials rose to 33.5% in 2024, remained at 33.1% in 2025, and reached 35.4% in the first quarter of 2026. Reports from the Home Office indicate that heightened scrutiny has also been influenced by a trend where Nigerian nationals rank among the top five groups submitting asylum claims after initially entering the UK on valid visas.
Former Nigerian diplomats attribute the persistent volume of applications to domestic economic difficulties that compel citizens to seek international opportunities. Many Nigerians and migrant advocates have expressed strong opposition to the elevated refusal rates, accusing the UK of discriminatory practices, "racist crackdowns," and unjust profiling of legitimate travelers.
In light of the criticism, UK officials have clarified that their immigration policies are neutral and are not intended to specifically target any particular nationality.
The UK government explains that the heightened scrutiny is a result of an increase in individuals who legally enter the country on work or study visas and later seek asylum.
As of June 28, 2026, a minimum of 1,450 individuals have been confirmed deceased, with over 3,200 others sustaining injuries due to the catastrophic twin earthquakes that hit northern Venezuela.
The intense earthquakes, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurred less than a minute apart on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The calamity has severely affected the capital city of Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, where entire residential buildings have been turned into debris.Families have reported around 68,900 individuals unaccounted for, prompting concerns among authorities that the ultimate death toll may continue to escalate significantly.The calamity occurred on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, due to an unusual "doublet" event. Two shallow earthquakes, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck northwestern and central Venezuela within a minute of one another.According to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, the earthquakes have resulted in at least 1,450 fatalities, with over 3,150 individuals receiving medical treatment for injuries.The International Organization for Migration estimates that as many as 6.76 million people could be impacted nationwide, including 2 million in the capital, Caracas. The coastal state of La Guaira has experienced the most severe destruction, with entire streets and apartment buildings flattened to rubble.In Caracas, localized building collapses and ongoing, frightening aftershocks have been reported. San Felipe, in Yaracuy, has been identified as the epicenter for both significant initial strike-slip tremors.The opportunity to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble is quickly diminishing. Search operations are significantly hampered by damaged infrastructure, particularly the extensive structural damage to the main runways at Simón Bolívar International Airport.Numerous notable international agencies are engaged in delivering essential life-saving support to Venezuela following the two earthquakes that hit on June 24, 2026. These global agencies and NGOs are promptly working to supply search-and-rescue teams, medical care, food, and emergency accommodations.
On June 28, 2026, a civilian skydiving aircraft tragically crashed near the northeastern town of Tomblaine, France, resulting in the deaths of eleven individuals.
This incident, which left no survivors, included one pilot, five skydiving instructors, and five students. Fortunately, no bystanders on the ground sustained injuries.The aircraft, a German-registered Pilatus PC-6 light plane, was owned by a local skydiving club and was conducting a training flight. Relatives of the skydivers were present at the airfield at the time of the crash. The plane descended vertically into a grassy area adjacent to the runway of the Nancy-Essey Aerodrome, narrowly avoiding a nearby residential area and shopping center.Regional prefect Yves Seguy reported that the aircraft seemed to experience unexplained damage during its ascent before it fell straight down. Amaury Lacote, the deputy public prosecutor in Nancy, confirmed that a technical investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of this tragedy.French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez both visited the site to evaluate the emergency response efforts. In the meantime, local police have urged the public to refrain from entering the perimeter around the aerodrome to ensure that emergency vehicles can access the area without interruption.Medical and psychological support units were onsite to assist eyewitnesses and grieving families.
In a separate incident, a helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia resulted in the deaths of 14 Saudi citizens, as reported by the kingdom's official press agency, which noted that the aircraft was owned by the state oil company Aramco.The Saudi Press Agency, citing an official from the energy ministry, stated that the helicopter crashed in Ras Tanura, located in the eastern part of the country."The accident resulted in the fatalities of all 14 passengers, all of whom were Saudi citizens," the agency reported, adding that an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash.Aramco reports that it manages over 60 aircraft, which includes helicopters that serve more than 300 heliports across Saudi Arabia, positioning it as one of the largest corporate fleets in the area.
The Oyo State Police Command has officially refuted claims that a pastor was apprehended for providing arms, ammunition, or logistical support to the bandits responsible for the Oriire school abductions.
In a formal press release, the state command characterized the viral rumors circulating on social media as entirely false, misleading, and unfounded. Social media posts and broadcast snippets suggested that a local cleric was caught engaging in gunrunning and smuggling operational equipment through checkpoints.
The source of the misinformation was traced back to a recycled video from an unrelated arrest in August 2020 in Imo State, where a different pastor was showcased in connection with a separate kidnapping syndicate.
Official Police Clarification: Oyo State Police spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed that neither the police nor any collaborating security agency has detained any pastor in relation to the Oriire incident. In a statement, the Command described the reports as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the ongoing rescue mission and mislead the public.
Security forces are actively pursuing the armed bandits within the Old Oyo National Park. Official police records indicate that several students and teachers remain unaccounted for following raids on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, as well as Community Grammar School.
While security operatives have arrested six suspects and three local informants accused of providing intelligence and logistical support to the armed gang, none of these individuals are local religious leaders.
The Oyo State Police Command urges the public to disregard the viral report, cautioning against the dissemination of unverified information that could hinder rescue efforts, and encourages individuals to consult their verified official channels for authentic security updates.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has imposed a fine of N6 million on Saudi Airlines due to violations related to consumer protection.
In a statement released by Chris Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, it was highlighted that this action followed the Authority's efforts to assist the airline in preventing violence at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport a few months ago.
The NCAA had also granted additional time for the airline to address several outstanding issues, alongside determinations made by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
"This penalty is essential to ensure adherence to Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023. It is anticipated that the airline will significantly enhance its operations in Nigeria. Passengers traveling to and from Nigeria deserve to feel safeguarded and valued by the airline," the statement partially conveyed.
Achimugu further emphasized that the NCAA will continue to support Saudi Airlines and all other carriers in achieving optimal operational capacity.
Consumer protection-related infractions refer to business practices that breach laws intended to safeguard consumers from deceit, fraud, and unfair treatment. Typical violations include false advertising, undisclosed fees, privacy infringements, and aggressive debt collection practices. These issues are generally investigated by the Federal Trade Commission or state Attorneys General.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has set September 29, 2026, for the delivery of its judgment regarding a lawsuit aimed at compelling the Nigeria Police Force to reopen the investigation into the death of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, established this date following the final arguments presented by the counsel for the applicant.The case, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, lists the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police for the Lagos State Command as respondents.However, when the case was called, none of the respondents were present in court.Chief Tune Falola, the counsel for the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, an NGO, Adopted all documents filed on behalf of the plaintiff and urged the court to grant the requested reliefs. Additionally, the court considered an application from Samson Obaboye, who sought to be included in the suit as an interested party.Obaboye informed the court of his support for calls for truth, transparency, accountability, and justice regarding the circumstances of Mohbad’s death, expressing his desire to present relevant facts to the court.Justice Omotosho, on the other hand, rejected the application, stating that the applicant did not demonstrate sufficient legal interest in the case to justify his inclusion.Previously, the court had granted permission to the foundation to initiate the action through an ex parte application seeking judicial review and an order of mandamus to compel the police authorities to conduct a renewed investigation into the singer’s death.After the proceedings, Falola addressed journalists, explaining that the foundation sought the court's intervention due to dissatisfaction with the results of the prior police investigation, contending that several critical aspects and potential leads were not thoroughly examined.He emphasized that the organization was particularly concerned about individuals who were reportedly among the last to be seen with the deceased, asserting that their involvement warranted further investigation.“The circumstances surrounding his death remain mysterious and deserve public attention.“As a human rights organisation seeking justice, we believe the police should reopen the investigation,” Falola said.He characterized the lawsuit as a mandamus action intended to urge the police to reexamine the investigation surrounding the circumstances of Mohbad's death.Regarding the unsuccessful joinder application, Falola stated that the applicant did not establish any direct interest in the case.“You must show the court your interest in the matter. The applicant did not establish that he is a police officer, a party to the suit, or someone directly connected with the proceedings.“If every Nigerian were allowed to join the matter without demonstrating a legal interest, it would amount to an abuse of court process,” he said.Mohbad, whose full name is Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, passed away on September 12, 2023.After thorough investigations and an extensive coroner's inquest, the official ruling determined that the cause of the singer's death was due to severe medical negligence.
Olatunji Disu, Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), expressed his intention to impose a complete ban on tinted vehicles across the nation if it were solely within his authority. He contended that fully tinted windows present significant security threats and are often misused by kidnappers, armed robbers, and 'one-chance' operators.
The IGP made these comments in Abuja while addressing concerns brought forth by Afam Osigwe (SAN), the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). The NBA president specifically criticized the commercialization and renewal process for tinted glass permits, although he recognized that the police should continue to oversee their general usage.
This position highlights the ongoing stringent regulations regarding the use of tinted glass on vehicles within the country. Every vehicle equipped with tinted glass in Nigeria must possess an official tinted glass permit issued by the police. The Nigeria Police Force has previously implemented a digital system for vehicle owners to apply for and secure these permits.
While local commands regularly initiate the enforcement of tint regulations, the policy has encountered resistance, with regional courts occasionally suspending nationwide enforcement.
The enforcement of the tinted glass ban is primarily focused in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yet the Inspector-General of Police has publicly expressed a wish for a nationwide prohibition.
As of June 2026, the eastern-based parallel government of Libya has prohibited the entry of nationals from Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. This decree entirely restricts citizens from these four Sub-Saharan African nations from accessing eastern Libyan territory through all land, sea, and air ports.
The restrictions do not extend to accredited diplomats, consular missions, their families, and certain foreign workers in the health and education sectors.The decree was enacted by the Benghazi-based parallel government, led by Osama Hamad, which maintains a close alliance with military commander Khalifa Haftar. This administration functions independently from the United Nations-supported government situated in Tripoli.An official source from the eastern government indicated that this policy aims to "reorganize the entry of foreign nationals" and to mitigate the significant flow of irregular migration towards Europe.With Libya currently hosting an estimated 900,000 to 3 million migrants, regional authorities have voiced increasing concerns regarding long-term settlement and border security. Sudanese nationals presently represent the largest single group of refugees and migrants in the country.This entry prohibition follows an intensified domestic crackdown, which has led to the widespread arrest and deportation of thousands of Sub-Saharan migrants and refugees.The UN has conveyed serious concern over the escalating pressure on migrants and refugees, whose numbers in Libya have recently surpassed 900,000. Human rights investigators have criticized the conditions within Libyan detention centers, highlighting reports of abuse, forced labor, and torture.Human Rights Organizations, including Amnesty International, have denounced the recent mass crackdowns and arrests of thousands of refugees and migrants, citing rising regional tensions and hostility towards refugee resettlement.Nevertheless, the governments of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia have not provided formal unified responses. All the same, citizens from these nations continue to be stranded or are increasingly endangered as smugglers frequently cram migrants into unsafe, unseaworthy vessels crossing the Mediterranean.The European Union has predominantly abstained from making official comments regarding this particular domestic policy, although European countries have historically exerted pressure on Libya to reinforce its northern coastlines in order to mitigate irregular migration and human trafficking across the Mediterranean.The internationally recognized government situated in Tripoli has not implemented the same extensive ban, underscoring the persistent political fragmentation within the country following the 2011 downfall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime.
Turkish security forces have apprehended 209 individuals suspected of affiliations with the Islamic State (ISIS) and banned far-left organizations in anticipation of the forthcoming NATO summit. Extensive raids were executed throughout the capital city of Ankara following detention orders for 241 suspects, with 32 individuals still unaccounted for.
Authorities have arrested 56 individuals believed to have active connections to the Islamic State group.
Among the detainees, 185 are suspected of being members of outlawed far-left groups classified as terrorist organizations by Ankara. This includes 35 confirmed members of the communist Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C), a group notorious for executing armed assaults and assassinations in Turkey.
Local media sources such as T24 have reported that the operation also targeted left-wing activists, trade unionists, lawyers, and journalists, including Yildiz Tar, the editor-in-chief of the LGBTQ+ rights organization Kaos GL.
The counter-terrorism operation occurs just before the annual NATO leaders' summit, which is set to be held in Ankara on July 7–8, 2026. This significant international event is anticipated to welcome world leaders from the 32 member states of the alliance, including U.S. President Donald Trump.
In conjunction with the raids, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration has enforced stringent lockdown measures in the capital: The Ankara governor's office has announced a complete prohibition on all public demonstrations and gatherings from June 28 to July 10.
Local authorities are limiting access to main roads leading to regional airports, and security perimeters are being established to entirely secure areas surrounding the summit venue and hotels accommodating foreign delegations.
Thank you. Thank you.
Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life. A new Labour government. The first in 14 years. A page in our country's history turned after years of disappointment and despair.The chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better. That's what I came into politics for. The journey to that point was not easy.Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially and morally bankrupt. I was told, time and time again, that my party was finished.That we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible. But we proved those people wrong because we changed our party.Ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence, and national security.And becoming a party that, once again, stood proudly with, not against, our national flag. The hard work of change was with a singular purpose. Not power for power's sake but to change Britain for the better.To build a fairer country, with dignity and respect, where everyone is seen, everyone is valued. Wealth and opportunity for all, not just the privileged few. And look at what we've achieved in just two years.An economy that is stronger, growing faster than our peers. Wages rising faster than inflation in every single month since we came to power. Investment secured, infrastructure being built. An end to austerity, with the fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years.The biggest improvement in rights for workers and renters in a generation. The biggest uplift in defence spending since the Cold War. Small boat crossings falling, asylum hotels closing, protecting young people from social media, and half a million children being lifted out of poverty because of the choices that I made.Our reputation in the world restored, with Britain once again standing up for decency, respect and the rule of law. Securing trade deals, standing with Ukraine, standing up for our values, and rebuilding our relationship with our allies in Europe.Change promised by a Labour government. Change fought for by a Labour government, change delivered by a Labour government.But I know the question being asked now is not who was best placed to change the Labour Party, to take us into power, and to begin the vital work of improving lives for millions of people. Those questions have been answered.The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question. And I accept that answer with good grace.Every decision I've taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.I will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on 9 July and completed by the summer recess. In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete. And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead, and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.I want to thank all of those friends and colleagues who have been at my side for these past six years or so for their incredible commitment, service and support.I want to thank the brilliant No 10 staff and our country's extraordinary civil service, who dedicate their lives to public service.And when I leave, the biggest job in the country. I shall spend more time on the most important job. Being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side, through good times and bad. And being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.Thank you very much.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally announced his resignation outside 10 Downing Street on June 22, 2026, succumbing to significant pressure from his own party members following a series of policy errors and severe local election losses.
He will continue to serve as caretaker prime minister until the Labour Party appoints a successor. Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is the leading candidate to assume the position.Less than two years after achieving a historic landslide victory in July 2024, Starmer departs with unprecedentedly low approval ratings. His decline was hastened by several critical factors:The Mandelson Scandal: His contentious choice to appoint party veteran Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US backfired dramatically when extensive connections to Jeffrey Epstein were uncovered in late 2025.Electoral Hemorrhaging: The hard-right, anti-immigration Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, decisively defeated Labour in local elections, instigating alarm among Labour MPs.Policy Backlashes: Unpopular domestic reforms—such as poorly managed efforts to eliminate winter fuel payments for the elderly and disputes over farm taxes—alienated his support base.The Final Straw: A series of cabinet resignations throughout the spring culminated in Andy Burnham winning a parliamentary by-election last week, providing the dissenting faction with an immediate and suitable replacement.Andy Burnham: The newly inaugurated Member of Parliament for Makerfield and previous Mayor of Greater Manchester promptly announced his intention to run for leadership. He enjoys significant popularity due to his "Manchesterism" initiative focused on regional empowerment and is largely regarded by the Labour Party as the sole individual capable of countering Nigel Farage's electoral challenge.Wes Streeting: The former Secretary of State for Health was anticipated to contest against Burnham; however, he opted to endorse him instead, aiming to prevent a divisive summer election, thereby smoothing Burnham's ascent to leadership.Nigel Farage: The leader of Reform UK has called for an immediate general election, although British law stipulates that the ruling Labour Party is not constitutionally required to conduct a general election until August 2029.
A change in leadership within a party during its term does not automatically necessitate a general election.
The U.S. Department of State has implemented a premium fee of $750 for expedited interview appointments for B1/B2 tourist and business visas. This initiative is a pilot program lasting six months, from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, aimed at providing a fast-track scheduling option to alleviate significant global interview wait times.The program specifically targets applicants for B1 or B2 nonimmigrant visas for business and tourism purposes. The primary benefit is the ability to secure a necessary visa interview appointment within 10 business days following payment. The $750 fee is an optional premium that is added to the standard non-refundable Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee of $185, bringing the total to $935. This program is limited to select participating U.S. embassies and consulates, with a maximum capacity of 25,000 requests for the pilot.Paying the premium fee solely expedites the interview booking process; it does not ensure visa approval, modify evaluation criteria, or hasten any subsequent administrative processing.When scheduling, applicants are provided with a brief 5- to 10-minute window to complete the $750 payment successfully. Should the transaction fail or time out, the appointment slot is immediately released to other applicants. If an applicant either misses or cancels their expedited appointment, the $750 fee is completely forfeited.However, it is important to note that the State Department's new paid track does not replace the standard, no-cost emergency interview requests. Consular managers still have the authority to grant free expedited appointments for urgent humanitarian concerns, severe medical emergencies, or critical travel related to U.S. national interests.Critics on social media and various platforms contend that the government is effectively monetizing the immigration queue. Many perceive the high $750 premium as fundamentally unjust, establishing a two-tiered system that benefits affluent applicants while leaving lower-income individuals and families to endure prolonged waiting periods.Although certain business travelers and advocacy organizations recognize that avoiding extensive wait times can be crucial for urgent situations, a significant number believe it does not tackle the fundamental systemic delays present in the U.S. consular system.Wider Geopolitical Context: In areas such as Africa, the responses are notably critical. Analysts highlight that this pilot initiative aligns with more stringent overall policies, including the introduction of substantial visa bond requirements, which contribute to perceptions of targeted restrictions.
On June 21, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Iran managed to secure a scoreless 0-0 draw against Belgium, significantly undermining the Red Devils' ambitions in Group G while enhancing Team Melli's chances of achieving a historic advancement to the knockout stage.In spite of significant political tensions, stringent US visa travel restrictions, and a severely limited preparation period that allowed Iran less than 16 hours of training, Amir Ghalenoei’s team demonstrated exceptional defensive resilience.
Belgium controlled 68% of the possession and attempted 23 shots, yet they displayed a lack of precision and sharpness in the attacking zone.
Iran had a potential first-half goal from captain Mehdi Taremi disallowed for offside. Later in the second half, Belgium's manager Rudi Garcia faced further difficulties when young defender Nathan Ngoy mishandled a backpass, resulting in a foul on Taremi and a straight red card in the 66th minute.
Both teams are currently tied with two points after two matches, following Iran's 2-2 draw against New Zealand and Belgium's 1-1 stalemate with Egypt. Belgium must secure a victory against New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday, while Iran holds the key to its own fate against Egypt in Seattle.
The gunfire incident at Niger's Diori Hamani International Airport on Thursday, June 18, 2026, was the result of a coordinated suicide attack orchestrated by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda.
Reports from Al Jazeera and Reuters indicate that a group of heavily armed assailants arrived by taxi at approximately 6:00 AM local time and targeted a security checkpoint at the airport's entrance. This assault led to intense exchanges of gunfire, artillery fire, and numerous loud explosions that persisted for several hours as Nigerien security forces endeavored to repel the attackers.
The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which serves as the main branch of al-Qaeda in the Sahel, has officially claimed responsibility for the attack. Security analysts from The Washington Post have pointed out that the airport is a strategically significant hub, housing a major Nigerien air force base and serving as the headquarters for the joint military force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), thus making it a symbolic and high-value target for regional jihadist groups.
Experts reported to Reuters that JNIM is engaged in an intensifying rivalry with the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP), which had previously targeted this same airport in January, prompting both factions to conduct aggressive operations to establish their dominance.
Officials confirmed to the BBC that the clash resulted in 35 fatalities. The death toll comprises 11 Nigerien soldiers, 2 civilians, and 22 militant assailants who were neutralized by military forces. By the afternoon, Niger’s defense ministry announced that the situation was fully under control. Security forces initiated a comprehensive manhunt around the airport's perimeter, and the National Civil Aviation Agency reported that normal commercial flight operations swiftly resumed.
On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV praised the agreement reached between Iran and the United States to end the Middle East conflict, describing it as the outcome of "encouraging work in dialogue and negotiation."
This week, the United States and Iran finalized a deal to cease hostilities, and Leo conveyed his "gratitude" to those involved in the negotiations.
During his weekly audience at the Vatican, Leo expressed hope that this agreement would enhance mutual trust, security, and stability in the Middle East by fostering dialogue and cooperation among peoples.
The 70-year-old pontiff also addressed the "painful" developments regarding the war in Ukraine, praying for "paths of dialogue... to facilitate a just and lasting peace." Russia's invasion of Ukraine has emerged as Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II and has persisted longer than World War I. "Countless innocent victims, rescuers killed, and churches along with cultural heritage sites reduced to ashes," Leo lamented.
"I stand in solidarity with those grieving their loved ones, the injured, and those who, amid the violence, continue to bravely uphold life," he stated.
In contrast, the official response from the U.S. government to Pope Leo XIV's remarks on the U.S.-Iran agreement remains fraught and deeply polarized, following months of unprecedented public disputes between President Donald Trump and the American-born pontiff.
While the Vatican has expressed gratitude with the phrase "thanks be to God" for the interim peace memorandum set to be signed on Friday, June 19, 2026, the domestic political reaction within the United States reveals a significant divide between the current administration, the diplomatic community, and American Catholic leadership.
Nigeria has officially introduced FreeTV, a national digital television platform that offers households throughout the country free access to over 100 television channels without any monthly subscription fees.
Launched by the federal government on June 17, 2026, this significant national rollout is a key component of Nigeria’s ongoing Digital Switch-Over (DSO) initiative, which aims to completely transition the country from traditional analogue broadcasting before the final analogue switch-off set for December 31, 2028.
As per updates shared on State House Digital, citizens are not required to purchase new television sets to utilize the service:
It is fully compatible when connected to standard DVB-T2 (terrestrial) or DVB-S2 (satellite) decoders.
Households that are already using compatible free-to-air satellite decoders can automatically access the network without the need for new hardware.
Viewers can capture the satellite signal by tracking the NigComSat-1R satellite payload at 42.5°E.
Mobile Streaming: A dedicated FreeTV App has been launched on both Android and iOS platforms, optimized for streaming channels on mobile devices even in low-bandwidth conditions.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) emphasized that this infrastructure will significantly enhance Nigeria's domestic creative economy.
Regional Hubs: New production studios are being established in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Benin to support local creators.
Independent Slots: The government has specifically reserved 40% of all channel slots for independent and regional storytelling producers.
Ad-Revenue Boom: In collaboration with the global analytics firm GARB, real-time viewer tracking technology will provide advertisers with verified metric data, indicating substantial growth potential for the industry.
Tunisia's football federation has officially terminated the contract of head coach Sabri Lamouchi by mutual agreement following a devastating 5-1 loss to Sweden in their opening World Cup 2026 Group F match.
Reports afterwards suggested Lamouchi had been immediately sacked, but sources told BBC Sport that the 54-year-old took training on Monday. However, the Tunisian Football Association has now confirmed that the Frenchman's contract has been terminated by "mutual agreement".Tournament sackings are not unprecedented—most notably during the 1998 World Cup when three managers were dismissed, including Tunisia's Henryk Kasperczak—however, Lamouchi holds the distinction of being the only manager to be relieved of his duties after merely 90 minutes of World Cup play.Former Morocco and Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard has been appointed head coach of the side until the end of the tournament.In 2012, Renard guided the Zambian team to their inaugural AFCON title, triumphing over the favored Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout. AFCON Champion (Ivory Coast, 2015): He achieved further continental success by leading the Ivory Coast to their second AFCON title, defeating Ghana.
He also directed Saudi Arabia in 2022 to a remarkable 2-1 win against the eventual champions, Argentina, during the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Renard made history as the first coach to secure a victory in both men's and women's FIFA World Cups, having taken the French women's team to the quarter-finals in World Cup Pioneer (France Women, 2023).
He has overseen three different men's national teams at the FIFA World Cup: Morocco (2018), Saudi Arabia (2022), and Tunisia.
Belgium and Egypt ended their World Cup opener in a 1-1 draw on Monday, as a second-half equalizer from Belgium disrupted Mohamed Salah's celebration of his 34th birthday. Emam Ashour scored first in the opening half in Seattle, but Romelu Lukaku, who came off the bench after the hour mark, forced an own goal from Egypt's Mohamed Hany.
With this draw, Egypt, the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions, continues their quest for a first World Cup victory.
This marks their fourth appearance in the global tournament, and with upcoming Group G matches against Iran and New Zealand, they will aim to overcome this challenge in North America.
For Belgium, this tournament represents a likely final opportunity for the remnants of their golden generation to surpass their third-place finish in Russia eight years ago and finally secure a trophy.
Key veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Lukaku remain central figures in Rudi Garcia’s squad.
This was only the second occasion in their history that Egypt took the lead in a World Cup match, the first being when Salah scored in a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in 2018.
Despite the expectations of a straightforward victory for Belgium, they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by a determined and spirited Egyptian side. What many anticipated would be an easy win for the Red Devils evolved into a tactical contest that left Belgian supporters frustrated and Egyptian fans filled with hope.
Egypt stunned Belgium by taking an early lead in the first half, catching the Belgian defense off guard and igniting jubilation among their supporters. Although Belgium managed to equalize in the second half, they were unable to breach the Egyptian defense to claim all three points.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that the South-East populace will endorse President Bola Tinubu as their exclusive presidential candidate for the 2027 general election today. This information was conveyed in a statement released on Sunday by the Minister's spokesperson, Francis Nwaze, who noted that Umahi made this announcement while inspecting ongoing federal road projects throughout Ebonyi State over the weekend.
During this occasion, the Minister emphasized what he termed the remarkable infrastructure transformation occurring under President Tinubu's administration.
“South-East are very appreciative of what the President is doing. By Monday, under the leadership of the Governor of Ebonyi State, we will demonstrate this appreciation when we adopt the President as our sole candidate”, Umahi said.
While inspecting the projects, Umahi highlighted several key federal initiatives across the state and the South-East, asserting that the region is profoundly thankful to President Tinubu for the "concrete evidence of inclusion, fairness, and development." At the Calabar – Abuja project sites, the Minister elaborated on the strategic significance of a major flyover currently under construction along the Trans-Saharan Super Highway corridor.
“Let me say that this is the point where the Trans-Saharan Route takes a bend. The essence of this flyover is to resolve the conflict at this point,” he said.
The United States and Iran have reached a formal agreement for peace. Both countries have announced this significant development, which entails an immediate and permanent cessation of military activities on all fronts.
The agreement requires an instant stop to hostilities across all fronts, including military actions affecting Lebanon. President Donald Trump declared the immediate, toll-free reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Concurrently, the U.S. is lifting its naval blockade to facilitate the resumption of global oil transit.The landmark agreement was significantly facilitated by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with diplomatic backing from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.
While the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been established, a formal signing ceremony is set to take place on Friday, June 19, 2026, in Switzerland. This event will initiate a 60-day negotiation period, during which both nations are anticipated to resolve intricate technical details. Critical topics include the specific criteria for dismantling weapons-grade nuclear materials, the gradual lifting of U.S. economic sanctions, and the release of $25 billion in Iranian assets that have been frozen.
A significant point of contention is the situation regarding Israel, which has been involved in the wider conflict since February but was not included in these particular bilateral discussions. Although Pakistani officials have indicated that the agreement encompasses a halt to operations in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clearly stated that Israel retains complete freedom to act against threats on all fronts and is not constrained by this agreement.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup commenced with a shocking 2-0 loss for South Africa against Mexico. This outcome left South African commentators utterly speechless during live broadcasts. Reactions across the continent were sharply divided.Numerous African football enthusiasts refrained from supporting South Africa’s Bafana Bafana during the World Cup, fueled by resentment over ongoing anti-immigrant demonstrations and xenophobic violence within South Africa. These feelings contributed to geopolitical strains that eclipsed the usual continental unity in international football.
Supporters in nations such as Kenya and Nigeria actively rooted against South Africa. Many pointed to persistent continental discord and anti-migrant attitudes as motivations for their support of Mexico. Fans criticized Bafana Bafana for their apparent lack of competitive drive, as they concluded the match with only nine players following two red cards.
Reports of anti-immigrant strife in South Africa incited outrage in other African countries. Protests against migrants from nations like Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe left a negative impression on numerous African football fans.
In response, many supporters from other African nations openly celebrated South Africa's adversaries, including Mexico, and ridiculed Bafana Bafana's losses on social media.
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams expressed his disappointment and surprise at the absence of support from fellow African countries, urging for unity across the continent during significant tournaments.
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki clearly articulated that the enduring conflicts in Africa stem directly from inadequate leadership.
He underscored that although failures in leadership are a significant factor contributing to the instability and prolonged conflicts throughout the continent, this reality should never be used as an excuse for African nations to forsake democratic governance.
Mbeki made these statements during a virtual keynote address focused on democratic governance and peacebuilding in Africa.
This address coincided with the launch of three books celebrating the 84th birthday of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), a former military Head of State of Nigeria.
He called upon African nations to actively eliminate internal and structural barriers that hinder progress across the continent.
Additionally, he commended Gen. Abubakar for his enduring dedication to peacebuilding, stabilization, and the promotion of democracy throughout Africa.
Mbeki's remarks align with a series of pointed criticisms he has leveled against both regional and national governance frameworks.
He has previously condemned the African Union (AU) for its perceived weakness and structural inadequacies in addressing ongoing regional crises, including those in Sudan, West Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On the domestic front, Mbeki has consistently maintained that the frequent changes in leadership and policy inconsistencies have led to South Africa's extended economic decline, stressing that structural domestic challenges should be attributed to governance failures rather than being unfairly blamed on migrants.
Thabo Mbeki is a South African economist and politician who served as the country's second democratic president from 1999 to 2008. A leading anti-apartheid activist, he succeeded Nelson Mandela. Mbeki focused heavily on growing the African economy and famously championed the African Renaissance
On Friday, June 12, 2026, the United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) achieved a historic milestone by scoring four goals in a World Cup match for the first time ever.
In front of an enthusiastic home crowd of 70,492 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the USMNT secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay, marking a record-breaking and explosive opening match for their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
This remarkable scoring display showcased the innovative and aggressive attacking strategy of new manager Mauricio Pochettino:
7th Minute (1-0): The U.S. made an early breakthrough when a dangerous cross from Weston McKennie deflected off Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla, resulting in an own goal.
31st Minute (2-0): Striker Folarin Balogun netted his first World Cup goal with a precise finish following a well-placed pass from captain Christian Pulisic.
45+5 Minute (3-0): Just before halftime, Balogun struck again, evading two defenders to curl a stunning shot into the top-left corner of the net. 98th Minute (4-1): After Paraguay managed to score in the 73rd minute through Mauricio, midfielder Gio Reyna concluded a sequence of over 20 passes deep into stoppage time with a spectacular 'trivela' strike using the outside of his right foot, sealing the historic scoreline.
The four goals exceeded the team's previous World Cup single-game record of three goals, which had only been accomplished in 1930 (against Belgium and Paraguay) and 2002 (against Portugal). Folarin Balogun also became the first American player to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match since Bert Patenaude recorded a hat-trick in 1930.
Late-Game Drama: Gio Reyna's goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time is now the latest regulation goal ever scored by the U.S. in World Cup history.
On Friday, protesters gathered in the streets of Lagos for a renewed #EndBadGovernance demonstration, coinciding with Democracy Day to urge the government to take immediate action regarding the escalating economic difficulties, insecurity, unemployment, and the increasing cost of living.
This protest attracted activists, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens, characterized by peaceful marches and placards with messages such as "Free All Captives Now," "End Anti-People Policies Now," and "For a Living Wage and Mass Creation of Employment."
This demonstration follows recent coordinated mass abductions in Oyo and Borno states that occurred within a short timeframe, alongside the ongoing hardships faced by the populace. Protesters also urged authorities to tackle the challenges faced by Nigerians grappling with inflation, soaring transportation costs, and diminishing purchasing power. Notable human rights attorney and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, participated in the protest, advocating for reforms and enhanced governance.
Falana had previously collaborated with various civil society organizations to declare June 12 as a day of nationwide protest, highlighting issues of insecurity, hunger, and the economic struggles affecting millions of Nigerians. Rapper and songwriter Folarin Falana, known as Falz, also joined the protest, calling on the government to ensure the safety of schools nationwide. Security personnel were present at the protest site, where another group of demonstrators emerged, expressing support for the government's current economic and policy reforms.
The pro-government group marched with banners proclaiming "Better Days Ahead for Nigeria," encouraging citizens to remain patient with the ongoing reforms, which they asserted were intended to guide the country towards long-term economic recovery and sustainable growth.
On June 9, 2026, Serena Williams marked a triumphant return to professional tennis by winning her first doubles match at the Queen's Club Championships in London.
At the age of 44 and after nearly four years away from competitive play (1,375 days), the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion partnered with 19-year-old Canadian prodigy Victoria Mboko. Together, they achieved a remarkable 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 victory over the third-seeded team of Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
Williams swiftly dispelled any signs of rust, showcasing powerful serves that reached speeds of up to 120 mph, complemented by her signature aggressive baseline winners.
She concluded the match impressively, serving out the final game with two consecutive aces followed by a decisive service winner.
In front of a completely sold-out audience at the Andy Murray Arena, Williams received enthusiastic support from her husband and her two daughters, Olympia and Adira. This marked the first occasion that her youngest daughter, Adira (born in 2023), witnessed her mother compete in a live professional match.
Reflecting on her return to the WTA Tour, Williams shared how natural and enjoyable the experience felt:
"I had so much fun playing with Victoria. She was really able to hold up the team and play big on the big points... I got tired of sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer, so why not? I never got to play here, it was always just the men. It feels really special to play somewhere so iconic." Tournament Outlook & Next StepsQuarterfinals: Williams and Mboko advance to the quarterfinals at the Queen's Club, where they will compete against the pairing of Canada's Leylah Fernandez and Germany's Laura Siegemund.
Grass-Court Season: Williams has also accepted a doubles wildcard for the upcoming Berlin Open next week.
Singles & Wimbledon Uncertainties: Although her return has created a stir in the sporting community, Williams has indicated that she is taking things "a day at a time" and has not yet made a decision regarding her participation in the singles draw or at Wimbledon later this month.
Iran's distribution of fan tickets for the World Cup group stage has been canceled just days prior to the tournament's commencement, according to the country's football federation.
The World Cup, which is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is set to begin on Thursday, with Iran scheduled to compete against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 - both matches taking place in Los Angeles - before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran's governing body asserts that Fifa regulations stipulate that each federation participating in the World Cup is entitled to 8% of the tickets for each of their matches, which are to be allocated to supporters. It further stated that it had already initiated the sale of tickets but is now unable to provide them to fans, some of whom have already arranged their travel plans.
"Depriving Iranian supporters of access to their lawful and official allocation of tickets is an action contrary to the spirit of governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries," the FFIRI statement said. "This development raises serious questions about the interference of non-sporting and political considerations in the organisation of the world's biggest football event."
The FFIRI also called on Fifa "to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations".
On Monday, June 8, 2026, the U.S. Justice Department declared its intention to revoke the citizenship of 17 naturalized individuals.
Federal prosecutors initiated these denaturalization actions in various U.S. District Courts as part of an intensified effort to combat immigration fraud during the Trump administration.
The U.S. Department of Justice asserts that the individuals in question committed serious offenses or concealed prior criminal activities during their naturalization process. The specific allegations include:
- Sexual abuse of a minor
- Healthcare fraud and conspiracy
- Illicit drug trafficking
- Immigration fraud through false statements on official applications.
Historically, denaturalization is a rare occurrence and cannot be executed unilaterally by the president or immigration services.
Federal Court Mandate: The government is required to file a civil lawsuit in federal court.
Judicial Ruling Required: A federal judge must evaluate the evidence and issue the final ruling.
High Burden of Proof: Prosecutors are tasked with demonstrating that the individual acquired citizenship unlawfully or intentionally misrepresented a significant fact during the application process.
Reports from American news organizations indicate that this marks the most significant concentrated denaturalization initiative in decades. The administration had previously sought to denaturalize a dozen individuals in May 2026.
Government officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, assert that the policy is aimed at those who have exploited the system, while civil rights advocates express concerns regarding the increased scrutiny faced by naturalized citizens.
Arsenal's Declan Rice, Gabriel, and David Raya have received nominations for the Professional Footballers' Association men's player of the year award, competing against Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.
Earlier this month, Fernandes, aged 31, was awarded the Football Writers' Association's men's footballer of the year award. This accolade frequently serves as a precursor to identifying the leading candidate for the PFA player of the year. The Portuguese midfielder achieved a remarkable total of 21 assists in the Premier League, contributing significantly to United's third-place finish.
Midfielder Rice, defender Gabriel, and goalkeeper Raya were instrumental for Arsenal, who secured the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years. Striker Haaland netted 27 goals, earning the league's golden boot, while Cherki had a fruitful debut season in the Premier League. Last year, the award was claimed by former Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, who scored 29 goals to aid the Reds in clinching the Premier League title.
The winners will be celebrated on Tuesday, 25 August, during the 53rd annual PFA Awards Ceremony in Manchester.
Fans will not be permitted to bring reusable water bottles into World Cup stadiums due to safety issues, as stated by Fifa in a recent policy update.
The official code of conduct for the stadium previously indicated: "To clarify, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles with a capacity of up to (1 litre) may be taken into the stadium."
However, just seven days prior to the tournament commencing on 11 June, the prohibition has been extended to include bottles, cups, jars, and cans, with Fifa asserting that this measure will reduce the risk of injury from fans throwing objects. "Fifa is dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff," the governing body of football stated in an announcement.
Fans will have the option to purchase water within the stadium, and Fifa has assured that prices will not exceed the standard rates for the venue. This reversal follows alerts from scientists regarding the inadequacy of Fifa's heat safety protocols for the tournament, as temperatures at 14 of the 16 host venues are expected to surpass hazardous levels.
"Fifa collaborates closely with each host city committee and local authorities on measures to mitigate heat for fans attending the stadium, which may include amenities such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents, and more within the stadium area," Fifa's statement elaborated."Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the Fifa World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium." The change in policy comes amid complaints that fans are being hit by "extortionate" ticket prices and inflated train fares. Fans were also prevented from taking bottles into stadiums at the last World Cup in Qatar.
Social Security retirement benefits are projected to undergo an automatic reduction of 24% by late 2032 unless Congress takes action to prevent the depletion of the program's trust fund.
A recent analysis conducted in June 2026 by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget indicates that the insolvency of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund may occur slightly earlier than previously anticipated. At that point, ongoing payroll tax revenues are expected to cover only about 76% to 77% of the scheduled payouts.
The average monthly reduction for retirees across the nation could be approximately $500.
The average annual impact may result in a reduction of around $18,100 for a typical dual-income retired couple. The total economic impact translates to an immediate annual loss of $345 billion, affecting over 15% of the population in 47 states.
The anticipated depletion date has been advanced due to declining birth rates, slower wage growth in relation to the economy, and the legislative effects of recent policy changes. Notably, increased spending from the Social Security Fairness Act—which expanded benefits for about 3 million government pension recipients—and tax code modifications from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act have hastened the drawdown of the trust fund.Since this reduction is a statutory consequence of an exhausted fund rather than a permanent cessation of the program, it is imperative for lawmakers to enact reforms to avert these cuts.
Revenue Increases: Policymakers might consider eliminating or raising the current payroll tax earnings cap to impose taxes on high earners, or increasing the overall payroll tax rate of 12.4%.
Benefit Adjustments: Congress could modify future cost-of-living calculations or gradually raise the full retirement age for younger generations. Proactive Financial Preparations include diversifying savings by maximizing contributions to options such as traditional or Roth IRAs and employer-sponsored 401(k) plans.
Delaying claims: Postponing the filing of claims beyond the full retirement age can trigger delayed retirement credits, which would permanently enhance the baseline monthly benefit.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has successfully facilitated the return of another group of Nigerian migrants evacuated from Libya.This latest group of 180 returnees, predominantly consisting of women and children, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos via a chartered flight from Libya.As reported by the IOM, many of these individuals faced severe hardships, including detention, exploitation, and uncertainty during their attempts to migrate abroad. The agency further indicated that the returnees received health screenings, counselling, and other immediate assistance, with eligible individuals set to receive reintegration support aimed at helping them rebuild their lives.
“The recent operation is part of a continuous partnership between the IOM, the Federal Government, and international collaborators to facilitate voluntary returns and encourage safer migration pathways,” the agency stated in its announcement.
The IOM has reported rescuing over 65,500 stranded Nigerian migrants in the last nine years. During a migration reporting workshop held in Lagos, it was revealed that more than 30,000 returnees have also benefited from psychological, social, and economic support to aid in their reintegration.
Nevertheless, the agency emphasized its commitment to enhancing efforts to promote safe and legal migration pathways, while calling for increased public awareness and responsible media coverage regarding migration issues.
Concerned about the risks associated with irregular migration, the Federal Government issued a warning in May 2026, advising Nigerians against departing the country without valid travel documents.
Liverpool is currently engaged in advanced discussions with Andoni Iraola as they seek to appoint a new head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot. Iraola departed from Bournemouth at the conclusion of the season and is the leading candidate for the position at Anfield.
Liverpool is eager to finalize an appointment as soon as possible and desires a manager who aligns with their preferred style of play, which emphasizes proactive and aggressive football. Although no inquiries have been made regarding Iraola's potential coaching staff, the 43-year-old Spaniard is interested in bringing along his assistant from Bournemouth, Tommy Elphick, who is a lifelong supporter of Liverpool.According to BBC Sport, Elphick has not yet been contacted by the Reds but would welcome the opportunity. The recruitment process is being overseen by Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, who has previously collaborated with Iraola at Bournemouth.
The Reds terminated Slot's contract on Saturday, just one year after the Dutch manager led them to the Premier League title.
Civil society organizations are organizing a protest in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, in response to the recent kidnapping of students and educators in the region. This demonstration follows a protest by teachers in Ogbomoso, where the abduction took place, who demanded immediate action regarding the situation of the victims.The demonstrators are parading through various areas of the city, holding placards with messages such as, "Every Life Matters, Stop the Kidnappers," "47 Abducted, Scared and Alone," and "Stand Up! Speak Out!" The kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area has raised significant concern among educational stakeholders and residents throughout the state.
Last Monday, teachers halted classroom activities in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and conducted a peaceful protest to the TESCOM office in the town regarding the abduction of students and teachers, which led to the death of one educator.
A week following the teachers' protest, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has instructed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to cease their services in schools starting Monday, June 1, 2026, until further notice.
As per the directive from the national leadership of the union, the strike is a protest against the ongoing captivity of the abducted teachers and students, whose rescue and safe return, according to the Union, "remain uncertain."
It contended that the extended detention of the victims has instilled fear and anxiety among educators, dissuaded parents from enrolling their children in school, and escalated tension within communities across the state.
Arthur Lee Cofield Jr., a 34-year-old inmate who notoriously embezzled $11 million from a billionaire film producer while incarcerated in a maximum-security prison in Georgia, has escaped from federal custody. Authorities have reported that Cofield walked away from a minimum-security satellite camp located next to the Federal Correctional Institution in Jesup, Georgia.
Discovered missing from the FCI Jesup satellite camp. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has labeled him a "walkaway".
He is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs around 210 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI are spearheading the manhunt.
Prior to his transfer to federal custody, Cofield executed what investigators consider one of the most brazen and significant frauds ever carried out from an American prison. He assumed the identity of Hollywood producer Sidney Kimmel by utilizing smuggled contraband cell phones to impersonate the billionaire and gain access to his Charles Schwab investment account.
He transferred $11 million to a precious metal dealer in Idaho to acquire 6,106 American Gold Eagle coins. Cofield then enlisted a private security team to transport the gold via a private charter flight to Atlanta. Subsequently, he collaborated with outside accomplices to purchase a $4.4 million, six-bedroom mansion in Buckhead, Atlanta.
Cofield received a sentence of over 11 years in federal prison for this operation. Law enforcement urges anyone with information regarding his location to contact the U.S. Marshals Service at (912) 429-7169.
Italian authorities have officially prohibited Kanye West and Travis Scott from performing their consecutive shows in Reggio Emilia scheduled for July 2026 due to concerns regarding public order and safety.
This decision, made on May 29, 2026, prevents their headline performances at the newly rebranded Pulse of Gaia Festival.
Prefect Salvatore Angieri mandated the cancellation after assessing joint security evaluations. The specific reasons for the government's intervention include:
Severe Protest Risks: There are evident threats of local counter-demonstrations and social unrest triggered by the bookings.
Massive Massing Concerns: It was anticipated that over 100,000 spectators would converge on the 103,000-capacity venue within a single 24-hour period.
Back-to-Back Logistics: The close scheduling of the two large crowds posed unmanageable strain on local transit and containment.
Previous European Blocks: Several European nations have already revoked West's performance clearances this season, setting a precedent.
The regional Jewish community of Modena and Reggio Emilia actively urged authorities to rescind West's permits due to his widely publicized history of antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks.
The Italian consumer protection agency CODACONS formally supported the community's appeal to prevent the multi-day festival from proceeding.
Both artists have a history of volatile live performances. Scott has faced significant scrutiny due to the tragic crowd crush at Astroworld in 2021. Additionally, during a joint performance in Rome in 2023, the crowd generated physical tremors comparable to a 1.3 magnitude earthquake, causing local panic.
The Italian intervention reflects a growing regulatory barrier across Europe against West, who is known as "Ye":
The UK Home Office completely denied West entry in April 2026, leading to the cancellation of London’s Wireless Festival.
A forthcoming stadium show in Marseille, France, scheduled for June, was indefinitely postponed following direct intervention from the Interior Minister.
In Poland and Switzerland, dedicated stadium stops in both countries were entirely terminated.
Police authorities in Lagos have summoned three officers for allegedly extorting N1m from corps members. Footage of the encounter between the corps members and officers had made the rounds on social media late Friday.
The incident is said to have happened in the Surulere area of Lagos. A social media user who shared the videos, claimed the officers took N1m from the corps members.
In one of the videos, police officers were seen searching the car occupants’ documents. The situation later became heated, leading to more officers coming to the scene. An officer was later spotted entering the car while asking them to stop filming the incident. He also barred them from calling their loved ones.
But the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command Benjamin Hundeyin said the men involved in the incident have been summoned. “The men have been summoned and their trial has commenced,” he wrote on X while responding to Fasipe’s post.
“We urge the complainants to visit the Complaint Response Unit at the State Headquarters to testify at the ongoing trial.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Saturday said there is no plan to convert $30bn domiciliary deposits to naira. Reports presented in the news media that Federal Government and the apex banks were considering the conversion of foreign currencies in domiciliary accounts of citizens to naira to stabilise Nigeria’s currency, which earlier this week recorded its worst performance in history.
Be that as it may, the apex bank dismissed the report as “fake news” in a post on Saturday, urging the public to disregard such speculations.
“No plans to convert $30bn domiciliary deposits to naira. This news is fake!,” the post reads. The apex bank’s reaction comes two days after it ordered Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to sell their excess dollar stock latest February 1, 2024, as part of moves to stabilise the nation’s volatile exchange rate.
The CBN had a circular released on Wednesday warned lenders against hoarding excess foreign currencies for profit. In the circular titled, “Harmonization of Reporting Requirements on Foreign Currency Exposures of Banks”, the apex bank raised concerns over the growing trend of banks holding large foreign currency positions. The apex bank had earlier warned banks and FX dealers against reporting false exchange rates, among others.
The CBN accused banks of holding excess foreign exchange positions. It gave lenders until February 1, 2024 to sell off excess dollars in their vault.
Morocco became the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup after defeating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday.
Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half header secured a historic win for Morocco, who will play defending champions France or England for a place in the final.
Morocco have defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal, all in a row at the World Cup.
It is a groundbreaking stage in World Cup history , Morocco is convincingly moving Africa to the levels typically only reached by European and South American Soccer teams. In 1990 Cameroon made it to the quarterfinals, also Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.
Russia released the jailed US basketball star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a spectacular prisoner exchange for the notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had been detained in a United States prison for 12 years.
"She's safe. She's on a plane," President Biden said at the White House, announcing her release."She's on her way home, after months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances. Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all along. This is a day we've worked toward for a long time. We never stopped pushing for her release."
Griner was convicted on a charge of attempting to smuggle narcotics into Russia, based on two vape cartridges containing hashish oil that were found in her luggage at an airport near Moscow in February, when she traveled to the country to rejoin her Russian pro team, UMMC Yekaterinburg.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) has detained Koko Master - Oladapo Oyebanji, more known by his stage name, D’banj.
It was reported that D’banj conspired with some compromised government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of N- Power scheme, a project set up by the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on June 8, 2016 to address the issues of youth unemployment and help increase social development.
The allowance paid to those beneficiaries are then moved to accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the Musician.
The anti-corruption agency confirmed the musician's arrest for the diversion of N-Power funds. The Commission said: Several invitations to Mr Oladipo Daniel Oyebanjo to appear before a team of investigators were ignored and not honoured.
"Mr Oyebanjo turned himself in and was taken into custody at the ICPC Headquarters on Tuesday, December 6 2022, and is currently assisting the investigators in unravelling the circumstances of the fraud allegations by the petitioners.
"The investigation will be all-encompassing and also be extended to other collaborators of the fraud and the banks where the beneficiaries' accounts are domiciled," an ICPC communique partly read.
Georgia voters reelected Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in the hot Senate runoff election against Republican contender Herschel Walker.
Warnock's projected victory was narrow .With 99% of the total vote counted, he won Walker by 50.8% to 49.2%, according to Edison Research.
Democrats have now won three Senate races in the past two years in the former Republican stronghold.
Warnock is the first Georgia Democrat to win re-election to the U.S. Senate since Sam Nunn in 1990.
The Magistrate Court in Ota Ogun state Nigeria, presided over by Justice, L.O. Oke today convicted a fake lawyer, Mr. Okoye Samuel Chukwuemeka parading himself as “Chime Kingsley Ifeanyi” and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment without option of fine with restitution in the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira to be made to the Nigerian Bar Association, Ota.
In a statement by the Chairman, of the Branch, A.O. Adegoke Esq, he said that prior to his arrest and conviction, Mr. Okoye Samuel Chukwuemeka conducted his illegal business under the name and style of “CKI LEGAL”.
According to him, “Several incriminating documents including lawyer’s seals and filed documents were found in his office and home.
The convict was arraigned on a six counts charges by police from Sango Police Division on September 15, 2022 with trial commencing on the 25th November, 2022. Two witnesses testified against the convict and bundle of documents were admitted as exhibits in proof of the charges.
Beforehand, a Legal Practitioner, Kingsley Chime has raised an alarm over the use of his NBA Stamp and Seal by a fake lawyer who he identified as Okoye Chukwuemeka.
Barister Chime claimed the said Okoye stole his (Chime’s) identity and has been using same to defraud members of the public by parading himself as a qualified legal practitioner.
A High Court Sitting in Minna, the Niger State Capital, has issued a warrant of arrest on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Faruk Yahaya for contempt.
A warrant of arrest was also issued against Olugbenga Olabanji, commandant of the training and doctrine command, Minna, over the same offence. The presiding judge, Justice Halima Abdulmalik said the order followed upon hearing on motion on notice brought before the court in pursuant of order forty two rule ten of the Niger State High Court Civil procedure 2018.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the order is commuting Yahaya and Olabanji to be kept in Minna correctional custody for contentions of order of this court on 12 October, 2022. According to her, the two suspects are to remain in custody until they purge themselves of the contempt. Justice Abdulmalik then adjourned the case to December 8 for continuation.
In November, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Abuja sentenced the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba to three months in prison for disobeying a court order. Delivering ruling, Justice Olajuwon issued the order following a suit filed by a former police officer, Patrick Okoli who claimed he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigeria Police Force.
Also in November, Justice Chizoba Oji of a High Court Abuja convicted the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa for contempt and ordered that he should be committed to prison at Kuje Correctional Centre, however, the order was later set aside.
The Federal Government says it has made a recovery of one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) since the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in May 2015 till date.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami disclosed this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Buhari at the State House.
The AGF said that the recovered assets, deployed to various sectors of the economy particularly to address poverty alleviation, has made huge impact on poverty levels and the nations economy. Against this backdrop, he declared that the Council has given approval of an anti-corruption strategy document to strengthen anti-graft fight in the country.
In the same vein, the AGF expressed the Federal government’s worry over recurrent cases of budget padding, asserting that necessary measure would be explored to tackle it.
A gunman shot and killed multiple people in a Walmart store late Tuesday in the US state of Virginia, police said, adding that the single shooter suspect is also dead.
The outburst of gun violence in the city of Chesapeake comes just before Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, and follows another mass shooting at an LGBTQ club in Colorado late Saturday that left five people dead.
“We were able to find multiple fatalities and multiple injured parties,” Chesapeake Police Department officer Leo Kosinski told reporters at the scene, saying rapid response officers and tactical teams entered the store “immediately” after arriving on the scene.
“We believe it is a single shooter and that single shooter is deceased at this time,” he said, without clarifying how the suspected shooter died.
Emergency calls were first made just after 10:00 pm Tuesday (0300 GMT Wednesday), while the store was still open.
News footage showed a major police presence at the scene with Kosinski saying several officers and investigators were carefully sweeping the store and securing the area.
The exact number of fatalities remained unclear. Kosinski told reporters that police believed no more than 10 people were killed.
Walmart, the largest retailer in the United States, issued a statement early Wednesday saying: “We are shocked at this tragic event.”
The company added that it was “praying for those impacted, the community and our associates. We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates.”
Source: AFP
Iran refused to sing their national anthem before their World Cup match with England in an apparent expression of support for anti-government protests in their home country. Some fans shouted and jeered during the anthem and others held up signs saying "Woman, Life, Freedom".
Iran state TV cut its coverage of the anthem and switched to a previously shown wide shot of the stadium. Mass protests have been met with a fierce crackdown in recent months. They have been sparked by the death in custody in September of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly breaking the strict rules around head coverings.
Human rights activists have said more than 400 protesters have been killed and 16,800 others arrested in a crackdown by Iran's security forces. Iran's leaders say the protests are "riots" orchestrated by the country's foreign enemies.
Iranian fans could also be heard chanting "Ali Karimi" in the first-half in reference to the former footballer who is one of the most outspoken critics of the Islamic Republic and one of the most popular faces of the protest movement.
Elon Musk on Saturday reinstated former President Trump's Twitter account, three weeks after acquiring the social media company for $44 billion and shortly after millions of accounts voted in favor (51.8 % of more than 15 million total votes) of the decision through a poll Musk posted Friday night.
"The people have spoken. Trump will be reinstated. Vox Populi, Vox Dei," Musk tweeted, using a Latin phrase meaning "the voice of the people, the voice of God."
Alcohol will not be sold to fans at the World Cup's eight stadiums in Qatar after Fifa changed its policy two days before the start of the tournament. Alcohol was set to be served "in select areas within stadiums", despite its sale being strictly controlled in the Muslim country.
Those in corporate areas of stadiums at the tournament will still be able to purchase alcohol. The World Cup starts on Sunday when Qatar play Ecuador. Budweiser, a major sponsor of Fifa, is owned by beer maker AB InBev and had exclusive rights to sell beer at the World Cup.
"Following discussions between host country authorities and Fifa, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the Fifa fan festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar's Fifa World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters," said a statement from world football's governing body. "There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar's World Cup stadiums.
"Host country authorities and Fifa will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans. "The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev's understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022."
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to meet with His Royal Majesty, King Charles III in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. While the reason for the meeting is not clear, both leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations and how the UK can help Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
President Buhari is in the UK for a medical checkup. He left on October 31st. Before Wednesday’s meeting, both leaders communicated with each other. King Charles III had written to the Nigerian president, sympthasing with him over the recent floods in the West African nation.
“Your Excellency, Dear Mr President,” the monarch began in a letter to Buhari. “I wanted you to know how deeply saddened both my wife and I are to hear of the many people who have lost their loved ones and whose lives have been so dreadfully affected as a consequence of the devastating floods across Nigeria.
“We remember with the greatest affection our visits to Nigeria and the kindness of the people we met.”
Liverpool have drawn holders Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League in a repeat of last season's final. Fourteen-time winners Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in last year's final in Paris thanks to a goal from Vinicius Junior in the 59th minute.
Premier League champions Manchester City face German side RB Leipzig, while Tottenham play Italian giants AC Milan. Chelsea also have German opposition in Borussia Dortmund. Elsewhere, French champions Paris St-Germain have drawn Bayern Munich.
The last-16 first legs will take place on 14-15 and 21-22 February, with the second legs on 7-8 and 14-15 March.
Full last-16 draw:
RB Leipzig v Manchester City
Club Bruges v Benfica
Liverpool v Real Madrid
AC Milan v Tottenham
Frankfurt v Napoli
Borussia Dortmund v Chelsea
Inter Milan v Porto
Paris St-Germain v Bayern Munich
Kennesaw State University confirmed in a statement Sunday night that Steven Blesi, an international business major at the university, was killed in the stampede in downtown Seoul on Saturday.
“On behalf of the entire Kennesaw State community, our thoughts and prayers go out to Steven’s family and friends as they mourn this incomprehensible loss,” Kennesaw State University President Kathy Schwaig said. “We have been in contact with Steven’s family and have offered all available resources of the University to them.
Also, Gieske, a 20-year-old University of Kentucky nursing student was also studying abroad, along with two other students and a faculty member. They were said to be safe, according to a statement by the university president, Eli Capilouto.
“The University of Kentucky community is grieving the tragic loss of one of our students, Anne Gieske, who was studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, and was killed in this weekend’s tragedy,” wrote Capilouto. “We have been in contact with her family and will provide whatever support we can—now and in the days ahead—as they cope with this indescribable loss.”
The IGP has affirmed the police commitment to collaborate with other security agencies across the country to ensure the safety of citizens. This was disclosed in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc, CFR, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, in concert with other security agencies, to ensure the safety of all residents within the country. The IGP emphasized this while charging all Strategic Police Managers in charge of Commands and tactical formations within the country to beef up security in their respective jurisdictions, especially in the FCT.
The IGP similarly directed that all emergency numbers across the country should be activated to full capacity for a 24/7 prompt response with combatant officers and men on standby to respond in case of emergency situations and distress calls. Residents within the FCT are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence and persons to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.
The IGP therefore allays the fear of residents in the FCT and admonishes them to go about their lawful businesses and normal social lives/engagements as all hands are on deck to nip any security threat in the bud and respond to distress calls promptly. The IGP similarly reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police to eliminating all threats, as well as protection of lives and property of all residents of the country.
Senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman has spoken after he was attacked by unknown gunmen in Auchi area of Edo state.
He described the attack as an ‘assassination attempt’ on his life and urged those wishing to take his life to have a rethink. The Apostle said , although he escaped with his wife and children, seven people who were in the convoy lost their lives.
”I just escaped an assassination attempt, where seven people were killed,” he said in a video he shared online few hours after the attack.
What he has to say in the video:
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has expressed in own words the reason why the Northerners need to support and vote for him in the 2023 Elections.
The former Vice President said Northerners need to vote for him rather than a Yoruba or Igbo candidate because he’s a Pan-Nigerian with a northern extraction that has built bridges across the country.
Atiku made the remarks while responding to a question posed to him by the spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, during an Interactive Session With Arewa Joint Committee held on Saturday in Kaduna State.The event was transmitted live on Arise TV.
When Baba-Ahmed asked Atiku why Northerners should vote for him, the PDP presidential candidate replied, “What the average Northerner needs somebody who’s from the north and also understands that part of the country and has been able to build bridges across the country.
This is what the Northerner needs, it doesn’t need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate, I stand before you as a Pan-Nigerian of northern origin.” He also said he knows every part of the country and if elected as Nigerian president in 2023, he would form a government of national unity.
"I have traversed the whole of this country, I know the whole of the country, I have built bridges across the country”
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, says the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has only been discharged and not acquitted by the Court of Appeal.
The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday discharged and freed Nnamdi Kanu. A three-member panel of the Appeal Court led by Justice Oludotun Adebola discredited the terrorism charges brought against Kanu.
Reacting to the court ruling, Malami in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Dr. Umar Jibril Gwandu, said the appeal court only discharged Kanu and did not acquit him. The statement reads
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement said. “For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.
Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.
The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issues that borders on rendition.
Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for
Former contestant Willie Spence, who was the runner-up on season 19 of the competition series in 2021, died on Oct. 11.
His death was reported by the local news outlet DouglasNow.com Details on the accident were not immediately available, but according to TMZ, Spence was driving from Tennessee to his home in Atlanta when he collided with a parked truck.
Singer Katharine McPhee, who performed a duet with Spence of the song “The Prayer,” written by McPhee’s husband David Foster during a Season 19 appearance, tweeted her condolences, noting “Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old. Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised.”
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) put a stop to attempts by suspected members of a drug cartel to smuggle over 2.4 million tramadol tablets into Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Femi Babafemi.
The seizure of the drug, came barely a week after about 13.5million pills of the same opioid worth over N8.8billion were recovered by NDLEA operatives from one of the mansions of a billionaire drug baron in the highbrow residential estate, Victoria Garden City, VGC, Lekki Lagos. "Following credible intelligence, the Agency had shown interest in the consignment of 52 cartons that came into Nigeria from Karachi, Pakistan with six different airway bills via Ethiopian Airline flight, comprising seven cartons of 250mg of a brand called tamral and 45 cartons of 225mg, branded as tramaking. Soon after its arrival at the Lagos airport, the NDLEA called for a joint examination of the consignment with other stakeholders and after its information was confirmed by all, the 52 cartons of the seized substance which are above the recommended threshold for medical use and banned in the country, were moved to the Agency’s facility."
"In the same vein, another bid to export through the airport 15 parcels of cannabis and 600grams of tramadol 225mg concealed in a sack of crayfish to Dubai, UAE was equally thwarted by operatives who seized the consignment and subsequently arrested a freight agent, Osahor Alex Ekwueme, who presented it for export." Weeks after NDLEA operatives intercepted 5.20kgs of cannabis concealed in kegs of palm oil going to Dubai at the NAHCO export shed of the airport, the brain behind the consignment, Ifeanyi Egbuwaohia, has been arrested in Igando area of Lagos.
Though Ifeanyi works as a technician at Computer Village, Ikeja but beneath his known business he also works with a drug network in Dubai, where he sends illicit drugs for distribution. Few hours after his arrest, another consignment of 2.60kgs of the same substance sent by him for export to Dubai was also intercepted by operatives at the airport. Another consignment of 1.30kgs of cannabis concealed in reconstructed engine blocks going to Dubai have also been seized at the SAHCO export shed while two persons: Olatunji Kehinde Temiola and Osemojoye Femi Sunday have been arrested in connection to the bid.
Meanwhile, In Kaduna state, a female drug dealer, Peace Ayuba, was was arrested at Kakau Gonin Gora with seventy eight (78) bags of cannabis sativa weighing 849.5kgs, while operatives in Sokoto state arrested Onyeka Owo, 28, with 443 bottles of codeine based syrup. Ten months after his arrest by NDLEA, a notorious drug dealer in Alaba Rago area of Ojo, Lagos, Alhaji Surajo Mohammed has been convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos presided over by Justice Yellin Dogoro. Surajo was arrested with 941.15kgs cannabis on Monday 20th December 2021 and arraigned in court in charge number FHC/L/370c/2021. In his judgment delivered on Thursday 6th October 2022, the Judge however gave the convict an option of seven million nai
A New York City man has been charged with smuggling three Burmese pythons in his pants at a U.S-Canadian border crossing.
Calvin Bautista, 36, is accused of bringing the hidden snakes on a bus that crossed into northern New York on July 15, 2018.
Bautista, of Queens, was arraigned Tuesday in Albany on the federal smuggling charge and released pending trial, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman.
He faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release of up to 3 years.
The Burmese python is one of the world’s largest snakes declared an endangered species in Asia and in the united states.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says reports in Spain that Erling Haaland's contract contains a special release clause for him to join Real Madrid in 2024 are "not true".
Speaking after the 22-year-old Norway striker had continued his incredible start at City by hitting two goals against Copenhagen in the Champions League, Guardiola denied rumours that Madrid have engineered an exclusive agreement to sign him. "It's not true," Guardiola said. "He has not got a release clause for Real Madrid, or any other team.
"Am I annoyed by the rumours? No, absolutely not. Rumours, and people talking, you cannot control it - so always we have to worry about what we can control. "The important thing is that he has adapted [since joining City] really well. I have the feeling he is incredibly happy here, and this is the most important thing."
It is hardly surprising to see Haaland linked with the Spanish giants given his phenomenal form for City - he has now scored 19 goals in his first 12 games since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned Nigerians about the possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease(EVD) in the country. This was contained in a statement by the NCDC on Tuesday as Uganda continues to grapple with an outbreak of the deadly disease.
The statement read in part, “Based on available data, the overall risk of importation of the Ebola virus and the impact on the health of Nigerians has been assessed as HIGH for the following reasons: “The Sudan Ebola Virus does not currently have an effective drug for treatment or licensed vaccine for prevention. “The extent of the outbreak in Uganda has not yet been ascertained as investigations have shown that some persons may have died with similar symptoms which were not reported to health authorities. In addition, their burials were not conducted safely to prevent transmission.
“The case fatality rate of the Sudan virus varied from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks. “The likelihood of importation to Nigeria is high due to the increased air travel between Nigeria and Uganda, especially through Kenya’s Nairobi airport, a regional transport hub, and other neighbouring countries that share a direct border with Uganda. “The likelihood of spread in Nigeria following importation is high due to the gatherings and travel associated with politics, the coming yuletide as well as other religious gatherings and festivals during the last few months of the year.”
Meanwhile, the NCDC stated that Nigeria was equipped to counter outbreaks.
US reality star Kim Kardashian has paid $1.26 million fine for unlawfully promoting a cryptocurrency on social media without revealing that she was paid to do so, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced Monday.
The SEC had filed charges against the "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star for not disclosing the $250,000 payment she received for posting promotional content about EthereumMax, according to an SEC press release. Kardashian also agreed not to promote any cryptocurrencies for three years.
In 2021, Kim Kardashian shared promotional content to her followers on Instagram. Kardashian has one of the largest followings on social media, with 331 million followers on Instagram and close to 74 million followers on Twitter.EthereumMax, which has no relation to the Ethereum blockchain, was also promoted by professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. In January, investors of EthereumMax sued both Kardashian and Mayweather.
"This case is a reminder that, when celebrities or influencers endorse investment opportunities, including crypto asset securities, it doesn’t mean that those investment products are right for all investors," SEC Chairman Gary Gensler said in a tweet.
At least 125 people died and 323 injured at an Indonesian football stadium when thousands of angry home fans invaded the pitch and police responded with tear gas that triggered a stampede, authorities said Sunday.
Arema FC supporters at the Kanjuruhan stadium marched onto the pitch after their team lost 3-2 to the visiting team and bitter rivals, Persebaya Surabaya.
Officers fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse agitated supporters of the losing home side who had invaded the pitch after the final whistle in Malang, East Java, on Saturday night, the region’s police chief Nico Afinta told reporters.Many of the victims were trampled or choked to death, according to police. Survivors described panicking spectators in a packed crowd as tear gas rained down on them.
President Joko Widodo ordered an investigation into the tragedy, a safety review into all football matches and directed the country's football association to suspend all matches until "security improvements" were completed.
A hospital director told local TV that one of the victims was five years old.
Images taken from inside the stadium during the stampede showed police firing huge amounts of tear gas and people clambering over fences.
Amnesty International called for an investigation into why tear gas was deployed in a confined space, saying it should only be used "when other methods have failed".
"It was so terrifying, so shocking," 22-year-old survivor Sam Gilang, who lost three friends in the crush, told AFP.
"People were pushing each other and... many were trampled on their way to the exit gate. My eyes were burning because of the tear gas. I fortunately managed to climb up the fence and survived," he said.
A Kano state High Court presided over by Justice Sanusi Ma’aji has adjourned the arraignment of Chinese national, Geng Quangrong, who is accused of killing his 23-year old lover, Ummukulthum Buhari (Ummita).
The Court, presided by Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji, fixed 4th October 2022 to formally arraign the Chinese.
When the case resumed on Thursday for arraignment, Mr Quarong sought an adjournment to enable him to contact his counsel to represent him.
In his response, Kano State Attorney General Barrister Musa Abdullahi Lawan didn’t raise an objection to the defendant’s prayer to adjourn the matter.
“Obviously this case cannot go on today without a counsel standing for the defendant, It is capital in nature in the circumstances we apply for a short adjournment,” Kano Attorney General prayed.
Therefore, Justice Ma’aji adjourned the case until 4th October 2022 for arraignment.
It was reported that, Quangrong on Friday, September 16 invaded the building of the decease after scaling the fence and stabbed Kulthum to death in Kabuga Quarters, Dorayi Babba area of the State.
Geng alleged that Ummita had promised to marry him, but later changed her promise after he had spent so much money on her.
A Nigerian has been sentenced to prison by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. Adedayo Akinwunmi Agbayewa, 45, of College Park, Georgia, was convicted to five years in prison and ordered to pay $7,784,415 in restitution, officials said.
Agbayewa and his co‑conspirators were involved in a lottery or sweepstakes telemarketing enterprise that hoodwinked elderly victims.
Using pseudonyms, they informed their targets by mail or telephone that they had won sweepstakes or lottery and must first pay taxes or fees.
The victims mailed checks or deposited money into bank accounts provided by the individuals but never received any prize money.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina McCall prosecuted the case, the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and IRS‑Criminal Investigation.
The U.S. Department of Justice, through the Elder Justice Initiative, works to combat elder abuse, neglect, as well as financial fraud, and scams.
The National Industrial Court Abuja has struck out a suit sponsored by one Umar Lawal, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, asking the Academic Staff Union of Universities, to call off its seven-month-old strike and return to school. Lawal had instituted the case on behalf of himself and the association.
Justice Polycarp Hamman struck out the suit on Tuesday after the counsel to Lawal, Debo Ikuesan, withdrew the suit on the grounds that the student body is challenging his position as president, denying that he is the leader of NANS as he had deposed to. Counsel to ASUU, Marshal Abubakar also informed the court that he is not opposing the application to withdraw the suit.
In the suit, Faruk, who claimed to be the president of NANS sought the court’s order mandating ASUU to call off the industrial action it commenced in February 2022. He said the strike action affects students’ right to education under section 18, Chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution as amended. He added that the prolonged strike has caused damage to Nigerian students as they have lost valuable time and opportunity in their educational and career pursuits.
They are seeking an order of the court to among others, order ASUU to call off its strike. They are also seeking an order of court restraining ASUU and its members from further engaging or partaking in the industrial action they commenced. The outgoing President of the student body, Sunday Asefon, had approached the court claiming that Umar Lawal does not have the mandate of NANS to commence the action.
The national electricity grid suffered a fresh system collapse on Monday, plunging the country into darkness. Major cities in Nigeria including the commercial nerve centre Lagos and the nation’s political capital Abuja are experiencing blackout on Monday as the National Grid collapsed for the umpteenth time in 2022. Major electricity distribution companies informed their customers of the development in notices.
Ikeja Electric said the national grid collapsed at 10:50am on Monday. “This has affected the Transmission Stations within our network and resulted in the loss of power supply to our customers,” the notice partly read. Eko Electricity Distribution Company also stated, “We regret to inform you of a system collapse on the National Grid at precisely 10:52 am. Presently all our injection substations are out of supply. “We are working with our TCN partners to restore supply as soon as possible. We apologise for the inconvenience.”
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc released a similar statement but said the grid collapsed in the nation’s political capital at 10:55am. The Benin Electricity Distribution Company announced that the national grid collapsed at 10:51am, causing disruption to power supply in the coverage area which include Delta, Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo.
Also, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc said the system collapse caused blackout in the entire South-East states of Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Imo, and Ebonyi.
Hundreds of people have been arrested by authorities as protests against Russia’s new “partial mobilisation” continue across the country, an independent rights group has said.
It was reported that 724 people were detained across 32 different cities on Saturday September 24,2022.
Widespread demonstrations have broken out since President Vladimir Putin announced plans to draft 300,000 men to fight in Ukraine. Unsanctioned rallies are banned under Russian law.
But Mr Putin’s move to draft civilians into the military has sparked large scale protests in urban areas, with more than 1,000 people being detained at demonstrations earlier this week.
In Moscow, journalists reported witnessing one demonstrator shouting “we are not cannon fodder” as she was arrested by officers.
And in St Petersburg, Russia’s second city, one man told reporters: “I don’t want to go to war for Putin.”
Seventy-year-old Natalya Dubova told journalist that she opposed the war and confessed she was “afraid for young people” being ordered to the front.Some of those arrested on Saturday September 24, 2022 reported being handed draft papers and ordered to report to recruiting centres while being held by security officials. The Kremlin defended the practice earlier this week, saying “it isn’t against the law”.Moscow has also approved harsh new punishments for those accused of dereliction of duty once drafted.
Mr Putin signed fresh decrees on Saturday imposing punishments of up to 10 years imprisonment for any soldier caught surrendering, attempting to desert the military or refusing to fight.The president also signed orders granting Russian citizenship to any foreign national who signs up to serve a year in the country’s military.The decree, which some observers have suggested displays how severe Moscow’s shortage of troops has become, bypasses the usual requirement of five years of residency in the country.On the border with Georgia, queues of Russian cars stretch back more than 30km (18 miles) and the interior ministry has urged people not to travel.
Local Russian officials have admitted that there’s been a significant influx of cars trying to cross – with nearly 2,500 vehicles waiting at one checkpoint.The admission is a change of tone from Russia, with the Kremlin describing reports of Russians fleeing conscription as “fake” on Thursday September 22, 2022.Meanwhile, Finland has also seen a sharp increase in the number of Russians seeking to enter the country.
The server of an old generation bank in the country has been hacked into by suspected fraudsters who stole the sum of N523,337,100,00 from the account of a customer. Meanwhile, two suspects has been arrested in connection with the cyber attack.
The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi, Lagos, SP Eyitayo Johnson, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
The PPRO said the hackers stole the huge sum using 18 different customers accounts and dissipated same via Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Cash, ATM/POS,Withdrawals and e-transfers.
The PPRO said police have arrested two suspects while operatives are following other leads in order to apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate.
“Hackers hit an Old-Generation Bank, Transferred Five Hundred and Twenty-Three Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand and One Hundred Naira (N523,337,100.00) to eighteen (18) different customers’ Accounts and dissipated same via Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Cash/ATM/POS/Withdrawals and e-transfers,” the statement read.
“The Legal Section of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi-Lagos; headed by CSP. E.A. Jackson, Esq; has successfully obtained an order of the Federal High Court siting in Lagos for the Preservation/Forfeiture/Attachment of a net sum of Five Hundred and Twenty-Three Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand and One Hundred Naira (N523,337,100.00) fraudulently transferred by internet fraudsters who hacked a customer’s account domiciled in one of the Old-Generation banks and posted the funds into eighteen (18) different accounts in the same Bank before transmitting same to Two Hundred and Twenty-Five (225) other accounts in Twenty-Two (22) Banks/Financial Institutions.
“The coordinated cyber-attack was carried out during the weekend of Saturday 23rd April, 2022, through Sunday 24th April, 2022 to the early hours of Monday 25th April, 2022 before business opened.
“In the course of the investigation, the sum of One Hundred and Sixty Million, Two Hundred and Eight-Seven Thousand, Seventy-One Naira and Forty-Seven Kobo (N160,287,071.47) has been recovered from different Banks; with two suspects arrested, while operatives are following other leads in order to apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate.
“The suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
Ten suspects including a dismissed operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) have been arrested for robbing a bullion vehicle in Abia State.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Janet Agebe, disclosed this on Monday in a press conference in Umuahia, identifying the ex-DSS operative as Prosper Israel from Abia State.
Israel was paraded on Monday alongside nine other suspects at the Police Headquarters in the state capital two months after the robbery.
It was reported that the suspects were part of the 14-man robbery gang that ambushed a bullion van near Ntigha Junction of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, on July 26, 2022.
The Police Commissioner stated that during the robbery, the cash officer of a new generation bank was killed, while the suspects carted an unspecified amount of cash being conveyed by the armoured cash transport van.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Special Offences Court on Monday sentenced kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamad Ike a.k.a Evans, and his co-defendant, Victor Aduba, to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping one Sylvanus Hafia.
They were accused of conspiring and kidnapping Sylvanus Ahanonu Hafia at about 5:30 pm on June 23, 2014, at Kara Street, Amuwo Odofin in Lagos and were alleged to have captured and detained Hafia and demanded a ransom of $420,000. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Evans’ accomplice, Victor Aduba, an ex-soldier, was also sentenced to 21 years imprisonment on a four-count charge bordering on kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
Delivering judgement, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, held that the prosecution had successfully proved the case of kidnap and possession of firearms against the convicts.
But they pleaded not guilty to the four charges.
The United Kingdom government has released the names and information of 6,743 persons who have died with unclaimed estates. Some of the names published are 56 Nigerians officially recorded to have died between 1996 and 2021 in the United Kingdom.
The unclaimed estates have a 30-year time limit from the date of death before it is removed if no one comes for it.
According to data from UK Treasury Solicitor and last updated on September 8, 2022, one of the Nigerians identified is Julius Taiwo, who died on July 19, 1995, at Derby Derbyshire, UK. A familiar name on the list, according to BusinessDay, is a certain Victor Adedapo Olufemi Fani-Kayode, who is said to have died on August 15, 2001, in Birmingham, with the informant on his death listed as the Birmingham City Council.
However, there is little information on relatives to whom their assets may be transferred.
An armed robbery suspect was arrested by the State So-Safe Corps in Ogun State after he allegedly attacked a commercial motorcyclist in Idiroko. The suspect, Ibrahim Oluwaseun, 22, a resident of Olorogbo Compound in the Asheko/Ibatefin Area of the Ipokia Local Government in Ogun State was detained on Friday and have been handed over to the Nigeria Police, Idiroko Divisional Headquarters for further investigation.
According to a statement issued from the office of the State Commander of the So-Safe, Commander (Dr) Soji Ganzallo through the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Corps, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf, said that during the decoration of the new Ipokia Area Commander, ACC Yusuf Aliu, few weeks back, the Divisions under the Area Command were put on their toes to curb series of crime emanating from some okada riders and to put a stop to miscreants attacking okada riders.
From the reports credited to the outfit; this faithful day, Mr. Ibrahim Oluwaseun, a 22-year-old resident of Olorogbo Compound, Asheko/Ibatefin Area of Ipokia Local Government, pretended to be a passenger and told the victim to take him from Aferiku Street, Idirko to Obalana Street, along Bebe road, leading to the Republic of Benin.
Commander Ganzallo also stated that the suspect, on robbery mission, later instructed the bike man to go through other narrow route that leads to the same destination.
The suspect then brought out a gun, later discovered to be a toy gun, and commanded that he surrender himself and the bike or lose his life.
At the scene, the So-Safe Patrol Team, Idiroko Division, led by CSC Abdulkareem Abdulrasaq, witnessed the funny act, pounced on the suspect and got him arrested.
During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime.
The Country Representative, the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, has said that globally that it is estimated that over 700,000 people take their lives annually, adding that 77% of all global suicides occurred in low-and-middle-income countries. Mulombo said this in commemoration of the 2022 World Suicide Prevention Day. He commended the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire stakeholders for their commitment towards suicide prevention in Nigeria.
He praised health experts for their efforts towards suicide prevention in the country. He called on individuals to play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide whether as a member of society, saying, “We can all create hope through action and be the light”. He assured that, together, by raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide, and encouraging well-informed action, “we can reduce instances of suicide in our country and inadvertently around the world”. He noted that every year, the World Suicide Prevention Day is commemorated on September 10.
Mulombo who emphasised on the need to increase awareness that suicide is preventable, insists that suicide continues to remain a serious public health concern with a profound impact on all. This year’s theme is with the theme: “Creating hope through action”, the organisers said it intends to serve as a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide. Besides “the theme aspires to inspire confidence and light in all of us, aims to empower individuals to be in charge of their lives and value the one life they have. Creating hope through action highlights the importance of setting suicide prevention as a priority public health agenda by countries, particularly where access to mental health services and availability of evidence-based interventions are already low”, said the WHO chief.
