₦airaland Forum

The police have arrested former Super Eagles and Ex- International footballer Mr. Godwin Okpara for allegedly assaulting his estranged wife, Linda in his home in Lagos.

The assault took place at their palatial home located at Oduduwa Street in the G.R.A. area of Ikeja where they resided before their marriage crashed.

The 44-year retired footballer was arraigned before Ikeja Magistrates court after the wife alleged that he used a stick and other dangerous weapons to flog her and injured her in the process.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that the couple had never known peace for several years now over irreconcilable differences based on mistrust despite the fact that they had children. It was learnt that both the family members, relations and friends have tried to intervene to no avail before the incident happened.
On the day the incident happened, police sources said that Okpara attacked, flogged Linda and injured her.
The matter was reported to the police at Ikeja before it was transferred to Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos where the matter was investigated and Okpara was found culpable.

He was charged before the court for assault on Linda.

He pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi admitted Okpara on bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
He was to be remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 29 January, 2018.

The former Paris Saint-Germain defender who was said to have been deported to Nigeria after his release from prison by the French authorities, has been living quietly before this case with Linda his estranged wife.

Godwin Okpara was one of the Golden Eaglets that represented Nigeria in Scotland in 1989 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Okpara went on to play for Nigeria at every level after playing at the France ’98 world Cup and captaining the Sydney Olympics squad.

http://pmexpressng.com/ex-super-eagles-defender-godwin-okpara-charged-battering-wife/

A 57-year old man, Emmanuel Agwu has landed in trouble after he was caught having sex with an 8-year old girl in his apartment in Lagos.

The incident happened at Busari Street in Igando in the outskirts of Lagos where both the suspect and the victim’s parents resided.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that the residents were still surprised and wondered what would have been the attraction for Agwu to engage the little girl in a sex romp as he was married and the age difference between him and the victim was about 49 Years. Some of the residents suspected that he might have done it for ritual purposes when they considered how it all happened.

A police source said that on the day the incident happened, Agwu came back from work in the afternoon when his wife and children had gone out and lured the little girl into his apartment. He reportedly removed her pant and penetrated the victim before the neighbours who had suspected his movement raised alarm and he allowed the victim to go.

However, when the victim’s parents returned from work and were informed about what happened, they reported the matter to the police at Igando Division, Agwu was arrested and detained at the police station.

It was gathered that at the police station Agwu denied engaging in the act but had to shut up his mouth when the victim was brought before him and she narrated what happened.

Agwu was charged before Ogba Magistrates court for the alleged offence.

He pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. F.O. Abegunde Davis granted Agwu bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 26 February, 2018.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Agwu may likely be spending the next 10 years and above in prison for the act when prosecuted and convicted.

http://pmexpressng.com/man-57-rapes-8-year-old-girl/

It was double tragedy for a young man, Felix Ojirike who was brutally attacked by his neighbour as he lost his eye after the attack by one Chidera Eze who was accused of sleeping with Ojirike’s wife in Lagos.

The incident happened at Sanni Dauda Street in Ejigbo, Lagos where they resided.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that one of the Ojirike’s eyes was badly damaged, he cannot see with it as he was still lying critical ill at West Care Hospital in Ejigbo, Lagos.

It was gathered that trouble started after the neighbours informed Ojirike that Eze who was an Okada rider used to sleep with his wife whenever Ojirike went to work. P.M.EXPRESS gathered that after the neighbours had informed Ojirike that Eze usually left early for work but comes back after he had gone to his own work to stay with his wife, an embattled Ojirike then decided to find out if what their neighbours told him was true. He reportedly prepared and informed the wife that he had gone to work but later came back and met his wife on top of Eze’s bed.

P.M.EXPRESS learnt that it became an issue in the neighbourhood which led to exchange of bitter words that eventually resulted into a public fight between Ojirike and Eze in the compound. During the fight, Eze reportedly took a sharp object and stabbed Ojirike’s eye. He was rushed to the hospital where he was being treated.

The incident was reported to the police at Ejigbo Division; Eze was arrested and detained at the police station.

When our correspondent visited Ojirike in the hospital, he confirmed the incident and narrated how he caught Eze with his wife.

However, Eze denied that he had sleeping with Ojirike’s wife and explained that it was their neighbours that caused the whole trouble between him and Ojirike by lying against him. But he was unable to explain what Ojirike’s wife was doing in his room apartment when her husband was not around.
At the police station where Eze was detained, the police source confirmed the assault and detention of Eze and said he will soon be charged to court.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Eze was brought before Ejigbo Magistrates court on Friday and was remanded in prison custody for the alleged offence.



http://pmexpressng.com/man-sleeps-neighbours-wife-husband-loses-eye/

Three union leaders of the motorcycle operators aka Okada are currently cooling their heads at the Kirikiri Medium Prison following an assault on a member of Nigerian Peace Corps over tickets in Lagos.

The leaders are Lukman Dakoyi, 42, Akeem Alimi, 26 and Bashiru Ajamole, 32.

