FIRS, Babatunder Fowler has a fake honorary doctorate degree from
Irish int. University.
Saturday, 22 August 2015
“Buhari’s Latest Appointee, Fowler, Has Fake Honorary Doctorate” – Sahara Reporters
FIRS, Babatunder Fowler has a fake honorary doctorate degree from
Irish int. University.
Police Arrest Two Masquerades For Stealing N57,000
costume in Ovoko Community, Nsukka LGA, Enugu State, for allegedly
beating up a passenger on a commercial motorcycle and robbing him of
N57,000.
The incident happened on the Nsukka/Oballo-Afor highway.
A police source said policemen moved to the scene when the victim, Mr.
Chinonso Ezewaji, reported the matter to Nsukka Police Area command
and the two men were arrested.
"The escorts of the masquerade however ran away.
"There were eight masquerades. They blocked the Nsukka/Obollo-Afor
road and harassed people.
"The two arrested masquerades however denied collecting the N57,000
from Ezewaji but claimed they know the person who collected the money
from the victim.
"When we searched one of the arrested masquerade, we saw Indian hemp
in his pocket," the police source said.
When contacted, Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command,
Mr. Ebere Amarizu, confirmed the incident, saying investigation had
commenced on the matter.
He urged communities to regulate and monitor those who wear masquerade
costumes, adding that some of them used the opportunity to harass,
intimidate and rob innocent members of the public.
"The Police are not against the people practising their tradition and
culture but community leaders must know the character of people they
allow to wear costumes of masquerade in the name of culture.
"A masquerade has no right to mount road block on busy highways where
motorists, motorcyclists and other road users move on daily basis.
"The police have commenced investigation and will get to the root of
this matter as issues of masquerade disturbing people have become a
recurring decimal," Amarizu said.
The victim, Ezewaji, a trader, who deals on clothing materials, told
the News Agency of Nigeria he was on his way from Nsukka to
Obollo-Afor to see his mother when the masquerade stopped the
motorcycle he was riding on.
"They beat me, searched me and collected N57,000.
"When they left, I ran into the bush and when I discovered they have
gone some distance, I came out and went to the police to report.
The two masquerades identified themselves as Kenchukwu Eze, a
carpenter, and Ejiofor Eze, a brick-layer.
They, however, denied the allegation that they stole money from Ezewaji
They claimed that their colleague, Chima Mamah, stole the money.
Eze, however, admitted that the police saw Indian hemp in his pocket,
saying it was the leftover of what they smoked before coming out.
"If the police release me, I will not wear masquerade costume, nor
smoke Indian hemp again," he pleaded.
-Vanguard
Slain Imo Catholic Priest For Burial Aug 31
Nekede, Owerri West local government area of Imo State, has fixed the
burial of the slain Rev. Fr. Dennis Osuagwu for August 31, 2015.
The hapless Catholic priest was gruesomely murdered by yet-to-be
identified hoodlums, August 15, 2015, while he was on his way to the
34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, to discharge his clerical duties.
Meanwhile, the Rector of Imo Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Rev. Fr. Wence
Madu, has sent a condolence message to the Polytechnic community, on
the death of Fr. Osuagwu.
Speaking to newsmen in his office yesterday, the Rector said that the
reported death of his brother priest, sent cold shivers down the spine
of both staff and students of the institution.
"Fr. Osuagwu was a highly respected priest, who paid his dues in both
the institution and the Christian community. The late priest, who was
in charge of the Students Industrial Work Scheme, SIWES, put a lot of
energy in making sure that the students were properly trained", the
Rector said.
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-Vanguard
Presidency Abolishes Office Of First Lady
to Aisha, the wife of president Mohmmadu Buhari, overruling what
hitherto was known as "First Lady's office". Apparently renaming it
"Office of the Wife of the President", the presidency however stated
that Mrs. Buhari would, for now, be saddled with women and youth
related issues in the country.
The Presidency was reacting to allegations in some Nigerian media that
the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari has moved into the First Lady's
office in the Aso Villa.
Describing the allegation as totally false and fictitious, the Senior
Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam
Garba Shehu said that even though there was absolutely nothing wrong
with Mrs. Buhari making use of the office space reserved for the First
Lady, she had not done so in her capacity.
Shehu stated that under president Buhari, the office shall be
completely different from what obtained in the past, saying that the
era of the First Ladies issuing oil wells and licenses was gone.
"President Buhari promised that there would be a clear difference
between the role played by his wife during his tenure and that played
by many previous First Ladies.
"All that ostentation, ubiquitousness and arrogance we have come to
expect from the office are over and done with. Change has come.
"The ideal platform from which she will be useful to Nigeria's women
and children is still being thought out. Once this has been concluded
on, Mrs. Buhari's role will become clearer to all Nigerians.
There
will be nothing shady or hidden about it. There will be no access to
public funds. It will be purely private and voluntary", he said.
The presidential spokesman recalled that the time Mrs. Buhari had to
make use of the office was at the beginning of the present
administration.
He added that the meeting during which she hosted the wives of
governors was held in a section of the Villa's banquet hall, not in
the First Lady's office. "Her only visit to that office was at the
point of the take-over of the Villa by the incoming administration.
"Out of respect to Mrs. Buhari, the Sierra-Leonian First Lady, Mrs.
SiaKoroma recently surrendered her position of head of Africa's First
Ladies to Mrs. Buhari, inviting her to take up the same seat which
Mrs. Jonathan hurriedly handed over a few weeks to the handover of her
husband's government to President Buhari. Again, all these things are
currently under consideration and no decision has been arrived at
presently," Shehu said.
-Vanguard
Thursday, 20 August 2015
1,059 Persons Killed In North Since May 29 – NGO
at least 1,059 persons were killed in 75 major attacks in northern
Nigerian since May 29, 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari took over
the reins of leadership of the country.
Lipdo said the highest number of attacks, 34, occurred in Borno State,
where 551 people were killed.
In a statement in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Thursday, the NGO
boss said all the attacks occurred between May 29 and August 12,
especially under the watch of the recently sacked service chiefs.
According to him, Plateau State ranked second with 19 attacks and 112
people killed while Yobe comes in at third place, with eight attacks
and 86 people killed.
Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Kano, Nasarawa and Taraba states placed
fourth with two attacks each and a total of 254 people killed.
Though two attacks took place in Gombe, the statement said it had the
highest casualty figure of 99.
The Stefanos Foundation is a non-governmental organization that has
been attending to the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons from the
various attacks in their camps in Bukuru area of Jos South, Plateau
State.
-INFORMATION NIGERIA
Heartland Return to Owerri and to Winning Ways
Heartland laboured to a slim 1-0 victory over Kwara United in a Match
Day 24 fixture of the Glo Premier league, Wednesday.
It was the first match in front of their home fans since Match Day 10
when the Naze millionaires became journey men, playing home games at
the Rojenny stadium and once in Port Harcourt.
The home team came out of the woods quite early and pressurized their
visitors high up in their own half, leaving the Afonja Warriors dazed
by their host's dominance in possession play, creating telling passes
that they failed to make count.
The visitors could only create a chance in the opening 25 minutes when
new recruit from Akwa Starlet, Essobe Chukwudi making his debut made a
good run into the homers box after beating two defenders neatly but
with a failing to cash in on a glorious opportunity at sight. He shot
wide.
Prior to that act, Ubido did run the show by sending lovely crosses
into the opposing box but as usual there was either no one in sight or
those reached failed to connect properly. He also took his trademark
free kicks in the edge of the box but nothing worked in their favour.