He added, “For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide. “Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds. “Every case of suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire country and it has long-lasting effects on the people left behind.
“Suicides are preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. “For national responses to be effective, a comprehensive multi-sectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed. “In 2013, the World Health Assembly adopted the Mental Health Action Plan 2013 – 2020 and identified suicide prevention as an important priority for achieving the global target of reducing the rate of suicide in countries by 10% by 2020.
A 29-year-old Nigerian man, Chidozie Collins Obasi, has been declared wanted in the United States for alleged fraud.
Obasi is being accused of allegedly defrauding US hospitals of $31 million by offering non-existent COVID-19 ventilators for sale. The US Department of Justice (D. O .J) in a statement on Friday, said the suspect carried out and executed the scheme from Nigeria with the help of co-conspirators abroad between September 2018 and June 2020.
Obasi and his accomplices allegedly obtained more than $31,000,000 through a complicated fraud scheme, the majority coming from the State of New York.
“The scheme alleged in the Indictment began in September 2018, with a spam email campaign that offered phony “work from home” jobs. When a person responded to the phony job offer, Obasi or a co-conspirator posed as a representative of a legitimate company, often a supposed medical equipment supplier based outside the United States, and offered the person a job as the company’s U.S. representative with responsibilities including collecting on outstanding invoices.
According to the indictment sheet, Obasi who is presently a fugitive and wanted by the United States, is being charged with “one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fr@ud, six counts of mail fr@ud and 16 counts of wire fraud”.
He faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in prison, a five-year period of supervised release, and a $5,750,000 fine and would also be required to make full restitution of the more than $31,000,000 that he allegedly obtained by fraud if found guilty“In 2020, Obasi went further to pose as a ventilator salesman for an Indonesian medical supply company.
Obasi allegedly convinced a medical equipment broker in the U.S. to broker sales of these non-existent ventilators, and ultimately deceived the State of New York into wiring more than $30 million for the purchase of ventilators that did not exist. He continued to target other potential customers with this same scam, including hospitals,” the statement read in part.
The Police in Oyo State have announced that they have located and notified the family members of the man whose skeleton was found in his house recently.
The statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adewale Osifeso, said the discovery was a result of “solid partnership and provision of credible information to the Oyo State Police Command.”
Oyo Police Command said: “Anchoring on the strength of solid communal partnerships and provision of credible information to the Oyo State Police Command, on Sunday 04/09/2022 at about 1400hrs, representatives from the Landlord/ Landlady’s Association of Idi-Orogbo, Adeosun, Life Forte Area, Awotan, Apete, Ibadan reported a case of suspected sudden and unnatural death at Apete Divisional Police Headquarters.
“In swift coordinated response to the information provided, the Divisional Police Officer and a team of crime and forensic detectives approached the three-bedroom block residence of the deceased and found his remains glued to his beddings lying upward with no visible signs of struggle at a glance.
“Preliminary findings from residents of the community and the driver’s license found in his wallet revealed that the deceased was indeed Aderemi John Abiola and was last seen around 2018, a fact corroborated by family members of the deceased when contacted by detectives of the Command attached to the SCID.
“Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Adebowale Williams while appealing to well-meaning members of the public for assistance regarding the provision of useful information has also directed the immediate transfer of the case to the Command’s apex investigation body, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
“In furtherance of the above, the scene has since been cordoned in the interest of public health and safety to enable the completion of the investigation aimed at demystifying the possible cause of death.
“Lastly, the case is actively monitored with the assurances of detailed updates provided accordingly, please.”
The Lagos State Government is committed to continually improving and regulating the parking refinement for residents in order to make parking convenient, safe and secure.
Speaking at a news-conference, to inform stakeholders and the public on the mandate and activities of the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, explained that the functions of the Agency are constitutional and the State Government will never resort to any untoward means in its dealing with the people.
Addressing the misinformation recently circulated about the activities of LASPA by a company alleging that it was charged for parking within its own premises, the Commissioner urged Lagosians to be wary of political jobbers and individuals who willfully distort facts.
Oladeinde stated that LASPA was established to promote parking policies tailored to suit the peculiarity of the State in line with modern international standards towards achieving a smart city.
“LASPA is empowered to remove all impediments arising from indiscriminate parking, thereby increasing the carriageway capacity on the roads, improving the flow of traffic and reducing travel time”, he remarked.
He maintained that aside from improving the parking culture, the establishment of the Authority has created employment opportunities for youths and will further generate additional revenue for the State.
Outlining the levies paid to LASPA on parking lots provided by the Authority, Oladeinde said that the rates are reasonable and cheap.
“The yearly levy of N80,000, an equivalent of N219 daily, is lower than charges of most private commercial parks, which is N500 to N1,000 parking dues per hour, equivalent to over N182,500 or N365,000 yearly. The difference is clear as the government is quite considerate and responsive in making the environment conducive for all”, the Commissioner explained.
While encouraging Lagosians to cooperate with the agency and other similar stakeholders in carrying out its mandate, Oladeinde implored concerned members of the public to visit the Agency’s office at 36B Sasegbon Street, GRA, Ikeja, for necessary information and assistance.
He also called on Lagosians to visit the Authority’s website at www.laspa.lg.gov.ng and direct their enquiries to @laspa.lg.gov.ng or telephone numbers: 01-227-5230 and 01-227-5231, adding that the agency is available 24/7 on social media platforms: Facebook: Laspa Mot, Twitter:@laspa_mot, Instagram: laspa_lagos.
In her remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Parking Authority, Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, expressed the need to regulate the parking sector to achieve the 21st Century City that this administration is desirous to bequeath Lagosians.
Bemoaning the indiscriminate parking across the State, the General Manager stated that most Lagos buildings lack parking space, pointing out that Lagos needs to get to a point where parking facilities must be provided when erecting any building.
“As the government is trying to pool revenue into the development of infrastructure, lack of adequate parking facilities is causing deterioration of our road infrastructure. Therefore, event centres, religious houses, shopping malls and other public buildings must make necessary provisions for parking spaces”, the General Manager affirmed.
Mrs. Adelabu explained that LASPA was created to solve a problem that affects every resident, saying “We intend to regulate the parking sector and not take ownership from private operators. Privately-owned and commercial parking locations are enjoined to register with the Agency to enable government create the necessary structure to ease access to these facilities”.
She stated that the Authority has engaged some religious bodies including the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Islamic Organisations on the need to provide enough space that will accommodate their vehicles.
While emphasising that opportunities for concession ownership of the parking facilities would be available, the General Manager disclosed that the agency will roll out adaptable technology to support operations and gradually deploy signage and lane markings in phases across Lagos.
The briefing was attended by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Mr. Jubril Gawat and other stakeholders in the transportation sector.
Courtesy : Lagos State Parking Authority
The Federal Government has threatened to sanction foreign airlines operating in the country but refuse to accept naira payment for flight tickets. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made this known at a briefing today after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said intelligence reports indicated that some of the airlines refuse to sell in naira but charge ticket fares in dollars instead, in violation of Nigerian laws. The minister disclosed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has been directed to deal with any of such airlines that are caught flouting the laws.
The Minister stated that the foreign airlines made over $1.1 billion from Nigeria in 2016, which could have been retained in the country if they were local airlines.
Sirika explained that the airlines remitted over $600 million to their home countries in 2016. He also noted that over $265 million was released this year out of about $484 million due to them.He also claimed that the airlines remitted over 600 million dollars to their home countries in 2016, while over 265 million dollars has also been released this year.
The United States based Delta Airlines, has revealed that from October 4, 2022, it will suspend flight operations between JFK airport, New York and Lagos.
The airline said that it cannot continue operating this route without generating revenue, meanwhile Its Atlanta to Lagos route will remain in service until further notice.
This announcement comes within weeks of Emirates and British Airways' decisions to suspend flights to the African nation. These airlines have cited the same reasons as Delta for their withdrawal. The Nigerian Central Bank previously claimed that releasing the funds could crash its travel economy; now, it claims that it has not had sufficient foreign currency to pay the airlines.
Another suspended route
Delta Air Lines announced on August 29th that it would suspend all flights connecting New York (JFK) and Lagos (LOS). The route will enter its temporary suspension on October 4th. This suspension is the result of the African country withholding revenue from Delta. The airline cannot afford to continue operating this route without receiving revenue from the return trip to JFK. With operating costs rising, this profitless flight costs the airline more and more every month.
"Delta is suspending its nonstop service between New York-JFK and Lagos to fit the current demand environment. The airline continues to operate service between Lagos and Atlanta and offers connections to New York and other cities across the United States. Customers impacted by our suspended New York-JFK to Lagos service will be re-accommodated on Delta operated flights or service operated by our joint venture partners. Delta remains committed to the Nigeria market."
The Company also announced that all flights to and from Nigeria are now required to be purchased in US Dollars. The spokesperson also told Simple Flying,
"Due to the ongoing issues to repatriate funds and the forex situation in Nigeria, Delta confirms that tickets for travel between Nigeria and the United States will be sold in US dollars only. The airline will no longer accept Nigerian Naira."
According to reports, Nigeria has been withholding hundreds of millions of dollars from foreign airlines. It recently released $265 million of the
Ohio father charged with murder after leaving his one-year-old son in a 130-degree hot car.
Landon Parrot, 19, has been charged with murder, two counts of endangering children and involuntary manslaughter and is currently held at Tuscarawas County Jail, New Philadelphia Police Chief Michael Goodwin said in a statement on Facebook on Friday.
"The child passed away after being left in the car unattended for approximately 5 hours, with an outside temperature of 87 degrees," the chief wrote. "During the interview it appears that this was not a matter of forgetting the child but was a deliberate act so as the child would not be a disturbance while in the house."
"We estimate that would’ve made the interior of the car about 130 degrees and this child was in there strapped into a car seat with no fluids, no air conditioning, nothing," New Philadelphia Police Det. Capt. Ty Norris told the outlet. "Heartbreaking. It’s heartbreaking to see this unfold before your eyes."
Kenya’s Supreme Court on Monday validated William Ruto’s victory in the August 9 presidential election, ending weeks of political uncertainty. Chief Justice Martha Koome preside over a petition brought by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“This is a unanimous decision. The petitions are hereby dismissed, as a consequence we declare the first respondent (Ruto) as president-elect,” Chief Justice Martha Koome said. The court dismissed all nine issues at the heart of the challenge to the results, which had delivered victory to Ruto by a margin of less than two percentage points.
“The… irregularities were not of such magnitude as to affect the final results of the presidential election,” Koome declared. Ruto, the 55-year-old incumbent deputy president, is now due to take office on September 13.
Both the Ruto and Odinga camps had pledged to accept the court’s ruling.
A suspected stowaway has been found at a parked aircraft in Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital. The man, said to be middle-aged and unconscious, was unmasked on Sunday morning during a pre-flight inspection at the Muritala Mohammed Airport 2.
It was gathered that the suspected stowaway was arrested and taken in for interrogation. In a statement issued by the airline, the aircraft last operated Abuja-Lagos at 7.30 pm on September 3, 2022 and was securely parked at the apron following a post-flight inspection.
“During preflight inspection this morning, a stowaway was found in one of our aircraft parked at MMA2 Ikeja,” the airline’s spokesman, Achilleus - Chud Uchegbu, said. “The middle-aged man, who looked unkempt and is suspected to be unconscious, was arrested and taken in for interrogation.
Uchegbu stated that FAAN AVSEC and Bi-Courtney security services are on the ground and an investigation has opened into this security breach at MMA2. The affected aircraft is being screened and prepared for service in accordance with United Nigeria Airlines’ strict security and operating standards.
Intelligent Agents of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 18 suspected internet fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo boys in Lagos.
In a statement on its verified Facebook page on Saturday, the anti-graft agency named the suspects to include, Tijani Olumide Ahmed, Ukuhor Richie Ifemeluona, Balogun Olusola, Ologun Damilola, Olubiyo Timilehin, Adetokunbo Yusuf, Oyegoke Gafar Olaitan, Agarawu Farug Okikiola, Kazeem Oluwadamilare Adebayo and Salau Rahmon.
Others include, Abdulrahman Adeshina Olasunkanmi, Adeyanju Kehinde Emmanuel, Rasheed Remilekun, Owolabi Temidayo Habeeb,Ojora Usman Olawale, Mubarak Balogun, Rafiu Olusegun and Ayobami Habeeb Oyeleye.
Two persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a wreck involving six vehicles on the bridge linking Maryland and Ojota, Ikorodu Road in Lagos State.
The incident happened at Odo Itlya Alaro around 2:00 am on Friday. The victims were returning from Mile 12 where they had gone to buy goods. Those injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. One of the corpses was taken to a morgue by the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SHEMU).
Family members of the other victim, identified as Blessing, took her body. It was gathered that the incident happened when a tipper laden with 30 tons of sharp sand and at high speed, ran into two commercial buses (Danfo).
Aside from the tipper, with registration number T-12015LA, the crash also involved an empty tanker with registration number FKJ-506XM, an articulated truck laden with metal coils, and a grey-coloured Toyota Camry with the number plate ABC-261AJ.
ATLANTA -Ivie Shevon Sajere has been sentenced for her role in a conspiracy that defrauded the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) out of nearly $1,000,000. The conspiracy involved the false filing of thousands of online applications for SSA retirement benefits and FEMA disaster benefits using stolen personal information.
“This was a massive fraud that impacted two government agencies and harmed thousands of victims across the country whose identities were stolen,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Sajere’s prison sentence is the culmination of a complicated investigation and prosecution and serves as a cautionary tale to other fraudsters similarly minded.”
“This sentence holds Sajere accountable for her role in this complex conspiracy to defraud the Social Security Administration, alone, of nearly seven hundred thousand dollars. She stole personal information of innocent people and used it to defraud the SSA by abusing its online services,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General, for the Social Security Administration. “My office will continue to uphold the integrity of the SSA’s online services and programs that so many Americans rely on. I thank the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General, and Homeland Security Investigations, and other law enforcement agencies for joining us in this comprehensive investigation. I also thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
“Anyone with malicious intent can cause widespread damage to victims, and in this case, the defendant orchestrated an identity theft spree that resulted in the defrauding of two agencies that provide substantial assistance to individuals in need,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “This scheme highlights the importance of national collaboration when it comes to combatting identity theft, and I thank our law enforcement partners for their essential assistance with this investigation.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Beginning in approximately June 2017 until September 2018, the defendant and her husband, Neville Sajere, both Nigerian nationals who engaged in marriage fraud in an unsuccessful attempt to become U.S. citizens, participated in a money laundering scheme that defrauded nearly a million dollars from SSA and FEMA.
The scheme involved unknown fraudsters filing applications for Social Security retirement benefits and FEMA disaster relief benefits using stolen personal information. The individual victims whose personal information was stolen were often individuals highly acclaimed in their fields. It appears that these individuals were targeted because, even though they were of retirement age, they had not filed for SSA retirement benefits and did not need disaster benefit relief. Thus, the fraudsters had a better chance of getting the applications approved. The victims included a movie director, an award-winning journalist, the daughter of a legendary movie director, and a highly esteemed academic.
Once an application was approved, the fraudsters directed that the funds be deposited onto a Green Dot debit card opened using other stolen personal information. As soon as the money hit the Green Dot debit card, the defendant generated payments through Square, Stripe, and PayPal to Nevada Bridge TV, a Nigerian streaming service/television production company owned by the defendant’s husband; BAGMA, an African gospel award show business owned by the defendant’s husband; and Shevonz, a clothing store owned by the defendant.
Ivie Shevon Sajere (a/k/a Ivie Shevon Owubo), 38, Suwanee, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr., to two years, six months in prison. She was also ordered to pay $949,616.40 in restitution to SSA and FEMA. Sajere was remanded into custody at the close of the sentencing hearing to begin her sentence. Because Sajere is not a United States citizen, she is likely to be deported after she completes her sentence. Sajere pleaded guilty on November 30, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Diane C. Schulman, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Samir Kaushal prosecuted the case.
Source -Department of Justice
A wire fraud suspect, Adedunmola Gbadegesin was on Monday April 26, 2022, extradited to the United States where he is wanted in a case of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
The offences contravene Title 18, US Code, Section 1349 and 1956 (h) and carries a maximum jail term of 20 years.
His extradition was coordinated by the EFCC, following a request from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, pursuant to a February 11, 2022 Order by Justice D.E Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/21, which granted a request to extradite the suspect to the United States to answer to criminal charges bordering on romance scam, wire fraud and money laundering.
Gbadegesin who was arrested on September 2, 2021, is alleged to have defrauded an America lady living in Kentucky, United States, of over $148,000
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has passed on at 83 years. Alaafin Adeyemi, the third from the Alowodu Ruling House, joined his ancestors in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State in South-West Nigeria. Iku Baba Yeye ruled for 52 years.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, is expected to make an official announcement upon receiving the report of the monarch’s passing from the Bashorun of Oyo, Yusuf Akinade, the head of the ‘Oyo Mesi’. The Seven Oyo Mesi are Alaafin's principal advisors and sacred officiants.
He was crowned on November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I.
The chamber of Femi Falana, SAN, has been granted permission to prosecute all the seven defendants arraigned in connection with the death of Timothy Adegoke, a Master’s student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, whose bitter end occurred at Hilton Hotel in Ile-Ife, Osun state Nigeria under mysterious circumstances in November 2021 and was buried in a shallow grave.
The Osun State Attorney-General & Commissioner of Justice, Oluwafemi Akande, made this known in a statement titled, ‘Re: Justice for Timothy, Mr. Governor over to you : OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT POSITION ON STATE OF PROSECUTION IN HOS/ 5C /2022 THE STATE VS. DR. RAHMON ADEDOYIN & ORS.’
The hotel owner, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, and six staff of the facility namely; Adedeji Adesola, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwale Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem, and Adebayo Kunle, had been arraigned on 11 counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, altering of receipt and administration of extrajudicial oath.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ismail Omipidan, who the statement posted on his Facebook page, disclosed that Falana, upon request by him and the family of the deceased, had been given permission to prosecute the matter.
The statement further explained that on April 1, 2022, Femi Falana, SAN, applied to the Office of the Osun State Attorney General for fiat to take over the prosecution of the case.
It added that, thereafter, the deceased’s family wrote a separate letter to the Attorney General requesting that Falana’s Chambers be allowed to prosecute the matter.
It further read in parts, “The alleged case of murder was first investigated by Osun State Police Command but was later taken over by the IGP Office in Abuja.
“After the investigation, the Police filed a criminal charge against the suspects in Abuja. The case was later moved to Osogbo by the Nigeria Police.
“While the Police Prosecutors were prosecuting the case, the deceased family’s Counsel, Falana, and Falana & Co watched brief for the victim and witnessed the proceedings.
“On 1st April 2022, Femi Falana, SAN, applied to the Office of the Hon. Attorney General for fiat to take over the prosecution of the case. Thereafter, the deceased’s family wrote a letter to the Attorney General requesting for the Chambers of Femi FALANA SAN to be allowed to prosecute the matter.
“The learned silk’s letter and that of the family were immediately processed and the fiat requested for has since been granted. The Office of Chief Femi FALANA SAN had already collected the letter conveying the fiat of the Attorney General to the learned silk.
“The position as of today, in law, is that the office of Chief Femi FALANA SAN is in full charge of the prosecution of the case.”
Meanwhile, Justice Adepele Ojo of Osun State High Court 1, Osogbo, had adjourned further hearing on the matter till April 25, after a no-case submission the defence counsel entered on behalf of their clients, failed.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday declared his intention to run for the presidential seat in the 2023 election, under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Below is his full declaration speech:
WHY I AM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, BY OSINBAJO
*My experiences, insights, opportunities must be used for Nigeria and Nigerians, VP adds
In the past seven years, I have served as Vice President under a true Nigerian patriot, a servant of the nation in war and peace, and a man of integrity, President Muhammadu Buhari.
We have, together, worked through some of the most difficult times in the history of our Nation, but we have remained focused on securing the country, providing infrastructure and growing our economy.
As stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution, our tenure will end next year.
In this period of seven years, I have served the government in several capacities, and have, at the direction of Mr. President, represented our country in sensitive high level international engagements. I have been to practically all local governments in Nigeria. I have been in markets, factories, schools, and farms. I have been in agricultural, mining and oil producing communities; in the Delta, in Kebbi, Enugu, Borno; Rivers, Plateau and Ondo; & in all other States of the federation, listening to the diverse experiences and yearnings of our people.
I have visited our gallant troops in the North East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps. I have felt the pain and anguish of victims in violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, flooding, fire and other disasters.
I have been in the homes of many ordinary Nigerians in various parts of the country. I have sat with our techprenuers in Lagos, Edo, and Kaduna, with our Nollywood and Kannywood actors; with our musicians, from Lagos, Onitsha, and Kano. And I have spoken to small and large businesses.
I stood where they stood and sat where they sat. I know their hopes, aspirations and fears; and I believe that in those hopes and aspirations are the seeds for the great Nigeria that we all desire.
I believe that the very reason why the Almighty God gave me these experiences, these insights, and these opportunities, is that they must be put to the use of our country and it’s great peoples.
Which is why I am today, with utmost humility, formally declaring my intention to run for the Office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.
If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I am given the opportunity, then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started;
*radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture,
*completing the reform of our justice system focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel,
*ensuring justice for all and the observance of rule of law,
*rapidly advancing our infrastructure development, especially power, roads, railways and broadband connectivity,
*providing an excellent environment for businesses to thrive,
*taking the agriculture revolution to the next level especially mechanization and developing the farm to table value chain
*making sure that the government, its agencies and regulators serve the business community,
*creating a tech economy that will provide jobs for millions;
*enhancing our Social Investment Programme to a full scale social welfare scheme,
completing the promise of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within this decade,
completing the task of ensuring that all Nigerians, male and female, attend school,
*reforming our educational system for relevance to the challenges of this century,
*completing the task of universal health coverage for all,
and
*strengthening the capacity of States and Local Governments to deliver on their respective mandates.
Above all, front and centre of our efforts will be the provision of jobs and opportunities for our young people.
I now most solemnly and respectfully seek the support of fellow Nigerians everywhere in this land, and the diaspora, young and old, male and female, in the great and exciting journey that we have ahead of us.
We will, working together, establish by the grace of God, the Nigeria of our dreams in a few short years. We will build on the foundation laid by our predecessors. We will need to move, with much speed, intentionality, and perseverance, towards the vision of a prosperous, stable, and secure nation.
I am convinced beyond doubt that we have the creativity, the courage, the talent, and the resources to be the foremost black nation on earth. Let us now birth the expectations of greatness conceived generations before us.
Let us build a Nigeria where the man from Nnewi sees the man in Gusau as his brother, where the woman in Warri sees the woman in Jalingo as her sister, where the love of our nation burns alike in the hearts of boys and girls
from Gboko to Yenogoa. Where everywhere, in this land, is home for everyone, where our diversities, tribes and faiths unite, rather than divide us.
Let our tribes become one tribe; the Nigerian tribe, where all are treated fairly, justly and with respect. Where all are given equal access to the abundant opportunities that God has bestowed on this nation. It’s time.
God bless and keep our Republic and its great people.
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN
Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Monday April 11, 2022
A bill seeking to amend the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (2013) and also outlaw cross-dressing in Nigeria has been introduced for first reading at the House of Representatives.
Referencing Section 4 of the same-sex Marriage Prohibition Act (2013) Honourable Muda Lawal Ulnar who sponsored the bill on Tuesday during plenary, proposed that cross-dressing whether done privately or publicly, should be prohibited.
He is also proposing 6 months imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 for anyone found guilty.
“A person shall be deemed to have committed the offence publicly where it is published or displayed publicly notwithstanding that it was committed privately or in any place that would have ordinarily been described as private. Provided that this section of this Act shall not apply to cross-dressing in the course of a stage play or in any bona fide public entertainment.
“That Section 5 is amended by inserting, after the existing sub-clause (3), a new sub-clause (4): That a person engaged in cross-dressing is guilty of an offense and liable to imprisonment for 6 months or to a fine of N500,000.
n addition, Hon. Ulnar is seeking for Section 7 of the Principal Act to be amended by introducing the word “cross-dressing and defining same as the practice of wearing clothes usually worn by a person of the opposite sex”.
A 25-year-old man identified as Muhima is to be married to his 85-year-old lover in spite of age difference between them. However, as far as Thereza is concerned, age is just a Number.
The great- grand mother of 8 children and 20 grandkids is the landlady of the apartment where Muhima and his friend rented.
Thereza and Muhima are set to take their relationship to a new level by getting married despite disapproval from the woman's kids and the man's friend Kakule.
The bridegroom told Afrimax in an interview that he had left his country Congo for another African country (undisclosed) with the sole aim of continuing his education at the university.
On how they fell in love, Muhima recalled an incident that happened .
"I remember one Friday when my colleague wasn't around, I was hungry and we had no food. I was very weak. And out of nowhere, the old woman brought me some food. She came and served me with too much care,'' he recalled.
According to him, this was one of the many attitudes of the woman he experienced that got him.
"The way she behaved and treated me pushed me to loving her. Though she is an old woman and in reality could be my grandmother, but so what! I love her."
Theresa said she is ready to risk it all for their relationship.
She said: "I am 85 years of age. I have 8 children and 20 grandchildren. According to my boyfriend's age, he could be my 5th grandchild. He loves me and I also love him. I am now ready to put on the wedding dress and ring."
A man on a Southwest Airlines flight was arrested and has been banned for life after allegedly masturbating at least four times during the flight.
Antonio Sherrodd McGarity was arrested in Phoenix when Southwest Flight 3814 landed at Sky Harbor International Airport.
According to an arrest document obtained by the Daily Beast, McGarity admitted the public masturbation and said he didn’t do anything wrong.
He added that he thought the whole incident “was kind of kinky,” according to the document, which gave only the man’s name.
Shortly after the plane took off, McGarity allegedly “exposed his penis by pulling down his pants and shorts and began masturbating,” the document said.
The woman seated next to McGarity reacted by taking pictures of him engaged in the act. After he fell asleep, the female passenger complained to a crew member about her experience and was allowed to move to another seat.
The woman later told Phoenix police officers that she saw the man masturbate four times using both hands. She also suspected he reached orgasm at least once since she saw him licking a white substance from his fingers.
McGarity allegedly admitting masturbating to orgasm to FBI agents and said he asked the woman who reported it if she minded him doing it. He said the woman simply put her hands in the air and said, “It really doesn’t matter.”
McGarity faces charges for lewd, indecent or obscene acts on an aircraft, according to Seattle ABC affiliate KOMO.
McGarity faces felony charges for violating obscenity laws, detectives said. He faces up to 90 days in prison and a $500 fine.
In addition, Southwest said it has placed McGarity on a no-fly list, which means he’s banned from traveling on the airline for life.
The Federal Government’s revised COVID-19 travel protocol for travellers arriving in Nigeria is expected to start from Monday 4th April, 2022.
Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee, PSC, on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, disclosed this at a news briefing in Abuja on March 21, 2022.
The new protocol explain that in-bound passengers to Nigeria who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to carry out COVID-19 PCR test before boarding Nigeria-bound flights.
Additionally, fully vaccinated passengers arriving Nigeria will not be required to carry out Post-arrival PCR test or a Rapid Antigen Test upon arriving Nigeria.
“Children below the age of 18 years will be accorded the same privileges as persons who are fully vaccinated,” the new protocol document said.
However, in-bound passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for COVID-19 will still be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure and undergo Days 2 and 7 post-arrival PCR tests at their own cost.
Meanwhile, all-inbound passengers, regardless of vaccination status, are expected to register via the online Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP– https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng).
All passengers travelling out of Nigeria are “encouraged to have evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19; comply with the COVID-19 guidelines of their destination or transit countries; and to familiarize themselves with the COVID-19 travel requirements of their destination and transit countries before embarking on the journey.”
Adeyinka Grandson, president of the Young Yorubas for Freedom (YYF) revolutionist has been jailed for four and half years by a United Kingdom court over his social media posts against some ethnic groups in Nigeria.
The west London man is accused and convicted for racial hatred with inflammatory messages encouraging violence in Nigeria.
Adeyinka Shoyemi, 45, of Powis Terrace in Notting Hill, first came to the attention of counter-terror police in March 2019 after members of the public reported his posts on a social network targeting particular ethnic groups in Nigeria.
The messages, posted by accounts under the name ‘Adeyinka Grandson’, were assessed by a specialist group of officers in the Met’s Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU).
They found the posts, which had commentary encouraging attacks against certain ethnic groups, were in potential breach of the law .
He was initially arrested at his home address in August 2019, with officers searching three properties linked to him and seizing various digital devices.
Shoyemi was initially charged with six counts of inciting racial hatred and he was released on bail with a condition not to post any more social media posts which were threatening, abusive or insulting to any ethnic groups. He was later rearrested for disregarding the bail condition.
Shoyemi was sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ behind bars on Thursday.
He was found guilty on November 30 of eight counts of inciting racial hatred after a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Our Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit – the first of its kind to be established anywhere in the world – was instrumental in identifying Shoyemi and his activity.
“Over the last ten years, the CTIRU has been at the forefront of getting harmful content removed from the internet, and detecting and investigating potential terrorist-related activity online.
“We continue to need the help and support of the public and I would encourage anyone who comes across material or posts that could be related to terrorism or violent extremist activity to report it to us, so that our specialist officers can take action where necessary.”
Justice Oyebola Ojo of the Osun State High Court, Osogbo has ruled that Hilton Hotel owner, Dr. Rahmon Adedoyin, and six of his workers have a case to answer over the death of a postgraduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke.
Counsel to the defendants which was led by Mallam Yusuf Alli, SAN told the court at the last sitting that the defendants do not have a case to answer because the prosecution failed to establish any case against his clients, which the prosecutor, M O Omosun opposed.
At the sitting on Wednesday, while dismissing the No case Submission, Justice Ojo said a prima facie case was established against all the defendants.
She said: “Evidence before the court states that Timothy lodged in the hotel owned by Adedoyin. Adesola who is the 7th defendant, the receptionist received the lodger.”
The court also held that wife of the deceased spoke to him while in the facility but he could not be reached afterward by the wife.
She called on the defendants to enter their defence.
K. Eleja said in view of the ruling, the defence would enter their defense but asked for time to prepare for the defence.
The case was adjourned till April 25, 2022 for opening of defense.
Chris Rock has decided not to file a police report against Will Smith after the actor hit him in the face onstage at the Oscars on Sunday .
Los Angeles Police Department officers on the scene at the event at the Dolby Theatre spoke with Rock soon after the ABC telecast ended, sources confirm.
In California, simple assault is categorized as a misdemeanor and the victim has up to six months to file a report. Will Smith could faced up to six months behind bars and a fine up to $100,000.
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the police said in a statement tonight. “The incident involved one individual slapping another,” they added. “The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
Seen by millions around the world, then Best Actor nominee Smith stomped up in front of a packed Dolby in the last hour of the 94th Academy Awards to whack the former Oscar host for a crack Rock made about Jada Pinkett Smith.
“Will Smith just smacked the sh*t out of me,” a stunned Rock said as Smith headed back to his front-row seat at Sunday’s ceremony. Rock joked about how Pinkett Smith should star in G.I. Jane 2. The Matrix actress suffers from alopecia, which causes hair loss.
While Oscar viewers saw Smith hit Rock, they didn’t hear any of the latter’s response as the ABC broadcast show bleeped out everything he said.
The audience outside of a stunned Dolby also didn’t hear what Smith said back, but one’s lip-reading skills didn’t have to be too advanced to figure it out. “Keep my wife’s name out your f*cking mouth,” Smith exclaimed from his seat. Twice.
Although Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry came over to speak with Smith, no one in the theater tried to remove the former Fresh Prince from the venue. Mere minutes later, Smith was back onstage accepting his anticipated Best Actor award.
“I want to apologize to the Academy,” he said with tears running down his face during a long speech. “I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees,” Smith added, quipping he hoped to be invited back. “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams ..love will make you do crazy things.”
Aberdeen University’s new Martina Chukwuma-Ezikerector has been paraded around the campus on a stuffed bull after her appointment as an administrator.
Martina was installed as Rector in a ceremony at King’s College Chapel, before being carried up on student mascot Angus the Bull.
This remarkable event started with academic procession representing civic, student and academic life in Aberdeen. University staff and students, along with representatives from the City and Aberdeenshire Councils, Incorporated Trades, alumni, and guests attended the ceremony in King’s College Chapel which included a performance from the University’s Chapel Choir.
She then took to the stage at Elphinstone Lawn to address students attending the University’s ‘Live on the Lawn’ event, which is being held to celebrate the University’s diverse student population.
Martina was voted in by students following an election in November and began her three-year tenure on 1 January. A University graduate, she is Chief Executive of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity, which she founded in 2009*
“I’d like to thank all those who worked alongside me and who voted for me in the Rector elections, as well as everyone who has worked tirelessly in making today’s ceremony a memorable experience for our students, staff, guests, myself and my family.”Martina said: “As a graduate of the University it is an honour to represent its students, and I look forward to working with AUSA and the student community to deliver on all the key issues raised in my manifesto, including mental health support, student safety and welfare, and employability skills.
Professor George Boyne, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “As a graduate, Martina has a long association with the University and with our students, many of whom have benefited from mentoring, volunteering and work placement opportunities through her leadership of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.
“I am delighted that she has returned to the University as Rector, and on behalf of the academic community I am pleased to welcome her to this important role.”
Alisa Koester, AUSA Student President, added: “We are thrilled to finally have a Rector in place to support and represent our students. Electing Martina shows us that students need a Rector that actively engages with the life, issues and concerns on campus and beyond. We are looking forward to working with Martina on improving student wellbeing and mental health.”
The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo has announced 30 percent cut in his salary and that of his ministers on Thursday.
The government said the slash became necessary in order to reduce spending as the country struggles with higher fuel costs from the Ukraine crisis and stalled progress on a new tax.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced that foreign travel by government appointees, except for critical missions, and the purchase of imported vehicles had been suspended with immediate effect.
He said the government hoped to save around $400 million through the measures.
Global fuel prices have hit all-time highs because of the Russia-Ukraine war, driving up costs of living and transport in a way that has hit West African countries like Ghana hard.
Ghana’s government is also struggling to raise domestic revenue as gridlock in parliament since last year has stalled the passage of a controversial 1.75-percent E-Levy tax aimed at bringing in additional funds.
“It is important to stress, right from the onset, that the difficulties we are facing in Ghana are not peculiar to Ghana,” the minister’s statement said.
“Governments in both developed and developing countries are busily coming out with various prescriptions to bring their economies back on track, after the devastating impact of Covid-19 which distorted global supply chains, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.”
Other measures include a 50-percent cut in fuel coupon allocations for all political appointees and heads of government institutions.
The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) said the decisions were inadequate.
“Our immediate response to the Minister of Finance is to state emphatically and unequivocally that he has lost touch with reality, he is not in-tuned with the state of the Ghanaian economy,” the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu told reporters in parliament.
Recent data published by the Bank of Ghana indicates that the country’s debt to GDP was 80.1 percent at the end of December 2021.
Neighbouring Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, is also struggling with the twin problems of an unstable power supply and the doubling of the cost of diesel that many businesses use to fuel generators which keep the power going during blackouts.
A black box from the crashed China Eastern airliner was recovered on Wednesday as investigators try to piece together what made a jet carrying 132 passengers nosedive into a mountainside in southern China.
A flight recorder “from China Eastern MU5735 was found,” on Wednesday Liu Lusong, a spokesman for China’s aviation authority, told reporters, although state media later said it was badly damaged.
The Boeing 737-800 is equipped with two flight recorders: one in the rear passenger cabin tracking flight data, and the other a cockpit voice recorder.
“At present, it is unclear whether it is a data recorder or a cockpit voice recorder,” that has been found, Mao Yanfeng, an official at the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), said according to state media.
The Boeing 737-800 plane went down near Wuzhou in southern China on Monday afternoon after losing contact with air traffic control.
The cause of the crash has yet to be determined. Most of the jet appears to have disintegrated upon impact, although some debris and human remains have been found.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2023. He declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.
If elected, Atiku promised to focus on unity, security, economy, education and devolving more resources and powers to the federating units. “We will operate a liberal economy that allows small businesses to grow through lower taxes for small businesses and low-income earners,” he said in a series of tweets. “Though we all have different lives and goals and desires we all want one future.
“Nigeria is a land of possibility. There is no challenging background that will make any Nigerian give up. I am a living witness to what is possible in Nigeria. “This time around is different; our journey will not end at the poll; we will get to work and rescue Nigeria. I invite every Nigerian to join me in this mission to save our dear country.
“I have never been this optimistic, and with your support and God’s grace, we will get to the promised land. I know as one, we can rescue Nigeria. I know as one, we can get it done.”
Fully vaccinated travellers coming into Nigeria will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test.
This is according to the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee, Boss Mustapha.
Mr Mustapha made the comment on Monday during a briefing of the PSC announcing a revision of International Travel Protocols.
Notwithstanding, passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, or do a Day 2 and day 7 test on arrival.
Such passengers, he said, will be expected to pay for their PCR tests through the Federal Government’s travel platform, while fully vaccinated passengers will not be charged for rapid antigen tests at the airport.
A revision of the Travel Protocol released on October 22, 2021 stated that Passengers arriving in Nigeria must be tested within 48 hours of departure for all travelers. Also, Self-isolation for 7 days for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers and a Day-7 post-arrival negative COVID-19 PCR test is required for exit from isolation
The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted the public on what it described as the "a sinister plan" by some elements to instigate violence in parts of the country particularly the North Central. Spokesman of the Security Service, Dr Peter Afunnanya, in a statement says, the aim of the alleged plot is "to cause ethno-religious crisis, ignite reprisals and heat up the polity".
Afunnanya also says the sponsors in a bid to precipitate the alleged violence, have mobilised foot soldiers and have held several meetings in and outside the target areas. He noted that the DSS is "also aware of a plot to use students, striking University teachers, labour unions, disgruntled individuals and strategic groups as well as exploit the global energy situation to carry out a mass protest like the ENDSARS. This is despite ongoing efforts by Government to address the issues.
"While the Service views the machination as unpatriotic, it is on the trail of the agents of destabilization who are desirous of using violence to achieve ulterior goals. Though it has emplaced measures to disrupt these tendencies, it warns the ring leaders and their cohorts to desist from acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
"The public should be rest assured that the Service will, in conjunction with other security agencies, go after the sponsors of this scheme and ensure the law takes it course. Citizens are advised not only to engage according to rules but should resist persuasions to be used to destroy their own country. "He further warns those who may wish to go contrary to the law will to desist otherwise face the wrath of the law.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Osondu Victor Igwilo, a suspect wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since 2018.
EFCC spokesperson, Wilson on Monday March 14 said Igwilo, 52, is the alleged leader of a criminal network of "catchers".
He made it known that the suspect was arrested alongside Okafor Nnamdi Chris, Nwodu Uchenna Emmanuel and John Anazo Achukwu at a studio in the Sangotedo area of Lagos.
They are accused of fraud, money laundering and identity theft to the tune of about $100millon.
The suspects allegedly perpetrated a scheme involving false promises of investment funding, impersonating United States bank officials in person and via the internet.
"Investigation revealed that those who fell victims of the suspects’ criminal activities were asked to make certain payments before they could receive their funding," EFCC said.
Proceeds were allegedly laundered through American bank accounts and diverted to the alleged culprits in Nigeria.
Igwilo was placed on the FBI watch list following a criminal complaint filed against him in the U.S. District Court, Houston, Texas, in December 2016.
"Following their arrest, five houses located in choice areas of Lagos were recovered from Igwilo. The suspects will soon be charged to court." Uwujaren added.
A US journalist, Brent Renaud, was shot dead and another wounded on Sunday in Irpin, a frontline northwest suburb of Kyiv, medics, and witnesses told AFP.
Danylo Shapovalov, a surgeon volunteering for the Ukrainian territorial defence, said one of the Americans died instantly and he had treated the other.
AFP reporters in Irpin saw the body of the victim.
Kyiv’s police chief Andriy Nebytov said Renaud had been targeted by Russian soldiers. Two other journalists were injured and taken to hospital, BBC News is reporting.
It is the first reported death of a foreign journalist covering the war in Ukraine.
Photographs are circulating showing a press ID for Renaud that was issued by the New York Times.
In a statement, the newspaper said it was saddened to hear of Renaud’s death but that he had not been working for the newspaper in Ukraine.
He last worked for the newspaper in 2015, the NYT said, and the press ID he was wearing in Ukraine had been issued years ago. It was not immediately clear who Renaud was working for in Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden authorized $200 million in additional military equipment for Ukraine Saturday, as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine and Russian forces are expanding their offensive.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday said that he had authorized $200 million in defensive assistance for Ukraine following a request from President Biden.
“I have immediately authorized today, pursuant to a delegation by the President, a fourth Presidential Drawdown of up to $200 million for additional military assistance for Ukraine’s defense," said in a statement.
"This package will include further defensive assistance to help Ukraine meet the armored, airborne, and other threats it is facing," he continued.Washington already authorized $350 million of military equipment on February 26 — the largest such package in US history.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s pleas for help have grown increasingly desperate, and he has repeatedly urged Washington, the EU, and NATO for help.
Russia is already warning to target supplies of Western weapons in Ukraine and that the pouring in of weapons would turn convoys “into legitimate targets.”
The latest US authorization of military aid comes two days after the US State Department ruled out proposals to send MiG fighter jets to Ukraine via an American base, saying Kyiv’s efforts to repel the Russian invasion would be better served by the supply of ground-based weapons.
Washington had previously authorized $60 million in military assistance to Ukraine last fall, followed by another $200 million in December for weapons and ammunition.
Biden has ruled out direct US action inside Ukraine, warning that the ensuing battle against nuclear-armed Russia would lead to “World War III.”
In a video message recorded outside his presidential office in Kyiv, President Zelensky appeal to the EU “do more” to help his country.
Nearly 100,000 people are eligible for student loan debt cancelation, the Department of Education announced on Wednesday.
The cancellations would apply to people who were affected by changes the agency made to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF) last year. In total, the cancellations would amount to almost $6.2 billion in student debt relief, according to CNN.
Under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, eligible borrowers working full-time for nonprofit or public organizations promised that their student loan debt would be wiped out after they pay on the debt over the course of 10 years. Meanwhile, only a small portion of people who qualified for the program were granted forgiveness prior to 2021, the news outlet noted.
Also, the program applied to those with direct loans, those who have consolidated into the direct loan program or those who submitted an application to the direct loan program while the waiver is in effect.
Yoruba Nation Activist, Sunday Adeyemo Ighoho Released to Yoruba Leader, Banji Akintoye, French Language Expert, Adeniran by the Benin Republic Government
Monday March 7th, 2022
Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Ighoho, has been released by the Government of Republic of Benin.
The Activist was released on Monday to a Yoruba Leader and Leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji Akintoye and a French Language Expert/ Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Wale Adeniran.
In a statement by the Communications Secretary to Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, Akintoye described the release of Ighoho as a Triumph of Truth over Darkness in Yoruba Land.
Details later
Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has been put on standby as Nigeria on Friday named their squad, which included Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2022 absentee, Oghenekaro Etebo, for the World Cup play-off against regional rivals Ghana later this month. The long-time absentee was part of the Super Eagles side that won the AFCON in 2013.
Leicester City forward Ademola Lookman was also included in the provisional squad. Nigeria take on Ghana at the 20,000–capacity Cape Coast Sports Stadium on March 25, with the reverse leg set for Abuja four days later. The winners from the tie will earn one of Africa’s five tickets to the World Cup finals in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.
Lookman has been cleared by FIFA to play for Nigeria after he represented England at various age-grade levels. He is one of three uncapped players selected by Nigeria, along with Calvin Bassey of Scottish champions Rangers and FC Copenhagen youngster Akinkunmi Amoo. The enlarged squad also includes Watford forward Emmanuel Dennis and striker Odion Ighalo, who were blocked by their clubs from featuring at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who missed the competition, was also invited.
Taiwo Awoniyi, Peter Olayinka, and Chidozie Awaziem, who all played at the recent AFCON, as well as long-term absentee Ogenyi Onazi, are on a seven-man standby list. The training camp opens in Abuja on March 21 with a 24–man final list for the two play-off games to be released at a later date.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia/CYP), Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs/RSA), Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam/NED)
Defenders: Semi Ajayi (West Brom/ENG), Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes/ESP), Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers/SCO), William Ekong (Watford/ENG), Ola Aina (Torino/ITA), Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers/SCO), Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia/CYP), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto/POR)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford/ENG), Joe Aribo (Glasgow Rangers/SCO), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City/ENG), Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford/ENG), Akinkunmi Amoo (FC Copenhagen/DEN)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk/TUR), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal/ESP), Victor Osimhen (Napoli/ITA), Moses Simon (Nantes/FRA), Sadiq Umar (Almeria/ESP), Odion Ighalo (Al-Hilal/KSA), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City/ENG), Emmanuel Dennis (Watford/ENG), Ademola Lookman (Leicester City/ENG)
Standby: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor/TUR), Jamilu Collins (Paderborn/GER), Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin/GER), Paul Onuachu (Genk/BEL), Peter Olayinka (Slavia Prague/CZE), Ogenyi Onazi (Al-Adalah/KSA)
A suspect searched for in a robbery operation on a Chicago train has been identified after his mother recognized him from publicized surveillance images and reportedly handed him over him to the authorities, according to reports. The suspect was identified as Zion Brown. He is an 18-year-old sophomore at Loyola University Chicago.
He has been charged with armed robbery after allegedly run off with about $110 in cash at gunpoint from a Metra train conductor Tuesday afternoon, CWB Chicago reported.
Brown’s mother recognized him and brought him to a police station in Culver City so he could peacefully surrender, according to details disclosed during his bond hearing, CWB Chicago reported.
As the train pulled into the station around 2:17 p.m., the suspect later identified as Brown, who was a passenger, “produced a black semi-automatic handgun and announced a robbery,” according to police.
During the course of the crime, police say he took cash from the conductor and fled on foot into the station. One of the photos shows the masked suspect with a weapon on the platform.
When police interviewed Brown, he reportedly said the weapon used during the robbery was a BB gun that he discarded in a nearby dumpster afterward.
During the bond hearing, Brown — who has no criminal record — was represented by a private defense attorney who argued his client was hungry and was simply looking for something to eat.
The lawyer asked the judge to remember her own days as a hungry college kid when setting bail, Fox reported.
Cook County Judge Maryam Ahmad said as a hungry college kid she herself would have never thought to rob someone. Hence, she granted the State’s request and ordered Brown held without bail, Loyola Phoenix reported, citing the Cook County State’s Attorney Office.
His next court appearance is scheduled for March 4.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempt by a syndicate to destroy the Nigerian economy by pushing $4.7 million fake notes into circulation.
The counterfeit US dollars totalling $4,760, 000.00 led to the arrest of a principal suspect, 42-year-old Abdulmumini Maikasuwa.
The seizure followed intelligence received by the FCT Command of the Agency detailing the movement of the cash and the vehicle conveying it.
Meanwhile, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has directed that both the cash and the suspect in custody be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further investigation.
Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday a fortnight after marking 70 years on the throne, but aides said her symptoms were “mild”.
The news comes after Prince Charles, the queen’s eldest son and heir, tested positive on February 10, two days after meeting his mother at Windsor.
No information was given then on whether Queen Elizabeth had herself taken a test. She resumed in-person audiences at the castle last week, but complained to one attendee of suffering from stiffness.
“Buckingham Palace confirm that the queen has today tested positive for Covid,” a statement from the palace said.
“Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week,” it said.
“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”
While normally secretive about the queen’s health, the palace has previously confirmed that she is fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Blessing Okagbare , Nigeria’s 2008 long jump silver medalist has been banned for 10 years for doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday. Doping an act or instance of giving a drug to an athlete or horse, so as to affect performance in a race or other competition.
The 33-year-old, who is also a sprinter, was expelled from the Tokyo Olympics last year before the women’s 100m semi-finals after testing positive for human growth hormone at an out-of-competition test in Slovakia on July 19.
The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years, five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and five years for her refusal to co-operate with the AIU’s investigation into her case.
The sole arbitrator also recognised the AIU’s right to carry out investigations, including the imaging of electronic devices, and to impose sanctions when an athlete refuses to co-operate with an investigation and thereby frustrates the AIU’s ability to execute its mandate to protect the integrity of the sport of athletics.
In this instance, the sole arbitrator concluded that the athlete’s refusal to cooperate had denied the AIU the opportunity to discover evidence of possible further rule violations by her as well possible violations of the rules by others, for which he imposed an additional sanction of five years.
“We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal; a ban of 10-year is a strong message against intentional and co-ordinated attempts to cheat at the very highest level of our sport. This is an outcome that was driven by our intelligence-led target testing as well as our commitment to investigate the circumstances behind a positive test,” said Brett Clothier, Head of the AIU.
On 07 October 2021, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had pressed charges against Ms Okagbare in relation to separate disciplinary matters. First, for the presence and use of multiple (two) prohibited substances (human Growth Hormone (hGH) and recombinant erythropoietin (EPO)) for which Ms Okagbare had been provisionally suspended on 31 July 2021, the day on which she had been scheduled to participate in the semi-finals of the Tokyo 2020 women’s 100m. Subsequently, in accordance with Rule 12 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, she was charged with a refusal to co-operate with the AIU’s investigation into her case.
The athlete has the right to appeal against the Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 30-days.
On 12 January 2022, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced the unsealing of a first criminal charge under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act against Eric Lira, a US based “naturopathic” therapist, who is alleged to have supplied performance enhancing drugs to athletes before the Tokyo Olympic Games. The sole arbitrator concluded that Athlete 1 named in the criminal complaint is Blessing Okagbare.
The criminal investigation in the United States is ongoing and the AIU is working closely with USADA to follow developments in the matter. The AIU is thankful to USADA, the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office for their contribution to the integrity of our sport.
An American research team reported that it has possibly cured HIV in a woman for the first time, A group of scientists presented some of the details of the new case on Tuesday at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Denver, Colorado.
She is believed to be the third person ever to be cured of the disease.
According to scientists, she was cured using a new transplant method involving umbilical cord blood that opens up the possibility of curing more people of diverse racial backgounds than was previously possible.
Cord blood is more widely available than the adult stem cells typically used in bone marrow transplants, and does not need to be matched as closely to the recipient, the Times reported.
“The fact that she’s mixed race, and that she’s a woman, that is really important scientifically and really important in terms of the community impact,” said Dr. Steven Deeks, an AIDS expert at the University of California, San Francisco who was not involved in the work.
n reply, please quote,
Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.4/79 Date: 14th February, 2022
The Director of News
…………………………….
PRESS RELEASE
POLICE ARREST DCP ABBA KYARI, 4 OTHER POLICE OFFICERS FOR ALLEGATIONS OF TAMPERING WITH NARCOTIC EXHIBITS, OFFICIAL CORRUPTION AND SUNDRY UNPROFESSIONAL INFRACTIONS
As IGP Orders Immediate Transfer of Case to NDLEA, Charges NDLEA to Investigate indicted officers of the Agency
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested DCP Abba Kyari and four other police officers for their involvement in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, discreditable, unethical, and unprofessional conduct, official corruption and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel. The arrest of the officers was sequel to pieces of information received from the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on 10th February, 2022.
In line with standard administrative procedure of the Force, the Inspector General of Police ordered a high-level, discreet, and in-house investigation into the allegations. The interim investigations report revealed that two (2) international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the 19th of January, 2022 upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917. The arrest led to the recovery of substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers. The operation which was intelligence-driven, was undertaken by a Unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Although the case and the two suspects were subsequently transferred to the NDLEA on the 25th January, 2022, the findings of the in-house investigation ordered by the Inspector General of Police established reasonable grounds for strong suspicion that the IRT officers involved in the operation could have been involved in some underhand and unprofessional dealings as well as official corruption which compromised ethical standards in their dealings with the suspects and exhibits recovered.
Beyond this, the Police investigation also established that the international narcotics cartel involved in this case have strong ties with some officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu who are on their pay roll. The two arrested drug couriers confirmed that the modus is for the transnational drug barons to conspire with the NDLEA officers on duty and send them their pre-boarding photographs for identification, seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with the narcotics being trafficked.
The two arrested drug couriers also confirmed that they have been enjoying this relationship with the NDLEA officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport since 2021 and had in this instant case of 19th January, 2022, been identified and cleared by the NDLEA officers as customary, having received their pre-departure photographs and other details prior to their arrival in Enugu, and were on their way out with the narcotics when they were apprehended by the Police.
The Police investigations report also indicted DCP Abba Kyari, who had been on suspension for his alleged involvement in a different fraud case being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), for complicity in the allegation of official corruption, tampering with narcotics exhibit and sundry unprofessional conducts that negate the standard administrative and investigative protocols of the Force as well as extant criminal laws. It is to be emphasised that DCP Abba Kyari’s involvement in these allegation occurred while his suspension from service was subsisting.
On the strength of the findings of the in-house Police Investigation Panel, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate arrest and transfer of all the indicted police officers to the NDLEA authorities for conclusive investigation, while appropriate disciplinary actions are also being initiated against them by the Force leadership. The concerned officers include DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, ASP John Umoru (at large), Inspr. Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu. They have all been, accordingly, handed over today 14th February, 2022 to the NDLEA authorities.
In so doing, the Inspector General of Police has also formally requested that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency should ensure the identification, arrest and investigation of the Agency’s officers who have also been found to be colluding with the international drug cartel involved in this case towards advancing the anti-narcotics agenda of the federal Government.
The Inspector General of Police assures the public of his administration’s commitment to upholding the tenets and values of policing in line with the agenda of ethical regeneration, restoration of professional standard, enhancement of the anti-corruption drive, respect for the rule of law and inter-agency collaboration in the drive to stabilise the internal security order of the country.
E-SIGNED
CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra
DEPUTY FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA
14th February, 2022
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has declared suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, wanted over alleged connections with drug trafficking.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi made the announcement during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
Before his suspension over links with convicted fraudster Ramon Abbas, commonly known as Hushpuppi, Kyari was the Commander of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigerian Police Force.
According to the NDLEA, he is wanted over his involvement in a 25 kilograms Cocaine deal.
The Agency said it declared Mr Kyari wanted after all efforts to get him respond to formal invitations failed.
On Friday, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan called on Americans to immediately leave Ukraine, warning a Russian attack “is likely to begin with aerial bombing and missile attacks that could obviously kill civilians.”
According to a security update emailed to U.S. citizens in the country.
“U. S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine, and those in Ukraine should depart immediately using commercial or other privately available transportation options.”
Armed robbers, on Thursday, attacked a bullion van at Idi Ape junction, near a private school in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Sources at the scene claimed that two police officers escorting the bullion van were killed during the attack.
The gunmen reportedly shot sporadically, scaring passersby while the operation lasted.
An unspecified amount of money was carted away by the robbers who forced the bullion van open after the attack.
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday banned the use of all forms of amplifiers at all motor parks across the State, warning that violators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka stated this during a joint press briefing held in conjunction with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), to enlighten the public about steps being taken to curb the menace of noise pollution in all Lagos Motor Parks/Garages.
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has emphasized its determination at ensuring a noiseless environment.
Atlanta fire officials said that a “firebomb” was thrown into the law office of Arrington & Phillips, LLP. at number 2200 Fairburn Road yesterday.
Fire crews were called to the building and a fire was extinguished. There were no reported injuries. The address is listed as the office for Arrington & Phillips, LLP. One of the partners, Marvin S. Arrington Jr., is also the Fulton County commissioner representing District 5.
Commissioner Arrington confirmed that his office was the target of the attack, according to WSB- TV, Channel 2 investigative reporter.
Arrington said a hired contractor was inside the building at the time of the attack.
“Apparently they walked up, they were behind the office, so apparently they left a gasoline can and they left a roll of toilet tissue and I assume they had left two or three, or some amount that started the fire,” Arrington told Lincoln. “So hopefully they will be able to find who did this.
Arrington said he didn’t know why his law office would have been targeted. He says they haven’t had any threats made or vandalism done to the property before.
The case is still under investigation.
An Amber Alert has been released for four-year-old Brayden Lee Dobbs. Friday morning, Anitritte Boyd Dobbs went to the home of her estranged husband, Lee Dobbs, on Bethlehem Church Road with an unknown male. A struggle took place and Lee Dobbs was shot.
Four-year-old Brayden Lee Dobbs was taken from the home after the shooting.
Anitritte Boyd Dobbs is a 42-year-old black female with black hair and brown eyes, she is 5’2 and weighs 165 pounds.
Brayden Dobbs has brown hair and brown eyes. He is about 3 feet tall and weighs about 40 pounds.
Neighbors state they think a black Dodge Charger left the scene shortly after the gunfire. Contact the Sheriff's Office at 770-646-2011 with any information about the whereabouts of Antritte Dobbs or Brayden Lee Dobbs.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Warwick police officer who exchanged marijuana for cash while on duty and in uniform.
On Jan. 28, Leon Mitchell, 32, was arrested on the following charges:
Two counts of sale/distribution of marijuana
One count possession with intent to distribute marijuana
Four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
Three counts of violation of oath of office
Two counts of use of a communication device during the commission of a felony
The GBI SWRDEO received information that Mitchell was selling marijuana while on duty and in uniform.
During the investigation, agents began obtaining marijuana from Mitchell in Worth County and in Lee County.
The investigation led to the arrest of Mitchell at the Warwick Police Department and a search of the vehicle Mitchell was driving.
Additional marijuana, scales and plastic bags were located in the vehicle. Mitchell is currently at the Worth County Jail.
The SWRDEO hailed the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Worth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Warwick Police Department for their supports.
The GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office in Albany services 42 counties in southwest Georgia and is partially funded with Byrne/JAG grant funds.
Tips can be submitted to the GBI by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.The GBI said the investigation is ongoing and will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office when complete.
Tesla is recalling 53,822 cars and SUVs in U.S. because their "Full Self-Driving"(FSD Beta) software lets them roll through traffic signals without coming to a complete stop.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the recall covers some 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, NHTSA said. The agency added it "maintains regular discussions with all manufacturers to discuss potential safety concerns of these types of systems."
Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said on Twitter "there were no safety issues" with the function. "The car simply slowed to ~2 mph & continued forward if clear view with no cars or pedestrians," Musk wrote.
NHTSA noted federal law "prohibits manufacturers from selling vehicles with defects posing unreasonable risks to safety, including intentional design choices that are unsafe."
Last week, Tesla said the number of FSD beta vehicles in the United States increased to nearly 60,000 from a few thousand at the end of September. Tesla has been testing the improved version of its automated driving software on public roads, but the carmaker and the regulator have said the features do not make the cars autonomous.
Tesla said as of Jan. 27 it was not aware of any warranty claims, crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the recall.
Tesla informed the auto safety agency it released on Oct. 20 an updated version to introduce the "rolling stop" functionality. The automaker said to use the feature vehicles must be traveling below 5.6 miles (9 km) per hour and no relevant moving cars, pedestrians or bicyclists are detected near the intersection.
The feature, which appeared to violate state laws that require vehicles to come to a complete stop and required drivers to opt-in for what it dubbed "Assertive" mode, drew attention on social media and prompted NHTSA to raise questions with Tesla.
The charge against a former southwest Missouri teacher for having alleged sexual contact with a student has been dismissed because she and the student have married, prosecutors said.
Baylee A. Turner, 26, was taken into custody in February 2019 with having sexual contact with a male student while she was in her first year of teaching English at Sarcoxie High School.
Nate Dally, an assistant Jasper County prosecutor, said the charge was dismissed because the marriage means the former student can no longer be compelled to testify against Turner, which makes prosecuting the case difficult, The Joplin Globe reported.
Turner has surrendered her state teaching license, which was the prosecutor's main concern, Dally said.
The US Mission has announced that it will start a no-interview visa renewal program in Nigeria.
The US mission in a statement on its official site explained that the initiative is essential for its continuous obligation to expand and innovate consular administrations notwithstanding the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statement on the US Embassy partly said, “The U.S. Mission will expand visa services to assist non-immigrant visa applicants in Nigeria who qualify to renew their visa.
“This new application procedure will begin in February at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos and will be extended shortly thereafter to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
“The number of qualified applicants who can apply using the new procedures will be limited initially.”
Conditions for qualification for the non-interview visa renewal include an application for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L, or C1/D (combined just) visa, according to Channels news site.
A former winner of Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst has died after falling from her high-rise apartment in New York City.
Cheslie’s body was found on the sidewalk just outside the Orion Condominium building in Manhattan on Sunday.
New York Department confirmed that her death was by suicide.
Her family also released a statement confirming her death.
The statement read: “Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed and she shined.
“Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney fighting for social justice, as Miss USA, and as a host on ExtraTV.
“But most importantly as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor and colleague, we know her impact will live on.”
Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha on Monday officially declared his intention to run for the presidency of Nigeria, saying that Igbos do not want to leave Nigeria.
Speaking during a World Press Conference in Abuja where he declared his interest in the post, he said the Igbos are the only people who have businesses across the different geopolitical zones of Nigeria. He said the stance of the Igbos runs contrary to the agitation championed by the Proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).
The lawmaker, who represents Imo West Senatorial District, said his leadership would usher in a new Nigeria where youths would be given the chance to develop their skills and contribute to the development of the country. According to him, his leadership will make education free for all Nigerian children to ensure that everyone is educated.
“My heart bleeds because of that boy in Maiduguri or Katsina that cannot go to school. I’m not satisfied when poverty becomes the order of the day. Many countries have tagged us as the poverty capital of the world, I do not agree,” he said. “The truth is that we are a great nation and time will come when it will be made manifest. To the youths, If I become your president, I will hand it over to the next generation. I’m not not-too-young-to-run and not too old to run, I’m only 57.
“We have 14 million out-of-school children. I will declare free education, it is something I have done.”
A woman is accused of killing a man whose body was found lying outside of his vehicle in a deserted parking lot near the infamous “Bissonnet track” earlier this month, Houston police said.
Ayriana Hamler, 25, was charged with the murder of 49-year-old Rotimi Olaleye on Jan. 8.
Investigators reviewed surveillance video from several businesses in the area, which appears to outline movements of the suspect and the victim.
According to court documents, at around 11:55 p.m, a black Nissan Altima driven by Hamler parked near a Chevron gas station located in the 9700 block of Bissonnet Street near Country Creek Drive. The area is known for high levels of prostitution.
Hamler is seen exiting the vehicle and walking toward the west end of the lot. Olaleye, who was in a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, drove up and parked in a dark alleyway near the gas station. He exited the driver’s side and entered the back left side of his vehicle, and Hamler got in on the right side, police said.
It was not known what happened between the two but, at some point, Olaleye exited his vehicle and fell to the ground.
When officers arrived to the scene, they found him unresponsive and pantless. He had been shot multiple times in the chest, according to documents.
Two .40 caliber shell casings were found on the back floorboard of victim’s vehicle, in addition to a bullet hole in the roof.
Upon further investigation, police identified Hamler as the suspect in the case. Charges were filed, but she remains on the loose.
Hamler was last seen wearing a black sweater with white spotted-designs, black underpants, and black high boots.
Records show she was previously arrested and charged with prostitution in 2021.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ayriana Hamler is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-
Atlanta police on Tuesday arrested a 22-year-old man in the shooting death of a 6-month-old baby.
Mayor Andre Dickens announced the arrest during a news conference Tuesday afternoon, praising police for their quick work in making an arrest. “They were all over the place asking and looking for clues," Dickens said. "They worked 24 hours nonstop until they resolved this issue and now a suspect is under arrest.”
Tips from the community, according to Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant, lead to the arrest of the suspect . Grayson Matthew Fleming-Gray was in the back seat when his mother told police the occupants of two cars starting firing gunshots. A bullet went through the trunk striking the infant. He was pronounced dead at Grady Memorial Hospital.
The mayor called on members of the community to advocate for people to put guns down and advocate for the resolution of conflicts by de-escalation.
“The issue of gun violence is gripping this nation and is gripping this city, and I’m here to say right now enough is enough. Enough is enough," he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday launched the National Policy on 5G for Nigeria’s Digital Economy. The President during the launch in Abuja counseled all security institutions to power the technology when deployed saying it will enhance security in the country.
He said the Federal Government will take full advantage of the opportunities that 5G provides for the economy, security, and well-being of the nation. The President allayed fears over the health safety of 5G, affirming that such issues have been “effectively addressed” in developing a Policy that suits the country.
On the benefits of 5G technologies, the President noted it can support virtually every sector of the economy, including enhanced connectivity, improved healthcare, support for education while fostering smart cities, and boosting agriculture, among other advantages. ”It will also support security institutions with real-time communication,” he said at the launch of the policy, which was presented and approved at the Federal Executive Council meeting on September 8 following a robust debate.
”5G technology is significantly faster than earlier digital technologies and it provides near real-time communication. This can play a key role in boosting our efforts towards enhancing security across the nation.
A stowaway was discovered in the wheel section under the front of a freight plane that arrived at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport from South Africa on Sunday, Dutch authorities have said.
The man had been hiding for more than 11 hours since the plan departed from Johannesburg, South Africa, according to a spokesperson at Schiphol airport and police. While the individual was not identified, officials said he is believed to be between 16-35 years old.
"We learned that a person was found having stowed away on a cargo plane at the airport's cargo platform, this morning," Schiphol Airport spokeswoman Willemeike Koster told CNN. The Dutch Royal Military Police is handling the situation, Koster said.
Airport ground crew first spotted something that looked like a person and immediately notified authorities. Upon reaching the scene, Dutch police and emergency services confirmed the man was alive but with a low body temperature, Royal Dutch Military Police spokeswoman Joanne Helmonds said.
"We were surprised upon finding this man but even more surprised at him being alive after the plane flew over 10,000 [kilometers] in very, very cold temperatures," Royal Dutch Military Police spokeswoman Joanne Helmonds told CNN.
The man was revived and stabilized at the airport and then transported to a hospital in Amsterdam, Helmonds added.
"When the man has recovered and cleared by the hospital, he will then be processed at the Asylum Seekers Centre (AZC) where his status will be determined if he indeed is looking for asylum," Helmonds said.
Cargolux, the Luxembourgian cargo airline the stowaway was aboard, declined to comment on the news until an investigation into th
A man was found dead Wednesday night in Charles County in a house containing more than 100 snakes.
According to the Charles County Sheriff's Office, a man called authorities concerned for his 49-year-old neighbor who he saw lying on the floor unconscious.
Detectives investigating the man's death said the man was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.
Authorities said more than 100 "venomous and non-venomous snakes of different varieties were discovered in tanks situated on racks,
"He does have a collection of venomous snakes that are illegal to keep in the state of Maryland. So, we're looking into how he acquired that and kept them inside the home," Charles County spokeswoman Jennifer Harris told WBAL-TV's sister station, WRC-TV. "Some of the breeds that animal control officers encountered included pythons, rattlesnakes, cobras, black mambas."
The trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu stalled on Tuesday after he objected to the fresh charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
The initial indictment was drawn up with seven counts of treasonable felony and terrorism, against him, increased to 15. But during his trial which held on Tuesday amidst heavy security presence, Kanu objected to the fresh charges. The court is now expected to reconvene on Wednesday, January 19, for him to take his plea.
Earlier in the day, one of the Lead counsels for the IPOB Leader, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, announced that Human Rights Lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), will now lead the delegation of lawyers representing Kanu.
Addressing journalists after the proceedings Ozekhome said: “I have consulted with my client with regards to the 15-count charge. Some of the statements made by him that were not clear, which I pointed out to the court, the prosecution has been able to give me a copy that is more legible. With that, we will take the next step. No one is running from a plea being taken. But the point we made today, which the court appreciated, is that you can’t take plea to counts that have not been given to you”.
In the meantime, Two different groups of protesters on Tuesday hit the streets of Abuja over the ongoing trial ,While the anti-Kanu group accused the IPOB leader of treason and called for a speedy trial, the pro-Kanu group demanded that it is within the rights of IPOB to demand independence from the Nigerian State.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched the enforcement of the ‘No Vaccination Card” restriction or “Proof-of-Negative-Test-Result” for entry into public facilities. The enforcement exercise which commenced on Monday comes more than a month after the Federal Government gave its own directive.
Security officers were noticed implementing checks at the gate of the FCTA Secretariat at Area 11 to ensure compliance. At 8:00 AM civil servants with vaccination cards were allowed access into the facility .
The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of FCT on Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr. Attah Ikaro, said the exercise became necessary to ensure that the spread of the infection in the FCT is curtailed.
He said the FCT did not begin enforcement on December 1st, 2021 when the Federal Government began its enforcement because it wanted to give time to the civil servants to get vaccinated.
A Nigerian lawyer, human rights advocate, Pelumi Olajengbesi, says there is nothing to rejoice over on the lifting on suspension placed on micro-blogging site Twitter by the Federal Government.
According to the lawyer, Twitter is beyond a social media platform but a money-making avenue for Nigerian youths who eke a living through content creating and sharing on the platform.
“Local digital communications firms and ingenuous Nigerian youths earn a living from the use of Twitter to post communications on behalf of their clients. Others who may not afford physical stores also rely on Twitter to give visibility to their products and services.
“But hundreds of youths lost this means of livelihood to the unjustifiable suspension of Twitter by the Federal Government in the last seven months,” Olajengbesi said in a statement on Thursday just as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari announced that it has lifted suspension on Twitter.
Recall that the Buhari government suspended Twitter operations in Nigeria on June 4, 2021, after the micro-blogging platform deleted a controversial civil war post by the President. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had “persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.
According to the NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool, Nigeria’s economy lost N104.02m ($250,600) every hour to the ban on Twitter as of December 2021. That is over N500bn lost within seven months whilst the suspension lasted.
Olajengbesi, who is the Managing Partner of Law Corridor in Abuja, therefore said, “The Federal Government should pay Nigerian youths and business owners who lost means of livelihood due to the seven-month suspension of Twitter in the country.
“The wastage is needless and the decision of the government is totally counterproductive. With Nigeria’s unemployment rate almost hitting 40 per cent, a government who cannot provide jobs for millions of employable youths yet cut off their means of livelihood is far from working in the interest of the citizens.
“The Buhari government must learn how to live with Nigerians and not adopt punitive measures as a tool of vengeance to inflict pain on Nigerians and violate the fundamental human rights of citizens.”
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has guaranteed Nigerians that its servers were not breached .
NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, gave the assurance in a statement on Monday amid reports that the agency’s server had been breached.
“Making this declaration in his new year message, the Director-General of NIMC, Engr Aliyu Aziz, said as the custodian of the foundational identity database for Africa’s most populous nation, NIMC has gone to great lengths to ensure the nation’s database is adequately secured and protected, especially given the spate of cyber-attacks on networks across the world,” said the statement by Adegoke.
“Over the years, through painstaking efforts, NIMC has built a robust and credible system for Nigeria’s identity database.” A hacker identified as Sam had on Monday claimed that he successfully found a bug on the NIMC server, saying it was easy for him to breach the server and access the personal information of millions of Nigerians.
Veteran Juju musician, Dayo Kujore, has passed away at the age of 63. The singer was confirmed dead at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja . A formal announcement is expected to be made by the family.
Born on April 4, 1958 in Robiyan, ,Ogun State to Pa Micheal Odejimi Kujore and Madam Esther Kujore ,the Soko music exponent had his elementary education at African Church Primary School and then proceeded to African Church Secondary School, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He later attended Soba Technical School Oju Elegba, Lagos before venturing into music.
Dayo 'Wonder Boy' Kujore, played alongside Sir Shina Peters and Segun Adewale in General Prince Adekunle’s band before going solo.
According to Sahara Reporters, a Closed Circuit Television installed at the Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Ile-Ife, Osun State has showed how a Master of Business Administration student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Timothy Oludare was killed.
The report affirmed that the CCTV camera allegedly revealed how the owner of the hotel, Chief Rahmon Adedoyin, his son, Raheem, and Adedoyin’s aide, Moshood, carried out the murder.
This was revealed by Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, in a video posted on his Instagram page on Friday, Sahara Reporters reports.
Oludare had lodged at the hotel when he came to write his examinations in OAU late last year before he was murder by the owner and staff of the facility.
He revealed that there will soon be a court case on the matter.
He amplified that among the four suspects, three had been declared wanted as it was only Adedoyin that was in the custody of the police.
He said, “They entered his room at 12 midnight. We have seen the CCTV but the police have taken them away. It was revealed that they entered by 12:00am. Who are the suspects that killed Timothy? Moshood who is like a personal assistant to Adedoyin and an accomplice was involved as CCTV showed he entered, then Adedoyin entered, and Raheem, the son of Adedoyin and managing director of the hotel entered.
“After some minutes, we saw that they went out of the room. As they went out, they wrapped Timothy’s corpse with a hotel duvet, and tighten it with a rope. They then put it in a big carton and tighten it again with a rope. They put his body in the boot of a car and drove out.”
Hamzat said as the police continued their investigation on the matter, the family will begin preparation for the burial of the deceased.
Meanwhile, The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is calling for transparency and justice, the union sounded “a note of warning to everyone involved in the investigation that NANS will stop at nothing to expose and fight anyone irrespective of how highly placed contemplating to pervert the cause of investigation or justice.”
The South-West Governors’ Forum has frowned at the ‘disrespect’ displayed by a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) who publicly defied the order of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which required he and his men to vacate the Magodo Phase 2 Estate area of the state.
Reacting to the incident which happened on Tuesday at the estate, Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu in a statement he personally signed, described the content of the video as disconcerting and unacceptable. “We are in possession of a video which has gone viral on the social media concerning the disgraceful exchange between a police officer, a CSP, and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, the supposed Chief Security Officer of the State, at the Magodo Residential Estate.
“The content of the video is very disconcerting, and this is being charitable. The utter disrespect, which underlines the response of the officer to the Governor establishes, beyond doubt, the impracticability of the current system, dubiously christened “Federalism,” Akeredolu said. The statement added that “We condemn, very strongly, this brazen assault on decency. We call on the IG to explain the justification for this intrusion. This is not acceptable. Any expectations of rapprochement between so-called federating units and federal security agencies are becoming forlorn, progressively, due to deliberate acts which mock our very avowal to ethics and professionalism.”
The governors condemned, “the role of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN in this act of gross moral turpitude.”
The former presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Bashir Tofa, is dead. Tofa died in the early hours of Monday at the age of 74.
A close relative of the deceased who confirmed the news to Channels Television said Tofa died at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital after a protracted illness.
Tofa was the presidential candidate of the NRC in the June 12, 1993 election. During the election, Tofa squared off against MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the presumed winner of the election. But the Babangida regime annulled the election.
Although the official results of the election were never released by Babangida’s government, Tofa was apparently defeated in the presidential election by his rival Moshood Abiola. Babangida was forced to step down in August 1993 after protests calling for the results of the election.
Born in Kano on June 20, 1947, Mr Tofa had his primary education at Shahuci Junior Primary, Kano, and continued at City Senior Primary School in Kano. From 1962 to 1966, he attended Provincial College, Kano.
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has appealed to countries across the globe to make recovery for people, the planet, and prosperity their resolution for 2022.
He made the appeal in his New Year message, stressing the need for countries to come together and make recovery for people and the planet their priority as the world continues to recuperate from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The world welcomes 2022 with our hopes for the future being tested by deepening poverty and worsening inequality … an unequal distribution of COVID vaccines … climate commitments that fall short, and by ongoing conflict, division, and misinformation,” the UN scribe lamented in an article published on Tuesday.
For him, these are “not just policy tests”, but “moral and real-life tests,” describing them as exams that all of humanity can pass “if we commit to making 2022 a year of recovery for everyone. Guterres, who went further to highlight how best the recovery should be done on each front, believes the pandemic requires “a bold plan to vaccinate every person, everywhere.
South African anti-apartheid icon, Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, has died in Cape Town. He was 90.
“The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement.
A tireless activist, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for combatting white minority rule in his country. Famously outspoken, even after the fall of the racist apartheid regime, Tutu never shied away from confronting South Africa’s shortcomings or injustices.
It was Tutu who coined and popularised the term “Rainbow Nation” to describe South Africa when Nelson Mandela became the country’s first black president.
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation has in the spirit of Christmas declared passenger trains across the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) system free of charge during the period.
According to a communique from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), this gesture is to enable Nigerians travel and celebrate Christmas.
The spokesman for the corporation, Yakub Mahmood, said passengers trains on both standard and narrow gauge lines, which include Abuja to Kaduna, Lagos to Ibadan, Warri to Itakpe, Kano to Lagos, Minna to Kaduna, Abba to Port Harcourt routes are now all free from today Friday 24th December 2021 to Tuesday 4th January 2022 inclusive.
The NRC also pointed out that all valued customers must be complied with but not paid, while COVID-19 protocols also must be strictly observed on board.
While wishing all Nigerians a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year, the corporation appealed to them to use the Federal Government’s kind gesture to pray for the country.
Meanwhile, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved free BRT rides for Lagosians, in celebration of the festive period.
In a statement by Kolawole Ojelabi, the spokesperson of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Lagosians are to get the free rides on Christmas and New Year days.
“Free bus commuter services would be offered to Lagosians on the Ikorodu to TBS, Oshodi to Abule Egba and Lagos Badagry Expressway BRT corridors on both days,” Mr Ojelabi said in the statement.
The Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, said the free commuter bus services were being offered to Lagosians in the spirit of joy, love and peace which the season of Christmas signifies.
“Mr Governor is convinced that the best way to end the year and begin a new one is with hope, having faced many hardships during 2021. Lagosians must therefore enter the New Year, which promises to change and improve commuter experience, in comfort,” she said.
Mrs Akinajo also said the state governor has assured the commencement of passenger operations on the first two phases of the state’s rail lines – Blue and Red lines in the state.
“He (governor) has demonstrated this commitment to the completion of both rail lines by sourcing funds for their completion and provision of rolling stock. What is therefore expected of us is to support him so that we are able to realise his vision,” Mrs. Akinajo said.
She urged those that will be taking advantage of the free rides to observe all extant Covid-19 safety rules and travel safe.
The Ooni’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, was quoted by Vanguard as saying, "This is not the first time such rumours had been peddled. There was a time it was reported that she left the palace and the next thing, she gave birth. So, the story is not true and it should not be taken seriously.”
Earlier on Thursday, the wife of Ooni of Ife Olori Naomi Silekunola, in a post on her Instagram page, said she will no longer be referred to as wife to the Ooni of Ife or as Queen of Ile-Ife but as the Queen of the people and mother of my adorable Prince.”
She explained that she tried to make her marriage work and smiled through the struggle, but realised that she had just one assignment which is her son.
“I bless the Lord almighty for His faithfulness in the last 3 years of my marriage. In life’s journey, it isn’t how far. Still, how well, indeed though satan should buffet if trials should come, I have this blessed assurance controlling all situations and saying to me it is well with my soul. Certainly, it is well. I made my journey into the ancient throne of Ife with faith in my heart and love for the keeper of it.
“Few impressions I would love to correct. If anyone knows otherwise, they are free to come up with facts. Let it be known that this decision to move on did not come because his majesty is married to another queen. As many would love to assume, throughout our life as a couple, I was the only married wife to him. There were side attractions, but it was never an issue.
“I never approached him with any revelation of any sort, as many believed he contacted me first and made his proposal known several months later.
“The marriage was not an arranged one, as many have misconstrued. I never knew the prophetess said to have introduced me to him. Instead, he introduced her to me after I agreed to marry him. I was only being polite out of respect for him.
“I have never been pregnant all my life before Tadenikawo; my son is my first ever pregnancy with medical reports to back it up. The girl who is said to be my daughter is my niece
“I did my best to endure and make it work; many times, I smiled through the struggle, but I have finally realised I had just one assignment, my son, and when God is done, He is done.
“He chose Saul to be king, and when He was done, He told the prophet Samuel I have moved on. Religion was never an issue between us; please refer to my interview on News Central TV. Instead, His Majesty has a picture he would love the world to see and perceive him as and another one which is his true self.
“Today I announce the beginning of a new dawn and the close of a chapter. Today, I am a mother to God’s unique gift. I am no longer a slave to my thoughts of perfection. I, at this moment, announce that I shall no longer be referred to as wife to the Ooni of Ife or as Queen of Ile-Ife but as the Queen of the people and mother of my adorable Prince,” she wrote
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the renewed killings by gunmen in Kaduna State. According to a statement signed by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity on Sunday, President Buhari, particularly condemned the gruesome incidents in Kauran Fawa, Marke and Ruhiya of Idasu Ward of Giwa Local Government Area, saying he was really saddened by them.
The President’s reaction came shortly after his return from Istanbul on Sunday. Bandits within the week had also killed residents in Zangon Kataf, Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Igabi and Kauru local governments of the state. He also extended his condolences to the Government of Kaduna State and the people in the affected local governments.