The incident happened at Olubi junction in Isolo area where the union had claimed jurisdiction and were collecting N1000 per Okada rider daily unchecked by the authorities.
It was gathered that the Okada union mounted a road block along the road to sell tickets to their members and non members too. It was then they had altercation with the victim who was riding a private motorcycle who informed them that he was not a commercial rider and so not their member.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that they demanded that since the Peace Corps member was riding on a motorcycle, that he must buy ticket from them which he resisted. They reportedly attacked him, pushed him into drainage and seized his bike before the police intervened.

They were arrested and charged before Isolo Magistrates court for the alleged offence.

They pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Adedayo granted them bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety each in like sum.
They were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 30 January, 2018

http://pmexpressng.com/okada-union-leaders-nabbed-n1000/

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday lamented the ills that had befallen Nigeria, saying the country has now become a cruel playground where the average person is exploited and his interests never promoted.

Speaking at the 15th Annual Daily Trust Dialogue, the former Lagos State governor, said it is unfortunate that despite the sacrifice that had been made in ensuring good governance for all Nigerians, too much political and economic power still resides in few hands.

Tinubu, who was represented by a one-time Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Wale Edu, said Nigerians must resist all appeals to unthinking passions and old prejudices and adhere to what our conscience reveals as the best path to good governance for all.

He said: “For me, that path has always been a progressive one that harks to the need to materially transform the power relationships upon which this political economy is based. Despite the progress made, too much political and economic power resides in the hands of too few. This result in a society described by too much unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, too little food, yet too much poverty.

“For the debate needed on how best to tackle these structural problems, 2019 must not be a game between players similar in every way save the political party costume they wear. The election to come must be a contest of different visions for the nation’s present and future.

“As a progressive, I believe we must transform the nation by embarking on deep and impactful reforms, by creating more jobs, providing social policy initiatives and building an infrastructure befitting a leading nation. Social services must become a reality close at hand and not a vague dream lying in the distance.”

Tinubu, who spoke on the topic “Nigeria and the challenges of 2019: This is not a game,” said too many of us for too long have treated politics as a game open only to an elite, exclusive club of players. The nation and the people constituted the pitch upon which the game would be decided.

“This incorrect mindset has misshaped our politics and injured the nation in ways mundane and profound.
Approaching nearly 60 years of independence, Nigeria remains a complex yet incomplete work of art, a project as much on the drawing board as it is our daily reality.
For too many, Nigeria itself is a game. They are not wedded to the idea and ideals of Nigeria as a diverse and democratic but unified nation.

“They see the nation not as object of loyalty but as the most available platform to realize their personal aims.

In their minds, Nigeria is lesser than their ever expanding ambitions. Because they view Nigeria as a game, their politics is but a game within a game.

“Instead of being a joyous nation, we have become a cruel playground where the fears and concerns of the average person get exploited but their interests never get promoted.

“While democratic politics inherently bear aspects of competition and contest, it must never be reduced to a mere game.
The objective of a game is served by the mere playing of it. Playing the game is an end in and of itself. However, this cannot be the case with politics and elections. Winning the political contest can never be an end in itself.

“The proper outcome of electoral victory is not for the victor to revel at his good fortune or his skill in electioneering.
The inevitable sequel to an election is for the winner to assume the sobering burden of governance. Elections are not the climax of an epic book.
They are merely the close of the book’s opening chapter.”

http://pmexpressng.com/nigeria-now-cruel-playground-tinubu/

The Nigerian Senate has sworn in Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance as the member representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the Red Chamber.

The swearing-in, which was supervised by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, began at 10:50 am and lasted 10 minutes.

Umeh was accompanied by his wife and a host of loyal supporters who filled the chamber’s gallery and the Press Centre.

Senator Umeh becomes the only APGA Senator in the present Senate and the first Senator of the party from Anambra State.

http://pmexpressng.com/senate-swears-victor-umeh/

The management of SwissPharma Nigeria Limited has come out to clear the air over the allegation that the pharmaceutical firm sacked over 300 of its workforce and chased them away with police dogs.

The Swipha workers had alleged that the management sent text messages to some workers midnight last Thursday that the company has been shut down and surrounded the premises with police dogs which attacked and chased away the workers from the premises without benefits. The incident was said to have taken place at the company’s headquarters located at the Dopemu area of Lagos.

In a reaction to the publication by P.M.EXPRESS, Gaby El Khoury, Managing Director, Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, said that they had to officially shut down operations temporarily to forestall the breakdown of law and order, safeguard company properties and prevent any form of hostility.

Gaby explained that despite the tough economic situation in Nigeria, Biogaran, a subsidiary of Servier (the No. 2 French Pharmaceutical Group) that specialises in generics acquired SwissPharma Nigeria Limited (Swipha) in March 2017, as part of its expansion plans to other African countries. The decision to buy Swipha was taken despite the poor situation of the company which was at the period, short in cash and under threat of closure.

El Khoury said that upon inception, the new management decided to lift the company up to its Group compliance, social policies, corporate governance and benefits for the employees. The management then decided to restructure the organisation to ensure efficiency by removing superfluous staff and eventually align the firm with global best practices.