Brownbraye Okpus got injured and was replaced by Jimoh Oni on the 25th
minute and what looked like a forced change proved to be a perfect
change 12 minutes later.
Another Ubido's free kick on the edge of the box was almost in the net
when Kwara 's goalkeeper Kaseem Yekeen made a last ditch save to
redirect the ball unto the high right which fell to Oni. He was the
quickest to react and benefited from the rebound to fire past Yekeen
for the lone goal on the day.
The visitors tried as much as they could especially in the second half
when they took the game to the homers but Emmanuel Iwu in Heartland's
goal was rarely troubled.
The Naze millionaires played a very tactical game, keeping the
opponents at bay but popping up with chances from time to time though
they could not increase their tally, Emeka Ogbugh their biggest
culprit.
Ebere Odiche almost did in the closing moments as a long range cracker
from the edge of the box beat Yekeen but hit the post.
MATCH DETAILS
Team list
Heartland FC XI
Emmanuel Iwu 35, Brownbraye Okpus 14, Zoumana Doumbia 4, Julius Ubido
26, Wale Doyeni 2, Kingsley Ajaero 30, Chidiebere Ajoku 27, Emeka
Ogbugh 9, Fred Okwara 10, Arinze Nwangwu 15, Collins Nwaneri 12.
RESERVE: Uche Nwokeji 23, Kelechi Ekeh 31, Ebere Odiche 5, Uzoma
Nnaemeka 25, Jimoh Oni 32, Ekezie Chukwuwike 39, Emmanuel Mathew 38.
Coach: Bethel Orji
Kwara United XI
Kaseem Yekeen 12
Saka Habeeb 27
Halilu Obadaki 10
Dare Ojo 16
Jimoh Ismail 30
Ahmed Muhammed 31
Abubakar Salman 21
Gata Adeshina 11
Alebiosu Shegun 9
Emman Peter 14
Essobe Chukwudi 28
RESERVES: Shagari Ismail 33, Abubakar Yusuf 2, Gata Ismail 22, Abdulai
Ibrahim 15, Oladapo Femi 17, Akeem Onigbari 4, Eugene Ossy 35
Coach: Tunde Sanni Saliu
Source: NPFL.COM
‘Broke’ Imo State To Send Permanent Secretaries To Singapore For Training
permanent secretaries to Singapore on a training programme for optimum
service delivery in the civil service.
According to the Imo state Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Calistus Ekenze,
who spoke after a closed-door meeting between Governor Rochas Okorocha
and the permanent secretaries at the Government House in Owerri, the
move was to ensure that the state has people in the top echelon to
drive the workforce in line with modern realities.
He urged starving workers in the state to be patient as the state
awaits the bailout funds.
Meanwhile, TODAY reports that Governor Okorocha has appointed Uche
Onwuchekwa as the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor,
Eze Madumere, and A.J. Emeka for Special Duties.
-INFORMATION NIGERIA
See The Looks That Got Lebanese Cleric Nigerian Visa
that Mr. Al Assir had recently adopted a new look, shaving his long,
unkempt beard and trading his usual religious robes and headwear for a
more inconspicuous jacket and sweater. Some local news outlets
suggested Mr Assir had also had plastic surgery to alter his
appearance.
Mr Al Assir became one of the most wanted men in Lebanon after his
militia went to battle with the Lebanese army in the port city of
Sidon in 2013, resulting in the deaths of 18 soldiers and dozens of Mr
Al Assir's gunmen.
-Vanguard
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
NCC Blocks 10.7 Million Telephone Lines
telephone lines in the last one week (since August 11) for improper
registration.
It said on Tuesday that at the completion of a "strict monitoring of
mobile operators in the country," it was likely to block 28.61 million
more lines found to be defective, which would bring the total number
of deactivated lines to 38.78 million.
The ongoing deactivation of preregistered Subscribers Identification
Modules cards on the network of mobile operators in the country led to
the blockage of the telephone lines.
Speaking in Lagos, the NCC said the lines were barred due to improper
registration details including poor fingerprints; lack of facial
information and other biometric challenges.
The Head of SIM Registration Project, NCC, Mr. Bashiru Idris, said the
operators and their agents were expected to ensure proper biometric
capturing of subscribers including the fingerprints and facial
outlook, "but they failed to do so in most cases."
According to the commission's Head of Compliance and Monitoring Unit,
Efosa Idehen, the regulator has since the expiration of the ultimatum
given to operators (August 11), been visiting the operators to ensure
compliance.
He said that in September 2014, the NCC discovered that from the SIM
data the operators sent to the commission for hamonisation, some were
defective and had to be returned to the operators for proper and
complete checks.
Idehen said, "18.6 million SIM data were sent back to MTN Nigeria;
10.46 million to Etisalat; 7.49 million to Airtel; and 2.23 million to
Globacom.
"The huge figures are a sign that the operators are partially
committed to the exercise; more so, the NCC monitoring exercise proved
us right."
He said out of the about 18.6 million SIM registration data found to
be defective on MTN network, only about 1.6 million had been barred.
"What MTN actually did was to put the affected subscribers on 'Receive
calls only', which means the subscribers cannot put a call through to
another network. With this, there was no compliance from MTN," Idehen
said.
He also said, "During our visit to Airtel, the telecommunications
service had fully barred 2.3 million lines from their networks. These
are SIM data found to be incomplete. At Globacom, 3.5 million lines
have been barred also from their network.
"Globacom gave assurance of 24 hours to deactivate other lines found
to be defective on their networks.
"Etisalat has barred 3.3 million lines and promised that within 24
hours, others found to be challenging will be removed totally from the
networks."
Idehen said the directive given to the operators was to block any line
found to have incomplete registration, while they (operators) could
later urge the affected subscribers to come and complete their
registration.
He, therefore, said that to check any excesses henceforth, "operators
will be required to send correct data for hamonisation to the
regulator."
He said the NCC would sanction any operator going contrary to the
stipulation of the SIM Card Registration Code, sections 19 to 21, with
an errant operator paying N200,000 for each flaw.
—PUNCH
Wife Catches Pastor Having Sex With Church Member
Ondo town, Ondo State, that she caught her husband of 12 years,
Prophet Femi Oseni, on the floor of the church office, having sex with
another woman.
The woman, who is also an evangelist in the church, therefore asked
the court for the dissolution of their marriage on the grounds of
adultery, desertion and lack of love on the part of the husband.
The plaintiff said her husband's behaviour towards her changed after
seven years of their marriage with no child, adding that the defendant
had been sleeping around with different women, most of whom were their
church members.
She said, "Recently, after several days of abandoning me, I traced my
husband to his church in a village not far from Ondo town. On getting
there, I met him on the floor of the church office with one of the
women in the church. They were having sex."
She said she reported her husband's strange behaviour to his mother,
adding that it did not stop him from the adulterous acts.
She stated that she was fed up with the relationship, praying the
court to separate them.
Doris also accused the husband of having a child, who she said was a
product of his extra-marital affairs .
However, the 45-year-old Oseni pleaded with the court not to dissolve
the marriage with his wife, saying he still loved the woman, whom he
described as a virtuous woman that had been taking care of him since
he married her.
In his ruling, the President of the court, Joshua Adunbi, said the
words and body language of the wife had shown that she was tired of
the union. He therefore ordered the dissolution of the marriage .
Adunbi added that both parties were free to re-marry any person of
their choice and ordered the petitioner to pay the sum of N2,500 to
the respondent as a refund of dowry.