In addition, he also sent the nation’s condolences to the people of Zonkwa Chiefdom and the family of His Highness Nuhu Bature, the Agwam Kajju on his demise. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
Speaking further, President Buhari affirmed that the security forces have turned the heat on the terrorists who are getting frustrated and are soft-targeting innocent citizens, looting their assets, burning their homes and killing them indiscriminately.
A Georgia police department has advised families who have guns to secure their weapon after a deadly accidental shooting. A toddler found a loaded gun and pulled the trigger, killing a man in a Savannah residential area, according to police.
It happened Sunday, Dec. 5, and the victim was a 25-year-old man, Savannah Police Department said in a news release. “Officers responded to the 100 block of E. 64th Street around 5:30 p.m. for a shooting and discovered Dustin Walters suffering from a gunshot wound,” police said. “He was transported to Memorial Medical Center, where he died as a result of his injuries.”
Details of the shooting were not released until Dec. 14, when police revealed their investigation centered around a child. “The preliminary investigation determined that Walters was wounded when a toddler, who was just under 2 years of age, found and fired the handgun, striking Walters,” police said. Investigators are calling the shooting “accidental.” Police have not said what relationship Walters had with the 2-year-old, or who owns the gun that killed him.
“We grieve along with the Walters family,” Savannah Police Chief Roy Minter said in a release. “As a parent, I cannot imagine what this family is going through or will continue to go through in the coming years. What we want to make sure now is that parents are aware that although rare, these incidents can happen with tragic results.”
Also, In February, Gabriel Alexis Henderson, a 25-year-old mother of five in North Carolina, was killed after one of her children found a gun in her purse and accidentally fired, In April, Royal Gordon, an 8-month-old boy in Houston, died after his 3-year-old brother found and fired an unsecured gun.
Additionally, Lynn, 21, was on a zoom call in August, 2021 and accidentally shot and killed in Florida by a toddler who found an unsecured, loaded handgun, police said.
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced a dubious oil industrialist Dr. Vincent Ayigor, to a total number of 175 years imprisonment for duping an American, Joseph Crews, the sum of $629,287 in a crude oil supply scam.
The suspect was convicted after he was found guilty of all the 25 charges brought against him by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, Ayigor was arraigned, alongside his company, Vanyigor Concepts Limited, before Justice M. A. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on December 7, 2016, on 25-count charges bordering on conspiracy, uttering, forgery and obtaining money by false pretences.
Justice A. T. Mohammed, however, sentenced and convicted Ayigor on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.
In his judgment, Justice Mohammed found Anyigor guilty of all the 25 charges, convicted and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on each of the counts, totalling 175 which are to run concurrently from the date of arrest.
The court also ordered the convict and his company to pay the sum of $629,267.00 as restitution to the victim, Joseph Crews and Aumenta Holdings Inc of the United States of America (USA).
A New Zealand man received as many as 10 COVID-19 vaccinations in one day on behalf of other people, according to the country’s Ministry of Health.
It’s believed that the man was paid to get the shots under the names of other people .
In response to questions from Stuff, Astrid Koornneef, the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 vaccine and immunisation programme group manager, said the ministry was “aware of the issue”.
According to Stuff, the man visited several vaccination centers to get the shots and was paid to do so. The publication had already reported in October that people may have been assuming the identities of others and getting COVID-19 vaccinations on their behalf, in order to allow unvaccinated people to enjoy the same privileges as the vaccination.
"We are taking this matter very seriously. We are very concerned about this situation and are working with the appropriate agencies," said Astrid Koornneef, the New Zealand Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 vaccine and immunization program group manager.
It is unknown where, exactly, the man got his shots, but Koornneef recommended he should seek clinical advice as soon as possible.
Nikki Turner, a professor at Auckland University, told Stuff that there was no data on the safety of receiving so many vaccines in a single day.
“The Comirnaty vaccine, the one we’re using, is designed based on early clinical data that works out what’s the right amount to give a good immune response and to give a good safety profile, and we do know that a high dose vaccine creates more side effects.
“So this is definitely not recommended … we have no evidence as to what side effects somebody would have with this amount of vaccine.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has turned down the request for bail made by the detained suspect, Dr. Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin.
Adedoyin had, in an ex-parte motion, filed along with a fundamental rights enforcement suit prayed the court to admit him to bail pending the conclusion of an investigation by the police or pending the determination of his fundamental rights suit.
On the alternative, he asked that he be allowed access to quality medical facilities of his choice pending the conclusion of the police’s investigation and his possible arraignment.
Ruling after listening to Kunle Adegoke (SAN), who led a team of lawyers for Adedoyin, Justice Inyang Ekwo declined to grant any of the prayers.
Adedoyin is said to be the owner of the Hilton Hotel, Ile Ife, Osun State, where a Masters student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Timothy Adegoke was allegedly murdered, has been arrested for some time now for the murder.
In a supporting affidavit, Chief Segun Aworinde, who described himself as Adedoyin’s younger brother, said despite being informed that Adedoyin was hypertensive and diabetic, the police refused to release him or allow him access quality health facility since he was arrested on November 1
Aworinde said he knows “Adedoyin as an established industrialist and educationist and also a business mogul that owns several higher institutions of learning among which is Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife. He is around 65 years of age with business interests spread over the country.
He added that Adedoyin was “arrested on the 15th day of November 2021 by the respondent (IGP) and has since then been in detention in connection with some allegations bordering on the mysterious death and dumping of the corpse of one Timothy Adegoke who was said to have lodged in the Applicant’s hotel, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, situate, lying and being at Ile-Ife, Osun State.
“By my relationship to the applicant as aforementioned, I know as a fact that the applicant is hypertension and diabetes patient for over 15 years and has been on specialised drugs and treatments including but not limited to traditional herbs but to which he has not been able to have access since his incarceration by the respondent,” he said.
“On the 24’th day of November 2021, I returned to the Police Headquarters in Osogbo again and I got to know that the applicant had slumped earlier on that day but was luckily resuscitated and the ugly development warranted him to be taken to the Police Clinic situate at Okefia Area, Osogbo.
“Having been aware of these health issues/challenges of the applicant, I made a frantic effort to appeal to the respondent to allow the applicant to be taken to a hospital with relevant equipment and facilities for proper medical care and attention but the respondent claimed that investigation in the case against the applicant was still ongoing and refused the request.
“All appeal/efforts made to the respondent to release the applicant on bail or be allowed to have access to quality medical facilities proved abortive as the respondent claimed that the matter is still under investigation and as a result of that, could not grant such a request.
“Despite the health situation of the applicant and notwithstanding the absence of any charge pending against him, the respondent directed his officers to transfer the applicant from the custody of the Police in Osogbo to its Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abuja where the applicant is currently being detained.
“I know as a fact that the applicant, a chieftaincy title holder in Ile-Ife, is not a flight risk having established one university and one polytechnic in Osun State, with several other investments all over the country and the applicant is ready and withing to stand his trial at all material times if the respondent eventually establishes a prima facie case against him.
Justice Ekwo ordered Adedoyin to serve the motion and other processes in the case on the sole respondent – the Inspector General of Police (IGP) – and adjourned till December 9 for hearing.
Dr Kayode Ajulo, lawyer to the father of late Timothy Oludare, who died at Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun has urged the Nigerian Police to declare Dr Rahman Adedoyin’s son, Mr Raheem Adedoyin wanted over the murder.
Raheem , the fugitive son of the owner of Hiltons Hotels and Resorts, Ile-Ife arranged how OAU post-graduate student Timothy Adegoke’s corpse was evacuated and thrown into the bush.
Ajulo in a statement on Thursday, in Abuja said Adedoyin’s son should be declared wanted for his alleged ignominious and gruesome acts in the murder case.
He said it was curious the intriguing statement made by the Osun State Commissioner of Police, wherein Dr Adedoyin’s son was identified as the one who dumped the corpse of the late Adegoke in the bush.
“Considering the circumstances of the murder of Oludare, the law enforcement agency ought to exert energy in arresting Adedoyin, who is allegedly at large.
“Now that the Police know so much, it is time to start asking more questions: Why has Raheem Adedoyin not been declared wanted and an intelligence team churned out to arrest him?
“Why would the hoteliers broke into the Late Timothy Adegoke’s room on the first night when he actually paid for two nights at the hotel?
“Why have not the suspects been charged before a Court of Competent record as prescribed by the Constitution,” he asked.
Houston Police have confirmed that evidence from checks recovered from a wall inside Lakewood Church last month hints they are connected to March 2014 theft from the Joel Osteen - led ministry reported to have been about $600,000.
A large amount of money – including cash, checks and money orders was found inside a wall while renovation work was being done at the church.
Lakewood says members immediately contacted the Houston Police Department.
HPD confirmed on Friday that officers were called to the church at 3700 Southwest Freeway on Nov. 10 around 2:30 p.m. for a report of property discovered in the building.
In a tweeted statement, HPD says "Burglary and theft officers responded and began investigating. An undisclosed amount of money was inventoried, documented and left in the custody of Lakewood Church since it was property found on its premises."
In March 2020, Babatunde Glorious and Shola Akawo were tried at the orderly room in ‘A’ Division at Kwara State Police Command for allegedly extorting a crime suspect. They were subsequently dismissed from the police even though the allegations against them were not established with evidence.
However, they have narrated how they were falsely accused of fraud and dismissed for refusing an N8 million bribe to compromise a case.
One of the officers, Glorious said that he was unjustly dismissed from the force for refusing to compromise an armed robbery case after he was offered the money from a “top senior police officer”.
Narrating the incident to Punch, he pointed out that in December 2018, one Dr Abdulrazak Omawumi came to their office to lodge a complaint about the theft of his car and other valuables on which they began investigation.
He said, “2019, August, we saw the signal, we saw the location of the vehicle and the location of the vehicle was reading Keffi, Nassarawa State.
“We called the doctor to inform him of the location of his stolen vehicle. He came, we told him the location of the vehicle and he agreed to follow us to Nassarawa State.”
Akawo, the other officer said that when they got to the Nassarawa with the complainant, they recovered the doctor’s car and four other cars stolen by the same suspects.
The suspects were arrested and taken to the Kwara State Police Command. It was there the dismissed officers were approached by a serving police officer under communication Ajibola Tawa.
She allegedly said the arrested suspects were her brothers and the former officers should try and help her.
Akawo said that “On getting to the cell to feed the suspects, I met Tawa Ajibola, woman sergeant serving in communication along with Supa Ali Abdulkaduri ASP, serving in state CID who is now the OC in Ajadi’s farm in Ilorin, the gang leader discussing with the suspect, John Okpabile in the cell.”
He said he reported the insincere officers to Okasanmi Ajayi, SP who is the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO of the Kwara State Command.
The PPRO reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun who immediately ordered the arrest and detention of the erring officers.
The PPRO further ordered Akawo and another police sergeant to accompany Abdulkaduri to arrest the gang leader of the robbers, one Ajadi in Ilorin.
This arrest was not successful because Abdulkaduri joined the suspect in his car and drove to unknown location.
The next day, however, the two dismissed officers were invited by Abdulkaduri, Tawa and another officer simply identified as Kola to a meeting where they were allegedly offered 8 million naira.
The ex-officers reported the matter and the bribe offer to the PPRO.
It was at this point that one Aleyole Adeboyega, the assistant commissioner of police personally requested the transfer of the case to him.
Adeboyega also allegedly invited Glorious and Akawo and asked them what they wanted for the case.
Akawo said, “We told him, sir, you are our boss, you are our oga, this is a case of car theft which those guys usually used military uniforms to rob and snatch cars from innocent Nigerians.”
Adeboyega allegedly replied that since the doctor’s car has been recovered, the car should be restored to him.
He also added that the other recovered cars should be given back to the robbery suspects and that the suspects be released. Glorious and Akawo declined.
Two days later, AC Adeboyega requested the total transfer of everything pertaining to the case to his office, this included the suspects, recovered cars, all exhibits etc.
Then CP Kayode Egbetokun however instructed this order to be disregarded after the matter was reported to him through the PPRO, Okasanmi Ajayi, Akawo said.
A week later, the dismissed officers were invited, Glorious was arrested and alleged to have converted the phone of a suspect to his personal use.
A visibly infuriated Glorious asked, “How? Did I remove the suspect’s SIM from the phone? Did I use it to make call? Or did they even recover the phone from my hand? Why? Why lie because you want to achieve your criminal act?”
The next day, Akawo was invited from Lagos to Ilorin. When he got to the office, he was detained while Glorious was released.
Glorious was however returned to the cell with Akawo where they were allegedly handcuffed, tortured for 15 days in the presence of their former suspects.
Akawo said “For 15 good days, our families were not allowed to see us. I don’t know that doing the right thing is an offence in the Nigeria Police Force.”
At this point, Sergeant Tawa allegedly threatened the dismissed officers that if they did not want to be mourned by their family and friends, they should “desist from the armed robbery case” otherwise they will be dismissed by the ACP Adeboyega who was in charge of administration.
The dismissed officers were allegedly shown a text message from ACP Oleyele that instructed that they be dismissed at all costs and that their witness in the robbery case be prevented from testifying.
They were subsequently issued their letter of dismissal.
After their dismissal, ACP Adeboyega allegedly invited Akawo and Glorious to his office where he bragged that he was in charge of the command and that no matter where they go, nothing can be done to him.
The PPRO invited the dismissed officer that the CP wanted an audience with them which they rejected as according to Akawo, they did not trust the police system anymore.
Akawo urge the Inspector General of Police IGP, Usman Alkali Baba to assign another investigator to the two cases .
A businesswoman in transit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja for ingesting 80 pellets of cocaine.
A statement issued by NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi on Monday said the 46-year-old Mrs. Adisa Afusat Olayinka who lives in Ibafo, Ogun state hails from Ilorin, in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara state.
"She was arrested on Wednesday, 24th November at the boarding screening area of the airport during an outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight 1418.
“She was subsequently taken into custody where she excreted 80 pellets of the illicit drug between Wednesday and Saturday, 27th Nov,” Babafemi said.
He said Olayinka claimed during interviews that she saved N2.5 million over a period of one year to buy the drugs in bits from six different people at Akala, Mushin area of Lagos.
“The suspect further said she was trading in clothes but had to borrow N1 million from three persons to make up the money used to buy the drugs, adding that she spent another N1 million to renew her passport, visa and buy return flight tickets.
"She said she was encouraged to traffic the drugs by a woman she met during her last Umrah trip to Saudi Arabia in 2019. She added that she needed to raise N7 million for In Vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment due to pressure from people because she’s been married for 28 years without a child due to fertility challenges,” Babafemi said in the statement.
While commending the officers and men of the NAIA commands for their vigilance and steadfastness, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa urged them to always stay two steps ahead of the drug cartels.
A 32-year-old drug trafficker based in Liberia, Maduabuchi Chinedu, has been arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Maduabuchi was arrested with 9.30 kilograms of cocaine worth over N2.7 billion in street value. The suspect, who hails from Obaha Okigwe village, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo state, lives in Liberia where he works as a miner.
He was arrested during an inward joint search of Ethiopian Airlines flight 911 at the Abuja airport on Wednesday with 9.30kg cocaine with each pellet wrapped in candies wraps and concealed in his luggage.
During his preliminary interview, Maduabuchi stated he left Nigeria in 2018 to settle in Liberia where he now has a residence permit. Notwithstanding, He argued that economic pressure and the need to raise money to treat his mother for an eye problem led him to seek help from a friend in Liberia.
According to him, the friend introduced him to another friend based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia who eventually gave him the drug to deliver in Abuja for a fee of N1 million.
Members of the jury in Georgia have reached a verdict in the trial of the three men accused of killing 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery in the Satilla Shores neighborhood on February 23, 2020.
Travis McMichael has been found guilty on all nine charges. Gregory McMichael has been found not guilty of malice murder, but guilty on the other eight charges. William “Roddie” Bryan has been found guilty on six of the nine charges.
The charges for all three men is as follows:
COUNT TRAVIS MCMICHAEL GREGORY MCMICHAEL WILLIAM “RODDIE” BRYAN
1 - MALICE MURDER GUILTY NOT GUILTY NOT GUILTY
2 - FELONY MURDER GUILTY GUILTY NOT GUILTY
3 - FELONY MURDER GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY
4 - FELONY MURDER GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY
5 - FELONY MURDER GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY
6 - AGG. ASSAULT GUILTY GUILTY NOT GUILTY
7 - AGG. ASSAULT GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY
8 - FALSE IMPRISONMENT GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY
9 - CRIM. ATTEMPT TO COMMIT FELONY GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has insisted that nobody died during the #EndSARS protest at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State in October 2020.
Mr Mohammed said this on Tuesday while addressing a news conference in Abuja. He also described the report circulating online as fake.
His comments come a week after the judicial panel probing allegations of police brutality in Lagos State submitted its findings to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
One of the reports was on claims of police brutality while the other was on the shooting in the Lekki area of Lagos State on October 20, 2020, said to have killed and injured several protesters.
The minister emphatically, said: “We reject the notion that our soldiers and policemen massacred innocent Nigerians at the Lekki Tollgate”.
He also demanded relatives of the victims to come forward with evidence, saying that “any parent who is afraid to testify about the death of his or her child is not worthy to be called a parent".
Below is the full text of his speech.
TEXT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE HON. MINISTER OF
INFORMATION AND CULTURE, ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED, IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY NOV. 23RD 2021 ON THE REPORT OF THE LAGOS STATE JUDICIAL PANEL OF INQUIRY AND RESTITUTION TO INVESTIGATE CASES OF POLICE BRUTALITY AND THE INCIDENT OF OCT. 20TH 2020 AT LEKKI TOLL GATE
Good morning gentlemen,
-
It’s no longer news that the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry that investigated cases of police brutality as well as the incident of Oct. 20th, 2020, at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos has submitted its report. The submission happened whileI was out of the country on national assignment. Unlike many commentators and analysts, we took our time to read and digest the report, and we are now well placed to respond.
-
Without mincing words, let me say that never in the history of any Judicial Panel in this country has its report been riddled with so many errors, inconsistencies, discrepancies, speculations, innuendoes, omissions and conclusions that are not supported by evidence. What is circulating in public space is simply a rehash of the unverified fake news that has been playing on social media since the incident of Oct.
20th 2020. It is simply incredible that a Judicial Panel set up to investigate an incident has submitted a report laden with allegations, the same allegations it was set up to investigate in the first instance. Instead of sitting for all of one year, the panel could have just compiled social media ‘tales by the moonlight’ on the incident and submitted, saving taxpayers’ funds and everyone’s time. That report is nothing but the triumph of fake news and the intimidation of a silent majority by a vociferous lynch mob. -
Gentlemen, we have read some critical analysis of the report by a courageous few. One commentator, a lawyer, said it raised more questions than answers. Another commentator, a journalist, called it a ‘disgraceful report by a disgraceful panel’, saying it reported allegations instead of investigating the allegations. Yet another wondered how a Judicial Panel could use the words ‘massacre in context’ and equate such to a massacre. All these and many more have raised valid questions on that report. We salute their courage and refusal to be cowed by the rampaging lynch mob that has been screaming blue murder since the report was released.
-
We do not intend to bore you by rehashing details of the discrepancies, innuendoes, inconsistencies and errors in that report. They are already in the public space. Let us, however, point out some key highlights of such discrepancies, errors, omissions, etc.
i) – The report threw away the testimony of ballistic experts who testified before it. The experts said, inter alia, in their testimony:
”The Team finds that from the medical data examined, including the
timeline of arrival at medical facility and the nature of the injuries
sustained by the Victims, who were taken to the 5 medical facilities,
that no military grade live ammunition (high-velocity) was fired at
the protesters at Lekki Tollgate on 20th October 2020, within the
timeframe of reference (18.30- 20.34hrs). That the GSW (Gun Shot
Wounds) injuries (4 in number between 19:05 and 19:45 hrs), which were
examined by the Team, can be safely identified as being discharged by
either low velocity caliber and/or artisanal/12-gauge firearms
(artisanal firearms are locally-fabricated weapons). What is however
certain is that had the military personnel deliberately fired military
grade live ammunition directly at the protesters; there would have
been significantly more fatalities and catastrophic injuries
recorded. This was clearly not the case.’’
i) – The same panel that said it deemed as credible the evidence of the Forensic Pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa, that only three of the bodies on which post mortem were conducted were from Lekki and only one had gunshot injury went on to contradict itself by saying nine persons died of gunshot wounds at Lekki!
iii) – The man whose evidence (that he counted 11 bodies in a military van where he was left for dead before he escaped) was found to be crucial by the panel never testified in person. Rather, the video of his ‘testimony’ was played by someone else. It did not occur to the panel to query the veracity of the testimony of a man who said he was shot and presumed dead but still had time to count dead bodies inside a supposedly dark van at night!
iv) – The panel said trucks with brushes underneath were brought to the Lekki Toll Gate in the morning of Oct. 21 2020 to clean up bloodstains and other evidence, but still found bullet casings at the same site when it visited on Oct. 30th 2020. It said soldiers picked up bullet casings from Lekki Toll Gate on the night of Oct. 20th 2020, yet claimed that policemen came to the same spot to pick the same bullet casings on Oct. 21st 2020!
v) – The panel was silent on the family members of those reportedly killed, merely insinuating they were afraid to testify. Even goats have owners who will look for them if they do not return home, not to talk of human beings. Where are the family members of those who were reportedly killed at Lekki Toll Gate? If the panel is recommending compensation for the families, what are their identities and addresses? Who will receive the compensations when no family members have shown up to date?
vi) – How did a man who reported seeing the lifeless body of his brother himself ended up being on the list of the panel’s deceased persons?
vii) – How can a Judicial Panel convince anyone that the names of some casualties of the Lekki Toll Gate incident listed as numbers 3 (Jide), 42 (Tola) and 43 (Wisdom) are not fictitious names.
viii) – Why did the Judicial Panel feel compelled to concoct a ”massacre in context” as a euphemism for ”massacre”? A massacre is a massacre. What is ”massacre in context?”
x) – The report never mentioned cases of police personnel who were brutally murdered or the massive destruction of police stations, vehicles, e.t c during the Endsars protest. Does this mean that the panel didn’t consider policemen and women as human beings?
x) – The report didn’t make any recommendation on the innocent people whose businesses were attacked and destroyed during the protest in Lagos. I think it was too busy looking for evidence to support its conclusion of ‘massacre in context’.
- It is clear, from the ongoing, that the report of the panel in circulation cannot be relied upon because its authenticity is in doubt. Besides, the Lagos State Government, being the convening authority, has yet to release any official report to the public.
Neither has the panel done so. The cowardly leakage of an unsigned report to the public is not enough. Assuming the report in circulation bears any iota of genuineness, it is basic knowledge that the report of such a panel is of no force until the convening authority issues a White Paper and Gazette on it. It is therefore too premature for any person or entity to seek to castigate the Federal Government and its agencies or officials based on such an unofficial and unvalidated report.
- CNN AND OTHERS
The CNN has been celebrating the leaked report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry. In its rush to claim vindication, CNN apparently didn’t even read the report before rolling out the drums in celebration. By that action, CNN has celebrated prematurely and has now committed a double faux pas: First, by relying on unverified social media stories and videos to carry out an investigation of the Oct. 20th 2020 incident at Lekki, where it did not have a correspondent on ground.
CNN goofed in its report on the findings of the panel, which fell below the main standards of journalism. Secondly, CNN rushed to the air to celebrate an unsigned and unverified report that is riddled with inconsistencies, errors, discrepancies, innuendoes. That’s double faux pas by a news organization that is eager and willing to compromise standards just to claim vindication.
- Sadly, a section of the Nigerian media has also joined the lynch mob. Honestly, in an attempt to vilify government at all costs, they have done themselves a great disservice. How can any news organization worth its salt write an Editorial validating this kind of report? Are they not seeing what others, including journalists and lawyers, are seeing? In a shocking twist, a Nigerian newspaper chose to hail what it calls ‘’detailed investigative report’’ by CNN, even when the news channel did not even cover the incident of Oct. 20th 2020! It’s a classic case of cutting your nose to spite your face.
9 CONCLUSIONS
i) – Gentlemen, there is absolutely nothing in the report that is circulating to make us change our stand that there was no massacre at Lekki on Oct. 20th 2020. For us to change our stand, a well-investigated report of the incident that meets all required standards and will withstand every scrutiny must be pro
An unidentified body has been found on an electricity pole in the Kobape area of Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. The corpse was discovered on Sunday by residents.
No one could say why the man decided to climb the pole as he was not an official of an electricity-generating or distribution company.
“We woke up this morning to see the corpse of a man on the electricity pole. The death of the man is mysterious. We didn’t know how he died. Maybe he wanted to commit suicide or he wanted to steal cables, only God knows,” a resident, who craved anonymity, said.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, has confirmed the incident to newsmen.
When he was contacted, Oyeyemi said the man had attempted to steal electricity cables, dispelling rumour that he was on a suicide mission.
“The man climbed the pole, possibly he wanted to steal the wires. I don’t think he wanted to commit suicide, because he has cut some of the wires. If he wanted to commit suicide, he only needed to climb the pole and hold the naked wire. But, according to the information at my disposal, he has cut some of the wires. Maybe there was a sudden power supply when he was cutting the cables,” Oyeyemi said.
The spokesperson revealed that the corpse has been removed by the police, adding that the case is still being investigated.
The owner of Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Mr Rahman Adegoke Adedoyin and his worker, Ms Adedeji Tobiloba Adesola have been accused of being involved in the disappearance of one Mr Adegoke Timothy Oludare.
(1) The lady receptionist who had earlier denied admitting the young guy into d hotel confessed after the payment was traced to her account
(2) the lady also confessed that their Chairman had hand in the brutal ritual killing
(3) the lady supposed to close at 12noon but called another staff to take over duty at 8am, that she had emergency call at Ejigbo. Her phone was tracked and eventually picked up by d police. She then pleaded with the police that she was ready to confess everything that happened
(4) It was at her instance that all principal actors were mentioned and apprehended, including the Chairman of the hotel.
(5) Contrary to earlier report that an herbalist from Ejigbo was involved. No please. The Manager "4", who is also one of the principal staffs of the hotel is an Alfa/ritualist and probably been used by the Chairman to carry out their evil plans. He had also confessed and in police net with 6 others
(6) The lady receptionist is on N200,000.00 monthly salary, salary that Eko Hotels or Sheraton cannot pay if not for her involvement in ritual killings
(7) The young man was suspected to have been strangled to death in his hotel room
(8} His body was wrapped with hotel blanket and bed sheet and buried at the upper side of the hotel in Ife (contrary to earlier report that he was found around Ejigbo), the Dustbin arena and reliable sources said that spot has been the burial ground for various victims
(9) The body of the man was exhumed and already taken to Ife teaching hospital for proper examination
(10) Sources said that the Chairman had involved in ritual killings in the hotel numbering about 6 but was covered
(11) One deputy commissioner of police from Osogbo Command supervised the body removal where he was buried.
(12) Please recall that the hotel initially denied of ever seeing him. Even his wife had given his previous lodgment receipts to the police. He always lodged there during the previous MBA exams.
“What we know, as Timothy’s loved ones, is that his body had been tampered with when it was brought out. We, however, would not want to go into details until the autopsy report comes out,” a relative of the deceased, said.
The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olawale Olokode, on Wednesday disclosed that the founder of Oduduwa University and Ife Prince, Dr Rahmon Adedoyin, has been arrested in connection with the mystery death of a masters degree student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife, Timothy Adegoke.
The Command’s spokesperson, Mr. Yemisi Opalola, in a statement said Prince Adedoyin is also the chairman of Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Ile-Ife, where the deceased was said to have lodged upon his arrival from Abuja.
According to him, the suspect was arrested in connection with the death of the OAU student who came from Abuja to sit for his examination at the OAU Distance Learning Centre, Moro, Osun State.
“In addition to the six suspects earlier arrested, the chairman of Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Ile-Ife, Dr Ramon Adegoke Atobatele Adedoyin was also arrested on 15th November 2021.
“He is currently in Police detention, undergoing interrogation in connection with the case while awaiting the autopsy report from the hospital,” the statement added.
The police commended the university’s management and family of the deceased for giving a chance to investigate the matter, promising that justice will be served.
It urged the public to continue to support the police and allow the security to conclude the ongoing investigation.
It will be recalled that late Timothy Adegoke Oludare, a Chartered Accountant from Eruwa, Oyo State, was declared missing penultimate week since he checked in at the hotel owned by Prince Adedoyin on Friday, November 5 preceding his examinations scheduled for Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7.
Oludare was noticed missing when his wife could not reach him on the phone. Meanwhile, he had earlier contacted his wife to inform her that he was staying in a hotel.
Following a police investigation, money paid by Oludare for lodging was traced to one Adedeji Tobiloba Adesola, who works in the hotel.
Sources, however, alleged that Prince Adedoyin and some of his workers initially denied that Oludare was at the hotel.
Meanwhile, late Oludare, who was also a Director of Finance of a private firm, FJJ Company, was said to be frequented Ile-Ife between October 22 to October 24; October 29 to October 31; and November 5 to November 7, 2021 to take his MBA exams at the Obafemi Awolowo University and he had been consecutively lodging at Hilton Hotels and Resorts.
“On Friday, November 5th, 2021, Adegoke Timothy Oludare contacted his wife (in Abuja) that he had arrived Ile-Ife and had lodged at an undisclosed hotel,” the deceased’s brother was quoted.
“The following morning, her wife was calling Adegoke Oludare’s phone line to extend morning greeting but the line kept ringing with no one picking up the call. The line was ringing throughout the day (Saturday 6th, 2021).
“Adegoke’s wife contacted relatives and the family immediately sent a delegation to the examination centre of the OAU to confirm whether their son was in the examination hall. The examination coordinator checked the attendance for Saturday and Sunday (6th and 7th November) and they discovered that Adegoke Timothy Oludare did not come to take the exams.
“OAU Management and relatives proceeded to the police station to report the matter and investigation began. In the effort of the OAU Management, the chairman of the hoteliers’ association was contacted to reach out to hotels whether Adegoke Oludare lodged in any of the hotels but no positive response was received.
“On Wednesday, November 10th, 2021, wife of Adegoke Timothy Oludare discovered the receipt of the hotel in which her husband lodged the penultimate weekend to November 5th, 2021. The name of this Hotel was Hilton Hotels and Resorts.
“The investigation panel proceeded to Hilton to enquire whether Adegoke Oludare lodged again in the penultimate weekend which was 5th November 2021. They met the proprietor of this hotel (Chief Rahman Adegoke Adedoyin) but they denied that Adegoke Timothy Oludare lodged at their hotel.
“On Thursday 11 November 2021, investigation revealed that Adegoke Timothy Oludare transferred the sum of N37,000 from his account to a lady whose name is Adedeji Tobiloba Adesola and the details of the transfer showed that the transaction took place on Friday, 5th November 2021 that Adegoke Oludare’s wife claimed that her husband reported to have lodged at a hotel in Ile Ife.”
“Upon tracking the phone number on the said account, it was discovered that the owner of that number was at that moment at the Hilton Hotels and Resorts owned by Rahman Adedoyin. Police proceeded to the venue and Adedeji Tobiloba Adesola was fished out to be a staffer of the said hotel.
When Adesola was apprehended, she confessed to have allocated Room 35 of Hilton Hotels and Resorts to Oludare the same Friday. She was arrested and whisked to the Police headquarters in Osogbo.
On November 12, 2021, her confession led to the arrest of 6 other suspects by the police including a self-acclaimed Alfa (Islamic cleric) who claimed to have left Ile-Ife for Ejigbo on the same Friday Oludare was said to have disappeared.
Before the Alfa’s confession, police tracking had shown that Oludare’s phone was moved from Ile-Ife to Ejigbo between 5 and 6 November, 2021.
Meanwhile, on November 13, Adedoyin was alleged to have mobilised three top lawyers to Osogbo in order to pervert the investigation process.
But he could not have his way until his arrest by the Police.
Meanwhike, Ramon Adedoyin, has denied involvement in the death of Timothy Adegoke.
“I appeal to everyone to be patient and allow police to do their work and thorough investigation. He said.
The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives says it has reviewed the Lagos EndSARS report and observed that the Federal Government has questions to answer. The lawmakers in a statement signed by Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu on Thursday said the report has confirmed that there was indeed a massacre at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, despite the earlier denial of killings.
“The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, after a thorough review of the report of the Lagos State EndSARS judicial panel, holds that the attempt by officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to cover up the now confirmed massacre of Nigerians youths by security forces at the Lekki Tollgate suggests a high-level state-backed conspiracy against Nigerians.
“The confirmation by the Lagos Panel that there was indeed a massacre at the Lekki Tollgate during the 2020 EndSARS protests in Lagos and that APC government-controlled security forces carted away bodies and mopped up evidence, places a huge burden on the Federal Government which had vehemently denied any killings,” the statement read in part.
The Minority caucus also flayed the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for “rushing to the media, ahead of the judicial panel, to insist that there were no killings at Lekki Tollgate, even in the face of testimonies of witnesses at the sad event.” They described it as a shocking attempt to cover up details of the October 20 event demanding that justice
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has threatened to institute legal action against President Muhammadu Buhari government.
SERAP said it is suing Buhari to compel the arrest of soldiers and police officers involved in shooting EndSARS protesters at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State.
In a series of tweets, the body urged the Buhari government to compel payment of reparation to victims.
Disclosing that it would file the suit on Wednesday, SERAP said the EndSARS Panel report would serve as part of its evidence.
According to SERAP: “BREAKING: We’re suing the Buhari administration to compel it to immediately arrest the soldiers and police responsible for the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki-Toll Gate and pay reparations to victims.
“We’re filing the suit first thing tomorrow morning; so please indicate your interest
“We’re also following up with our petition dated 21 October 2020 to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court by forwarding today a copy of the report of Lagos #EndSARS Panel as additional information and evidence.”
In June 2020, soldiers and police officers had shot some EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State.
Meanwhile, the judicial panel set up by the Lagos government to probe cases of police brutality — including the Lekki shooting — says nine #EndSARS protesters were killed.
The panel also said the killing of unarmed protesters at the tollgate could be described in the context of a “massacre”.“It was alleged and corroborated that the soldiers had their vans parked at the Lekki Toll Gate and removed as many bodies and corpses of the fallen,” the report reads.
“One of the protesters who was shot and taken for dead, Olalekan Sanusi, who eventually escaped to narrate his ordeal and experience stated that 11 corpses were in the van where he was placed in and presumed dead“Miss Dabira Ayuku also corroborated the above by stating that she saw about 7 dead bodies placed in one of the military trucks at the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of 20th October, 2020.
“It was alleged and corroborated that soldiers picked bullet shells on the night of October 20 and policemen followed up in the morning of October 21 to pick bullet shells.
“Several unidentified bodies were removed by security agencies and LASEHMU (Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit) and deposited at various hospital mortuaries in Lagos state.
“Three (3) trucks with brushes underneath were brought to the Lekki Toll Gate in the morning of October 21st October, 2020 to clean up the scene of bloodstains and other evidence.
“There was abundant evidence before the panel that the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) indicated in its Twitter handle that it had effectively cleaned up the Lekki Toll Gate scene immediately after the incident of October 20, 2020.
“The denial of ambulances by the soldiers, which could have assisted in the prompt and effective treatment of injured protesters, was cruel and inhuman and it contributed immensely to the large number of deaths and casualties on the part of the protesters, especially those from the Lekki Toll Gate.
“The panel finds the cases of death or injured protesters as credible and
uncontroverted.”
Two of the five inmates wanted after escaping a middle Georgia facility on Friday has been captured, GBI said Monday morning. Authorities said all five inmates have “violent history” and two are murder suspects.
The five men were identified as Dennis Penix Jr., Lewis Wendell Evans, Brandon Pooler, Tyree Williams and Tyree Mantan Jackson. The social media post did not indicate the charges for each man.
Lewis Wendell Evans III was captured and taken into custody in Warner Robins late Sunday night. Tyree Jackson was taken into custody on Saturday.
Police continue the search for 3 inmates.
Williams, 33, is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds with brown eyes. Pooler, 24, is 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 215 pounds, with brown eyes. Penix, 28, is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 165 pounds with brown eyes.
Investigators said they escaped the facility about 11:15 p.m. Friday and took a white 2015 KIA Sedona van with Georgia tag CMP8628. GBI said the men are “in possession of two Tasers.”
If you see them, DO NOT approach, but call 911, authorities said. If you know where the men might be, you can call GBI’s tip line at 1-800-597-8477 or the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office at 478-783-1212.
A Three-year-old boy was returned safely to his mother Thursday after police said his father, 17-year-old Kashief Brooks took him at gunpoint two days ago in College Park.
Clayton County police are still searching for Kashief Brooks, who is wanted on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault and making terroristic threats.
Police contacted Brooks and he promised to bring the boy home Authorities appealed to the public for help to find the child Wednesday evening when Brooks did not return the Child.
The 3-year-old was reported missing just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday from a home in the 1500 block of Tigris Court, police said in a news release. Officers learned that the missing toddler had been taken from his mother at gunpoint without her permission.
Investigators found that it was Brooks, the child’s father, who had taken him, police said. The child had returned home as of early Thursday morning and was safe with his mother, according to an update on Facebook.
If anyone knows where Brooks is, they are asked to call Clayton County police at 770-477-3550.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Abdulrasheed Maina, the former chairman of the now-defunct Pension Reformed Task Team to eight years imprisonment.
Maina was convicted after he was found guilty of money laundering.
In a judgement delivered on Monday by Justice Okon Abang, the court held that the prosecutor, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has produced essential evidence through witnesses to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Maina is guilty of money laundering in the sum of N171,099,000.
Maina was also found guilty of concealing his true identity as a signatory to accounts opened in two banks – UBA and Fidelity bank – by using the identity of his family members without their knowledge.
These accounts had cash deposits of N300million, N500million, and N1.5billion
The court stated that Maina stole monies meant for pensioners as he could not prove where he got them from.
His Counsel Olusegun Jolaawo told journalists that they will be appealing the judgement. He was sent to Kuje correctional center.
Full List Of Properties, Money Recovered By EFCC From Abdulrasheed Maina
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has given a close view into the crimes committed by Ex-Pensions boss, Abdulrasheed Maina.
1. Cash deposits of N300million, N500million and N1.5billion in Two Nigerian Banks accounts
2. Property in Abuja paid for with $1.4 million Cash
3. 50 cars in Dubai
4. Plush Villa in Dubai
5. $2 million property in Jabi, Abuja
6. Colster Logistics, belonging to Maina received inflow of $400,000 in Cash
7. Kangolo Dynamic, another company belonging to Maina with over N500 million found in its account. The company has never carried out any service or contract.
8. Several Choice Properties in America and the United Arab Emirates.
Nigerian Air Force officer, Sergeant Torsobo Solomon has been arrested in connection with the recent attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
Bandits had in the early hours of August 24 attacked the NDA’s permanent site, killing two officers and abducting another.
The bandits who came in a vehicle were said to have passed through the security gate into the academy, disguised in military uniforms, after which they proceeded to the officers’ quarters.
Three months after the incident, authorities of the Nigerian Air Force have now linked one of its officers with the incident.
The suspect – Sergeant Torsabo Solomon – was reportedly arrested on the order of the Base Commander as requested by the NDA Commander.
The suspect has been moved to Kaduna for further interrogation.
The six persons abducted from the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have regained freedom.
They were rescued about three days after gunmen attacked the staff quarters of the university in Gwagwalada Area Council of the nation’s capital.
In a statement on Friday, the spokesman for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed that the victims were rescued by a joint team of operatives from various security agencies.
“The FCT Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that all abducted victims of the University of Abuja were rescued and reunited with their families through a joint operation with other security agencies,” she said.
Those abducted included two professors, a senior lecturer, and three of their family members. Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIABUJA Chapter, Dr Kasim Umar, who also confirmed that the victims have been rescued, stated that no ransom was paid.
Two days after they were kidnapped from the University staff quarters, they have reportedly demanded N50 million on each of the abductees, totaling N300 million for all the six abducted persons.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, says he has no connection with the land or the high-rise building that collapsed while under construction on Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, Lagos.
In a statement on Friday, the Vice President’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, stated that his principal has no interest in the said property. “Let it be made absolutely clear that Professor Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land,” Akande said. “He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.
“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade-Ojo (Chairman of Elizade Motors) or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade-Ojo or anyone for that matter. “All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.”
The Vice President’s spokesman condemned a report by a media company who give a tip that Professor Osinbajo owned the land upon which the collapsed building stood.
For the first time in since 1995, the Atlanta Braves are world champions once again. The Braves won the 2021 World Series on Tuesday, silenced the Houston Astros 7-0 (box score) in Game 6 to take the series, 4-2.
Jorge Soler was named the MVP of the World Series.
Soler becomes just the second Cuban to win the World Series MVP. Marlins pitcher Livan Hernandez won the award in 1997.
He turned over three go-ahead home runs for the Braves during the World Series. His first home run of the series came in the first at-bat of Game 1 — the first time that a player has ever led off a World Series Game 1 with a homer.
· Nine rescued alive, 14 dead
· Sanwo-Olu orders LASBCA GM’s suspension
· Deputy Governor visits site
The Lagos State Government is setting up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi. Members of the panel will be drawn from the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and other professional bodies.
It will independently investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrence. The investigation is not part of the internal probe already being conducted by the government.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the government will surely find out what went wrong and punish those indicted. The Governor, as a first step, has directed that the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Gbolahan Oki, an architect, be suspended from work immediately. The suspension is indefinite.
More equipment and personnel have been deployed in the site to save more lives.
Nine persons - all men - have been pulled out of the rubble alive. They have been taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, 14 others were brought out dead – as at 2pm.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu thanks all first responders and those who have joined the rescue efforts, including construction giants Julius Berger, Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
A help desk is to be set up at the site for people seeking information about their relations who may have been involved in the incident. The media are hereby notified that the government will be releasing information whenever the need arises to avoid any sensational reporting of the unfortunate incident.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, was today at the site to encourage rescuers and comfort relations of those trapped in the rubble. Dr. Hamzat left the site for the Lagos Island General Hospital to see the survivors.
The government will embark on further foundation and borehole acidic level tests to ascertain the impact on the collapsed building. These tests, particularly the borehole acidic level, is important for the entire Gerrard Road and adjoining areas.
We wish to state that there will be no cover-up in the search for the truth in this incident. If anybody is found to have been indicted, he or she will face the law.
It is important to restate that all developers and property owners are required to adhere strictly to all Building Codes and Planning Regulations to ensure the safety of lives and property. Those who ignore such regulations, breaking seals and defying enforcement, will surely be prosecuted.
Gbenga Omotoso
Hon. Commissioner for Information and Strategy
2nd November, 2021
A high-rise building in Ikoyi, a highbrow part of Lagos, on Monday splashed down with many feared trapped under the rubble.
The number of persons trapped is yet unconfirmed but workers and rhe people who lives close by tried to dig people out of the rubble of the collapsed building, according to reports.
Although rescue operations have not officially commenced, at least four persons have been rescued from the rubble, according to a Channels Television reporter at the scene.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency say they are trying to deploy the military for crowd control as apprehensive sympathisers insist there are many people trapped inside the building.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has also been sighted at the scene.
A 22-year-old Nigerian man, Faruq Osilalu, has been found dead in Baltimore City, a city in the US state of Maryland, days after he was declared missing.
Alayna Osilalu, wife of the late Faruq, told US media that her husband, a driver with a transportation company, was found dead on October 4, but he was listed as a John Doe until recently when authorities were able to identify him through his jewellery.
She said her husband was last seen giving someone a ride while adorning jewellery, noting that what happened to him remains a mystery.
She said his remains were so badly damaged that investigators could not figure out his fingerprints.
“My husband worked as a private contractor under Sedan Service in Baltimore and I reported him missing on September 19, two days after his last known ride,” she said.
Although she made an official report of him being missing on September 27 and that two days later, the police found his car. It was pulled over but Faruq wasn’t behind the wheels. Instead, it was an unidentified driver and passenger that were inside.
Baltimore County Police said the two persons were arrested and interrogated about late Faruqs whereabouts but were later released because there wasn’t enough evidence to charge them.
The police announced on Thursday, October 28, that Farruq was “no longer missing,” and that the city police department is taking over the investigation.
“We are waiting for an autopsy to determine how he died,” the police said.
The late Faruq welcomed his first child with his wife in April this year and got married in May.
A police officer identified as Bishop Eno has been accused of shooting a woman in Delta State after she allegedly turned down his marriage proposal.
Human rights activist, Fejiro Oliver, who disclosed this on Friday, October 29, said that the officer attacked the Isoko division of the Delta State Police Command, and the victim dated for five years only for her to find out that he is already married to a child.
She was said to have refused to marry him because of that and he subsequently demanded she refunds the N1.5 million he spent opening a shop for her.
She agreed to do so, however, he went to her house with a service pistol and shot her. Read his post below:
”Bishop Eno who I have attached his picture here is an officer of the Nigerian Police Force wearing SARS uniform and serving in Isoko.
For five years, he dated the lady attached, only for her to find out that he was married with a kid. He asked for her hand in marriage last week which she turned down.
Officer Eno then asked that she refunds the N1.5M he spent in the opening shop for her which the family agreed to on Wednesday.
Brutal like the Edenic serpent, he couldn’t wait for the day agreed as he went with a service pistol to the girlfriend’s house and shot her.
She almost passed on as she was rushed to a hospital in Warri where she was given oxygen. Officer Eno is on the run and needs to be arrested”.
Publisher and journalist Dele Momodu has joined Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Momodu announced his move to the PDP in a statement, explaining that his decision was based on the need to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.
“I have consulted widely. And it is clear to me that given the dangerous and disastrous drift that our Nation has experienced in the past six years, the only party from which amends can be made to rectify our situation is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” he said in the statement released on Friday.
“This accords with my vehement opposition to the policies and practices of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its leadership, which has denuded our country of everything we hold dear – National Unity, Cohesion, Security, Economic prosperity, Educational advancement, Social infrastructure, and above all, our cherished moral values. “For these reasons, I am happy to declare that I am now a full-fledged participating member of the great and patriotic Peoples Democratic Party.”
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing in delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians, maintaining that the PDP has landmark achievements to show for their 16-year rule. “It is deeply saddening and regrettable that some of the biggest and landmark achievements recorded under the PDP administration have been diluted, wasted, or diminished by the present APC government,” he added.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has displayed the contents of the phone seized from music artiste, Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley. When the defendant’s trial resumed on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the EFCC through the virtual projection of a Compact Disc (CD) with 51,933 pages showed the contents and analysis of the phone.
The commission did this while leading in evidence, its second witness, Mr Augustine Anosike, a mobile forensic expert. Picking up from where he left off on Tuesday, the witness, again reiterated portions of his earlier testimonies and pointed out the corresponding visual spots of those testimonies on the screen of the projected CD.
For instance, the witness showed visual displays of the credit card numbers, chats, as well as incoming and outgoing Short Message Services (SMS) that were analysed from the defendant’s iPhone. After the CD was displayed for about 45 minutes, the prosecutor then asked the witness to confirm two exhibits A and D, which were vital elements of his analysis.
Exhibit A is the Forensic Report Form, while exhibit D is the iPhone of the defendant. Under cross-examination, the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, sought permission for the defendant’s iPhone to be kept in the custody of the court rather than for it to continue to remain in the custody of the prosecution.
The African Union said on Wednesday it had suspended Sudan until civilian rule in the country is restored, saying it rejected the military takeover as an “unconstitutional” seizure of power. AU said it “strongly condemns the seizure of power” and was suspending Sudan from all AU activities “until the effective restoration of the civilian-led transitional authority”.
Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Monday ordered the dissolution of the government and declared a state of emergency, sparking widespread international condemnation. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was placed under military arrest, along with his ministers and civilian members of Sudan’s ruling council, sparking angry protests on the streets of Khartoum.
Hamdok was later released under close guard, but other ministers and civilian leaders remain in detention.
Security forces arrested some anti-coup protesters on Wednesday, in a bid to end three days of demonstrations against the power grab. A number of Western powers have called for an urgent meeting with Hamdok, saying they still recognise the prime minister and his cabinet as the constitutional leaders of Sudan.
The Board of Directors of Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation (KSWF) says they will not accept the proposal by President Muhammadu Buhari to grant pardon to Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists executed by the late military dictator, Sani Abacha, in 1995.
In a statement signed on behalf of the board of directors by Dr. Owen Wiwa, the KSWF asked President Buhari to grant their earlier request for the exoneration of Saro-Wiwa and eight others made by the family of the late activist. “Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other eight Ogonis were not criminals. They were innocent activists unjustly murdered for fighting for a just cause on behalf of their oppressed community.
“The path to true peace in the region begins with justice. The cleaning up of the environment for which they campaigned and died for is a first good step. “The exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 other Ogoni activists, judicially murdered on November 10 1995 is another step towards peace. “The family of Ken Saro-Wiwa have made a request for the exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa to the President in the past and are still waiting for a response. We urge the President to again consider this request as a path to justice and peace.
“The family and the Foundation have not asked any individual to ask for pardon or clemency for Ken Saro-Wiwa on our behalf, nor are we aware of any group of Ogonis making such a request,” the statement read
A pair of trainers worn by the US basketball star Michael Jordan have sold for a record $1.47m (£1.1m) at auction.
Jordan used the pair of red and white Nike Air Ships during his first season with the Chicago Bulls in 1984.
Also, Michael and Nike activated their partnership in the same year to create his signature brand of clothes and shoes.
Jordan, the first billionaire player in NBA history and the best player in the history of basketball retired in 2003.
"This record-breaking result for the Jordan Nike Air Ships affirms the place of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan franchise at the pinnacle of the sneaker market," said Sotheby's Brahm Wachter after Sunday's auction in Las Vegas.
The signed trainers were bought by Nick Fiorella, a well-known collector.
A 50-year-old pastor in Maryland is facing federal charges for allegedly scheming to arrange marriages between what prosecutors say were often poor Americans and foreign nationals, according to the Department of Justice. He is accused of coordinating immigration fraud involving sham marriages, fraudulent residency applications, bogus reference letters and fake rental agreements.
Olatokunbo Joshua Shonubi, was indicted on charges of conspiring to commit marriage fraud and visa fraud, as well as submitting false documents to a government agency, federal prosecutors in Maryland said Thursday in a news release. The indictment was initially filed under seal on Wednesday, court filings show. Shonubi, who is from Bowie, Maryland, is the pastor at NewLife City Church in nearby Hyattsville, prosecutors said.
According to the indictment, the alleged fraud lasted from 2014 until this year. During that time, prosecutors said Shonubi received “thousands of dollars from foreign nationals in exchange for connecting them with United States citizen sponsors and facilitating their marriages.” As pastor of NewLife, Shonubi is accused of recruiting and grooming people whom prosecutors described as “economically disadvantaged.” He reportedly promised those individuals money to marry foreign citizens and serve as a sponsor for permanent residency in the U.S. Shonubi sometimes officiated the marriages, the government said, or sent the couple to Virginia for a civil ceremony. Prosecutors didn’t include the foreign citizens’ country of origin in court filings.
Once a couple was married, and if he was paid enough, Shonubi would fill out the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services forms needed to apply for residency, the indictment states.
He also submitted documents supporting the applications, including fake reference letters written on NewLife letterhead describing the legitimacy of the marriage, prosecutors said. The letters reportedly contained false assertions about how Shonubi knew the couple and how he provided spiritual guidance and counseling, as well as his purported belief that the marriage was based on romance. Prosecutors said Shonubi penned at least 38 of these letters. The pastor also had a company called Jaypro Inc., which he is accused of using as a front for bogus lease agreements. According to the indictment, Shonubi had the couples whose fraudulent marriages he arranged sign leases with Jaypro showing they lived together. At least 34 of those fraudulent leases were submitted to the government, prosecutors said.
In total, Shonubi is accused of submitting 60 applications for permanent residency that contained false supporting documents.
Shonubi was arrested and had his first court appearance before a federal judge in Baltimore on Thursday, prosecutors said. He faces up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and up to an additional five years for each of the six counts pertaining to filing false documents. Prosecutors said the actual sentence on federal charges is likely less than the maximum penalty.
A South Georgia pastor, mortician, restaurateur, and tax preparer has been indicted on COVID-19 recovery assistance fraud by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia.
Mack Devon Knight, 45, of Kingsland, Ga., is charged in a five-count indictment that accuses Knight of lying to the Small Business Administration (SBA) in connection with applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), according to David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charges carry a statutory penalty upon conviction of up to 30 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties, followed by a period of supervised release.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Security (CARES) Act was provided to help small businesses survive pandemic-related losses,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “In coordination with our law enforcement partners, we will hold accountable those unscrupulous actors who attempt to swindle these funds for their own enrichment.”
As described in the indictment, in February and March 2021, Knight applied for EIDLs on behalf of two Camden County, Ga., businesses: Knight’s Tax Services, and Daddy Earl’s Kitchen. Those EIDL applications falsely affirmed that the businesses each had hundreds of thousands of dollars of gross revenue prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The indictment alleges that Knight then made and transmitted to the SBA a falsified bank document to deceive the SBA into approving one of Knight’s EIDL applications.
The indictment further alleges that, after receiving $149,900 from the SBA as a result of false and fraudulent representations in Knight’s loan application on behalf of Knight’s Tax Services, Knight used part of the funds to buy a Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan.
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has pleaded not guilty to the seven amended charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.
Kanu, who was re-arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, said he was innocent of all the allegations levelled against him. When the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.
The court refused his application for transfer to Kuje Correctional Center. However, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, allowed three persons of his choice to visit him at the DSS facility. The judge then adjourned the case to November 10 to hear his application, challenging the competence of the charges.
The Federal Government recently amended the charges against him raising them to seven counts as against the five counts he was previously being tried for. The new charges border on treasonable felony and terrorism.
ABUJA – In receipt of reports from judicial panels regarding EndSARS protests set up in 28 States across the country and in the FCT, the National Economic Council have resolved that payment of compensation to victims should proceed with each State, in collaboration with the Federal Government, establishing the modalities for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the panels.
According to a release e-signed and made available to StarTrend Int’l & online – www.startrendinternational.com by ‘Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President, equally, NEC, which is composed of all State Governors in the Federation and representatives of the FG, Chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, also unanimously resolved on Friday, October 15, 2021, to ensure the prosecution of persons indicted by the panels. The Council specifically directed States “to immediately forward copies of final reports of the panels to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons.
“Where incidents in the reports relate to matters of discipline, in addition to prosecution, NEC urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.”
Also rising from today’s NEC meeting, members strongly advised those planning protests to mark the anniversary of the ENDSARS to reconsider the option in view of “current security situation across the country and the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem at such protest events and venues.”
Below are the NEC resolutions on the panels and an advisory on the planned protests:
NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS ON “ENDSARS” PANELS’ REPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY – 15TH OCTOBER 2021
At its meeting today, 15th October 2021, the National Economic Council (NEC/Council) received an update on the Reports of Judicial Panels of Inquiry into Allegations of Human Rights Violations against Members of Nigeria Police Force and other Security Agencies.
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It may be recalled that following the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, which later transformed into violent demonstrations, in furtherance of resolution of NEC, twenty-eight (28) States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) (under the auspices of the National Human Rights Commission) had set up Judicial Panels/Commissions of Inquiry (Panels) to investigate allegations of violations of human rights levied against members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, especially members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
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The 28 States that set up these Panels were Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, and Taraba.
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Out of the 28 States, 11 States (Abia, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, and Rivers) have submitted their final reports to Council; with Lagos, set to finalise its sittings on 19th October 2021, submitting an interim report. Governors of other States including Delta and Ebonyi at today’s meeting also indicated that their reports would be submitted soon.
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Following deliberations on the recommendations of the panels, NEC agreed/resolved as follows, (and this applies to all the States and FCT that set up the panels):
PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS
6. Each State, in collaboration with the Federal Government, shall establish modalities for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the Panels. Already, as resolved by NEC, a number of States have set up Victims Compensation Funds, from which several victims have already received payments of sums awarded to them by the panels.
PROSECUTION OF INDICTED PERSONS (SECURITY PERSONNEL AND CIVILIANS)
7. Council directed State Governors to immediately forward copies of final reports of the panels to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons.
8. Where incidents in the reports relate to matters of discipline, in addition to prosecution, NEC urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.
IMPROVED EFFICIENCY OF NIGERIA POLICE FORCE AND OTHER SECURITY AGENCIES’ ARCHITECTURE
9. NEC called on the leadership of the security agencies to ensure that –
a. Persons recruited into arms-bearing security agencies undergo psychiatric evaluations and drug tests before enlistment and periodically after enlistment to ensure that the personnel are psychologically fit to carry live weapons and to identify behavioural tendencies that may require psycho-social interventions.
b. Personnel of the agencies dutifully observes Rules of Engagement in the discharge of their functions/duties around and within the civilian populace.
c. While acknowledging the various initiatives introduced by the Federal Government to:
strengthen police accountability through the Police Service Commission,
sustain improved funding and budgetary allocation to the Nigeria Police Force and other securities agencies,
*and the lifting of the ban on recruitment of police officers,
Council urged the Federal Government to give priority to the general welfare of police officers and personnel of other security agencies.
In particular, it advocated the review of pension and gratuity of retired police officers and attainment of parity of remuneration by police officers with sister security agencies.
d. Undertake a comprehensive assessment of all police stations across the country with a view to ensuring that they are fit for purpose.
e. Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies should deploy cutting-edge technology in the fight against crimes.
f. Nigeria Police Force to, in line with the mandatory training provisions of the Police Act 2020, prioritize training of Police Officers on procedures for the entrenchment of Human Rights Provisions guaranteed by the Constitution and on the professional handling of weapons.
g. All those detained by the Police as a result of the EndSars protests are expeditiously processed with due regard to the principles of fair hearing.
h. The system established within the Nigeria Police Force for receipt and handling of complaints or petitions is strengthened, and all police officers on duty should be in police-approved uniform with their full names and force numbers boldly written for easy identification.
i. The States should, as resolved by NEC:
i)Properly utilize and support the community policing programme of the Federal Government, with active collaborative efforts and participation of traditional rulers, elders, youths, vigilante groups, etc.;
ii)Establish standing committees under States Ministries of Justice to address human rights violations on a continuous basis; and
iii)Take measures aimed at flushing out miscreants squatting in uncompleted buildings, and other blackout spots that serve as hideouts for criminals.
THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL ALSO ISSUED AN ADVISORY ON PUBLIC PROTESTS AT THIS TIME AS FOLLOWS:
While appreciating the role of lawful peaceful protests in the advancement of public discourse under democratic governance, the National Economic Council (NEC) strongly advises those planning public protests across the country to mark the anniversary of the #EndSARS, to consider other lawful alternative means of engagement.
This is because of the current security situation across the country and the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem at such protest events and venues. Council, therefore, urges the organizers to reconsider their plan.
NEC would also like to point out the various actions already taken by Federal and State Governments to address the grievances that led to the 2020 protests, including:
- the disbandment of SARS;
broad police reforms;
establishment of judicial panels of inquiries to investigate allegations of human rights violations by members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies; - recommendations of which panels are already at various stages of implementation including the setup of Victims Compensation Funds from which several victims have received payments of sums awarded to them by the panels;
*and prosecution of police personnel indicted by the panels.
These are commendable actions that ought to be taken to a logical conclusion in a peaceful atmosphere.
Organizers of the planned protests should explore the various channels of communication with governments at various levels to advance their positions and avert the breakdown of law and order that may result from such public protests.
Credit- Startrend International
The U.S. Navy declared Thursday that it is preparing to kick out sailors who refuse vaccination for COVID-19 as mandated by the Pentagon, and the service members who get the boot over their noncompliance might lose some veterans' benefits.
The Navy sent out a press release noting that Nov. 14 is the deadline for active-duty sailors to get either their second shot of a two-dose vaccine or the single shot of a one-dose vaccine. Reservists have until Dec. 14.
Sailors who do not have a pending or approved exemption by the deadlines set will face administrative actions and "those separated only for vaccine refusal will receive no lower than a general discharge under honorable conditions" the Navy's statement read, adding, "This type of discharge could result in the loss of some veterans’ benefits."
The Navy said it "may also seek recoupment of applicable bonuses, special and incentive pays, and the cost of training and education for service members refusing the vaccine."
"Sailors must be prepared to execute their mission at all times, in places throughout the world, including where vaccination rates are low and disease transmission is high," the Navy stated. "Immunizations are of paramount importance to protecting the health of the force and the warfighting readiness of the Fleet."
The Department of Defense announced in late August that all members of the armed forces must get vaccinated against COVID-19.
President Joe Biden has mandated that all federal employees be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22, and that all federal contractors have a fully vaccinated workforce by Dec. 8. He has also directed OSHA to issue a forthcoming regulation ordering all U.S. businesses with more than 100 employees to require their workers to either get vaccinated or submit to weekly coronavirus tests.
Former popular United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell has died of COVID-19 complications. He gave up the ghost on Monday at the age of 84, his family announced.
The first African-American secretary of state in 2001 under Republican President George W Bush was fully vaccinated.
“We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” the family said in a statement, thanking the staff at the Walter Reid Medical Center “for their caring treatment”.
Obituary: Colin Powell
George W Bush was among the first to pay tribute to “a great public servant” as well as “a family man and a friend” who “was such a favourite of presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom – twice”.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair – who worked closely with Powell during the early years of the Iraq War – said he was someone of “immense capability and integrity” who was “a great companion, with a lovely and self-deprecating sense of humour”.
Mr Powell, a moderate Republican who broke with his party to endorse Barack Obama in 2008, became a trusted military adviser to a number of leading US politicians.
He also saw service and was wounded in Vietnam, an experience that later helped define his own military and political strategies.
However, he would say himself that his own legacy had been damaged by a speech to the United Nations Security Council which used faulty intelligence to back the invasion of Iraq.
A Russian film crew returned to Earth today after shooting the first-ever movie in space.
The filmmakers spent 12 days filming Challenge at the International Space Station after rocketing up on October 5.Yulia Peresild and Klim Shipenko landed as scheduled on Kazakhstan’s steppe at 0436 GMT, according to footage broadcast live by the Russian space agency.
They were ferried back to terra firma by cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, who had been on the space station for the past six months.
“The descent vehicle of the crewed spacecraft Soyuz MS-18 is standing upright and is secure. The crew are feeling good!” Russian space agency Roscosmos tweeted.
The filmmakers had blasted off from the Russia-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome in ex-Soviet Kazakhstan earlier this month, travelling to the ISS with veteran cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov to film scenes for “The Challenge”.
If the project stays on track, the Russian crew will beat a Hollywood project announced last year by “Mission Impossible” star Tom Cruise together with NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The movie’s plot, which has been mostly kept under wraps along with its budget, centres around a surgeon who is dispatched to the ISS to save a cosmonaut.
Shkaplerov, 49, along with the two Russian cosmonauts who were already aboard the ISS are said to have cameo roles in the film.
The mission was not without small hitches.
As the film crew docked at the ISS earlier this month, Shkaplerov had to switch to manual control.
And when Russian flight controllers on Friday conducted a test on the Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft the ship’s thruster fired unexpectedly and destabilised the ISS for 30 minutes, a NASA spokesman told the Russian news agency TASS.
But the spokesman confirmed their departure would go ahead as scheduled.
21st-century space race
Their landing, which was documented by a film crew, will also feature in the movie, Konstantin Ernst, the head of the Kremlin-friendly Channel One TV network and a co-producer of “The Challenge”, told AFP.
The Soviets launched the first satellite Sputnik, and sent into orbit the first animal, a dog named Laika, the first man, Yuri Gagarin and the first woman, Valentina Tereshkova.
The United States announced Friday that it will allow entry to foreign travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, by both land and air, starting November 8.
"The US' new travel policy that requires vaccination for foreign national travelers to the United States will begin on Nov 8," said Kevin Munoz, White House assistant press secretary, on Twitter. "This announcement and date applies to both international air travel and land travel.
This policy is guided by public health, stringent, and consistent."Under the new policy that was outlined last month, vaccinated travelers will still need to undergo testing and contact tracing to enter the United States.
Southwest Airlines canceled hundreds more flights Monday saying that it had experienced weather challenges in its Florida airports at the beginning of the weekend and unexpected air traffic control issues in the same region. Those issues sparked delays and caused cancellations for the airlines beginning Friday evening.
The airline canceled more than 1,000 flights in total, or 29% of its schedule, as of 7 p.m. ET Sunday, According to Flightaware, the carrier has cancelled 348 flights Monday and delayed another 303 flights.
At least 30 Southwest flights scheduled to take off or land at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport have been canceled today. At least 42 flights set to take off from Hartsfield were delayed and another 30 set to land at Hartsfield were also delayed.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured Nigerians that the 11.9km Second Niger Bridge, 120 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other key projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) will be completed within the second term of this administration. The assurance was given at the opening of a two-day Mid-Term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat organized to assess progress made towards the achievement of the nine key priorities of this Administration.
Addressing guests at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the president expressed delight that over the past two years, ministers have rendered reports to the Federal Executive Council on their activities related to the achievement of their ministerial mandates; reports which President Buhari said speak of feats attained by his administration. He listed accomplishments in the areas of infrastructure, transportation, economy, electricity supply, the petroleum industry, among others.
‘‘On transportation, we are growing the stock and quality of our road, rail, air and water transport infrastructure. ‘‘The PIDF projects are also advancing remarkably. These include the 11.9km Second Niger Bridge, 120 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, 375 km Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Expressway and the East West Road. Most of these projects are expected to be completed within this 2nd term of our Administration,’’ he stated.
Speaking further regarding achievements of his government, President Buhari noted that his administration has made tremendous progress on railway projects in the country, noting that upgrading of the railway network is being extended with the recent completion of the Lagos – Ibadan line. ‘‘The Itakpe-Ajaokuta rail line has finally been completed and commissioned after 30 years of its conception. ‘‘Work is expected to commence very soon on the Port-Harcourt Maiduguri line and Calabar – Lagos Coastal Line to connect the Southern and Eastern States of our Country. Progress is also being made on the upgrading of our airports, with the state-of-the-art facilities in line with world class safety standards,’’ he said.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, on Thursday guaranteed the public that there was no plan to reintroduce the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) into the Nigeria Police Force.
Mr Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), announced this in a statement in Abuja.
Mba explained that the clarification followed reports making the rounds both online and offline that the IGP had directed the reinstatement of the disbanded SARS.
He said, “The Force wishes to emphasise that there is no plan whatsoever to bring back the disbanded SARS. SARS is gone for good and will not resurrect under any guise whatsoever.”
According to Mba, the Nigeria Police had re-organised the operational structure of the squad to fill the vacuum created by its disbandment, as the leadership of the Force remains focused on efforts at deepening reforms within the Force.
The FPRO said the idea was to bequeath Nigerians, a Police Force that would be more efficient, effective, technology-driven, humane and rule of law compliant.
He advised the general public to disregard the report, saying that it was deliberately intended to misinform the public.
Google has announced a plan to invest $1bn over five years to finance Africa's digital transformation. The investment focuses on enabling fast, affordable internet access for more Africans; building helpful products; supporting entrepreneurship and small business; and helping non-profits to improve lives across Africa. The statement was made at Google's first-ever Google for Africa event, broadcasted live virtually.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, shared the planned $1bn investment and will include:
Enabling affordable internet access and building helpful products
Google is building global infrastructure to help bring faster internet to more people and lower connectivity costs. The subsea cable Equiano will run through South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria and St Helena and connect the continent with Europe.
Internet access is also hampered by the affordability of smartphones. Android has developed a device locking technology as part of the Android platform that will enable partners to offer financed devices.
Google has collaborated with Safaricom to support the launch of the first “Device Financing” plan in Kenya, and will expand this initiative across Africa with partners like Airtel, MKOPA, MTN, Orange, Transsion Holdings and Vodacom, and more. These partnerships will help millions of first-time smartphone users gain access to quality, affordable Android smartphones.
Plus Codes are a free and open-source addressing system to provide addresses for everyone. The government of The Gambia has adopted this in providing addresses for residents and businesses across the capital Banjul and are now scaling to the rest of the country. Plus codes will expand to South Africa, Kenya and other countries in partnership with governments and non-governmental organisations.
The Management of NASCO Group Nigeria has demystified reports making the rounds where the company is linked to the sponsorship of terrorism in the country.
In a Press release on Tuesday, the company stated that it had never been involved in such practice, and that their founder Ahmed Nasreddin, who died last week, had been exonerated of these claims several times in time past. The company, described the allegation as defamatory and slanderous.
The statement read, “We state categorically that we have never and will never be sponsor of any criminal act, organisation, or violence of any kind that will disrupt the peace and tranquillity of the Nigerian state or any country in the world.”
The company declared that, after the “unfortunate events of 2001,” thousands of people and entities around the world were subjected to investigations.
“A detailed examination by the United Nations Security Council and the US Government totally exonerated NASCO’s late founder. Dr. Ahmed Nasreddin, and his business interests of all allegations.
“It was clearly established that NASCO was never at any time associated with the sponsorship of terrorism — directly or indirectly — anywhere in the world;” adding that “a similar investigation was done by the National Intelligence Agency of Nigeria, where it also came to the same conclusion, thereby exonerating our late founder and NASCO Group of any act or complicity in the sponsorship of terrorism in Nigeria or any other country.”
The statement also claimed that at no time were the assets of NASCO Group and/or any of its associated business interest ever seized or their accounts frozen due to any of the stated investigations.
“NASCO can also categorically affirm that it has never been associated with nor had business dealings with any of the persons mentioned in the false report.
“NASCO Group is one of the leading companies in Nigeria, with an acknowledged legacy of working towards the economic growth and development of the nation, while positively impacting the lives of millions of people. Since 1963, the company had been committed to best practices in the manufacturing of quality products of international standards.
“We therefore firmly reject this false report, which was done in a clearly orchestrated manner with malicious intent aimed at causing commercial damage to our successful brands.”
The Nigerian Army has been accused of brutalizing youths in Nde village, Ikom LGA, Cross Rivers state, for protesting against cattle grazing in their farmland.
About 10 youths of Nde Community in Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River State were brutalized by soldiers, prompting residents and monarchs to cry out to the military and state government for help.
Community members claimed that the youths “pleaded with the herdsmen” to leave their land after their cattle destroyed almost all their products.
Consequently, soldiers allegedly arrived in the community and beat up their youths for asking the herdsmen to leave.
“The herdsmen then went to Edor Army Barracks which is about three kilometers away to report that youths of Nde attacked them and sent them away from the Community.
“Soldiers from the barracks came in truckloads on Sunday, rounded up youths and took them to the barracks, flogged them severely, leaving them injured.
“Our community is currently on fire as military men dehumanized the youths with the intent to provoke us but we pleaded with the herdsmen to leave our land after destroying our crops to avoid further attacks,” a villager said.
The United Kingdom (UK)-based forensic and ballistic company, engaged by Lagos State government to investigate the shooting incident at the Lekki Tollgate, has come to a conclusion that live military-grade ammunition were not fired at protesters on the night of October 20, 2020.
The Executive Director of Oxygene Consulting UK Ltd, Dieye Willie-Harry, gave a review on Tuesday via zoom during the proceedings of the Lagos State Judicial Restitution for Victims of #EndSARS Related Abuses and Other Matters Panel investigating police brutality.
He said: “We have not viewed any footage, which definitively shows a muzzle aimed towards any individual and at the same time being fired with the effect thereof, but what we can freely assess was that no live bullet was fired.
“However, given the injuries sustained from 21:00 hours and further, we believe that live and military-grade ammunition were fired at some point by persons yet-to-be-identified.”
He said by the time the team of experts arrived in Lagos in December last year, “the medical treatment of victims had reached an advanced stage, injuries had healed and victims had been discharged from healthcare centres.
Willie-Harry told the panel that investigations conducted by his team were from the examination and research surrounding open-source imagery and news reporting (including social media), along with the individual injuries and medical reports.
He said they were of the opinion that ammunition may have been discharged and possibly aimed at the road surface in front of protesters, which ultimately caused the projectiles to ricochet, resulting in the core breaking out of the jacket and hitting the majority of the victims in the lower limbs at much reduced kinetic energy but with enough energy to fracture the long bones without exiting the victims’ bodies.
He further said that the team identified the firearms alleged to have been fired by the military officers during the alleged incident as Kalashnikov AK-type variants, including Chinese Type 56, some with (foldable bayonet) extended,” adding that such weapons could have caused more devastation had it been used as alleged by the military.
Justice Doris Okuwobi (rtd), who adjourned the proceedings at 6:15 p.m., said the panel would retire to consider its ruling and communicate to parties later when the ruling is ready for delivery.
NEW YORK : A jury has found R&B superstar R. Kelly guilty on racketeering and sex trafficking charges after a trial where the prosecution portrayed the 54- year- old singer as a heartless predator who preyed upon young Black girls and women.
The panel of seven men and five women had begun deliberating the charges on Friday afternoon after prosecutors and defense attorneys finished their closing arguments at the end of a grueling trial of often shocking testimony.
He is accused of running a Chicago-based criminal enterprise that recruited his accusers for unwanted sex and mental torment. Multiple witnesses said Kelly had subjected them to perverse and brutal whims when they were underage in a scheme that stretched back more than two decades. Meanwhile , he had denied any wrongdoing.
The charges were based on an argument that the entourage of managers and aides who helped the singer meet girls — and keep them obedient and quiet — amounted to a criminal enterprise.
His accusers’ stories received wide exposure after the 2019 Lifetime documentary Surviving R Kelly. It explored claims that an entourage of supporters protected Kelly and silenced his victims for decades.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have uncovered a hotel in Abuja where drugs are allegedly sold and young ladies camped for commercial sex. At least four persons; three ladies and a man were arrested when the said drug joint, JAT Suites, located at 30 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2 was raided and some quantities of Rohypnol and paraphernalia – for smoking crack cocaine – were recovered on Wednesday 22nd September, 2021.
Investigations reveal that the hotel is operated without requisite approvals in a high profile neighborhood and patronised by call girls while the bar serves as the spot to smoke and sell drugs to the young girls and their customers.
In a statement on Sunday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, explained that the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa has directed the FCT Command and the Directorate of Assets and Financial Investigations of the agency to do all within the law to ensure the property is forfeited to the Federal Government to serve as a deterrent to others who allow their premises to be used for drug dealing.
Two California women face murder charges Monday as a consequence of connection with an illegal butt implant surgery that results in the death of an aspiring social media star.
Libby Adame, 51, and Alicia Galaz, 23, were both arrested Aug. 5 in Riverside. The pair are reportedly mother and daughter.
According to LAPD Detective Robert Dinlocker, the two women performed an unauthorized and illegal procedure on 26-year-old Karissa Rajpaul of Encino on Oct. 15, 2019. Rajpaul had posted pictures of the procedures on a now-defunct social media account.
LAPD Deputy Chief of Police Alan Hamilton said Adame and Galaz called 911 after Rajpaul developed complications following the September 2020 procedure, but they then fled the home, KTLA reported.
“They took people’s cash and we know in a couple of incidents, it resulted in murder,” Hamilton said.
Popular socio-political activist and the former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri has accused Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, of campaigning for the presidency even from his sick bed in London.
He also accused President Muhammadu Buhari of mis-governing Nigeria from London.
He tweeted: “Bola Tinubu is campaigning to govern Nigeria from London. Buhari partially misgoverns Nigeria from London.
“With the reality of this fact, why did we gain independence from Britain only to shackle ourselves with London based despots who are worse than the British?”
It has been over two months since ruling party chieftain Bola Tinubu left the shores of Nigeria for medical treatment in London.
While in London, the former Lagos State governor had played host to several top Nigerian politicians including Preident Buhari, Governor Akeredolu and Governor Fayemi .
In the meantime, there are speculations that the APC National Leader might contest for the president of Nigeria in 2023.
The General Manager, JAMZ 100.1FM, Ibadan, Mr Tony Awobode was on Sunday beaten to stupor by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) CSP Akintunde Oyeniran and his men from the Iyaganku Police station.
Awobode, popularly known and address as Don Tee, suffered the harrassment, assault and humiliation from the supposed security operatives along Aleshinloye Junction on the fateful day.
The incident happened when Don Tee who was riding on a power bike was stopped by the DPO alledging that his car mirror was hit by the power bike as the JAMZ FM GM was trying to cross towards the Aleshinloye axis.
Efforts by Don Tee to prove otherwise even after stopping to see and confirm that there was no mark or sign of friction on the side mirror fell on deaf ears as the attempt only attracted slaps and bashing by the police boss.
The DPO who was visibly angry at Don Tee for attempting to speaking while he was talking and even showing effrontery to prove his claims were wrong showed no decorum as he decended on the his victim with varying degrees of battery.
While the situation lasted, Don Tee who was still seated on his bike was struggling not to let the bike fall off so as not to lead to another accident but the effort was nit seen by the police officer who was not in uniform assaulted him the more.
Despite the beating and assault which resulted in some injuries, swollen face, bruises for the media manager, as well as damages to his crash helmet, the DPO later called his officers who came to continue the beating before arresting him.
In the process of the arrest, Don Tee’s mobile phone was seized thereby denying him access to family members and relatives.
The beating and assault also continued at the station and the tyres of the power bike were deflated.
Speaking on the incident, battered Awobode lamented that his fundermental human rights were violated despite the truth that the vehicle the DPO was driving was not even scratched let alone damaged.
The U.S. deported more than 300 Haitians back to their home country Sunday as the federal government copes with a major spike in border arrivals in the small community of Del Rio, Texas.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced this Saturday, saying it would “accelerate” efforts to remove the migrants.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will within 24 to 48 hours deploy 400 additional agents to the Del Rio sector, the area which has been the centre of the migrant surge, DHS said in a statement.
“The Biden Administration has reiterated that our borders are not open, and people should not make the dangerous journey.
“Individuals and families are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion,” DHS said.
The agency announced steps it was taking to handle the surge of Haitian migrants at the Texas border with Mexico, including speeding up their removal and return to Haiti.
“DHS will secure additional transportation to accelerate the pace and increase the capacity of removal flights to Haiti and other destinations in the hemisphere within the next 72 hours,” DHS said.
The Del Rio port of entry has been temporarily closed after thousands of people sought to enter the United States in that area this week.
Meanwile, Haitian authorities said they would do what they could for the deportees, but pointedly said they were being repatriated against their will.
“These people do not accept the forced flight back to Haiti,” Jean Negot Bonheur Delva, head of Haiti’s migration office, told reporters in Port-au-Prince on Sunday, adding that his team expected flights to ramp up to as many as six per day by Tuesday.
“For these people, Haiti is hell,” he said.
The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Sunday, gave an account of how activists and former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia gave up the ghost on Sunday at the Specialist Hospital, Gwagwalada, in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
The Forum, in the statement issued by Dr. Isuwa Dogo, its National Publicity Secretary, alleged conspiracy and spiritless attitudes of medical personnel as responsible for the untimely death of the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the 2019 general elections.
The statement reads, “The death of the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, this (Sunday) morning came to us as a great shock.
“As someone who relentlessly participated in the activities of the Middle Belt Forum, his untimely death has dealt a deadly blow on ethnic nationalities of not only the Middle Belt but the country at large.
“Arising from various enquiries from Nigerians over the circumstances of his death, the Forum wishes to state as follows: That Dr. Mailafia arrived in Abuja last Sunday, September 12, 2021, from Akure and was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by his wife.
“On arrival at home, the wife noticed that he was not in the best of health conditions and seemed to be suffering from malaria.
“After three days of treatment without signs of improvement, he went to the CBN Hospital on Friday, September 17, 2021, where he was shabbily treated. It took the intervention of a senior medic who immediately placed him on oxygen and admitted him.
“Dr. Mailafia was later given the option of choosing three hospitals: Gwagwalada Hospital, National Hospital and EHA Clinics. The wife opted for the third choice. On arrival at the EHA Clinics, the wife was subjected to yet another moment of anxiety as it took a direct order from the top management of the hospital to accept him.
“After a few hours of treatment, the EHA Clinics told the wife that it was expedient to transfer the former CBN Deputy Governor to Gwagwalada, as the clinic was not fully equipped to handle the case.
“The wife opposed the decision and insisted that she was opposed to the idea of taking her husband to Gwagwalada. Mailafia’s wife only succumbed when the consultant assured her that nothing bad will happen to her husband.
“Yesterday, Saturday, September 18, 2021, Dr. Obadiah was transferred to Gwagwalada. On arrival, the doctor that was billed to attend to Dr. Mailafia was not on duty. Even when an attempt was made by foreign health consultants to save the situation, the doctor on duty got angry and said that he was not obligated to listen to any foreign consultants that had been brought into the matter with the sole purpose of ensuring that nothing goes wrong.
“Wife of the former CBN Deputy Governor was asked to pay the sum of N600,000 as a deposit, even when it was a referral case, with an accruing medical bill to be settled by the CBN. At a point, Dr. Mailafia complained over his breathing problems and pleaded with the doctors to place him on a ventilator. The doctors flatly refused.