However, some of these policies appeared to be unacceptable to some members of staff who preferred to slow down, then to hinder operation and embarked on strike since mid-December 2017 and all efforts by the management to make them have a rethink about a promising future proved abortive.

The Managing Director reiterated that the company strongly believes in Nigeria, remains committed to its economic development and is resilient in its quest to engage modern ways of working, best in class practices and high-level compliance standards, notwithstanding the financial loses the company may incur during this time.

Gaby El Khoury further assured that Biogaran trusts in Nigeria and the Nigerian people, and wishes to provide through Swipha to all Nigerians access to quality and affordable medicines. He said that the company remains committed to doing all it takes to ensure that it maintains and strengthens its position as a leader in the pharmaceutical sector.

The Swipha MD did not however address the issue of the sacked workers benefits which they claimed that the management had never mentioned, meaning that they may not have any plan to pay them their severance benefits and other allowances.

http://pmexpressng.com/why-we-shut-down-swipha/

A senior pastor of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, Abule Egba branch, Pastor Emeka Iwuagwu has been arrested over his alleged involvement in a financial fraud to the tune of N8.6m in Lagos.

The cleric was alleged to have defrauded his spiritual son and member of the church simply known as Precious and used part of the money to start his own ministry.

The pastor was arrested following a petition to the Police at the Special fraud Unit, SFU by the victim over the alleged scam which has been described by the members of the church as wickedness.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the victim who was a businessman at the Computer Village in Ikeja sought for spiritual assistance from Iwuagwu for more progress in his thriving business but he ended up being defrauded by the same person approached for spiritual help.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that the victim entered into trouble after he went to Iwuagwu for counseling and prayers during which Iwuagwu realised that Precious had such money and started scheming how to defraud him.

It was learnt that he started by first giving him many prophecies and prayers to convince him to part with some money to no avail. He then conceived the idea to defraud him through a fake business transaction and the victim fell into his trap.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Iwuagwu informed Precious that his friend who lived abroad sent a container load of computers and accessories worth some millions of Naira for sale and showed him samples to convince him. He ordered him to clear the goods at the Apapa wharf and offset some expenses incurred on the transaction.

However, when Precious paid the money into his account, he bolted away and did not supply the items nor refund the money. When he was confronted, he admitted that he collected the money from the victim, had spent it and could not refund it.

When our correspondent visited the SFU, the Commissioner of Police, CP SFU could not be reached. However, sources confirmed the incident and said that Iwuagwu will be charged to court soon.

P.M.EXPRESS contacted some of the church members, they confirmed the incident and said Iwuagwu used the money to open his own church at his house and stopped coming to the church again.

http://pmexpressng.com/mfm-church-pastor-police-net-n8-6m-fraud/

A 35-year old stepmother, Mrs. Omo Okowele who allegedly turned her husband’s two teenagers to slaves has landed in trouble for her wickedness.

The incident happened in their home located at 4 Jenbo Street off Moshalasi Road, Igando, Lagos where they resided.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the victims, Blessing, 9 and Daniel suffered their fate after their mother parted ways with their father. Their father then married Mrs. Omo as his new wife and their stepmother.

It was gathered that as soon as Mrs. Omo came in as their stepmother, she did not like the sight of the two children by her husband’s former wife. She reportedly turned the victims into slaves and began to maltreat them probably with the intention to eliminate them.

She was said to have continuously tortured, starved them of food and inflicted injuries of them daily. As conquered slaves, she reportedly locked them inside the room before their neighbours who knew the condition of the victims contacted the police who went and rescued the victims.

The police also arrested the woman and charged her before the Ikeja Magistrates court for the alleged offence.

She pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi granted her bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She was remanded in prison custody pending when she will perfect her bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 2 April, 2018.


http://pmexpressng.com/woman-docked-for-turning-kids-slaves/

It was double tragedy for a 6-year old girl as she was lured and forced to suck penis by their neighbour she used to call daddy and got raped thereafter.

The 28-year old suspect, Mr. Solomon Victor has landed in serious trouble after he was caught having sex with the victim.

The incident happened at Elewedu Magic Street in Ikorodu area of Lagos where both the victim’s parents and the suspect resided.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Victor was arrested by the police at Gender Section, Ikeja Command following the complaint by the victim’s parents for defiling the victim when they were not around.

It was gathered that Victor lured the victim to his apartment when her parents were not around and engaged her in a sex romp. He reportedly locked his door from inside, carried the victim to his bed and defiled her.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that while the suspect was engaging the victim in the dastardly act, one of their neighbours who saw him alerted other neighbours and Victor was forced to open the door.

Police sources said he initially denied that he penetrated the victim because of the size of her private but admitted that she sucked his penis. The victim however contradicted him and revealed that he did both penetration and sucking during the romp, and warned her not to tell anyone before they were caught.

The police believed the victim and Victor was charged at the Magistrates court for forceful and unlawful defilement.

He pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The court also ordered the prosecutor to duplicate his file and send to DPP for advice.

The matter was adjourned till 2 April, 2018 for the report of the DPP to be available.

The Lagos State Government is set to blacklist music star, Davido; Comedian and film producer, Ayo ‘AY’ Makun and other celebrities accused of tax evasion.