He said anyone of the parties that was not satisfied with the decision
of the court could appeal the ruling within 30 days.
—PUNCH
Cultists Use Tramadol, Soft Drink To Kill Victims – Police
the Kwara State capital, says it has uncovered a new strategy used by
cultists and other hoodlums to poison their victims and dispossess
them of their valuables.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okesanmi, said
the cultists and other evil minded people put tramadol inside a
Lacasera drink or other soft drinks and make their victims to drink it
thinking they were drinking safe soft drink.
Okesanmi explained that the victims, after drinking the poisoned
drink, would fall asleep while the bandits would dispossess the
victims of his or her valuables.
He warned the public to be cautious of such evil schemes and avoid
taking gifts from unknown people, especially during traveling.
The PPRO spoke in Ilorin while parading three suspects for alleged
involvement in the recent cult clashes inthe state capital and for
allegedly conspiring to poison a lady and dispose her of her money.
Okesanmi added that the police on Monday arrested two suspects,
Adeniyi Sijibomi (18) and Tosin David for allegedly trying to poison a
lady, Bidemi Adewole, of the Sapati Ile area of Ilorin.
He said the suspects were members of a cult group.
According to him, the suspects, who are also from the Sapati Ile area,
had poisoned a bottle of Lacasera drink with tramadol and attempted to
force the victim to drink it, explaining that Adewole miraculously
escaped.
The PPRO said Adewole later complained to the police that the suspects
had allegedly conspired to kill her using a poison-laden Lacasera
drink.
The police spokesman alleged that Sijibomi and John Onucho (25) were
involved in the cult clashes in Ilorin in which two people were
confirmed dead by the police.
He stated that the suspects were all members of Eiye confraternity,
adding that two locally manufactured pistols, two live cartridges and
one expended cartridge were recovered from the suspects.
Okesanmi said, "On Tuesday, in a bid to arrest the perpetrators of the
last cult clashes in Ilorin, which led to the killing of two young
men, the command, in addition to suspects earlier arrested and
charged, had also picked up the two suspects, who confessed to being
part of the latest cult activities recorded last week with the arms
used in the dastardly act."
But the suspects denied the police allegations against them.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, Kwara State chapter, has
condemned the cult clashes in the state capital.
The party, in a statement by its state's Publicity Secretary, Alhaji
Sulyman Buhari, described the cult clashes as unfortunate, condemnable
and unacceptable to the peace-loving people of Kwara State.
—PUNCH
High Court Orders EFCC To Pay Illegally Detained Man N12m
against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the
illegal arrest and detention of the Administrative Manager of a firm,
Rana Prestige Nigeria Industries Limited, Mr Adewale Adeniyi.
Adeniyi had dragged EFCC to court, claiming N30 million as general,
exemplary and aggravated damages for the violation of his rights, as
well as N10 million as cost of the suit. He argued in the suit that he
was arrested without a warrant, which makes it illegal.
The EFCC effected his arrest following a petition by Mrs Rachadatou
Abdou, who co-owns the company.
In his ruling on Adeniyi's fundamental rights enforcement application,
Justice Mohammed Idris held that the commission violated the
applicant's rights.
"There is no evidence that there was a preliminary investigation into
allegations against him before the arrest.
"No order of court authorizing the arrested was exhibited before the
court. The respondents acted irrationally without following due
process," the judge held.
According to the judge, before anyone is validly arrested and
detained, there must be preliminary investigation into the allegations
against them.
He urged security agencies to exercise restraint at all times and must
not be "intoxicated" by the enormous powers they possess.
He held that damages are due the applicant for the trauma he was
subjected to while in detention.
The judge awarded N10 million against EFCC, which must also pay N2
million cost. It also awarded N5 million against Mrs Abdou.
-INFORMATION NIGERIA
Top ISIS Member Arrested On His Way To Nigeria
cleric, Ahmed Al Assir, who has been on the run for two good years.
Lebanese authorities caught Mr. Al Assir at Beirut's Rafik Hariri
International Airport on Saturday while trying to board a flight to
Egypt using a fake Palestinian passport.
Lebanon's general security directorate said Mr Al Assir was planning
on flying to Nigeria via Cairo.
Mr. Al Assir had recently adopted a new look, shaving his long, unkept
beard and trading his usual religious robes and headwear for a more
inconspicuous jacket and sweater.
Reports suggested Mr Assir had also had plastic surgery to alter his
appearance.
Mr Al Assir became one of the most wanted men in Lebanon after his
militia went to battle with the Lebanese army in the port city of
Sidon in 2013, resulting in the deaths of 18 soldiers and dozens of Mr
Al Assir's gunmen.
-Daily Post
Mourinho May Soon Be Sacked
Premier League manager to be sacked slashed following his team's 3-0
defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
File and photo: Jose Mourinho
Odds released by Betfair Sportsbook on Monday show the Portuguese
tactician is now 7/1 second favourite – previously 25/1 – to leave his
post behind Sunderland coach Dick Advocaat.
Mourinho had to also deal with heavy criticism in the build-up to the
clash on Sunday for demoting first-team doctor Eva Carneiro after she
had attended to Eden Hazard in the dying minutes of the draw against
Garry Monk's side last Saturday.
Despite the Portuguese manager only signing a new four-year
dealearlier this month, odds from Betfair suggest Mourinho could be on
his way out of Stamford Bridge if Chelsea do not get their title
defence back on track in the coming weeks.
Football Trader for Betfair, Michael Bowers, said:
"Jose is struggling to get off on the right foot this season, after a
poor game against Swansea and an even poorer game against the new
title favourites
Manchester City, he has gone from 25/1 to 7/1 second favourite as the
next manager to leave the market after heavy backing.
"The club will remain loyal to Mourinho for the time being, but if the
blues don't start picking up some points after four or five games,
even The Special One could face the chop."
-Vanguard
TB Joshua Donates N10m To IDPs, Laments Camp Condition
donated N10 million to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in
Kuchingoro Camp, Abuja.
Joshua who lamented the condition in which Nigerians displaced by the
Boko Haram insurgency in the North East region are living, called for
more support to improve conditions in the camps.
Represented by Olorogun Talib Tebite, Joshua also promised the IDPs
that the church would also provide a medical ambulance as well as
other medications to boost health care delivery in the camp.
The Prophet who enjoined Nigerians to come to the aid of the displaced
persons, noted that "as creations of God, we must learn to love our
neighbours as our selves by being our brothers keepers especially in
need. One way we must express our love for others is in giving", he
added.
Speaking at the event, the Emir of Daura, HRH Umar Farouk Umar, who
handed the N10m cheque to the IDPs camp chairman, on behalf of the
church, urged them to utilize the money prudently.
The Emir appealed to the IDPs leaders to channel the donation towards
the education of children in the camp and the provision of health
facility for children and women in the camp.
On his part, the IDPs Camp Chairman, Philimon Emmanuel said the bulk
of the money would used to establish a clinic in the camp.
While parts of it would be utilized in the provision of food and
ensuring that children of secondary school age were sent to schools.
"We have been here since January 2014 and up till now we did not see
something like this. We did not expect this and we cannot thank the
church enough.
"We are going to have a clinic here. If we get a clinic some of our
problems will be reduced. Because the first problem for us sickness in
the camp and the clinic will address.
"We will buy some food items too and we have to educate our children
because up till now our children that are in secondary school are not
going to school. It only nursery and primary school that we have
here", he explained.