“Even after the doctors declared Dr. Mailafia dead, foreign consultants who were brought into the matter through Dr. Mailafia’s son who lives abroad, had directed a family member who is a medical professional, with the wife of the CBN Deputy Governor, to mount pressure on the chest of Dr. Mailafia for resuscitation and thereafter place him on life support.
“The doctors in Gwagwalada refused all entreaties by the family members of Dr. Mailafia to follow the advice of the foreign consultants, insisting that they have already pronounced him dead. Even when the wife could feel the pulse of her husband, the doctor flatly declared that there was nothing they could do since they had already pronounced him dead.
“While the above narration sums up the circumstances under which Dr. Mailafia died, we still await the result of the actual cause of his death. As a nationalist and patriot that he was, Dr. Mailafia was completely dedicated to the emancipation of ethnic nationalities from the clutches of oppression.
“The economist was never afraid to speak truth to power, just as he remained committed to the enthronement of justice and equity to all citizens across ethnic and religious divides.
“In the twilight of his life, this consummate technocrat and global scholar of repute beamed his searchlight on the raging insecurity ravaging our country. He expressed regrets over the government’s incapacity to rein in the activities of insurgents and criminal groups terrorizing the nation.
“The death of Dr. Mailafia today represents a dark day for not only the Middle Belt but also for all citizens who yearn for a new dawn for justice in Nigeria.”
BELGIUM: The city of Brussels has said it will name a new street after a murdered Nigerian sex worker, as part of a wider campaign to recognize women in Belgium. The street will be the first named after a sex worker in the country, according to Belgium broadcaster RTBF.
Late Eunice Osayande was stabbed to death by one of her customers in June 2018.
Ms Osayande moved to Brussels in 2016 after being lured by human traffickers disguised as acting agents and film producers, but was forced into prostitution after arriving in Brussels. She was told she owed the smugglers €45,000 (£38,000; $52,000) for her transportation, pimps, and rent.
In the weeks leading up to her death, she had contacted a sex worker charity and informed them that she was being subjected to violence and intimidation at work. She was afraid of going to the police because she was an undocumented migrant.
Ms Osayande’s murder was charged to a 17-year-old man, who is currently on trial. Four members of the trafficking ring were also apprehended and sentenced to up to four years in prison in January of this year.
The City of Brussels said it wanted to draw attention to all the “forgotten women who are victims of human trafficking, sexual violence, and femicides” by naming a new street after Ms Osayande.
Pastor Benny Hinn sent a touching tribute to the late Pastor, Dr David Yonngi Cho and a part of the speech said “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Cho, an emeritus pastor at Seoul’s Yoido Full Gospel Church, died on September 14, 2021 at a Seoul hospital where he had been treated since he collapsed due to a cerebral hemorrhage in July 2020.
Pastor Benny’s tribute :
Even as I grieve Dr. Cho’s passing from this earth, I’m also rejoicing that he has graduated to his remarkable heavenly reward.
I am praying for the members of the Cho family and the staff and membership of Yoido Full Gospel Church. I am especially lifting up Young Hoon Lee, who in 2008 succeeded Dr. Cho as senior pastor.
Psalm 37:23 declares that a good person’s steps are “ordered by the Lord.” Certainly, this was true of each step of Dr. Cho’s well-spent 85 years.
This was a man who received Christ as Savior and Lord as a teenager, an evangelist whose zeal for souls brought millions to Calvary’s cross, a preacher who conveyed hope to the war-ravaged and despairing South Korean nation, and the leader of a worldwide prayer movement. He was perhaps best known as the proponent of small cell groups that eventually built his fledgling tent church in 1958 to more than 800,000 members, with 400 pastors and evangelists as well as 500 missionaries around the globe.
Dr. Cho also founded and led numerous related organizations and charities that included Church Growth International (teaching the principles of church growth and evangelism), Elim Welfare Town (serving the homeless and unemployed of all ages), and Kukmin Ilbo (a South Korean daily newspaper). In addition, he spent years as chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, Korean Christian Leaders Association, and Good People charity organization.
Who could have known such a remarkable legacy would come from an impoverished rural youth who picked up English from American soldiers and eventually worked as a translator by the time he was 15 for a nearby military base?
As a teenager he was stricken with tuberculosis and began rethinking his Buddhist beliefs. He began reading a Bible given to him by a young female friend. Languishing in a hospital, he desperately cried out to God, “I want to live! Please help me!”
After he was cured and released from the hospital, he openly gave all the glory for his healing to Almighty God. That led to Bible college in Seoul and a life of epic adventure as a groundbreaking Christian leader.
“All I did was offer my life just like the boy who offered Jesus the five loaves and two fish,” he said repeatedly. “I simply held onto the dreams that the Lord gave me. And I learned to pray with a do-or-die desperateness.”
Can you imagine his welcoming reception and rejoicing in heaven?
Dr. Cho truly affected my life in so many ways. Being around him was revolutionary. My first visit to Seoul remains vividly imprinted in my heart. I had heard about the world’s largest church congregation and Prayer Mountain, yet nothing could have prepared me for the intensity and freshness of the Holy Spirit’s anointing that flowed over him and the churchgoers service, after service each week. I have been with him during services and crusades since that time, and my respect for him has continued to grow monumentally.
Only eternity will measure the impact of this beloved man’s life, but the time has come to join his loved ones and believers throughout South Korea and around the globe in mourning the passing of my friend. So I unite with so many others in celebrating Dr. David Yonggi Cho’s reunion in heaven with his precious wife, family, friends, all those who are there as a result of his ministry, and especially with the Lord Jesus, whom my remarkable Korean brother served so faithfully during his memorable lifetime.
Maurice Fayne, who starred in Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, has been sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison for conspiracy and wire fraud related to a Ponzi scheme, and for bank fraud, and making false statements to a financial institution related a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application.
“Fayne planned to use the PPP program as a cover for his long-running Ponzi scheme,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “The funds the program supplies serve as a lifeline to many businesses desperately trying to stay afloat during the pandemic, and unfortunately his fraud helped deplete those precious dollars.”
“This sentence should serve notice that the FBI and our federal partners will investigate anyone who misdirects federal emergency assistance earmarked for businesses who need it to stay afloat,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “We won’t tolerate anyone driven by personal greed to pocket American taxpayer money that should be going to those who need it.”
“Lying to gain access to SBA’s pandemic response programs is not without consequence,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “OIG will relentlessly pursue evidence of fraud against SBA’s programs aimed at assisting the nation’s small businesses struggling with the pandemic challenges. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its leadership and dedication to pursuing justice.”
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: From March 2013 through May 2020, Fayne ran a multistate Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 20 people who invested in his trucking business. Fayne promised that he would use the investors’ money to operate the business. Instead, he used the money to pay his personal debts and expenses and to fund an extravagant lifestyle for himself. During the scheme, Fayne spent more than $5 million at a casino in Oklahoma.
In April 2020, Fayne submitted a $3.7 million PPP loan application to United Community Bank, falsely claiming that his trucking business had 107 employees and an average monthly payroll of $1,490,200. Fayne promised to use the PPP loan proceeds to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments related to his trucking business. Instead, Fayne used the PPP loan proceeds for improper purposes, including the following:
• $40,000 for past-due child support;
• $50,000 for restitution owed in a previous fraud case;
• $65,000 in cash withdrawals;
• $85,000 for custom-made jewelry;
• $136,000 to lease a Rolls-Royce;
• $230,000 to associates who helped him run a Ponzi scheme;
• $907,000 to start a new business in Arkansas.
Maurice Fayne, a/k/a Arkansas Mo, 38, of Dacula, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark H. Cohen to 17 years, six months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,465,865.55 to the victims. Fayne was convicted on these charges on May 11, 2021, after he pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Small Business Administration-Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Russell Phillips and Bernita Malloy prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Source - Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Georgia
A mother allegedly killed her own son because of missing SD card, Prosecutors said that on Saturday morning, Fallon Harris, 37, confronted her son, Kaden Ingram, 12, about the location of SD card she had removed from her car on Friday night.
Video from inside their home in the South Chicago neighborhood reportedly shows Harris threatening him with a gun. When he could not give her the card, she shot him once. He was left conscious and crying.
She then went to answer the phone, and walked back to her son, asked for the card again, and when he said he didn't know where it was, she shot him again, prosecutors said. This shooting is caught on video.
Kaden collapsed on the kitchen floor and died a short time later.
She allegedly told police that she had killed her son and showed them the silver revolver she had used to do it.
US President Joe Biden has urged unity as his country remembers the victims of the 2001 11 September attacks. In a video released on the eve of the 20th anniversary, he paid tribute to the 2,977 people who lost their lives.
"We honour all those who risked and gave their lives in the minutes, hours, months and years afterwards," Mr Biden added, speaking of the emergency workers who responded to the attacks. Commemoration events are due to take place on Saturday.
Joe Biden will begin with a ceremony at 08:30 (12:30 GMT) in New York at the site where the World Trade Center's Twin Towers once stood. He is not expected to deliver any speeches, but in his address on Friday, he said: "No matter how much time has passed, these commemorations bring everything painfully back as if you just got the news a few seconds ago."
He acknowledged the "darker forces of human nature - fear and anger, resentment and violence against Muslim Americans" which followed the attacks, but said that unity had remained the US' "greatest strength".
"We learned that unity is the one thing that must never break," he added.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed into law a bill granting the state government to collect Value Added Tax (VAT).
The Commissioner of Information and Strategy in Lagos, Gbenga Omotoso, proclaimed that in a statement on Friday.
“The governor signed the ‘bill for a law to impose and charge VAT on certain goods and services’ at about 11:45am today, after returning from an official trip to Abuja.
“By this act, the bill has now become a law,” said Omotoso.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) says its members are not ready for the Lagos State Government ban on open grazing.
On Monday, the ‘Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill’ passed second reading at the House of Assembly.
The bill seeks to ban open grazing, the trespass of cattle, illegal entering into farmlands, among others.
On Wednesday, Miyetti Allah’s Zonal Secretary in South-West, Maikudi Usman said the body needs more time to enlighten herders.
He spoke at a one-day public hearing organised by the state legislature.
Usman stated that herders are not used to breeding cattle in one place.
“When we say we will keep cattle in one place, the owner of the cattle will not have funds to feed the animals in one place.
“They (herdsmen) depend on going from one place to another because during the rainy season, we have where we settle down, and we also have for the dry season.
“We are pleading with the state government to give us more time to tell our people and train them on how to breed cattle in one place and not encroach on farmers’ land,” he said.
Usman added that it would be more expensive to breed cattle in one location, and urged Lagos authorities to amend the proposed bill.
THE Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has asked the National Assembly to stop the enactment of the open-grazing laws by some governors in the country.
Miyetti Allah National Secretary Saleh Alhassan made the call in Nasarawa State on Monday.
He claimed that the law was targeted against Fulani pastoralists.
He said that the law would undermine the relative peace and stability currently enjoyed in the local communities, threaten the social order and exacerbate cattle rustling.
Alhassan noted that the anti-open grazing laws would destroy livestock production and send millions of people depending on the livestock value chain into poverty.
He appealed to the National Assembly to rescue the pastoralists by resuscitating and passing the Grazing Reserves Commission Bill and other livestock management bills initiated by the previous assemblies.
He said that the review of the Land Use Act was long overdue to accommodate the interest of all land resources users, including pastoralists.
He further said that ranching, as envisaged by many, required capital investment and was difficult to sustain, uneconomical, and not small livestock holder-centred.
While calling on the Federal Government to create a Federal Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries as obtainable in many African countries, Alhassan canvassed for at least one grazing reserve in each senatorial district across the country.
The Taliban on Monday claimed total control over Afghanistan, saying they had won the key battle for the Panjshir Valley, the last remaining holdout guarded by The National Resistance Front (NRF) in Panjshi, the anti-Taliban militia and former Afghan security forces .
The Talibans' Leaders warned against any further attempts to rise up against their government, but encouraging former members of the security forces to join their regime’s ranks.
“With this victory, our country is completely taken out of the quagmire of war,” chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
“Anyone who tries to start an insurgency will be hit hard. We will not allow another,” he later added at a press conference in Kabul.
The Taliban published a video of their flag being raised over the governor’s house in Panjshir — underscoring a historic win that has seen the anti-Taliban bastion defeated for the first time during 40 years of conflict.
It remained in the hands of resistance fighters during Soviet rule, a subsequent civil war, and the Taliban’s first regime of the late 1990s.
The National Resistance Front (NRF) in Panjshir on Sunday acknowledged suffering major battlefield losses and called for a ceasefire.
But on Monday the group said in a tweet that its fighters were still present in “strategic positions” in the valley.
The NRF includes local fighters loyal to Ahmad Massoud — the son of the famous anti-Soviet and anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud — as well as remnants of the Afghan military that retreated to the Panjshir Valley.
As Taliban fighters amassed in the valley, Massoud on Monday called on Afghans in and out of the country to “rise up in resistance”.
On September 11, the president and First Lady Jill Biden will “honor and memorialize the lives lost 20 years ago,” according to the White House statement.
They will take part in commemorations in New York, where the twin towers of the World Trade Center destroyed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the site of a crash of a plane hijacked by four jihadists as well as Arlington, Virginia, where the Pentagon was attacked.
The 20-year anniversary of the fatal attacks that claimed about 3,000 lives on U.S. soil comes less than two weeks after the end of the War in Afghanistan, which lasted for almost two decades. The United States invaded the country weeks after the 2001 terrorist attacks to retaliate against the extremist group al Qaeda, which plotted the commercial plane hijackings, leader Osama bin Laden later admitted.
"We must never forget the enduring pain of the families and loved ones of the 2,977 innocent people who were killed during the worst terrorist attack on America in our history," Biden said in a statement Friday afternoon.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of Felix Olajide Sowore, brother of Sahara Reporters Publisher, Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate by kidnappers around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.
The pharmacy student at the Igbinedion University Okada was killed along the Lagos-Benin expressway when gunmen kidnapped about five persons travelling on the route.
The Police spokesperson in the state, Kontongs Bello said his body has been deposited at the Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital (IUTH) mortuary while search and rescue operation is ongoing for those abducted.
The Kogi State government has threatened to take legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Commissioner of Information and Communication in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, gave a warning on Thursday while briefing reporters at the Kogi Liaison Office in Abuja.
He accused the EFCC of a deliberate attempt to malign the integrity of the state governor, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N20 billion salary bailout funds said to be in fixed deposit at a commercial bank. The commissioner described as false and malicious the claims by the anti-graft agency that the governor did not disburse the said bailout funds released by the Federal Government in 2019 for payment of salary arrears owed civil servants in the state.
Rather, he informed reporters at the briefing that the state government disbursed the said funds since October 2019. Fanwo’s briefing comes two days after the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court issued an order freezing the Kogi State Salary Bailout Account domiciled in Sterling Bank over a N20 billion loan obtained from the bank.
The presiding judge, Justice Tijjani Ringim, held that the order would subsist pending the conclusion of an investigation or possible prosecution by the EFCC.
The Katsina State Government on Tuesday said it has prohibited the transportation of cattle from the state to any other state in Nigeria. This was contained in a statement signed by state government spokesperson, Abdu Labaran.
The ban is part of efforts to improve security in the state and is backed by the Security Challenges (Containment) Order signed into law by Governor Aminu Bello Masari. The order also bans trucks/lorries carrying firewood from the bush and the sale of animals at the markets of Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Malumfashi, Charanchi, Mai’aduwa, Kafur, Faskari, Sabuwa, Baure, Dutsinma and Kaita Local Government Areas.
The order prohibited the sale of second-hand motorcycles at Charanchi market, carrying three persons on motorcycles and carrying more than three passengers on a tricycle. “In addition, the Security Challenges (Containment) Order also imposed the (total) closure of Jibia-Gurbi Baure road to all motorists, with travellers playing the road to use the alternative Funtua road until further notice, and (the closure of) Kankara-Sheme road to all commercial vehicles, who are similarly advised to go through Funtua,” the statement added.
“However, private non-commercial vehicles may ply the road if they do wish.
JAMB has scrapped the system of setting a general cut-off mark for institutions. Institutions are now allowed to set their individual minimum standard for admission. This was part of the decision taken at the 2021 policy meeting which was held virtually and chaired by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.
According to the JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, some universities such as the University of Maiduguri proposed 150, Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto proposed 140, Pan Atlantic University proposed 210, University of Lagos 200, Lagos State University190, Covenant University190, Bayero University Kano, 180.
In the meeting, the participants also approved October 29, 2021, as the deadline for the closure of amendments for 2021 admissions.
On the deadline for the closure of admissions, the stakeholders resolved to allow the ministry to decide as they could not agree on the December 31, 2021, deadline for all public institutions and January 31st 2022 for all private institutions.
This means that schools will begin announcing their Post-UTME sales forms and screening dates soon. The time to start your preparation is now. Get the official 2021 Post-UTME Past Questions and Answers of the various schools. Click here to get yours now.
The meeting approved that for Direct Entry, DE, the maximum score a candidate can present is 6 and the minimum is 2 or E, as required by law.
The team members also exempted prison inmates, visually impaired and foreign candidates from sitting for post UTME exercise.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has confirmed the alleged shooting of a cargo boat by a military helicopter at Dutch Island along the Port Harcourt Bonny sea route in River State. Official statement on DHQ facebook page highlight recent actions taken by the military.
Read the full statement below
PressRelease #DHQUpdate
RE: MILITARY CHOPPER FIRES AT CARGO BOAT ON BONNY RIVER
The attention of the military has been drawn to a purported report by some print and online media stating that "the military fired at a cargo boat conveying people and food stuff from Port Harcourt to Bonny”. This report is false and calls to question the credibility of the online news medium.
Contrary to the report, the Air Component of the Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS) recieved reports from ground troops who were on clearance operations but encountered resistance at the point of encounter. On receiving the report a combat helicopter was despatched to provide close air support mission along the Cawthorne Channel.
The helicopter encountered an illegal oil bunkerers' boat popularly called "Cotonou Boat". The boat which was being escorted by 2 speedboats was suspected to be carrying illegally refined oil products in large drums along the Channel in the direction of OPDS patrol boats. On sighting the boat, warning shots were fired to dissuade the crew from hostile action. The crew fired back at the helicopter and the boat was engaged accordingly.
The 2 speedboats detached from the convoy at high speed leaving the "Cotonou Boat" which was neutralised. The helicopter later went after the 2 speedboats but was unable to track it. The suspects are still at large and a manhunt has been sent out to apprehend them.
The military remains a professional institution that operates in line with best practices through the application of rule of engagement and code of conduct. It is also positioned to protect the populace rather than victimising them. Efforts by anyone to protect criminality by disparaging the actions of the Military in preventing economic sabotage and other sundry crimes need to be condemned by all.
The general public is therefore enjoined to disregard the report and continue providing accurate information to troops that will lead to the attainment of own operational mandate of safeguarding lives, properties as well as government assets in the South South region.
BENJAMIN OLUFEMI SAWYERR
Director Defence Information
29 August 2021
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Federal Government, asking for details of the ₦729bn payment to 24.3m poor Nigerians across the country. SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, adding that the suit with the number FHC/L/CS/853/2021 was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
He said the group is seeking “an order directing and compelling the Federal Government to clarify whether the proposed payment to poor Nigerians is part of the ₦5.6 trillion budget deficits.”
SERAP wants the court “to compel the Federal Government to disclose details of proposed payments of ₦729bn to 24.3 million poor Nigerians, including the mechanisms and logistics for the payments, list of beneficiaries, and how they have been selected, and whether the payments will be made in cash or through Bank Verification Numbers or other means”.
The suit followed the group’s Freedom of Information (FoI) request to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs,Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
The State Security Service (SSS) have been issued 48 hours ultimatum to comply with a release order of the Federal High Court on the 12 detained associates of Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday ‘Igboho’ Adeyemo Osha, or face contempt proceedings.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Pelumi Olajengbesi, counsel to the detainees, also called on international bodies and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to intervene on the constant disobedience of court orders by officials of the State Security Service.
Read the full transcript of the press conference.
Gentlemen of the Press.
It has become imperative and urgent to make this brief address in light of the vindictive and oppressive conduct of the State Security Service in the matter involving twelve detained associates of Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho.
In the wee hours of the 1st of July, 2021, a joint team of men from the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigerian Military, with neither lawful cause nor a warrant of arrest, broke into the Ibadan home of Yoruba Nation activist popularly known as Sunday Igboho and extra-judicially murdered two of his associates while rounding up, bounding and abducting twelve others to be incarcerated without cause in the dungeons of the SSS where they continue to languish without reprieve to this day.
All twelve detainees who were immediately subjected to degrading conditions of detention and torture were denied access to their lawyers by the SSS up until the intervention of the court through an order recognising and re-emphasizing the detainees’ right to legal representation against whatever allegations against them.
Regrettably and indeed unacceptably, while no charges, in full or tentatively, have been preferred against all twelve detainees, the SSS have failed and refused to honour an order of court which granted bail to and ordered the release of all twelve detainees upon the perfection of the terms of their bail which have now been fully satisfied and duly communicated to the SSS.
The refusal of the SSS to honour a clear order of court, though habitual, is not only worrisome and unacceptable but is an affront on the authority of the court and our entire judicial system. Such blatant disregard for, and contemptuous, spiteful and insolent disrespect of an order of court if allowed to fester would undermine the very integrity of the court and breed even newer levels of rascality by STATE AGENTS. It would also amount to surrendering the freedom and rights of all twelve detainees to the whims and caprices of an agency that has gone rogue and thrives in wilful disobedience of court orders.
In light of this, we are giving the SSS, particularly its Director-General, forty-eight (48) hours and not an hour more, within which to fully obey and comply with the release order of the court in favour of all twelve detained associates of Mr. Sunday Igboho or face contempt proceedings before a court of competent jurisdiction with the full weight and recompense of the court brought to bear against his insolence and disregard of court order.
Take notice that we will not fail to exhaust all legal and social remedy available to the detainees in enforcing their rights in this matter and setting the tone against the SSS’ notorious disregard of due process and the rule of law.
Thank you.
Signed:
PELUMI OLAJENGBESI ESQ
Legal Practitioner
President Joe Biden addressed the American citizens about the terrorist attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport on Thursday.
As you all know, the terrorist attacks that we've been talking about and worried about within the intelligence community, was an undertaking attack by a group known as ISIS-K. They took the lives of American service members standing guard at the airport and wounded several others seriously. They also wounded a number of civilians, and civilians were killed as well. I've been engaged all day and in constant contact with the military commanders here in Washington, the Pentagon, as well as in Afghanistan and Doha. And my command here in Washington has been on this with great detail and you've had a chance to speak to some.
So far, the situation on the ground is still evolving. And I'm constantly being updated. These are American service members who gave their lives. It's an overused word, but it's totally appropriate here. These individuals were heroes. Heroes who have been engaged in a dangerous, selfless mission to save the lives of others are a part of an airlift, and evacuation effort and like any scene in history. With more than 100,000 American citizens, American partners, Afghans who helped us, and others, to safety.
In the last 11 days, just the last 12 hours or so, another 7,000 have got out. They were part of the bravest, most capable and most selfless military on the face of the earth. And they were part of simply what I call, the backbone of America. They're the spine of America. The best the country has to offer.
Jill and I, our hearts ache. Like I'm sure all of you do as well. For all those Afghan families who have lost loved ones including small children who were wounded during this vicious attack—and we're outraged, as well as heartbroken. Being the father of a Army Major who served a year in Iraq and before that, was in Kosovo as a U.S. Attorney for the better part of six months in the middle of a war. When he came home after a year, and in Iraq was diagnosed—like many, many coming home—with an aggressive and lethal cancer of the brain, who we lost. We have some sense like many of you do, what the families of these brave heroes are feeling today. You get this feeling like you've been sucked into a black hole. In your chest. There's no way out. My heart aches for you. And I know this. We have a continuing obligation. A sacred obligation to all of you. To the families of those heroes, that obligation is not temporary. It lasts forever.
The lives we lost today were the lives, given in the service of liberty, the service of security, and the service of others. In the service of America, like their fellow brothers and sisters in arms who died defending our vision and our values, with the struggle against terrorism, on this day, are part of a great noble company of American heroes. To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this—we will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interest in our people with every measure at my command.
Over the past few weeks. I know you're—many of you are probably tired of hearing me say it. We've been made aware, from our intelligence community, that the ISIS-K, an arch-enemy of the Taliban—people were freed when both those prisons were opened, have been planning a complex set of attacks on the United States personnel and others. This is why from the outset, I've repeatedly said that this mission was extraordinarily dangerous, which is why I was so determined to limit the duration of this mission.
As General McKenzie said, this is why our mission was designed the way it was designed—to operate under severe stress and attack. We've known that from the beginning. As I've been in constant contact with our senior military leaders and I mean, constant, around the clock—and our commanders on the ground throughout the day, they've made it clear that we can and we must complete this mission, and we will. That's what I've ordered them to do. We will not be deterred by terrorists. We will not let them stop our mission. We will continue the evacuation.
I've also ordered my commanders to develop operational plans to strike ISIS-K assets, leadership and facilities. We will respond with force and precision at our time, at the place we choose, in a moment of our choosing. Here's what you need to know—these ISIS terrorists will not win. We will rescue the Americans. We will get our Afghan allies out and our mission will go on. America will not be intimidated. And I have the utmost confidence in our brave service members who continue to execute this mission with courage and honor to save lives and get Americans, our partners, and our Afghan allies out of Afghanistan.
Every day when I talked to our commanders. I ask them what they need—what more do they need, if anything, to get the job done. As they will tell you, I've granted every request. I reiterated to them today, on three occasions, that they should take the maximum steps necessary to protect our forces on the ground and Kabul. I also want to thank the Secretary of Defense, the military leadership in the Pentagon, and all the commanders in the field. There has been complete unanimity of every commander on the objectives of this mission—and the best way to achieve those objectives. Those who have served through the ages have drawn inspiration from the book of Isaiah, when the Lord says, who shall I said, who shall go for us—American military has been answering for a long time. Here I am, Lord sent me. Here I am, send me. Each one of these women and men of our armed forces are the heirs of that tradition of sacrifice of volunteered to go in harm's way to risk everything—not for glory, not for profit but to defend what we love and the people we love. And I ask that you join me now, in a moment of silence, for all those, in uniform and out. Those beautiful military civilians, who have given the last full measure of devotion.
Thank you. God bless you all. May God protect the troops and all those, who are standing watch for America.
The US military said Thursday that a large explosion occurred outside the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, as the US-led airlift of thousands continued inside the compound.
“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” said Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby.
British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told the BBC early Thursday there was "very, very credible reporting of an imminent attack" at the airport, possibly within "hours." Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said his country had received information from the U.S. and other countries about the "threat of suicide attacks on the mass of people."
The acting U.S. ambassador to Kabul, Ross Wilson, said the security threat at the Kabul airport overnight was "clearly regarded as credible, as imminent, as compelling."
A Taliban official reportedly acknowledged at least 13 people including children were killed in the explosion.
A former Wayne County corrections officer was arrested for allegedly smuggling
contraband to prisoners.
WCSO officials say Dayton Beasley has been stripped of his authority and status as a detention officer. He was arrested and charged with violation of oath of office, trading with inmates without consent of warden or superintendent, crossing the guard line with a controlled substance and more.
The man was “stripped of his authority” and a video posted on the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Facebook page shows an officer cutting off his uniform in front of a group at the Wayne County Jail. The video has since been deleted and WCSO posted a statement claiming the video was posted “as a show of transparency.”
“You come to our jail and do this, this is what it’s gon’ get you,” an officer says after he cut off the man’s shirt. “You’re a disgrace to this uniform and you need to go to jail for good.”
WCSO’s narcotics team says its completed an undercover two-week investigation charging Dayton Beasley and expecting more arrests. Beasley’s charges include: Violation of Oath of Office, Trading with Inmates without Consent of Warden or Superintendent, among other charges.
The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday fully approved Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, public health officials expect the approval will convince some people who remain undecided about the vaccine to get the shot.
“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the Covid-19 pandemic,” acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement.
“While millions of people have already safely received Covid-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated.”
The Covid vaccine, which may now be marketed under its brand name Comirnaty, is the first to receive full approval.
Tens of millions of shots have already been administered under an emergency use authorization (EUA) that was granted on December 11, 2020.
The decision to award it approval was based on updated data from the drug’s clinical trial, including a longer duration of follow-up, with safety and effectiveness evaluated among more than 40,000 people.
The US military has previously announced it will mandate the vaccine as soon as it receives full approval, and a slew of private businesses and universities are expected to follow.
The vaccine remains available under emergency use authorization to children aged 12 to 15.
U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell has convicted a Nigerian national residing in Indianapolis, Ismaila Fafunmi, to 51 months in federal prison for charges related to a money laundering operation, which laundered the proceeds of romance fraud and grant fraud schemes targeting senior citizens.
According to Court records, Fafunmi was involved in a network that was comprised of several layers.
The initial layer consisted of scammers using computers in Nigeria who preyed on elderly citizens of the United States by impersonating romantic companions eager to make lasting relationships on dating websites or by offering fake federal grants to senior citizens.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Fafunmi admitted in his Plea Agreement that, beginning in June 2018, he and his co-conspirators would set up fake profiles on dating websites profiling American men, often military members.
Two victims of the scheme lived in Kentucky. One sent more than $200,000 in funds, gift cards, and electronic devices, to a person she believed to be her boyfriend.
Another sent over $170,000, for what she believed to be fees associated with a federal grant. Fafunmi received portions of these funds, kept some of the money, and sent the remainder abroad.
Fafunmi pleaded guilty in August 2020 and was sentenced on Friday.
Arsenal have signed midfielder Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid for a fee in the region of £30m
Norway international Odegaard, 22, spent the second half of last season on loan at the Emirates. He made 20 appearances in all competitions and scored two goals. England Under-21 international Ramsdale made 38 Premier League appearances for the Blades last season.
He will join Bernd Leno and Runar Alex Runarsson as Arsenal's goalkeepers. "There is still some paperwork but his medical is done, still a few things to sort with Sheffield," Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said.
The Gunners have also agreed a deal to sign Ramsdale from Sheffield United.
"Aaron is a talented young keeper with huge experience and has international experience for England. He will bring competition and that's what we want to create - healthy competition, quality competition in every position. We identified Aaron as the ideal option."
Capitol police are responding to an “active bomb threat investigation” after a man in a pickup truck threatened to detonate an explosive device near the Library of Congress in Washington DC.
A man appearing to be the suspect took to Facebook Live to stream a series of threats — and asking to speak to President Joe Biden.
“I’m trying to get Joe Biden on the phone. I’m parked up here on the sidewalk right beside all this pretty stuff,” said the man, identified on the Facebook page as Ray Roseberry.
“I’m telling you, them snipers come in, they start shooting this window out, this bomb’s going off,” he said.
Police said the suspect man drove the pickup truck onto the sidewalk before making his threats.
“The driver of the truck told the responding officer on the scene that he had a bomb and what appeared, the officer said, appeared to be a detonator in the man’s hand,” Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger told reporters.
An evacuation of nearby buildings was ordered, and law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were in negotiations with the man.
“We are in communication with the suspect,” Manger told reporters.
“We’re trying to get as much information as we can to find a way to peacefully resolve this,” the police chief added, while declining to identify the suspect or provide details about him.
“We don’t know what his motives are,” Manger added.
While it remained unclear whether the vehicle contains actual explosives, the Library of Congress’s main buildings were evacuated amid the scare, as was the nearby US Supreme Court and at least one of the three House office buildings.
The nearby Republican National Committee headquarters was also reportedly evacuated and the Washington Metro’s Capitol Hill subway station closed as a precaution.
A White House official said staff in the executive mansion where monitoring the situation and receiving updates from law enforcement.
In April a man crashed a car into barriers at the US Capitol, killing one Capitol Police officer before the attacker was shot and killed.
The Taliban promised yesterday that they would respect women’s rights, forgive those who had fought against them, they will not seek revenge on Afghans who worked for former or western governments, and they will also encourage a free press and restore peace.
Laying out the Taliban’s official policy agenda for the first time since seizing power, the group’s spokesman insisted that women would be allowed to work and study but, ominously, guaranteed their rights only “within the framework of sharia”.
Zabihullah Mujahid told a press conference in Kabul that women “can have activities in different areas and serve in education and health but of course within the frameworks we have”.
There have been scenes of nervousness at Kabul airport as unhappy residents try to flee following the seizure of the Afghan capital by the Taliban.
With scheduled flights suspended, many foreigners and Afghans are stranded. The US and other countries are rushing to evacuate staff and allies. On Sunday the Taliban declared victory after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled abroad and his government collapsed.
The militants' return to rule brings an end to almost 20 years of a US-led coalition's presence in the country.
At least seven people were killed during the chaos, including several people who plunged to their deaths after clinging on to a U.S. military jet that took off from the runway. The U.S. temporarily suspended evacuations to secure the airfield.The Islamist group was able to seize control after most foreign troops pulled out.
Grady Health Care System is full because of the highly infectious Delta variant, the system's top health official confirmed to Fox 5 News in Atlanta.
"We are full we are at capacity," Chief Medical Officer Robert Jansen said.
"The numbers unfortunately are going up rapidly. It’s an exponential curve we are experiencing with more cases coming in every day."
On a daily basis, the hospital is being tasked with treating an increasing number of patients who are infected with the COVID-19 delta variant.
"We are not where we were in January when we reached our peak but if we continue with this trend then we can equal that or we can surpass it," Dr. Jansen reported.
"The people who are coming in are primarily unvaccinated. There are very few vaccinated people but we have had some people admitted who were vaccinated but most of them had not received both doses or just started the vaccine sequence," Jansen said.
On July 27, 2021, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidance on the need for urgently increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage and a recommendation for everyone in areas of substantial or high transmission to wear a mask in public indoor places, even if they are fully vaccinated.
The Nigerian High Commission in London has been closed for 10 days after two officials tested positive for COVID-19. The High Commission stated this in a statement on Thursday night.
“This afternoon, the Head of Immigration Section and two other officials went for a meeting at the Home Office,” it said in the statement. “At the entrance, COVID test was administered on them and one of them tested positive to COVID-19. The affected officer was immediately isolated while the other officials who tested negative will also be isolated for the next 10 days.”
The Mission explained that, as a result, it began testing all officials after that, leading to another positive case. “In line with COVID-19 regulation and the need to adhere to the rules and regulation of the host country, the Mission will close down for the next 10 days, in order to observe the mandatory isolation of those who were in contact with the affected officials,” it added.
It, however, regretted any inconveniences the development may have caused.
Music Midtown has announced on its social media accounts that all who attend the festival will need to be fully vaccinated or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
“For the safety of our patrons and our staff is our number one priority. As such, a full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result will be required to attend Music Midtown 2021,” the festival said.
Attendees who are not fully vaccinated will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of attending Music Midtown. Attendees will be required each day to bring a printed copy of a vaccine card, vaccine record or their negative test results.
Music Midtown is scheduled for Sept. 18-20 at Piedmont Park. Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers and 21 Savage are among the headliners. Megan Thee Stallion, Jack Harlow and Machine Gun Kelly are also featured among the festival’s 30+ artists and bands.
The Federal Government has said it will lift its ban on Twitter, in a matter of days. Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed announced this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Mr. Mohammed disclosed that the status of the conversation with the microblogging site has reached an amicable stage, with agreements reached in all areas except three. The remaining three unresolved areas, according to him, are simply a matter of ‘when and not ‘if’ there would be an implementation of conditions discussed.
One of the pending issues according to the minister is in relation to the condition that Twitter establishes a legal presence in Nigeria, registered as a Nigerian company with an office address and an employee to serve as a country representative in the country.
The Federal Government suspended Twitter’s operations in June after the social media platform deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari for breaching the site’s rules.
Nigeria is expected to receive 176,000 doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday. Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, said at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stated the J&J single shot vaccine is safe and efficient against the coronavirus disease, including the deadlier Delta variant. It is expected to boost Nigeria’s COVID-19 fight with the Delta variant sparking fears of a third wave of the pandemic.
Dr. Shuaib had recently announced that the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme would commence soon.
The exercise had earlier been scheduled to begin on Tuesday, but it was postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to a spokesperson in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey. The need for the rollout of the second batch of the vaccines has, however, become crucial as Nigeria gradually returns to seeing a spike in infections. As of Monday, 422 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the country, with five more deaths.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the infections were recorded in nine states. Lagos maintained the lead with 190 cases, followed by Rivers (86) and Ogun (85). Others are Oyo (22), FCT (20), Kwara (7), Edo (5), Abia (4), and Bayelsa (3). So far, a total of 178,508 cases have been confirmed, 165,983 patients have recovered and 2,192 deaths have been recorded in 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
A petition that calls for a monthly $2,000 stimulus payment to every American is nearing 3 million online signatures. Financial insecurity, and the loss of a job and the loss of hours have been some of the main reasons.
The petition was posted on Change.org by Denver restaurant owner Stephanie Bonin and proposed to Congress to come up with a law that would provide families with “$2,000 payment for adults and a $1,000 payment for kids immediately, and continuing regular checks for the duration of the (COVID-19) crisis.”
Also, a group of Democratic Senators, including Ron Wyden of Oregon, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, sent a letter to President Joe Biden at the end of March requesting “recurring direct payments and automatic unemployment insurance extensions tied to economic conditions.”
The Senators argued in their letter, “this crisis is far from over, and families deserve certainty that they can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. Families should not be at the mercy of constantly-shifting legislative timelines and ad hoc solutions.”
An earlier letter to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris from 53 Representatives, led by Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, carved out a similar position. “Recurring direct payments until the economy recovers will help ensure that people can meet their basic needs, provide racially equitable solutions, and shorten the length of the recession.”
Additional co-signers included New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib, two other notable names among House Progressives. Relief payments were intended to lessen COVID’s economic impact and support the economy in the process.
U.S.A : A woman in Louisiana has been arrested on charges of second-degree murder after she allegedly confessed to taking opiates before breastfeeding her 4-day-old child, following the infant’s death.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said Thursday that Lana Cristina, 28, was booked for second-degree murder in the death of her daughter.
The baby died June 10 after Cristina called 911 from a hotel in Harvey early that morning because the child was not breathing. First responders rushed the victim to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
An autopsy and toxicology report found that the child’s cause of death was acute fentanyl toxicity, according to the sheriff’s office.
Information reveal Lana Cristina is being held on $400,000 bond on the murder charge .
On the third day of her trip to Sudan, Administrator Samantha Power traveled to Um Rakuba refugee camp in Gedaref State to meet with refugees from Ethiopia’s Tigray region, representatives of Sudanese communities hosting the refugees, and U.S. government humanitarian partners responding to the crisis. USAID is providing food assistance to nearly all of the more than 46,000 refugees who have fled to Sudan since the start of the conflict.
The Administrator spoke with representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees about the humanitarian assistance they are providing to Um Rakuba’s 21,000 refugees. Sudanese living in areas near the camp described the impact of the refugee crisis on their communities, which, along with the Government of Sudan, have welcomed Ethiopians fleeing conflict, atrocities, and starvation. Administrator Power then toured food and cash distribution sites and heard directly from camp residents and frontline humanitarian workers. The Administrator sat with a group of women living at Um Rakuba and heard their stories, including accounts of horrific sexual violence at the hands of armed groups.
Following her trip to Eastern Sudan, the Administrator returned to Khartoum and toured a Government of Sudan Family Support Program (SFSP) enrollment center. SFSP is a USAID-supported social safety net program designed to ensure Sudanese people can make ends meet as the country makes important economic reforms. Administrator Power spoke with the young volunteers who work in their communities to get their neighbors enrolled in the program as well as with families who were in the process of enrolling for the first time. To date, some 1.35 million families have been enrolled with 400,000 receiving payments through both WFP and the World Bank. The World Bank has a target of 3 million families enrolled and receiving payments by the end of the calendar year. USAID has provided $20 million and is planning a further infusion of support in order to help expand enrollment.
The Administrator then sat down for an interview with the Sudanese Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) - formerly a propaganda arm of the Bashir regime that is now serving as a reliable source of news for the Sudanese people. USAID’s Office of Transition
Initiatives is providing funding and support to SBC in its transition to a news organization that is legally independent of the government.
Following the interview, the Administrator held detailed discussions with Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari, about the wide range of judicial, regulatory, and legislative reforms that his ministry has begun, while they discussed the specific support from USAID and other donors that could strengthen the ministry’s capacity for reform and accelerate the strengthening of the rule of law after so many decades of impunity, corruption, and neglect.
Additionally, the Administrator’s delegation met with a group representing Sudan’s business community to discuss the vital role of the private sector in advancing economic growth as the country emerges from years of international isolation.
Credit -Office of Press Relations,USAID
Silver Medalist Blessing Oborodudu and bronze medalist Ese Brume have been given a cash reward of $10,000 and $7500, respectively by the Federal Government of Nigeria for their achievements at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in a ceremony held at Grand Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.
Oborodudu and Brume were presented their cash by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.
“There’s no point delaying the reinforcement of these athletes who have made the country proud, that is the reason they were rewarded immediately for their record breaking performance,” Dare said.
Reacting to their achievements in Tokyo, Brume and Oborududu thanked everyone including the minister who had contributed one way or the other to their success in the world’s biggest multi-sports event.
Silver medallist Oborududu also became the first Nigerian to win an Olympic medal in wrestling.
“I am just super excited and I want to say thank you to all my supporters and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the encouragement,” Oborodudu said.
NIGERIA: A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the 12 associates of Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
Delivering the ruling on the application filed by the 12 applicants before the court, the presiding Judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, said it is clear that no charge has been brought against Sunday Igboho’s aides since their arrest.
As such, the court held that detaining them without charging them contravenes the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and their fundamental rights.
Eight of the applicants, the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th applicants, were granted bail in the sum of N5million each with surety in like sum resident in Abuja.
The remaining four applicants, the 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 12th applicants, were granted bail in the sum of N10 million each with surety in like sum also resident in Abuja.
The aides were arrested when DSS officials raided Igboho’s home on July 1, but a lawyer to the apprehended aides, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has sued on grounds that their fundamental human rights were being infringed on.
The DSS earlier on Monday, August 2 presented eight instead of the 12 arrested aides. The DSS told the court that it believes that the four Applicants would escape from the country like Igboho, once released from detention and would not make themselves available for further investigation or trial.
The court then ordered the security agency to produce all the 12 aides.
In obedience to the court order, the DSS on Wednesday produced all 12 detained aides before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Police department in Oyo State have said that perpetrators of the attack on Amuludun FM 99.1, Moniya, Ibadan, would be brought to justice.
The command’s spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, affirmed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hoodlums had, on Saturday, attacked the radio station, vandalising the windscreens of the four vehicles parked within the premises as well as the station’s glass entrance door.
Mr Osifeso quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, as assuring all and sundry that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be made to face full wrath of the law.
According to Mrs Onadeko, investigations into the incident are currently ongoing, adding that developments will be communicated to the public accordingly.
She called on the public to promptly inform the police any incident of this nature, for their quick intervention.
Giving update on what led to the attack, the police commissioner said that it was occasioned by the face-off between a vigilante group and some criminal elements.
“It was due to the face-off between members of Soludero, a local vigilante group, and some criminal elements around Sasa Area in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State while the latter was on routine patrol on Saturday, at about 4:00 pm,” she said.
Mrs Onadeko added that a member of the criminal gang sustained gunshot injuries during the clash and was confirmed dead at the hospital.
“Consequent upon this, the hoodlums, in their numbers, stormed Soludero’s presumed office, located at the premises of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Amuludun 99.1 FM, Moniya, Ibadan, in a bid to launch a reprisal attack.
“Preliminary investigation gathered from an on-the-spot assessment shows that upon the arrival of the hoodlums, they became agitated, as none of their targets was on sight.
“Consequently, windscreens of the four vehicles parked within the premises were broken, along with the glass door at the entrance of the media outfit, inferring that the attack was not targeted directly at the media outfit but the vigilante group,” Mrs Onadeko said.
The Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, AbuSatar Idowu Hamed has been decorated with the prestigious ‘Outstanding Publisher of the Year Award’ at the 2021 Bethnews Exceptional Leadership Award ceremony.
The Veteran Journalist and former Entertainment/Celebrity editor was among other dignitaries who were honoured with various category of awards on Sunday, August 1, 2021.
According to Mr. Seun Fabiyi, Managing Director of Trust Bethnews Media Communications (TBELA), publisher of Bethnews magazine & online, AbuSatar Idowu Hamed was honoured as a result of his outstanding services as Veteran Journalist who has contributed immensely to the development and stability of Journalism in Nigeria, through his sustained publications – StarTrend Int’l magazine & online – www.startrendinternational.com.
His words, “Alhaji AbuSatar Hamed is one of the veteran journalists that always support his colleagues in the industry, and would always go to any length to put smiles on the troubled minds.
“Hence, we are hereby proud to bestow on him the prestigious Outstanding Publisher of the Year Award,”
The event also featured the celebration of organizers 6 years of consistently informing Nigerians through the publication – Bethnews magazine and online.
Seun Fabiyi, the Bethbews boss, the incredible and hardworking Publisher of Bethnews, was also celebrated as he officially commenced the journey of his fourth decade on earth.
The 3-in-1 event which took place at the Lagos NUT Pavilion Event Centre, NERDC Road, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, witnessed the convergence of the Media, Corporate bodies, Politicians and Entertainment world legends as well as a gathering of the family and friends of Seun Fabiyi.
The official coverage was done by Seun Okinbaloye, Chief Kingsley Uranta of CHANNELS TV, Kolade Otitoju of TVC, Ola Onabajo of KAFTAN TV and many others.
AbuSatar Hamed who received the award alongside Chief (Dr.) Lere Paimo, MFR, fondly called Eda Onile Ola, had cut his teeth in the journalism profession over four decades at the rested Sketch Press Ltd, Ibadan, while responding to the award expressed his gratitude to the Publisher and staff of Bethnews magazine for the honour.
He told the audience how he and other entertainment writers had blazed the trail in the industry ensuring constant featuring of stars and celebrities, but lamented that some of those people were going about lording the fame over others as if they were made then through their sheer work and forgetting the contributions of the entertainment journalists.
The veteran journalist lampooned those star artistes who rose to the top through the efforts of committed reporters, but now turned around to ‘bite the fingers that fed them’.
He however urged colleagues in the pen profession to build stars in the journalism industry by celebrating themselves and constantly featuring one another in in their publications and awards recognitions.
AbuSatar Hamed who is also Chairman, Federated Chapel of Ogun State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), a body that consists of community publishers and editors across Ogun state thanked the veteran Nollywood actor, Chief (Dr.) Lere Paimo, MFR, for coming all the way from Ibadan for the Bethnews award.
“This shows Chief Lere Paimo’s love and respect for the media, and this gesture is highly appreciated”, AbuSatar enthused.
AbuSatar Hamed used the occasion to inform the public that StarTrend Int’l magazine will be 10 on November 11, 2021 when some notable Nigerians and corporate organizations would be honoured with various category of awards to appreciate them for their immense contribution to the socio-economic growth and youth development in the country.
The awards, according to him would also serve as an encouragement for others to emulate the good gestures of the awardees.
AbuSatar Hamed is also the National Coordinator of League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LEYAMP), an association of Publishers and Journalists in Yewa-Awori axis of Ogun State.
LEYAMP which was initiated by AbuSatar and has its membership across the world was established to promote and defend the course of the Ogun West senatorial district of the state.
The association since its inception has held audience with notable Nigerians.
They include Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Abdulsalami Mustapha (rtd) who joined Chief Obasanjo during a visit of the group to the statesman.
Others are Senator Tolu Odebiyi former Chief of Staff to the ex-governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, now a Senator representing Ogun Central at the National Assembly.
The group also had audience with Otunba Wasiu Taiwo (Wessy Creation) and Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI) among others.
The Federal Government is set to begin the roll-out of fifth-generation (5G) services across the country. Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, made the statement on Friday at a public inquiry on the instruments necessary for the deployment of the technology. The instruments are the annual operating levy regulations and the frequency spectrum regulations.
Professor Danbatta clarified that the commission has submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy and is awaiting approval from the Federal Government to roll out the services. He added that the commission is also discussing the fees and pricing for the technology.
The NCC and the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May to facilitate the deployment of 5G technology. Both agencies signed the agreement on the use of C-Band Spectrum for 5G services in Nigeria at an event in Abuja.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners at the NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande, noted that in recent times, precisely from the last quarter of 2019, several administrations have begun to license spectrum for commercial deployment of 5G. He stated that 5G services have already been deployed in the United States and South Korea among many more countries in the world.
A warrant of arrest has been issued against a Deputy Commissioner of Nigerian Police Abba Kyari following his indictment in the ongoing trial of Nigerian fraudster Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, known as Hushpuppi, in the United States.
The warrant was issued by Otis Wright, a judge in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, on July 26.
The court instructed the Federal Bureau of Investigation to track down Kyari and produce him in the United States to face trial for his roles in the fraud.
Kyari was said to have been bribed by Hushpuppi to have Chibuzo Vincent, one of his business partners, arrested in Nigeria following a dispute over a $1.1 million. The court ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation to track down Kyari and produce him in the United States to face trial for his roles in the fraud.
Meanwhile, Kyari had denied the allegation in a statement on his Facebook page, but he admitted to have collected the sum of N300,000 transferred by the suspect for clothes and caps through the cloth seller’s bank account.
He also said Chibuzo Vincent was arrested at no cost.
“Abbas who we later came to know as Hushpuppi called our office about 2 years ago that somebody in Nigeria seriously threatened to kill his Family here in Nigeria and he sent the person’s Phone number and pleaded we take action before the Person attacks his family,” he said.
“We traced and arrested the Suspect and after investigations we discovered there wasn’t an actual threat to anyone’s life. And they are long time friends who have money issues between them hence we released the Suspect on bail to go and he was not taken to any jail.
Alleged international scammer, Ramon Abbas who is popularly known as Hushpuppi, has pleaded guilty to multi-million-dollar fraud charges filed against him by the United States government. In a plea agreement document, Hushpuppi agreed to plead guilty as charged.
The document was signed by Hushpuppi; his lawyer, Loius Shapiro; acting United States attorney, Tracy Wilkison, amongst others. This was contained in a statement released on Wednesday by the court titled, ‘Six Indicted in International Scheme to Defraud Qatari School Founder and then Launder over $1 Million in Illicit Proceeds’.
His plea agreement stated further that he will now be pleading guilty to Count Two which is “Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering,” an offence that attracts a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment among other punishments including full restitution.
The document partly read, “defendant (Hushpuppi) admits that defendant is, in fact, guilty of the offence to which defendant is agreeing to plead guilty. Arrested in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate (UAE) in June 2020, and subsequently extradited to the U.S. where most of the victims of his alleged fraudulent activities are based, Mr Abass has spent the last one year in custody maintaining his innocence.
A date is to be fixed for him to change his previous “not guilty” plea to “guilty” and will be followed by a sentencing hearing for the judge to determine how long he will spend in j
Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles said “mental health” concerns had led to her withdrawal from the women’s team final at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday.
“I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and my wellbeing,” the 24-year-old American said after her team were beaten by the Russian quartet in her absence.
Biles exited the final at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre after a lacklustre opening vault and walked off the competition floor before returning a short time later.
The US team immediately withdrew her from the rest of the final.
After she joined her teammates to collect their silver medals, four-time Olympic champion Biles confirmed she had not been injured.
She said: “I just don’t trust myself as much as I used to, and I don’t know if it’s age. I’m a little bit more nervous when I do gymnastics.
“I feel like I’m also not having as much fun, and I know that this Olympic Games, I wanted it to be for myself,” she said, as she began to cry.
“It just sucks that it happens here at the Olympics Games… with the year that it’s been, I’m really not surprised the way it played out.”
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has postponed the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the trial on Monday at the resumption of proceedings at the court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) because the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to produce Kanu in court
Justice Nyako faulted the action of the security outfit, saying that she had stayed back in her chambers waiting for the defendant to be in court. She asked the prosecution to be diligent with dates whenever she gives one, stressing that it was important for Kanu to be present at his trial.
In his response, the prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, informed the judge that the defendant was not in court due to logistics reasons. Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on his part, decried that the DSS has denied them access to the defendant for the past eight days. As a result, he urged Justice Nyako to grant the request of his client seeking to be transferred from the DSS custody to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Department of State Service (DSS) to produce the 12 aides of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, who have been in their custody since the second of July, 2021.
The aides to Igboho who were arrested at his residence are expected to be in court on Thursday, 29th July and their case is expected to proceed regardless of the annual court vacation slated to begin on the 26th of July.
The suspects had earlier sued the DSS before the Federal High Court Abuja, on grounds that their fundamental human rights had been infringed. They also claimed that their arrest and subsequent detention were unlawful.
Already, Igbohos aides had petitioned the court, through their counsel, Pelumi Olajenbasi, pressing the DSS to produce them before the court and to show why they shouldn’t be granted bail in accordance with the provision of section 32 of the criminal justice act 2015.
More than 800 people in Uganda have received counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines, officials said Wednesday.
Police, Health Ministry officials and the State House Health Monitoring Unit have arrested two nurses for injecting people with fake shots and issuing fake certificates. The doctor who was leading the operation, however, is on the run.
Addressing a news conference in the capital Kampala, Dr. Wallen Naamara, the head of the health unit, said the network duped many people and companies.
"It is unfortunate that some medical workers are administering fake COVID-19 jabs to unsuspecting people. We did undercover work and arrested two nurses in the act," she said.
According to her, those injected were mostly from companies that paid 200,000 Ugandan shillings ($54) for the vaccination of each of their workers.
A representative of the Uganda National Medical Stores, a government-owned organization mandated to obtain, store and distribute medicines, said the items seized from the nurses were not procured from them. The drugs did not have government labeling, as required by law, the representative added.
With 543 new infections and 34 related deaths, the East African country has so far confirmed 79,979 COVID-19 cases and 1,023 fatalities.
It received 964,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in March, and over 800,000 people have since been vaccinated. An additional 175,200 doses arrived in June.
Nigeria on Sunday 18th July 2021 recorded an increase in new Covid-19 cases after 203 infections and one death were confirmed. According to data from the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control (NCDC), Lagos State accounted for over 75% of the cases with 186 reported.
The rest of the cases were from Edo (4), Oyo (4), Rivers (4), FCT (3), and Kwara (2). This brings the number of cases recorded in the country to 169,532 – although 164,699 have been discharged – and a death toll of 2,127. The surge in new cases comes as the Federal Government on Saturday placed six states on red alert amid fears of a third wave triggered by the Delta variant of the virus. The Delta variant is believed to be more contagious and deadlier.
According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, the states on red alert include Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the FCT. Other states were also warned to “heighten their state of preparedness and continue to enforce all protocols put in place.” The Committee warned against large gatherings and implored state governments and religious leaders to be mindful of the potential spread.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has revealed how one of its pilots survived an air crash after an attack by bandits on the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna State.
In a statement signed on Monday by Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the pilot identified as Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo survived after he successfully ejected from the aircraft.
“On 18 July 2021, at about 12.45 pm, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, returning from a successful air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna State, came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in Zamfara State.
“Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft. “Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset,” the statement read in part.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said that the first batch of six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft have departed the United States of America enroute to Nigeria.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Thursday, said the fighter jets departed from the US on Wednesday and are expected in Nigeria anytime soon. The statement was titled, ‘First Batch Of A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft Depart The United States Of America For Nigeria’.
“The six aircraft will be leapfrogged through 5 countries including Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Algeria before arriving their final destination in Nigeria towards the end of July 2021.
“An official induction ceremony of the aircraft into the inventory of the Nigerian Air Force is already being planned at a later date in August 2021 to be announced in due course. The Office of the Director of Public Relations and Information remains open to any inquiry regarding the arrival and induction of the aircraft,” the statement partly reads.
Boris Johnson has vowed to ban people guilty of sending racist abuse to footballers from attending matches. The prime minister said he would ensure the "football banning order regime is changed" to crack down on racism.
Labour has been calling for the law to be changed after England players were subject to abuse. But Sir Keir Starmer said the PM's promise to take action "rings hollow" after his previous refusal to condemn fans who booed players taking the knee.
An online petition calling for the FA and the government to ban those who have carried out racist abuse to be banned for life has reached over a million signatures.
A Football Banning Order is used to ban someone from attending matches for a set period of time, and can be imposed for offences such as throwing missiles onto the playing area or into the crowd, and racist or indecent chanting at a match.
South Africa's army said Monday it was deploying troops to two provinces, including its economic hub of Johannesburg, to help crush mob violence and looting as unrest sparked by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma entered its fourth day.
Nigerian singer, songwriter, actor and movie producer, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan is dead. According to a statement released by the family and signed by his sibling Kayode Fasasi, the 44-year-old singer died from “a hard-fought battle with Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma”.
The legendary Nigerian singer is survived by a wife and three children. Sound Sultan came into the spotlight in the early 2000’s when he released his first single ‘Jagbajantis’, which became an instant hit in Nigeria.
The musician has been laid to rest Sunday evening at a cemetery in New Jersey, US according to Islamic rites .
Haiti's President Jovenel Moïse has been killed in an attack on his private residence, according to a statement by interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph.
Mr Joseph said the president's residence in Port-au-Prince was stormed by unidentified armed men at 01:00 local time (05:00 GMT).
The First Lady was reportedly also injured in the attack.
Mr Joseph said that "all measures had been taken to guarantee to continuance of the state".
President Moïse, 53, had been in power since February 2017.
The Southern Governors Forum at the end of the meeting held on Monday, 5th July, 2021 reviewed the situation in the Country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following:
1. Re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people.
2. The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.
3. Security
a. The Forum reviewed the security situation in the country and commends security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserates with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty;
b. Re-emphasised the need for State Police;
c. Resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed;
d. the forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights;
e. Set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States; and
f. Resolved that Funds deducted from the Federation Account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund should be distributed among the States and Federal Government to combat security challenges.
4. Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law:
i. The Forum commends the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB;
ii. the Forum rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives;
iii. the forum also rejects the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins;
iv. However, the forum rejects the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). The Forum disagrees that the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance but should be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of Government have stakes in that vehicle.
5. In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum reject the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.
6. The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the Governor of Lagos State for the wonderful hosting of this meeting while commending him for his good work in the State.
Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN
Governor, Ondo State and Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum
The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has denied responsibility for the death of a 14-year-old female street hawker presumed to have been killed by a stray bullet during the Yoruba Nation rally in Ojota on Saturday.
The Police in a reaction after the news of the girl’s death went viral said its operatives present at the scene of the planned rally did not fire any live bullet.
"The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a news making rounds that a 14 year-old girl was hit and killed by police bullet today 3rd July, 2021 at the venue of the Oodua Republic Mega Rally in Ojota, Lagos.”
“The Command hereby wishes to debunk the rumour and state categorically that it’s a calculated attempt to create confusion and fears in the minds of the good people of Lagos State and the country at large.”
“The Command did not fire a single live bullet at Ojota rally today. 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. The Commissioner of Police,Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, therefore commiserates with the family of the found deceased and assures that thorough investigation will be carried out.”
“The Command equally wishes to warn against the spread or peddling of fake and unconfirmed stories as such could be dangerous and counterproductive.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
According to media reports, he was said to have been captured by security agencies and brought back to Nigeria on Sunday. Mr Kanu, who was brought to the court amidst tight security, arrived at the court at about 1:40 pm.
As stated by Mr Malami, Justice Nyako also granted the application for the accelerated hearing of his trial to July 26 and 27 as against the earlier adjourned date of October 20.
He is expected to face charges of treason in court.
On October 2015, he was arrested by Nigerian authorities on an 11-count charge bordering on “terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.”
He was granted bail on April 2017 for medical reasons.
However, Mr Kanu fled the country in September 2017 after an invasion of his home by the military in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State.
“He has, upon jumping bail, been accused of engaging in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian State and institutions,” Mr Malami said on Tuesday.
“Kanu was also accused of instigating violence especially in the Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities.”
Eighteen Al-Shabab terrorists were executed Sunday in Galkayo town of Mudug, the Puntland State of Somalia, after being sentenced to death earlier by the court.
The men were lined up next to a sand hill outside the town of Galkayo. Security forces facing them opened fire, executing them. Also, three other men were put to death in Garowe and Qardho town by firing squad.
Chairperson of Puntland state court Mohamud Abdi Mohamed said their court proceedings followed through different stages before the execution.
"Puntland State Court of Armed Forces executed 18 Al-Shabab terrorists this morning. These convicts were all behind the killings of many of our important people here. The court took the right action against them," Mohamed said.
An apartment building in Florida partially collapsed in the early morning hours of Thursday morning (June 24) .
A resident who lives in the building said he woke up to “a bang that just kept on going,” according to the Miami Herald.
Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said during a news conference that 55 units collapsed, and that 35 residents were rescued from the building. Two people were removed from the rubble.One person died, 10 people were treated at the scene and two were taken to a hospital, he said.
Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez said that at least 99 people remain unaccounted for, according to South Florida outlet Local10.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman told CNN that it was unclear if all of those unaccounted for were in the building when it collapsed because of “vacations or anything else, so we’re still waiting and unfortunately the hope is still there, but it is waning.”
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 21-year-old Chidinma for allegedly killing the Chief Executive Officer, Super TV,and a director in Super Network Limited.Usifo Ataga, in the Lekki area of the state.She was paraded at the police command headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the landlord of the rented apartment where the body of a homicide victim was found had been arrested, Odumosu also said Ataga’s account had been blocked to prevent further withdrawals from it by those taking advantage of his untimely death to deplete the account.
Ataga was reported missing on Sunday, June 13, by his family and friends after he didn’t return to his home in Banana Island. He would have turned 50 years old on June 18.
The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria after a brief holiday abroad, contrary to speculations that the APC leader was sick and hospitalised and died in France.
Tinubu made his return to Nigeria on Tuesday evening a few hours after news relayed that his health had continued to deteriorate and that he was currently receiving medical treatment at an unspecified hospital abroad.
... more details coming soon.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police and leader of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, have thrown out complains that some of the arrested bandits, Boko Haram terrorists and other criminals have been released.
Abba in a post shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, June 10, said anyone with any evidence to back claims that the suspected criminals have been freed, should come forward with it.
''My Friends, These are some of the Bandits, Boko Haram Terrorist and other criminals we arrested. None of them have been released. If those keyboard warriors and Sympathizers of Criminals spreading False News that Bandits are not being arrested have any Evidence that one of the hundreds of arrested Bandits Shown above is released or Given Amnesty they should show the world pls.
We are arresting Criminals and killers from all parts of the Country, in-fact as you can see above the Overwhelming Majority of Killers and criminals we arrested in Nigeria today are the Bandits and Boko Haram.
Our teams are all across the country fighting criminals and killers and we all know with Nigerian population today and Ratio of 1 policeman to 700 Nigerians we can’t stop all crimes at once.
But good Nigerians know with the Pictorial Evidence above and very limited Resources at our disposal, We are doing well with our small Unit IRT which is a Very small fraction of the Nigeria Police.
I have received more than 100 threats from Boko Haram, Bandits, Kidnappers,Armed Robbers and other Criminals. We have Sworn to defend our Country against all evils. We will never relent.
Boko Haram, Bandits, IPOB, Keyboard Warriors and their Sympathizers can continue wasting their time with threats and blackmails, it can’t work. All the Securiy agencies will never relent and all the Criminals and killers across the country will be defeated Soonest by GOD’s Grace.
GOD Bless Nigeria.
Former President of the United State of America (USA) Donald Trump have welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari’s Twitter restriction on civic space, saying it was a victory for the people of Nigeria and a needed check on the excesses of social media platforms.
“Congratulations to the country of Nigeria, who just banned Twitter because they banned their President,” Mr Trump said in a statement issued Tuesday night.
Donald Trump also said he wished he had taken a similar measure when he was banned from the micro-blogging platform in January.
President Buhari banned Twitter last week Friday after the online broadcast medium deleted his tweets that threatened genocide against a section in Nigeria.
Twitter said it was working to bypass the restriction and restore access to Nigerians
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has ordered all broadcasting stations in Nigeria to suspend the use of the weblog service provider, Twitter. This is according to a communique put out by NBC on Monday.
In the statement signed by Professor Armstrong Idachaba, the NBC claimed that the directive is linked to the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria by the Federal Government. Citing the persistent use of Twitter for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence, the government suspended Twitter operations indefinitely.
In line with this, NBC directed all broadcasting stations not to patronize the social networking service. It further advised all stations to uninstall Twitter and desist from using the platform as a source of information.
Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations(SCOAN) and televangelist, Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua popularly known as T. B. Joshua, is dead.
The cause of his death was unknown as at the time of this report., but family sources said his remains had been deposited at the morgue and an autopsy would be performed without delay.
Emmanuel TV, owned by SCOAN, is one of Nigeria’s largest Christian broadcast stations, available worldwide via digital and terrestrial switches.
On 3 June in a Facebook post on his TB Joshua Ministries account,
He said this in a special birthday message.
“Happy Birthday to you! Viewers all over the world, June 12th is around the corner. As you know, I am a man of the people. So, the wound of one is the wound of all.
“As things stand, you may have realised it will not be easy for me to celebrate my birthday under the present circumstances. Some of the people who want to come are troubled by the situation all over the world. We see their fear and their worry. I feel their pain; I feel their worry.
“Therefore, let us dedicate this day to prayer and fasting. Don’t forget the needy. By the grace of God, more birthdays are ahead. God bless you! Emmanuel. Jesus is Lord! Happy Birthday!” – TB Joshua
The federal government says it is suspending the activities of Twitter in Nigeria.
The federal government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.
The minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, June 4. Nigerian government cited the "persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence".
ABCON had encouraged foreign exchange users and the general public on May 31 to patronise only BDC operators licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to get dollars at the approved rate.
In a statement issued at the weekend, ABCON President,
Dr. Aminu Gwadabe, said only CBN-licenced BDCs operate within regulatory guidelines of selling dollars at an approved rate as well as international best practices.
He stated that parallel market activities have, for years, become major drivers of the exchange rates and control over such transactions have become burdensome.
He said that forex speculators are capitalising on the state of the foreign exchange market and the naira to sell dollars above CBN-approved margin.
Gwadabe said that CBN-licenced BDCs are not selling dollars to end-users above the N2 per dollar margin set by the regulator to protect the naira against foreign exchange speculators and ensure exchange rate stability.
The ABCON boss also denied reports claiming that the CBN-licenced BDC operators bought dollars at N393 to a dollar and sold at N494 to a dollar, representing N101 margin.
West African leaders suspended Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at an extraordinary summit Sunday, but stopped short of reimposing sanctions, after a second military coup in nine months.
Ten regional heads of state and three foreign ministers attended the summit in the Ghanaian capital Accra, with former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan serving as a mediator in the crisis.
“The suspension from ECOWAS takes immediate effect until the deadline of the end of February 2022 when they are supposed to hand over to a democratically elected government,” Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said after the meeting.
The final declaration called for the immediate appointment of a new civilian prime minister and the formation of an “inclusive” government.
In a statement, ECOWAS also reiterated that “the head of the transition, the vice-president and the prime minister of the transition must under no circumstances be a candidate for the future presidential election”.
Mali’s new president Colonel Assimi Goita — who was the nation’s vice-president until Friday — had arrived in the Ghanaian capital Accra on Saturday for preliminary talks.
Goita led the young army officers who overthrew Mali’s elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last August over perceived corruption and his failure to quell a bloody jihadist insurgency.
After the takeover, the military agreed to appoint civilians as interim president and prime minister under pressure from ECOWAS.
But on Monday, soldiers detained transitional president Bah Ndaw and prime minister Moctar Ouane, releasing them on Thursday while saying that they had resigned.
The twin arrests triggered a diplomatic uproar and marked Mali’s second apparent coup within a year.
Mali’s constitutional court completed Goita’s rise to full power on Friday by naming him, transitional president.
With the junta going back on its previous commitment to civilian political leaders, doubts have been raised about its other pledges, including a promise to hold elections in early 2022.
The faction said this week it would continue to respect that timetable, but noted that it could be subject to change.
Meanwhile, French leader Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche newspaper published Sunday that Paris “could not stay by the side of a country where there is no longer democratic legitimacy or a transition”.
A policeman died on Tuesday after mistakenly detonating a grenade in Ebonyi State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebonyi state police command, DSP Loveth Odah said the police officer mistakenly hit the device and it exploded and killed him.
She identified the police personnel as Idi Aminu, saying that the victim was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Simultaneously, Ebonyi state Governor, Engr David Umahi as well confirmed that the device was a grenade of a security personnel and not a bomb as being speculated.
The governor who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze said: “The above news is in sharp contrast to the reality as the incident was a grenade of a security personnel carrying out his duties at the said location that accidentally exploded. A similar incident equally occurred in front of the Ebonyi State Old Government House as some mobile police officers were servicing their APC machine. The first incident took the life of a passerby while the second caused injuries on the affected person, who has been taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment”.
“The general public is, therefore, charged to disregard the fake news as it is the handiwork of enemies of the state who are bent on causing panic where none exists”.
A 39-year-old British woman died in a Cypriot hospital after a blood clotting incident after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, the official Cyprus News Agency said Monday.
Charalambos Charilaou, spokesperson for the state health services, told CNA that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) would investigate the death.
The woman, treated at Nicosia General Hospital’s intensive care unit, received the first dose of the vaccine on May 6 in the resort town of Paphos on the western coast of the Mediterranean island.
The woman, who was not named, developed symptoms days later, according to the Cyprus Mail newspaper, the woman suffered a brain haemorrhage and was in a coma before she died.
Charalambos Charilaou, spokesperson for the state health services, told CNA that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) would investigate the death.
Cyprus health authorities have opened an investigation to see if the "serious thrombotic episode" was linked to the AstraZeneca jab.
Four other cases of "mild" blood clotting incidents—three of which occurred after an AstraZeneca shot and one after a Pfizer jab—are also being investigated by Cyprus.
Some countries have restricted or dropped AstraZeneca shots from national vaccine campaigns over very rare blood clots, though the EMA says the benefits outweigh the risks.
President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers. A total of 11 people died in the aeronautical disaster which occurred in Kaduna state.
In a statement, Buhari said the crash "was one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country"The Nigerian Army has said details of the crash would be announced in due course.
See the list of the personnel who died following the sad incident: 1. Lt Gen Attahiru 2. Brig Gen Abdulkadir (the principal general staff officer to the COAS) ,3. Brig Gen Olayinka 4. Brig Gen Kuliya ( the directorate of military intelligence) 5. Maj LA Hayat 6. Maj Hamza 7. SGT Umar , Crew 8. FLT LT Asaniyi 9. Flt LT Olufade, 10. SGT Adesanya 11. ACM Oyedepo
A Nigerian national, Abidemi Rufai has been caught by the operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in New York on the allegations of wire fraud in the United States.
According to a report on the US Department of Justice website, Rufai was arrested Friday evening at JFK Airport in New York on a criminal complaint charging him with wire fraud for his scheme to steal over $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department.
Mr. Rufai is popularly known as Sandy Tang, 42, is a Senior Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the reports said that he made his first appearance Saturday, May 15, 2021 in New York.
“Since the first fraud reports to our office in April 2020, we have worked diligently with a federal law enforcement team to track down the criminals who stole funds designated for pandemic relief,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “This is the first, but will not be the last, significant arrest in our ongoing investigation of ESD fraud.”
The criminal complaint alleges that Rufai used the stolen identities of more than 100 Washington residents to file fraudulent claims with ESD for pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Rufai also filed fraudulent unemployment claims with Hawaii, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania. Rufai used variations of a single e-mail address in a manner intended to evade automatic detection by fraud systems. By using this practice, Rufai made it appear that each claim was connected with a different email account.
Rufai caused the fraud proceeds to be paid out to online payment accounts such as ‘Green Dot’ accounts, or wired to bank accounts controlled by “money mules.” Some of the proceeds were then mailed to the Jamaica, New York address of Rufai’s relative. Law enforcement determined more than $288,000 was deposited into an American bank account controlled by Rufai between March and August 2020.
“Greed is a powerful motivator. Unfortunately, the greed alleged to this defendant affects all taxpayers,” said Donald Voiret, Special Agent in Charge FBI Seattle. “The FBI and our partners will not stand idly by while individuals attempt to defraud programs meant to assist American workers and families suffering the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Wire fraud is punishable by up to thirty years in prison when it relates to benefits paid in connection with a presidentially-declared disaster or emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). The fraud on ESD is being investigated cooperatively by the FBI, DOL-OIG, Social Security Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. The Washington Employment Security Department is cooperating in the investigation.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Wilkinson, Cindy Chang, and Benjamin Diggs of the Western District of Washington, and Trial Attorney Jane Lee of DOJ’s Cyber Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).”
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its support for the resolution taken by the 17 Southern Governors which placed a ban on open grazing of cattle across the states.
ACF also called for restrictive law against the movement of cattles from neighboring countries.
The Chairman of the Forum, Chief Audu Ogbe disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
He said,”The ACF does not see any reason to object to a decision taken in the best interest of all.
“The fact of the matter is that the crisis emanates from the belief by most herdsmen that they are free to enter any farm, eat up the crops and rape or kill any one raising objections. Nobody or society can accept that.
“The current high price of garri is one obvious reason of this behavior. Few cassava farms can grow to maturity or be harvested by the farmers. So food security is already being threatened.
“There is, however, the need to advise the governors in all states not to think that merely banning open grazing will end the crisis.
“The bulk of the violent herders are the ones marching in from neighboring African countries in large numbers, thousands at a time and showing no regards to boundaries whether State or regional.The Chairman advised the government to adopt the Ganduje formula to stop the influx of cattles from West African countries to Nigeria.
He advised the government to seek for the amendment of the ECOWAS protocol regarding the free movement of livestock without permits.
“Therefore the Ganduje formula must be adopted to stop the entry into Nigeria of cattle from West Africa.
“The solution is for Nigeria to seek an amendment to Article 3 of the ECOWAS protocol especially as regards the free movement of cattle and other livestock without special permits.
“If this is done, we have over 5m.hectatres of land in old grazing reserves left, enough to accommodate over 40 million cows if well grassed and watered,” he said.
“Our ECOWAS neighbours can find ways to deal with their own issues the way they seem fit.
“We can seek support from AFDB, the World Bank EU or the Kuwait Fund or any source willing to support us in resolving this problem.
“Hurling abuses, trading suspicion and threatening warfare as is currently the trend will only produce grief and disaster,” Ogbeh said.
ATLANTA : Delta says it will begin requiring new employees to have been vaccinated for COVID-19, the company announced Thursday. A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines released a statement saying,
We know that vaccines are the best tool we have to protect one another and bring an end to the pandemic. Delta people have made great progress to achieve herd immunity within our workforce, so to help us maintain that trajectory, we will be requiring all new hires in the U.S. to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they qualify for an accommodation. This is an important move to protect our workforce and our customers as our business recovers and demand for air travel continues to rise.
— Delta Air Lines Spokesperson Elizabeth Ninomiya
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, said the commission has recovered $153 million from former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who has been living in Britain since leaving office, according to some information.
He also said the anti- corruption agency reclaimed no fewer than 80 luxury properties and real estate valued at $80m.
This was contained in the April edition of the EFCC magazine, EFCC Alert. He noted that efforts were ongoing to extradite Alison-Madueke to answer to her crimes in the country.
“There are several cases surrounding Diezani’s case. I was part of that investigation, and we have done quite a lot. In one of the cases, we recovered $153 million. We have secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about $80 million. We have done quite a bit on that,” he said.
“The other case, as it relates to the $115 million INEC bribery, is also ongoing across the federation. We are looking forward to the time we will, maybe, have her in the country, and, of course, review things and see what will happen going forward. The case has certainly not been abandoned.’’
The Federal Government is set to bring to trial 400 suspects under arrest for probably funding terrorism in Nigeria. This is according to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who said this on Tuesday during a press conference in Lagos.
He also proclaimed the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in tackling the menace of insurgency, banditry and other security threats across the country. “The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has announced that the Federal Government is set to prosecute 400 suspects arrested for allegedly funding terrorism,” he said.
“This is unprecedented and its a testament to the government’s determination to decisively tackle terrorism and other violent crimes.” The Minister also appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies, who face the added task of having to watch their backs while working to protect others. Mohammed also described attacks on security formations as a declaration of war against the country, condemning the assault on security operatives.
He added, “While the government continues with these efforts to restore peace and security continues, I want to appeal to all of us to play our part in lowering the palpable tension in the polity as a result of the security challenges. The first step is to tone down the rhetoric.
The Northern Elders Forum has allied with Nigerians in the call for President Muhammadu Buhari’s impeachment following his incompetence to find the solution to Nigeria’s insecurity problems.
Speaking during an interview on AIT on Monday morning, the NEF spokesman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated the nation could not wait two more years for the government to address the issues of insecurity.
He advised those who have constitutional responsibility to do something other than just talking and making promises.
“One option we have is that the legislators will look at the record of the administration, understand the areas where the president has failed, understand areas where there is clearly no evidence that they’re going to do anything about it and refer to the constitution that says the whole purpose of government is to secure citizens and pursue their welfare,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“If he (Buhari) fails to do that, for me, those are impeachable offences. In the last six months, two years, what has the president done different to secure the country? Absolutely nothing has been done and yet you see increasing failure of the state to protect citizens.”
He said the second option is for citizens to get together and decide to do something.
“The third option is that those leaders who are failing will recognize the fact that they are the problem, and they will resign because they clearly have nothing to offer in terms of leadership,” he said.
“Or, as our democratic system provides, those with the responsibility to get them off, should impeach those who are failing. If the president can’t deliver, he should be impeached.
“We don’t have a national assembly that appears to have the levels of patriotism and concern beyond partisan politics to realise that when this roof falls, it also falls on their heads.
“Partisanship is so pronounced that the people we elected and sent to Abuja think they serve the president rather than the Nigerian people.”
Baba-Ahmed also called on the president to arrest the prominent persons allegedly sponsoring insecurity in the country.
He said: “I wish he would arrest just two, three of these enemies of the state and deal with them. We are tired of hearing the president and his spokespeople saying there are enemies of the state. Enemies of the state is defined clearly under law.
“If there are people who are causing this insecurity, the government has evidence that they’re doing so, then in the name of God, let the president arrest these people, bring them up, show Nigerians what they’re doing, and then show evidence that the government is actually dealing with insecurity.”
Pastor Dare Adeboye, the son of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, Enoch Adeboye has died at the age of 42.
Senior Pastors of the church confirmed that he died in his sleep on Wednesday, shortly after ministration. Pastor Dare Adeboye, who is one of the sons of Pastor E A Adeboye, would have turned 43 next month June 9, 2021.
According to reports, Pastor Dare Adeboye officiated service on Sunday, May 2, in Eket, Akwa Ibom State and showed no sign of being sick.
Meanwhile,The Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG has released a statement announcing the passing of Pastor Dare .
The church, in the statement, asked that the family be granted privacy.
Read the statement below
''It is with a deep and heartfelt sense of loss, we announce the departure of our beloved son, brother, husband and father, Oluwadamilare Temitayo Adeboye. Who went to be with the Lord on the 4th of May, 2021.
His life was well lived as he served the Lord without reserve, giving effortlessly and leading fearlessly. He was crowned by the Lord with blessings of 3 seeds and a beautiful wife.
Though shaken, our anchor remains Jesus Christ in whom we have the assurance that we will one day meet in a place where there is no pain.
It is the wish of the family to be granted privacy at this moment and that prayers be offered on their behalf.
Oluwadamilare Temitayo Adeboye, June 9th 1978 - May 4th 2021.
Remain forever in our hearts''
Bill and Melinda Gates announced Monday they are getting divorced, the couple shared a joint statement on Twitter to announce their disengagement
"After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage. Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives," they said, referring to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which they founded in 2000 and is now worth over $40 billion.
"We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life," they concluded in the statement.
The Microsoft co-founder, 65, and the philanthropist and former general manager at Microsoft, 56, married on the Hawaiian island of Lanai on Jan. 1, 1994. They have three children: son Rory John, 21, and daughters Phoebe Adele, 18, and Jennifer Katharine, 25.
Prince Immanuel Ben-Yehuda, the spokesman for the African Hebrew Israelites, said the Israeli Interior Ministry had given notice to at least 46 families, saying they must leave the country within 60 days, calling it a “shock to the system.”
Black Hebrews are a spiritual community of African-Americans who identify as descendants of an ancient Jewish tribe and view Israel as their ancestral homeland. With around 2,500-3,000 members, most of them live in the southern desert town of Dimona.The community was founded by Ben Carter, a Chicago steelworker who renamed himself Ben Ammi Ben Israel after moving to Israel along with 30 of his followers in 1969. They were able to settle in the country as the Israeli Law of Return grants automatic citizenship to Jews who settle on historically Palestinian lands.