This is coming as the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice vows that the days of treating celebrities like sacred cows are over.

On January 14, it was reported that Davido and AY have been charged to court over tax evasion.

While Davido, the chief executive officer of HKN Music, was charged before a Lagos High Court in July 2017, AY’s case was instituted in 2016.

“Despite their huge earnings, neither of them has ever filed tax returns as required by law or paid any amount. Rather, they are claiming residency in their states of origin,” a source in the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit which was set up in March 2016 to aid the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) in its tax collection drive told Qed.ng, an online newspaper.

Dismissing the argument that Davido and AY pay their taxes in Osun and Ondo States as their respective states of origin, the source added that “the tax law states that individuals pay to their state of residence.

Davido’s father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, pays his tax to the Lagos State Government.

The singer, who lives and claims to have made N500 million from his last show in Lagos, cannot be ignorant of that trite law.

“If his father who has a bigger connection to Osun pays his tax in Lagos, we wonder what must have informed Davido’s excuse of paying to a state where he was not born, and where he neither lives nor does any significant business.”

Beyond prosecuting celebrity tax defaulters, Qed.ng learned that the state government is planning to stop patronising them.

Davido was one of the stars contracted and paid to perform at the 2017 edition of the annual One Lagos Fiesta organised by the state government in December.

The state also supported the annual AY Live comedy show held at the Eko Convention Centre on April 16, 2017.

“Davido, AY and other artistes have benefitted from the huge investment the Lagos State Government is making in art, culture and tourism. Now, they risk being blacklisted for not fulfilling their civic responsibilities.

“The days of treating celebrities like sacred cows are over. Those who do not file their tax returns will lose juicy Lagos deals in addition to prosecution by the state government,” the source concluded.

http://pmexpressng.com/lagos-blacklist-davido-ay-others-tax-evasion/

A 24-year old lady, Cynthia Sunday has landed in prison after she was arrested for allegedly hiding a suspected criminal lover in her room apartment.

The incident happened at Bakare Ajayi Close in Isheri Oshun area in the outskirts of Lagos where she resided.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Cynthia had kept her lover inside her apartment from where he moved to rob the residents and brought the proceeds to her.

It was gathered that their neighbours had been suspicious of their activities in the area and discussed the matter in their absence before the recent one happened.

However, trouble started when Cynthia’s lover burgled her neighbour’s apartment, one Usman Isiaka, stole money and hid inside Cynthia’s apartment.

Meanwhile, the neighbours who had been suspecting the lover confronted her, went inside her apartment and saw the suspect where she hid him under the bed.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Cynthia hid the suspect under her bed and aided his escape with the money he stole from Isiaka before the police from Isheri Olofin Division arrived. She was subsequently arrested and detained at the police station to produce the suspect and the money he stole to no avail.

She was charged for conspiracy and stealing before the Magistrates court sitting in Ejigbo, Lagos.

She pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.K.J. Layeni granted her bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She was remanded in prison custody pending when she will perfect her bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 28 February, 2018.

http://pmexpressng.com/lady-nabbed-harbouring-criminal-lover/

Events have taken on another dimension in the advocacy against human trafficking for Stephanie Linus. The Actress and Director who has been in Italy in partnership with the international medical humanitarian organization - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and SOS Mediterranee, came face to face with the realities when she met one-on-one with some rescued victims of human trafficking.
She met with the women, listened to their stories and shared with them. It got even more interesting when the women decided to prepare a meal together, sing and exchange hand-made gifts. It was truly a heartwarming experience as hope was renewed in their midst.
Following her meeting with the women, she also visited United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office where she was given a deeper insight into the operations of the organization in Italy.

Mrs. Linus and her team also visited the rescue ship “Aquarius”. They were also given a tour of the ship, and afterwards, discussions on the overall need to educate people on the dangers of being trafficked and integrating the rescued victims back into the society followed.
She also had a press conference with several members of the international media where she spoke about measures that can be used to curb human trafficking.

http://pmexpressng.com/stephanie-meets-victims-human-trafficking/

The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Former Governor of Rivers State, the legendary leader of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State chapter, together with his lovely wife Dame Judith Amaechi, the renowned humanist Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Chief Sampson Ingeribara, Mrs Joi Nunieh, Hon. Victor Giadon, Hon. Ojukaye Flagg-Amachree, Hon. Iyke Oji and a host of other party chieftains, paid a condolence/solidarity and a consolatory visit to the families of the victims of the January 1st massacre at the ONELGA civic center in Omoku town.

The visit to Onelga took place on Saturday the 13th of January, after a burial ceremony of a Port Harcourt known personality, Mr. Ogunka Lumati in the PH town of ogbum-nu-Abali. The burial had in active attendance, the Hon. Minister of Transportation and Chief Lulu-Briggs, and was followed by a hero’s welcome event organized in the Ancient town of Isiokpo in Ikwerre LGA by the famous Ikwerre Youths Movement in honor of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, leader of the All Progressives Congress, South South zone.