-Vanguard
Angry Prostitutes Protest In Anambra, See How They Protested
cattle market near the border community of Amansea in Anambra State
are angry. The angry prostitutes destroyed shacks around their houses
after they were rendered homeless and flushed out by officials of the
Anambra State Urban Development Board (ASUDEB).
Vanguard reports that in a bid to deliver the area from kidnappers and
other related vices who use the brothel as hideout, ASUDEB officials
descended on the prostitutes at about 3pm with armed security
operatives. However, most of the prostitutes have already relocated to
the nearby Ugwuoba in Oji River local government area of Enugu State.
The prostitutes were however angry because they claimed they were not
notified before ASUDEB carried out the demolition. The prostitutes
also claimed ASUDEB was biased by leaving out some structures from the
demolition process, hence their anger and reason for destroying the
untouched structures in the cattle market. However, the General
Manager of ASUDEB, Mr. Nathan Enemuo, who led the operation, said the
exercise was part of Governor Willie Obiano's resolve to rid the state
of all kinds of crime and criminal activities in the state. He also
said that the prostitutes were notified three weeks before the
demolition process.
He said: "A lot of prostitutes live around Amansea cattle market,
spoiling our children and constituting nuisance in the area and you
know that anywhere there is brothel, criminals and kidnappers hover
around there. In my capacity as the ASUDEB general manager, I will
ensure that this does not exist anymore in the state and our
activities are in line with our amiable governor's policy on zero
tolerance to crime and kidnapping in the state."
Following the incessant public outcry against the increase of
prostitution and other social vices at Tinshama, a slum in the
Nassarawa Local Government of Kano State, Hisbah operatives have
recently arrested about 23 young girls for alleged prostitution, most
of them in their teen-years.
Imo Vigilance Groups Arrest Man For Alleged Attempt To Sell Wife, Baby
Opkala in Ngor Opkala Local Council of Imo State, at the weekend
arrested a father in one of the communities, Obinna Nwankpa, in the
bush while attempting to sell his baby and wife to some persons. The
other suspected main dealer, who was said to have introduced Nwankpa
to the business, escaped.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), has confirmed the incident,
stating that investigations were going on in the matter.
Parading the suspect at the palace of the monarch of Ohakelem, Eze E.
Okere, the coordinator of the groups, Innocent Nwahiri, said they
apprehended the suspect and one Ben Echeberemeze, based on the tip-
off they received, adding that the suspect had invited his wife to
come with his baby to an uncompleted building in the bush.
He said as Nwankpa was there waiting for the deal to take place and
while negotiating on phone, the vigilance group arrived there and
arrested him.
The two suspects and two motorcycles that were recovered at the scene
were handed over to the Umuneke Police Station in the area.
The monarch of the community, Okere, said from the information he
gathered concerning the fleeing suspect, he had indulged in several
similar child theft/kidnapping and human trafficking in the community,
urging the state government to investigate the matter thoroughly and
deal with the culprit if found guilty of the offence.
His words: "I heard he is involved in child trafficking. He does it
with a boy in Mbaise who is now on the run. Why did he ask Obinna to
bring his wife and child? He knew what they planned before going into
the bush. I call on the government to come here and handle them firmly
otherwise this incident would happen again."
-TheGuardian
Dead 90-Year-Old Woman Wakes At Her Burial
resurrected during her funeral procession in a Village of Chikamba in
Jambezi, Zimbabwe, throwing mourners into a state of celebration.
However, it was gathered that the resurrected woman later gave up the ghost.
A source from the village said the incident has got people relating
different versions of the strange occurrence.
The source is quoted to have said: "Gogo Tshuma was over 90. When she
died, people gathered waiting for her children to come for the
funeral.
"They arrived at home a day after her death and brought a coffin. On
the second day, which was supposed to be the burial day, Gogo MaTshuma
came back to life."
"Unfortunately, all preparations had been made and two cows had been
slaughtered therefore people started partying."
This strange occurrence is not peculiar to Africa, a doctor in Germany
was charged by prosecutors with negligent bodily harm, after a
92-year-old woman he declared dead woke in a refrigerated room at a
funeral home.
The doctor aged 53-year, pronounced the seriously ill woman dead in
March,2015 after a care worker found her without a pulse and not
breathing at a retirement home. Her body was reportedly taken to the
Munstermann funeral parlour in Berlin where it was placed in a
refrigerated room.
However, just hours later a worker at the funeral home heard shrieks
coming from inside the room.
'Lazarus Syndrome' is the term used to classify cases of people
pronounced dead only to awake in the morgue or at funeral place.
-Talkofnaija
Man Arrested For Attempting To Sell Wife And Baby In Imo
Opkala in Ngor Opkala Local Council of Imo State, at the weekend
arrested a father in one of the communities, Obinna Nwankpa, in the
bush while attempting to sell his baby and wife to some persons. The
other suspected main dealer, who was said to have introduced Nwankpa
to the business, escaped.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), has confirmed the incident,
stating that investigations were going on in the matter.
Parading the suspect at the palace of the monarch of Ohakelem, Eze E.
Okere, the coordinator of the groups, Innocent Nwahiri, said they
apprehended the suspect and one Ben Echeberemeze, based on the tip-
off they received, adding that the suspect had invited his wife to
come with his baby to an uncompleted building in the bush.
He said as Nwankpa was there waiting for the deal to take place and
while negotiating on phone, the vigilance group arrived there and
arrested him.
The two suspects and two motorcycles that were recovered at the scene
were handed over to the Umuneke Police Station in the area.
The monarch of the community, Okere, said from the information he
gathered concerning the fleeing suspect, he had indulged in several
similar child theft/kidnapping and human trafficking in the community,
urging the state government to investigate the matter thoroughly and
deal with the culprit if found guilty of the offence.
His words: "I heard he is involved in child trafficking. He does it
with a boy in Mbaise who is now on the run. Why did he ask Obinna to
bring his wife and child? He knew what they planned before going into
the bush. I call on the government to come here and handle them firmly
otherwise this incident would happen again."
-Vanguard
Tuesday, 18 August 2015
Group To Mark 500 Days Of Chibok Girls Adoption
expressed dissatisfaction with the inability of the government to
rescue the over 200 schoolgirls almost five hundred days after their
abduction.
The girls were abducted by members of the Boko Haram terrorist group
on April 14, 2014 from their school's dormitory in Chibok, Borno State
in north-east Nigeria.
Leaders of the group said they have mapped out plans to mark the 500
days of the abduction of the girls.
"Although we have had high level advocacy activities to mark specific
milestone dates since the abduction, we had never envisaged that our
girls will not be rescued nearly 500 days after their abductions.
"We are extremely saddened as the 500 day mark approaches.
"They, however, hopeful that the girls would be rescued with the
directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the military to end
insurgency in the north by December 2015," a spokesman for the group,
Sesugh Akume, said.
He said that in the last few weeks, however, the group's hope of the
girls rescue was rekindled, with the ultimatum by the President to the
military to decimate the Boko Haram terrorists and end insurgency in
the north-east region by December.
The group is also hoping to re-engage government officials and human
rights organisations with a view to mounting further pressure on the
government to rescue the children.
-ChannelsTV
Anglican Primate Asks Churches To Support Anti-Corruption Fight
Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, has urged churches nationwide to give
wide support to President Muhammadu Buhari's 'Anti-corruption Agenda'.
The Archbishop described the behaviour of some public office holders
as a huge disappointment to Nigeria, emphasising that Nigeria had
garnered enough international support to enable her address squarely
the rot in the system.