In 1973, Black Hebrew Israelites were denied Israeli citizenship as Israel concluded that they are not ethnically Jewish, but were given temporary residency status, because of the pressure from US Congress in the early 1990s, according some information.
“For quite some time, we’ve had a number of members of the community with different levels of immigration status, some of us have full citizenship, some taken permanent residency, some have temporary residency, and some have no status whatsoever,” said Ben-Yehuda.
But Israel says it gave residency status to around 1,200 and claims those whose applications were rejected were not members of the community.
“All those who were not included in the list of community members and didn’t meet the criteria received a negative reply and in effect are residing illegally in Israel for a long period and must leave according to the law,” Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority said in a statement.
Right-wing and ultra-Orthodox jews have been advising the Israeli government to expel African migrants to protect the Jewish identity of Israel .
in addition, Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018 had called the new African migrants’ presence a threat to Israel’s social fabric and Jewish character, however, he proposed to pay thousands of African migrants living illegally in the country to leave, threatening them with jail if they are caught after the end of March.
U.S. Mission Country Consular Advisor , Susan Tuller on Friday revealed that the Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will make every effort to assist student visa applicants in a timely fashion while keeping personnel and customers safe.
“As we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our staff and customers, processing student visas remains a high priority for the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.
“We will increase the number of student visa appointments in May and June to ensure that we can offer appointments to as many students as possible. If your U.S. studies are scheduled to begin this Fall, we encourage you to schedule your appointment as quickly as possible.”
The consular coordinator explained that all student visa appointments must be booked through the specified US travel website.
She also cautioned applicants against the use of third-party services, including touts, and fixers who broker visa appointments.
“Both Nigeria and the United States benefit when Nigerian students study at one of our world-class educational institutions,” she added.
“To prepare for your U.S. educational opportunity, we encourage you to check out EducationUSA Advising Centers at our American Spaces in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, and Calabar, or at educationUSA.state.gov.”
India has now recorded 18.38million infections, over 360,000 cases in 24 hours, about 201,180 people have now died, this week there have been 3,293
fatalities according to health ministry data.
Hospitals are running out of oxygen and beds, and many patients are being turned away.
In the capital of New Delhi, carparks have been converted to crematoriums to combust the dead bodies . Details coming soon.
Three police officers working in Ogun state police command were unceremoniously kicked out of the service after they were caught extorting Onehundred and fifty-three thousand Naira from one Sheriff Adedigba.
A statement from the police command's spokesperson, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, says the three policemen namely Inspector Sunday John, Sgt Jimoh Asimiya, and Sgt Solomon Adedapo, were alleged to have forcefully extorted the said amount from the victim while he was traveling from Abeokuta to Lagos.
Oyeyemi said having heard about the incident on social media, the state's commissioner of police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, ordered the immediate arrest and detention of the officers involved in the dastardly act. The three policemen were quickly identified and apprehended.
He said the money was recovered from them and returned to the victim.
“The money was recovered from them and returned to the victim. They were subsequently arraigned for departmental orderly room trial on a three-count charge of corrupt practices, discreditable conduct and disobedience to lawful order.
“They were found guilty of all the charges, and subsequently dismissed from the force to serve as a deterrent to others in their shoes,” the statement read in part.
Oyeyemi added that the victim, who was also present to give evidence, was full of praise for the commissioner of police and the management team, for their prompt response to the incident, which he said rekindled his hope in the Nigeria police force.
Mohammed Yerima, army spokesman, in a declaration on Tuesday, said such distribution of soldiers’ photos on social media is unkind and disrespectful. The army blustered to take legal action to protect troops who have died in the line of duty.
“The Nigerian Army condemns in the strongest term possible, the indiscriminate sharing on social media of graphic pictures of personnel who paid the supreme price in the cause of defending and protecting the country from its adversaries,” Yerima said.
“This act is not only unpatriotic but very insensitive and utterly reprehensible.
Officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army deployed to various theatres of internal security operations are on legitimate duties and are in the harm’s way to defend and protect the country from those who are intent on destroying it.
“In the course of carrying out this constitutional mandate, troops put their lives on the line to ensure that innocent citizens and institutions of the state are protected from violent criminals. In some cases, these gallant officers and soldiers are meted with the worst form of savagery by the heartless adversaries whose intent is to instill fear on of the citizenry.
“While the Nigerian Army and its personnel understand the nature of the noble calling and are ever ready to confront any danger of adversity on the way, what is most unfathomable is the glee with which some people share the gory pictures of officers and soldiers who are either killed-in-action or wounded-in-action in the media.
“These unpatriotic acts are often done without any modicum of consideration for the memories of the departed personnel or their family members. In some cases, their loved ones do find out about their unfortunate death in such callous manner before they are even contacted by the military authorities. One can only imagine the trauma and pain such families go through waking up to see the gory pictures of their loved ones splashed on the social media.
“The Nigerian Army consider this despicable and unpatriotic act totally unacceptable and will henceforth take legal actions to protect troops who die in action from being ridiculed on social media or any platform.”
The Nigerian Air Force on Monday said it was investigating report that it killed 20 Army personnel by explosive in an air strike at Mainok, Borno State.
It was reported that an Air Force fighter jet on a mission against Boko Haram fundamentalists
accidentally attacked men of the Nigerian Army, killing over 20 officers.
The troops were said to have been reinforced from Ngandu village to Mainok, which was under attack by militants from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Reacting, NAF in a tweet on Monday said the general public will be duly updated after it concludes its investigation on the incident.
It, however, urged Nigerians to forward their enquirers to info@airforce.mil.ng.
“The attention of the @NigAirForce has been drawn to reports alleging “How NAF Killed over 20 Nigerian Army Personnel by Accident in Air Strike,” at Mainok which is about 55klm to Maiduguri.
”The NAF wishes to state that visuals and reports being circulated are being investigated and the generally public will be duly updated on the alleged incident.
“All enquiries should please be directed to the Office of the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force or forwarded to info@airforce.mil.ng.”
The Lagos State Judicial Panel on Restitution of Victims for The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other related matters continued its session on Saturday.
During the sitting, a trader, Mrs Gift Effiong, told the panel that she has been looking for her husband since he left home during the #EndSARS protests in 2020.
The witness narrated how she went from one police station to another searching for her husband, she also went to prisons, hospitals and mortuaries, but all efforts proved abortive
The mother of six pleaded with the panel to help her find her husband.
Also family members and relatives of late Paul Lucky are still looking for the missing body, a former driver and security officer at Jakande Estate, in the Ilasan/Ajah area.
On October 20, Mr Lucky reportedly had an altercation with a police officer, Sgt John Dagbo of the Ilasan police station, who allegedly shot him and took his body away.
A witness, Mr Olanrewaju Kazeem, the Community Development Association Chairman of Jakande Estate, Ilasan testified to the panel. However, the panel has granted the petitioner’s request to summon the DPO of Ilasan police station, Mrs Onyinye Onwuamaegbu .
It is a similar story with a school teacher, Mrs Egwu Celestina Ebele. She made it known to the panel how she received a phone call in December 2008 informing her that her husband was gunned down by a police officer on his way to work.
The commission adjourned all of the cases to next month.
Popular Nollywood actor, Olarenwaju James Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.
The 48-year-old actor was detained for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl over the course of 7 years.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement titled, "Lagos police arrest, investigate popular Nollywood actor for defilement".
The statement reads: "The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Olarenwaju James ‘male’ 48, aka Baba Ijesha, popular Nollywood actor for defiling a minor.
"The case of defilement was reported on 19th April, 2021 by one Princess Adekola Adekanya ‘female’ at Sabo Police Station and transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation.
"Based on preliminary findings, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, 14 years, since she was seven years old.
"The suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.
"The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered for proper investigation as he promised to do justice in the matter."
Two men were killed after a Tesla car crashed into a tree and caught fire in Spring Texas, and police claims there was nobody present in the driver's seat at the time of the accident.
Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said “no one was driving” the electric vehicle when it crashed. One man was in the front passenger seat and the other man was seated in a back seat, KPRC reported.
Officials said they had to use 32,000 gallons of water to put out the fire because the car’s batteries kept reigniting, KPRC reported. At one point deputies had to call Tesla to find out how to put out the flames.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 23 crashes involving the technology.It is unclear whether Tesla's Autopilot feature was in use.
Barely two weeks after a Madrid, Spain-bound trafficker, Okonkwo Chimezie Henry, excreted 113 wraps of Cocaine after his arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, two others nabbed by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Lagos airport have excreted a total of 191 pellets of heroin and cocaine while under observation.
On 10th April 2021, during the outward screening of passengers on Ethiopian airline to Italy, NDLEA operatives at MMIA intercepted and referred one Chukwudi Destiny for scanning and the scan result proved positive to drug ingestion. Consequently, he was placed under excretion observation and in the process; he excreted 92 pellets of Heroin with a total weight of 1.300Kg.
Also on 12th April 2021, during the inbound examination of consignments on Ethiopian airline cargo flight from South Africa, operatives at SAHCO import shed made a seizure of 11.550kg of Heroin cleverly packed and concealed in corn flakes cartons. Four clearing agents are in custody in connection to the seizure.
According to the Commander, MMIA Command of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Garba, a sting operation was executed on the address provided by one the suspects.
In the process, a Congolese, Kayembe Kamba Mazepy was arrested. After his arrest, he mentioned another person who is to receive the parcel from him.
On the strength of the information, another sting operation was conducted in the early hours of Saturday 17th April, 2021 where the person that came to take delivery was arrested.”
In the same vein, on Friday 16th of April, 2021, another trafficker, Ezekiel Chibuzo who arrived Lagos from Brazil on board Qatar airline was also arrested for drug ingestion. He has so far excreted 99 wraps of Cocaine. This is just as officers at export shed of the airport have seized 822.950kg of khat leaves heading to UK and US.
Reacting to the latest drug haul at the airport, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the MMIA Command for their commitment to the nations crusade against illicit drugs. While I commend the officers and men of our MMIA Command, let me again warn unrepentant barons and traffickers that the game is up for them because well continue to disrupt their criminal trade as part of efforts to secure our country and protect the future of our youths, Marwa stated in his message on Sunday.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
18th April, 2021
Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has denied having a Christianisation agenda and only appointing Christians into sensitive positions.
A widely circulated article written by “Dr Musbau Akinbode” titled “Osinbajo’s Stealth Christianization Agenda” had accused Osinbajo of advancing a dangerous religious agenda by appointing mostly Christians into government.
Osinbajo denied the allegations through his Senior special assistant to the president on legal, research and compliance matters, Balkisu Saidu.
Balkisu Saidu describes the article by Dr. Akinbode as “mischievous”, according to reports.
She listed the Muslims who are working closely with the vice-president and also disclosed that he supports them in their right to religious freedom without hindrance.
FULL TEXT OF BALKISU SAIDU’S REJOINDER
Before the permeation of social media, I was one of those who believed in and re-echoed the popular saying that “the only way to win with a toxic person is not to play.” To this end, I found silence to be a very potent tool in dealing with some extremely wicked and deliberate acts of provocation exhibited through concoction and spread of falsehoods and apparently implausible stories.
I have since realised that, in this day and age of fake news and cyber propaganda, it is important that lies and misinformation, no matter the motive of the initiator, are countered and records set straight. Amongst the recipients of the falsehood could be some innocent consumers who will benefit from having true facts presented. Allowing fake news to linger may create the impression that there could be some element of truth in what was propagated.
It is for the foregoing reasons that when the write-up credited to one Dr Musbau Akinbode titled “Osinbajo’s Stealth Christianization Agenda”, which has been circulating recently in social media, was brought to my attention, I opted to respond. Although no date was ascribed to the write-up, it appears to be a rehash of several baseless allegations made in the past against the Vice President, many of whom have been debunked with apologies issued by unsuspecting media houses misled into publishing some of the concocted stories.
The new twist in Dr Akinbode’s write-up is the allegation that the Vice President is implementing a “Christianization” agenda and in that wise none of the appointments made by the Vice President from persons of Yoruba extraction were given to Yoruba Muslims. This allegation reminded me of a similar baseless claim made in 2017 by one Dr. Ismaila Farouk, which Akinbode referred to, alleging that the selection of personal staff of the Vice President was skewed in favour of “his Yoruba ethnic group.” Those fuelling the orchestrated and surreptitious narrative immediately backtracked when confronted with facts and a long list of Northerners, from tribes other than Yoruba, working in the office at the time including, among others, Mrs. Maryam Uwais (Special Adviser on Social Investment, from Kano State); Ambassador Abdullahi Gwary (Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs, from Yobe State); my humble self (Senior Special Assistant on Legal, Research and Compliance Matters, from Sokoto State); Mr. Ismaeel Ahmed (Senior Special Assistant on Social Investment, from Kano State); Mr. Bege Bala (Special Assistant, BPE, from Kaduna State); Abdurahman Baffa Yola (Special Assistant on Political Matters); Mrs. Susan Chagwa (Special Assistant on Household and Social Events, from Adamawa State), etc.
Certainly, some of the listed allegations made by Dr Akinbode are objectionably and glaringly malicious and even laughable, unlikely to be believed by any discerning follower of the rise and actions of the Vice President. For example, the Office of the Vice President is like a mini-Nigeria. The level of diversity accomplished in the office reflects all segments of the society – geo-political, ethnic, religious, gender, and youth representation.
It is therefore inconceivable for anyone to suggest marginalisation or, as Dr Akinbode puts it, “Christianization” in appointments and religious bigotry. To the specific point of appointment of Yoruba Muslims, Dr Akinbode may wish to know that, even amongst his personal staff, no less than ten Yoruba Muslims were appointed to work for the Vice President including his next in command and the highest-ranking officer in the Vice President’s office, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. AbdurRahman Adeola Ipaye. Other Yoruba Muslims who work, at various times, in the office include Distinguished Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Special Adviser on Political Matters); Dr Mariam Masha (Senior Special Assistant on Internally Displaced Persons); Ms Lanre Shasore (Senior Special Assistant on Planning and Coordination); Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbemi (Special Assistant on Political Matters); Yusuf Ali (Special Assistant on Power); Mr Mohammed Brimah (Special Assistant on Job Creation); Mr Mukhtar Tijani (Special Assistant on Power); Ms. Lolade Abiola; and Mr. Akanni Rahman.
A leader known to suspend meetings to enable Muslim participants to perform prayers; known to rescue Muslim orphans and provide them with shelter and educational opportunities that safeguard and promote their religious practices; known to host Breaking of Ramadan Fast (Iftar) with Religious Leaders and Muslim communities from across the country; known to timeously intervene in the resolution of thorny inter-religious issues with potential for escalation can certainly not be said to be promoting any particular religion.
Also, the allegation of “Christianization” in the appointment of some named individuals to various positions in Government is indicative of a complete lack of understanding of how Government appointments are made or a deliberate attempt to distort facts and mislead the unsuspecting public. Save for Mr. Kayode Pitan, who was appointed by the Vice President as the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry to take over from Mr. Waheed Olagunju, who was serving in an acting capacity, all the other persons named by Dr Akinbode were appointed by the President in the exercise of his constitutional powers.
The calibre of the persons is not in question. In terms of accomplishments, these are pacesetters in their respective industries. For example, Mr. Ben Akabueze, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation served more than two terms as Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State and was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NAL Bank Plc. (now Sterling Bank Plc.). He has also served as Special Adviser to the President on National Planning.
Mr Alex Okoh, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, an Alumnus of Harvard Business School and former Managing Partner, Ashford & McGuire Consulting Ltd.; is a quintessential Banker and Financial Advisor who as the Managing Director/CEO of NNB International Bank led the transformation of the bank from a comatose state into a leading commercial bank in Nigeria. He has worked with various banks within and outside Nigeria including Nigeria International Bank Limited (Citibank); United Bank for Africa Plc.; Citibank New York; Fidelity Bank London; Swiss Banking Corporation, Zurich; and Grindlays Bank, Zimbabwe. His first tenure recorded tremendous transformation of the Bureau leading to his reappointment by the President.
Before the appointment by Mr. President of Mr Okey Enelamah as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment in 2015, the Harvard University graduate, Baker Scholar, and Loeb Fellow has had a tremendously successful career in investment banking and with Arthur Anderson (now KPMG Professional Services), New York and London offices of Goldman Sachs, Zephyr Management. He also founded and served as CEO of the African Capital Alliance (ACA).
Clearly, even on the appointment of Mr Pitan, the author is not questioning the qualification of Mr Pitan, imaginably considering his robust academic training (including at American Graduate School of International Management, Arizona, USA; London Business School; and Haggai Institute, Singapore) as well as his decades of corporate and banking experience.
These appointments were based purely on merit. The only problem with the appointments, according to the author, was their religion. Save Dr Akinbode is suggesting that persons being considered for appointments into Government positions must denounce their religions, it is unclear why the religious leanings of the appointees should be an issue. Recall that similar allegations were made against appointments of equally deserving and competent Muslims with claims of “Islamisation” being bandied around. Such divisive rhetoric and adverse language are dangerous to Nigeria’s unified harmonious existence and should be resisted and rejected by all.
The Osinbajo I know has been nothing but absolutely and uncompromisingly loyal to his principal, earning him several public and private commendations and additional responsibilities from the President, including the management of the Economic Sustainability Plan, credited with facilitating the “unexpected exit” of Nigeria from one of the worst recession cycles to hit several nations of the world. The man, Osinbajo, seeks no accolades. It is therefore not every action taken by him in support of persons facing challenges that will end up on the pages of newspapers. Just because Dr Akinbode is unaware of these interventions should not be a basis for dehumanising the Vice President.
Additionally, it is evil and reprehensible to drag the person of Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo into whatever malicious campaign the author is mounting against the Vice President. This is a humble and compassionate woman, who has conducted her humanitarian and philanthropic activities in a well-guided and detached manner away from any Government activities. It is unacceptable to have persons of integrity be subjected to such ridiculous acts of scathing and baseless attacks. Clearly
The People’s Court of the southwestern province of Tay Ninh, Vietnam, has sentenced a 25-year-old Nigerian Unachukwu Chiluba Paulinus to death for illegally transporting narcotic substances into the country from Cambodia.
The judgment delivered on Tuesday, April 13, was based on Article 250 of the 2015 Penal Code of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Paulinus was arrested on February 19, 2020, in the Ta Pheng area of Thuan Tay hamlet in Loi Thuan commune, Ben Cau district, while transporting nearly three kilogrammes of methamphetamine.
He confessed that he arrived in Cambodia in 2019, where he met an African man called Oscar who hired him to transport the drugs from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City for $2,000. He was paid $650 in advance.
After traveling by taxi from Phnom Penh to the border, he crossed over into Vietnam and was arrested by Ben Cau district’s Police.
He also confessed to having earlier transported a backpack containing drugs from Cambodia to HCM City, which he delivered to an unknown man.
Also on March 2nd , the court handed down the death penalty to Ekwegbalu James Nzube, 45 a Nigerian, for illegally transporting nearly 4kg of meth, in line with the 2015 Criminal Code.
The former Brooklyn Center police officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop in Minnesota has been arrested but was released on $100,000 bail.She is due to make her first court appearance on Thursday.
Kim Potter, a 26-year veteran of the Brooklyn Center Police Department, was taken into custody about 11:30 a.m. at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in St. Paul, officials said on Wednesday, April 14.
She was charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with Wright's death and is being held without bail, Washington County Attorney Pete Orput announced.
Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, died of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, which classified the manner of death as a homicide.
He was shot and killed during a traffic stop just before 2 p.m. on Sunday in Brooklyn Center, after officer Potter said she mistook her taser for a gun and fired at him. He died about 10 miles from where George Floyd, another black man was killed by a Minneapolis police officer last year.
Potter and Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon resigned from their positions on Tuesday in the wake of Wright's death, which occurred just 14 miles north of where George Floyd was killed last year.
The day before he resigned, Gannon told reporters that the officer meant to draw a Taser but "drew their handgun instead of their Taser.
Wright family attorneys Benjamin Crump, Jeff Storms, and Anthony Romanucci said in a statement that the district attorney's charging decision was only a step in the right direction.
"While we appreciate that the district attorney is pursuing justice for Daunte, no conviction can give the Wright family their loved one back," they said in a statement. "This was no accident. This was an intentional, deliberate, and unlawful use of force."
"A 26-year veteran of the force knows the difference between a taser and a firearm. Kim Potter executed Daunte for what amounts to no more than a minor traffic infraction and a misdemeanor warrant," they said. "It’s past time for meaningful change in our country."
"A badge should never be a shield to accountability. Daunte Wright was brutally killed by a police officer, and justice must prevail," Derrick Johnson, NAACP President, said in a statement.
The Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, has dismissed reports that the United States government and the FBI has placed Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami, on its terror watch-list.
The news on social media was circulated on Sunday that Pantami had been placed on the list over presumed connection with a former Boko Haram Leader.
The report claimed that the minister was said to be a close confidant of the late Mohammed Yusuf, the late leader of Boko Haram.
It also claimed that Pantami had ties with Abu Quatada al Falasimi and other Al-Qaeda leaders whom he revered and spoke highly of.
Meanwhile, in a tweet on Monday, Bashir described the report as ‘fake news.’
He stated that the Minister has never been on any US watchlist.
He wrote, ”You have just endorsed a fake report without verifying. For your information @DrIsaPantamihas never been on any US watchlist.”
Mother of Kabiru Arekemase, a 24yrs old man who was evidently slayed by operatives of Special Anti Roberry Squad (SARS) at Dugbe in Ibadan, Oyo State has narrated how she became totally blind after her son, who was the breadwinner of the family was extrajudicially killed by SARS.
According to mother of the deceased, her late son was a multilingual person who spoke and understand many languages and who standing as a bridge between customers and foreign organization. She said he’s whom that made him rich and a breadwinner of the family.
Mrs Arekemase recounted that before her son's death, SARS operatives at Dugbe came to their residence at Idi Aro on several occasions to demand money from her son which her son used to declined and he used to tell them that he was not into illegal business, saying there was no need for any settlement.
She said, “My son was arrested by SARS and detained for four months over false allegation of armed robbery even though there was no victim of the offence before he was later charged and arraigned at Chief Magistrate Court, Iyaganku on 8th of August, 2006 and was later acquitted.
“My son was re-arrested by SARS and took to custody four months after he was acquitted by court for his failure to meet the SARS monetary demands, while in custody, I used to visited him and took food to him, but one of the SARS official told me one day that my son has been wasted (killed) by SARS.
“I wept for many years which later led to my total blindness, I even requested for the corpse of my late son but all my pleas fell on the deaf ears of the SARS operatives.”
Meanwhile, Arekemase family has demanded for compensation of N250 million from the Federal government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Police over the death of their son.
In a petition Suit No: OYJPPB/083 instituted by mother of the deceased on behalf of the family against the Nigerian Police claimed compensation for malicious arrest and prosecution of their son which led to his extra judicial killing by SARS operatives as a result of false allegation of armed robbery leveled against him.
The SARS operatives was allegedly to have killed Kabiru between October 2007 and February 2008 without charging him to any court, which was described as an act of violation to his constitutional right of life as enshrine in section 33(1) of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
In support of the petition, two witnesses, Mrs Ngozi Arekemase and Mrs A. Falade adopted their statement on oath and gave evidence before the panel set up by the government to look into Police brutality and extra judicial killing, while the respondent, (Nigerian Police), represented by N.A. Ojah did not filed a defence or response to the petition and did not called any witness to oppose the evidence of the petitioner and rested their case on the case of the petitioner.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, husband to Queen Elizabeth II and her constant companion for more than seven decades, has died at age 99.
An announcement was made on the Royal Family's social media accounts, as well as the family's official website.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement Friday just after noon in Britain. “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
“He was the longest-serving consort in history, one of the last surviving people in this country to have served in the Second World War,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in an address outside 10 Downing St., citing in particular the prince’s actions during “the invasion of Sicily, where he saved his ship by his quick thinking.”
“From that conflict he took an ethic of service that he applied throughout the unprecedented changes of the postwar era,” Johnson said. “Like the expert carriage driver that he was, he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.”
The flag above Buckingham Palace was lowered to half staff, and the official announcement of the prince’s death — just two months shy of his 100th birthday — was posted on the palace gates.
Nigeria on Wednesday recorded 110 new cases of coronavirus but no new deaths for the sixth consecutive day, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control statistics.
The last time the health agency recorded a death was on April 1 when the toll increased by one to 2,058.
Wednesday’s new cases were reported from 11 states, including Lagos (24), Yobe (24), FCT (16), Bayelsa (10), Rivers (10), Kaduna (10),Nasarawa (5), Akwa Ibom (4), Bauchi (3), Edo (3), and Plateau(1).
To date, the country has recorded 163,440 cases of the virus out of which 153,788 have recovered.
On Tuesday, the Federal Government took delivery of 100,000 more doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Indian government as vaccination efforts continue across the country.
Nigeria already launched the vaccination of its citizens with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine it received almost four million doses of through the COVAX facility, a UN backed arrangement.
Unknown Gunmen have vandalized the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area Divisional Police Headquarters in Imo State.
This new attack came shortly after the top government functionaries had visited the state.
On Monday, gunmen attacked the Police Command Headquarters in the state where they burnt most of the vehicles parked in the station, the invaders used explosives and rockets to get into Owerri prison facility, more than 1,800 inmates escaped from the guardhouse.
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that its Imo headquarters in Owerri, the state capital, was attacked by armed men. Police speechmaker Frank Mba said in a statement Monday afternoon.
The attack on the police headquarters was carried out by the same armed group who also attacked a correctional facility in Owerri and freed over 1,800 inmates.
Authorities said the prison break was carried out by members of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and its security network, ESN.
IMO ATTACK – IGP DEPLOYS SECURITY REINFORCEMENT SQUADS, SETS UP SPECIAL INVESTIGATION TEAM (SIT)
• Directs CP Imo and the Special Investigation Team to Fish-Out and Bring Perpetrators to Book
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other Police Tactical Squads to Imo State to strengthen security in the State and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the State. The IGP gave the directives following the attack on security operatives and formations including the Imo State Police Command Headquarters and the Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) in Owerri in the early hours of today, Monday, 5th April, 2021.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN). The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by Police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armoury. The armoury is thus intact! Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder.
Meanwhile, one of the operational vehicles of the attackers has been recovered by the Police and is currently being subjected to forensic scrutiny and investigations.
The IGP, who condemned the attack on the security outfits, has further directed the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command and a new Special Investigation Team (specifically set up to deal with cases of incessant attacks on security formation/operatives in the region), to carry out holistic investigations into the incident with a view to fishing-out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. The CP is to harness the security reinforcement squads and other operational assets at his disposal to take the battle to the door-steps of the attackers and prevent any further attack anywhere within the State and its environs.
The IGP, who described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation, has enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality. The IGP calls on citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals. He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book, noting that the Force is doing all within its powers to curb the activities of unscrupulous elements hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, security and socio-ecomomic wellbeing of Nigerians.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, on Saturday disclosed that the Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, risks five years in prison over his comment on ‘Biafran boys’.
Umar was caught on video hitting a security guard during a misunderstanding on the plaza's parking space.
The Head, Press and Public Relations of the CCT, Ibraheem Al-Hassan, had in a statement said the guard threatened Umar, while some "Biafran boys" also harassed him at Banex.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana while reacting to the statement of the CCT Chairman said the use of the word was in contravention of Section 26 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015.
It read in part, “The use of the word ‘Biafra boys’ in the statement (produced through a computer system or network) on the instructions of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal and distributed to the media last week constitutes a contravention of Section 26 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 which prohibits the use of racist or xenophobic material in any written or printed material which advocates, promotes or incites hatred, discrimination or violence, against any individual group of individuals, based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, as well as religion if used as a pretext for any of these factors.”
“The person alleged to have suggested the use of the xenophobic words is liable to be prosecuted for the serious offence. The penalty for the offence is five years’ imprisonment and/or a minimum N10m fine.”
The UK government said yesterday it would add four countries to its hypothetic red list banning incoming travel to England from next week, citing coronavirus “variants of concern”.
The Department for Transport said the ban on visitors from Kenya, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Pakistan would enter force at 0300 GMT on April 9.
This will include anyone who left the countries or transited through them in the previous 10 days.
UK and Irish nationals and those with UK residence rights travelling from those countries will have to quarantine in hotels for 10 days.
The department said the ban was over new data showing increased risks of importing coronavirus “variants of concern”.
The new rules take the total number of red-listed countries to 39.
The government said the list expansion came at a “critical time for the vaccine programme”.
The UK has given more than 31 million people, or more than 45 percent of the population, the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
The additional restrictions will “help to reduce the risk of
new variants -– such as those first identified in South Africa and Brazil -– entering England”, the Department for Transport said.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft that went off the radar in Borno State might have crashed, authorities said on Friday.
The aircraft marked – NAF475 – had two crew members on board when it went missing on Wednesday in Borno State.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, disclosed this in a statement while giving an update on the incident.
While the cause of the crash and the whereabouts of the crew members who are NAF personnel remain unknown, the pilots are identified as Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.
According to Gabkwet, NAF surveillance aircraft and Special Forces, as well as Nigerian Army troops on ground are conducting extensive search and rescue efforts.
He stated that the Force remained hopeful that the crew would be found and rescued as it does not rule out anything regarding the incident.
A day after the incident, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, visited Borno where he was briefed on ongoing search and rescue efforts in connection with the missing aircraft.
Facebook has removed a video of former US President Donald Trump from the page of his daughter-in-law Lara Trump.
The social media network blocked Mr Trump from its platform on 7th January following riots by his supporters on the Capitol building in Washington.
Lara Trump, who is married to Mr Trump's son Eric, and a new Fox News contributor, posted a video of herself interviewing Mr Trump.
She later posted a screenshot of an email she received from Facebook warning her of the ban.
"In line with the block we placed on Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts, further content posted in the voice of Donald Trump will be removed and result in additional limitations on the account," an email from "Katelyn" read.
Twitter and Youtube had permanently deleted all Mr Trump's accounts.
A Federal High Court in Lagos State has barred the Federal Government from blocking Subscriber Identification Module, (SIM), cards not linked to National Identity Numbers, (NINs), next month.
The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy had, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), asked operators to block all SIM cards not linked to NIN by April 9, 2021.
The deadline had caused many Nigerians to gather at offices of the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC), in disregard of Covid-19 protocols.
Meanwhile, a former second National Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association and human rights lawyer, Monday Ubani, filed an originating motion and asked the court to stop the NCC from disconnecting all SIM cards not linked to NINs.
Ubani sought four reliefs including an order that the two-week ultimatum is inadequate and will not only cause him hardship but will also infringe on his fundamental right to freedom of speech and right to own property as provided under sections 39(1) and 44(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
He also sought an order from the court to extend the deadline.
Delivering judgment on March 23, 2021, Justice M.A Onyetenu, ordered that the deadline be extended by two months from the day of the judgment.
The court ruled that the ultimatum of April 9, 2021, be halted as the timeline is grossly inadequate and will not only cause severe hardship, but will likely infringe on the fundamental rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Section 39(1)(2) and Section 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The Judge further declared that because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cases in Nigeria presently, the deadline given to over 200 million Nigerians to register their SIM cards with NIN, will lead to a rush, thereby resulting in the clustering of Nigerian citizens in a NIN registration centre, subjecting them to the possibility of easily contracting Covid-19.
The Federal Government has evacuated 255 Nigerians stranded in Saudi Arabia. This was announced on Monday by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
In a post on Twitter sharing pictures of the returnees, NIDCOM said the 255 stranded Nigerians arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja via Saudi Air Flight SV3405 at about 1:00 pm local time today Monday, 29th, March 2021.
This according to the agency is the first batch of returnees while the arrival of other returnees is expected in subsequent days.
The returnees will proceed on quarantine at the Federal Capital Territory Hajj camp for 14 days in line with the reversed COVID-19 protocols by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.
The U.S. Department of State has cleverly sent a warning to would-be irregular migrants from Africa, who may be drawing inspiration from the crisis at the country’s southern border.
A spokesperson of the department, Jalina Porter, who gave the warning, on Friday, said anyone seeking to enter the U.S. should do so through “legal pathways”. she told reporters at a news briefing.
“So, we say to those in Africa who are looking at what’s going on along the border that the border is and always has been closed to irregular migration.
“The Biden administration certainly prioritises responsible and safe migration practices, and this doesn’t preclude anyone, whether you’re in the Northern Triangle or Central America or whether you are from Africa.
President Joe Biden is already facing a crisis at the border because of a massive surge of migrants along the U.S. border with Mexico.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu and the entire management team of the command today, Saturday 27th March, 2021, paid a condolence visit on the family of late Jelili Bakare that was shot dead by one Insp Jonathan Company on 18th March 2021.
The incident occurred at Quinox lounge at Sangotedo Area of Lagos State, about 11.30pm when the policeman attached to the Mounted Troop, Force Animal Branch of the Nigeria Police, had an argument with the deceased and shot him dead.
Immediately after the incident, the Inspector fled but was eventually arrested by the Divisional Police Officer Ogombo Division, Lagos State. The suspect, Jonathan Company, m, has been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department for proper investigation on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu.
The Commissioner of Police was received by the Olori Ebi of the Bakara family in Ajiran Land, Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State, Chief Yekini Olawale, the mother, wives and children of the deceased at AjiranLand, Lagos State.
The team also paid a visit to the Oba of Ajiranland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Tijani Akinloye, in his Palace and expressed its heartfelt condolences on the demise of one of his subjects.
The Commissioner of Police was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Ahmed Kontangora, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, DCP Bassey Ewah, Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID,Panti, Yaba, DCP Adegoke Fayoade, Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, Staff Officer Senior, CSP Vic Mulero and the Divisional Police Officers within the Area J, Area Command, Ajah.
The police boss has also ordered that the inspector be tried in orderly room and charged to court in no time as the family of the deceased deserves justice on the matter.
The Commissioner of Police therefore assured the general public that the command will consistently uphold the core values and principles of policing so as to have adequate protection of lives and property in the state.
Nigeria has recorded five COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours. This is according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) which announced this on Thursday night.
With the five new deaths, the total fatalities in the country have risen to 2,036. According to the health agency, the new COVID-19 cases were recorded in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They are Lagos – 50, Kaduna – 12, FCT – 10, Bayelsa – 8, Imo and Kwara – 3, Bauchi and Osun – 2, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Kano, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau and Zamfara each have one case.
The country has tested 1,727, 467 people since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was announced on Feb. 27, 2020. More than two-thirds of the 161,000 people infected by COVID-19 in Nigeria has recovered after treatment. However, more than 11,000 infections are still active in the country.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Lucky Irabor has disclosed that the military is more than prepared to crush insurgency and restore peace in the country.
Irabor made this known during a One-Day National Defence and Security Summit with the theme: “Promoting Kinetic Operations as a major Plank for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency in Nigeria” on Monday in Abuja.
He narrated that it is no news that Nigeria is facing a lot of security challenges including terrorism, insurgency, farmers/herders conflict, ethno-religious conflicts, kidnapping and banditry but the Armed Forces are ready and committed to ending the criminal operations.
He added that members of the armed forces are trained to combat anything that threatens the peace and territorial integrity of the nation.
According to him, “Our strategic objectives are manifold and imbued to neutralise non-state-actors and other agents of violence in our communities, forests and countryside to stabilise the security situation across the nation, to facilitate law and order; and lastly to provide the enabling environment far peace and development.
“These presuppose that the military would need support from other security agencies during the operations and would be required to give support to others at different stages of the internal security effort.“On behalf of the officers and men/women of the armed forces, I pledge our unalloyed loyalty to C-in-C and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.“The mandate shall be delivered; fear and despair shall be extinguished from our land. Nigeria will have peace again,” he said.
Irabor while expressing worries on the use of military force within the country, however, urged the cooperation of other security agencies and the citizens of the country in executing kinetic options targeted at promoting viable Civil-Military Relations (CMR) structures, eliminating the insurgents and stabilizing the country.
“The Summit is designed to quicken, support and consolidate the kinetic effort. I, therefore, appeal to all participants to speak freely and candidly in the national security interest,” he said.
Tanzanian Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in Friday as the country's first female president, two days after the death of President John Magufuli.
Hassan took the oath at the statehouse in the city of Dar es Salaam in a televised ceremony on state TV.
Despite the fact that Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, expressed support for same-sex civil unions in the new documentary Francescomthat gay people are children of God and said, “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way, they are legally covered.”
However, on Monday, the Vatican issued a decree explaining that priests cannot bless such unions.
It is "impossible" for God to "bless sin", the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) said on Monday.
But the CDF did note the "positive elements" in same-sex relationships.
In the Catholic Church, a blessing is given by a priest or other minister in the name of the Church.
On Monday, Pope Francis approved the response by the CDF, saying it was "not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination, but rather a reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite".
Some parishes in recent months, including in Germany and the US, have started giving blessings to people in same-sex relationships as a way to welcome gay Catholics to the church, Reuters news agency reported.
The CDF's response was in answer to the question posed to it: "Does the Church have the power to give the blessing to unions of persons of the same sex?". It replied: "Negative".
The CDF pointed out that marriage between a man and a woman is sacrament and
therefore blessings cannot be extended to same-sex couples.
"For this reason, it is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage (i.e., outside the indissoluble union of a man and a woman open in itself to the transmission of life), as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex," it said.
The remains of billionaire oil magnate and renowned philanthropist, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, were on Saturday finally laid to rest in his hometown, Abonnema, in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. Meanwhile, Widow of the billionaire business mogul Chief OB Lulu-Briggs, Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs was absent as her husband was laid to rest.
Chief OB Lulu-Briggs died two years ago in Ghana but was not buried because of disagreement in his family over the circumstances surrounding his death.
The funeral attracted prominent politicians, business leaders and other dignitaries who gathered in Abonnema district in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State to pay their last respect to the philanthropist.
Also, the last rites was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife Patience, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry, Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva and his wife.
Other dignitaries at the well attended event included the representative of Catholic Pope Francis, Cardinal John Onaiyekan; former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke and his wife; and the Special Assistant to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on special duties in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Enemina Obunge.
Prophet Jeremiah Johnson, an evangelical Christian who predicted that former President Trump would win reelection in 2020, says he’s ending his “Jeremiah Johnson Ministries” establishment for a new one called “The Altar Global”
Johnson said he did not make the decision lightly, writing in a Facebook post that he ended Jeremiah Johnson Ministries “after much prayer and the clear direction of the Lord," according to The Washington Post. The post has since been deleted.
The move comes after Johnson faced negative reactions for prophesying that Trump would win the 2020 election.
His conduct also comes in the middle of a YouTube series titled “I Was Wrong,” during which he stated that the country must come together and not dwell on the 2020 election.
“I believe that it is a tremendous mistake to take the next four years to argue and debate and cause division and grow more prideful talking about how we think the election was taken from Donald Trump. I actually believe we need to take the next four years and humble ourselves,” Johnson said in a video in the series.
“We need to recognize that God is up to something far greater in the prophetic, charismatic movement that I believe is beyond what many even recognize. We need to stop, we need to take a breather and we need to come back to a place where we can begin to dialogue about these issues rather than be so triggered,” he added.
“Our mission according to Revelation 22:17 is to help prepare the Bride of Christ for the return of our glorious Bridegroom King Jesus. We have been instructed to prepare an Altar for the Wedding day,” the website says.
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has called on the federal government to summon a meeting of state governors, senior security officials, herder and farmer representatives, along with traditional rulers and religious leaders to resolve the apparently out of control conflicts, in a statement he delivered Saturday.
Read the full statement by the APC chieftain below:
STATEMENT ON THE HERDER CRISIS
The herder-farmer dispute has taken on acute and violent dimensions. It has cost too many innocent lives while destroying the property and livelihoods of many others.
It has also aggravated ethnic sentiment and political tension. Despite the efforts of some of those in positions of high responsibility and public trust, the crisis has not significantly abated.
Sadly, others who should know better have incited matters by tossing about hate-tainted statements that fall dangerously short of the leadership these people claim to provide.
We all must get hold of our better selves to treat this matter with the sobriety it requires.
Because of the violence that has ensued and the fretful consequences of such violence, if left unabated, we must move in unison but decisively to end the spiral of death and destruction.
Only when the violence and the illogic of it are halted can logic and reason prevail. Until the violence is rolled back, we cannot resolve the deep problems that underlie this conflict.
We will neither be able to uplift the farmer from his impoverished toil nor move the herder toward the historic transformation which he must make.
Yet, as vital as security is to the resolution of this matter, we must realise security measures alone will not suffice. Enhanced security may be the necessary first step, but it cannot be the only step.
Nor do we resolve this by hitching ourselves to emotional, one-dimensional answers. More to the point, those who cast this as exclusively a matter of ethnic confrontation are mistaken.
This is no time for reckless chauvinism of any kind, on either side of this dispute. This matter is not ethnic in factual origin or actual causation although in the minds and hearts of too many, it has become ethnic in recrimination and impulsive action.
There have been sporadic disputes in the past but this one is more severe. The reasons for the greater violence of this current dispute are myriad. Economic hardship and its resultant dislocation, proliferation of weapons, generalised increase in criminality, and weakening of social institutions all play a role.
Desertification, increased severity and length of the dry season, diminution of water resources, impairment of land fertility and population growth also contribute in no small measure. Thus, any durable solution must get at most, if not all, of these issues.
Farmers have a right to farm their land unmolested. Herders have a right to raise their livestock without undue interference.
However, when conflict between these groups arises to such an extent, we must set forth clear principles and policies to remove the tension, in order to allow both to proceed toward their stated goals and to live in harmony and according to their respective rights.
Just as I cannot go into your house and take your shirt because I do not have one of like colour, no one can destroy the crops of a farmer or seize the cattle of a herder simply because such destruction sates their anger or their selfish, short-term interests.
If such a condition were to hold, then all would turn into chaos; all would be in jeopardy of being lost. To destroy the crops or seize the property of the innocent farmer or herder is nothing if not an act of criminality.
Here, I must state two fundamental realities. One has been previously mentioned by me and others as part of the solution. The other reality is hardly discussed.
First, the situation of the herder is becoming untenable. Their nomadic ways fall increasingly in conflict with the dictates of modern society. This way of life is centuries old and steeped in tradition.
We can never condone or accept violence as a valid response to any hardship. However, we all must recognise and understand the sense of dislocation caused by the sudden passing of such a longstanding social institution.
I mention their dislocation not to excuse violence and other excesses. I raise it to underscore that we must realise the true complexity of this crisis. What is happening has been terrible, but it is not due to any intrinsic evil in either the herder or the farmer.
The calamity now being faced is borne of situational exigencies. It is but the tragic outcome when often desperate, alienated people are left too long unattended and when their understanding of the modern socio-economic and environmental forces affecting the very terms of their existence is incomplete.
An ethnically fuelled response will be to vociferously defend the nomadic way believing this tack will somehow protect the herder and cast the speaker as an ethnic champion.
However, careless words cannot shield the herder from relentless reality. Such talk will only delude him into believing that he can somehow escape the inevitable.
We do both herder and farmer grave injustice by allowing the herder to continue as he is – fighting a losing battle against modernity and climate change. In that fight, desperation causes him to flail and fight the farmer, who too is a victim of these impersonal forces.
Second, to help the herder and leave the farmer unattended is unfair and will only trigger a resentment that tracks already heated ethnic fault lines. The times have also been perilous for the hardscrabble farmer. He needs help to survive and to be more productive in ways that increase national food security.
Farm productivity and incomes must be enhanced. Soil enrichment, better irrigation and water retention as well as the provision of better rural roads, equipment and access to modern machinery are required to lift him above bare subsistence.
Both innocent and law-abiding farmer and herder need to be recompensed for the losses they have suffered. Both need further assistance to break the current cycle of violence and poverty. In short, the continued progressive reform of many of our rural socio-economic relationships is called for.
Based on these strategic observations, I recommend the federal government convene a meeting of state governors, senior security officials, herder and farmer representatives, along with traditional rulers and religious leaders.
The purpose of this meeting would be to hammer out a set of working principles to resolve the crisis.
After this meeting, governors of each state should convene follow-up meetings in their states to refine and add flesh to the universal principles by adjusting them to the particular circumstances of their states.
In addition to religious and traditional leaders and local farmer and herder representatives, these meetings shall include the state’s best security minds along with experts in agriculture (livestock and farming), land use, and water management to draw specific plans for their states.
To accomplish this goal, the wise policy must include the following elements:
– Maintain reasonable and effective law enforcement presence in affected areas. The proposed reform of the Nigerian law enforcement apparatus towards state and community policing can help in this regard.
The legislative and administrative measures required to make this a reality should be expedited. In addition to alleviating the present farmer-herder crisis, this reform will also bolster efforts against the banditry, kidnapping, and robbery plaguing communities across the country.
Governments need to employ new technology and equipment to enhance the information gathering/surveillance and response capabilities of law enforcement.
– Help the herders’ transition to more sedentary but more profitable methods of cattle-rearing. Unoccupied public land can be fenced into grazing areas or ranches and leased to herders on a very low-cost, nominal basis.
The leasing is not intended to penalize herders. Rather, the nominal fee is intended to ensure the herders are invested in the project and incentivised (by reason of their investment) to use the land provided.
This aspect will also mitigate any resentment over herders being given land for free. Government, in turn, being a responsible lessor, must help with supplemental feed and water in these areas.
This will enable herders to better maintain and care for their livestock thus enhancing their incomes. Herders can augment income by becoming suppliers to the leather goods industry.
Additionally, herders can also develop a more symbiotic relationship with farmers by, for example, trading animal compost to the farmer in exchange for animal feed.
– Assist farmers to increase productivity by supporting or providing subvention for their acquisition of fertilizer, equipment, and machinery and, also, by establishing commodity boards to guarantee minimum prices for important crops.
In the medium to long term, resources must be dedicated to establishing better irrigation and water catchment systems to further improve farm productivity and mitigate the dire impact of flood and drought cycles brought about by extreme climatic conditions.
– Establish a permanent panel in each state as a forum for farmers, herders, security officials, and senior state officials to discuss their concerns, mitigate contention and identify trouble and douse it before it erupts.
We are a populous nation of diverse ethnic groups. We are a people of potential richness, yet to escape present poverty. We have resources but not wealth. Often, our words speak of hope and fear in the same breath.
While we all hope and strive for the best, many fear that there is not enough of what is needed to go around and that they will be left out. In such a situation, harsh competition and contest are fated to occur.
In
The employee of a senior care facility is accused of raping an elderly Alzheimer’s patient in Minnesota. He was busted sexually assaulting an 83-year-old woman, who has Alzheimer's disease, when her son checked in on her via webcam Monday night, according to reports.
The son said he remotely witnessed 52-year-old Olabamidele Olumide Bewaji caress and undress his mother before sexually assaulting her twice in her room at the Pillars of Mankato Senior Living home, the Mankato Free Press reported, citing a court complaint.
He told investigators that he used a speaker on the camera to demand Bewaji stop, according to the complaint. Bewaji eventually stopped, but the son noted he did so slowly.
Olabamidele Olumide Bewaji, 52, was charged with two counts of felony third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Blue Earth County Court.
According to a criminal complaint, the 83-year-old victim’s son was monitoring his mother’s room via web-based cameras when he witnessed the assault. His mother suffers from Alzheimer’s, he told investigators, and he typically uses the camera to check that she is well.
The complaint says the son saw Bewaji caressing his mother before undressing her and sexually assaulting her as she laid in bed. Bewaji then climbed into the bed and sexually assaulted the woman a second time, says the complaint.
Police found the victim partially dressed and said she was confused as to what happened, the paper reported.
Bewaji, who works at the facility, initially denied the sexual assault, the Southern Minnesota News reported, citing the criminal complaint, but he later admitted to the sexual abuse after learning investigators would conduct a search warrant.
Bewaji also confessed that he had sex with the woman last month and understood that she was a vulnerable adult, the reports said. He claimed that the octogenarian had initiated the sexual acts.
Bewaji was charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct.
Mr Rotimi Olumo, Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress in Oyo State, has characterized former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, as a ‘lie merchant and an expert in misinformation.’
Olumo said this in a statement on Wednesday in the wake of accusation by Fani-Kayode that the Fulani warlord, Abdullah Iskilu-Wakili, captured by OPC members on Sunday was not the real Wakili disturbing the people of Ibarapa and Oke - Ogun communities in Oyo State. Olumo said Fani-Kayode ‘s claim was misinformation taken too far.
According to OPC, Fani-Kayode utterances merited no response but because it came at a time when the chief tormentor of Ibarapa people is still in custody, it is reasonable to respond and clear the air on the issue.
Oguntade said: “Fani- Kayode has a reputation for using his social media page to foment trouble and cause disunity in Yorubaland. He had once said that Yoruba language was Anago. How can you take such a person too serious?
“I remembered former President Olusegun Obasanjo had said it once that Fani-Kayode can do anything for money and survival.
“He lives in Abuja, romancing with the North, yet he was the first to refute the claim that the kidnaper was not Wakili. Where did he get his information?
“With his untenable claim, I know and I am sure that the former minister is doing the bid of his paymasters, who are majorly from the North. He is the undisputed spokesperson of any politician that is ready to feather his nest.
“He should be warned to stop drumming the beat of disunity in Yorubaland. Fani-Kayode was one of the few people that called and congratulated our leader, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams on Monday, on the success of the operation of the OPC, and the following day, he twisted the story refuting the claim that the man apprehended wasn’t Wakili.”
The House of Representatives on Wednesday begged the Federal Government of Nigeria to make sure that the £4.2million Ibori loot be returned to Delta State.
The lawmakers argued that the funds were stolen from Delta State and as such should rightly be returned to the state. They added that the funds are needed for the infrastructural development of the state.
This was the resolution reached after a motion of urgent public importance which was sponsored by all the lawmakers from Delta State. However, the federal legislators also pointed out that the total money is £6.2 million and not £4.2 million as is being reported.
The House also asked the Federal Ministry of Finance to direct the Attorney General of Federation, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and give the House all particulars relating to the recovered money.
James Onanefe Ibori was Governor of Delta State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007.
He was convicted in the United Kingdom of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced by a British court on April 18, 2012, to 13 years in prison.
Meghan and Harry interview.
The Duchess of Sussex has said she found life within the British Royal Family so difficult that at times she "didn't want to be alive any more". In a deeply personal TV interview, Meghan told Oprah Winfrey that she did not get help when she asked for it.
She said a low point was when Harry was asked by an unnamed family member "how dark" their son Archie's skin might be. Prince Harry also revealed that his father, Prince Charles, stopped taking his calls when he wanted to step back. The highly-anticipated interview with Oprah, which the couple were not paid for, aired overnight in the US.
During the two-hour CBS special, to be screened in the UK on ITV at 21:00 BST on Monday night and on ITV Hub, Courtesy of Harpo Productions/CBS, the couple covered a range of topics, including racism, mental health, their relationship with the media and Royal Family dynamics.
They also announced their baby, which is due in the summer, is a girl and revealed they actually married three days before their public wedding in May 2018, in a simple ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Harry later told Oprah that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were not the royals who made comments about Archie's skin color.
A joint team of Ibarapa - Oke Ogun security operatives, made up of Oodua Peoples Congress, Vigilante, and other groups have arrested the terrifying Fulani aggressor threatening Oyo communities, Iskilu Wakili.
Wakili was captured barely seven days after his second-in-command, Isiaka Muhammadu, was arrested alongside four others.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, confirmed Wakili’s arrest in a statement made available by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, on Sunday.
Adams said the Fulani warlord was arrested around 7 am on Sunday and had been handed over to the Divisional Police Office in Igbo Ora, Oyo State.
The statement was titled, “Insecurity: Gani Adams extols OPC, Ibarapa joint security team over arrest of Wakilu and three others in Ibarapa’.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland described Wakili as the ‘most-dreaded, notorious kidnap kingpin’ who has operated in Oyo State.
Adams said, “I am happy that the notorious kidnapper had been captured alongside three others. It is a good development and a positive signal to other criminal elements that the South-West is no longer an abode for bandits, kidnappers, and criminal herders.
“I commend all the members of the joint security team that has made this possible because with the video at my disposal, it was purely a neat job.
“With this development, I think the whole world will agree with me that the fight against insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry needs native intelligence, information gathering, and grassroots support from local securities and operatives.
“As I have said earlier that the effort to rid the South-West of bandits and kidnappers was to complement the efforts of the police and in doing that, it is also very important for the police to support the local security operatives because they are always at the grassroots and they have their ears to the ground on local security matters.”
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have given full backing to the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that bandits bearing AK-47 should be shot on sight.
The ACF said the security situation need unconventional control, saying that AK-47, being a dangerous assault rifle, should not be handled by unauthorised persons.
in addition, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his directive to security agents to shot anyone illegally bearing AK-47 rifle.
Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President Garba Shehu told the BBC Hausa Service in an interview aired on Wednesday that the order showed the seriousness with which the government was taking banditry, kidnapping and other acts of terror.
“What can be stronger than the fact that the President has directed the operatives to shoot anyone seen with dangerous weapons like AK-47, on sight, in as much as the person is not a security operative?
“Government is doing this with all seriousness. The President equally directed that the security (operatives) should go after them and kill them except they lay down their arms,” Shehu added.
Ortom, speaking yesterday at the Government House Makurdi when he hosted the Chairman Governing Board, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Prof Adamu Kyuka, said: “I wish to commend Mr President for his recent order against those bearing AK-47 rifles. This I am sure will reduce the high rate of criminality, banditry and militia herdsmen attacks on our farming communities.
“I don’t only criticise, I also commend where necessary. And I want to say it is a shame on those psychopaths who were bashing me for writing to Mr President because he has finally heeded my advice.”
Its National Publicity Secretary Emmanuel Yawe said: “Though only lawyers can interpret the legality of the President’s order, that the President ordered people to be shot without trial is a legal issue.
“But we agree that there is a need for the extreme measure to curb the spread of arms like AK-47.
“Some governors are even arguing that people should be allowed to carry AK-47 and that is not right. They want the country to dissolve into anarchy. It is not right for private individuals to carry AK-47, which is known all over the world as a very dangerous assault rifle.
“Nigeria is not at war, so why should people carry AK47 freely? Even Dane guns, you need a licence to own it. In Nigeria, people just carry AK-47 freely and they kill people and nothing happens to them.
“The ACF welcomes the President’s order.”
Also, the federal government of Nigeria has declared Zamfara a no-fly zone following intelligence that arms were being transported to the bandits with private jets.
A Nigerian family has cried out for help after their son donated the family house as a seed to a popular Pentecostal church in Delta state.
The philanthropist simply identified as Shedrack was said to have returned from abroad, and became more involved in religious activities which made him to unclothe Peter to clothe Paul in Warri,
Meanwhile, He donated the family house to the church without the knowledge of family members as a seed to a branch of Christ Embassy, also known as LoveWorld Incorporated in Warri.
Shedrack had previously sowed his car as a seed to the church.
The family did not know their son had donated their house to his church until Shedrack’s father noticed men going around, viewing the property and was told the property now belongs to Christ Embassy and has been valued to be sold at 25 million Naira.
When the older man made enquiry, he was told the property now belonged to Christ Embassy and had been valued to be sold at N25 million.
According to reports, the house was built on land owned by the entire family and with money contributed by the whole family, though Shedrack contributed the lion’s share. The house is currently being occupied by Shedrack’s father, cousins and 4 tenants who paid rent.
Oyindamola Akinrinola, a 23-year-old Nigerian citizen has been convicted for her role in fraud schemes that targeted victims across the United States.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 23-year-old Oyindamola Akinrinola of Lawrence has pleaded guilty in federal court for her role
“Akinrinola and her co-conspirator in Nigeria victimized individuals, several elderly, through a variety of online scams,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. “She now faces time in federal prison for her crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of fraud schemes like these, no matter where they originate. I also take this conviction as an opportunity to reiterate to all Kansans the vulnerability of our senior citizens to scams and con artists, who prey upon them. We must all be vigilant to protect our parents, grandparents, elderly relatives, friends and neighbors from such frauds and fraudsters.”
“Scams such as lottery, online dating, and impersonating Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees continue to be a major threat to taxpayers, especially senior citizens,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “Scammers will use a variety of techniques to cheat taxpayers. TIGTA will do everything within its power to ensure that those involved in the impersonation of IRS employees are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We appreciate the assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice in this effort.”
According to U.S. Attorney McAllister, the charges, and other information presented in court: Akinrinola, a Nigerian national who was granted legal permanent residency in the United States in 2018, was part of a scheme to defraud U.S.-based victims out of money and property. Akinrinola’s co-conspirator in Nigeria orchestrated several scams, such as tricking victims into believing they were eligible for fictitious awards or establishing purported (but false) romantic relationships with victims and exploiting their affections.
The co-conspirator in Nigeria directed victims to send money to Akinrinola. While in Kansas as a college student, she received funds from the scam victims—in amounts ranging from hundreds of dollars to as much $20,000—via wire transfers, money orders, financial applications, Wal-Mart money grams, Western Union, the United States Postal Service, and various other means. Akinrinola kept a portion for herself as her reward and sent the bulk of the funds to her co-conspirator in Nigeria. To do so, she generally used the Sendwave, WorldRemit, or Boss Revolution mobile applications.
The following are just a few examples of the scams Akinrinola and her co-conspirator perpetrated:
Victims 1 and 2 received Facebook messages from an individual who purported to be with FedEx. They were told they won a $130,000 grant and that FedEx would deliver the cash after Victim 2 paid a “case file fee.” Victim 2 then deposited $2,500 cash into a Bank of America account for the fee. Victim 2 was then told she needed to pay another $1,000 for a “winning certificate.” Because Victims 1 and 2 did not have $1,000, they allowed the purported Facebook account holder to purchase three iPhones through their Verizon account. Victims 1 and 2 were instructed to mail the iPhones to Akinrinola (in Kansas). Victim 2 then received an image from the Facebook account claiming to be from the IRS and requesting $15,000 before release of the grant funds.
Victim 3 was the victim of an online dating scam and lost approximately $8,000, of which he sent $900 to Akinrinola via a kiosk at a Walgreens store.
Victim 4 also was the victim of an online dating scam. Victim 4 lost approximately $3,815, and he sent $710 to Akinrinola. Victim 4 believed the money was for musical instruments for children in Nigeria.
Victim 5 was the victim of a Facebook scam. A man on Facebook, known to Victim 5 as “Steven,” told Victim 5 that he was in the military and needed money, and Victim 5 sent $1,000 to Akinrinola in this scam.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2021 at 9:00 am, before U.S. District Judge Holly L. Teeter.
IBADAN : There was a move today to arrest one of the most popular Yoruba activists, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, by combined security agents along the Lagos Ibadan expressway.
According to a statement signed by a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Igboho was on his way to meet with 93-year-old Afenifere Chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo, when the incident occurred.
“I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho. He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers, DSS operatives and policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos.
“I condemn this attempt to ambush and abduct him. It is not only reckless but also very dangerous. If the security agencies want to see him all they need to do is to invite him to their office. I am not aware of any crime that he has committed and I urge restraint on all sides.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has pleaded with Fulani herders not to carry AK-47 riffles but remain peaceful. He insisted that his earlier comment on herders carrying AK-47 was figurative.
The governor, who made the plea in his speech at the launch of the 2020/2021 annual livestock vaccination campaign held at the Galambi Cattle Ranch, Bauchi, on Wednesday, described the Fulani people as humble, simple, and humane.
He said, “What I will do, I will not say it here, but I will do everything possible to make sure I protect you and lend support to you because I know you mean well.
“Through time and history, you have been seen to be cajoled, and lampooned but you remained humane, you remained simple, you don’t show so much aggression and of course, that humility is always what we recognized and this is what a character that should always try to show.
“Please, don’t carry the AK-47 that I made a figurative allusion to. Try to make sure that you remain peaceful.”
The governor said that he has no apology for kicking against the profiling of Fulani herders as criminals.
He said that his administration is aware of the activities of Miyetti Allah and other Fulani organisations in promoting peaceful coexistence in the state, promoting the well-being of the pastoralists, wealth creation, and conflict mediation especially the state and the nation in general.
The United States has extradited a 95-year-old who had been living in Tennessee with German citizenship who once served as a guard in one of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps.
Friedrich Karl Berger arrived in Germany on Saturday, where enforcement took him into custody for inquiring.
Mr Berger, a former resident of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, did not appeal deportation judgment in February 2020, Immigration judge Rebecca Holt said Friedrich Karl Berger had served in the camp where prisoners were held in "atrocious" conditions.
Berger is the seventieth Nazi persecutor to be removed from the United States according to the justice department.
"After 75 years, this is ridiculous. I cannot believe it," he told the Washington Post newspaper after the trial last year. "You're forcing me out of my home."
"Berger’s removal demonstrates the Department of Justice’s and its law enforcement partners’ commitment to ensuring that the United States is not a safe haven for those who have participated in Nazi crimes against humanity and other human rights abuses," Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson said in a DOJ press release.
Acting Immigration and Customs Director Tae Johnson said Berger’s deportation demonstrates the United States’ commitment to ensuring the country wouldn’t be a safe haven for human rights violators and war criminals.
"We will never cease to pursue those who persecute others. This case exemplifies the steadfast dedication of both ICE and the Department of Justice to pursue justice and to hunt relentlessly for those who participated in one of history’s greatest atrocities, no matter how long it takes," Johnson said.
Italy's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, his security guard and driver have been killed in an attack on a U.N. caravan in DRC's east, the Italian foreign ministry and local authorities have said.
Luca Attanasio 43, military policeman Vittorio Iacovacci and their Congolese driver, whose name has not been announced, were travelling with the U.N.'s Organization Stabilization Mission in DRC, known as MONUSCO, on Monday (February 22) morning when they were attacked by a group of commando.He died in hospital.
Authorities from the Virunga National Park said the attack took place near the town of Kanyamahoro, a few miles north of the regional capital Goma, and was an attempted kidnapping.
Virunga stretches north from near Goma along DRC's border with Rwanda and Uganda.
Italy's Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio expressed his "great shock and immense sorrow."
He was in Brussels for a European Union meeting when he heard the news, and cut short his visit to head back to Italy.
Attanasio was the head of Italy's mission in DRC since 2017 and became ambassador in 2019.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Saturday declared that herdsmen were not liable for the killing of Dr. Fatai Aborode.
The ex-lawmaker was waylaid by suspected kidnappers at a nearby village in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Makinde who spoke on Saturday morning throughout a program on the Broadcasting Company of Oyo State (BCOS) detonated, ”Aborode’s killing is political.”
While many people believed that the PDP chieftain was killed by suspected herdsmen, Makinde however, said that herdsmen were not accountable for the killing.
The governor claimed he spent an evening in Ibarapa geopolitical zone just lately, including that he interacted with the daddy of the deceased, who revealed that the demise of his son was political.
He added that each one the folks concerned within the killing can be investigated.
Makinde mentioned, “I used to be the coordinator for PDP in Ibadan North East when Dr. Aborode was the coordinator for PDP in Ibarapa North Native authorities space after we returned to PDP.
“Dr. Aborode shouldn’t be somebody who is much from me. I’m not saying that there are not any dangerous eggs among the many Fulani herdsmen, however, they aren’t those liable for the killing.
“I spent two days in Ibarapa and I interacted with the folks. I spoke with the daddy.
“I requested him what occurred. They instructed me that, Dr. Aborode was not the one which drove himself to the farm. He was carried on the bike after they had been going. He sat on the again. However after they had been coming, it was one other individual. I requested the place is the person who drove the bike, they mentioned that he got here to the home to hunt assist.
“They instructed me that some individuals who noticed them in the course of the interplay mentioned that these individuals are not Fulani. They had been talking Yoruba.
“The daddy instructed me that the demise was political. And I referred to as the Commissioner of Police.
“I requested after the motorcyclist that carried him. They mentioned that they didn’t injure him. He got here dwelling to hunt assist. And some days in the past, they mentioned that they’ve introduced the individual. All of them should be investigated”.
The Imo State Government has justified the ongoing joint military and security operation in Orlu Local Government Area of the state.
The Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Cyprian Akaolisa said that the government invited the military to Orlu to dislodge members of the Eastern Security Network linked with the banished Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB].
Akaolisa, who informed journalists of this disclosure in Owerri yesterday, said the government would try the ESN members for alleged murder of innocent citizens, IPOB is being implicated in the recent violence that resulted in the death of some residents and security operatives in the state.
“The attacks on police stations and killing of policemen during #EndSARS were carried out by IPOB and not protesting youths for the sole purpose of hijacking and stealing weapons,” he said.
“They are now using those arms to destroy Orlu. They killed 10 policemen, a prominent Orlu soon, Ignatius Obiezu, and one Emmanuel Okeke and collected their Hilux vehicles.
“The IPOB also shot and killed four Moslems doing their business in Orlu. IPOB said they were looking for herdsmen, but these victims they killed before the crisis.
“Were they herdsmen? We heard Nnamdi Kanu celebrating the activities of his men in Orlu that they are doing well by killing innocent citizens. There are no Fulani herdsmen in Orlu.”
Famous Afro juju singer, Shina Peters has reacted to allegations that he abandoned the child late Funmi Martins had for him, Damilare.
The claims first surfaced online after a popular Instagram blogger alleged that the boy, Damilare Peters, 19, has been abandoned by his older sister, actress Mide Martins and the music star.
The Juju maestro, who has been married to Sammie since 1995, addressed the claims in a video posted online on Thursday.Reacting to this, S.S.P said that there are some issues from the past that he wouldn’t want to delve into but assured he will now resume full responsibility for Damilare.
In the video Shina released to address the issue, claimed that he has raised billionaires and also raised the other children of late Funmi Martins; Mide and Tunde Martins.
“I am no more a kid for crying out loud, I am over 60…I want to appreciate all mothers that rose to this case…but it is always good to listen to both sides of a story and not just judge from one side….what happened is, … I can’t count the number of kids I have even helped that are not my biological kids…so why would Damilare’s case be any different?
I want you all to know that Damilare and I have been speaking for three days now and tomorrow we will be seeing eye to eye and talk and I promise to take up the responsibility for the boy.
I am a responsible father, I have raised billionaires….but please don’t turn this boy into a beggar please, because of his tomorrow since he has people that can fend for him..it is not that refused to take care of him, it is cos of issues from the past and I am not going to go back to those issues for peace sake.
I will send him to school, all my kids are educated so he will be spent to school….I raised his elder brother, Tunde Martins, I raised Mide Martins, so why won’t I raise him? ..so for now, …I will take it up and will not go the past issues then but I won’t talk about that cos of the boy’s future….he will shine….”
Uganda - East Africa News
While Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was inside the UN rights offices in Kampala presenting a petition against abduction of his supporters, journalists came under attack by Museveni's military force for covering the news on Wednesday.
Military police assaulted four journalists and three members of parliament (MPs) who were waiting outside the offices of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Kampala .
The journalists, including two women, were treated at a nearby hospital .
The journalists included Josephine Namakumbi, Irene Abalo of NBS television, Cliff Wamala of NTV television and Timothy Murungi of New Vision newspaper.
“We were standing outside the UN offices waiting for Bobi Wine to come out and address us when policemen and soldiers started beating anyone they came across. They beat me several times as I fled,” said Timothy Mukasa.
A spokesman for Wine’s National Unity Platform, Joel Ssenyonyi, told Anadolu Agency: “It is terrible. [President Yoweri] Museveni’s army and police have gone crazy. Can you imagine beating journalists and members of parliament just outside the UN offices? Something must be done to get rid of such situations.”
The East African country's Electoral Commission on Jan. 16 announced Yoweri Museveni as the Jan. 14 elections winner. Wine, who refused to concede defeat, challenged the election results in the country's top court.
Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, Monday released a list of at least 243 people he claims were abducted by the government.
On Twitter, Wine said his team has hundreds of other names that are still being verified before they can be published.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State have shed some light on his comment on Fulani herders bearing firearms.
The governor in a press release issued by his SSA Media, Mukhtar Gidado on Sunday stated that “to the extent that not every herdsman is a criminal, the reference to AK-47 was simply to put in perspective, the predicament and desperation of those law-abiding Fulani herdsmen who, while carrying out their legitimate cow-rearing business, have become serial victims of cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping and assassination.”
He said he had been working round the clock, alongside other leaders from the region, to avert reprisal actions that can plunge the entire country into chaos.
“The attention of the Bauchi State Government has been drawn to reactions from various members of the public to Governor Mohammed’s speech, at the closing ceremony of the Press Week of the Correspondent’s Chapel of the NUJ in Bauchi State, last Thursday.
“At no time did the Governor set out to justify criminality by anyone, no matter the person’s ethnic nationality. Rather, he admonished us, in the interest of national unity, to avoid wholesale branding of any ethnic group as it is inconceivable that any one group can be made up of only criminals. By extension, the Governor made it abundantly clear that it will be inappropriate to label any one tribe based on the crimes of a few members of the ethnic group.”
“Second, to the extent that not every herdsman is a criminal, the Governor’s reference to AK47 was simply to put in perspective, the predicament and desperation of those law-abiding Fulani herdsmen who, while carrying out their legitimate cow-rearing business, have become serial victims of cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping and assassination.
“These are the people who, in the absence of any protection from the security agencies, are forced to resort to self-help, to defend both their means of livelihood and their lives.
“As a constitutionalist which he has proved over time, all through his political career, Governor Bala Mohammed will be the last person to advocate a subversion of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He did not do so in the past; he will not do so today.
“Governor Bala Mohammed’s description of forests, as “no man’s land”, (please read as gift of nature), is a carry-over from his own geo-political environment where a pastoralist could set up camp, in any forest, for a few weeks without causing any uproar or opposition.
“To interpret such a temporary stay as a form of ‘land grab’ by the Fulani herdsmen is completely incorrect. In actual fact, neither does such temporary habitation of the forest inconvenience anyone nor does the itinerant Fulani sojourner, bother anyone about his plight in the forest characterised by life without assess to electricity, pipe borne water, good roads or hospitals. On the contrary, Bala Mohammed is very familiar with the Land Use Act, including the criteria for land acquisition and cannot therefore seek to undermine the statute which, as Governor, he has sworn to uphold.”
The statement said the Governor used the occasion to weigh in on the contentious issue of clashes between herdsmen and farmers, particularly against the background of the eviction and other forms of restriction orders issued by some state governments and non-governmental entities.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has condemned the molestation of arrested Lekki protesters and has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.
This follows the circulation of a viral video where some arrested #EndSARS protesters were being molested in a bus by some people after their arrest.
The disclosure is contained in a press statement that was issued by the Lagos State Police Command and signed by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday, February 14, 2021.
Adejobi in his statement said that the state police commissioner was disturbed by the unprofessional and inhuman act, and ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Panti, Adejoke Fayoade, to analyze the video and bring to book those responsible.
Adejobi in his statement said, ‘’The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video where some arrested EndSARS protesters were being molested in a bus by some individuals after their arrest.
‘’The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, who was piqued by this unprofessional and inhuman act, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Panti, DCP Adegoke Fayoade, to analyze the video and bring to book whoever that must have been responsible for the act.’’
It noted that the command will fish out those responsible for the molestation and ensure they are punished for their unprofessional conduct.
The Lagos State Police Commissioner further urged Lagos state residents to be law-abiding and maintain peace at all times as the police and other security agencies will not allow any violence and break down of law and order in any part of the state.
The Lagos state police command arrested some #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate on Saturday morning and moved into waiting black maria. The arrested protesters were later released on bail.
The protesters said that the recent #OccupyLekkiTollgate protest was due to the decision of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to allow the Lekki Concession Company [LCC] to reopen the Lekki tollgate without completing the investigation and prosecution of soldiers responsible for the shootings at the toll gate on October 20, 2020.
Amnesty International, a non-governmental human rights organization with its headquarters in the United Kingdom has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to protect the right of citizens to peaceful protest.
The global rights group also counseled security operatives to avoid applying excessive force on protesters like it had occurred last October during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality.
“Amnesty international is calling on all Nigerian authorities to demonstrate commitment to protect the right to peaceful protest. Previous attempts by security agents to repress peaceful protests have led to human rights violations and abuses. #LekkiTollGate.
“The Nigerian govt. must ensure that when protesters exercise their right to freedom of assembly, it must be without fear of harassment or attacks by hoodlums or others opposed to the protests. Security operatives must refrain from excessive use of force on protesters. #EndSARS.”
The Lekki Concession Company (LCC) on Thursday appealed to leaders of demonstrator planning a rally at its destroyed Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza to be slow to go to war and to try settling things peacefully. A group has threatened to hold a fresh protest at the gate to begin by 7.am on Saturday, February 13, 2021.
Speaking at a news conference at its head office, LCC Managing Director, Yomi Omomuwasan, explained that the firm had refrained from commenting since the event of October 20, 2020, because it realised that “tempers were high, and truth had become a major casualty.”
Omomuwasan said: “To set the records straight, LCC never prevented the protesting Nigerian youths from occupying our plaza before the unfortunate incident of Tuesday, October 20, 2020, even as we incurred huge losses from the forced closure of the facility by the protesters who chose to make our facility their protest ground.
“It was in a bid to halt further losses, especially given our subsisting financial commitments to local and foreign lenders, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), that we approached the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry for permission to repossess our facilities.”
He added that the LCC requested the Toll gate’s return to evaluate the damage, process insurance claims, and rebuild the burnt facilities before the commencement of operations to continue to fulfil its loan repayment and other financial obligations.
“We want to place on record that we cooperated fully with the Panel and made a strong representation through our lawyers concerning the return of our assets, a request the Panel graciously granted on Saturday, February 6, 2021.
“We are distressed by the reactions the decision of the Panel has elicited from some members of the public and their resolve to again forcefully take over the already destroyed Plaza on Saturday 13, January 2021.
Omomuwasan, who appealed to well-meaning Nigerians from across the divide to sheath their swords and give peace a chance, said the LCC is “also a victim of the unfortunate circumstance, as assets worth over N2.5 billion were burnt.”
Omomuwasan noted that not returning to full operations within the shortest possible time would result in loss of jobs for the LCC’s over 500 direct staff and thousands of others across its business value chain.
“We appeal to the leaders of the protest movement to cooperate with us as we gradually restore and commence operations. To every sored heart and scared body, we at LCC ask for divine comfort and speedy healing. As we grieve together, let us find warmth in the embrace of one another with a common resolve to rebuild a better Lagos upon the ashes of our yesterday,” he said
Omomuwasan disclosed that despite the tolls not being operational since October 2020, LCC has continued to render essential services including free 24/7 emergency assistance, and vehicle breakdown and recovery services to all road users.
A 20-year-old man was shot to death during a “prank” robbery staged for social platform Friday night, according to a release from Nashville police.
Police said Timothy Wilks was shot and killed in a parking lot at a building with several businesses, including a trampoline park, around 9:20 p.m.
Detectives were told Wilks and a friend were participating in a “prank” robbery as part of a YouTube video and approached a group of people, including the shooter, with butcher knives.
A 23-year-old man told police he wasn’t aware the robbery was a prank and shot Wilks, saying his actions were in “self-defense,” according to the release.
“This is like a huge kids area, and when we were in there, there were a ton of tiny kids and it’s just like, that would not be a great idea,” Emily Yeager, a customer at the trampoline park, told WKRN. “Especially if anyone was walking out here or something like that.”
No charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed April 13 to hear an application seeking forfeiture of the $5,781,173.55 and the N2.4billion said to have been improperly earned by former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.
Justice Chuka Obiozor fixed the date after hearing counsel to the parties in the suit.
The application was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sometime in 2017 and hearing commenced before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun. Justice Olatoregun on April 26, 2017 ordered the money’s temporary forfeiture based on an ex-parte application by the EFCC.
Mrs Jonathan appealed, but the Court of Appeal last January 12 upheld the temporary forfeiture.
The Supreme Court on March 15 affirmed the Court of Appeal judgment.According to the EFCC, which filed the ex-parte application, the money belonged to Mrs. Jonathan.
The interim order was affirmed by both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Following Olatoregun’s retirement from the Bench in 2019 before delivering judgment, the suit was re-assigned to Justice Obiozor with Mrs. Jonathan and La Wari Furniture and Baths Ltd as defendants.
When the matter came up before the new judge, EFCC counsel, Abass Muhammad, narrated the case history.
Muhammad said: “This matter is a suit instituted before your learned brother Justice Olatoregun now retired, where we prayed for the final forfeiture of the sum of $5. 781, 173. 55 million USD warehoused in Skye Bank Plc and N2. 421, 953, 502. 78 billion, property of LA Wari Furniture and Bathes in Ecobank Plc.
“It was instituted and same interim order was granted on April 24, 2017, upon which it went up to Supreme Court and application for its final forfeiture was moved but the trial judge didn’t deliver judgment before retiring.
“It was upon that fact that the file was transferred to the registry where it was reassigned to this Court”.
Kolawole Salami, who stood-in for Patience Jonathan’s counsel, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), aligned himself with Muhammad’s submission.
So did Ige Asemudara, who held the brief of Mike Ozekhome (SAN). Asemudara added that the matter ought to commence ‘de novo’, since it is before a new court.
The Central Bank of Nigeria, has explained preciously the reason for its directive to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and other financial institutions to stop trading in cryptocurrencies.
Issuing a press statement on Sunday through Mr Osita Nwanisobi, its acting director of corporate communications, titled ‘Response to Regulatory Directive on Cryptocurrencies’ the Apex bank said it felt the need to provide further reasons about its standpoint to the general public .
The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to various comments and reactions following our recent reminder to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to desist from transacting in / and with entities dealing in cryptocurrencies. Most of these reactions reveal that there appears to be a need to provide further justifications about our position, especially to the general public.
For those who are not conversant with the universe of cryptocurrencies, it is important to state that Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies issued by largely anonymous entities and secured by cryptography. Cryptography is a method of encrypting and hiding codes that prevent oversight, accountability, and regulation. While there are a number of cryptocurrencies now in circulation, Bitcoin was the first to be introduced in 2009, and now accounts for about 68 percent of all cryptocurrencies.
As regards our recent policy pronouncement, it is important to clarify that the CBN circular of February 5, 2021 did not place any new restrictions on cryptocurrencies, given that all banks in the country had earlier been forbidden, through CBN’s circular dated January 12, 2017, not to use, hold, trade and/or transact in cryptocurrencies . Indeed, this position was reiterated in another CBN Press Release dated February 27, 2018.
It is also important to note that the CBN’s position on cryptocurrencies is not an outlier as many countries, central banks, international financial institutions, and distinguished investors and economists have also warned against its use. They have all made similar pronouncements based of the significant risks that transacting in cryptocurrencies portend- risk of loss of investments, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit fund flows and criminal activities. China, Canada, Taiwan, Indonesia, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Bolivia, Kyrgyzstan, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, Bangladesh, Nepal and Cambodia have all placed certain level of restrictions on financial institutions facilitating cryptocurrency transactions.
In China, for example, cryptocurrencies are completely banned and all exchanges closed as well. Banks and other financial institutions are not allowed by law to transact or deal with cryptocurrencies. China’s Central Bank, called the Peoples Bank of China (PBoC) has provided several directives ruling out the use of these currencies. The PBOC views cryptocurrencies as illegal because they are not issued by any recognized monetary institution and do not hold any legal status that can make them equivalent to money. Hence banks and all stakeholders are strongly advised against their use as a currency.
Even famed investor Warren Buffett has called cryptocurrencies “rat poison squared,” a “mirage,” and a “gambling device.” Mr. Buffett believes it is a “gambling device” given that they are mostly valuable because the person buying it does so, not as a means of payment; but in the hope they can sell it for even more than what they paid at some point.
During an online forum hosted by the Davos-based World Economic Forum few weeks ago, Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, highlighted the extreme price volatility of cryptocurrencies as one of the biggest flaws and explained that this flaw makes it impossible for them to be used as a lasting means of payment.
“Have we landed on what I would call the design, governance and arrangements for what I might call a lasting digital currency? No, I don’t think we’re there yet, honestly. I don’t think cryptocurrencies as originally formulated are it,” he said.
It is not surprising he would take that position because, Bitcoin, the best-known cryptocurrency, hit a record high of $42,000 per unit on January 8, 2021, and sank as low as $28,800 about two weeks later. This is far greater volatility than is found with normal currencies.
Let us now turn to some of the justifications for CBN’s recent policy reminder. A perfunctory reflection on the definition of cryptocurrencies can already reveal several problems.
First, in light of the fact that they are issued by unregulated and unlicensed entities, their use in Nigeria goes against the key mandates of the CBN, as enshrined in the CBN Act (2007), as the issuer of legal tender in Nigeria. In effect, the use of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria are a direct contravention of existing law. It is also important to highlight that there is a critical difference between a Central Bank issued Digital Currency and cryptocurrencies. As the names imply, while Central Banks can issue Digital Currencies, cryptocurrencies are issued by unknown and unregulated entities.