Though the meeting with the bereaved and the horrified people of Onelga was championed by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, it was as the Minister emphasized, a non political visit meant to demonstrate genuine love and empathy to direct victims, and to reawaken the hope for good living in Ogba land. The minister who was clearly heartbroken on sighting infants with bullet wounds, expressed shock over the level of social and psychological devastation experienced by free citizens of Nigeria in Omoku. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to bringing the culprits to book.

“We must keep party aside today, this is not about political party or politics, because before we became members of any political party, we were first humans. I promise you all that the death of your children and family members will not be in vain as it will mark the end of your sufferings. Those who use their political powers to oppress and kill the people for more political powers will never know peace”

Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs who was already broken by the reality of Lumati’s eternal departure, couldn’t conceal his dismay after the on the spot assessment of the situation but also expressed hope that the recent horror in Ogba land will be their final price for peace, as there are strong indications that the Federal Government is now more than ever, determined to restore peace and sanity in Rivers State.


http://pmexpressng.com/amaechi-visits-families-victims-onelga-massacre/

Three suspected robbers were arrested by the police in Ogun State for diverting a truck loaded with 203 bags of rice in Ijebu Ode.

The three suspects, 34- year old driver Omotayo Sogo, 26- year old Animasaun Lekan,and 48-year old Olayemi Kehinde were all arrested on the 9th of January following a complaint by one Izah Ekene who resided at Mabogunde Street, Oju Ore Ota who reported at Igbeba Division in Ogun State. Ekene said that he hired a truck to convey 203 bags of rice valued at N2.024m to Kwale in Delta state.

He explained that on getting to Ijebu Ode, the truck driver and Lekan Animasaun stopped the truck suddenly and in a commando style brought out a gun, pointed at him, pushed him out of the truck and diverted the rice to an unknown destination.

He reported that they equally took away his bag containing the sum of N50,000
and his ATM card. The incident according to Mr. Izah was quickly reported to the nearest police station and the DPO Igbeba Division, CSP Adebiyi Ademola detailed his Anti-robbery officers to go after the criminals.

Their efforts paid off on the 11th of January, 2018, when the duo of Lekan Animasaun and Sogo Omotayo were apprehended through technical intelligence and their arrest equally led to the arrest of the receiver Olayemi Kehinde and the recovery of the truck subsequently.

Also recovered from them were a bag containing the victim’s ATM card, cash sum of N19,000 and a toy gun with which they robbed their victim.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad for further investigation and prosecution.

http://pmexpressng.com/three-arrested-diverting-truck-load-rice/

The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and their candidate in the Anambra Central Senatorial District rerun election conducted on Saturday, Chief Victor Umeh has been declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Anambra Central Senatorial District rerun election was conducted in seven local government areas of the state. The election however witnessed low turn out of voters and many of the electoral officers deployed for the exercise were seen sitting idle.

The voter apathy was said to be as a result of the court cases which lingered till a day before the stated date and many thought that the election may never hold eventually.

About fourteen political parties participated in the rerun and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP did not take part in the exercise owing to disqualification by the pronouncement of the court.

Chief Victor Umeh of the ruling party in Anambra State, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was declared the winner by the Returning Officer, Prof. Charles Esemone, having garnered a total of 64,879 votes.

Prof. Charles Esemone, a Deputy Vice Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who announced the final result said, “Chief Sir Victor Umeh, having polled the highest number of votes and satisfying the law, is hereby returned elected.”

http://pmexpressng.com/anambra-central-poll-sir-victor-umeh-declared-senator-elect/

In the wake of the increased rate of human trafficking being experienced by Nigerians trying to migrate to Europe via Libya, Actress and Producer Stephanie Linus has arrived in Italy to give support to rescued people and raise her voice against such human rights violations.

This timely intervention is in partnership with the world-renowned international medical humanitarian organisation “Doctors Without Borders” (MSF). Over the next few days, Mrs. Linus will visit the rescue ship “Aquarius” to witness their activities and operations. Later she will have meetings with some of these vulnerable women; participate in rehabilitation exercises for the rescued women, media parleys and stakeholder meetings with the aim of alleviating their sufferings and preventing more girls and women from falling prey.

Doctors Without Borders is one of the most impactful humanitarian organisation that rescues thousands of people who faced hazardous conditions trying to enter Europe through the sea yearly. In 2017, the Aquarius (a rescue ship) has rescued 15,078 people.

Mrs. Linus has been at the forefront of advocacy over sensitive issues that affect the rights of women and girls. She has done this through several channels such as her advocacy movie – DRY, her role as UNFPA Ambassador; her charity organisation Extended Hands Foundation and many more.

An increasing number of women, mainly from Nigeria, are being trafficked to Europe for sexual exploitation. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), there has been an almost 600% increase in the number of potential sex trafficking victims arriving in Italy by Sea since 2014. Many of these women were kidnapped against their will or lured with the promise of greener pasture.

http://pmexpressng.com/stephanie-linus-arrives-italy-advocate-human-trafficking/

Many months after the attack on worshippers at St Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government area of Anambra, the father of Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu was on Friday buried at the parish’s cemetery alongside some of the victims of the attack.