According to him, the church has always been in the vanguard of
anti-corruption crusade.
"The Church has been preaching and teaching that people should live right.
"When you live right, there will be no need for anybody to set up any
panel or court against anybody.
"If you take what belongs to you and I take what belongs to me, then
there is no cheating. But a situation where someone takes what belongs
to everybody and appropriate it and then others are deprived, that is
a bad situation," he stressed.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of church leaders in Abuja on
Tuesday, the Primate, who is also a member of the National Peace
Committee for the 2015 general elections, said that the President's
commitment to ensuring peace, stability and accountability across the
nation should also be encouraged rather than criticised.
He stated that putting the Boko Haram experience in the north-east
behind would be a thing of joy.
"Definitely, Nigerians will appreciate putting the matter of Boko
Haram behind us because it has affected our economy, friendship,
movement and everything," the Anglican Primate said.
He also wished the administration of President Buhari well.
President Buhari has said his administration is committed to 'killing
corruption' in Nigeria and recovering stolen funds from public office
holders in the last administration.
On Monday, a traditional ruler, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad
Abubakar, urged President Buhari to prosecute anyone that had looted
Nigeria's funds.
The Sultan, who spoke at a Summit organised by the Nigeria Police
Force, advised that anyone found culpable of corruption should not
only forfeit their asset, but should also go to jail.
-ChannelsTV
No Survivors In Indonesia Plane Crash -- Officials
Air passenger aircraft that crashed in eastern Indonesia, killing all
54 on board, according to officials. "At 1:40 local time the Trigana
Air black box was found," Transportation Ministry official Julius
Arivada Barata told the Reuters news agency by text message on
Tuesday.
Major-General Heronimus Guru, operations director at Indonesia's
National Search and Rescue Agency, told a news conference in the
capital, Jakarta, on the same day that all passengers on the plane
were dead and their remains were being put into body bags and
recovered.
Officials have declined to comment on the cause of Sunday's crash
until the results of an investigation by the national transport safety
committee, but Guru said the terrain in Indonesia's easternmost
province may have been a factor. "There's a possibility the aircraft
hit a peak and then fell into a ravine because the place that it was
found is steep," Guru said.
Earlier, the National Search and Rescue Agency said the twin turboprop
ATR-42-300 probably hit a peak on Sunday before crashing into a ravine
in the Bintang Mountains district, about seven nautical miles from
Oksibil. ATR is a joint venture between Airbus and Alenia Aermacchi, a
subsidiary of Italian aerospace firm Finmeccanica.
-Aljazeera.
Why I Hate Okocha – Oliseh
he does not see eye-to-eye with his former assistant in the Eagles
Austin Jay-Jay Okocha when he said; ''yes, I hate Jay-Jay''.
Oliseh and Okocha
A reporter had asked him to clear the air on rumours that he does not
see or stay in the same room with the former playmaker of the Super
Eagles. The hall was like a graveyard when he made the pronouncement.
He looked round and explained further. "I hate Okocha because anytime
we play Tennis, he beats me.
We played at the weekend at Sheraton Hotel and he defeated me''. He
made light of the rumour that started after he was appointed coach of
the senior national team. Many still believe that Okocha stabbed
Oliseh in the back when he accepted the captaincy of the Eagles to the
2002 World Cup.
''We're the best of friends and we played Tennis at the weekend'', he
emphasised. Okocha is currently the Chairman of Delta State Football
Association and Chairman of NFF's Study Group.
Speaking on the Eagles, Oliseh said that he was going to make the
Eagles to play team football combined with individual talents. ''If
you remember our victories in 1994 and 1996, it was based on
individual talents. But we do not have such individual talents again.
What we need to do is to play collectively. That is what obtains in
Germany and Spain. It's a lot of hardwork. We're here to do our
best'', he added.
-Vanguard
Catholic Priest Waylaid And Murdered On His Way To Conduct Mass In Owerri
the death of a Catholic priest and lecturer at the Imo State
Polytechnic, Rev. Fr. Dr. Desmond Osuagwu.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem, told
PUNCH Metro on Monday that the police had already visited the scene of
the crime and would spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators of
the crime to book.
The priest was on Saturday heading for St. Mark's Catholic Chaplaincy,
Obinze Barracks, where he served as a chaplain, to conduct the day's
Eucharistic mass for men of the Nigerian Armed Forces when he was
attacked.
It was gathered that the assailants waylaid him on the road at a
pathway before Avu junction on the Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, and
dragged him out of his SUV before slitting his throat and cutting
through his stomach with a knife.
A source told our correspondent the suspected cultists dragged him
into a nearby bush and tied him to a tree.
He said the men did not take any money from the priest's car.
Desmond Osuagwu
Osuagwu, an indigene of Obowo council area of the state, was until his
death the Director of Students Industrial Works Experience Scheme in
the Imo State Polytechnic.
Osuagwu, who celebrated his Silver Jubilee anniversary as a priest
last year, was reported to be among the top contestants for the
position of Superior-General of the Claretian priests slated to hold
sometime in 2016.
The management of the Imo State Polytechnic, confirmed the incident,
but declined to comment on it because the police had begun
investigation.
The police spokesperson, Enwerem, said, "We heard the information that
morning and immediately moved our men to the scene of the incident.
The State Police Command is intensifying actions to see that the
perpetrators of the dastard action are brought to book. We must surely
get them."
-PUNCH
11 Common Cancer-causing Household Items You Should Get Rid Of
chemical regulation, many known carcinogens such as formaldehyde,
naphthalene, BPAs, triclosan, among many other health damaging toxins,
end up in the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe, and
the products we use on a daily basis.
Because they are available on the market many of us assume that they
are completely save and aren't aware of the many health problems they
could cause.
Here's a list of common household products you should get rid of to
protect your family's health and wellness:
1. Air Fresheners and Cleaning Products
In a 2008 study at University of Washington, Anne Steinemann and her
team found that many air fresheners on the market are loaded with
cancer-causing chemicals. Essential oils are a much better and safer
way to freshen up your home.
2. Mothballs
Moths nibbling holes in your favorite fabrics, not the most pleasant
creatures to have in your house. But mothballs aren't the best method
to keep them away. Most types contain paradichlorobenzene or
naphthalene, which can cause cell damage and cancer. A much safer and
natural alternative: cedar chips.
3. Candles
According the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 40
percent of the candles sold contain lead in their wicks to make them
firmer. They release 5 times more lead than what our children can
handle and can cause hormone dysfunction, behavioral issues, and
learning disabilities. To protect your family opt for beeswax candles
with cotton wicks, or why not try and make your own.
4. Nonstick Cookware
When non-stick or Teflon cookware is heated at high temperature or
gets scratched it releases perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other
chemicals which end up in our food. Safer cookware for you to use:
glass, cast-iron, copper or ceramic/porcelain coated pans.
5. Cosmetics
Similar to the dirty dozen food list the Environmental Working Group
created, National Geographic's Green Guide lists toxic chemicals found
in skin care products. These include lead, formaldehyde, mercury,
parabens, and phthalates, and are all known to cause serious health
issues, including cancer. Opt for organic, natural skin care products
or try and make your own.
6. Conventional Deodorants and Antiperspirants
Deodorants are made so they remain on our body for hours and most of
their ingredients get absorbed through the skin. Including
cancer-causing compounds such as aluminum, triclosan, and phthalates
7. Shower curtains
Much better is to install a glass panel or door on your shower as some
of the curtains available on the market release volatile toxic
chemicals or VOCs into the air you breathe.