Second, the very name and nature of “cryptocurrencies” suggests that its patrons and users value anonymity, obscurity, and concealment. The question that one may need to ask therefore is, why any entity would disguise its transactions if they were legal. It is on the basis of this opacity that cryptocurrencies have become well-suited for conducting many illegal activities including money laundering, terrorism financing, purchase of small arms and light weapons, and tax evasion. Indeed, many banks and investors who place a high value on reputation have been turned off from cryptocurrencies because of the damaging effects of the widespread use of cryptocurrencies for illegal activities. In fact, the role of cryptocurrencies in the purchase of hard and illegal drugs on the darknet website called “Silk Road” is well known. They have also been recent reports that cryptocurrencies have been used to finance terror plots, further damaging its image as a legitimate means of exchange.
More also, repeated and recent evidence now suggests that some cryptocurrencies have become more widely used as speculative assets rather than as means of payment, thus explaining the significant volatility and variability in their prices. Because the total number of Bitcoins that would ever be issued is fixed (only 21 million will ever be created), new issuances are predetermined at a gradually decelerating pace. This limited supply has created a perverse incentive that encourages users to stockpile them in the hope that their prices rise. Unfortunately, with a conglomeration of desperate, disparate, and unregulated actors comes unprecedented price volatility that have threatened many sophisticated financial systems. In fact, the price of ether, one of the largest cryptocurrencies in the world, fell from US$320 to US$0.10 in June 2017. The price of Bitcoins has also suffered similar volatilities.
Given that unlike Fiat Money which accompanied by full faith and comfort of a country or Central Bank, cryptocurrencies do not have any intrinsic value and do not generate returns by themselves. When one buys a stock, say of a conglomerate in the Nigeria Stock Exchange, its price reflects the activity and production of that conglomerate and the value people place on their goods and/or services. This price may rise as the conglomerate produces better goods/services and probably gains greater market share. The reverse would be true if the conglomerate does not innovate to improve the quality of its goods/services. In other words, the price of that stock reflects market fundamentals. In contrast, , cryptocurrencies do not have fundamentals and would never have fundamentals. Investors only buy in the hope that its use and acceptability will rise, thereby pushing up its demand and price. But since new versions of cryptocurrencies come on stream with new mathematical models, an infinite supply may someday crash the price to zero.
At this juncture, the CBN would like to assert that our actions are not in any way, shape or form inimical to the development of FinTech or a technology-driven payment system. To the contrary, the Nigerian payment system has evolved significantly over the last decade, leapfrogging many of its counterparts in emerging, frontier and advanced economies propelled by reforms driven by the CBN. This is evident from the variety of participants, products, channels, cutting-edge technology in the payments system. It is also validated by the astronomical growth of volume/value of transactions and the fact that Nigeria is an investment destination of choice for international financial technology companies because of CBN’s policies that have created an enabling investment environment in the payments system.
These developments in the payments and settlements space has helped to grow the financial system, improving financial inclusion, the quality and convenience of financial services and has also created millions of direct and indirect jobs for teeming youth population.
The innovations in Nigeria’s payment system were catalyzed by regulatory reforms driven by the CBN which entailed the issuance of a raft of guidelines and regulations on Operations of Electronic Payments Channels in Nigeria; Transaction Switching; Card Issuance and Usage, Licensing of payment service providers; Mobile Money Services, Electronic Payments of Salaries, Pensions, Suppliers and Taxes, Licensing Super Agents in Nigeria; and use of USSD for Financial Services in Nigeria, Super Agents and Agent Banking Operations and Payment Service Banks to mention a few.
The robust regulatory framework put in place by the Bank opened up the payment system to innovation with several new players across in the following licensing categories- Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs), Payment Solution Service Providers (PSSPs), Mobile Money Opera
An Illinois woman died in a Missouri hospital last year after drinking hand sanitizer that was tainted with wood alcohol, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed Friday in federal court.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in St. Louis, says Kayla Lynn Stagner, 32, of Jersey County, died May 30, 2020, at a hospital in Fenton, Missouri, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. According to the lawsuit, the St. Louis County Medical Examiner established Stagner’s cause of death was caused by acute methanol intoxication. Testing in connection with the autopsy found “deadly levels of methanol” in Blumen Advanced Instant Sanitizer Clear, the lawsuit says. Stagner, who was an alcoholic, is believed to have consumed the hand sanitizer, the lawsuit alleges.
The sanitizer was purchased from a Sam’s Club retail outlet in Maplewood, Illinois, KSDK reported.
The lawsuit claims the active ingredient listed on the label was ethanol, which is used in alcoholic beverages. but, the sanitizer contained methanol, which was not listed on the label, the television station reported.
The sanitizer is supposed to contain 70% ethyl alcohol, the lawsuit alleges and referenced a Blumen voluntary recall in 2020 after the hand sanitizer was found to contain methanol.
The lawsuit was filed by Stagner’s mother, Debra Stagner, on behalf of Kayla Stagner’s 12-year-old daughter, the Post-Dispatch reported. The lawsuit named San Antonio-based 4e Brands Northamerica LLC, maker of the Blumen sanitizer, and Sam’s Club, where it was sold.
Stagner’s family is seeking $75,000 in damages, KSDK reported.
According to her obituary, Kayla Stagner was born in St. Louis and graduated from Jersey Community High School in 2006.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has criticized the people yearning for Biafra and Oduduwa Republics.
In an interview with BBC Pidgin on Saturday, the Islamic cleric, who compared the agitators to the Boko Haram terrorists, described them as “miscreants”.
He said those agitating for Biafra and Oduduwa Republics are not different from the Boko Haram sect terrorists in the North.
The cleric said that the majority of Nigerians want a united nation where peace and equity abound and not a country divided along ethnic and religious lines
He said: “I usually give an example of General Murtala Mohammed, the former head of state from Kano that was assassinated by Buka Suka Dimka-led group. He married a Yoruba wife. So, where do you want his children to go if the nation is divided? Are they going to be with the Yorubas or Hausas in the North?
“Look, let’s forget these useless youths. They’re no more different from these herdsmen. These people agitating for Ododuwa, Biafra or Arewa are all the same group of people with Boko Haram.
“Majority of Nigerians want to stay with Nigeria. And if they are in doubt, lets make a referendum. Look at elections for instance, millions of votes from all the states, whether from APC or PDP. This means that Nigerians are ready to stay with a united Nigeria. That is an indirect referendum which shows that the people are ready.
“So, all these youths that are making noise, whether Abubakar Shekau of Boko Haram, Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB and their Ododuwa counterpart, they are just a tiny minority of Nigerians using ethnic, archaic and retrogressive sentiments to destabilise the nation.
“But l can vouch that Nigerians really want to stay together in peace. But in peace and equity. Not any segment of Nigeria is cheated.”
Gumi said the fact that Yoruba and Igbo leaders did not endorse such calls for secession showed they are unpopular opinions championed by few disgruntled persons.
“I’m in Sokoto now, there still many Igbo traders here who don’t want to go back home, so why do you tell me they want Biafra? Biafra is a nuisance just like Boko Haram. You think everyone northerner is a Boko Haram? Most Nigerians don’t want these ethnic or religious groups. They simply want peace and live together as nation. If truly the Yorubas are agitating for Oduduwa, why are their leaders not talking about it? Why Igbo leaders also not talking about Biafra?” he queried.
“What we expect is for Yoruba leaders and Igbo leaders to take care of their miscreants as we handle herdsmen and Boko Haram which are miscreants in the North. Every leader should take the words to their people. Only the miscreants are fuelling this,” he added.
The Minister of Information and Culture in Nigeria has disclosed that bandits and criminal fundamentalists are more willing to listen to religious leaders as mediators than the government.
El Hadji Lai Mohammed said on Friday that renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi was in order when he met ,earlier in the week, with a group of fighting men in Zamfara State .
He said “It is not unusual for a respected cleric to have the confidence of (approaching) outlaws or bandits,” the minister said on Friday during TVC’s ‘This Morning’ show.
He added: “As a matter of fact, they are probably ready to listen to him more than they are ready to listen to the government. They are probably ready to believe him more.
“So, it is not unusual for him to act as a bridge between government and the outlaws in an attempt to find solution.
Gumi had visited camps of the bandits in the forests of Zamfara State to dialogue with them.
His words: “Let there be peace; you all have a legitimate concern and grievances, and I believe that since the Niger Delta armed militants were integrated by the Federal Government and are even in the business of pipelines protection, the Federal Government should immediately look into how something like that will be done to the Fulani to provide them with reasonable means of livelihood including jobs, working capitals, entrepreneurship training, building clinic and schooling,” Sheikh Gumi had told the bandits during the visits.
Gumi said that from what he had seen and heard from the gunmen they appeared to him as insurgents more than bandits.
The outspoken cleric later visited Governor Bello Matawalle to brief him on his mission.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Philip Ogbadu, on Wednesday, led some police detectives to a forest along the Benin bypass to find the killers of a U.S.-based Nigerian, Dennis Abuda, who was killed on Saturday by his abductors. He was abducted by unknown gunmen in the company of members of his family who were travelling with him to Lagos to catch a flight to the U.S.
The Abudas were said to have left Fugar, in Etsako Central Local Government Area in the early hours of Saturday in a Toyota Sienna with registration number, LAGOS, SMK 606 GQ, when they were ambushed by the gunmen.
He was reportedly shot by his abductors after he slumped while being forced to march into the forest.
The identities of the others who were also abducted are David Oghieakhe, Richard Bologi, and a lady simply identified as Mrs Comfort.
The body of the deceased was discovered in the forest on Wednesday, while his three abducted relatives were released on Tuesday after an undisclosed ransom was paid.
One of the abductors was killed during a gunfight with the police inside the forest, while three others were apprehended.
The police spokesperson in the state, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the development, said operatives of the command were still in the forest searching for the other abductors.
“Once we gather more information, we would let you know, but it will be premature to give out information because we are dealing with criminals,” Mr Nwabuzor said.
Meanwhile, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has condemned in strong terms the unfortunate death of Mr. Dennis Abuda who was killed on Saturday by his abductors.
NIDCOM boss in a statement by Head of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, described the incident as very unfortunate, sad and callous.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the blocking of Facebook page of its Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu following his live broadcast last Tuesday night.
The group reacted in a statement released through its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, on Wednesday.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is appalled at the despicable attitude of Facebook for blocking the Facebook page of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, after his expository and explosive live broadcast on Tuesday night. It is not only baffling but too petty for a global social media giant like Facebook to allow itself to be used by agents of oppression in Nigeria to suppress the truth.”
“We strongly condemn this attitude of Facebook managers in Lagos and Abuja who collude with corrupt Nigerian government officials to suppress the free flow of Information via their platform. This unconscionable and reprehensible attitude amounts to partnering with perpetrators of human rights abuses and other criminal activities masterminded by the Nigeria state against innocent citizens.”
“The Fulani-controlled federal government and its foot soldiers – terrorist herdsmen and bandits – have continued to subjugate indigenous nations in the country, including Biafrans with the intent for conquest. These foot soldiers on a daily basis unleash all sorts of mayhem on the innocent and hapless indigenous peoples while the federal government mischievously remains docile.”
“These vampires masquerading as herdsmen have forcibly seized our forests and converted our farms to grazing fields for their cattle. They have equally turned our ancestral lands to slaughterhouses where they kill with impunity in most dehumanising manners, innocent locals going about their legitimate business. They commit these crimes unchallenged by security operatives. They kidnap for ransoms, maim and rape our women. They feed their cattle with our crops, and Facebook is saying we don’t have a right to cry out?”
Powerful described the attitude of Facebook as oppressive and prevention of information flow, which he said was similar to how the British government prevented information from Biafra from going out during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 — 1970.
“Now that our leader has started exposing the atrocities of these wolves in human clothing, Facebook has decided to be an accomplice to mass murder and oppressive tendencies of Fulani Janjaweed rulers of Nigeria. Why should Facebook block the account of the leader of the largest peaceful mass movement in the world for speaking the bitter truth people are too terrified to talk about?”
“Why hasn’t Facebook prevailed on the perpetrators of these heinous crimes in Nigeria to stop their atrocities instead of denying innocent victims media access? Facebook is quick to fall for the lie of agents of oppression and accuse us of hate speech but fails to realise that hate action begets hate speech if in the Facebook lexicon, bitter truth translates to hate speech.”
“This unholy act is only akin to what Britain and her allies did to Biafra during the Genocidal War of 1967-70 when they imposed land, air and media blockade on Biafra in order to deny the truth about the ongoing genocide from going out.”
“Facebook, it seems does not want the atrocities of Fulani killer herdsmen to come to the knowledge of the world but they have failed woefully. Facebook is today assisting an oppressive government that pampers, frees and settles ‘captured’ terrorists while doing nothing to protect or rehabilitate victims of terror.”
“But our message to Facebook is simple: no matter how hard you try to suppress the gospel of truth being preached by our leader, the struggle for Biafra liberation cannot be slowed down. On the contrary, our efforts will be intensified because Biafra restoration is a divine mandate that must be accomplished in this era.”
“We are very resolute in our resolve to restore Biafra and will not be deterred. If you like, block all Biafran activists on your platform, we shall keep pushing on until Biafra is fully restored.”
“We, therefore, wish to encourage our leader’s teeming global audience to follow him and hook up to his live broadcasts via IPOB’s numerous other platforms. Our leader can be followed through many other platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, IPOB Community Radio App, Radio Biafra app, satellite and FM.”
“May we, therefore, remind all those compromised local staffs of Facebook in Lagos and Abuja that but for Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, their families in their communities would have today been overrun by herdsmen and terrorists. An accomplice to a cruel man will surely get the reward of cruelty!”
Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed a resolution asking President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to endorse a bill for the inclusion of state police in the Nigerian Constitution.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, said there was a need to have state police in the country. Unitedly, the House passed the resolution with no objection.
He said, “This House has always been at the forefront of calls for state police right from the 4th Assembly. This House is always right on target and always at the truth.
“We are not going to stop until we have a constitution that talks about federalism to have state police. We must latch on this opportunity. The community police initiated a few months ago is not good enough, we want the state police that have the wherewithal to ensure that lives and property are safe and it is my sincere pleasure to call again on the President and the National Assembly on the need for state police.”
Ogun State Government has denied rumbles it asked the popular Yoruba rights activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho to battle with fulani herdsmen.
The government made its point of view known in a statement made public by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile, in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Monday.
Contending the news report credited to Hon. Remmy Hazzan, the Special Adviser on Public Communication to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Odusile noted that his (Hazzans) virtual interview with a reporter had been quoted out of context. . Igboho stormed Ogun on Monday afternoon, declaring war on killer herdsmen across the State.
Yewa North and Yewa South in Ogun West Senatorial District have been the epicentres of herdsmen attacks, killings, maiming and wanton destruction of farmlands.
Speaking with his supporters at the Ita Oshin junction, Igboho said he was heading to Yewaland to flush out criminal herdsmen.
He said: “We observed there is injustice from the herdsmen because they are close to the FG. Any herdsman who engages in kidnapping should be flushed out.
“Not only Igangan, we are going to visit all Yorubaland. I am going to Yewa because that is where the Fulani are wrecking havoc.
“Let us thank the governor of the state. His love for people of Ogun State made him to allow us visit the state. If not for his love for the people of Ogun State, he would not have allowed us to come to the state.”
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abdulwaheed Odusile, said that the state government, in its usual inclusive approach to governance, would continue to work with all the stakeholders, both within and outside the state, to ensure security of lives and properties.
‘’Sadly, however, this statement was disingenuously twisted to mean that the State had invited Adeyemo to help curb insecurity. This is regrettable and totally misleading."
“Prince Dapo Abiodun’s administration, since inception, has been known to be inclusive in its approach, always collaborating and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.
“Security is no exception, resulting in the achievement of the enviable status and recognition as most secure state in the country by many organisations.”
He added: “For avoidance of doubt, Ogun State Government will continue to deploy all constitutionally sanctioned means to fight crimes and criminals in the state, including working with institutions that the constitution and other statutes have saddled with the responsibility of protection of lives and properties.
“At all times, the Government will ensure that all security agencies and indeed all stakeholders operate within the ambit of the law and will neither welcome nor endorse any initiative that amounts to self-help or is outside the contemplation of the constitution, which is the ground norm binding on all governments and persons in the country.”
The Government advised the residents to continue to go about their normal businesses, the statement concluded.
Shehu Sani, former senator representing Kaduna central, says the solution to the crisis between farmers and herders in the south-west is the setting up of grazing reserves and agro-allied industries in the north.
Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Sani said it is not possible for herders to move around with cattle and not clash with farmers.
The former senator said the meeting of the south-west governors with Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) will only douse the tension but not solve the problem.
Sani stated the north has enough landmass for cattle to graze without problems.
“The dialogue going on between the governors of the south-west and Miyetti Allah is a good step but it is not going to permanently resolve the problem,” he said.
“It has reached a point where the whole issue has been politicised because nobody went through the details and then it became a major issue,” he said.
“The killings and kidnappings have been going on and what the people of Ondo and Ogun states have been suffering is the same thing we are suffering in the north.
“I wonder how possible it is for anybody to defend or justify the murderous, hideous and heinous activities of these herdsmen. They occupy lands, kidnap people, rape and collect ransom.”
Some of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram nearly seven years ago have obviously escaped from their captors, a father of one of the girls told CNN.
In April 2014, members of the jihadist group Boko Haram attacked an all-girls boarding school in Chibok in the middle of the night and kidnapped 276 students . Some of the girls managed to escape on their own, while others were later rescued or freed following negotiations.
According to ABC News, Emmanuel Ogebe, a Nigerian human rights lawyer who practices in the United States and has previously worked with some of the freed girls and their families, said a parent told him that his daughter and others have escaped their captors.
“Mr. Ali Maiyanga’s two daughters were part of the few Muslim schoolgirls taken with the majority Christian Chibok girls. Information currently available to us indicates that there are other escapees with the army whom parents are anxiously waiting to identify,” Ogebe said in a statement to ABC News late Thursday. “We spoke and confirmed from Mr. Ali Maiyanga moments ago that he in fact spoke with his daughter today, who informed him that she along with others were rescued. Her sister who escaped four years ago and is on school break was overjoyed at the news of her sibling’s escape.”
Lawal Zannah, secretary of the Chibok Parents Association whose daughter was among those abducted, also confirmed the news.
“We heard that some of our girls have escaped from the forest, but we are yet to get the detail about their number,” Zannah told reporters Thursday evening.
Another parent, Malam Madu Mutta, said the Chibok community is anxiously awaiting the girls’ arrival.
“We were told they are currently with the security operatives. We are yet to know the numbers, but we are happy that some of them escaped,” Mutta told reporters Friday. “So many other parents and relatives are coming from Chibok with hopes of meeting their daughters. Again, hope is risen that we can have some of them back again.”
The kidnapping in Chibok shocked the world and led to the launch of a social media campaign in which millions of people around the globe, including high-profile political figures and celebrities, called for the girls’ rescue by tweeting the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls. However, there has been little political action.
Nigerian billionaire business tycoon and philanthropist, also the wealthiest person in Africa, and the richest Black person in the world , Aliko Dangote filed at a Miami-Dade County Court in Florida, U.S. against his former American girlfriend, Autumn Spikes, who exposed a part of his body via a social media post.
According to documents obtained by PremiumTimes, the wealthy businessman used the pseudonym, John Doe, with AD, which stands for the ‘acronym’ for his name, Aliko Dangote, as his alias.
One of the court documents filed by the plaintiff on January 22, is titled, ‘Complaint petition for declaratory judgment complaint for (about) extortion petition for injunctive relief’.
It stated that Mr Dangote’s “business acumen has made him a target for coercion by the defendant”, adding that Ms Spikes demanded “meritless claims of $5 million” in the nature of “palimony to which she is not legally entitled”.
Palimony is an amount of money a law court orders someone to pay regularly to a former partner whom they were living with but were not married to.
“Autumn Spikes has made a demand that the plaintiff pays her five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) as shown in Exhibit 1,” Mr Dangote’s court document states.
Mr Dangote who had tried to quickly end his relationship with Ms. Spikes asked his former mistress for a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) about their affair.
But through her representatives, Ms. Spikes demanded $5 million in exchange for the NDA.
The demand was followed by an email by Mr. Dangote’s lawyer, Mr. Fleisher, to Ms. Spikes’ lawyer, Paul Petruzzi, on January 13, asking for “the basis of Ms. Spikes’ demand”.
Responding to Mr Fleisher’s email, Mr Petruzzi described the affair between his client and the billionaire as “an ongoing initimate relationship for nearly the entire past decade since she was pretty young”.
Mr Petruzzi added in the email that ”the relationship was quite involved and pretty interesting” and insisted that Mr Dangote must pay his client the sum of $5 million in exchange for the NDA.
He stated, “For whatever reason, your client broke off the relationship as soon as one of his other ‘conquests’ broke her silence.
“Your client now wants my client to sign an NDA and, through his representatives, offered her money to do so.
“While I appreciate your client’s desire to continue to exercise his control over mine, she will only agree to the NDA proposed by your client in exchange for the lump sum of 5 million dollars.”
Mr Dangote filed the email exchange as Exhibit 1 in his suit.
The wealthy man noted in his suit that Ms Spikes had in the past requested financial assistance from him to start up a business.
He said he agreed to grant her the assistance on the condition that it would remain confidential.
His court document read in part, “Autumn Spikes demanded from the plaintiff assistance as an entrepreneur in a start-up business when there was no loan commitment, nor oral or written promise.
“The plaintiff once announced an oral willingness to provide entrepreneurial assistance to Autumn Spikes on the condition that it be confidential and private.”
He said he later started seeing social media posts and planned media talk shows “done to expose him and make his life miserable if he fails to comply with the demand for $5,000,000.”
“John Doe’s generosity toward Autumn Spikes, if any, has been breached by Autumn Spikes’ exposure and solicitations to talk show media if he fails to pay her meritless demands,” he added.
Dangote said his “generosity toward Autumn Spikes, if any, has been breached by Autumn Spikes’ exposure and solicitations to media talk shows if he fails to pay her meritless demands.”
He maintained that ”he had the right to stop being generous to her and demand a refund of the funds he had given her to assist her business in the past”.
Aliko Dangote said she also threatened to take the matter to social media, including, Facebook and Instagram.
He stated, “Autumn Spikes continues illegal demands for a plaintiff to pay her what he does not owe her, under threat he will be a victim of nasty and/or untrue publicity in order to induce payment of support, in the form of alimony, and as if she was married to the plaintiff.
“Defendant has threatened communications on social media, Facebook, Instagram, and otherwise.
“John Doe has a right to terminate his generosity and to obtain from Autumn Spikes a refund of the monies he had given her to assist her in starting up a business.”
The business mogul is asking the court to grant ”a non-jury trial, damages, an award of refund of all of those monies she claims plaintiff paid her, court costs and such remedies as available under the law”.
He also asked the court to restrain the defendant from demanding “payment in exchange for non-disclosure of their relationship”.
The Nigerian government have asked civil servants on grade level 12 and below to work from home, following a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.
Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of Civil Service said civil servants within the cadre should keep working from home till the end of February.
Yemi-Esan’s directive was contained in a circular dated January 26, and addressed to the offices of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, clerk of the National Assembly, Permanent Secretaries.
She explained that the directive was part of efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
The circular reads: “Further to the Circular, No. HCSF/3065/Vol.1/47 dated 22nd December 2020, on the above subject; and following the advice of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, all officers on GL 12 and below are to continue working from home till end of February, 2021.
“It is important to emphasize the need to ensure strict compliance with the existing guidelines on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.
“Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers are enjoined to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned and ensure compliance.”
Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho has denied ever having anything to do with a Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.
Ojudu, in a piece titled “The Sunday Igboho I knew” on his on his Facebook page on Monday, claimed that Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) chieftains hired Igboho to disrupt the 2009 Rerun Governorship Election in Ekiti State.
However, while speaking with journalists during a press conference at his residence in Ibadan on Tuesday following a fire incident at one his buildings in the Soka area of the state, Igboho said he had no dealing with Ojudu, adding that all the President’s aide said were lies.
He said: “I have been hearing reports about a man called Femi Ojudu. I don’t know this man. He said the late Chief (Lamidi) Adedibu contracted me in 2009 and we all know that Adedibu died in 2008.
“I think the man should undergo a mental test because the late Chief Adedibu did not train me for any job and I was not close to the late Adedibu.
“I have a relationship with my father, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, and I have never betrayed him in the years I was his follower.
“I don’t know Femi Ojodu and I didn’t have any business with him. All what he said are lies.”
Igboho denied politicians were bankrolled him to issue and enforce a vacation order to the herdsmen in Igangan, Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Igboho, who said he was moved by the sufferings of the people of the town, lamented that politicians have begun to politicise his intervention.
The activist said: “Politicians are now politicising the herdsmen issue to tarnish my image so as to weaken me.
“Any politician who knows he paid me money to do all that I am doing should come out openly before the whole world. I was not bankrolled by anyone. My paramount concern is for peace to reign in the land of my forefathers.”
President Biden on Monday nullified former President Trump’s embargo on all transgender people serving in the military, Servicemen will be able to serve in their gender identity when they complete their transition and their gender has officially been changed in the Defense Department’s personnel system.
The president signed an executive order that “sets the policy that all Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States should be able to serve,” according to a fact sheet released ahead of newly minted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's meeting with the president at the White House.
“What I’m doing is enabling all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform and essentially restoring the situation … where transgender personnel, if qualified in every other way, can serve their government in the United States military,” Biden said before he signed the order.
He was joined in the Oval Office by Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“This is the right thing to do,” Austin said in a written statement after the order was signed. “It is also the smart thing to do.”
The order revokes Trump’s 2017 and 2018 orders banning transgender military service and directs the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security, under which the Coast Guard falls, to ensure all policies are consistent with Biden’s order. It also immediately bans involuntary separations, discharges and denials of reenlistment based on gender identity.
The new order also mandates the Pentagon to review records of service members who were discharged or denied reenlistment under the ban. The policy will also ensure all medically necessary transition-related care is available to service members.
The Pentagon will “immediately take appropriate policy action to ensure individuals who identify as transgender are eligible to enter and serve in their self-identified gender,” Austin said. Recruits will be able to serve in their gender identity when they meet all applicable accession standards, he added.
“The United States Armed Forces are in the business of defending our fellow citizens from our enemies, foreign and domestic,” Austin said. “I believe we accomplish that mission more effectively when we represent all our fellow citizens. I also believe we should avail ourselves of the best possible talent in our population, regardless of gender identity. We would be rendering ourselves less fit to the task if we excluded from our ranks people who meet our standards and who have the skills and the devotion to serve in uniform.”
Biden’s order directs the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security to update him in 60 days on their progress in implementing open service policies.
“Over the next 60 days, I look forward to working with the senior civilian and military leaders of the department as we expeditiously develop the appropriate policies and procedures to implement these changes,” Austin said in his statement.
Biden pledged during his presidential campaign to lift Trump’s ban, referring to it as a “Day One” priority. But it was not among the batch of executive orders Biden signed hours after his inauguration last Wednesday amid a delay in Austin’s confirmation. With Austin's confirmation Friday, Biden was expected to act as soon as Monday.
According to Pentagon data, about 1,500 troops since 2016 have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the medical term for distress that occurs when someone’s gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth.
About 14,700 troops on active duty and in the reserves identify as transgender.
Residents of Ketu-speaking villages in Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State were intimidated by soldiers who escorted herdsmen to graze in the communities. The Fulani Herdsmen crisis remains a major problem in Nigeria.
The commotion has forced traditional rulers in the affected communities to write a save-our-soul petition to the Nigerian Army authorities demanding protection from the harassment of soldiers and herdsmen.
According to The Nation, one of the victims is Seye Mulero, who was severely injured in Ubeku village in Yewa North and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The herdsmen, who had left the village after the villagers rejected their continued presence, suddenly resurfaced at about 2 pm on December 19, 2020, with a handful of soldiers from the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta.
The soldiers headed straight for the palace of the community’s traditional ruler, Chief Olaleye Adigun, calling out the villagers and warning them against preventing the evicted herdsmen from returning to the village.
In the middle of this strange encounter, Mulero told the soldiers that the herders would not be allowed to remain in the community because of their brutal killing of residents and the destruction of their farmlands in recent times.
Mulero said, “Everyone was frightened by the action and utterances of the soldiers, but I summoned the courage to tell them how a Geography teacher Mr. Yomi Akinola and two students of Community High School, Ibeku, among others, were killed by the herdsmen while our women were raped and killed on their ways to the farm.”
But Mulero and Ubeku village were not the only person and area that tasted the bile of the soldiers who escorted the herdsmen in a military patrol van from one village to another. Innocent indigenes of Iselu, Ibeku, Agbon-Ojodu, Asa and other villages were also harassed and assaulted by the soldiers at the instance of the herdsmen.
After leaving Ubeku, the herders and the complicit soldiers moved to neighbouring Asa, where they reenacted the Ubeku scenario, causing the hapless villagers to panic.
At Asa, the herders sighted Mulero’s brother, Gabriel Mulero, accusing him of being among the crowd that jeered them after his brother was beaten up.
There and then, the soldiers seized the young man, giving him some deafening slaps and kicking him mercilessly before whisking him away to a neighbouring village, Agbon-Ojodu, where they dropped him off after elders of the community pleaded for his release.
Worried by the development, monarchs of the affected communities petitioned the Nigeria Army over alleged connivance of its men with herdsmen to assault and harass villagers.
The monarchs are the Oniggua of Iggualand, Oba Micheal Adeleye Dosumu; the Eselu of Iseluland, Oba Akintunde Ebenezer Akinyemi; and the Alademeso of Igan Alade, Oba Gabriel Olukunle Olalowo.
The petition titled ‘matter of urgency’ dated January 7, 2021, signed by their lawyer, Mr. Olaoluwa Folalu, was addressed to the Brigade Commander of 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Thursday clocked 40 years as the General Overseer .
The famous pastor basically trained for a career in university administration after earning advanced degrees in hydrodynamics and mathematics from the University of Lagos.
Adeboye was ordained a minister in 1977 and in 1981, following Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi death, Adeboye was named general overseer of the RCCG.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has planted more than 32,000 parishes in Nigeria and has foreign missions in 160 nations of the world.
Pa Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi was the founder and first general overseer
Africa’s largest e-commerce merchant, Jumia Food has expanded its food delivery service to five other states in Nigeria . The new cities are Minna, Benin City, Kaduna, Abeokuta, Kano, and Ilorin.
Chief Executive Officer, Jumia Nigeria, Massimiliano Spalazzi, said the extension of Jumia Food to these additional cities is part of Jumia’s resolve to expand the growing popularity and thrilling experience of online fast food services to customers in all Nigerian states.
“The food industry is very relevant to the Nigerian economy. With today’s covid-19 realities, the growing popularity of fast food, coupled with the growing trends for convenience, safety and value for money, has opened up opportunities for the food market in Nigeria. As the leading online marketplace in Nigeria and Africa, it comes naturally to us to help drive the penetration of this service through our technology and reach of our logistics network. By doing this, we are also helping to explore the food segment of the Nigerian Agricultural sector which has the potential of huge contribution to the Nigerian economy,”he said.
In 2020, Jumia had a major service improvement in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Ibadan routes by increasing its speed of delivery, with an average delivery time as fast as 26 minutes in Port Harcourt, 27 minutes in Lagos, 28 minutes in Ibadan, and 30 minutes in Abuja.
Jumia’s 2020 Nigeria Food Index report showed that the country’s agricultural sector experienced a major boom in 2019, significantly responsible for the 90.23 percent contribution made by non-oil sectors to Nigeria’s GDP.
The inventory further showed that the food and grocery retail market had total revenues of $44.9 billion, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7 percent in the last eight years.
The report also showed that overall grocery retailing continues to expand, as consumers seek comfort and convenience when shopping for food. Food subsection alone made $33.7 billion in profit, equivalent to 75 percent of the market’s overall value.
The government declared Constitutional Changes to the Nigeria’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police Force, but the alleged human rights violations and extortion continued.
A student of the University of Lagos, John Akinwale, was admitted in the hospital after a policeman tortured him to a coma in the Mosafejo, Oshodi area of Lagos State.
It was reported that the police officer extorted N5000 from the UNILAG student, who is also an activist, before pushing him to a police station.
According to a witness, Akinwale was arrested for having a “covered number plate.”
SaharaReporters learnt that Akinwale was arrested on Monday around 2 pm, after he bought fuel at a filling station, by police officers attached to the Mosafejo division.
After the extortion, the policemen, not done, beat Akinwale to a coma, for being “rude” after which he was rushed to a hospital.
A source said, “John came out from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority office and drove into a filling station. The policemen rushed at him just as he was about to leave the station.
“They collected N5000 from him and they dragged him to a police station. He collapsed in police custody after being beaten up by the officer. He was arrested for covering his number plate. He was held for hours for being rude to the Divisional Police Officer of the Mosafejo division in Oshodi.
“It was when he became unconscious that he was rushed to a hospital. It is now that he is regaining consciousness that he confirmed that he was hit by objects by the policemen.”
“I saw him use medication for Typhoid earlier that morning. We first thought it was the medication that reacted in his body. But the doctor at the hospital confirmed that it was not the drugs but that he was hit with an object.
“When he regained consciousness, he stated the same thing that the policemen beat him up,” another source said.
President-elect Joe Biden plans to propose a comprehensive immigration bill on Day One of his administration, expecting to provide an eight-year path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal status.
Under the legislation, those living in the U.S. as of Jan. 1, 2021, without legal status would have a five-year path to temporary legal status, or a green card, if they pass background checks, pay taxes and fulfill other basic requirements. From there, it's a three-year path to naturalization.
For some immigrants, the process would be quicker. So-called Dreamers, the young people who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children, as well as agricultural workers and people under temporary protective status could qualify more immediately for green cards if they are working, are in school or meet other requirements.
Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has ordered herdsmen to vacate the state’s forest reserves within seven days.
Akeredolu said in a statement posted to Twitter on Monday :
“Today we have taken major steps at addressing the root cause of kidnapping, in particular, and other nefarious activities detailed and documented in security reports, the press and debriefings from victims of kidnap cases in Ondo State,” the statement reads.
“These unfortunate incidents are traceable to the activities of some bad elements masquerading as herdsmen. These felons have turned our forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.”
The governor gave the following orders saying, “All Forest Reserves in the state are to be vacated by herdsmen within the next 7 days with effect from today, Monday 18th January 2021.
“Night-grazing is banned with immediate effect because most farm destruction takes place at night.
“Movement of cattle within cities and highways is prohibited.
“Under-aged grazing of cattle is outlawed.
“Our resolution to guarantee the safety of lives and property within the state shall remain utmost as security agencies have been directed to enforce the ban.
“In its usual magnanimity, our administration will give a grace period of seven days for those who wish to carry on with their cattle-rearing business to register with appropriate authorities.”
Since the fall of Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, there is a massive trading of illegal weapons in the west African region. The International Crisis Group (ICG) reported that “in the first half of 2018, more than 1,300 Nigerians have died in violence involving herders and farmers”
Landmines placed by suspected radical members of Boko Haram have killed five soldiers and injured 15 others during an operation in a remote village in Borno State.
The troops were on a clearance operation in Kwada Kwamtah Yahi village when their vehicle ran over a massive bomb and exploded.
Speaking to a local newspaper journalist, a top vigilante member, Yohanna Bitrus, said a utility operation vehicle ran over a buried Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and loud explosions ensued, resulting in casualties among troops in the two Hilux vehicles.
“It was a sad encounter for us in Chibok when our escort commander’s car ran over a landmine and the van was damaged completely.
“I saw the vehicle being tossed up into the air. We managed and summoned courage to evacuate the corpses of the fallen heroes including a lieutenant and four soldiers.
“Not fewer than 15 others sustained various degrees of injuries; they are currently receiving medical care at 28 Task Force Bridge Clinic in Chibok,” he said.
In the interim, the Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO in conjunction with the Air Task Force Operation Lafiya Dole repelled Boko Haram insurgents when they tried to attack a military base in Marte community, Borno State.
In a statement on Saturday by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, its troops “have effectively destroyed 7 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ gun trucks.
The statement reads: “The gallant troops, based on reliable information about the attack, had positioned themselves in an ambush site where they tactically withdrew to and awaited the arrival of the terrorists before they opened fire which led to the fierce battle that resulted in the successes recorded as indicated above.
“The troops are still engaged in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists for further exploitation. Further details of interest to members of the public will be communicated later.”
Boko Haram has been blamed for the death of more than 50,000 people and displacement of 2.5 million others in Nigeria since 2009.
Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says the agency has not approved any COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria
She disclosed this in a statement made public on Friday in Abuja.
She said that the agency had not received any application from vaccine manufacturers “and therefore, no vaccine had been approved by NAFDAC. The federal government had said it was expecting the delivery of 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the country early 2021.
She mentioned that the World Health Organisation is not a regulatory agency but provides guidance to agencies; therefore, regulatory agencies need to certify potential vaccines for public used.
“The WHO will say that unless the regulatory agency of a country approves a vaccine, it should not be used. WHO is not a regulatory agency that will approve and say use, they are there to guide and give regulatory agencies more confidence,” she said.
“If a product is already on WHO emergency use listing, the regulatory agency will still look at the application. That doesn’t mean we just pass it like that, we will have to read it within the context of our environment. No vaccine or commodity can be used unless it passes through NAFDAC in Nigeria.
“Vaccines should not be ordered by any company or corporation. The companies that manufacture the vaccines if they are genuine companies know they have to submit their application to NAFDAC.
“No government establishment or agencies should order COVID-19 vaccines without confirming from NAFDAC if the vaccine has been approved.
“COVID-19 vaccines are new, and the side effects or adverse events must be well monitored, therefore, if NAFDAC does not approve, the public should not use.”
The Director General said NAFDAC is already discussing with manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines concerning potential emergency use authorisation, registration or licensing of their product.
”The agency assures applicants that if phase three clinical data are very convincing and robust with regards to safety and efficacy and the vaccine has been submitted for WHO for Emergency Use Listing,” she said.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced the 2020 Batch B Stream II deployment. Authorities of the NYSC released the postings on Friday, January 15 and urged the prospective Corps Members to avoid travelling at night to their various Orientation Camps.
Expected Corps Members travelling far distances from North to South or vice versa were also advised to break their trip into two stages and avoid making one long trip that stretches into the night. The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, gave these directives at a preparation webinar for the prospective corps members.
General Ibrahim also urged the prospective corps members to check the NYSC website to know the states to which they have been deployed. The event with the theme, ‘Protecting The health Of The Nigerian Youth: Safe Reopening Of NYSC Orientation Camps’ also had in attendance the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.
According to the NYSC DG, corps members would be allowed on NYSC approved camps nationwide from January 19, 2021, as against the earlier announced date of January 18, 2021.
The presidency has criticized a group, the Muslim Solidarity Forum, over a threat it issued to the bishop of Sokoto diocese, Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, to issue an apology over a recent comment credited to him or leave the state.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, the presidency described the situation as an assault on the cleric’s freedom. The presidency also stated that Bishop Kukah must be allowed to practice his faith and politics, describing the stance by the Muslim solidarity forum as wrong and not in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Bishop Kukah in his Christmas message had denounced the state of the polity, condemning the president’s leadership style and ascribing the prevailing national condition to his decisions, a comment the Muslim Solidarity Forum says was an insult to the entire Muslim Ummah and “malicious comments” against Islam.
But in its statement, the presidency explained that “under our constitution, every citizen has the right to, among others, freedom of speech and expression, the right to own property and reside in any part of the country, and the right to move freely without any inhibitions.
“Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity,” the statement read in part.
Meanwhile, The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed displeasure over the call by the Muslim Solidarity Forum on the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, to apologise for his alleged attack on Islam and Muslims or leave the Caliphate.
YouTube is banning President Donald Trump's channel for at least one week, and likely longer, as his channel earned a strike under the platform's policies, the company said Tuesday evening.
"After careful review, and in light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, we removed new content uploaded to the Donald J. Trump channel and issued a strike for violating our policies for inciting violence," a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement. "As a result, in accordance with our long-standing strikes system, the channel is now prevented from uploading new videos or livestreams for a minimum of seven days—which may be extended."
YouTube also said it would be indefinitely disabling comments on Trump’s account, referring to ongoing concerns about violence surrounding his recent postings.
Until Tuesday , YouTube had been the only remaining major social media platform for President Trump. Facebook has suspended Trump's account "indefinitely," while Twitter has banned Trump completely.
The FBI has warned of armed protests being steered toward Washington and all 50 U.S. state capitals.
An internal FBI bulletin informed that, as of Sunday, the nationwide protests may start later this week and extend through Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, according to two law enforcement officials who read details of the memo to The Associated Press. Investigators believe some of the people are members of some extremist groups, the officials said. The bulletin was first reported by ABC.
"Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the U.S. Capitol from 17 January through 20 January," the bulletin said, according to one official. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
In other steps to safeguard the U.S. capital, the National Guard was authorised to send up to 15,000 troops to Washington, and tourists were barred from visiting the Washington Monument until Jan. 24.
The chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Daniel Hokanson, told reporters he expected about 10,000 troops in Washington by Saturday to help provide security, logistics and communications.
He said the number could rise to 15,000 if requested by local authorities
Nigeria government has implemented a good policy at the wrong time when we have covid - 19 pandemic. There was no any reason to give deadline for NIN - SIM registration without due consideration of social distancing health order.
Authorities have discovered the location of two black boxes from a crashed Indonesian jet, they said Sunday, referring to cockpit voice and flight data recorders that could help explain why the aircraft went down with 62 people aboard.
The revelation came as divers pulled body parts, wreckage and clothing from waters off Indonesia’s capital Jakarta.
“We have located the position of the black boxes, both of them,” said Soerjanto Tjahjanto, head of Indonesia’s transport safety agency.
“Divers will start looking for them now and hopefully it won’t be long before we get them.”
The Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500 went into a steep dive about four minutes after it left Soekarno-Hatta international airport in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon.
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo expressed his “deep condolences”, and called on citizens to “pray together so that victims can be found”.
But the frantic search involving helicopters and a flotilla of warships appeared to offer no hope of finding any survivors.
The search and rescue agency said it had so far collected five body bags with human remains as well as debris from the crash site in the Java Sea.
A piece of child’s clothing, a broken tyre and wheel, life jackets and wreckage from the plane’s body were found, according to authorities and AFP reporters on the scene.
Among the passengers was Beben Sofian, 59, and her husband Dan Razanah, 58.
“They took a selfie and sent it to their kids before taking off,” the couple’s nephew Hendra told AFP.
All 62 people on board, passengers and crew, were Indonesian, authorities said. The count included 10 children.
Distraught relatives waited nervously for news at the airport in Pontianak, the city on Indonesia’s section of Borneo island which had been flight SJ182’s destination, about 90 minutes flying time over the Java Sea.
“I have four family members on the flight — my wife and three children,” Yaman Zai said on Saturday evening as he sobbed.
“(My wife) sent me a picture of the baby today… How could my heart not be torn into pieces?”
Data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the airliner reached an altitude of nearly 11,000 feet (3,350 metres) before dropping suddenly to 250 feet. It then lost contact with air traffic control.
The transport minister said Saturday that the jet appeared to deviate from its intended course just before it disappeared from radar.
Poor weather, pilot error or a technical problem with the plane were potential factors, said Jakarta-based aviation analyst Gerry Soejatman.
“But it’s way too early to conclude anything,” he added.
“After the black box is found we can start putting the puzzle together.”
Sriwijaya Air, which operates flights to destinations in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, has said only that it was investigating the loss of contact.
It did not immediately comment when contacted by AFP again on Sunday.
– Reputation for poor safety –
In October 2018, 189 people were killed when a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX jet crashed near Jakarta.
That crash — and another in Ethiopia — saw Boeing hit with $2.5 billion in fines over claims it defrauded regulators overseeing the 737 MAX model, which was grounded worldwide following the two deadly crashes.
The 26-year-old 737 that went down Saturday was not a MAX variant.
“Our thoughts are with the crew, passengers, and their families,” Boeing said in a statement, adding that it was in contact with the airline.
Indonesia’s aviation sector has long had a reputation for poor safety, and its airlines were once banned from entering US and European airspace.
In 2014, an AirAsia plane headed from Surabaya to Singapore crashed with the loss of 162 lives.
Domestic investigators’ final report on that crash said major factors included a chronically faulty component in a rudder control system, poor maintenance, and the pilots’ inadequate response.
A year later, in 2015, more than 140 people, including scores on the ground, were killed when a military plane crashed shortly after take-off in Medan on Sumatra island.
President Trump said Friday that he won’t attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, making him the fourth outgoing president to avoid the swearing-in ceremonies.
John Adams in 1801, John Quincy Adams in 1829 and Andrew Johnson in 1869 -- refused to attend their successors' inaugurations.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar has written the articles of impeachment for President Donald Trump.
In a tweet Thursday, Omar presented the resolution to impeach the president, saying, "We need to move quickly to remove this President from office."
Lahore High Court in Pakistan has outlawed virginity tests on sexual assault survivors. The ruling, which applies in Punjab province, will end the practice of physical checks for an intact hymen and the invasive "two-finger test".
The Lahore High Court judge, Ayesha Malik said the tests were "humiliating" and "had no forensic value".
The petition against the tests was filed in March and June 2020 by two lawyers along with activists, advocates, journalists and members of the National Assembly.
Punjab court had banned the two-finger test and in its Monday’s judgement, the same ban has been imposed on all other virginity tests.
Activists have been asking an end to virginity tests as part of the medical evaluation in rape cases, saying they have no scientific basis.
Monday's ruling applies in Punjab but may serve as a sample for proceedings in other provincial high courts. A similar petition is currently pending in the Sindh High Court.
Sameer Khosa, a lawyer representing the petitioners in the Lahore case, told the BBC the ruling had "established very clearly that the virginity test has no forensic value in any case involving sexual violence".
Mr Khosa said he hoped the relevant authorities would "reset their procedures in the light of this ruling and say goodbye to the virginity tests forever".
The current protocols involve a two-finger test by a medical examiner that check the hymen and vaginal area of rape survivors to confirm whether or not they are virgins.
The Kaduna State government has made clear the motive for the demolition of Asher Kings and Queens Restaurant – the outfit rumored to be the venue of an aborted sex party in the state.
The Director-General of the Kaduna State Urban Development and Planning Authority (KASUPDA), Ismail Umar-Dikko, made the explanation on Tuesday at a press conference in the state.
It revealed that apart from violating COVID-19 protocols, the building located in Sabon Tasha area of Chikun Local Government had no valid title or development permit.
Umar-Dikko added that the illegal status of the building became a very separate matter from the trigger event, the third-party elements who had planned and advertised an unlawful gathering purportedly at the restaurant.
He stated that by virtue of various land administration and development control initiatives conceived and implemented in the last five years, there was no excuse for anyone in Kaduna State to remain without a valid title to their property and permits for any development thereon.
“Since 26th March 2020, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Partial Lockdown Order, 2020 have been in force in Kaduna State. Although some of the regulations were significantly relaxed in June 2020, they were tightened again in December 2020 in response to the second wave of Covid-19 infections.
“Indications that an activity in violation of the Covid regulations was planned to be held in Asher Lounge drew attention to the property and made it necessary to examine the status of the building.
“Checks of government records showed that the building housing Asher Lounge has neither a valid title nor development permit.
“Once due diligence revealed the illegal status of the building, there was need for enforcement action without the notification requirements that the law compels for holders of valid title and development permits.
“The illegal status of the building became a very separate matter from the trigger event: the third-party elements who had planned and advertised an unlawful gathering on those premises.”
Meanwhile, the owner of the demolished building, Mrs Yakubu said she was not given any prior notice by KASUPDA before the demolition of her restaurant, and therefore asked the Kaduna State government to compensate her.
Ogun State Government has suspended the Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, in the middle of investigation into an allegation of sexual harassment of a 16-year old girl, Barakat Mayowa Melojuekun.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the case has been transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department as of Monday.
A 16-year-old girl from Ogun Waterside, Barakat Melojuekun on Saturday accused the Ogun Commissioner for Environment, Abudu-Balogun of sexually harassing her in his house. The allegations brought about the suspension of the Commissioner by the Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State Government on Sunday. Despite the fact that the father of the teenager, Adesola Melojuekun said he was withdrawing the case, the police in Ogun State said the issue is still under investigation. “We are still investigating the sexual harassment allegation involving the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment and the case has been transferred to the state CID.“Whether the girl and her father are interested in the case is not our own business. It is not their own prerogative to say they are not interested.“The father has no right to withdraw the case because he is not the direct victim.“The victim herself is not capable of withdrawing the case. Either they are interested or not, the police must get to the root of the matter,” police spokesman stated emphatically.
The National Agency for food and drug administration, NAFDAC, has said the planned roll-out of coronavirus vaccines in Nigeria, expected to begin in January will not be subjected to fresh clinical trials before they are administered to citizens.
The spokesman of the agency, Sayo Akintola, who made this known during an interview with newsmen said local trials for the vaccine were unnecessary since the vaccine was already certified by the World Health Organisation.
“The truth is that once a vaccine is approved by the WHO, it is assumed that it has passed through some preliminary stages of the trial.
“It is a known fact that for the WHO to sanction a vaccine, it must have gone through a series of trials here and there,” he said.
He, however, explained that a sample of the vaccine will be taken to the lab for its “safety and efficacy” to be ascertained before inoculation.
Meanwhile, The Nigeria Medical Association NMA has asked the federal government to carry out an independent evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccine before administering it on Nigerians.
If the vaccine eventually arrives in the country, about 40 million Nigerians may receive it for free.
This is as earlier disclosed by the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, following President Buhari’s directive to proceed with procurement arrangements.
The Group, known as ‘Justice for Tunde Thomas’ has formerly started a petition on change.org to the CBN, FCMB Board, and others, calling for Mr. Nuru’s dismissal over alleged marriage wrongdoing. About 1,500 persons have signed the said petition.
The deceased husband has been identified as Tunde Thomas, the husband of Moyo Thomas, a staff member of FCMB, who Nuru was alleged to have had a romantic affair with.
Thomas reportedly died of depression on December 16, 2020, after he discovered that Mr Nuru allegedly fathered their two children and not him, as a result of the affair. Tunde was buried 30th December 2020.
Mrs Thomas resigned from FCMB and travelled to the US with the two children, seemingly on holiday and trying to file for asylum in the US on the ground of marital violence in Nigeria.
Tunde got home from work in the night of 15th December only to collapse by his staircase and die immediately. Autopsy report puts the cause of death as heart failure.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has put on the alert that camels humping lot of baggage’s were crossing Nigeria’s borders into the country on a daily basis. He said that camels are now being used to smuggle in Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and anti-aircraft guns through the northern borders.
The National Chairman of the ACF, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who disclosed this in a statement he personally signed, said the weapons were being ferried into the country from neighbouring countries.
The statement was titled: ‘Our borders and insecurity’, and made available by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Emmanuel Yawe, in Kaduna on Thursday.
Although he did not tag any country in particular, but declared that the information was provided by ACF members from Sokoto and Zamfara states.
“Already, it is speculated that weapons as dangerous as Rocket Propelled Grenades and anti-aircraft guns are part of the cargo ferried by camels freely into our country from neighbouring countries,” he stated.
According to the ACF chairman, the camels bringing in the weapons are not being inspected by security operatives.
He advised the Federal Government to handle the situation right away.
Ogbeh, also alleged that ransom money being paid to kidnappers was being used for illegal arm purchase.
He said, “At the last meeting of our National Executive Council in October 2020, our members, particularly from Sokoto and Zamfara, reported that large consignments of camels were crossing our borders into Nigeria with a lot of baggage on their backs on a daily basis.
“And they observed that nobody checks their baggage and nobody knows what is being brought into Nigeria.
“The question the Arewa Consultative Forum would like to ask the security agencies is what are the camels carrying and where they are heading for?
“The ACF is alarmed that this kind of situation should persist at a time when weapons of all kinds are coming into our country and worsening the climate of terror and national uncertainty.”
He added, “It is clear now from what we know that as victims pay ransoms to the kidnappers, the money is instantly converted to more sophisticated weapons and instruments of death by the kidnappers.
“The capacity of these terrorists is rising by the day and we are not far from the moment when the terrorists will become better armed than our accredited security agencies.
“The ACF wants to alert the government to this situation if they are not aware of it; and if they are aware of it, to ask what they are doing about it.
“Already, it is speculated that weapons as dangerous as Rocket Propelled Grenades and anti-aircraft guns are part of the cargo ferried by camels freely into our country from neighbouring countries.
“It will do the nation a great deal of good to deal with this situation immediately. The ACF is deeply worried.”
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday declared that his Eastern Security Network, ESN, will operate without the support of Southeast governors.
Kanu said ESN revolved around the people and not Southeast governors or politicians. The IPOB leader made the claims while disregarding Southeast governors who are not involved with the security outfit.
He spoke through the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful.
A statement by Powerful reads partly: “Now that the southeast govs have distanced themselves from the eastern security network, how can it work successfully without their support?
“We never expected the governors to support Eastern Security Network. The governors are part of our problem because of their selfish interests. They are the ones benefitting under the current one Nigeria slavery.
“But the truth remains that their dissociation from the security outfit is of no significance or consequence. ESN is the people’s movement. It doesn’t revolve around any governor or misguided political criminal masquerading as an elite.
“ESN is formidable, and can effectively operate without the involvement of any governor. The security outfit will flourish without the support of the governors in our land. I don’t think we can trust them. IPOB is the largest mass movement on the face of the earth. What would make it possible for any sane mind to think that a bunch of criminals numbering a total of 11 will stop such a global phenomenon even with the help of their Janjaweed masters in the Sahel.”
Simultaneously, a Coalition of South East groups has condemned the alleged threat to governors of the region following their viewpoint on the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the coalition praised the governors for their “show of patriotism” by openly denouncing Kanu’s actions and calling on the people of the region not to succumb to his evil plans.
Those that signed the statement include the Coordinator of South East Mothers’ Forum, Mrs. Achike Ezeife; Coordinator of Ndigbo Progressive Youth Vanguard, Uche Ude; Grace Ejike of South East Market Women Vanguard and Andy Okoro of South East Youth Network.
The Catholic Church has backed Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Fr. Hasan Kukah’s position on the state of the nation.
Bishop Kukah had in his Christmas message which has generated a lot of reactions opposed the nepotism, which according to him, had potray the government of President Buhari.The cleric claimed there could have been a coup or war in the country if a non-Nothern Muslim was the President in the last five years and did some of the things Buhari was doing.The Director of Social Communication, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, in CSN, Rev. Fr. Mike Umoh, in a statement expressed concern over allegations that Kukah was trying to instigate violence and hinder national integration with his message.Rev. Umoh, describing the attackers as ‘agents of evil’, said that the Catholic Church of Nigeria stands with Kukah owing to the continued security and economic challenges facing the country.Umoh said, “As expected, the agents of evil have gathered to attack the person of the Bishop and to discredit the simple obvious truth of the message. This is the stock in trade of evil people.“However, they often succeed when good people, Christians, choose to do nothing. We are therefore calling attention to this new development so that we can all rise in unison and stand for truth.”The Catholic Church urged Christians to stand up for the truth and not choose to do nothing.“The truth about our nation is also that there are only two parties now existing: the good and the evil, the oppressed and the oppressor, the suffering people and the benefiting government officers and their families,” the statement added.Meanwhile, The Christian Association of Nigeria defended the bishop, saying that given current events n Nigeria “with kidnapping, banditry, horrible atrocities committed against hapless citizens by members of Boko Haram, Nigerians should be united in condemning and finding solutions to the awful condition that we are in as Bishop Kukah has rightly done.”
Muslim leaders in northern Nigeria condemned his message , but the coalition of Nigerian Muslim Professionals has asked those insulting the Bishop for speaking against the current administration to refrain from things that could ruined the peace of the country.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Smart Adeyemi, on Monday said the National Assembly and the Ministry of Aviation were considering banning flights from the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries with high rates of COVID-19. Adeyemi said a decision on the issue would be announced next week.
He expressed the National Assembly and the Federal Government were concerned about the second wave of COVID-19.
He stated that the joint National Assembly Committees on Aviation, the Aviation Ministry and agencies in the sector had been holding regular meetings in the past few days on the matter.
“We are still trying to study the situation so as to know the appropriate steps to take. It is a very sad situation no doubt.
“The National Assembly and the Aviation Ministry are looking at what really should be done on the call to ban some of the flights coming in, not only from the United Kingdom, but also other countries where the pandemic spreads are more severe.
“The National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation is discussing with the Ministry of Aviation and we are looking at what can be done and the right steps to be taken.
“COVID-19 is of great concern to everyone and it has been proven that it is real. Nigeria as a country has been able to contain the situation because our people are very conscious of the protocols.
“The fact that we are experiencing the second wave is a concern. So, the ministry and the National Assembly are considering an outright ban of flights from the pandemic prone countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, the Asian countries, Sweden, among others.
“We have been studying the situation. We would arrive at a conclusion in the next few days. We are looking at the figures, the rate of infection, the manner of infection and government response.
“We are studying the implications of the outright ban of flights and whether it would be of any importance to the containment of the virus.
“We have protocols for visitors arriving in Nigeria which we make sure are being strictly observed. Notwithstanding, in the next few days, we would know what to do.
“The Senate and the House of Representatives committees on Aviation, the Ministry of Aviation, and all the agencies under the ministry have been engaging in regular meetings over the situation.
“By next week, we would come up with a definite conclusion on whether there would be an outright ban of flights from the affected countries or the next steps to take.”
Award-winning and outstanding musician Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido, has taken to his verified Twitter page to reveal his intention to quit music.
His decision followed the multiple online reports that he had a dispute with Burna Boy at a club, Hype, in Ghana.
According to several unconfirmed reports, Nigerian singers Davido and Burna Boy got into an altercation at a nightclub in Ghana.In his tweet, the FEM singer simply said, “I go leave this music for una.”
A video shared by a Twitter user shows when Davido attacked another man reported to be Burna Boy at the nightclub, over the weekend.
The U.S. Attorney says that Anthony Quinn Warner 63 - year - old is the Nashville bomber, he died at the bomb site. Authorities confirmed during a press conference Sunday.
DNA evidence was processed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation overnight and it was confirmed that DNA evidence at the bomb site (human tissue) matched that of Anthony Quinn Warner.
The blast occurred Friday at 6:30 a.m. CT, after a computerized voice emerging from a parked RV loudly warned people to evacuate, saying the vehicle would explode in minutes.
No pedestrians perish from the blast, but explosion left at least three people injured, set several other vehicles on fire, destroyed a number of buildings and knocked out wireless service in the area.
Th VIN recovered from the RV linked it to Warner.
The FBI says that they are still working to determine the motive.
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Saudi Press Agency reports on Friday. Salman's vaccination came as a part of the national immunization system administered by Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health.
Health Minister, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah thanked the crown prince to be a part of the vaccination drive.
He tweeted, "The wonderful collaboration between government agencies in this crisis situation, is succeeded with the help of the exceptional leader, who works tirelessly. He created a harmonious team that works with high professionalism and the welfare of the people is it s first priority.
Over 500,000 people have already registered to take the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia.
Mobster suggested to be members of the Boko Haram guerrilla group have killed at least six persons and burnt a church in Chibok, Borno state.
They also abducted another seven, including a pastor," Kachallah Usman, secretary of the Chibok local government area, told CNN on Friday.
Local sources said about six cars and five other houses of the church were burnt.
The attack was carried out on Christmas eve on the EYN [Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a ] also known as Church of the Brethren Nigeria in Pemi, a ward under Chibok local government area of Borno state.
“The insurgents came in around 5:30 pm through Gogombi,” one of the villagers said.
“They came in batches of two. The first came in with a motorcycle while the other came in heavy vehicles. As soon as they entered the village, they started shooting sporadically and towards the EYN church.
“Then they set it on fire. They also torched six cars and five other buildings around the church. Some of us ran to the bush, but unfortunately six people were killed in the attack.
Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, also the latest ordained Apostle of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, has advised Christian faithful to show love and compassion towards others, especially the poor, during the festive season
He spoke at the second edition of the Aare Onakakanfo Christmas Carol held at Agindingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.
Adams enjoined Christian faithful to learn from the scriptures and have a target in the coming year.
He said: “This carol is never a jamboree; it is organised to reflect on the life and times of Jesus Christ, and to look forward to the New Year with hope and excitement.
“This year has been tough and turbulent; COVID-19 affected every sector of the global economy, and I think we need to use this event to reflect on the way forward because despite the seemingly global health challenges, God counted us worthy to be alive.
“I assure everyone that the coming year will be of abundant rewards. All that we have lost because of COVID-19 will be given to us back in abundance. That is my assurance.”
SENIOR Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, stated yesterday that there was need to stop herdsmen from roaming all over the country to prevent clashes with farmers.
Shehu spoke when he featured on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme.
He said: “This country has a grazing problem because the herders are mostly Fulani. The challenge is from these places they had practiced, you know, the encroachment by desert leading to drying up of a lot of grazing lands in the northern-most parts of the country.
“This has put pressure on the herders who have been looking to the south-west green grass so that their cattle will eat and also have water to drink. It is a global climate situation which is unfortunate considering what has happened along the Lake Chad basin.
“I’m glad that governors of the north are coming together to say let us resolve this problem of grazing because we have to stop these herders from roaming and eating up our crops all over the country.
“They drive their cattle into farmlands and eat up the crops. The farmers fight back and the killings follow. The country cannot continue in this way. “The president has no plan to fish for a land other than the one he has inherited from.
Fulani herdsmen are nomadic Fulani people whose primary occupation is raising livestock.
A heartless police sergeant attached to the Elelenwo Police Division has shot dead a 38-year-old man, Abiodun Jimoh, in Elelenwo community, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Abiodun was shot right at the entrance of Elelenwo Police Divisional Office by the Officer where a patrol team of the Division had dragged him along with Ismaheed, his brother, after arresting them on a bike they were riding.
Ismaheed, a phone and laptops repairer, who, along with the late brother, hails from Kwara State, said: “On Friday night, police on patrol stopped us. I was riding a lady’s bike with my brother on the passenger seat. “They searched us, saw our ID cards.
When they saw nothing implicating, one of the senior officers told a restless junior officer to leave us. “The defiant junior officer insisted we were criminals and he must take us to the station. My late brother entered their van, I pleaded to ride on my bike joined by one of them. “I rode in front with the officer riding with me and the rest of the patrol team were coming behind with my brother.
The unstable officer who was on the bike with me starting asking how much we have to bail ourselves. “I told him I have N2, 000. We got to School Road at Elelenwo, they asked me to drive to the Police Station. I got there and parked. The senior officer returned our phones they earlier seized and asked me to go home and bring documents for my bike/the next day. I agreed.
“The police that shot my brother, who was evidently drunk insisted he must do something bad to us. Again, the senior officer told him, leave these guys to go, let them report back tomorrow with the bike’s documents. “Immediately he started beating me, hitting me with the butt of his rifle. Other colleagues pleaded with him, he won’t listen. Before I knew it, I heard gunshots. “I saw my brother lying down in pains. I heard two gunshots.
One met my brother on the leg and the other hit one of the policemen. That was when the senior officer took the gun from him. “He was still struggling with me, but I forced my way to meet my brother.
After rushing to three hospitals without attention in bid to safe my brother’s life, I told them to take him to the hospital he’s registered for medical care. “When we got there, they did not attend to us, I found that very painful. My brother had lost much blood.
We then moved for the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital. On our way, I was the only one with my brother on the truck of the patrol van. I tore my shirt to tie the bleeding. I was still telling him to keep hope alive. “I was calling everyone to tell them what was happening. They heard my calls, stopped and asked me to give them back my phone. At that, point they drove roughly. I fell from the van, got injured and fell unconscious. “They knew I fell but they didn’t even bother stopping.
They sped off with my brother on the van. “They sat me down and said I should be there for a while till early morning. My wife called my brother’s glo line, and it rang in his bag with me. That was when I realised my brother’s iPhone was left in the bag.
A Nigerian medical doctor in the United States, Dr Ben Okigbo, has shot himself to death. Ben Okigbo and his wife, Theresa, were found dead in their Sugar Land, Texas home on Friday morning, according to police.
Sugar Land Police Department, Texas officer, Chief Eric Robins, was quoted as saying: “One of the kids dialed 911 apparently when he suspected that there was a fight or disturbance going on inside the residence. When police officers arrived at the house, they found the couple dead inside their home. It appears that it could be a potential murder-suicide, but it has not been totally ruled.”
Police said the couple’s three adult children were also at the scene, with two of them suffering non-life-threatening injuries. Chief Robins said it is a tough situation, especially with Christmas a week away. “When these types of things happen, especially during this time of the year, holiday season with everything else that is going on, we ask people who have crisis in their home to seek out and reach help,” he said.
A Facebook post by the Rector at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Houston said: “Dear friends, the causes for grief in 2020 seem to multiply. I am very sad to inform you that Ben and Theresa Okigbo died this morning at their home in Sugarland. This news is absolutely devastating for our Epiphany family, especially for many of our Nigerian members, whose lives and hearts were touched so profoundly by Ben and Theresa.”
President-elect Joe Biden is receiving his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on live television as part of a growing effort to convince the American public the vaccines are safe.
“I don’t want to get ahead of the line, but I want to make sure we demonstrate to the American people that it is safe to take," Biden has said of his decision.
Biden and his wife, Jill, will also thank health care workers at the facility where they receive the shots, his incoming press secretary has said.
Vice President Pence, second lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams were administered their initial vaccination shots during an on-camera event on Friday.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday urged the federal government to immediately restrict flights, temporarily, from the United Kingdom. Atiku’s call comes on the heels of news of a new strain of COVID-19 circulating in the UK.
The new strain is reported to be more infectious than the original COVID-19 virus. Several countries, including France and other EU states, have already suspended flights from the UK.
“The reason Nigeria took a harder than necessary hit during the first wave of the #COVID19 virus is that the Federal Government failed to heed the warnings of well-meaning Nigerians, like myself and others, to shut down our borders once the virus became a pandemic,” Atiku said in a statement on Sunday. “Hindsight is 20/20. Nevertheless, we must learn from history, or we stand the risk of repeating it.
“The new strain of COVID19 that has erupted in the United Kingdom, and specifically, London, can add to Nigeria’s health emergency if we do not act with an abundance of caution and temporarily halt all flights to and from the UK until this new strain is brought under control.
Police and Local vigilante groups in Katsina State have rescued eighty-four kidnap victims, mostly Islamiyya school children in Mahuta village of Dandume Local Government Area of the state.
The DPO of Dandume LGA got a distress call and moved in his men.
Police Spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, in a statement Sunday said the DPO led Operations “Puff Adder,” Sharan Daji and Vigilante group to the area and engaged the bandits into a fierce gun duel.
The bandits had already abducted four people and stolen a dozen cows when they ran into the schoolchildren who were on their way home from a celebration, Katsina state police spokesman, Gambo Isa, said early Sunday morning. Police and a local community self-defence group rescued the children from the bandits after a gunfight, he said.
"The teams succeeded in dislodging the bandits and rescued all the 84 kidnapped victims and recovered all the 12 rustled cows." said Isa in a statement. "Search parties are still combing the area with a view of arresting the injured bandits and/or the recovery of their dead bodies."
Dandume, an area bordering the northern part of Kaduna state, is one of the region's hotspots for banditry and kidnapping, according to residents. "Dandume is a no-go-area for many of us because of the high level of crimes and insecurity being perpetrated by armed bandits," said Saidu Lawal, an official of a local civic group in Katsina, told The Associated Press.
"Despite government efforts to open up the area by constructing roads leading from the metropolitan locations to the hinterlands of Dandume ... the banditry still persists," said Lawal. "On many occasions, the bandits block the Dandume-Sabuwa highways to attack travellers. It was based on that reason that many people have abandoned the new route."
Spokesman of Defence Headquarters, Major General John Eneche, claims that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji rescued all 344 abducted students of GSSS Kankara, in northwestern Katsina State, Nigeria .
Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, and Bello Masari, governor of Katsina , had disjointly said the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association played a major role in the release of the schoolboys.
Meanwhile, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has denied they negotiated the release of students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.
In a statement, General Enenche disclosed that the military rescued the boys, thanking “the members of general public who volunteered information are also appreciated”.
He explained that the school boys were rescued “on the heels of credible intelligence by the gallant troops”, who deployed high-tech expertise to ensure that there are no casualties on the part of the boys.
“Keeping to its promise to ensure the safe return of all abducted students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI rescued all 344 abducted students on Thursday 17 December 2020,”
“The Military High Command commends troops of Operation Hadarin Daji including all security agencies for their dexterity.” he added
The Conference of Igbo Elders for Peace and Development announced Thursday in a statement signed by National President, Dr. Festus Edochie, and National Secretary, Barrister (Mrs) Esther Amadi.
The elders have condemned the formation of South East Security Network by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,
The elders also advised Igbo governors to immediately move to stop Kanu’s “illegal” action by creating a security outfit for the South-East zone.
They begged the southeast governors and businessmen in the region to pull resources together and form a security outfit like Amotekun or civilian JTF backed by law, which can be controlled and be effective.”
According to the statement, the elders said their attention was drawn to a trending video of some misguided youths armed with prohibited firearms and dangerous weapons, describing it as an “inglorious activities of Mr. Kanu”.
“We observe with utmost shock and concern a disturbing video of a group of some misguided youths codename Eastern Security Network, bearing arms and circulating on the social media.
“In the said video, the group which claimed to be operating somewhere in Anambra State carried Ak-47 and other dangerous weapons under the guise of providing security against violent crimes being committed by herdsmen in the region.
“We condemn this group and its activities in its entirety and call on all southeast governors and well-meaning Ndigbo to come out and condemn this act of criminality being sponsored by a self-appointed leader of a proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the Igbo elders said.
”While we recognize perfectly the yearning and desire of every Nigerian today for community policing and self-security due to the insecurity in the country, we insist that it must be done in accordance with the law of the land and by the right people who are legally empowered to do so.
“No group or individual has the legal right to bear prohibited firearms of that nature without the proper backing of the law. Hence we must all rise in the South East to not only condemn but also distance ourselves from this act without delay,” the Igbo elders added.
They noted that the proscribed IPOB lacks the power to bear prohibited arms, blaming the failed security architecture in the country for the resort to self-help.
“No doubt, the current security architecture of Nigeria has failed and Nigerians deserve to protect themselves but that must be done within the premise of the law.
“We are Nigerians and cannot form a parallel security arm that bears prohibited firearms for any reason in our region.
“It is not in the place of IPOB to organize such a group armed with automatic weapons, no lawful country or citizen will support that, even the civilian Joint Task Force which is supported by law with members assisting in fighting terrorism in Borno State and other parts of North East don’t use automatic weapons.
“In the South West, also Amotekun which is lawfully set up by the authorities in the region does not use automatic firearms. ” Bearing prohibited firearms under any guise is unacceptable,
“Only Dane guns and pump-action rifles can be licensed in Nigeria. We have restrictions in Nigeria on the use of firearms and nobody is above this law. Criminals use these illegally,” the Igbo elders said.
The Igbo elders noted, “The obvious gap in our national security notwithstanding, a proscribed organization like IPOB does not have the right to arm a group of young men with automatic weapons in the name of a security network or any nomenclature. It is unacceptable and must be resisted by all Ndigbo of goodwill.
“We are therefore calling on all the Southeast governors and businessmen in the region to pull resources together and form a security outfit like Amotekun or civilian JTF backed by law, which can be controlled and be effective.
“Finally, we wish to call on the southeast governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo, and other well-meaning groups to come out to condemn the act of criminality that may spark unrest in the region thus portraying Ndigbo as bad and lawless people.
“We further appeal to all Nigerians not to see this act of criminality as an Igbo agenda, but a deliberate act by a fugitive criminal, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to gain popularity and earn his daily bread from his sponsors.”
Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram, had on Tuesday said his group was responsible for the attack.
In a new video released on Thursday by the insurgents, some of the boys, looking confused appealed to the government to comply with the terrorist so that they can be freed. “Please help us. Tell the vigilantes and soldiers not to come around,” one of the boys in the video said, adding “more than 500 of us are in the forest”.
“Close any form of school, including Islamiyah. Please send the army back. They can’t do anything to help us. Please sir, we need your assistance,” the distraught boy said.
At the end of the video, a voice believed to be that of Shekau said, “he was doing Allah’s work”.
Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, had claimed that bandits and not Boko Haram abducted the schoolboys. But a recent video clip released by Boko Haram and made public on Thursday by HumAngle shows teenagers believed to be the Kankara schoolboys.
“The report we have and from the information available to us, this abduction was conducted and executed by local bandits that are known to all of us,” he had said.
When asked if there is a possible link between the attackers and Boko Haram, the governor said there are “signs” that bandits are making contact with the insurgents.
“You know over one year, there were signs that some of the elements of the bandits are making contact with some of the elements of Boko Haram or ISWAP,” he added.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) announced that it will start implementing the National Identification Number (NIN) directive on driver’s license processing in Nigeria, starting from Dec. 21. The NIN is established to be used for all transactions that need identity verification .
Mr Bisi Kazeem, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM), Corps Public Education Officer, said in a statement on Wednesday, in Abuja.
Kazeem said that the enforcement became necessary following the Federal Government’s directives and advised the citizens going for driver’s license to comply with the notice.
“As a follow up to that, FRSC management has resolved that effective Dec. 21, 2020, all applicants for the National Driver’s License in Nigeria must present the NIN from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“This is necessary before they can be captured for any class of the licenses produced by the FRSC.”
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has also mandated all mobile network operators to deactivate all SIM cards that will not be duly registered with valid national identity card in 14 days.
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on Sunday, was ordained as an Apostle at the Saviour’s Ministry in Lagos.
Speaking after his ordination, Gani Adams criticized President Buhari's administration for not doing enough about the security matter in the country, He said that the recent abduction of 330 students in a school in Katsina is a clear evidence of security threats in the country.In his words - “There is no denying the fact that Nigeria is at crossroads because the present situation in the country is a pointer to the fact that this government has failed.
“How can you explain the abduction of about 600 students in a school? It is saddening to accept this as a parent, but also ridiculous as a leader who knows much about what it takes to lead a country like Nigeria.
“The abduction happened in Katsina State, the country home of the president, where he was presently on a week-long visit. It is absurd.
“The whole event is a justification of the failures of the present administration under Buhari and Nigeria is in for a long battle against insurgency.”
He said: “I am not an economist, but from the economic indices available at the public domain, Nigerian naira has fallen badly to the United States dollars.
“It is a bad signal, especially, at this time of recession where the economy is slipping downwards.”
Adams, advised President Buhari not to regard the calls for restructuring as a risk factor, but a wake-up call from patriotic Nigerians who have sacrificed their time, lives and resources to make this country great”, he said.
Boko Haram jihadist force has claimed responsibility for the abduction of over 300 students from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, last Friday, December 11.
In a 4 minutes 28 seconds audio released on Monday night December 14, the leader of the deadly terror group, Abubakar Shekau, said contrary to reports ongoing in the news, the group is yet to make any demands .
“What happened in Katsina was done to promote Islam and discourage un-Islamic practices as Western education is not the type of education permitted by Allah and his Holy Prophet.
They are also not teaching what Allah and his Holy Prophet commanded. They are rather destroying Islam. It may be subtle, but Allah the Lord of the skies and earth knows whatever is hidden. May Allah promote Islam. May we die as Muslims.”
In a nutshell, we are behind what happened in Katsina,”
The government said a joint rescue operation was launched Saturday by Nigeria’s police, air force and army after the military engaged in gunfights with bandits after locating their hideout in the Zango/Paula forest.
Some of the male students were able to escape during the attack while the attackers were in a gunfight with police, according to Katsina State police spokesman Gambo Isah.
Thousands of people have been killed in the Eleven-year-old revolution and displaces about 1.4 million residents.
President-elect Joe Biden stated Monday, hours after the Electoral College made his victory over President Donald Trump , he said that "the rule of law, our Constitution and the will of the people prevailed" over Trump's efforts to undo the results of the election"
"The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago. And we now know nothing, not even a pandemic or an abuse of power, can extinguish that flame," Biden said.
Governor of Katsina state, Aminu Masari, has said the abductors of at least 333 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, have contacted his government.
The Governor made this known when he briefed President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura on Monday.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu said in a statement after Masari’s visit to Buhari in Daura.
It was titled, ‘Gov Masari Briefs President Buhari On Kidnapped School Children, Assures Of Steady Progress In Rescue Efforts’.
The statement partly read, “President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Daura, Katsina State, received more briefing on children kidnapped from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, with an assurance from Governor Aminu Bello Masari of steady progress to bring them out unharmed.
“The Governor, who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor of the state, Manir Yakubu, said the kidnappers had made contact and discussions were already on pertaining to safety and return to their homes.
“Governor Masari also noted that security agencies had located the position of the children.
“The Governor said the President was fully committed to the rescue of the school children, adding that it was only appropriate to visit the President and give him more details of rescue efforts.”
Marauders had stormed the school on Friday night and abducted the students. The President had arrived in the state on Friday, hours before the illegal occupation took place.
On the night of 14–15 April 2014, 276 mostly Christian female students were kidnapped from the Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria. Incident was claimed by Boko Haram members.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms turned down an opportunity to serve in President-elect Joe Biden’s Cabinet, a spokesperson for Bottoms said in a statement that she respectfully declined Biden’s offer.
The statement did not say what Cabinet position she had been offered, but denied speculation that Bottoms had turned down a step to be an ambassador.“She was never offered an ambassadorship,” the statement said.“Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was honored to have been offered a role in the Cabinet, which she respectfully declined,” “The Mayor’s focus remains on the people of Atlanta and the great state of Georgia,” the statement said. “Out of respect for the process, and the other candidates under consideration, no additional comment will be forthcoming on this matter at this time.”
Bottoms was elected mayor in 2017 and she was a former member of the Atlanta City Council, representing part of Southwest Atlanta
While preaching sermons at the Encounter Night - Shiloh 2020, Bishop David Oyedepo said that he stopped receiving salary from his church since December 1984, he also proclaimed that there is a difference between the blessings of the Lord and the blessings of the effort of man.
The founder and presiding Bishop of the megachurch Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, and Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners' Chapel added: it is the blessing of God that makes a man rich and add no sorrow with it.
“We run our home like hotel. I have always had people living with me even when I was living in one room apartment. The last time I counted I had about 22 people working for me".
“I didn’t bring a dime into ministry. God is too big to help. Men are not the builders of Churches, God said he will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail. “I still sleep like a baby. I never asked God to enrich me, I only suçceeded in passing the test of sacrifice".
Every child of God that works genuinely in the convenant have a great future. “Those saying these people are stealing will just rain curse of the Lord on themselves. Prosperity is not on what you are given but in what you give. “Many years ago, I told God if you ever bless me, I will build Churches”.
The land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed through Jan. 21, Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday.
“Canada and the United States agreed today to keep our shared border closed until January 21,” Trudeau told a news conference.
The border was initially closed in March to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The closure has been renewed monthly since then. Only trade in goods and merchandise and essential travel are allowed.
A second wave of Covid-19 infections in Canada — with a total of nearly 450,000 cases reported as of Friday — has forced several regions to reintroduce pandemic measures.
As of Friday, the U.S. has the most COVID-19 cases of any country with more than 15 million, while Mexico and Canada have more than 1 million and 400,000, separately.
The border between the US and Mexico will also remain shut until the same date, said Chad Wolf, the acting head of the Department of Homeland Security, on Twitter.
“In order to continue to prevent the spread of COVID, the US, Mexico, & Canada will extend the restrictions on non-essential travel through Jan. 21. We are working closely with Mexico & Canada to keep essential trade & travel open while also protecting our citizens from the virus,” he tweeted.
'These measures are with us for a while':US borders with Canada, Mexico will stay closed through December
According to the official website for the Government of Canada, travelers entering from the U.S. must prove they are traveling for an essential purpose, along with not presenting COVID-19 symptoms and planning to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Mexico's Foreign Ministry also posted about the extension on Twitter, saying the country proposed the newest month-long extension to the U.S.
Nigeria’s outgoing Ambassador to the United States, Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, is dead. His death was announced in a statement today by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu.
The 85-year-old diplomat was said to have died yesterday night at a hospital in Maryland in the US.
The retired justice of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal,Nsofor, who assumed office as the ambassador to the US on November 13, 2017, succeeded Professor Adebowale Adefuye who also died towards the end of his tenure as Nigeria's ambassador to The US..
President Buhari characterized the late envoy as “an outstanding judge of rare courage and truth who is not afraid to give justice to whom justice is due”.The President said the country would miss him because he was a man of impeccable character. He, therefore, directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with Justice Nsofor’s family on the burial arrangements.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has captured a 32-year-old man, Elechi Adendu Kingsley, for attempting to smuggle controlled substance, 14.4 kg of Cocaine into the country from Brazil.