The father of Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu also known as ‘Bishop’ of Ozubulu, Pa Cyprain Ikegwuonu was one of the 13 victims of the attack on the church, who were killed by gunmen when they attended morning mass on Sunday 6th August, 2017.

Even though some of the victims have been buried, the burial of Chief Cyprain Ikegwuonu may have been delayed because of the high profile nature of the investigations by the security agencies into the unfortunate incident and the security concerns about reprisal attack.
The venue of the Requiem Mass was St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, which was said to have been built singlehandedly by the alleged target of the attack, Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu. The officiating priest at the Requiem Mass, Rev. Father Don Chidolue, Episcopal Vicar of Ozubulu Region who delivered the sermon, said that the church decided to bury the deceased in the church along with other victims at the church’s cemetery as martyrs. Rev. Fr. Chidolue said Pa Ikegwuonu by virtue of the nature of his death, which occurred right inside the church was a martyr. He said that 12 others who also died in the attack have also been proclaimed martyrs.

“Burying them together will serve as a memorial, and anytime someone looks in there, he would remember that such an incident had happened, and some people paid the ultimate price,”‎ he said.

However, the burial was conducted amidst tight security as the Police Command in Awka had earlier hinted that it was deploying security to the area to forestall any attack, especially as those behind the attack had sent further threat to the community if their financial demands were not met.

Those buried alongside Chief Cyprain Ikegwuonu at the cemetery are Mrs. Cecilia Ewim, Chief Hyacinth Oramadike, Mrs. Geraldine Obunadike and her daughter; Miss Uchenna Obunadike. Others are; Mrs. Pauline Obetta, Mrs. Rose Nwabia and little Miss Marycynthia Ughelu who was said to be just a year old.

P.M.EXPRESS had reported how unknown gunmen on the 6th of August, 2017, invaded St. Philip’s Catholic Church in the early hours of the day allegedly seeking the whereabout of the ‘Bishop’ of Ozubulu, Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu but decided to vent their anger on the innocent worshippers when they could not locate their target.

Not long after the attack, Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu returned to the country and had tried to clear the air denying having any business deal with anyone that went sour to have warranted being attacked. Some suspected masterminds had been in police custody and will be prosecuted at the end of the investigations into the matter.

http://pmexpressng.com/bishop-ozubulu-buries-dad/

A 26-year old artisan, Andrew Koku is now cooling his head inside the police cell after he allegedly murdered his own 6-month old baby under strong suspicion that his wife wanted to dump him for her lover.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 26th December, 2017 at his residence located at Ayedere in Obada area of Abeokuta in Ogun State.

The suspect has been arrested by the operatives of homicide section of the Ogun State Police Command for intentionally killing his six month old daughter, Precious koku. This was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi.

According to Oyeyemi, the suspect was arrested following a report by his wife and mother of the baby, Mrs. Omowumi Teleda to the police at Adigbe Divisional Headquarters.

It was gathered that the wife went out briefly to see her first child she had with her ex-husband leaving the baby to the care of the suspect. When she came back, she met the dead body of the child whereas the baby was hail and hearty before she left home.

This made her to strongly suspect her husband who happened to be the only person with the baby. She then reported the matter to the DPO Adigbe Division, CSP Sunday Oladipo. Thus, the DPO detailed police detectives to the scene, retrieved the corpse and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy report.

The prime suspect was arrested and taken to the police station for interrogation. P.M.EXPRESS gathered that during the nterrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and claimed that he did so because he suspected that his wife wanted to leave him for her ex-husband.

He explained that if that should happened, he will not be able to take care of the baby and that was the reason why he decided to eliminate the child.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu has directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and
Intelligence Department for proper investigation and prosecution of the suspect.

http://pmexpressng.com/man-arrested-killing-6-month-old-baby/

A 37-year old man, Itoro Monday who married his town’s woman from Akwa Ibom State, Idoronyi received the shock of his life after the wife revealed to him that the set of twin they had actually belonged to her lover.
P.M.EXPRESS scooped that apart from the revelation, she equally ordered him to relocate elsewhere so that her lover will move into their apartment and take care of the children as their real father.
The incident happened at Pipeline Street in Ejigbo beside the police station where the couple resided before Monday was forced to relocate elsewhere in the same Ejigbo area of Lagos. Idoronyi subsequently brought in her lover and they are now living as husband and wife.
It was gathered that Monday and Idoronyi had entered into a secret relationship after they met in the church and became choristers. However, while they were singing in the church choir they were as well having an affair until Idoronyi suddenly became pregnant and had a set of twins six years ago.
They covered the pregnancy, rented an apartment and started living together as husband and wife. P.M.EXPRESS gathered that while they were living together, Idoronyi kept away the real father of the kids and Monday was forced to take care of the babies until their real father started piling pressure on her to take the babies.
It was then that Idoronyi informed Monday that he was not the actual father of the kids and eventually disclosed the person that actually impregnated her.
Not satisfied with what Idoronyi had told him, the matter was reported to the police at Ejigbo Division where the police attempted to mediate into the matter. However, the police efforts were frustrated after Idoronyi insisted before the DPO that she knew the real father of her babies and it was not Monday that impregnated her. At that point, the police became helpless and declared that it was a family matter and referred the matter to their town people for peaceful resolution.
P.M.EXPRESS confirmed that the president of their town union in Lagos, Mr. Robert Akpan and some respectable members of the community took up the matter but the woman maintained her stand. It was then resolved that Monday will have to move out and if he had means that DNA test will be carried out to know the real owner of the babies.
It was gathered that Monday thereafter rented another apartment and brought in another woman to marry. But this also did not go down well with Idoronyi who started threatening Monday not to remarry yet until the DNA test was carried out, in order for her to determine between the two men who actually owned the kids and who should be her real husband.
She also insisted that Monday should be giving her money to take care of the twins since he was still contesting the ownership until after the tests are conducted. Monday however said that he cannot do so as he just lost his job where he receives N18,000 monthly at Chivita Company at Ajao Estate, Lagos.