8. Pressed Wood
Many studies have linked high formaldehyde levels to several types of
cancer. Pressed wood is made out of different kinds of wood particles
which are glued together with a urea-formaldehyde based substances.
Pressed wood has shown to be one of the biggest sources of indoor
formaldehyde emissions.
9. Plastic Bottles or Containers and Cans
Plastics bottles or containers and cans often contain bisphenol A
(BPA), a phthalate and estrogen-like substance associated with
reproductive issues, heart diseases, and cancer. Diethylhexyl adipate
(DEHA), another cancer-inducing chemical is often used to make plastic
bottles more pliable.
10. Common Pesticides
Many studies associate an increased risk of cancer (especially brain
cancer in children) to the use of insecticides, fungicides,
disinfectants or other varieties. The US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) made it mandatory to include toxicity level on the label,
but it is still up to you to handle them with care and they should be
kept out of reach of children. Even better is to opt for an organic
way of killing weeds and other pests.
Possible carcinogens to watch out for: chlordane, heptachlor,
tetrachlorvinphos, carbaryl, propoxur, lindane, dichlorvos, phosmet,
and permethrin.
11. Art Supplies
According the EPA, many paints, varnishes, waxes, and permanent
markers contain VOCs which are especially harmful for children. So be
mindful what you give your kids to get creative or paint your walls
with. Look for the "low-VOC" labeled paints and work outdoors or in
well ventilated rooms if possible.
-blogs.naturalnews.com
‘I Was Abused’ – Anita Oyakhilome Opens Up After Divorce Saga
now goes by her maiden name Ebhodaghe caused quite a stare when news
of divorce between the two hit the net.
The divorce was filed in April 9, 2014 at Divorce Section A, Central
Family Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn, London, United Kingdom
on the grounds of "unreasonable behaviour" and for the first time
since that divorce, Anita is now speaking.
Anita took to her blog to discuss how her life has been changing as of
late making some serious references to her marriage as she wrote. She
wrote:
It is my desire to reach out and inspire you especially if you feel
vulnerable and in need of a change. I hope to inspire you to believe
in yourself no matter the circumstances. I want to help you recreate
your life going forward, so you can live beautifully. I have been
through this journey of rediscovery and nothing is as beautiful as
realising one's uniqueness as I have done. Life is a precious however,
your life can go through different seasons: winter, spring, summer or
autumn. Life can hit you with financial loss, disappointments, death
of a loved one, a broken relationship, loss of a job, a divorce, being
falsely accused or being a victim of crime. These can shatter you to
pieces but you can do something about it.
Life is a gift from God and you deserve to be happy irrespective of
your age, race, gender, background or financial situation. I urge you
to appreciate the gift you are, you are precious and valuable. Never
lose sight of who you are; begin to create new visions and dreams for
your life. Let nothing stop you from growing every day. My story is
not one of a bed of roses, far from it but I had a choice to either
beat myself over the regret of tolerating abuse for so long or put a
stop to the abuse and recreate my life for the best. My journey was
not in vain. I can now help others realise that their situation does
not define them.
In order to move on with life, I have come to realise that nothing is
permanent. Your problem is not permanent; you can do something to
change it by ensuring you do not allow the situation or the person
make your life miserable. Pain is a fact of life, it is inevitable but
suffering is optional. You can do something to change the pain by over
looking every obstacle, take control as a force of nature to grow and
expand. Do what is necessary now to use the gift God has given you to
unleash your purpose.
My message to all is simple: you have value therefore discover your
potential. Do not allow anybody destroy you or rob you of living a
joyful life. Your life is not wasted; you have just started a
different phase of life. God will show you how to use your testimony
to help others and restore their lives to exuberance. Please join me
to encourage and inspire others. You have a story to tell, you can
contribute and participate in the dialogues here. Let us all learn
from one another's experience and reach others with the gift of love
and kindness. Share your experience by emailing me or making a
comment. Celebrate your uniqueness because there is only one of you.
-www.pastoranita.org/beta/
Asari Dokubo Writes Open Letter To President Buhari
leaders of the Oodua People's Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun
and Otunba Gani Adams, have written an open letter to President
Muhammadu Buhari over unpaid fees allegedly owed them by the NNPC.
Together with other beneficiaries of the controversial Pipeline
Security and Surveillance contracts
they claimed that they had a three-month contract with the NNPC, from
March 15 to June 15, which they delivered on but are yet to be paid.
The NNPC had on June 15, terminated the contract awarded under
President Goodluck Jonathan to various private security firms to
safeguard pipelines against vandals.
They alleged that the NNPC has refused to pay its indebtedness to
them, insisting that they are demanding their entitlement and not a
handout or favour.
They debunked claims that President Jonathan was the one who gave them
the contract in order to secure his re-election, adding that due
process was followed between them and the Management of the NNPC,
before the contract was awarded.
They threatened to sue the NNPC if the outstanding fees aren't paid.
The companies are New Age Nigeria Limited (Fasehun); Donyx Global
Concept (Adams); ATEF Nigeria Limited (Asari Dokubo); Galery Security
Services Limited (Bibo Ajube); Bajeros Nigeria Limited (Joshua
Machiever); Close Body Protection Limited (High Chief Omo) and Izon
Ibe Security Limited.
-Vanguard
16-Year-Old Girl Caught Having Sex With 52 Men At A Bush In Awka, Makes Alarming Confession
16-year-old secondary school dropout after she was allegedly caught
having s*x with over 52 young men inside a bush in what looked like an
initiation ceremony.
According to Daily Post report, the suspects, who were apprehended
inside a bush in Awka were members of the Supreme Vikings
Confraternity, conducting initiation for new members.
During interrogation, Ifechukwu claimed she had to travel to Anambra
from Abuja just to witness the initiation of new members and she had
been forced to sleep with every male member of the cult as part of her
initiation.
"I joined them three months ago and during my initiation; I was forced
to have s*x with every registered male member of the cult present that
night. I was given sedatives so as not to feel what they were doing.
It was not easy, but I bore the pain.
"The day we were initiated, I was the only girl in their midst. I was
determined to be a successful member. I was further convinced to stay
because I discovered that they were more honorable men than the other
cult groups.
"I am sorry for myself and would love to be given the opportunity to
go back to school," she sobbed.
Another member, identified as Ugochukwu Agbazuo, explained that they
are all undergraduates of various institutions in Anambra, except for
their national leaders who are all graduates working across the
country and normally assists them to secure arms.
On the issue of r*pe, Ugochukwu said the females could not go through
the rigorous process during the initiation and so their leaders
suggested the best way to get them under oath is for every registered
member to have s*x with her during initiation.
"She would be given sedatives during the process so that she will not
physically feel the pain. Ifechukwu's case was better because we were
only 52 registered males present on the day of her initiation. All of
our female members were defiled," he pointed out.
Confirming the incident, the state commissioner of police, Hosea Karma
said the police had gotten an intelligence tip-off that the cult
members and their new entrants were in a bush performing some rituals.
According to him, the suspects confirmed that every male member of the
cult will sleep with every prospective female member as part of their
initiation ritual.
"This they did in order to secure their oath of secrecy and it was
during the raid we arrested ifechukwu," Karma stated.
He listed some of the items recovered to include guns, machetes and
several wraps of Indian hemp.