Kingsley, who has been living in Brazil for over 13 years, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
According to a statement issued yesterday by Mr Jonah Achema, NDLEA mouthpiece, the suspect was arrested with a bag containing cellophane bags during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline flight ET 911.
Kingsley, an indigene of Umulolo Local Government Area of Imo State, who is based in Brazil, said he had no one to blame for his involvement in the crime.
“I am an adult and I am fully aware of what I was going into. I agree that somebody gave it to me but I offered to carry it,” Kingsley was quoted as saying.
Kingsley said he was promised N3 Million upon successful delivery of the drugs to somebody in Nigeria. He added that he came to Nigeria in preparation for his wedding in January 2021.
People with a history of significant allergic reactions should not have the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid jab, regulators say.
Two NHS workers vaccinated yesterday, had an allergic reaction which they recovered from.
They are understood to have had an anaphylactoid reaction, which tends to involve a skin rash, breathlessness and sometimes a drop in blood pressure.This is not the same as anaphylaxis which can be fatal.
The advice applies to those who have had reactions to medicines, food or vaccines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said.
Professor Stephen Powis, medical director for National Health Service in England, said the advice was issued on a “precautionary basis”.
Both NHS workers have a history of serious allergies and carry adrenaline pens around with them.
Meanwhile, the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has said people should not received the vaccine if they have had a significant allergic reaction to a vaccine, medicine or food, such as those who have been told to carry an adrenaline shot — sometimes called EpiPens — or others who have had potentially fatal allergic reactions.
The medical regulator also said vaccinations should be carried out only in facilities that have resuscitation equipment.
Dr June Raine, head of the MHRA, said it was only right to take this step now that "we've had this experience".
...more details coming soon
The Nigerian Embassy in Germany has fired a security guard, Martins Adedeji Oni, found guilty of sexually harassing Nigerian ladies who come to the embassy for documentation.
Mr Martin was caught with his pants down in a hotel room after he had allegedly asked the unnamed lady who accused him of demanding sex from females who applied for passport renewals.The Embassy disclosed this in a series of tweets on its official handle @NigeriaBerlin on Tuesday.The tweet read: “THE Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has terminated with immediate effect the contract of Mr Martins Adedeji Oni, a security officer at the mission.
“His dismissal comes after an investigation into allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct.”
His appointment has been terminated with immediate effect.
“As a result, Mr. Martins Adedeji Oni contract with the Embassy as a Local Staff has been terminated.
“The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to further stress its zero-tolerance policy towards all abuses of office, and especially of sexual misconduct,” the embassy noted.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, on Monday, conducted recruitment examination for 191,00 candidates that applied for various positions in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Speaking with newsmen during the exercise on Monday in Abuja, the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, Yakmut Alhassan Saleh, demonstrate happiness over the seamless conduct of the recruitment exam by JAMB.
He said the computer-based exam, which took place at the same time in 126 centres across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was conducted by JAMB to ensure transparency and avoid rancour and confusion that trailed a similar exercise a few years ago. Yakmut said: “We need to go through a transparent method of a recruitment exercise and it has to start from the word go. This is just one component of the exercise, after this, we go into physical and medical as well as psychometric exercise. We are into partnership with JAMB to ensure that every candidate is given a fair opportunity to prove that he has the merit and requirement that we need.”
“All over the country we have almost 190,000 candidates out of which 113,000 are Civil Defence, and for Immigration, we have 78,000 candidates across 126 centres in Nigeria. The examination is broken into three phases; we have the one for graduates and HND, NCE and OND and the third one for secondary school (leavers). “The batches (for the exam) are in three sessions to four sessions based on the number of candidates per centre. We have 9:00am, 11:00am and 1:00pm.”
On the number of vacancies that are expected to be filled by the applicants, the Board’s secretary said 9,460 jobs are up for grabs by successful candidates, adding that the results from the JAMB recruitment exam are released immediately after the exercise.
Dr. Carlos Araujo-Preza, 51 was a true Hero that was there for every Covid -19 patients at the intensive care unit, HCA Houston Hospital in Tomball, Texas.
He died Monday night after he spent several weeks on a ventilator at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center due to the awful virus.According to the KHOU news station, Araujo-Preza was nominated to be a part of a national study to examine the effectiveness of convalescent plasma as a treatment for critically ill COVID-19 patients.
“When he started having neurological problems due to COVID ... he could no longer speak coherently, and afterwards, he was intubated, so we could not speak to him for those last two weeks of his life,” she told KRIV.
Andrea Araujo is devastated that her father won’t be there for some of her life milestones.
“My dad will never see me graduate from my master’s program. He’ll never give me away at my wedding,” she said. “He’ll never see his grandkids. And that’s really hard.”
Araujo-Preza’s partner, Paige King, wrote on Facebook that he said he had no hesitation when it came to taking care of coronavirus patients. He told her he was born to do the job.
Andrea Araujo hopes her father’s story will encourage people to be safe amid the ongoing pandemic.
“He always told me to stay home,” she told KRIV. “And, that’s my message to everybody. You never think it’s going to happen to you, and it’s really heartbreaking, and it’s something that I don’t wish upon any other family to go through.”
HCA Houston Hospital Management said in a statement:
“We are saddened by the passing of Dr. Carlos Araujo-Preza. His clinical excellence, compassionate care and kindness will be greatly missed. Dr. Carlos Araujo-Preza touched so many of our lives and will always be remembered for his profound commitment to his patients. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and colleagues.”
The United States has removed the reciprocity fee imposed on visa applications for Nigerians.
Disclosing this at the weekend, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the development was sequel to the removal of excess visa application, processing and biometric fees for American citizens applying for Nigerian visas.
“The ministry of foreign affairs wishes to inform that the United States government has removed all visa reciprocity fees for Nigerian citizens seeking visas to the United States,” the ministry’s spokesman, Ferdinand Nwonye, said.
“The positive development is in line with the removal of excess visa application, processing and biometric fees for United States citizens applying for Nigerian visas by the Nigerian government”.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the suit challenging the legality of the States’ Judicial Panel of Inquiry into alleged brutality by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) filed by the police.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, disclosed that :
The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered for the immediate discontinuation and withdrawal of the suit challenging the legality of the States’ Judicial Panel of Inquiry into alleged brutality by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The IGP’s order, today, 4th December, 2020, is sequel to the outcome of investigations into the role played by the Force Legal Section in the institution of the said suit.
Recall that the IGP had yesterday, 3rd December, 2020, ordered a probe into the alleged involvement of the Force Legal Section in the attempt to halt the ongoing States’ Judicial Panel inquiries into the activities of the defunct SARS.
Meanwhile, the IGP reassures citizens that the Force remains committed to the course of justice at all times and will not allow anybody to constitute a ‘brick-wall’ to the ongoing reform processes of the Force.
The World Health Organization [WHO] said in the update that face shields cannot replace mask-wearing and other safety guidelines of social distancing.
The devices do not block respiratory droplets, making them an inferior alternative when masks can’t be worn either due to availability or difficulty. Fox News reported
The most recent clinical studies organized by UCLA confirmed that a face shield alone will only reduce airborne particles by about 4%, KTLA reported.
“This is likely because the face shield does not fit the face snugly, and thus, cough droplets can escape from the open gaps around the shield,” researchers said, according to KTLA.
The Associated Press [AP] had previously reported that health officials don’t recommend the shields as a replacement for masks but said they could be used in conjunction with a face mask, to help protect eyes and giving a physical barrier to block wearers from touching their face.
The WHO also advised the public to wear a non-medical grade mask inside where physical distancing of a meter — or about 3 feet — can’t be maintained, CTV reported. The group reminded that masks with valves should not be used, and masks should not be worn during vigorous physical activity.
Former Presidents Barak Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton are set to take the COVID-19 vaccine on the camera to increase citizens belief in the safety of the medicines after it has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Freddy Ford, Bush's chief of staff, told CNN that the 43rd President had reached out to Dr. Anthony Fauci -- the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the nation's top infectious disease expert -- and Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, to see how he could help promote the vaccine.
"A few weeks ago President Bush asked me to let Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx know that, when the time is right, he wants to do what he can to help encourage his fellow citizens to get vaccinated," Ford told CNN. "First, the vaccines need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations. Then, President Bush will get in line for his, and will gladly do so on camera."
Clinton's press secretary told CNN on Wednesday that he too would be willing to take the vaccine in a public setting in order to promote it.
"President Clinton will definitely take a vaccine as soon as available to him, based on the priorities determined by public health officials. And he will do it in a public setting if it will help urge all Americans to do the same," Angel Urena said.
Obama, in an interview with SiriusXM host Joe Madison scheduled to air Thursday, said that if Fauci said a coronavirus vaccine is safe, he believes him.
"People like Anthony Fauci, who I know, and I've worked with, I trust completely," Obama said. "So, if Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe, and can vaccinate, you know, immunize you from getting Covid, absolutely, I'm going to take it."
"I promise you that when it's been made for people who are less at risk, I will be taking it," he said.
"I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people know that I trust this science, and what I don't trust is getting Covid," he added.
Police officers in Ogun State has busted a baby factory at Ofada-Mowe in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the State. Ten victims including four pregnant girls and four children were rescued.
“Acting on a tip-off, our men stormed the illegal maternity home and rescued 10 people, including four kids and six women, four of whom are pregnant,” police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi told AFP news agency.
The police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the baby factory was uncovered after one of the victims escaped and reported at the Mowe police. The victim told police that the owner, one Florence Ogbonna, hired men to impregnate them and then sell the newborns for profit.
“The operator of the centre is on the run but we are intensifying efforts to arrest her and bring her to justice,” Oyeyemi said.
A high - profile Biafra activist and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was arrested 15 days ago in Singapore by the police following many petitions that were written against him.
Among the 14 petitions received on him was the controversial audio comments he broadcasted on Endsars peaceful protest at Lekki in Lagos, Nigeria, where he encouraged IPOB members to burn down people’s businesses and properties across Lagos State and even to kill top politicians and Governors.
According to a source,“Nnamdi Kanu is currently detained in police custody in Singapore. His extradition request has been approved by Singapore government, reason why his trial was activated back on 26th of November."
Traffic accidents on Georgia roads killed 24 people during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Monday afternoon, the death total was at 24, according to the DPS.By Sunday at 6 p.m., 22 deaths had been reported, DPS posted online.“This is 22 lives too many,” the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety posted on social media. “Thank you to all the GA law enforcement who worked these tragic, fatal crashes over the Thanksgiving travel period.
To GA motorists...please #buckleup, #slowdown, #drivesober and put down your phone.”
State troopers probed 17 of the deadly crashes.
Troopers also investigated 604 traffic crashes resulting in 317 injuries, according to the DPS.
Troopers and motor carrier officers also wrote 11,172 citations, 13,184 warnings, and arrested 281 impaired drivers. A total of 6,509 citations were given for speeding.
Argentine police in Buenos Aires are investigating Dr Leopoldo Luque over the treatment received by the soccer legend just before his death on Wednesday .Police in Buenos Aires were at the doctor's home and the clinic of Doctor Leopoldo Luque, also seized files in the process of investigating Maradona's death.
Detective officers in San Isidro, Buenos Aires province, said the investigation is “necessary” after interviewing Maradona’s relatives.
Meanwhile, Dr Luque told reporters on Sunday that he had the backing of his professional body, the Argentine Society of Neurosurgery.
“I know what I did. I know how I did it.... I am absolutely sure that what I did the best for Diego, the best I could.”
“I know what I did. I know how I did it.... I am absolutely sure that what I did the best for Diego, the best I could.”
"I had the full endorsement of the Argentine Society of Neurosurgery that Diego needed the surgery. Six doctors evaluated him. Death had nothing to do with [the surgery]."
Dr Luque added: "He was discharged after surgery.
Lewis, 29, and his father Adlay Lewis, 49, were shot and killed on November 15 at their home at First Trace, Bagatelle Road, Diego Martin.
According to Trinidad Express, Lewis was embalmed into a sitting position, placed in the tray of a hearse and given an open-air last ride past the Office of the Prime Minister on the way to his funeral by Dennie's Funeral Home and driven around Port of Spain on Wednesday.TTPS Road Safety Co-ordinator Brent Batson told Express via a What's App message that the funeral home's manner of transporting the deceased will be investigated.
Batson said, "The TTPS is disappointed in the reckless behavior engaged in by a funeral home being circulated on social media whereby persons were seen seated in the vehicle tray seemingly as part of a funeral procession. Carrying persons in a dangerous manner is an offence Regulation 38 Rule 17 of the Motor Vehicle Road Traffic Act (MVRTA) with a $1,000 penalty and the TTPS will be continuing investigation into funeral company's conduct on the road.
Josephine Okereke, the wife of the newspaper vendor shot and killed by a Department of State Services agent, attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has disowned her husband’s family over their demand for N500m settlement.
The family of Ifeanyichukwu Okereke had written to Femi Gbajabiamila, demanding N500m. On the other hand, Josephine Okereke said that she was not aware of the pre-litigation process and urged the Speaker to ignore the family.
Counsel to the family, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), in a letter dated November 23, 2020, said he was given the mandate to write the letter by the father of the deceased, Okorie Okereke; and the younger brother to the deceased, Destiny Okereke.
Gbajabiamila had visited the family of the deceased and promised to ensure that they do not suffer, with scholarship for the deceased children and others.
The widow expressed gratitude to Rep Gbajabiamila for all steps taken so far since the unfortunate incident happened last week.According to her, “I got to know about the said N500m demand as compensation on the killing of my husband through the media, nobody told me before embarking on that, the Speaker visited us and assured us that justice would be done which is what I am after and not monetary compensation
“The Speaker also made promises to take care of the welfare and the well-being of the immediate family of my late husband and to institute a trust fund in his name, we are just looking up to him for the fulfilment of his promises.”
Diego Armando Maradona, an Argentine professional footballer and football manager has died at the age of 60.The former football legend had successful surgery on a brain blood clot earlier in November.
The Argentine Football Association released a statement, through its president Claudio Tapia, saying it "expresses its deepest pain at the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona. You'll always be in our hearts."
Diego Maradona led Argentina to World Cup success in 1986 and scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for his country; Maradona won two Series A titles with Napoli and also played for Barcelona, Sevilla, Boca Juniors and Newell's Old Boys.
The UK parliament has voted in favour of the government considering imposing sanctions on Nigerian officials involved in the alleged excessive use of force on peaceful protesters during last month’s anti-police brutality demonstrations. Also,The Nigerian Army has stated that the alleged massacre of protesters at Lekki Toll Plaza is untrue.The non-binding resolution was a result of a petition brought before the UK parliament, a petition signed by over 220,118 individuals in the United Kingdom, asking the UK Government to sanction Nigeria for alleged violations of human rights.The Nigerian authorities have continued to deny that security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters.
Consequently, the Petitioners called for an independent investigation into abuses and urged the British government to target Nigerian officials who are implicated in the shooting dead of peaceful demonstrators during last month’s protests against police brutality.
The MPs repeatedly mentioned the alleged use of force by the military on protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.
They also condemned the freezing of protest organisers’ bank accounts and stressed that the right to peaceful protest was a key component of democracy.
An MP, who was speaking on behalf of the British Minister for Africa, embraced Nigeria’s decision to investigate alleged rights violations and the disbandment of a notorious police unit – the Special Anti-Robbery Squad [SARS].
A Federal High Court has ordered Senator Ali Ndume to be remanded at Kuje at Kuje Correctional Centre for failing to produce the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.
Ndume stood, who is representing Borno south, as surety for Maina’s bail, who is standing trial on alleged money laundering charges. Maina has repeatedly failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.Justice Okon Abang ordered Ndume’s remand while ruling on an oral application made to the effect by lawyer to the prosecution in the ongoing money laundering trial of Maina and a firm – Common Input Property and Investment Limited.
They were first arraigned on October 25, 2019 following which he was admitted to conditional bail at N1b on November 26, 2019.
In undertaking to stand as Maina’s surety, Ndume pledged to ensure that Maina (the first defendant) participate in the trial until judgment, failing which he (the surety) would forfeit the N500 million bail bond, which he secured with a property in Asokoro, Abuja believed to worth that amount.
Maina was released from custody on July 24, 2020. He attended court on few occasions and stopped from September 29, 2020 with his lawyer, Francis Oronsaye claiming client was ill but could not account for his whereabouts.
The case came up again on September 30 and October 2, with Maina dodging the court. When it again came up on October 19, Ndume, who was always present, told the court that he had become helpless because he could not locate Maina.
He prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for Maina’s arrest to enable relevant security agencies intervene in apprehending the 1st defendant, who he said he believed had jumped bail.
Justice Abang ordered that Ndume could only be released if he either provides evidence of payment of the N500milion bail bond into the Federation Account or there is evidence that the Federal Government has sold the property he pledged, located at Asokoro in Abuja and the N500m bond is paid into FG account from the proceed of the sale; or that he is able to produce Maina before the court.
An alleged drunk officer of the Nigerian Police shot two citizens, leaving one dead and another critically injured at Queens Court Hotel area, along Ikere-Ekiti road, Ado Ekiti on Saturday 21,November 2020.
One Olaoye Abayomi (Kush) died while the second person, Idris Ismaila Adebayo was critically injured and receiving treatment in a hospital.
The Police Officer involved with the shooting has been identified as Tizhe Goji attached to a yet-to-be identified VIP despite the fact that Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to Very Important Persons across the country with immediate effect.
More details coming soon
By Ojutole Online Media
First of all, I will advise that you take your time to read this report very well with full attention. My intention here is to tell the story that many people are not aware of due to the side that was initially super imposed on the general public.
This whole incidence happened around 2007 thereabout. Prophet Israel was a young boy in his twenties doing ministry in the celestial church.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has handed over his security officer Abdul M. Hassan to the Department of State Services (DSS) over the shooting of a newspaper vendor Mr. Ifeanyi Okereke.
This is contained in a statement personally signed by the speaker on Friday. Gbajabiamila stated, this is to allow for investigation and appropriate administrative and judicial action on the officer who has also been suspended.Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has handed over his security officer Abdul M. Hassan to the Department of State Services (DSS) over the shooting of a newspaper vendor Mr. Ifeanyi Okereke.
This is contained in a statement personally signed by the speaker on Friday. Gbajabiamila stated, this is to allow for investigation and appropriate administrative and judicial action on the officer who has also been suspended.“I have expressed my personal condolence to his family and have arranged to meet with them when the parents of Mr. Okereke, who are already on their way, arrive in Abuja.
“Additionally, I have committed to them that I will support his wife and the immediate family he has left behind.
“I commiserate with the family of Mr. Ifeanyi Okereke and ask all Nigerians to join me at this time to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul,” he said.
Joe Biden has won Georgia and its 16 electoral votes, The President-elect has defeated President Donald Trump with 306 electoral votes to 232. That's according to the Associated Press, which called Georgia and its 16 electoral votes for Biden on Thursday.
Georgia had not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton in 1992.
Biden said on Thursday that Mr Trump's refusal to accept the election results has left Americans "witnessing incredible irresponsibility".
"Incredibly damaging messages are being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions," Mr Biden said, adding that Mr Trump's actions in Michigan were particularly troubling.
"What the President's doing now is going to be another incident where he will go down in history as being one of the most irresponsible presidents."
A Lagos State High court on Wednesday 18th November, 2020 sentenced prophet and Sheperd-in-charge of CCC Global Genesis church world wide, The Unstoppable Generation, Israel Oladele Ogundipe to two-year imprisonment for defrauding a United Kingdom based woman.
The trial judge, Justice Olabisi Akinlade jailed Prophet Oladele after she found him guilty of two count charges out of the seven he was charged with.
Justice Akinlade in a judgment that lasted for about four hours sentenced the defendant, prophet Oladele to a year imprisonments for count two and four. She however discharged him of counts 1,3, 5 ,6 and 7 for lack of evidence against him.
Oladele was charged with seven counts charges bordering on fraud and obtaining money by false pretenses, preferred against him by the Lagos State government sometimes in 2007.Mrs. Olaide Williams-Oni, told an Ikeja High Court how she was allegedly defrauded of over N17 million by the Shepherd-in-Charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Genesis Parish, Alagbado, Lagos , Prophet Israel Ola-Ogundipe.
Oni alleged that after defrauding her, Ola-Ogundipe also tried to blackmail According to the witness , she met the accused person in 2002 during her visit to Nigeria through her half-sister, Mrs. Ogungbemi.
''He told me something about my husband in one of his prophecies that I should not have anything jointly with him because he was having an affair behind me. He gave me a liquid to drink and I started vomiting. I was asked to sit down and he lit a candle and said I should be there until the candle-light goes off', she said.
Williams-Oni also alleged that she was later taken by the prophet in company of her half-sister and cousin to a bush in Sango Ota area of Ogun State where she was bathed with some concoction.
She said that she entrusted the accused person with her money to buy some landed property on her behalf because she thought he was a 'good pastor'.
According to Williams-Oni, on her return to London, Ola-Ogundipe called her and advised her to invest in landed property in Lagos, an advice she heeded after consultation with some persons.
Williams-Oni said she sent money to Ola-Ogundipe in five installments of N900,000, N2.5 million, N8.5 million, N2.7 million and 12,000 pound sterling between 2002 and 2005 to purchase the property on her behalf.
She claimed that after collecting the money, the prophet converted some of the said property for his personal use and refused to refund the money for the others.
'When I confronted him about this, he started threatening my life and blackmailing me. He was saying that I had a son for him, which became an embarrassment to my family', she claimed.
Williams-Oni told the court that the issue nearly ruined her 16-year-old marriage, adding that it was only resolved when the said child was made to under-go a paternity test, which refuted his claims.
He had however pleaded not guilty to the charge .
When the story of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun is told, it will be on record that it was officially launched on January 9, 2020. However, the Amotekun journey began earlier. In July 2019, the six states of the southwest, namely Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States, agreed to set up this outfit.
Amotekun is indeed a first of its kind security agency because it is a regional security outfit initiated by one of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.
History will also state that the headquarters is here in Oyo State. Since its founding, we have been taking steps to ensure that the security outfit kicks off operations. In March 2020, the Oyo State House of Assembly passed the Oyo State Security Network Agency Bill 2020, which I signed into law a few days later.Although COVID-19 and other logistical issues delayed the recruitment process, we ran an open and transparent recruitment process that culminated in announcing the 1,500 successful candidates' names in October 2020. Shortly after that, their training began in the first week of November. Today we are here to witness the passing out parade of the pioneer members of the Amotekun Corps.
Security has always been an issue close to my heart. While on the campaign trail, I spoke about how we could tackle insecurity in Oyo State. We outlined clear plans in our manifesto, the Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023. And so, when we came into office, we went ahead to make security one of the pillars of our administration.
Our actions have been based on the fact that if our state is insecure, we cannot attract investment, whether foreign or local. So far, we have supported our federal security outfits, who do their best to protect our people. We provided them with communication gadgets and patrol vehicles. More recently, we requested for and established just this past May 2020, the Police Mobile Force 72 Squadron at Ago-Are and presented them with patrol vehicles for the outfit's operations.
But as I have argued on various fora, for governors to really play the role of Chief Security Officers of their states, state policing is the way forward. I am confident that someday, we will get enough support at the national level to achieve that constitutional review.
But, for now, we will settle for the next best thing.
The Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, is an independent outfit. Members will answer to the state governors, but they will be working with the federal security agencies.
Some of the primary functions of the Amotekun Corps as authorised by law include: Collaborating with and assisting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in gathering information. They will be involved in crime, the investigation of crime, arrest, and prosecution of persons suspected of kidnapping, terrorism, destruction of livelihood, criminal damage to property, cultism, highway robbery, and any other illegal activities.
They will also be involved in routine day and night patrols on major roads and remote areas. Members of the corps will be drafted to all the 351 wards in Oyo State. They will be our own community police so that their presence will be felt everywhere. This ensures that offenders are quickly identified, arrested, registered, and promptly handed over to the nearest police station or post. As I said during one of my speeches following the End SARS protests, this is one outfit that I can boldly say hold me responsible for the actions of the members.
Therefore, let me state to you 1,500 pioneers of the Amotekun Corps that you must remain excellent examples in service. You are to work for the people. You are not called to harass or intimidate the people. Instead, exhibit the highest level of professionalism in the discharge of your duties. Remember that there are limits to your authority, and always follow directives from the chain of command.
We have appointed two qualified men as chairman and commandant of the Amotekun Corps, the persons of Retired General Ajibola Kunle Togun and Retired Colonel Olayanju Olayinka. We also have other eminent persons on the board. I am confident that under them, the Amotekun Corps will live up to their objectives.
As I said during the official launch of this outfit in January 2020, our regional integration, through Amotekun, should be seen in one light. We are coming together to fight a common enemy. That enemy is not Nigeria; the enemies are the elements among us and their affiliates who are determined to cause commotion within our states' borders and threaten our peaceful coexistence.
And on this note, I declare the Oyo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun operational.
~ Governor Seyi Makinde, November 18, 2020
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the current surge in the prices of fuel on Monday evening, asking its reversal with immediate effect.
The congress condemned the increase, saying the price increase will actually create more economic hardship especially among lower- paid workers.
In a statement signed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the congress noted that it would receive an update from its affiliates who were members of various committees set up after the last round of negotiations with the Federal Government.
“The outcome of this engagement will determine our response in the coming days. But while we are at that, we condemn the recent price increase and we call for its reversal with immediate effect,” Wabba said.
The statement read: “There is no doubt that there is great disquiet in the land over the extraordinary level of inflation in the country. The recent increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has only exacerbated the current level of pain and anguish in the country. The recent increase in the pump price of PMS is clearly against the spirit and content of what organized labour agreed with government at the last negotiations over the last fuel price increase.
“It has also cast in very bad light our utmost good faith with regards to government explanations that it lacks funds to continue bankrolling the so-called subsidy payments as such would sooner than later cripple the entire economy, throw the country into severe economic crisis and cause loss of jobs in millions.
“While we await the full recovery of our refineries as contained in our agreement with the government, Nigerians cannot be made to bleed endlessly for the failures of successive government to properly manage our refineries, ensure value for money for the numerous Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) which were poorly and barely executed and the horrifying lack of interest in prosecuting public officials and private business people who have profited from the rot in our petroleum sector and the collective misery they have imposed on the general population.
“The truth is that we would not have been in this precarious situation if the government had been alive to its responsibilities. There is a limit to what the citizens can tolerate if this abysmal increases in the price of refined petroleum products and other essential goods and services continue. While we fix our refineries, there are a number of options open to the government to stem the tide of high prices of refined petroleum products.
“One is for the government to declare a state of emergency in our downstream petroleum sector. As a follow up to this, the government should enter into contract refining with refineries closer home to Nigeria. This will ensure that the cost of supplying crude oil is negotiated away from the prevailing international market rate so that the landing cost of refined petroleum products is significantly reduced.
“Government should also demonstrate the will to stamp out the smuggling of petroleum products out of Nigeria. We need to see big-time petroleum smugglers arraigned in the court of law and made to pay for their crimes against the Nigerian people. Government has the resources available to it to ensure this economic justice to Nigerians.
“The question in the minds of many Nigerians is if the government is willing to go headlong against major financiers of the major political parties known to the public as the architects of the current national woe.
“We also demand that Nigerians should be carried along on the distribution of refined petroleum products. Information on the distribution of petroleum products to petrol stations should be advertised and made public knowledge.
“It should not be difficult to establish the average time it takes a petrol station to exhaust its supplies. There is already an established market trend which will help the government fix the rot in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
“Second, we call on the government to review the entire process of licensing for modular and bigger refineries. It is queer to depend on the enterprise of one man to fix Nigeria’s downstream petroleum subsector. The more public and private refineries in play the higher the competition. This would serve end consumers who would benefit from lower prices. Organized Labour will not accept a fait accompli of the monopoly of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector or the emergence of a cartel of Oligarchs whose end game is mass pauperization.
“Third, in line with our recent agreement with the government, we will be receiving updates in the next few days from our unions in the petroleum sector which have been given the mandate to keep surveillance on a government promise to overhaul our public refineries. We will also receive updates from our representatives in the electricity review committee. The updates we receive will determine whether the government has kept to its side of the bargain which is to take serious steps to recover and reposition our public refineries.”
The serving overseer, The Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC),Pastor Tunde Bakare has condemned clampdown on #EndSARS protesters , saying their accounts should be unfrozen .
Pastor Bakare while speaking in his church at an event observed to mark his 66th birthday and his wife’s 60th birthday spoke on the topic “The youth of the nation are the trustees for prosperity”, he said that such action may ignite the youths to start another protest.
“I have observed with keen interest the policy actions and positions taken by national and sub-national governments to address the broader issues of youth development in Nigeria, from the prompt disbandment of SARS, to the N75B Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (N-YIF) launched by the federal government, as well as the appointment of young Nigerians on panels of inquiry set up by various state governments. I commend these actions by the federal and state governments. They have, to an extent, been forced to self-reflect and align with the times.
“In light of the foregoing, some of the actions recently taken by the government on the heels of the EndSARS protests may need to be reversed sooner rather than later in our collective best interest so that they do not trigger further protests. “Among such policy, actions is the freezing of the accounts of young Nigerians who reportedly sponsored the protests,” he said.
Bakare adds that although he accepts that under the country’s extant laws, banks may freeze an account upon an ex parte order granted to a law enforcement agency by a court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of the investigation, but this Law should not be used to intimidate Nigerian youth simply because they engaged in and promoted protests against the inactions of government.
He said, “targeting and arresting citizens on trumped-up charges, deploying court probes as a tool of intimidation, and generally eroding our fragile peace, are deeply worrisome signs of regression.”
The Presidential Task Force, PTF, on COVID-19 has implored Nigerians abroad to Suspend plans of coming home for the Christmas festivities.
Dr Sani Aliyu, the National Coordinator of the task force, made this known during the weekly media briefing of the task force on Friday.
According to him, this was one of the safety measures to prevent the second wave spread of the virus in the country.
“We know that we are going into the Christmas period and we are looking at steps to minimize the number of people we see during this period.
“If you do not need to travel, remain in the country during the period.
“If you are outside the country, now is not the time to start coming in on holiday.
“If you do have to come into the country on holiday, be aware that you have to do the mandatory seven days isolation and you have to be tested and confirmed to be negative.
“We will not be relaxing the rules simply because it is holiday s
Thirty two Nigerians were on Friday repatriated from Germany for immigration and related offences.
The returnees all – males arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos from Dusseldorf Airport aboard a chartered aircraft belonging to Envelope Airline.
However, details of their deportation were not available, immigration sources said the removal was executed by the German Embassy and that they were deported for various immigration related offences.
According to Network of Refugees for Refugees, a Stuttgart-based migrant self-organisation that monitors deportations from Germany, Forty Nigerians including single mothers and their children, were forcibly deported to Lagos by German authorities on Monday (21 October 2019).
To date, More than 23, 500 persons were deported from Germany.
Joe Biden pledged during his campaign to practically reverse some of the provisional immigration deeds initiated during Donald Trump’s four years in office. While some actions can be undone with the stroke of a pen, others will take more time.
The Biden administration plans to restore protection for people brought to the U.S. illegally as minors and stop using United States Department of Defense funds to build a border wall.
The incoming administration also intends to overturn Trump's travel and immigration restrictions on 13 mostly African or predominantly Muslim countries.
Also, a new guidance would be designed to stop "collateral arrests," which are apprehensions of immigrants who are not the target of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations but are nevertheless taken into custody because they are in the country without legal status.
At the southern border, Mr. Biden has pledged to discontinue the Trump administration's policy of requiring non-Mexican migrants to wait in Mexico for the duration of their U.S asylum cases.
Mr. Biden's team is also planning to begin the process of terminating the "public charge" rules the Trump administration implemented to deny green cards and immigrant visas to applicants who U.S. officials determine rely — or could rely in the future — on government benefits like Medicaid, food stamps and Section 8 housing vouchers.
Biden has said “immigration is central to who we are as a nation,” noting that most Americans can trace their ancestry to immigrants.
As endorsed in the U.S. Constitution, American presidents are elected not directly by the people, but by the people's electors. The Electoral College was created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution as an alternative to electing the president by popular vote or by Congress.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday there’s “no reason for alarm” as President Donald Trump supported by Republicans in Congress begins legal action against Democratic President-elect Joe Biden’s election achievement.
“Until the Electoral College votes, anyone who is running for office can exhaust concerns,” McConnell told reporters on Capitol Hill.
“It's not unusual, should not be alarming. At some point here we’ll find out finally who was certified in each of these states. The Electoral College will determine the winner.”
So far, Trump and his GOP allies haven’t offered any proof of election fraud and their legal challenges have largely been rejected by the courts.
Actress Rahama Sadau has said that she has not been invited by the police nor sentenced to jail by any court.
The actress said this in reaction to a report that she’s being charged before a Sharia Court over the controversy generated by a picture she shared on social media.
Defining the report as fake news, the starlet advised people to stop creating needless tension.
She shared:
“I have received many messages that I have been arrested and sentenced to jail earlier today. I have no idea where the news emanated from. I’m therefore calling on people to stop spreading FAKE and unfounded stories.
“I haven’t received any police invitation or court trial. I’m reiterating this to well wishers that I’m SAFE and FINE and I have never received any legal trial for whatever reason. To those trying to bank on this issue to create an unrest, Please give it a rest.
“It’s indeed a hard time for me. This is not the right time for FAKE NEWS. Much love to those who reached out, I’m grateful.”
Lagos State Government said it will prosecute a man named Emmanuel Ben who led an assault on an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Ismaila Lukman.
Olumide said Ismaila Lukman, the assualted officer, was at his duty post controlling traffic when he was approached by Ben, who wanted the officer to halt vehicular movement for him to cross the road.
LASTMA general manager Olajide Oduyoye in a statement said Lagos State attorney-general Moyosore Onigbanjo has directed Ben’s prosecution for assaulting Lukman “at the Jakande Junction in Lekki while on his lawful duty around 2:20 pm on Sunday 8th November 2020.”
He said Ben will “be made to face the full wrath of the law for the assault to serve as deterrent to others with similar motives.”
“We must all have a change of mindset to obey the traffic law as amended in 2018 by the Lagos State House of Assembly and that anybody who refuses to obey those traffic laws should be ready to face the consequences as stated in the Law,” Oduyoye said.
He compelled road users to “come to terms with the fact that LASTMA was constituted by the Law which has conferred some responsibilities on the agency and also on the road users.”
My fellow Americans, the people of this nation have spoken.
They have delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory.
A victory for “We the People.”
We have won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this nation — 74 million.
I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me.
I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide, but to unify.
Who doesn’t see Red and Blue states, but a United States.
And who will work with all my heart to win the confidence of the whole people.
For that is what America is about: The people.
And that is what our Administration will be about.
I sought this office to restore the soul of America.
To rebuild the backbone of the nation — the middle class.
To make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home.
It is the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for this vision.
And now the work of making this vision real is the task of our time.
As I said many times before, I’m Jill’s husband.
I would not be here without the love and tireless support of Jill, Hunter, Ashley, all of our grandchildren and their spouses, and all our family.
They are my heart.
Jill’s a mom — a military mom — and an educator.
She has dedicated her life to education, but teaching isn’t just what she does — it’s who she is. For America’s educators, this is a great day: You’re going to have one of your own in the White House, and Jill is going to make a great First Lady.
And I will be honored to be serving with a fantastic vice president — Kamala Harris — who will make history as the first woman, first Black woman, first woman of South Asian descent, and first daughter of immigrants ever elected to national office in this country.
It’s long overdue, and we’re reminded tonight of all those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. But once again, America has bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice.
Kamala, Doug — like it or not — you’re family. You’ve become honorary Bidens and there’s no way out.
To all those who volunteered, worked the polls in the middle of this pandemic, local election officials — you deserve a special thanks from this nation.
To my campaign team, and all the volunteers, to all those who gave so much of themselves to make this moment possible, I owe you everything.
And to all those who supported us: I am proud of the campaign we built and ran. I am proud of the coalition we put together, the broadest and most diverse in history.
Democrats, Republicans and Independents.
Progressives, moderates and conservatives.
Young and old.
Urban, suburban and rural.
Gay, straight, transgender.
White. Latino. Asian. Native American.
And especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest — the African American community stood up again for me. They always have my back, and I’ll have yours.
I said from the outset I wanted a campaign that represented America, and I think we did that. Now that’s what I want the administration to look like.
And to those who voted for President Trump, I understand your disappointment tonight.
I’ve lost a couple of elections myself.
But now, let’s give each other a chance.
It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric.
To lower the temperature.
To see each other again.
To listen to each other again.
To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy.
We are not enemies. We are Americans.
The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season — a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal.
This is the time to heal in America.
Now that the campaign is over — what is the people’s will? What is our mandate?
I believe it is this: Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency and the forces of fairness. To marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time.
The battle to control the virus.
The battle to build prosperity.
The battle to secure your family’s health care.
The battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country.
The battle to save the climate.
The battle to restore decency, defend democracy, and give everybody in this country a fair shot.
Our work begins with getting COVID under control.
We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality, or relish life’s most precious moments — hugging a grandchild, birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us — until we get this virus under control.
On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as Transition Advisors to help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on January 20th, 2021.
That plan will be built on a bedrock of science. It will be constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern.
I will spare no effort — or commitment — to turn this pandemic around.
I ran as a proud Democrat. I will now be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn’t vote for me — as those who did.
Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end — here and now.
The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control.
It’s a decision. It’s a choice we make.
And if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe that this is part of the mandate from the American people. They want us to cooperate.
That’s the choice I’ll make. And I call on the Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — to make that choice with me.
The American story is about the slow, yet steady widening of opportunity.
Make no mistake: Too many dreams have been deferred for too long.
We must make the promise of the country real for everybody — no matter their race, their ethnicity, their faith, their identity, or their disability.
America has always been shaped by inflection points — by moments in time where we’ve made hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be.
Lincoln in 1860 — coming to save the Union.
FDR in 1932 — promising a beleaguered country a New Deal.
JFK in 1960 — pledging a New Frontier.
And twelve years ago — when Barack Obama made history — and told us, “Yes, we can.”
We stand again at an inflection point.
We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and purpose.
We can do it. I know we can.
I’ve long talked about the battle for the soul of America.
We must restore the soul of America.
Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses.
It is time for our better angels to prevail.
Tonight, the whole world is watching America. I believe at our best America is a beacon for the globe.
And we lead not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.
I’ve always believed we can define America in one word: Possibilities.
That in America everyone should be given the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and God-given ability will take them.
You see, I believe in the possibility of this country.
We’re always looking ahead.
Ahead to an America that’s freer and more just.
Ahead to an America that creates jobs with dignity and respect.
Ahead to an America that cures disease — like cancer and Alzheimers.
Ahead to an America that never leaves anyone behind.
Ahead to an America that never gives up, never gives in.
This is a great nation.
And we are a good people.
This is the United States of America.
And there has never been anything we haven’t been able to do when we’ve done it together.
In the last days of the campaign, I’ve been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and to my family, particularly my deceased son Beau. It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America.
And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the more than 230,000 families who have lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Hopefully this hymn gives you solace as well.
“And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.”
And now, together — on eagle’s wings — we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do.
With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country — and a thirst for justice — let us be the nation that we know we can be.
A nation united.
A nation strengthened.
A nation healed.
The United States of America.
God bless you.
And may God protect our troops.
Joe Biden has been elected to be the 46th president of the United States, according to ABC News and the Associated Press. Biden's win in Pennsylvania put him over the 270 threshold, bringing him to a total of 284 electoral votes, based on the AP's projections.Kamala Harris has been elected the first female Vice President.More details coming soon
US President Donald Trump claims he would win the presidential election unless Democrats ‘steal’ the polls.
Trump ratiocinated that Democrats were trying to “steal” the US election with illegal votes, saying he would “easily win” the race against Joe Biden without the alleged interference.
“If you count the legal votes, I easily win. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us,” said the president .
Trump said his team had launched a “tremendous amount of litigation” to counter what he called the “corruption” of Democrats, even as several officials in battleground states where the vote remains undecided have defended the integrity of the vote.
Democratic candidate Joe Biden has pulled ahead of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, a key state in the US presidential race, voting data shows. If Mr Biden takes the state, he would secure his victory in the election. The state has 20 Electoral College votes.
According to the most recent data, Mr Biden is leading by more than 5,500 votes, with 98% counted. Earlier, Mr Biden edged ahead of his Republican rival in Georgia, another key battleground state. He is leading there with more than 1,000 votes, with 99% of the ballots counted.
The government of the Netherlands has returned a prehistoric terracotta head sculpture to the Nigerian Embassy in the Netherlands in compliance with the 1970 UNESCO Convention of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, the export of cultural property.
The terracotta head, believed to be from Ile-Ife in Nigeria, was intercepted by Dutch Customs at Schiphol Airport in 2018 in a package addressed to a Dutch national with forged accompanying import documents. Nigerian authorities confirmed the authenticity of the object and formally requested its return.
The Embassy of Nigeria in the Hague in a statement signed by Mr. Kabiru Musa, Charge d’ Affaires at the Embassy, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, said Mrs. Maryan Hammersma Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science handed over the terracotta head to the embassy in a ceremony on Nov. 2 in the Hague.
Musa said that the handing-over of the Ife terracotta head by the Netherlands was a watershed event in the existing cordial relations between the two friendly countries.
He said that both countries reaffirmed their commitment to the provisions of the 1970 UNESCO Convention and also pledged to enhance and strengthen cooperation on cultural matters.
“The Ife terracotta head is the first formal return by the Netherlands to a State Party to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property. “The intercepted Terracotta object, which is approximately 16 cm tall, depicts a girl or young woman with her hair tightly braided in several buns.
“A bump on the top left-sided of her head possibly represents an amulet braided into her hair. It is clear from the style of the object that it originates from Ife, Nigeria, Musa explained, saying that It is expected to be returned to the country soon.
NAN quotes the statement as saying that the artistic and traditional characteristics of the item recovered in the Netherlands, in combination with the patterns on the face, are typical of Ife heads.” Objects of this quality are exceedingly rare”.
Egyptian authorities disclosed that seven protesters would be deported to Nigeria for the lack of resident permits.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) confirmed this on Monday evening in a series of tweets on its handle.
“The Egyptian authorities have said that seven out of the eight #ENDSARS Nigerians who protested in Egypt on October 18, will be deported to Nigeria for lack of resident permits/visas,” the series of tweets began.
According to the Chairman of the NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the “only Nigerian among them who has residency permit will get final clearance from the Egyptian Interior Minister, Mahmoud Tawfik after signing an undertaking not to partake in any unauthorised activities while still in the country.”
She also said that the Nigerian mission in Egypt is still pleading for leniency on behalf of the seven Nigerians billed for removal. She disacknowledge the allegation that the Federal government of Nigeria is involved in the arrest, because they were not arrested at the Nigerian Embassy but at another location.
Dabiri advised Nigerians abroad to be good ambassadors of the country by obeying the laws of their respective host nations.
Aligarh police in Uttar Pradesh have busted an online con artist's non-existent company scamming through social media platforms and arrested two Nigerian nationals and a local woman.
The Nigerians identified as John, Marvellous and a native woman Sumir were arrested from Delhi on Saturday, October 31, following a fraud case registered by an Aligarh resident, Bhagwati Dutt Sharma.
According to the police, the Nigerians befriend victims on social media platforms posing as a businessman from the UK or other European countries.
“Gang member chatted with the victim for a few months. When the gang gauges that they have gained the victim’s trust then they tell them that they are sending some gifts—few dollars, an expensive phone and some jewellery,” said an officer investigating the case.
Then a few days later, the victim gets a call from another conman who identifies himself as customs officer from Delhi Airport asking for duty to get the gift parcel released.
Once the victim is under their trap, the conmen trick them to pay money on the pretext of the processing fee, customs duty, documentations and other charges. But, till the time they find out that they have been duped it gets too late.
Authorities also said the suspects and others at large usually send a large chunk of money made from the scams back to Nigeria.
The Pentagon confirmed that it launched a successful operation early Saturday to free Philip Walton, 27, an American hostage held in northern Nigeria.
White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump and the National Counterterrorism Center confirmed the hostage's identity on Twitter.
“U.S. forces conducted a hostage rescue operation during the early hours of 31 October in Northern Nigeria to recover an American citizen held hostage by a group of armed men. This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the U.S. Department of State. No U.S military personnel were injured during the operation,” said Jonathan Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of Defense for public affairs.
“We appreciate the support of our international partners in conducting this operation. The United States will continue to protect our people and our interests anywhere in the world,” he added.
Ivanka Trump lauded those involved in the mission, tweeting, "We will NEVER abandon any American taken hostage!"
The State Department said on Tuesday that a U.S. citizen was kidnapped in Niger in an area near the Nigeria border where al Qaeda-linked militants and the Islamic State's Boko Haram are known to operate.
According to ABC News:
The operation involved the governments of the U.S., Niger and Nigeria working together to rescue Walton quickly, sources said. The elite SEAL Team Six carried out the rescue mission and killed all but one of the captors, according to officials with direct knowledge about the operation.
U.S. and Nigerien officials had said that Walton was kidnapped from his backyard last Monday after assailants asked him for money. But he only offered $40 and was then taken away by force, according to sources in Niger.
Walton lives with his wife and young daughter on a farm near Massalata, a small village close to the border with Nigeria.
The Canadian Government says it targets accepting 1.2 million immigrants from 2021 to 2023 even with interference generated by the global pandemic.
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said what he called an "ambitious" three-year immigration plan today that set targets for bringing skilled workers, family members and refugees into Canada.
Canada is planning to bring 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, 411,000 in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023.
“The key to both short-term economic recovery and long-term prosperity is immigration,” Mendicino said, according to AFP.
“As with every other aspect of our lives, the pandemic has affected migration to Canada,” the minister commented.
Last year's plan promised to bring in more than one million immigrants over a three-year period, but the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting travel restrictions have slowed down the process.
At a news conference in Ottawa today, Mendicino said immigrants drive the population and economic growth that pays for vital programs such as health care.
"Put simply, we need more workers, and immigration is the way to get there," he said.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has quoted it will replace the H-1B visa lottery, the method for selecting which foreign professionals receive the intended visas each year, with a selection process that gives priority to the jobs with the highest salaries.
Under these reforms, the H-1B programme will place those workers who are offered the highest wage, ensuring that the highest-skilled applicants are admitted.
The proposal is the latest in a series of changes the administration has made to regulate the H1-B program. US officials affirm that the change will basically save the wages of American workers .
According to the Department, modifying the H-1B cap selection process in this way will motivate employers to offer higher wages for higher-skilled workers instead of using the program to fill relatively lower-paid vacancies.
The proposal, which was announced Wednesday will be opened for a 30-day comment period.
The Nigerian Army has said that it was persuaded to enforce the curfew in Lagos by the state government.
The army declared, on Tuesday, in a statement by its 81 Division in Lagos. The statement was signed by its appointee Osoba Olaniyi.
Mr Adeniyi while explaining the role played by the army at the Lekki toll gate maintained that they acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement for Internal Security operations.
He also stated that soldiers did not shoot at the #EndSARS protesters in Lagos.
In the statement titled “Press release on alleged massacre of protesters at Lekki toll gate,” Mr Olaniyi described the allegations of soldiers shooting at protesters as untrue, adding that no soldier fired a shot at the protesters.
“The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video on social media in which it was alleged that civilians protesters were massacred by soldiers at Lekki toll plaza.”
“This allegation is untrue, unfounded and aimed at causing anarchy in the country. At no time did soldiers of the Nigerian Army open fire on any civilian.”
“From the onset of the ENDSARS protest, there was no time personnel of 81 Division Nigerian Army Lagos, were involved.”
“However, the decision to call in the military was taken by the Lagos State Government after a 24 hours curfew was imposed.”
“This was as a result of the violence which led to several police stations being burnt, policemen killed, suspects in police custody released and weapons carted away.”
“The situation was fast degenerating into anarchy. It was at this point that LASG requested for the military to intervene in order to restore normalcy.
“The intervention of the military followed all laid down procedures for internal security operations and all the soldiers involved acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement for Internal Security operations,” the statement read.
Mr Olaniyi added that there were “glaring and convincing evidence to attest that no protester was shot by the soldiers.”
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had earlier disclosed that soldiers shot at the protesters.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said this in an interview with CNN on Monday.
The governor also said he did not invite soldiers or ask them to shoot at at protesters.
The governor also promise that the CCTV footage of the incident would be available to the state judicial panel probing brutality of security operatives.
“We will be committed to a full investigation of what happened and people would be held accountable. They certainly would be held accountable. We would do everything possible to ensure that they are held accountable,” he said.
“People have claimed that their friends and family members have been killed. So, this Judicial Panel of Enquiry is meant to bring all of these stories to accountability; where we can make restitutions, where families can prove and identify officers that were responsible for this.
“I am not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; I am Governor of a State. The report would be out and we would channel the report to all the relevant authorities in the state to ensure that every one that is found culpable is accountable for the act,” he said.
Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, on Monday said his group, the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 And Beyond (ASCAB), has commenced investigation into last Tuesday shootings of protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.
Falana, said ASCAB has so far identified the barracks where the soldiers who opened fire on protesters were deployed from.
He made this known on Monday in an interview with Arise TV.
Some soldiers had shot and killed some unarmed End SARS protesters seated at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos State.
Falana, who insisted that soldiers were deployed to the demonstration ground last Tuesday, said, “We have already identified the barracks where the soldiers left for Lekki, we have already identified the barracks.”
He, however, did not disclose the details of the barracks.
Falana added, “The President was likely to have been told soldiers were ordered so I want to believe that’s why it was not addressed. They said it was a rumour but I think the facts are emerging now, that indeed soldiers went to Lekki, indeed they fired at protesters and indeed some of the protesters at least two have been officially acknowledged to have died from gunshot wounds.”
He also pointed finger at the Federal Government for lacking respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights to protest.
He said, “The Nigerian government has no respect for the rule of law and has ensured they stave off all forms of protests in the country.
“Every designated venue for protest in the country have been fenced by the government to prevent demonstrations.
“In Lagos, the Gani Fawehinmin Square has been fenced while the Unity Fountain in Abuja has also been fenced, and the same government has said citizens have the right to protest.”
Tuesday night attack has been condemned by both local and international human rights organisations and personalities. At least 12 people are said to have been killed and 28 others injured.
All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Bola Tinubu, has paid a solidarity visit to the governor of Lagos state, Babjide Sanwo-Olu, dismissing the opinion that he travelled out of the country.
Speaking on Saturday October 24, at the Marina State House, Tinubu stressed the need for a thorough investigation into Tuesday night attack.
He said, “First, we have to segregate the calendar – those who suffered casualty before the protests from the hands of SARS. You have to separate that from those who suffered casualty due to what happened at the toll gate.
“For those who suffered casualty from SARS, the Commission of Inquiry that is already set up will unearth that and will make their recommendations. I trust the calibre and the character of the people there, they are independent. That is one.
“Those who suffered casualty during the gunshots need to answer some questions too. Even though we want to help, we still must extract information that will help the government to prepare in future and understand how and when to react because the governor, in particular, is a youth.
“As a youth himself, he (Sanwo-Olu) quickly went to Abuja with the 5/5. The government immediately put into action, dissolved the SARS and had to work through other recommended actions, the needs they demanded. Within a few days, he reported back to the public. That is responsive enough.
“But where are we getting the looting, the carnage, the burning, the invasion of police stations, stealing of arms, maiming of the innocent? It is a handshake beyond the elbow.”
Asked about his whereabouts in the past few days, Tinubu said, “I didn’t go nowhere; I’m a Lagosian and I still hold the title of Asiwaju of Lagos and I am still a Jagaban.
“Fake news is all over the place. They say Seyi my son was kidnapped and was chased but look at him. I didn’t pay a penny to bring him here.”
Tuesday night shootings at the Lekki toll gate has been condemned by both local and international civil rights organisations.
President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t mention anything about the shooting of #ENDSARS protesters in Lekki on Tuesday night during a nationwide broadcast yesterday because it would be “premature and presumptuous.”
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari spoke to the nation about the unrest that has engrossed the nation recently, but without making any mention of the shootings of peaceful protesters by Men In Nigerian Military Uniforms at Lekki toll plaza on Tuesday night that bring about outrage in Nigeria and the world at large.
However, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who appeared on Politics Today, a live show on Channel Televisions said the President couldn’t have said anything about the shooting because it was being investigated.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state was a guest at Arise TV on Thursday morning, October 22, where he denied claims that the CCTV cameras at the Lekki tollgate were taken down before Men in Nigerian military uniforms Open Fire on peaceful protest for Police Reforms on Tuesday, October 20.
"i will just say the truth of what happened. nobody ordered. i called the managing director of lcc that night when i saw the pictures and what he said to me was that because of the curfew that had been announced, they took a decision that they will take out installations that were critical to them."
"that camera that you saw is not a security camera, it’s not a motion camera. it’s a laser camera for vehicles. when you are approaching the toll plaza, you would remember that there is a camera that is at the level of your car. what that camera does is that it picks the tags and number plates of cars approaching the toll plaza. it’s an infrared camera and not a security camera."
“security cameras for the lekki toll plaza are still available and these are some of the footage that we’ll be using for our investigation. security cameras are installed on top of the towers and they are there, i have seen them they are live and they are still recording and nobody can touch them.
the cameras that were pulled off were a decision that the local personnel of the company took in conjunction with their managing director. the security cameras are still intact and these are things that we can leave open for citizens to come and verify” the governor said
The governor said the footage of the surveillance cameras will be made available to a properly constituted investigative panel which will be set up on Monday as evidence so it can be properly investigated.
“we will drop this as evidence so that experts can review and see what kind of cameras are these that were shown in the footage. i think that is the honest and truthful position of that,” he said.
There was no order for the lights at the toll plaza to be turned off, he stated.
”with regards to the light, i understand there is also a concessionaire that manages the led board on top. they are the ones that have the concession agreement and have the right.
i saw a letter like any other person said that the company said they put off their light because of the curfew that the state government had put in place. those were their points and i have never spoken to the owner of that business not in the last one week, so there’s no communication that will reflect that we influenced that decision. that was a decision a corporate organisation took that because of the curfew they are taking off the led screen.” he said
The Full Text:
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I woke up this morning and did the unusual: I called to speak to all my adult children.
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I did so because I wanted to be sure that they are safe. I also wanted to be assured that the event of yesterday was a nightmare.
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But it was real. This is our new normal. As I speak, many parents and homes are in mourning. Their children, mowed down in their prime by a needless show of force by security forces that were supposed to be protecting them.
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For over a week, our young people have been trying to draw our attention to their grievances, by way of the #EndSARS movement.
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Sadly, it reached a violent crescendo yesterday, with the unprovoked killing of unarmed and peaceful protesters, even while they demonstrated their patriotism by singing the National Anthem.
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I am heartbroken at this turn of events and deeply condole with the families of the victims. I feel their pains and the pains of the injured and maimed.
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There are reports of hospitals refusing to treat the injured from this horrendous incident. I urge all hospitals, private and public, to prioritise the Hippocratic oath and treat every and all of the injured. To save their lives is a task that must be prioritised.
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I call on our armed forces to show restraint. No more lives must be lost. Absolutely none. We must face our common enemies, not our brothers and sisters. And our foes are the terrorists and insurgents, who seek to end the Nigerian way of life.
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Finally, I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to speak to the nation, even as he speedily implements the demands laid out by our young compatriots.
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May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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Thank you.
The military has been asked to immediately release the identity of soldiers that murdered the protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State on Tuesday night.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) made the call while condemning the shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers in Lekki
President of NBA, Olumide Akpata, in a statement, said
“The Military High command is hereby requested to immediately identify and name the officers involved in this gross professional misconduct for immediate prosecution and dismissal in line with extant laws,” Akpata said.
“The NBA shall immediately commence legal proceedings at all relevant fora– both locally and internationally – against the Nigerian Military and other relevant authorities, on behalf of the families of the victims, for abuse of power, disregard of rules of engagement and the infringement of the fundamental rights (including the right to life) of the affected citizens.”.
Akpata pointed out that even if the protesters were in breach of the Lagos government’s curfew, such offense did not warrant the use of live ammunition by the military.
“The NBA believes that the current situation in the country calls for dynamic leadership and, as critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project, invites the President of Nigeria and others in authority to show uncommon leadership in saving the situation, instead of deploying troops against defenceless citizens whom they swore an oath to protect,” the NBA president said.
The Lagos State Government has announced the imposition of a 24-hour curfew in all parts of the state, with effect from 4 pm Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
#ENDSARS protests and demonstrations in the state has been hijacked by criminals and hoodlums, they attacks innocent citizens and destroy properties.
The announcement was made by the State Governor via a tweet thread on his official Twitter handle today.
Sanwo-Olu, in his statement, said, ‘’I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state.”
“As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the #EndSars movement, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our state.
“I, therefore, declare a 24-hour curfew in the state starting from 4 pm today, nobody except emergency responders and essential service providers should be found on the streets.’’
The governor said nobody, except essential service providers and first responders, must be found on the streets.
Also, statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi said due to the new development of violent attacks on police officers and men and formations, including innocent Nigerians in Lagos State, and the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government with effect from 4pm of today 20th October, 2020, the Lagos State Police Command wished to inform the general public that henceforth no protest or gathering or possession, under whatever guise, was permitted within Lagos State.
Suspected hoodlums on Monday intercepted the #EndSARS Protests in Benin City, Edo State capital.
The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media, Crusoe Osagie, said that the
hoodlums exchanged fire with security operatives at the Maximum prison in Benin City.
“The hoodlums are currently exchanging fire with the security personnel at the Maximum-security prison in Oko, Benin City,”. The hoodlums can be seen in videos invading the Benin Medium security prison on Sapele Road, releasing some inmates.
Three police stations were reported to have been burnt by the hoodlums. Some of the police stations affected include the Ugbekun and Idogbo Police Stations in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state.
In the meantime Edo State Government has announced the imposition of 24 hours curfew across the state till further notice given the incidence of jailbreak that happened in Benin and incidents of past days in the state.
In a statement signed by Osarodion Ogie, Secretary to the State Government, Governor Godwin Obaseki Parents were urged to advise their children, and wards, not to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
The Nigeria Police has dismissed and demoted some officers of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The Police Service Commission (PSC) is expected to order the prosecution of 24 other ex-SARS operatives for various acts of misconduct.
Names and service numbers of those sanctioned became public on Saturday.
Abayomi Shogunle, a former Head of the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), and a former Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Dolapo Badmos were demoted.
Full list: Abayomi Shogunle, AP No, 42056; Dominic Agasa, AP No, 120397; Nanbol Lado, AP No, 51071; Ogalgu Tochuckwu, AP No, 190655; Sanusi Rasaki, AP No, 57052, Fakorede Victor, AP No, 41985; Dolapo Badmos, AP No, 87058.
Abdulhameed Awodi, AP No 119444; Erhabo Uwagbie, AP No 86180; Idolor Godsent, AP No 158580; Mustpha Abubakar, AP No 119167; Idoko, AP No 85036; Ilya Aliyu, AP 94982; Asabe Luke, AP No, 130296; Angela Akaro, AP No, 50829.
Iyanda Olufemi AP No, 122857; Gajere Taluwai, AP No, 50569; Ehis Oba, AP No, 129595; Edem Michael, AP No, 1256967; Agha AMA, AP No, 119535; Yusuf Lateef, AP No, 36725; Eliaz Casmir, AP No 57688; Oluwafunmilola, AP No, 122864; Mkay Ali, AP No, 111702.
Ado Doko, AP No, 46664; Sani Muhammad, AP No, 50679; Adamu Shaba, AP No, 140320; Adamu Bunu, AP No, 42565; Giade Sabo, AP No, 50579; Dattijo Abdullahi, AP No, 87072; Yahaya Shem, AP No, 86216; Tijani Richard, AP No, 46670; Nwamanna Nelson, AP No, 46675.
Henry Kaboshio, AP No, 50431; Talba Mohammed, AP No, 119579; John Rotimi, AP 57622; Oviemuno Richard, AP No, 87501; Anonde Christopher, AP No, 90934; Godwin Agbo, AP No, 95853; Dr. Emmanuel Eze, AP No, 50282.
Hassan Hamidu, AP No, 118063; Theresa Nuhu, 59661; Yisa Gana, AP No, 47717; Ekong Sunday, AP No, 63069; Oboh Irene, AP No, 145355; Okoukoin Daniel, AP No, 181311; Ogedegbe Abraham, AP, 86152.
Meanwhile, The Lagos State Government has arrested and is currently probing police officers that were involved in assaulting protesters at the Surulere protest venue.
Lagos Residents on social media have unveiled a young man who engaged violent behavior and attacked peaceful protesters at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday morning .
The thug was identified by some social media users as ”Adagun Osha”.He is from Agege.
Protests began last week in some parts of Nigeria over continued harassment of young people by the infamous Special Anti-Robbery Squad – SARS.
All of a sudden, some ruffians emerged from nowhere wielding dangerous weapons to scare the protesters.
On Tuesday, October 13, the police announced that a new tactical team which is to be known as Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, has been created to replace the disolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
All the same, in a press release delivered on Wednesday evening October 14, Frank Mba said no personnel from the disbanded SARS will be part of the new tactical team. He also disclosed that operatives in the tactical team are restricted from the indiscriminate and unlawful search of phones, laptops, and other smart devices.
According to Mba, some of the important facts about the newly created tactical team include
-No personnel of the defunct SARS will be selected to be part of the new TACTICAL team
-Operations of the new TACTICAL team will ve strictly intelligence-driven
-Members of the new TACTICAL team will by no means embark on routine patrols
-Members of the new TACTICAL team are barred from the indiscriminate and unlawful search of phones, laptops, and other smart devices.
-Operatives of the new TACTICAL team must be free of any pending disciplinary matter especially those touching on misuse of firearms and abuse of human rights.
He pointed out that the sole responsibility of the new tactical team will be
- Response to Robbery attacks
-Response to scenes of weapon-related crimes
-Rescue operations
-Special operations involving high profile criminals
A group of lawyers in Lagos State has joined the ongoing protest against the brutality by men of the Nigeria Police Force.
lawyers in Lagos also joined the protest calling for a total end to operations of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The Solicitors who marched on Tuesday morning with placards warned the police force against threats, intimidation, extra-judicial killings and assaulting unarmed protesters.
In addition, the lawyers warned against harassment of legal practitioners by the force, urged the government to provide better welfare and funding for the police force so as to stop them from having to take bribe from citizens and as well harassing them on roadsides.
A group of lawyers in Lagos State has joined the ongoing protest against the brutality by men of the Nigeria Police Force.
lawyers in Lagos also joined the protest calling for a total end to operations of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The Solicitors who marched on Tuesday morning with placards warned the police force against threats, intimidation, extra-judicial killings and assaulting unarmed protesters.
In addition, the lawyers warned against harassment of legal practitioners by the force, urged the government to provide better welfare and funding for the police force so as to stop them from having to take bribe from citizens and as well harassing them on roadsides.
A riot has broken out in Ogbomoso, Oyo State following on the killing of an indigene, Jimoh Ishaq, during the #EndSARS protest on Saturday.
The palace was reportedly attacked by the rioters, with Oba Oyewumi having to be smuggled out.
It was also learnt that the Minister of Youth and Sport, Sunday Dare as well escaped being hurt.
Police have not identified the shooting victims .
The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has declared incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC)as winner of the Governorship election in Ondo State.
He scored 292,830 votes and defeated, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) who scored 195,791.
Idowu Olayinka, the returning officer of the election, said Akeredolu met all the conditions required to be declared the winner.
“I hereby declare Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the APC winner of the election and he is returned elected,” he said
The Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, Mohammed Adamu, has abolished the most dreadful outfit of the force, the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).
Adamu made the announcement on Sunday, following public objection and protests demanding a scrapping of the unit based on series of allegations connected with brutality and human rights violations.
“The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian Police, otherwise known as SARS, is hereby dissolved across all formations, the 36 state police command and the Federal Capital Territory where they currently exists,” the IGP said.
Also in a statement, the Force Public Relations Office, Force Headquarters, Dcp Frank Mba, said that “the dissolution of SARS is in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people”.
“The Force is not oblivious of the ever-present need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was before now the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad”.
A young Nigerian, Jimoh Isiaq was shot in Ogbomosho during an #EndSars protest on Saturday and later died following the injuries. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has disclosed.The Governor also stated that seven others sustained injuries during the protest and have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses confirmed Isiaq was standing along the road when he was shot.
“I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of one of our children, Jimoh Isiaka, who was shot during the ENDSARS protest in Ogbomoso,” Makinde said on Saturday. “He later died at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, earlier today.
“Also, at this same protest, Abdulrasaq Olawale, Oluwadamilare Gbolohunmi, and five other persons sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
“This situation is highly regrettable. I have contacted the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Nwachukwu Enwonwu, and other relevant agencies, and investigations into what led to the unfortunate incident are still ongoing.”
Many Nigerians have taken to the streets in recent days to call for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, an infamous police unit notorious for hounding and harassing innocent civilians.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has announced a ban on routine patrols for SARS officials. .
When news of the shooting emerged on the internet, most Lagos residents believed that Eze was one of the # EndSARS protesters.
But the Lagos State Police Police Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi clarified that the shooting was not connected with the protest.
Read The Full Statement:
REF NO: CZ: 5650/LA/PPRO/VOL.3/37
POLICE PRESS RELEASE, LAGOS STATE COMMAND, DATED 9TH OCTOBER, 2020.
SHOOTING INCIDENT AT OPEBI IKEJA, NOT LINKED TO #ENDSARS# PROTEST.
The Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the shooting incident at Salvation Bus Stop, Opebi, Ikeja Area of Lagos was not in anyway connected to the ongoing #endsars# protest in the state
At about 9.21pm of Thursday, 8th October, 2020, one Joy Eze, f, of Owonikoko Street, Idiagbon, College Road, Ogba, Lagos, was shot at the mouth by a policeman, who was later identified to be one Sergeant Eze Aiwansoba,m, attached to the Special Protection Unit, Base 16, Ikeja, Lagos State, after fierce argument between the duo who are in a relationship.
As at the time of the incident, the identity of the policeman was unknown, until the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, ordered the Divisional Police Officer, Ikeja, to trace the whereabout of the victim, ascertain her health condition and get more information on the incident and identify the policeman for further necessary actions.
Based on the preliminary investigation, the said police sergeant was off duty and not issued with a police rifle or arms as at the time of the incident, hence the Police's concern on the ownership and/or possession of the arms he used in perpetrating the act.
The Commissioner of Police has ordered that the fleeing policeman, who is attached to another police formation within the state, be arrested by all means and made to face the consequences of his criminal act.
While the Commissioner of Police condemns the act, the command will not in anyway leave any stone unturned in getting justice for the victim and sustain the ethics and Standard Operating Procedure of the Nigeria Police Force; and protect the fundamental human rights of all and sundry across the state.
Similarly, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has appealed to all Lagosians especially protesters across the state, to maintain law and order while they embark on peaceful protests as the police will do everything possible not to infringe on their rights.
SIGNED:
SP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI(mnipr)
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
LAGOS STATE COMMAND
IKEJA
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the brutalization of protesters calling for the end of police harassment in the country.
The Turaki of Adamawa said protests are part of democracy, thereof called on the Authorities to ensure that the youths are heard.
“I woke up to the peaceful #EndSARSProtests going on in Lagos and other cities in the country.
“First, I would like to commend the tenacity of our brave youths who have stayed out on the streets all day and night to make their voices heard. I stand with you all.
“Protests are an essential part of any democracy as we have seen the world over, and should be seen as an opportunity for dialogue between our people and our leaders.
“Thus, it is essential that the fundamental rights of Nigerians to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression must be protected at all costs.
“I strongly condemn any disproportionate use of force on protesters across the nation. I also call on the relevant authorities to ensure our youths are heard, and all incidents of excessive use of force by security agencies against protesters are investigated”
A plot by a militia group that talked about murdering and kidnapping an American politician serving as the 49th governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer was foiled by the FBI, investigators said.
“The group talked about creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient,” investigators wrote in a federal affidavit filed Thursday, The Detroit News reported. "They discussed different ways of achieving this goal from peaceful endeavors to violent actions. At one point, several members talked about state governments they believed were violating the U.S. Constitution, including the government of Michigan and Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
On Wednesday, FBI agents stormed the home of Ty Garbin as part of the investigation that began earlier this year.
Investigators said the plot involved at least six people who considered a violent overthrow of the government on social media. The group, which included a confidential source working with the FBI, met in June in Ohio. The source working with the FBI was paid $8,600.
“Several members talked about murdering ‘tyrants’ or ‘taking’ a sitting governor,” according to the affidavit. “The group decided they needed to increase their numbers and encouraged each other to talk to their neighbors and spread their message.”
The antagonist clique was not identified,but the six people arrested include, Garbin, Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Kalen Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta.
Pope Francis, on Wednesday, said that President Donald Trump of the United States of America “is not Christian.” The Pope was reacting to Trump’s campaign promises to deport more immigrants and force Mexico to pay for a wall along the border.
Francis spoke when a reporter asked him about the President on the papal airliner as he returned to Rome, Italy, after his six-day visit to Mexico.
“A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” he said.
He added that he “was not going to get involved in that” when asked if he was planning on influencing Catholics in how they vote in the presidential election.
“I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that,” Francis pronounced.
“We must see if he said things in that way and in this I give the benefit of the doubt.”
Rev Uma Ukpai, has said those agitating for realization of Biafra are ‘mad people’.
Speaking to reporters in Uyo, headquarters of his ministry, the prominent cleric condemned agitations for Biafra by the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He said anyone agitating for Biafra only confirms the level of his or her madness, He intonated that everybody is mad, the difference only being in the level of madness.
“There will always be crazy people, even when people are seen to be normal. Whoever is agitating for Biafra shows the level of his madness, but everybody is mad, the difference is the level of your madness,” he said.
He also said he is disappointed there are still divisive elements holding the country apart.
According to him until Nigerians begin to love and respect another, it would not make any meaningful progress.
“In Nigeria we are all in a hurry to reach where are going to, so much so that we have no regards for others, no time for others and no love for others.
“As a nation until we love one another, we cannot notice one another, only when we love that which we have, that we can develop. But in Nigeria, we don’t care whether others eat or not.If we have no respect for one another, it also mean we don’t care whether others exist or not,” the cleric lamented.
Answering to contest for restructuring by General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and the controversies it generated, Ukpai said: “I don’t think that he (Adeboye) is not entitled to his opinion.
“He is a man of God and he must have seen what happened during the civil war, which would guide him in the deductions he made. But to me, everybody is entitled to his op
The Founder of the Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Prophet Babatunde Alfa has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty by a High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital over the strange disappearance of a child from his church in 2019.
Justice Olusegun Odusola in his judgement convicted the defendants having found them guilty of the two-count charge of kidnapping and aiding and abetting to kidnap based on the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution.
On the other hand, the 7th defendant was discharged and acquitted after the prosecution counsel could not prove any case against him.
Tajudeen Idris, 47 year old was on Friday, arrested by the men of the Ogun State Police Command, while parading himself as a lawyer, before a Magistrate Court in Ogun State.
Idris was detained when he appeared before Chief Magistrate I.A Arogundade, in Ifo, in a civil trial between one Ifeanyi Chukwu and Ayo Itori.
In a statement by the the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun state , Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Chief Magistrate became suspicious of the suspect as a result of his conduct and presentation before him.
The suspect told the Court that he was called to the bar in the year 2009 when asked. However, his name was not among those that were called to the bar that year.
The DPO of Ifo Division, CSP Adeniyi Adekunle, was alerted and the suspect was immediately apprehended for further investigation.
Antway, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Ajogun has expressed concern about the increase in the number of people impersonating lawyers in the Country.
Oyeyemi said: “The CP recalled that not less than five cases of fake lawyers have been reported since his assumption of office in less than two months ago.
“On the 12th of August 2020, a 56yr old Sylvester Ogbagu was arrested at Shagamu while parading himself as a lawyer, another fake lawyer Adedeji Ebenezer was apprehended in the Court premises at Itori on the 5th of August 2020 while appearing for a client as a lawyer, he was tried and subsequently sentenced to 3 years in prison.
“Another fake lawyer, Elijah Ayodeji Ojo was also arrested in Ajuwon police station on the 28th of June when he came to solicit for a so-called client who was having a criminal matter with the police. Likewise, one Lawrence Oyedunu who was arrested in Sango Ota while presenting himself as a counsel to a suspect.”
The CP, therefore, called on the state branch of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to put necessary machinery in motion to checkmate the activities of these fraudulent people.
He also appealed to those who wish to be a lawyer to take a cue from the determined effort of a traditional ruler in the state “the Towulade of Akinale who at 75yrs of age still endeavours to go to law school because of his interest in the legal profession rather than impersonating.”
It is not clear if this is the same Abeokuta-based lawyer, Idris Tajudeen Olufemi who was arraigned in the year 2014 before a Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta for alleged N13million fraud. The money was said to belong to his clients.
A Texas woman has been sent to federal prison for her role in a multi-million dollar interstate theft ring involving shoplifted goods being sold on the online store eBay.
Authorities said 63-year-old Kim Richardson, of Dallas, “participated in a conspiracy” between Aug. 2000 and April 2019 by stealing items from numerous stores in the united states. She used “shoplifting tools” to disable security devices and would put the items in a large black bag, according to authorities. Then, she sold them on eBay.
Richardson sent the items via the U.S. mail, Federal Express and United Parcel Service.Richardson guilty to charges on 17 December 2019 and was sentenced on Thursday to serve 54 months plus three years of supervised release.
She will also pay $3.8 million in restitution, US Attorney Ryan Patrick announced.
Buyers remitted about $3.8 million throughout the scheme into four PayPal accounts linked to Richardson.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force from undertaking routine patrols
This was announced by the Police in a statement on Sunday afternoon, The IGP warned that the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS and other State Area Commanders will be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR).
SEE FULL STATEMENT HERE:
PRESS RELEASE
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force including the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect. In addition, no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti. They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear. The IGP’s directives come against the backdrop of findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads hide under these guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.
Specifically, the IGP has warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices. They are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.
The IGP notes that the FSARS and other Police Tactical Squads remain a critical component of the Force in confronting prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country. He however condemns every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads. He has therefore ordered the X-Squad and the Monitoring Unit to embark on immediate and massive nationwide monitoring of activities of Tactical Squads and other police officers on the road. They are to ensure prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all erring police officers who violate these directives and other extant regulations of the Force.
The IGP has equally warned, that henceforth, the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS, Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands and the FCT as well as their supervisory Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, will be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR). He therefore charged them to ensure effective supervision and mentoring of the personnel of the Tactical Squads under their jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, INSPR Sale James, INSPR Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens. The operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.
The IGP reaffirms his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians, a reformed Police Force that is accountable, responsible and ever ready to defend and uphold the rights of the citizens while discharging its duties of keeping the people safe and secure. He enjoins the citizens not to allow the misconduct by a few personnel of the Force to negatively impact on their belief, confidence and trust in the Police.
DCP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA
Yakubu "Jack" Gowon is a Nigerian military leader and the head of state of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975.
The former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, rtd, has said that he became the nation’s leader at age 31 by accident.
He spoke at Nigeria’s first virtual reality history competition organised by ANISZA Foundation and Gallery on Friday.
Gowon said, “I felt petrified when I took over as Head of State.”
He narrated that his ambition then was just to be be a good soldier. “I never planned to be the President, it just happened.”
He advised the youths on the right attitudes and values.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19, the president announced on Twitter Thursday night..
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!” he tweeted.
The first lady also tweeted, "As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together."
Dr. Sean Conley, the physician to the president, said in a memo released by the White House, that the Trumps tested positive for SARS-COv-2. "The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence," he wrote in the memo."
Trump had told Sean Hannity on Fox News that he and the first lady had been tested and were awaiting the results.
"So she did test positive," Trump said of Hicks. "I just heard about this. She tested positive. She's a hard worker. A lot of masks. She wears masks a lot. But she tested positive. I just went out with a test. The first lady also went out with a test. So whether we quarantine or whether we have it, I don't know .... So I just went for a test and we'll see what happens. Who knows."
He added, "She's fantastic and she's done a great job. But it's very, very hard when you're with people from the military and law enforcement and they want to hug you and kiss you ... I was surprised to hear about Hope, but she's a very warm person ... She knows there is a risk. But she is young. I went out for test and the first lady also, because we spent a lot of time with Hope. So we'll see what happens."
Security was tight in Hong Kong early on Thursday with paddy wagon dotting the streets ahead of an expected China national day march by pro-democracy protesters, in spite of authorities prohibiting the presentation.
Groups of officers in riot equipment carried out stop-and-search operations along an expected marching path connecting the prime shopping district of Causeway Bay with the administrative Admiralty district.
Late on Wednesday, authorities stated they had actually detained 5 individuals for prompting involvement in unlawful assemblies online.
Local paper South China Morning Post reported previously today about 6,000 officers would be released on a day of increased alert, mentioning unnamed sources.
Anti- federal government demonstrations, which typically turned violent in 2019, have actually been smaller sized and less this year due to coronavirus constraints on group events and worries over a sweeping national security law enforced by Beijing on June 30.
But there have actually been calls online for demonstrations in a number of districts after a march application by Civil Human Rights Front, which arranged million-people marches in 2015, was dismissed by authorities mentioning COVID-19 and violence at previous marches.
It was uncertain the number of individuals would sign up with any presentations.
“I don’t think protesting is an effective way to express my opinion, because the government tries every method to suppress protests,” stated 22-year-old Lee as she took a look at a group of policeman throughout the street.
Four members of the League of Social Democrats, led by veteran activist Leung Kwok- hung, referred to as Long Hair, marched holding a banner reading “There is no national day event, just national grieving.” Four is the optimal number of individuals enabled to collect under coronavirus constraints.
The Oct 1 China national day is frowned at by numerous democracy advocates in Hong Kong who state Beijing is wearing down the comprehensive liberties the previous British nest was guaranteed when it went back to Chinese guideline in 1997.
For pro-Beijing advocates, it is a chance to attract patriotism in China’s most restive city.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam went to a subtle flag raising event in addition to other authorities onThursday The federal government did not open up the event to the general public, mentioning health dangers.
Lam stated the brand-new national security law has actually brought back stability in Hong Kong.
“Myself and my colleagues will fearlessly continue to fulfil our responsibility to uphold and protect national security with determination,” she stated.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Hakeem Odumosu, has instructed operatives to stop societies, under whatever disguise, from staging rallies or protests on October 1.
He read the riot act on Wednesday during a security meeting with the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Department at the State Headquarters in Ikeja.
Odumosu warned that the command will not allow gatherings against the sovereignty of Nigeria.
The Police boss advised parents and guardians to ask their children and wards to stay away from demonstrations against the federal government.
“Anyone arrested for such actions will be prosecuted”, the commissioner warned.
He implored the public to be law-abiding and desist from acts capable of disrupting the sovereignty of the nation.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Information and Communication Technology, Celestine Okoye, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, told police officers to maintain law and order in Lagos and check forces that can disintegrate Nigeria.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has Monday directed Senator Elisha Abbo PDP, Adamawa North who slapped a woman repeatedly at a sex toy shop on May 11, 2019 to pay the sum of fifty million naira (N50), to Osimibibra Warmate for assault.
The senate member was reported to have entered a sex toy shop around 6pm, with three young ladies to purchase adult toys.
While shopping for the toys, one of the three girls started throwing up. She vomited multiple times, the shop owner passed a comment that the woman should have vomited outside and not inside her shop.
Abbo, who was upset by the sudden illness of the girl accused the shop owner of poisoning the store’s air conditioner, but the shop owner’s difference of opinion was said to have angered Abbo, The senator was said to have called a policeman who he then ordered to arrest the shop owner.
The shop owner quickly called her father to inform him that Abbo had called police over the matter and that she was about to be taken away.
The shop owner’s friend who had been standing nearby tried to intervene by pleading with the second man to take things easy but was slapped repeatedly by the lawmaker.
The assault was reported on May 14 at the Maitama Area Command Headquarters on Nile Street, but the police told the victim to go look for Abbo’s telephone number or they would not be able to do anything about it.
He was later arraigned by the police before a magistrate court in Zuba, on a one-count charge for assaulting Warmate. Abdullahi Ilelah, the magistrate, upheld the no-case submission filed by the lawmaker and dismissed the case.
However, Warmate continued to file a fundamental rights suit marked CV/2393/19 before the FCT high court, which has now ruled in her favour.
The Nigeria Labour congress chapter in Lagos State has said all sectors including aviation, banks and others would be shut as workers would gather together to protest on Sept. 28.
The Union also echoed its position to carry on with the strike action in a closed-door meeting between its leaders and Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila.
Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the proposed strike by the organized labour will still go ahead unless the federal government decides to quickly address the pending issues.