http://pmexpressng.com/lover-owns-kids-wife-tells-husband/

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Governor Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday in China, expanded the portfolio of foreign investments in the state following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese consortium for a 5,500 barrel per day modular refinery in Edo State.

The event is coming hours after a similar MoU was signed with China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. in Beijing, China, for the development of the Gelegele Seaport in Edo State.

The Chinese consortium that will handle the modular refinery is made up of Peiyang Chemical Equipment Company of China (PCC), a world leading modular refinery company; Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation (SIPS) which is a subsidiary of Sinopec, the top Chemical giant in the world and African Infrastructure Partners (AIP), a Nigerian Infrastructural company.

The first phase of the project will be ready within twelve (12) months after all the necessary approvals are granted by the regulatory authorities.

The MoU signing ceremony for the refinery took place at SINOPEC headquarters in Beijing, China, and was witnessed by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in the Asian country as well as staff of SIPS Nigeria, a major local fabrication company, with a branch in Benin City, Edo State.

Speaking at the event, Governor Obaseki, expressed his delight at the local content component of the deal, which will ensure that Edo citizens are trained in welding, refinery operation and fabrication works to enable them participate in the construction of the refinery as well as its operation, post-commissioning.

The governor assured that the refinery construction will provide jobs for several unemployed Edo youths including the Libya returnees who are being evacuated from the crisis-ridden North African country.

Obaseki added that the modular refinery will solve the problem of inadequate petroleum products in the country and will turn Edo State to the preferred source of petroleum products considering the gateway status of Edo State to other parts of the country.

He expressed deep appreciation to the management of PCC and SIPS reiterating that with their support, Edo State is well on its way to becoming a hub of skilled manpower for the oil and gas industry and give boost to Nigeria’s local content policy.

“With the federal government of Nigeria’s commitment to support communities in the Niger Delta states to set up modular refineries, the SIPS fabrication yard in Benin City is expected to be very busy handling the fabrication jobs of modular refineries in the Niger Delta Region,” Obaseki said.

He pledged that his administration will provide community support to the project, assist in securing all regulatory approvals from the appropriate regulatory authorities such as the federal ministry of petroleum resources.

The Consortium committed to delivering phase 1 of the project within 12 months of receiving the required regulatory approvals.

In addition, PCC also agreed to finance the Demonstration modular refinery up to 70 per cent, thereby assisting in scaling the financing hurdle that has militated against the development of modular refineries in Nigeria.

The project will be executed in two phases; phase 1 consisting of 500bpd demonstration refinery and phase 2 consisting of a 5,000bpd capacity refinery. The PCC will also serve as the Operations and Management company that will manage the refinery before transferring it to the local investors.

The demonstration refinery will serve as proof of concept and to train the indigenes in the management of the refinery.

http://pmexpressng.com/obaseki-china-sinopec-sign-5500bpd-edo-modular-refinery-deal/

The 13-year old marriage between a couple simply known as Mr. Ayoro and his wife Betty seemed to have crashed after she refused to have sex with her husband who returned after five years stay abroad.

The mother of three had insisted that before she will have sex with her husband, he must undergo medical test to avoid infecting her with any deadly disease. She claimed that her husband had spent several years abroad and had engaged in sexual activities with other women over there and may likely have contacted a Sexual Transmitted Disease.

However, the husband felt insulted by the wife’s demand and insisted that she was his wife and should not have denied him sex for whatever reason. The incident which has been a subject of discussion started in Lagos where they resided but has now moved to their family in Umuchu town, Aguata Local Government in Anambra State.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the feud has threatened the marriage to the extent that both the husband and the wife had not shifted their positions and were almost ready to go their separate ways despite the fact that the marriage was blessed with children.

The embattled couple got married some years ago and had children before the husband travelled abroad for greener pastures. While Ayoro was abroad, he had invested in Nigeria through his wife before he came back. It was gathered that while he was over there, the wife knew that he had several relationships with women and may have returned home with an STD and so she demanded that Ayoro should undergo medical tests.

The joy of Ayoro’s return was short lived when he wanted to sleep with his wife and she refused insisting on medical tests to know his health status. The woman had reasoned that since her husband had spent such number of years abroad and engaged in sex with other ladies, she will not want to contact any disease from him.