-Naij
Sunday, 16 August 2015
NPL Week 23 Results
Sunshine 4-0 Giwa;
Pillars 4-1 3SC;
Akwa Utd 3-1 Sharks;
Nasarawa Utd 2-0 Heartland;
Wolves 1-0 Dolphins;
Rangers 2-3 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
FG Monitors Nigerians’ Facebook, Twitter Accounts
of Nigerians who are suspected of having links with various terrorist
groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq,
findings by PUNCH have shown.
PUNCH correspondent learnt that through covert operations, which have
been going on for a while, security agencies hack into the Facebook
and Twitter accounts of those they are monitoring.
The move, it was learnt, was meant to frustrate terrorist attacks on
the country.
The project, which is costing the country millions of dollars, is
being managed by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Multiple sources, who spoke to PUNCH correspondent on condition of
anonymity because they were not authorised to inform the press about
the security checks, stated that the administration of former
President Goodluck Jonathan approved the request by security agencies
to spy on targeted sections of the population, mainly religious
extremists and radicalised individuals.
It was gathered that the project is being coordinated by some foreign
firms, including an Israeli firm, Elbit System.
PUNCH correspondent reports that the local espionage involves hacking
of phones, email accounts, social media accounts and bugging of
telephone conversations of persons of interest.
A source said, "The surveillance system is not being used to target
everyone, as people may want to believe. It is only deployed to get
intelligence on specific targets because it would be hard and
difficult to use such system to spy on all Nigerians; the amount of
data would be too huge and staggering for the assessors to sort and
manage.
"Basically, the system is used to hack into emails and phones of
targets, and the targets are those who are suspected of having ties
with terrorists, whether Boko Haram, ISIS or any other criminal
element."
It was also learnt that the system had greatly assisted security
agencies to nip in the bud and also frustrate many terror plots and
attacks across the country.
The security agencies had been using electronic trackers, which they
were used to track and apprehend kidnappers.
But it was learnt that the electronic surveillance system is more
effective and has better capacities to hack emails, passwords and
social media accounts used by terrorists to recruit members.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, confirmed that
security agencies were using a sophisticated surveillance system as
part of measures to combat crime and terrorism in the country.
He said, "It is not a new technology. Everywhere in the world, it is
used, including drones and other sophisticated equipment. Nigeria is
part of the international community; we have our surveillance system,
which shows that Nigeria is developing."
Ojukwu said the security agencies respect the rights of Nigerians and
were not using the system to hack the phones and computers of innocent
Nigerians.
The Department of State Services could not be reached for information
on their use of the surveillance system.
—PUNCH
Shekau Rebuffs Claims That He Had Been Killed Or Ousted As Chief Of Boko Haram In New Video
as chief of the jihadist group in an audio recording released Sunday
attributed to him by security experts.
In the eight-minute Hausa-language message, Abubakar Shekau rebuffed
claims by Chadian leader Idriss Deby that he had been replaced and
called the president a "hypocrite" and a "tyrant".
"It is indeed all over the global media of infidels that I am dead or
that I am sick and incapacitated and have lost influence in the
affairs of religion," he said in the recording released on social
media.
"It should be understood that this is false. This is indeed a lie. If
it were true, my voice wouldn't have been heard, now that I am
speaking."
Deby declared on August 12 that efforts to combat neighbouring
Nigeria's Boko Haram jihadists had succeeded in "decapitating" the
group and would be wrapped up "by the end of the year".
Deby told reporters in the capital N'Djamena Boko Haram was no longer
led by the fearsome Shekau and that his successor, whom he named as
Mahamat Daoud, was open to talks.
"Gratitude be to Allah and with his help, I have not disappeared. I am
still alive and I am not dead. And I will not die until my time
appointed by Allah is up," Shekau said in the message.
The SITE Intelligence Group verified the authenticity of the message,
and an AFP correspondent with extensive experience of reporting Boko
Haram said it exactly resembled Shekau's voice in previous recordings.
– Taunts –
Shekau's absence from Boko Haram videos in recent months has fuelled
speculation that he might have been killed or wounded.
He has not spoken publicly since he pledged allegiance to the Islamic
State (IS) group in an audio recording released on March 7.
The jihadist commander refers to himself in the new recording for the
first time as "leader of the west Africa wing" of IS and pays homage
to its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, referring to him as the "Caliph of
Muslims".
He taunted Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, who came to power on
May 29 vowing to crush Boko Haram and ordered his military chiefs last
week to end the insurgency within three months.
"This ostentatious person, a liar — I mean Buhari, who raised arms to
crush us in three months. You Buhari, why didn't you say in three
years?" Shekau demanded.
"We will certainly fight you by the grace of Allah until we establish
Allah's law everywhere on Earth."
Boko Haram has been waging a six-year uprising against the Nigerian
state, which has claimed more than 15,000 lives.
The jihadists have repeatedly extended their northeastern insurgency
into border areas of Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
In recent weeks suicide bombers, many of them women, have staged
several attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad.
The four countries, plus Benin, have pledged troops towards a regional
8,700-strong force aimed at ending the insurgency and due to deploy
within days.
– 'Global terrorist' –
Speculation about Shekau's condition — and even his true identity —
has been rampant in Nigeria for years.
The wanted Islamist leader's whereabouts are unknown, but he has in
the past made himself heard whenever he has been proclaimed dead.
Some experts and Nigerian security officials insist "Shekau" is a
composite character, with different militant fighters stepping into
the role at different times.
The original Abubakar Shekau — the son of poor farmers who became
radicalised in a series of theological schools before taking over Boko
Haram in 2010 — actually died months, or possibly several years ago,
according to the security services.
But the United States and other experts have questioned the
credibility of that claim.
"Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath," the
insurgent leader, who has been sanctioned by the UN Security Council
and declared a "global terrorist" by the United States, said in a
video released in October last year.
He issued a similarly boastful denial in 2013 after the military
claimed he may have died from a gunshot wound.
PDP Accuses Buhari Of Violating Constitution Over His Inaction On INEC Appointments
The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday accused President Muhammadu
Buhari of violating several sections of the Constitution.
The party said it arrived at this conclusion after its review of the
political developments in the country since the All Progressives
Congress took office at the center.
The opposition party, which ruled Nigeria for 16 years before it was
defeated by the APC during the last elections, therefore, said it was
alerting Nigerians and the international community that all was not
well with the nation's democracy.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a
statement in Abuja on Sunday, said the PDP's fear was derived from
some alleged actions of President Buhari's government that, he said,
undermine critical institutions of democracy, emasculate the
constitution and ostensibly set the stage for a return of dictatorial
regime in Nigeria.
Metuh said despite claims of being a converted democrat, President
Buhari had allowed, under his watch, an incessant violation of
sections of the nation's Constitution, a development, he said, that
has become a huge threat to democracy and the stability of the nation.
He said in the statement, "For instance, how can this government
explain the fact that a major institution of democracy like the
Independent National Electoral Commission has been deliberately
debilitated to the extent that it can no longer perform its statutory
responsibility for lack of quorum?
"Nigerians are aware that before his tenure expired on June 30th, the
former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, wrote to President Buhari,
intimating him of the fact that the tenure of majority of the national
commissioners will expire before August, yet the President never
acted, resulting in the present crisis in the commission, where more
than 80 per cent out of the statutory 13 members remain vacant, even
as eleven states of the federation are also without Resident Electoral
Commissioners.
"We note that this anomaly is in addition to the uncertainty
surrounding the controversial appointment of an Acting Chairman of
INEC in the person of a national commissioner whose tenure has since
expired, not minding that there is no provision for an acting chairman
of INEC in our constitution.