The Deputy Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Amaechi Asogwuni, said at a news conference on Sunday in Lagos ahead of the protest march.
“No airport will be in operation in Nigeria; banks are not expected to function, so no business owners should risk himself for Nigerian workers have taken that decision. "
“We are the workers and we are withdrawing our services; we have the right to do so because protests are our constitutional right.
“And I believe we will enforce it; schools shall remain closed until this action ends, ” he said.
Asogwuni advised Nigerians to support the protest, “We must ensure that all sectors remained shut as a voice to the government to respond to the cry of Nigerians.
“On the issue of PMS, what was expected of government was to engage its socio-partners which include labour as a stakeholder.
“The government did not do that at a time it ought to; it failed in its duty to engage labour before time. “On the issue of electricity, government had earlier had an interaction with labour in Kano and we discouraged it from proceeding.
“It was a big shock that it still went ahead to dare Nigerians; people depend on power and you cannot wake up over night and strengthen suffering.
“We resist it and call on Nigerians to join, because in democracy it is our voice that makes the difference,” he said.
Jihadist fighters linked to the Islamic State group on Friday killed several security personnel in an ambush on the convoy of the Borno State governor, the Agence France Presse (AFP) reported Friday night quoting sources.
Sources told AFP that eight policemen, three soldiers, and four members of a government-backed militia were killed in the attack on vehicles carrying Borno governor Babagana Umara Zulum near the town of Baga on the shores of Lake Chad.
The revolters opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades as the convoy was passing through a village close to the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force, a military coalition of troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
“The governor escaped unhurt but 15 security men on the convoy were killed in a fierce battle with the terrorists”, one source said.
Zulum was on an assessment tour of Baga in preparation for the return of thousands of residents displaced from the town by the jihadists in 2014, the sources said.
The governor flew on a helicopter into the garrison town of Monguno, 60 kilometres (40 miles) away, and headed to Baga in a convoy under tight security, one of the sources said.
The IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group maintains most of its camps on islands in Lake Chad and the region is known as a bastion for the jihadists.
In July Zulum’s convoy came under gun attack from ISWAP outside Baga, forcing him to cancel his trip to the town.
Chief Sunday igboho determined to go on a Rescue mission on 22nd September 2020 to support the people of Kishi in Oyo State with the Nigeria army, Civil defense, police, and Vigilante group.
The herdsmen have been disturbing the people of Kishi town and killing them with no justification.
Kisi is located at the northern part of Oyo state and is the headquarters of Irepo local government.
Drovers have been disturbing the peace of the people of Kishi town in Oyo state.
Chief Sunday igboho said that he really appreciates all those in support of this mission most especially the Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde, the Nigeria Army, Civil defense, police, Vigilante groups, and those that volunteer their lives to face the herdsmen.
Igboho also said those herdsmen are very much dangerous and their fighting weapon is much powerful.
He also disclosed that he is not working for money and nobody gave him money to fight for the peace of the people.
Iwo kingmakers has petitioned Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola to dethrone their monarch, Abdulrasheed Adewale, the Oluwo of Iwoland over his alleged unlawful activities ,They stated that Abdulrasheed was convicted in the United States of America in 1998 and Canada between 2006 to 2007.
In the petition addressed to Governor Oyetola dated 9th September, 2020 titled, “Petition for removal of Oba Adewale Abdilrasheed Akanbi (Oluwo of Iwo) from the throne of Iwo land” signed by the kingmakers ,they alleged that Oluwo concealed his criminal past which does not qualify him to be on the throne from them.
According to the concerned kingmakers, Oluwo Akanbi concealed his conviction for securities fraud by a United States of America District court. They alleged that Alamni was convicted for securities fraud in 1998 by the U. S District of Massachusetts. They added that the court convicted him for 15 months imprisonment, and barred him from entering United States for life. He was allegedly deported back to Nigeria after serving the jail terms.
The powers behind the throne also said that Oluwo Akanbi migrated to Canada in the year 2000 and obtained Canadian citizenship where he was again convicted between 2006 and 2007 for another crime.
They added that, “however, on the 21st March, 2011 at Peace Bridge Port Entry Buffalo New York, United States, the present Oluwo attempted to enter United States despite being barred for life from entry as a result of 1998 conviction. He was promptly arrested by Cisttom and Border Protection Officer. A background check was conducted on him which revealed more things”
“He was the driver of the vehicle bearing Nova Scotia license plate
” He provided Canadian passport as proof of identity.
“The passport bear his photo and listed his name as Prince Adewale Akanbi
” The Custom and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) named Fudelia conducted a CBP Database queries on Oluwo and discovered that Prince Akanbi had criminal conviction in Canada.
“The CBPO conducted biometric fingerprint on Oluwo’s fongerprints. The scoms revealed a positive match under FBI number and other file number. The name associated with those records was Segun Adewale Adeonigbagbe.'”
Among the chief makers who signed the petition are; Chief Raufu Murana Olorunlampe (Balogun), Chief Fatai Alani Olaoye (Onto), Chief Yekeen Bello Orobimpe (Oosa), Chief Ganiyu Kazeem Ayinde (Jagun) and Chief Moses Akanmu Ajao (Ọlọya).
Others are; Chief Baṣiru Ajani Akinṣọla (Olukọtun), Chief Lamidi Mọrufu Oyeleke (Ọḍọfin), Chief Suraju Bello (Onju), Chief Lateef Ishọla (Agoro), Chief Moshood Amọo (Aṣape), Chief Rasaki Akanmu Tijani (Olukosi) and Chief Amao Ọlaoṣebikan Taiwo (Aro).
The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has already started the investigation of Felix Osilama Okpoh, an alleged fraudster on the watchlist of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, for his involvement in a $6 million internet fraud, the agency said in a statement .
Okpoh, Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh, Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Abiola Ayorinde Kayode and Nnamdi Orson Benson, had been previously declared wanted by the FBI in 2019 for their alleged involvement in a Business Email Compromise, BEC, scheme that defrauded over 70 businesses in the United States, of over $6,000,000.
The suspect allegedly provided over forty bank accounts to his conspirators, which were used to receive fraudulent wire transfers from their victims totaling over $1,000, 000.
He was, on August 21, 2019, indicted in the United States District Court, District of Nebraska, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The EFCC said Okpoh, on Friday, September 18, 2020, turned himself in at the Lagos Zonal Office of the Commission in company with his parents, Col. Garuba Okpoh(retd.) and Chief (Mrs.) Justina Okpoh.
Okpoh, during interrogation, said he decided to surrender himself to the Commission out of respect he had for his parents and his resolve to be morally upright, the agency said.
Former Imo state governor, Okorocha, said there is no more APC, saying what is left of the party is respect for President Buhari - The Imo West senator made the statement after the party's unsuccessful political failure in the just concluded Edo governorship election - Okorocha blamed the crisis in the party to the alleged forcing out of the founding members to the background.
The senator described the loss suffered by his political party in Edo as a “revolution of the masses against injustice."
He added that President Muhamamadu Buhari is the only factor keeping the APC together.
“There is no more APC, what we have is the respect for President Muhammadu Buhari," Okorocha was quoted as saying by Punch.
The former governorship candidate in Imo State, Uche Nwosu, also blasted Oshiomhole for the party’s defeat in Edo. “All he did was to try to muzzle people to accept a candidate they never wanted.
A woman suspected of having mailed an envelope containing ricin to the White House was detained this weekend while trying to enter the United States from Canada by the U.S Customs and Border Protection agents.
She was also carrying a gun ,according to the law enforcement official.
No further information about the suspect was immediately available.
U.S Government confiscated an envelope addressed to the White House that contained the poison ricin, a law enforcement agent announced to the The Associated Press on Saturday.
The letter was intercepted at a government facility that screens mail addressed to the White House and President Donald Trump, investigation determined it tested positive for ricin, a poison found naturally in castor beans, according to the official. Investigation is ongoing.
A former United States of America army officer, Major Jide Ijadare (retd.), kidnapped in Ekiti State has won back his freedom after spending four days in bondage.
Ijadare was kidnapped about 2.05p.m on Tuesday at his palm oil producing factory on Tuesday in company with one of his staff. Also, a contractor working with the factory was also shot dead by the gunperson.
Although the family source did not revealed the amount of money paid to the kidnappers as ransom. Meanwhile, another family member on Wednesday disclosed that the abductors called a few hours after the kidnapping and demanded N20m as ransom.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Sunday Abutu, confirmed that the victims had been freed, but said that the police were not aware of any liberation money being paid before the release.
“We are not aware of any ransom being paid.
” We believe he was released after the pressure the security agencies and local hunters had put on them by combing the surrounding bushes,” he said.
A Texas woman who collected almost $2 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic was arrested Tuesday by federal authorities on fraud allegations.
Lola Shalewa Barbara Kasali, of Houston, was charged with making false statements to a financial institution, wire fraud, bank fraud and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions, according to a U.S. Department of Justice statement.
But, a Nigerian woman Lola Kasali response is contrary to the news, according to her facebook post. She said the young lady mentioned and picture attached to the crime was due to the same first and last name .
"I would like to address and clarify a serious matter of an article that was recently published with my first and last name along with my picture concerning fraud. Many of you think that it is me but it is a matter of mistaken identity. A young 22-year-old lady who lives in Houston Texas and is named Lola Shalewa Barbara Kasali was arrested on Tuesday, September 15th for allegedly obtaining nearly $2 million in COVID Relief Funds fraudulently. She is currently detained by the federal government and the case is actively ongoing. However, there is a post about it with my picture that was obtained from my Facebook account attached to the story of the young lady circulating around the internet. This is defamation of my character since the person that wrote the article did not properly check his sources to make sure he had the right picture of the suspect in custody. I have never been to Texas, nor have I ever carried out any business of my own. I am employed and currently working from home. The police have been involved to make sure this is not identity theft! We are looking for the person who used my picture for a crime that has nothing to do with me and has caused grief and distress to my family and me. I just wanted to utilize this page to clear my name even though I haven’t used this account in years! I have attached the article for the arrest of this young woman and the image that is going around with my picture. Once again the young lady mentioned is NOT ME and my picture was obtained and attached to this crime due to the same first and last name without my knowledge".
A 33-year-old agent of the Department of State Services (DSS), Sadiq Abdullahi Bindawa, has been killed by his suspected abductors after receiving the sum of N5 million as ransom from his friends and relatives in Katsina State.
The former officer who until his death, worked with the DSS intelligence in Abuja.
According to credible family sources, Bindawa and his four-year-old son were in Katsina last Friday to spend the weekend with their relatives.
The assailants in a commando-style operation were said to have trailed the victim to his house located behind the Federal Secretariat Complex, Dandagoro area, Katsina, at about 10:30p.m.
The kidnappers first attacked the private security guards at the entrance of the building before rushing in and drove Bindawa to an unknown destination.
A family member said that the hoodlums demanded a ransom barely 48 hours after his abduction. He said the kidnappers earlier demanded N13 million as ransom, but after a series of pleading and negotiations, they agreed to N5 million for his freedom.
“He was about entering his residence behind federal secretariat on Saturday night at about 10:30pm after returning from our family house when the kidnappers forcefully removed him from his car after beating his security guard to comma. We reported the incident to Batagarawa police station but nothing was done.
“On Sunday, the kidnappers called through his phone line and demanded N13 million as ransom before they will release him, but after a series of pleading and negotiations they agreed to N5 million and said we should meet them in Charanchi and give them the money.
“We took the N5 million to them on Sunday in Charanchi as negotiated. After the payment, they said we should go and receive him in Kurfi town on Monday morning. But when we reached there, we met his dead body with multiple gunshots on his head, ears and back. We buried him on Monday.”
In July 2019, we announced the imposition of visa restrictions on Nigerians who undermined the February and March 2019 elections.
Today, the Secretary of State is imposing additional visa restrictions on individuals for their actions surrounding the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa State elections and in the run up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections. These individuals have so far operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and have undermined democratic principles. https://bit.ly/32vD96M
We're committed to working with the Nigerian government to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. Nigerians deserve free, fair, transparent & peaceful elections.
Hours after his arrest, the most wanted Rivers State criminal and notorious killer, Honest Digbara, aka Boboski is dead. He died following multiple gunshot injuries and machete wounds sustained during the crossfire that led to his arrest this morning.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Joseph Mukan, announced that Boboski was arrested early hours of Saturday in a sting operation assisted by vigilante in the Ogoni neighborhood
The police boss said the arrest of the criminal followed credible information by members of the public. To Mukan, Boboski and his gang members were responsible for the kidnapping and killing of one Barrister Emelogu after collecting ransom.
He is also responsible for the killing of a Divisional Crime Officer Afam Division, SP Moses Egbede, as well as the killing of a soldier and personnel of Civil Defence at Gio pipeline in Ogoni last year, killing of two Policemen at a Federal Highway at Botem among others,” he said.
The first public demonstration for a flying car in Japan was conducted by Sky Drive Inc. on August 25, the company said in a news release, at the Toyota Test Field, the location to the car company's development base.
The car, named SD-03, manned with a pilot, took off and circled the field for about four minutes.
"We are extremely excited to have achieved Japan's first-ever manned flight of a flying car in the two years since we founded SkyDrive... with the goal of commercializing such aircraft," CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa said in a statement.
"We want to realize a society where flying cars are an accessible and convenient means of transportation in the skies and people are able to experience a safe, secure, and comfortable new way of life."
The SD-03 is the world's smallest electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle and takes up the space of about two parked cars, according to the company. It has eight motors to ensure "safety in emergency situations."
"In designing an unexplored, new genre of transportation known as the flying car, we chose the keyword "progressive" for inspiration," Design Director Takumi Yamamot said.
"We wanted this vehicle to be futuristic, charismatic and desirable for all future customers, while fully incorporating the high technology of SkyDrive.
The company will continue to develop technologies to safely and securely launch the flying car in 2023, the news release said.
The Nigerian Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, yesterday turned over a suspect with 2,886 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The command said the suspect was nabbed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to board an Emirates evacuation flight to Dubai.
Deputy Controller of Customs, MMIA Area Command, Abdulmumin Bako, who made this revelation while handing over the suspect to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Lagos, said the suspect was detained during outward screening of passengers.
“At about 11:45a.m. on August 22, at the departure hall gate ‘B’ of the MMIA, Abubakar was intercepted with 2,886 ATM cards and four SIM cards by our officers on duty. The ATM and SIM cards were carefully concealed in a noodles’ carton by the suspect.
" The suspect claimed that one Mr Musliu was assigned to him to facilitate his movement through the checks at the airport by one Mr Suleiman, but the diligence of our officers, who insisted on conducting physical examination, revealed the concealment.”
The Lagos Zonal Head, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, said the ATM cards could be used for money laundering or foreign exchange malpractices. He pledged that everyone involved in the scheme would be arrested and prosecuted .
The EFCC said though it is not a crime to be with ATM cards, but for a person to be in possession of 2,886 at a time brings about lots of suspicion.
Bawa also raised fresh alarm of Nigerians selling their bank accounts information to fraudsters, saying it has been the latest trend. “In the last couple of years, we noticed a new trend whereby Nigerians are selling off their bank accounts to fraudsters. The fraudsters advise them to open bank accounts and they buy them off for as low as N10,000.”
The operation AYEM APKATUMA III of the Nigerian military has explained how it killed Benue most wanted gang leader Terwase Akwaza popularly known as Gana. He was killed during a gunbattle with military men along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road, on Tuesday.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday night in Doma LGA of Nasarawa state, headquarters of the 4 Special Forces Command where the lifeless body of Gana was paraded, the Commandant, Major General Moundhey Gadzama Ali said: “I invited you this evening to witness another breakthrough by troops on operation AYEM APKATUMA III
“At about 1200hrs today, we received strategic information on the movement of the dreaded bandit named Terwase Akwaza Agbadu AKA Gana along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road
“Troops on operation AYEM APKATUMA III moved swiftly and mounted snap road blocks along routs at 1300hrs, there was a meeting engagement with the convoy of the dreaded bandit AKA Gana
“A shot out ensured and he was killed. During search, the following were recovered, Qty 5 AK 47,Qty 1 FN rifle, Qty 2 Beretta pistol, Qty3 pump action guns, Qty 1 locally fabricated sub machine, Qty 10 Dane gun, Qty 19 browsing pistols, Qty 35 fabricated revolver pistols and Qty 2 fabricated mortars.”
Other ammunition recovered, according to him, include Qty 766 rounds of 7.62mm special, Qty 27.9mm rounds, Qty 26.pump action cartridge
He said Qty1. Machine ,Qty2 waist charms,Qty2.finger ring charms and Qty2 fabricated improvised explosives were also recovered.
He further explained 40 of his men have been captured in the operation and under custody to be handed over to the civil authorities for prosecution.
Gana had earlier accepted to lay down arms following an amnesty programme extended to criminals by the state.
Kolapo Oduwole, an employee of Union Bank has been indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] for an alleged N80m Fraud.
Oduwole was alleged to have forged signatures of the Relationship Manager of the bank on three fixed deposit certificates, presented same to some customers and later got customers to deposit their funds in deposits accounts managed only by him.
He was arraigned before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court by the Kano Zonal Office of the EFCC on six counts bordering on forgery and fraud.
According to Dele Oyawale, Head, Media and Publicity, in a statement by EFCC said in one of the charges said:
“That you, Kolapo Oduwole, on the 3rd March, 2020, at Katsina, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, forged a certain document to wit: Re: Investment of N80m only with intent to cause damage to one Abubakar Mohammed by making him to believe that you had placed the money in a fixed deposit with Union Bank, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 340 and punishable under Section 341 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State 2019.”
The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution counsel, Aisha Habib, applied for his remand in EFCC’s custody.
The founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, has advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to negotiate with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities and fix up public universities for reopening.
In the message made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the ABUAD founder recommended that “private universities should be given the first consideration for resumption”.
He said, “on account of the moral and physical discipline, quality and functional education, hygienic and safe environment, predictable academic calendar, absence of trade unionism, committed teachers, modern teaching equipment and laboratories, and adequate preparation to prevent COVID-19 as well as fully residential status of private universities.”
Babalola added, “Private universities are fully residential for both the students and staff. As a result, the students in private universities are better disciplined, better and easier to control, better mentored unlike their counterparts in public university 80 per cent of who come from home in public transport. Most, if not all, of the private universities, have their campuses fenced with full control over who comes in and who goes out.
“I believe that most private universities have complied or are in a position to comply with the provisions required by the PTF before the universities can reopen. I, therefore, suggest that the Pro-Chancellors should ask any university that has all the requirements to apply for inspection of the university and where a university has all the equipment and materials, it be given approval to reopen.”
The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor will be in the United Kingdom from October as a visiting fellow at the Oxford University institution’s African Studies Department.
As far as he's concerned, service to the nation does not have to be through only politics and recalled how he “started off as an academic and after just two years, I completed my masters and went into banking for some reasons. I have been a banker, a regulator, an emir.
“People have been talking to me about politics when I was in the CBN. I have never had an interest in partisan politics,” he said in an Arise TV interview”.
He added: “The nature of my family is that we consider ourselves the leaders of the poorer people and you know politics can be very divisive.
“All I can say is that this not an objective for me.”
“I can’t see the future, so I will take life as it goes.
“I am in no hurry. I see my life as a life of service but I just don’t think that public service is limited to elected office, and any opportunity I have to serve, I will take as long as it is a role I think I am capable of delivering. But I have no immediate plans to go into politics.”
While at Oxford, Sanusi aims to write three books, one of which will be Central Bank Response to Global Financial Crisis: A Case Study of the Central Bank of Nigeria 2009-2013.’
Mary Hester Powell, age 98, beloved cousin and friend, died peacefully August 27, 2020, at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC.
Mary Hester was born in Oyo, Nigeria, West Africa, to missionary parents, the late Rev. Julius Carlyle Powell and Rosa Beatrice Hocutt Powell, on May 21, 1922. She was given a special Yoruba name, ‘Abiose,’ meaning ‘Born on Sunday.’ Her birth was registered as an American citizen in Ghana, the nearest consulate.
In her early years she was home-schooled in Nigeria through the Calvert School of Baltimore, MD. Beginning in the fifth grade, her education continued in the States. Mary Hester graduated from Meredith College in 1942 and from John Hopkins Hospital School of Nursing in 1948.
She was appointed by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1949 as a nurse to the Frances Jones Memorial Nursing Home in Ogbomosho, Nigeria. Mary Hester also had charge of the Kersey Home in Ogbomosho, an orphanage for children whose mothers had died in childbirth. Later she was instructor/supervisor of women’s and isolation wards at the nursing school associated with Baptist Hospitals in Ogbomosho and later Eku, Nigeria.
In 1962 Mary Hester returned to the States due to the failing health of her parents, now retired from the mission field and living in Warsaw, NC. From 1963-1987 Mary Hester worked part-time as a staff nurse at Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC.
She was an active member of Warsaw Baptist Church, serving as Deacon, Sunday School teacher, choir member, and director of the Women’s Missionary Union. She also remained active in professional nursing organizations, including the Baptist Nursing Fellowship and the North Carolina State Nurses Association. She traveled widely to speak about mission work in Nigeria. Upon her move to Greenville NC, she became an associate member of Immanuel Baptist church.
In 2000, she moved to Greenville’s Cypress Glen Retirement Community, where she was beloved for her wit, her helpfulness, and her winsome personality. She was a member of the chapel choir at Cypress Glen, the Community Pops Singers, and the Barefoot Club. The family is grateful for the loving kindness and generosity of all the staff at Cypress Glen.
In 2018, Dr. David Gasperson published a biography of Mary Hester Powell and her parents: The Powells of Nigeria. 87 Years of Missionary Service. The book is available through Amazon.
Mary Hester had no siblings, but she is survived by a host of Hocutt and Powell cousins, whose lives she richly blessed.
Due to Covid concerns, a service will be held at a later date when it is safe for family and friends to gather to celebrate Mary Hester’s life of service.
Memorials may be made to Warsaw Baptist Church, 209 E. College Street, Warsaw, NC 28398; or to the Benevolent Fund at Cypress Glen, 100 Hickory Street, Greenville, NC 27858; or to the Hocutt Memorial Scholarship of the WMU Foundation, 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242.
Credit - Wilkerson Funeral Home
Tyler Perry, who was once homeless, is unmistakably a billionaire, according to Forbes. The 51-year-old entertainer has earned $1.4 billion in pre-tax income since 2005, the money outlet reports.
He owns the entirety of his creative output, including more than 1,200 episodes of television, 22 feature films and at least two dozen stage plays, as well as a 330-acre studio lot at the edge of Atlanta’s southern limits,” the outlet claims. “He used that control to leverage a deal with ViacomCBS that pays him $150 million a year for new content and gives him an equity stake in BET+, the streaming service it debuted last September.
"I love when people say you come from 'humble beginnings,' " Perry said in his Forbes billionaire interview. "[It] means you were poor as hell." It also makes success sweeter. "Ownership changes everything."
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the chairman Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has warned Nigerians to remain vigilant in spite of the lowest number of cases recorded in four months.
Mr Boss Mustapha, gave the caution on Monday at the briefing of the task force in Abuja.
He said, “For us in Nigeria, the last three weeks have shown a slowdown in the number of confirmed cases. Indeed, in the last four months of testing, the lowest daily figure of confirmed cases (138) was reported on August 30.
“The PTF still urges caution and vigilance on the declining numbers because the virus is still potent and very dangerous.” According to the SGF, this position is informed by the fact that despite the nation’s enhanced testing capacity, the number of samples collected for testing have not been encouraging.
He also advised states to expand the scope of their sample collection.
A helicopter crash has killed two people and seriously injured one person in Lagos State on Friday, according to a state official. Sources say that the helicopter a Bird 206, which belongs to Quorum Aviation, came in from Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital with two crew members and a passenger.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile, the injured victim has been taken to the hospital, while the dead bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.
The helicopter crashed at 16A Salvation, Opebi Road in Ikeja, Lagos.
Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of aviation, says the Nigeria Union of Journalists (N U J) misunderstood the flare-up between him and a reporter.
He attacked Eyo Charles , a journalist who asked him a question at a press conference in Calabar, Cross River state, last week.
In a statement released on his social media handles, described the question by the journalist, as “an assertion and insult”, saying he has been arranged by his political enemies who wanted to give him a hard time.
The full Statement:
During my tour of the South and after a long and successful press conference in Calabar, Cross Rivers state, a journalist put up his hand for the last question and said,
"Well we do not know who is bankrolling you".
This is not a question but an assertion and an insult.
And if this insulting ASSERTION were made before Trump or OBJ I know how they would have reacted.
Below is my response and I have no apology to offer for it.
The young man apologised to me during the press conference and sent his apologies to me after the conference. I have accepted his apologies in good faith and moved on.
I have always had respect for journalists and I always will. Those of them that know me or have worked with or for me over the last 30 years can attest to that.
However there is a distinction between asking a question and offering a gratuitous insult .
This is all the more so when it is clear that the assertion was sponsored and engineered by my political enemies who wanted to use the young man to insult and embarrass me and question my integrity. Well they got more than they bargained for.
I repeat this was not a question but an assertion and an insult and I will not accept that from any man born of woman. Thank you.
ADDENDUM:
Permit me to add the following to my earlier statement. I have taken note of the report by Daily Trust on the incident. The content is false. I didn't send any of my security men to threaten their reporter.
I only reprimanded him for a premeditated plan to embarrass me and he apologised thereafter. That was all.
This is not a battle between me and the esteemed Nigerian journalists who respect the ethics of the noble profession.
I have always been and will always be a friend to journalists and a champion of freedom of speech. What I will not accept are brazen insults from an individual in the name of journalism.
The assertion or assumption that I am being bankrolled by anyone is deeply insulting.
Finally to the NUJ I say you have got me completely wrong. It would have been better if you had heard my own side of the story and established who was behind this whole incident and attempt to embarrass me, who paid for it and how much they paid before going to press. Nevertheless I still hold you in high esteem.
No fewer than 100 Nigerian students in northern Cyprus have been killed in the last four years, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIODCOM) made this known on Monday and warned Nigerian parents against sponsoring their children to universities in the country.
The students were killed between 2016 and 2020, in mysterious circumstances. Their attackers were never prosecuted for the crime, NiDCOM said in a statement.
She gave the warning when she received in her office, a delegation led by Justice Amina Bello, mother of a Nigerian student, Ibrahim Khaleel Bello, who was allegedly killed in unexplainable occurrences in a country that is not recognized by united nation.
The NIDCOM boss, who read out 15 names of Nigerians from a list of more than 100 who were killed in the country, said it was difficult to employ international diplomacy in investigation as the country was only recognised by Turkey.
“The death of Ibrahim Khaleel should be the tipping point to a stop in the killing of our children anywhere in the World, particularly Northern Cyprus.
“It is not only Ibrahim. Kennedy Dede 28, Augustine Ngok, Gabriel Sorewei, Osabanjo Owoyale, Augustine Wallace, Stanley Eteno, Hassan Babatunde, Temitayo Adigun, and Kubat Abraham are just a few of the ones that we even know.
“The problem is that most Nigerian parents do not know that Northern Cyprus is not recognised by any country in the world.
“It is not a UN-recognised country. It is only recognised by Turkey.
“That is why we have not been able to do much. Who do you report to? Thousands of Nigerian students are schooling there and I tell you that hundreds have been killed. Who do you take these cases to?
“And they are killed in similar circumstances. The school just tells you ‘well, they committed suicide’ and nothing happens.
“We are going to list all these names of Nigerians that have been killed and we demand justice. There has been no prosecution and no compensation.
“No Nigerian parent should send their children to any university in Northern Cyprus – there is a collaboration which we do not understand that makes them kill blacks, particularly our Nigerian students,” she said.
She assured the mother of the deceased student that the commission would work with her to demand justice, not only for her son but also for other Nigerians, who have been killed while studying in that country.
She said that the case had already been transferred to INTERPOL through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
PRESS RELEASE
SUSPECTED OYO SERIAL KILLER, SUNDAY SHODIPE, BACK IN POLICE CUSTODY
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Police Command, have re-arrested the notorious murder suspect, Sunday Shodipe who escaped from lawful custody on 11th August, 2020. He was re-arrested today, Sunday, 23rd August, 2020 by Police operatives at the Bodija area of Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
It would be recalled that the erstwhile fugitive is a prime suspect in multiple murder of innocent citizens at Akinyele Local Government Area, Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM,mni while commending the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu and his Team for a job well done, equally expressed his sincere appreciation to the citizens for their support and understanding while the manhunt for the rearrested Shodipe lasted.
Meanwhile, the IGP has warned against any form of complacency on the part of the operatives of the Oyo State Police Command, stressing that all hands must be on deck to bring the case to a positive and successful closure.
DCP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA
Former Vice President Joe Biden accepted the presidential nomination on this year’s party ticket on Thursday at the fourth and final night of the Democratic National Convention.
Joe Biden takes the stage for a series of concluding remarks for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
"Too much anger, too much fear, too much division. Here and now, I give you my word: If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst. I'll be an ally of the light, not the darkness. It's time for us — for we the people — to come together," Biden set in motion. He then accepts the nomination for President of the United States and said:
"The current president's cloaked American darkness for much too long," Biden said of the current administration. He continued by lauding former President Barack Obama. "A president our children could and did look up to. No one's going to say that about the current occupant of the White House," Biden said.
"He's failed to protect us," he said of President Donald Trump. "He's failed to protect America."
He hinted things would only get worse if Trump remains president. "You know what will happen," he began. "Cases and deaths will remain far too high. More mom and pop businesses will close their doors and this time, for good. Working families will struggle to get by, and still, the 1% will get tens of billions of dollars in new tax breaks."
Blue-eyed Kwara woman, Risikat Azeez, seems to have made peace with her husband, Wasiu Omo-Dada, as they teamed up for a lovely photoshoot recently.
Riskiat went viral a few weeks ago after a Twitter user shared her story online.She accused her husband, Wasiu Dada of abandoning her and their daughters because of their unique blue eyes.
The husband however granted another interview where he denied abandoning them because of the color of their eyes. The first lady of Kwara state, Olufolake Abdulrasaq, last week revealed that Risikat has asked to be reunited with her husband.
Dubai crown prince, Hamdan bin Mohammed has paid the hospital bill of a Nigerian family that was stranded in the country.
Mr. Tijani and Mrs. Suliyah Abdulkareem on July 1, 2020, welcomed their quadruplets at the Latifa Hospital for Women and Children but could not pay up the medical bill equaled to $120,000.
They incurred the medical bill after their babies (two boys and two girls) were placed on ventilators at the neonatal intensive care unit after being born prematurely.
Expressing gratitude to Hamdan bin Mohammed for coming to their aid, Abdulkareem said two of the children will be named after him while one of the girls will be named after the hospital.
He said;
“It’s just a huge favour, and we are still in shock because we didn’t even know how to get the money. I had been sleepless wondering how to pay the bill."
The 32-year-old chef also thanked the Nigerian community and everyone who assisted his family pay for two months rent for a bigger place to accommodate the quadruplets.
Abdulkareem added;
“We have been getting calls from Portuguese and Brazilian nationals in Dubai. People have been trying to reach us.
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REPORT ON THE DEATH OF FLYING OFFICER TOLULOPE AROTILE
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On 14 July 2020, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), and indeed the entire Nation, was thrown into mourning as a result of the death of one of our shining young stars in the person of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the NAF’s first female combat helicopter pilot. Her unfortunate demise has elicited an overwhelming outpouring of condolences, prayers and support to the NAF as well as the Arotile Family. This has no doubt been so, not just for Tolulope’s outstanding accomplishments at the tender age of 24, but also because of her sterling personal qualities of excellence, hard work, dedication to duty, confidence and courage, which endeared her to her superiors, subordinates and peers in the Service. Unfortunately, because of the peculiar circumstances of the incident that led to her death, a rash of falsehoods, innuendos, conspiracy theories and the likes have been propagated in the public space, especially on Social Media. The NAF sincerely hopes that the findings of the just-concluded preliminary investigation into this unfortunate and painful incident will address the misinformed issues raised in the Social Media on the tragedy.
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Moreover, while it would have been ideal for the entire investigation to be concluded before details on the incident are released, the NAF, in sensitivity to public concerns occasioned by the spread of false information, appreciates the imperative to provide more clarity at this very difficult moment. Please note that the details being revealed today have already been communicated to the Arotile Family, who ideally should be allowed to mourn their daughter and sister in peace, but for the unfortunate nature of the sad occurrence.
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In line with the normal procedure in the Nigerian Air Force during such occurrences, an investigation was immediately instituted to formally determine the circumstances of the incident. Accordingly, the preliminary investigation has revealed the following details: a. The Late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, a Squadron Pilot at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu, attached to the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, having recently completed her Promotion Examinations, was in Kaduna awaiting deployment for her next assignment. During this period, she stayed with her sister, Mrs Damilola Adegboye, at Sabo Area in Kaduna, visiting the NAF Base whenever necessary. b. On 14 July 2020 at about 10.55am, Late Flying Officer Arotile received a phone call from her colleague, Flying Officer Perry Karimo, a fellow helicopter pilot from the 405 HCTG, who wanted to discuss arrangements for their return to Enugu, requesting that she comes to the Base so that they could work out the modalities. Subsequently, at about 10.58am, the Late Arotile placed a call through to Squadron Leader Diepiriye Batubo, the Group Operations Officer (GOO) of 405 HCTG, who was in Minna at the time, to clarify issues regarding her deployment. It must be highlighted that the call FROM Flying Officer Karimo as well as the one TO the Squadron Leader Batubo both took place before 11.00am, over 5 hours before the incident which led to her death. c. Flying Officer Arotile was later conveyed from Sabo to the NAF Base Kaduna by her sister, Mrs Adegboye, where the Deceased dropped her phone for charging at a house in the Instructor Pilots’ Quarters belonging to Squadron Leader Alfa Ekele. Her elder sister later dropped her off at the Base Mammy Market at about 4.00pm, where she proceeded to photocopy and laminate some documents. It was while she was returning from the Mammy Market at about 4.30pm that 3 of her former schoolmates at the Air Force Secondary School (now Air Force Comprehensive School) Kaduna; Mr Nehemiah Adejoh, Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun, drove past her in a Kia Sorento SUV, with Registration Number AZ 478 MKA. It is noteworthy that Messrs Adejoh, Folorunsho and Gbayegun are all civilians who live outside NAF Base Kaduna, but were on their way to visit one Mrs Chioma Ugwu, wife of Squadron Leader Chukwuemeka Ugwu, who lives at Ekagbo Quarters on the Base. d. Upon recognising their schoolmate, Arotile, after passing her, Mr Adejoh, who was driving, reversed the vehicle, ostensibly in an attempt to quickly meet up with the Deceased, who was walking in the opposite direction. In the process, the vehicle struck Flying Officer Arotile from the rear, knocking her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head on the pavement. The vehicle then ran over parts of her body as it veered off the road beyond the kerb and onto the pavement, causing her further injuries. e. Flying Officer Arotile was subsequently rushed to the 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for treatment, while Mr Folorunsho (one of the occupants of the vehicle) who is also an Accident & Emergency Nurse at the St Gerard Catholic Hospital Kaduna, administered First Aid. f. Flying Officer Arotile was confirmed dead by the On-Call Doctor at the 461 NAF Hospital at about 4.45pm on 14 July 2020, as a result of the head injuries. g. The trio of Messrs Nehemiah Adejoh, Igbekele Folorunsho and Festus Gbayegun were immediately detained at the Air Provost Wing, 453 Base Services Group Kaduna as investigations began. They were subjected to Toxicology Tests at the 461 NAF Hospital but no traces of alcohol or psychotropic substances were found in their systems. It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle, Mr Nehemiah Adejo, did not have a valid driver’s license. h. Traffic Officers from the Kawo Police Station and the Kaduna State Police Command as well as Road Traffic experts from the Federal Road Safety Corp were also called in to provide support during the investigation.
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Having carefully considered the foregoing, the preliminary investigation concluded that: a. The death of Flying Officer Arotile was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and significant bleeding resulting from being struck by the vehicle. b. Being a civil case, the matter will be handed over to the Nigeria Police with a view to further investigating and charging the suspects to court in accordance with extant laws. 5. The Nigerian Air Force, being a highly professional and disciplined organization, will not join issues with any individuals or groups regarding the spurious allegations of ‘foul play’ espoused in some quarters. Suffice it to say that Flying Officer Arotile was a pride of the NAF in whom the Service had invested massively in terms of resources, time and energy. Consequently, it is ludicrous for anyone to even remotely insinuate malevolent intent on the part of the Service against one of its most prized assets.
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Furthermore, it is extremely sad and disheartening that, rather than allow the Arotile Family and the Nigerian Air Force to grieve for our dearly departed Tolulope in peace, many have chosen to politicize her death, while others are using the incident to push meritless, misguided ethnic and religious agendas. The Nigerian Air Force wishes to implore everyone to respect the sensibilities of all those who have suffered most by this loss, those who really knew Tolulope – her family, her friends and her Nigerian Air Force colleagues. It is of absolute importance that the memory of this Fallen Hero and our precious child is not tainted by the propagation of misplaced sentiments and wild shenanigans. Before I end this august address, may I respectfully, on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, the entire personnel of the NAF as well as members of the Arotile Family, express my profound appreciation to all those who in one way or the other have shown concern, support and sympathy over this unfortunate incident.
Thank you for your attention. IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA Air Commodore Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force 19 July 2020
Ibrahim Magu, the suspended Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who has been in custody since July 6 and was investigated by the Justice Ayo Salami Presidential Probe Panel, said : “I am happy to breathe freedom’’.
Granting a media interview late on Wednesday, Magu said the allegations were designed to tarnish his image.
“They are nonsense. They are mere trump up allegations to tarnish my image and that of the EFCC. I did not steal or divert or convert funds to private use. I read the allegations and I was shocked,” he told the Nation newspaper exclusively
The Federal Government of Nigeria has granted 60% debt forgiveness to licencees indebted to the NBC. This is in addition to the 2 months licence fee waiver granted earlier to the Industry as palliative to cushion the devastating effect of Covid-19 on the economy of Broadcast Media in Nigeria.
This was made known by the Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, 6th July, 2020, at a press briefing held at the National Press Centre, Abuja.
Nigeria music legend, Majek Fashek is reportedly dead. His death was announced by Joy Tongo former artiste manager to Cynthia Morgan on her Instagram handle @joytongo. She posted,”Legendary musician, Mr Majek Fashek, my uncle passed on today in New York City.
Majekodunmi Fasheke, popularly known as Majek Fashek (pronounced as Ma-je-ko-dun-mi Ifa-kii-she-eke), is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and guitarist.
He is best known in his home country for the 1988 album Prisoner of Conscience.
Born on February 6, 1949 (age 71 years), Benin City, Nigeria.
The operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested a 19-year-old National Diploma graduate of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos as the brain behind the attempted blackmail of Queen Salawa Abeni with her nude photographs.
The suspect, Olufowoke Oladunjoye Emmanuel, a resident of Brentfield Avenue, Peace Estate, Magboro, Ogun State, was arrested by the ambushed squad of the Rapid Response Squad [R R S] last week Thursday, after three days of surveillance .
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, speaking on the arrest, stated that after the Salawa Queen made the issue of the blackmail public in April 2020, he directed the Commander, Rapid Response Squad, DCP Olatunji Disu to fish out the suspect.
He said after a preliminary investigations, the Decoy Team narrowed down on the suspect a few days later but could not effect the arrest immediately due to COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown directive by the Federal Government.
“The suspect has confessed to the Police that he is behind the attempt to blackmail the Musician with some of her nude pictures found on a sim card in exchange for money and that he was alone in the dubious scheme”, Odumosu said.
He added that the suspect is a 2017/2018 Electrical Engineering student of Yabatech, who discovered the nude pictures in a memory card picked up on the ground at Yabatech in November 2019, adding that after downloading the nude photographs of Salawa Abeni to his phone, he contacted her through the mobile number on her Instagram page to ask for money.
On his part, the RRS Commander, DCP Olatunji Disu, promised that no individual would be allowed to commit a crime in Lagos from any State or escape to other States in Nigeria to evade arrest.
He advised guardians and parents to monitor their wards, saying that the internet is a fertile ground for opportunities but the State Command would not allow criminals to use it as an avenue to exploit law-abiding Lagos residents.
Officers of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Oyo state command, have arrested some suspected individuals over the recent kidnapping of the twin babies of popular Ibadan-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Taofeek Akewugbagold. The were paraded on Monday morning in Ibadan by Oyo state Police Commissioner, CP, Shina Olukolu at the police headquarters, Eleyele Ibadan.
Briefing journalists, Olukoku said ”I wish to inform you that in the sensational case of the kidnapping of the 2-year old twins of Alhaji Taofeek Azeez “Akewugbagold” on the 25″ April, 2020. All the suspects have been arrested with substantial parts of the ransom collected, the gun used for the operation, the two operational vehicles, and one motorcycle were also recovered from them.”
”The notorious criminals attacked his wife and subsequently abducted his 2-year old twin to an unknown destination. The criminal assailants later demanded for ransom of Fifty Million Naira (N50, 000, 000.00) before the two abducted babies would be released.”
The kidnapping syndicate paraded by the police includes: Rildwan Taiwo,(30) Rafiu Mutiu(35), Olumide Ajala,(36) Fatai Akanji,(39) Bashiru Muhammed (25), Opeyemi Oyeleye (33)and Rafiu Modinat (29), a female member of gang who was detailed to take care of the babies while in captivity were all arrested in their respective hideouts in connection with the crime.
“As soon as the incident was reported at Ojoo Police Station and later transferred to AK Eleyele/SARS office Dugbe, Ibadan, a team of AKS/SARS operatives swung into action while concerted efforts was intensified to rescue the abducted babies and arrest the perpetrators of the heinous crime. The abducted babies were released unhurt eight ‘8’ days later after their father had parted with an alleged sum of four million naira only (N4,000,000) as ransom to the hoodlums.”
A law to decriminalize bigamy among consenting adults is now in effect in Utah,
For many years bigamy was a third-degree felony, legally punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
The bill was signed into law by Gov. Gary Herbert in March and took effect on Tuesday.
Polygamy became a significant social and political issue in the United States in 1852, when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) made it known that a form of the practice, called plural marriage, was part of its doctrine.
Though the practice has long been illegal under state and federal law, the Utah attorney general's office has declined to prosecute the offense, except when it's committed along with other crimes.
The move “has overwhelming support, though it’s not without some controversy,” Herbert, a Republican, said in a monthly news conference Thursday at PBS Utah, noting it’s “probably warranted” to no longer make the act a felony offense.
MINING CONTROVERSY, A LAUGHABLE ATTEMPT TO EMBARRASS THE SACRED THRONE OF OONI OF IFE
The Ile-Oodua Palace of the Ooni of Ife is not unaware of a video being circulated by practitioners of jungle journalism on the social media through which several claims against the respected monarch were made in respect to the destructions of farmlands.
In the said video, a group of people led by someone who claimed to have come from Ibadan to farm on the land were mobilized to report the activities of some Chinese nationals alleged to have been sent by the Ooni who according them had been paid a large sum of money.
To set the record straight the followings herein represent our necessary response;
1. While it is unfortunate that some supposed Omoluabis as known of descendants of Oduduwa globally would allow themselves to be used against their own source and heritage, it is equally pathetic to realize the damage being currently done by the malicious video especially against the person, image and character of the Arole Oduduwa.
2. To set the record straight, it is imperative to state that the disputed land is located at Aruwa village within Alaba-Ijesa community in Atakumosa West Local Government. It is an Ijesa land under the paramount rulership of Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland.
The traditional ruler of the town 'Oba Alaba of Aba-Ijesa who should have been earlier contacted before the stage managed video is still alive and should be the one to clarify on the matter.
3. Even in the video, the so called Chinese nationals were neither interviewed nor allowed to talk as they were never contracted by the Ooni and they were not in any way representing the Ooni's palace as maliciously alleged.
Those associating them with the Ooni or the respected Palace of Ife without seeing their Identity Cards or documents to back such claims were only being mischievous.
4. For the sake of record, the Palace of the Ooni which houses several traditional courts through which issues including those related to land grabbing, domestic violence, chieftaincy matters among others are being resolved amicably is always made open to such complaints.
5. True or false, such a matter should have been reported to the Ooni whose Palace is always open to seek clarifications and get his side of the story. But with the confrontational approach of sponsors and promoters of the video, it is obvious that they were only out to smear the image of the Ooni.
6. Unfortunately, the Ooni and other right-thinking individuals who saw the stage-managed video laughed over the comedy and prayed that the good Almighty Olodumare forgives those behind the campaign of calumny. In the same vein, the agents of confusion are equally implored to desist from such shameful act.
7. The Ooni wishes to urge the entire public to ignore the video and its fabricated lies in its entirety.
8. Kabiyesi equally thanks the security officials for their proactiveness in cleansing the mining sector in the State of Osun in which the Ooni had been helpfully involved championing the cause of separating wheat from shaff with regards to legality and illegality of mining operations.
CONCLUSION:
While we profoundly thank those who had shown genuine love concerns on the matter, we hereby reject in its entirety the malicious amateur video report mischievously released to the social media platforms with uninvestigated allegations against the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II linking him to the destructions of farmlands by some Chinese nationals as allegations of such magnitude should have been logically investigated before being released to the public.
We hereby urge handlers of social media or online journalism to always balance their reports in accordance with the ethics of investigative journalism, while we assure that The Ooni who is only committed to the greatness and progress of the State of Osun, Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole is too busy to be distracted by frivolous acts of enemies of progress
Signed;
Comrade Moses Olafare,
Director, Media & Public Affairs,
Ooni's Palace.
According to The New York Times, Arbery was running through a suburban neighborhood of ranch houses in a small coastal Georgia city when he passed a man standing in his front yard, who would eventually tell the cops thatMrArbery resembled a suspect in a string of break-ins.
According to a police report, the 64-year-old man, Gregory McMichael, retrieved his son, Travis McMichael, 34, and they grabbed their weapons — a .357 magnum revolver and a shotgun. The two white men hopped into a truck and started following Arbery, who is Black.
“Stop, stop,” they shouted at Arbery, “we want to talk to you.”
Not too long after they began chasing Arbery, there was a struggle over the shotgun and Arbery was shot at least twice and killed. Nobody has yet to be charged or arrested in association with the February 23 killing.
The president of the Brunswick chapter of the NAACP, Rev. John Davis Perry II, called the shooting “troubling.” Meanwhile, Arbery’s family and friends are concerned that the case, similar to the other senseless killings of Black people that have sparked protest around the country.
“We can’t do anything because of this corona stuff,” explained Wanda Cooper, Arbery’s mother. “We thought about walking out where the shooting occurred, just doing a little march, but we can’t be out right now.”
Arbery was killed only three days before the anniversary of the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin, who was chased and killed by a neighborhood vigilante, George Zimmerman, sparking the Black Lives Matter movement.
The New York Times secured documents that showed a prosecutor, who had Arbery’s case for a few weeks, told the cops that the pursuers had acted within the scope of Georgia’s citizen’s arrest statute, and that Travis McMichael, who held the shotgun, had acted in self-defense. The police report didn’t say whether Arbery was in possession of a weapon.
Arbery's family is demanding that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation take over the investigation and pass on their findings to a special prosecutor.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday extended the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja by a week to stop COVID -19 Community Spread.
“The lockdown in the FCT, Lagos & Ogun States shall subsist remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Saturday, 2nd May 2020 at 9 am,” Buhari said in his nationwide broadcast.
There will be a national curfew from 8 pm to 6 am. In addition, he said that the situation in Kano State required total lockdown.
Governors of the 36 States of the federation on Wednesday “unanimously” agreed to the implementation of an inter-State lockdown in the country over the next two weeks to damp the spread of coronavirus from State to State.
The governors, operating under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), reached the agreement after receiving briefing from the Governors of Lagos, Bauchi, Oyo and Ogun States who shared their experiences and lessons from the fight against COVID-19.
An official statement issued by the NGF chairman and governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, at the end of the sixth COVID-19 teleconference meeting said only essential services would be permitted.
State governors called for the decentralization of the COVID-19 response as the best chance of nipping the spread of the virus in communities with over 25 States now affected by the spread of the virus and increasing evidence of community transmission.
Members of the NGF also voiced serious concern over the rising spread of the virus among health workers and resolved to work with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to ensure that health workers are “adequately” provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and are “constantly” trained on the use of protective gears.
This followed an update from the NGF Secretariat on the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
The Governors also resolved to set up COVID-19 committees at the regional level, headed by their State Commissioners of Health in order to strengthen coordinated implementation of necessary public health recommendations across States.
Regional committees, the communique added, will continue to interface with the State Task Force Committees on COVID-19 already established in each State.
The NGF Chairman briefed the forum on the rapidly evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and coordination efforts with the federal government, multilateral and bilateral partners, and the private sector through the Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID).
The forum held a minute’s silence in honour of all Nigerians who had lost their lives from coronavirus, especially health workers who were in the front lines of the epidemic.
The NGF also congratulated the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, who after nearly four weeks of testing positive and observing very strict medical regime, has now received two consecutive negative test results for the coronavirus.
Members also conveyed their condolence to President Muhammadu Buhari and the people of Borno State on the passing of the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, who passed away on April 17, 2020 in the line of duty to the country.
President Buhari at present imposed lockdown in only the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun States to stop the spread of the novel pandemic coronavirus.
Some of the States have taken similar measures to fight the deadly virus but there is no nationwide lockdown from the federal government.
Health experts say the country may be heading towards the need for nationwide lockdown to halt the virus.
The Georgia Department of Public Health now reports there are 20,166 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state.
3,885 people remain hospitalized and the death toll in the state has risen to 818. The numbers were released Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The most cases, with 2,206, are in Fulton County, followed by Dekalb County with 1,563 and Dougherty with 1,456.
Meanwhile, Kemp joined his fellow Republican governors from South Carolina and Tennessee in announcing partial openings this week.
But many local leaders across the state said that they were caught off guard by Kemp's announcement, with some calling the decision "reckless" and "irresponsible" as they advised residents to continue sheltering in place.
US president says he will sign an order suspending immigration to protect jobs in the country as the coronavirus spreads.
"In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!" Trump tweeted.
The suspension of all immigration would serve as an extension on the travel restrictions the Trump administration has already declared on some countries in Europe, China, Canada, Mexico, Iran and Nigeria.
Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said that Africa should be paid compensation from China, following China's failure to contain the spread of the virus.
She said the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the conditions of the Africans. She added that the continent’s economic gains had been spoilt since the global crisis.
The former Vice President for the Africa Region at the World Bank noted that although there were calls for voluntary international aid to support the continent, “this is far from the best solution.”
According to her, it is time to make offending rich countries pay the poor ones a global risk burden tax for delaying their rise out of poverty.
She said, “Today, Africa is home to more than 70 per cent of the world’s poorest people, with more than 400 million living below the poverty line. It is no surprise that it is disproportionately vulnerable to this crisis. It should not suffer even more because yet another powerful country failed to act responsibly."
“China should immediately announce a complete write-off of the more than $140 billion that its government, banks and contractors extended to countries in Africa between 2000 and 2017. This would provide partial compensation to African countries for the impact the coronavirus is already having on their economies and people.”
“Our world is long overdue for a change of approach in the way it manages global risks that leave the poor worse off due to failures of the rich and powerful. The current model of development assistance is broken and can never deliver any real change of fortune for the most vulnerable. We need a new model that strengthens people to engage in the design of their pathway out of poverty and builds economic resilience,” Ezekwesili added.
She called on China to demonstrate world leadership by acknowledging its failure to be transparent on COVID-19, saying, “Beijing’s leadership should commit to an independent expert panel evaluation of its pandemic response. China and the rest of the Group of 20 countries should engage with the AU and countries to design a reparations mechanism.”
Researchers admit a medical examiner in Thailand is the first person to die from the coronavirus after contracting it from a corpse according to the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine study reported Sunday.
“This is the first report on COVID-19 infection and death among medical personnel in a Forensic Medicine unit,”
“There is low chance of forensic medicine professionals coming into contact with infected patients. But they can have contact with biological samples and corpses.”
“At present, there is no data on the exact number of COVID-19 contaminated corpses since it is not a routine practice to examine for COVID-19 in dead bodies in Thailand,” researchers wrote.
Researchers said forensic and medical professionals should be wearing personal protective device like masks and gloves when they come in contact with a patient infected with the coronavirus.
The Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, has ordered immediate punishment on patrol team involved in trending video with a motorist in Abuja, Nigeria.
The attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps has been adequately drawn to a video currently dominating the social media sphere about a motorist who had an encounter with FRSC Personnel in the course of carrying out the ongoing enforcement of Presidential/National directive on ‘ Stay At Home’.
After a careful study and analysis of the video and what transpired in it, the Corps wishes to inform the public that the following proactive measures have been taken;
1 That the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the entire FRSC Team involved in the unprofessional and uncivil act.
2 That the action of the Officers involved in that episode is completely contrary to the Core Values and Operational Ethics of the Corps and the Corps frowns at it .
3 That the Corps Marshal has directed that the entire team be queried and sanctioned in accordance with FRSC relevant regulations on discipline.
Coronavirus has killed 20,460 people in the United States, just higher than number of deaths in Italy. Since New York's first recorded death on March 14, more than 6,500 of its people have died of COVID-19 and more victims have died in New York than in any country aside France, Spain and Italy.
Infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday morning (April 10) that in about a week an antibody test would become available to show who has already been infected with the novel coronavirus, The New York Times reported.
As the virus’s spread started to increase in the United States, a team at the University of Washington in Seattle used the daily death rates in a model to speculate the number of beds and ventilators that US hospitals would need. “Our modeling approach is based off the deaths — that is the core part that tells us about the epidemic,” says Theo Vos, an epidemiologist at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the university.
IHME’s projections were reportedly among those used by US President Donald Trump’s administration in late March.
Not everyone living in the U.S.A. is getting a check, there is a group of people who need not be expecting $1200.00 checks in the mail, that includes some college kids, immigrants without valid Social Security numbers, some disabled adults and the mothers of babies born in 2020.The IRS is using 2019 tax returns to determine eligibility or 2018 returns for those who haven't filed for 2019 yet.
Nigeria’s minister of communications and economy, Isa Pantami, on Saturday said no licence had been issued for 5G in the country in the midst of rumours and news on social media that the technology causes the frightening COVID-19.
The minister, who made this known in a statement, said that the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), “of which I am the Chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G.”
“As part of the study trial process, I directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and my office also invited these agencies to participate in the trial,” the statement read.
According to the minister, the trial process has been round off and the study and reporting process ongoing.
He stated, “Government will not act on the speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public,” he said. “I have also directed the NCC to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.
“I wish to thank the general public for reaching out to us on this issue. We advise you all to remain rest assured that government will always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology.”
The cat is the third animal to test positive in Hong Kong, following the previous cases in which two dogs tested positive during repeated tests for the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed, if you suspect you have coronavirus or tested positive for the virus, it is recommended you keep your distance from your cat or dog, as you would any other human being.
A cat has tested positive for the coronavirus in Hong Kong after its owner was confirmed positive. The city’s Agricultural and Fisheries department said that the animal has not shown any signs of the disease. Specimen from the cat’s mouth, nose and rectum tested positive for the coronavirus.
The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the initiation to evacuate its citizens from Nigeria over COVID-19 widespread.
Germany, Israel, and France evacuated their nationals following the rising cases of coronavirus disease in the country.
The Embassy confirmed the development Monday night on its official Twitter handle, @US Mission Nigeria.
It stated that multiple emergency flights departing from Lagos and Abuja had been confirmed for this week.
The mission urged Americans booked for the flight not to come to the airport until they had been contacted by officials.
The Twitter post read, "The US Consulate in Lagos has confirmed multiple emergency flights for this week departing from Lagos and Abuja. Please do not come to the airport until we have contacted you directly. Please shelter in place and await further information."
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that the information articulating on the internet and mass media that Coronavirus (COVID-19) is airborne is false. But, it advised people to protect themselves by practicing physical distancing
The agency said the germ that causes COVID-19 was mainly transferred through droplets mustered when an infected person sneezes, coughs or speaks.
“These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air. They quickly fall on floors or surfaces.
“You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within one meter of a person who has COVID-19.
More than 2,000 U.S. citizens have died from the coronavirus as of Saturday, the death toll doubling in Two days , the Washington Post reported. The time between the first confirmed death and the 1,000th was about a month.
Johns Hopkins University reported that confirmed deaths rose to more than 30,000 around the world. The U.S. ranked sixth in deaths, after Italy, Spain, China, Iran and France. Italy alone had more than 10,000 dead.
The number of cases had risen to 2,001, with the number of coronavirus- connected deaths now at 64. Officials say 566 patients are hospitalized due to the disease.
The Department of Public Health says it is working closely with the CDC, and state partners to react to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the U.S., including Georgia.
According to the state’s data, 57 percent of cases are people ages 18 to 59, 34 percent are people ages 60 or older, 8 percent are of unknown ages and 1 percent are between the ages of 0 and 17.
Nigeria will rack up its two main international airports in the cities of Lagos and Abuja the capital city from Monday night, the Civil Aviation Authority disclosed on Saturday, as the number of coronavirus cases in the country is increasing.
The closure comes as Nigeria’s number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose on Saturday from 12 to 22 with three of them in Abuja.
“All airports in Nigeria are closed to all incoming international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights,” the authority said.
Also, Nigeria government said two days ago that it would close all schools and universities in the country due to coronavirus outbreak.
Nigeria has documented a new coronavirus case in the commercial capital Lagos. The state government confirmed the third case of coronavirus (COVID-19) which involves a Nigerian woman who arrived from the United Kingdom last Friday.
Mr Akin Abayomi, the state's commissioner of health disclosed the finding at a press conference, on Tuesday. The National Center for Disease Control said the patient developed symptoms during her 14-day self-isolation
“She is clinically stable & is being treated at Infectious Disease Hospital, Lagos,” the NCDC quoted the Minister as saying. The new case is presently the only case because the first two patients had fully recovered and been discharged.
The first case was an Italian who flew into Lagos on a Turkish Airline flight and the second patient was connected to the first patient.
Nigeria has been on high alert since the first case. Lagos state government and ministry of health along with the disease control department, have been giving regular updates on developments.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says that a gas explosion caused the alarm which vibrated Abule Ado area of Lagos State, killing about 17 people on Sunday morning.
In a statement by the Group General Manager of NNPC, Public Affairs Division, Dr Kennie Obateru, on Sunday, the blast occurred after a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant located near the corporation’s System 2B pipeline right of way.
Vice President Mike Pence disclosed Saturday that all travel to Ireland and the United Kingdom will be suspended, effective midnight EST on Monday. He announced that Americans and legal residents abroad in those countries can return home.
The United States government initially left the two off its restricted travel list, but the United Kingdom's inclusiveness is necessary due to drastic wide spread of the deadly virus. Meanwhile, the travel restrictions does not apply to cargo or economic shipping, officials with the coronavirus task force said.
President Trump announced earlier this week that European travel to the U.S. will be restricted for 30 days, with exemptions for Americans who undergo screening upon their return.
The Emir of Kano, says he accepts his dethronement as the "will of God". Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on Monday for "insubordination", the Kano state government said.
He was escorted out of the palace by security officers, and replaced by his predecessor's son, Aminu Ado Bayero. In his remarks since he was dethroned , Mr Sanusi called for calm and for people to "embrace" the new emir.
"God in His infinite Wisdom had willed that I will become an emir of Kano so I was enthroned on the 8th of June 2014. I spent almost six years on the throne. But today God has also willed I will leave the throne. I have taken it in good faith," he said in a video message.
"We are calling on people to be calm. "We urge our families and children to embrace the new emir. They should protect the heritage of this house," he added.
He was deposed for showing "insubordination'' to the authorities in the northern state of Kano, but his supporters believe he was dethroned for opposing Mr Ganduje's re-election as governor last year.
The government said he was removed "in order to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige of the Kano emirate", accusing the emir of "total disrespect" of institutions and the governor's office.
The power scuffle between Emir Sir Muhammadu Sanusi 1 his grandfaher and his distant cousin Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto is believed to have stemeed up his dethronement and confinement in Azare 1963
Ogun: Nigerian police have librated 13 people, including a child and six pregnant women, from an illegal clinic baby-making at Imedu Olori area of Mowe in Obafemi Owode local government area of the State.
The police representative said that the Divisional Police Officer, Mowe division, SP Marvis Jayeola, mobilised some officers to the scene and rescued 12 women who were between the ages of 20 and 25 years old.
He said among the rescued victims were six pregnant women.
The women, told police the owner hired men to impregnate them and then sell the newborns for profit in what has been labeled a "baby factory". The clinics are usually small illegal facilities swaggering as private medical hospitals that house pregnant women.
"The operation was carried out on February 28 after an inmate of the home located around Mowe escaped and tipped off the police," police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi told AFP.
"We also arrested the owner of the home and two men who are suspected of being hired to impregnate the women," he said. Oyeyemi said the women told the police that the home’s owner usually hired men to sleep with them to make babies. "They told us that the babies would then be taken from them and sold to patrons," he said.
The coronavirus, which has killed over 3,000 Chinese citizens and more than 90,000 confirmed cases across the globe could be a biological weapon developed by the Chinese defense forces. Although there is no evidence that the plague originated at the laboratory.
According to Katie Benner, The New York Times reported that The Justice Department disclosed Wednesday that it had created an official section in its immigration office to strip citizenship rights from naturalized immigrants, a move that gives more heft to the Trump administration’s broad efforts to remove from the country immigrants who have committed crimes.
An Atlanta woman who pretended to be disabled, but also worked as a stripper, has pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud.
Valencia Williams disclosed to the Social Security Administration that she was disabled and rarely left home, She told the government she had extreme anxiety and depression and couldn’t even leave her room, but the SSA established that it was not true.
SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, PRINCE DAPO ABIODUN, MFR, ON THE UNFORTUNATE KILLING OF TIAMIYU KAZEEM IN SAGAMU AND ENSUING PROTESTS ON MONDAY,
24TH FEBRUARY, 2020
Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers Friday suspended the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, for six months for dragging the institution into the mud with his public conduct.
But in his reaction to the remission, Oluwo Akanbi described it as political.
Nigeria - Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, said the challenges posed by the almajiri system in the North should fall among major issues leaders from the region must earnestly addressed.
She spoke at the Joint National Conference of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Future Assured Initiative on Repositioning the Muslim Family for National Development which took place in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to her, there was no assurance that government could handle all challenges but taking the almajiri children off the streets should be admired.
Her words: “I’m happy that the Ooni of Ife remembered the hope that they had seen in the eyes of our supporters.
“We are scared to leave this place without meeting up with some of the expectations.
“Though we are not going to meet up with all the expectations, at least, we will do our best to see that we have done the best, that is, taking the almajiri off the streets.”
Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi, also dissaproved Almajiri system in the North, saying that no law compelled any Muslim to enter into marriage, have children, only to abandon them to their fate.
His observation came against the backdrop of the menace caused by the Almajiri system of education in the North, where children of school age go cap in hand begging for alms.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday remember the abduction and imprisonment of Leah Sharibu by Boko Haram sect -Islamic West Africa Province [ ISWAP] exactly two years ago. The President said the Federal Government has increased its effort for her liberty.
On February 19, 2018, Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Government Girls Secondary School in Dapchi, Yobe State and abducted Leah and about 100 other girls.
With the virus death toll now exceeding 1,600, a number of countries, including the United States, the UK, and Japan, are already evacuating their citizens from Wuhan but Nigeria is yet to take action.More than 5,000 Africans study in Wuhan.
On Wednesday, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said his country is planning to evacuate Kenyan students trapped in Wuhan.
Americans onboard a cruise ship quarantined over the deadly new coronavirus will have the option of being transferred from the vessel on Sunday, according to U.S. government.
The U.S. Department of State and agencies including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will provide a chartered flight to transport all American citizens on the Diamond Princess cruise ship from Japan to the United States, the American Commission in Tokyo confirmed in a statement.
The vessel has been docked at the port city of Yokohama, south of Tokyo, and those onboard quarantined for over a week after a passenger was diagnosed with the infection on February 1. The quarantine period is due to last till February 19, according to its operator Princess Cruises. It could to take between two and 14 days for symptoms of COVID-19 to appear after a person is first infected. On Wednesday, 44 new confirmed cases took the total passengers and crew to be infected on the ship to 218, the operator said. There were originally 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew on board, which has decreased because those sick have been treated in the emergency rooms.
Motunrayo Rafiu, the law graduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, who was kidnapped by suspected bandits on Kabba-Lokoja Highway, has detailed her difficult exprience.
She was released on Sunday after the family reportedly paid a ransom of N1m.
The victim was said to have spent six days in the kidnappers’ den.
“She was released on Sunday evening after we paid N1m to them,” a family member said.
The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, Williams Aya, however, said the victim was rescued along with three others.
He said, “All the victims were released yesterday (Sunday) by the abductors. Since the incident happened, our men had been trailing the kidnappers. The Special Anti-Robbery Squad, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Police Mobile Force and Counter-Terrorism Unit were deployed to comb the bush and as of yesterday morning (Sunday) they were still there.
“A man was rescued before the other ones were released when the pressure was much on them. I am not aware of any payment of ransom and no suspect has been arrested. We are still on their trail.”
Motunrayo Rafiu was abducted on February 4, 2020 while she was on her way to resume at the Abuja campus of the Nigerian Law School.
It was gathered that when Rafiu could not be reached on her telephone, she was declared missing by her friends, who posted her pictures on the social media.
The police in Ogun State have arrested the President of Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro and one other suspect.
The accused, Adegboye Emmanuel Olatunji and Olarewaju Taiwo were apprehended on Sunday.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the SUG President and another member of the cult group were arrested wearing the full regalia of the black axe cult during initiation of new members of the group.
“The president of the Students’ Union Government of Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Adegboye Emmanuel Olatunji and one Olarewaju Taiwo have been arrested by men of Ogun State police command on Sunday 9th of February 2020 for cultism.” he said.
Oyeyemi added that the duo were arrested following information received by police at Ilaro division from members of the public that some group of people suspected to be cultists were sighted in a bush at Gbogidi area of Ilaro where they were trying to initiate new members.
“The two arrested cultists who are in full regalia of the dreaded black axe cult group have been taken to custody at Ilaro divisional headquarters where they are being currently interrogated,” he revealed.
The school authorities on Monday announced the suspension of the SUG President in reaction to his arrest. Sola Abiola, the deputy registrar public relations of the institution, revealed this in a statement for alleged involvement in cultism.
“The suspension of Mr Adegboye is in line with the Act establishing the Polytechnic and the provision of the Students Handbook coupled with the Polytechnic’s zero tolerance to cultism, pending his appearance before the Students Disciplinary Committee to establish his culpability or otherwise” she added.
An employee who is punctual is considered as credible in the eyes of his/her employer. A level 12 class teacher, Mrs Obiagelli Mazi, who was met by Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum 6:30 am on Friday, has been promoted to an assistant headmistress.
Executive Chairman, Borno State Universal Education Board, SUBEB, Dr Shettima Kullima conveyed the promotion on Saturday after his recommendation was endorsed by Governor Zulum. The woman who hails from Abia state has been teaching for 31 years. Zulum met her at Shehu Sanda Kyarimi 2 Primary school under Jere local government education authority.
Governor Zulum had during an outing 6:30 am on Friday to check out public schools, encountered Mrs Obiagelli already at school, waiting for her pupils. Overwhelmed by Mrs Obiagelli’s dedication, Governor Zulum praised and rewarded her with personal cash of N100,000 .
Also, Governor Zulum directed executive chairman of Borno State Universal Education Board to review the woman’s civil service position and her academic qualification for promotion. 24 hours later, the SUBEB chairman contacted the Governor recommending Mrs Obiagelli’s promotion from class teacher to assistant headmistress. Although she is not a university degree graduate, but she has [NCE] which is the least needed to teach in Nigerian Primary Schools.
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The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has renounced a Fulani group which claims that the ethnic group owns Nigeria from Sokoto to the Atlantic, he also said no one can Islamise or Christianise Nigeria. He also declared that in all the over hundred books of Usman Danfodio, there was no place where it was written that Nigeria belong to the Fulanis.
Speaking at the Interfaith Mediation Centre in conjunction with the Plateau State Peace Building Agency first annual Plateau State Forgiveness and Reconciliation Day.
“I am the leader of Usman Danfodio dynasty, I have never seen where in the hundreds books of Usman Danfodio where it was said Nigeria belong to the Fulanis. What he wrote was the role of Islam in leadership, governance, among others. They never mention of conquer of any particular land or claim of ownership of any territory."
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has condemned the new Northern proposed security outfit called ‘Shege Ka Fasa’
The caliph criticized the elders in the north, described the security outfit as a way to ‘score cheap political points.
He further called on the northern elders to call the youths to order immediately.
Sultan of Sokoto said this while speaking at the Northern Security Meeting which was held in Kaduna on Thursday.
“I saw the security outfit on the media."
” The elites are our problems, the youth will do whatever they like If the elders don’ t take the lead and think they are right. They have to caution these youths by giving them good leadership.“
“The youths launched their own security outfit they call it Shege Ka Fasa’, meaning what?
“I’m calling on northern elders to caution them. Don’t allow these youths to take over leadership from you. You have to reach out to everybody no matter how low the person is.
He implored the elders to caution the youths and “take the bull by the horns and not allow the youths take over their responsibility.”
A month after the South-West governors launched Operation Amotekun, the Coalition of Northern Groups has presented the symbols of "Operation Shege ka Fasa". But, unlike the project of Amotekun that had governors and dignitaries from the South-West region in attendance, there were no remarkable personalities from the north at the unveiling of the symbol for " Shege ka Fasa".
Operation Amotekun (Leopard) was established on 9 January 2020 by the six state governors of all the South Western states of Nigeria, namely; Lagos State, Oyo State, Ogun State, Ondo State, Osun State and Ekiti State.
Shege ka Fasa, according to the group, is a security outfit that would help tackle kidnapping and banditry in the northern region.
Representative of the group, AbdulAzeez Suleiman, acclaimed that the security set would be conventionally introduced in the weeks when all necessary legal processes might have been formally adopted and ratified by the northern states’ governors.
He stated that the northern region had struggled with myriad of challenges of dwindling economy, rising poverty and a crippling security situation in the last twelve years.
“If the state governments and other leaders of the region fail to take action to protect the region the way their southern counterparts are doing, CNG is willing to follow through with all the processes of obtaining the required legal backing for the outfit from the relevant federal authorities," Suleiman said at the Arewa House Kaduna on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
“We resolved to formalise this request by writing to the governors through the Northern Governors Forum and to the leaderships of traditional, religious and cultural institutions in the region.
“By this, today we unveil the symbols for the Shege Ka Fasa outfit which would be formally inaugurated in the coming few weeks when all necessary legal processes might have been completed or formally adopted and ratified by the northern state governors,” he added.
The Lagos State Government says it will not reverse the ongoing enforcement of its Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which restrains the enterprises of commercial motorcycles, generally known as Okada and tricycles, popularly known as Keke NAPEP in 15 local councils across the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced this on Tuesday while speaking at the official launch of commercial operations in water transportation by Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) at an event held at Badore Ferry Terminal in Ajah.
No Chinese In Nigeria Has Caught The Virus And No Nigerian In China Infected With Coronavirus.The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, has confirmed that no Nigerian citizen dwelling in Wuhan city has contracted the Coronavirus. The diplomat who validated this at a news briefing in Abuja announced that 60 Nigerians are resident in the city where the outbreak was first recorded.
A middle aged man, suspected suicide-bomber was on Sunday arrested at the Living Faith Church, Sabo, Kaduna, Nigeria.
A worshiper at the church, said the suspect was found in the church’s toilet while trying to detonate the bomb and was promptly arrested by the security officers assigned to the church.
Attempts by angry mobs to lynch him were, however, restricted by the police, who whisked him away. The Living Faith Church Worldwide is a megachurch and a Christian denomination established by Bishop David Oyedepo.
Further details coming soon .
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has denied allegations that it rejected Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide visa on Thursday in Abuja.
ThisDay Newspaper and News Agency of Nigeria had wrongly reported that Oyedepo reacted angrily when he was told that he was not qualified for visa. The newspaper said its source did not give any other reason except the standard default explanation that the Bishop did not qualify for visa renewal in its assessment and urged him to try again.
But the U.S Embassy in a tweet Friday said the story was false. The tweet stated: “#False News Alert! Be advised, the reports making the rounds about a visa being denied to Nigerian Bishop Oyedepo are false. If you have seen this manufactured item in the media, help defeat this #misinformation by communicating to everyone that it is completely false.” the tweet said.
The Trump administration said Friday it will add six new countries to its travel ban. Restrictions on entering the U.S. will now apply to certain travelers and migrants from Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, as well as Sudan, Tanzania, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar, according to a senior Department of Homeland Security official.
Nonimmigrant visas were not affected for the additional countries, Wolf said. Those visas are given to people travelling to the US for a temporary stay. They include visas for tourists, those doing business or people seeking medical treatment.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director-General (DG), Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim has acknowledged that the Federal Government in line with the new National Minimum Wage has approved N33,000 allowance for Corps members. The NYSC-DG revealed this while speaking to Corps members at the NYSC Bauchi State Secretariat during his working visit to the State.
In a press statement posted on the official Facebook page of NYSC, the DG explained: “provision had been made for the new allowance in the year 2020 Budget, adding that payment would commence as soon as funds are released by the appropriate authorities.”
Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim also cautioned Corps members to be security-conscious and counseled against unconfirmed reports, news mongering and negative usage of the Social Media. Corps members were also advised to avoid unauthorized journey .
Daniel Olukoya, the senior pastor of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, has rebuffed claims that MFM denomination has the highest number of single ladies in Nigeria.
Olukoya said this while answering to reports that he has banned members of his church from wedding Christians from other ministries.
In a statement declared publicly by his representative Collins Edomaruse, the man of God contested that for the past 10 years, his church through its singles programme, Gen 218, has conducted over 150,000 weddings and that he encourages his members to wed anyone either within or outside his church.
“We encourage and actively support all spinsters and bachelors regardless of denomination, to build their relationships on biblical standards. We strongly advise all our single men and women to marry fellow believers within the Christian faith. We believe this is God’s will for marriage and is the best foundation for a successful and a Godly marriage.
Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Francis Osagie Erhabor, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of D Division Itam, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. The Police officer is reported to have never taken a bribe in his 29 years of active service.
CSP Erhabor was appointed as the Pipeline Commander by the PPMC with an allowance of N37, 500. In 2019 he was seduced and bribed N6m to bend the rules but he rejected the offer.
Human rights lawyer, Mr Inibehe Effiong, says the Department of State Services has arrested his client who is also a campus news paper editor, Ayoola Babalola, for allegedly publishing articles critical of the President ,Muhammadu Buhari , and All Progressives Congress big shot, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
In the article, it was stated that the Buhari regime did not want Nigeria to be good.
In a second article titled, “Will EFCC investigate Chief Bola Tinubu?” it was mentioned that the EFCC may not act on the petition it received as regards the alleged cash-laden bullion vans seen in Tinubu’s Lagos home on the eve of the 2019 general elections.
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Saturday January 25, announced that it blocked the trafficking of nine girls through the Muritala Muhammed Airport in Lagos to Lebanon, Cairo, Dubai and India.
In a statement released by NIS’ spokesman Sunday James, the girls who were set to board Ethiopian, Peace, Egypt and East Airlines were screwed up after not being able to provide any information about their prospective employers or the nature of their jobs in the countries they were going to.
On further questioning, two of the girls said they were "going to hustle" in Dubai while the remaining girls claimed they were going to India for “medical treatment without referrals.”
The Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday ordered an interim forfeiture of $376,120 allegedly connected to Major General Hakeem Otiki. This followed an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ordered the commission to publish the court order in a national daily to enable anyone interested in the money to appear and show cause why it should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. The judge gave any interested person 14 days from the date of publication to show cause.
An Iranian lawmaker from Kerman province precisely, has placed a $3 million reward on President Trump’s head. Ahmad Hamzeh made the declaration Tuesday during a speech to parliament in Tehran, although it’s unclear whether it has any support from Iran’s top leaders, Reuters reported, citing the ISNA news agency.
“On behalf of the people of Kerman province, we will pay a $3 million reward in cash to whoever kills Trump,” Hamzeh was quoted as saying.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman in Michika local government area of Adamawa State, Rev Lawan Andimi, has been killed by his abductors. Andimi was abducted by Boko Haram on January 2 when the mutineers attacked the community. In the process, kidnapped the Reverend.
Confirming the killing of the abducted CAN Chairman, the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Bishop Dami Mamza said the murder of the clergy is gruesome and unfortunate. Bishop Mamza who made the disclosure in an interview with some news writers in Yola the Adamawa state capital said the insurgents had demanded for two million euros but still went ahead to execute the Pastor.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] on Monday prosecuted Aisha Alkali Wakil alias Mama Boko Haram, and two other persons before a Maiduguri High Court on a five-count charge of conspiracy and dishonesty.
Aisha is the Chief Executive Officer of Complete Care and Aid Foundation.
She was arraigned alongside Tahir Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyade, before Justice Aisha Kumalia of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on an amended five-count charge.
Ohimai Amaize, 35, a former AIT Television presenter who fled Nigeria last year, has been granted asylum in the United States of America, He fled Abuja in June 2019 following claims he was being pursued by Nigerian security agents with intention to arraign him for treason.
The alleged conspiracy was from a showdown between the government and AIT and its trendy morning show, ‘Kakaaki Social’.
The Nigerian broadcast stations regulator, NBC, shut down the station for about 24 hours, alleging multiple infractions on federal guidelines for broadcasters. Although the station was reopened following a court order, its headquarters in Abuja was surrounded by armed officers from the State Security Service, SSS.
National President General of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has implored the federal government to arrest south-west leaders in charge of Amotekun, a regional security outfit.
Answering to questions in an interview with The Sun, Bello Bodejo, national president of the association, said the outfit is a plot against the Fulani ethnic group.
On Wednesday, the group had asked south-west governors to disband the network after Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), had declared it illegal.
“They should not only ban it, but should arrest the leaders of this group. Like I said earlier, nobody or group has more security intelligence than the Police. The Army is doing enough; the DSS is also doing enough, likewise the Civil Defence,” the newspaper quoted Bodejo as saying.
Iran's supreme leader was very aggressive in a rare public sermon on Friday, calling the United States an "arrogant power" and thousands of shouting worshipers that God's backing had allowed his country to "slap the face" of the United States.
While delivering his first sermon in Tehran in eight years, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the mass funerals for Iran’s top general killed in a U.S. airstrike earlier this month reveal that the Iranian people support the Islamic Republic. Khamenei said the strike dealt a “blow to America’s image” as a superpower
Miss Adeboye Oyindamola , trafficked to Lebanon is asking the Federal Government of Nigeria to save her from domestic servitude in a video message sent to Citizen - AY.
Few days after the viral story of a 23-year old Nigerian Lady, Omolola Ajayi, trafficked to Lebanon and liberated by the Nigerian government, another Woman, Gloria Bright was rescued from the Middle East where she was a house help.
In 2017, at the age of 55, Sunny was reportedly granted leave to remain in the UK, BBC reports.
After his asylum was rejected, Sunny reportedly found himself on the streets where the London buses became a shelter for him.
His favourite spot on the buses was said to be at the back of the lower deck.
He reportedly travelled light, carrying a small tote bag, to avoid the taint of homelessness during the day.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has advised the South West governors to brush off the directive of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami on Amotekun security outfit.
A Nigerian woman trafficked to Lebanon, Omolola Ajayi, has been librated and now in the custody of Nigerian embassy in Beirut. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), in a WhatsApp message, said Ms. Ajayi would be return to Nigeria soon. “
A former Vice President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Issa Aremu has advised South-West governors over the establishment of the Amotekun security Organization.
The Amotekun security outfit was launched on Thursday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to deal with security controversies in Yorubaland.
Aremu, while briefing the press during the weekend in Ilorin, Kwara State, warned the governors not to decentralize the police via the backdoor.
The 176 victims onboard the Boeing 737 flight that crashed after takeoff from Tehran on Wednesday hailed from various countries. Among the victims were 63 Canadian nationals and 82 Iranians.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard accepted on Saturday it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian International Airlines passenger jet on Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard. The head of the Revolutionary Guard's aerospace division said his unit accepts "full responsibility."
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, disclosed Wednesday that they will “step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent,” splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America.
Mass Communication Degree has been scaled down in Nigeria institutions by the National Universities Commission, NUC.
According to the NUC, Mass Communication has been dissociated into seven distinct academic programs in order to meet present demand.
A stampede at the funeral of slain Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani has left aboutt 50 people dead and over 200 injured, according to Iranian state television
Illinois joins California, New Jersey and Colorado as other states to teach LGBTQ history.