"This development has completely enervated the commission from
carrying out its functions as stipulated in part 1 of 3rd schedule of
the 1999 Constitution as amended, thereby putting our electoral system
under severe threat."
Metuh wondered why President Buhari should wait to be urged before he
upholds his responsibility of forwarding replacements to the Senate
for confirmation so as to enable the commission effectively carry out
its constitutional responsibilities to the nation.
He alleged that this could this be a ploy by the APC-led government to
use a decapitated INEC to conduct the forthcoming governorship
elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States to pave the way for their planned
"capture" of the two PDP states.
He said, "Is the weakening of INEC not part of the plot to use the
commission to put the PDP in precarious position in various electoral
tribunals to the advantage of the APC?
"Furthermore, Nigerians are witness to the undue interferences of the
Department of State Services in the activities of election tribunals
in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and other PDP states, where electoral officers
are being harassed, intimidated and detained, ostensibly to influence
judgments against the PDP."
Metuh added that what was of grave concern to his party was the
adamant stance of this administration in running a government without
the statutory components of a full cabinet as prescribed by the
Constitution.
When contacted, APC Spokesman, Lai Mohammed, said he would not react
to Metuh's statement, saying the "PDP and its dwindling members know
that their market has closed."
-PUNCH
Blood, Saliva Found In Mouth Of Dead Deputy Governor - Investigation
The police have started investigations into the sudden death of the
Deputy Governor of Borno State, Mr. Zannah Umar Mustapha, at a Yola
hotel in the early hours of Saturday.
Though no arrest had been made as of the time of filing this report on
Saturday evening, the Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa State
Police Command, DSP Abubakar Othman, told our correspondent on phone
that the Police has not ruled out anything yet.
He said it was still early to close the case, saying, "We have started
investigations of what might be responsible for the sudden death of
the late deputy governor."
The deputy governor was found dead by his aides on Saturday morning
after they forced the door to his room open as he was late to come out
to begin the day's work.
Mustapha, according to some of his aides who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said the deputy governor retired to bed at about 11pm on
Friday and had told his aides to come for Saturday's activities at
7:30am.
One of the aides said, "We became suspicious and worried when the
deputy governor did not come out of the hotel room by 8:30am and we
decided to knock on his door, when he was not answering, some of us
went to peep through the window forcing it open.
"We saw that he was lying on the bed clutching the pillow closely, we
shouted his name but he did not answer. It was at this stage that we
decided to call the hotel staff to open the door.
"When we got inside, we saw him lying face down, and on close
examination, we saw some saliva and blood being discharged from his
mouth and we rushed him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead."
It was gathered that the deputy governor was taken to the Federal
Medical Centre in Yola.
He was later taken to the Yola airport where he was transported to the
Borno state capital to be buried.
The aircraft that brought his corpse touched down at the Maiduguri
International Airport at 4:10pm and he was immediately taken to his
official lodge to be prepared for funeral.
The final prayer for the repose of his body was conducted by the Imam
Idaini of Borno, Imam Adam Ibn Elsunusiya who led other prominent
individuals, including the Borno state governor, Mr. Kashim Shettima,
the Yobe deputy governor, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, Adamawa deputy governor,
, the National Security Adviser, Maj, General Babagana Monguno and
other service chiefs who were in Borno and Yobe state to assess the
security situation.
Mustapha was later taken to his final resting place, the Maiduguri
cemetery, Gwange where we was interred on Saturday evening.
-PUNCH
Oscar Pistorius To Be Released Next Week
when he is freed from jail next week. Oscar who is supposed to be a
devout Christian, whose faith is said to have deepened over recent
months, must be accompanied on trips to attend mass.
While under "house arrest" at his uncle's home he will be allowed few
visitors, who will have to be approved by the court, and someone will
have to shop for him under strict parole conditions the Sunday Mirror
can reveal today.
There was an international outcry when it was revealed the Paralympic
gold winner will serve just 10 months of a five-year term for killing
his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29.
During his trial Pistorius, 28, was seen clasping rosary beads and
intensively reading the book Breakthrough Prayer: The Power of
Connecting with the Heart of God, by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church's
pastor Jim Cymbal.
He is since said to have been studying the Bible.
His release terms mean he will remain a prisoner in his home ahead of
an appeal to have his manslaughter conviction overturned.
A mystery donor is said to have offered to help fund the bid, which
could lead to a retrial.
A source on the Pistorius legal team said he has been told his release
date will either be August 21, 22 or 23.
The source added:
"The appeal court can't send him back to prison, they can only order a
retrial. Is it impossible? No. Is it likely, also no."
His team say the appeal is based only on a legal issue and nothing to
do with the State's initial version that he wanted to kill Reeva and
that he has an uncontrollable temper.
-Linda Ikeji's blog
Plane Carrying 54 People Goes Missing 10 Minutes Before Landing
flight in bad weather in rugged eastern Indonesia, officials said, in
what could be the latest accident to hit the country's aviation
sector.
The plane operated by Indonesian carrier Trigana Air lost contact with
air traffic control just before 3:00 pm (0600 GMT) after taking off
from Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, the search and rescue
agency said.
The ATR 42-300 turboprop plane was carrying 44 adults, five children
and five crew on the flight which was scheduled to take about 45
minutes, the agency said.
The agency said the flight had left Jayapura about half an hour before
it disappeared and was headed to Oksibil, a remote settlement in the
mountains south of the provincial capital and only accessible by
plane.
Ten minutes before it was due to land, the plane contacted Oksibil
control tower asking to descend, Captain Beni Sumaryanto, Trigana
Air's service director of operations, told AFP.
But the plane never arrived. Half an hour later, Trigana Air sent
another turboprop plane over the same route to look for the missing
aircraft, he said.
"But the weather was very bad, it could not find it and the plane was
turned back to Sentani (Jayapura airport)," Sumaryanto said.
He added: "Oksibil is a mountainous area where weather is very
unpredictable. It can suddenly turn foggy, dark and windy without
warning.
"We strongly suspect it's a weather issue. It is not overcapacity, as
the plane could take 50 passengers."
Papua police spokesman Patridge Renwarin told local TV that residents
had reported seeing a plane crash, and local authorities were heading
to the area to investigate but as yet there was no report from the
team on the ground.
– 'Very bad weather'
Transport ministry spokesman J.A. Barata confirmed the plane had lost contact.
"We are not sure what happened to the plane yet and we are
coordinating with local authorities," he told AFP.
"The weather is currently very bad there, it's very dark and cloudy.
It's not conducive for a search. The area is mountainous."
Trigana Air is a small airline established in 1991 that operates
domestic services to around 40 destinations in Indonesia.
It has suffered 14 serious incidents since it began operations,
according to the Aviation Safety Network, which monitors air
accidents.
The airline is on a blacklist of carriers banned from European Union airspace.
Small aircraft are commonly used for transport in remote, mountainous
Papua, and bad weather has caused several accidents in recent years.
On Wednesday, a Cessna propeller plane operated by Indonesian company
Komala Air crashed in Papua's Yahukimo district, killing one person
and seriously injuring the five others on board.
Officials suspect that crash was caused by bad weather.
Indonesia has a patchy aviation safety record. In December an AirAsia
plane flying from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore crashed
in the Java Sea during stormy weather, killing all 162 people on
board.
In June an Indonesian military plane crashed into a residential
neighbourhood in the city of Medan, exploding in a fireball and
killing 142 people.
The aviation sector in Indonesia is expanding fast as the country's
economy booms but airlines are struggling to find enough well-trained
personnel to keep up with the rapid growth.
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