P.M.EXPRESS confirmed that the embittered Ayoro who felt insulted and humiliated has now moved out of the family house to an unknown place where he operates from both in Lagos and their community at home.

It was gathered that the feud has divided the family members who waded into the matter to resolve it to no avail because of the sensitive nature of the issue. Some family members were said to have mandated the wife to obey and cooperate with her husband so that peace will reign, while others stood with the wife saying it was better for both of them to conduct medical tests in the best interest of the marriage and children.

When P.M.EXPRESS contacted the embattled wife, she confirmed that she had issues with the husband and blamed it on ignorance and lack of understanding as she said the matter would have been easily resolved without a third party.

It was gathered that the embattled couple had insisted to go their separate ways if both cannot meet their different conditions. Sources said the wife knew that her husband was sleeping with women over there for money as such, she suspected he might have really contacted a sexually transmitted disease which might affect her if they have intercourse.

http://pmexpressng.com/wife-refuses-sex-husband-stay-abroad/

There was confusion in a community in Umuchu town, Aguata Local government Area of Anambra State after unnamed soldiers stormed the place to seize corpse during a burial ceremony.

The incident happened in Umueke kindred in Ibughubu village in Umuchu town where the late businessman, Chief Benjamin Elendu was slated for burial.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the whole community was thrown into confusion and some members of the deceased family went into hiding for fear of their lives before the youths in the community intervened and resisted the soldiers.

The late Benjamin Elendu popularly known as Onwa died recently and the family arranged for his burial on 8th of January, 2018.

However, the burial turned into a serious fight among the members of the family over property and where he will be buried.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the late Benjamin who was based in Jos in Plateau State built a house inside the family compound where his father’s house was located whereas he was not the first son.

It was gathered that their father had one late Paul as the first son before both Paul and their father died some years ago. But when their father was alive, he gave out some portion of land to Benjamin to build his house inside the compound where the family house was also located.

However, the late Paul insisted after their father died that he will inherit Benjamin’s house since it was built inside the family compound as he was the eldest son in the family. But Paul was unable to achieve that before he passed on. The fight continued between Paul’s wife, Chinyere and the late Benjamin who died recently.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that when Benjamin died, Paul’s wife, Chinyere insisted that Benjamin will not be buried inside the compound because she had a male child for her late husband Paul.
She reportedly suggested that Benjamin should be buried inside the evil forest since he had to forfeit the house he built inside the compound for Paul’s children.

Their family however kicked against that and so she arranged with some soldiers to resist bringing the late Benjamin’s corpse to be buried in the compound.
It was gathered that the when the soldiers stormed the compound to seize the corpse and take to the evil forest for burial, they were resisted by angry youths who were supported by the elders.

Thus, the armed soldiers retreated and went away without achieving their aim.
When our correspondent visited the place, those who had earlier gone into hiding came back and the burial continued but with fear of uncertainty throughout the burial.

Some of the family members who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS condemned what happened and said that it was sacrilegious to have treated the deceased in such manner as he was well known as a strong and truthful member of the community.

When our correspondent contacted the police, the DPO Umuchu Division was not around for comment. Police sources said they were not aware of such incident and promised to monitor the burial activities which they later did.


http://pmexpressng.com/soldiers-invade-community-seize-corpse-burial/

A sex worker who desired to have a romp with two brothers at the same time for a fee ended up being raped without collecting a dime for her services.

The two brothers of the same parents have landed in trouble after they allegedly engaged the sex worker in a street romp and did not pay her the agreed fee for her service. They were arrested for their action and the victim claimed that she was serially raped by the suspects.

The suspects, a 23-years old Paul Jibunor and 28-year old Nkoenye Jibunor are now facing charges for rape and robbery before the police at Ogun State Command.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the arrest of the suspects followed a report by the victim simply identified as Ijeoma who made the allegations after she was serially raped and at the same time was not paid her sex fees by the suspects.
This was confirmed by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who said the two men were arrested on the 31st of December 2017 following a report by the victim to the police at Ojodu Abiodun Division.

According to the Police PRO, the victim claimed that she was picked in a taxi by three men on 29th of December 2017 from Fela’s shrine in Lagos where she operated as a sex worker and taken to Iwo Street Ojodu Abiodun on an agreed fee for party sex romp. She narrated that on their way, the taxi stopped by the road side only for the suspects to drag her out from the cab, removed her pant and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her one after the other.

She said that after they had satisfied themselves, they dispossessed her of her belongings including her bag containing her phones and other items and escaped.

However, the suspects ran into trouble days after as she sighted the three men at Adebayo area of Ojodu and was able to recognise them and she then contacted the DPO Ojodu Abiodun, Division, Sp Bamidele Job who detailed detectives to the area where two of the suspects were arrested while
the third one escaped.

Oyeyemi said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and further investigation revealed that they had been involved in series of rape cases around that area and that their mode of operation was to use taxi to pick their victims to isolated areas where such victims were raped in turns before dispossessing them of their belongings.

The police said some of the victim’s properties such as necklace, phone and wrist watch were recovered from them.

Following the arrest and confession, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered that the suspects be transferred to State Criminal investigation and intelligence Department for discreet investigation and prosecution. He equally ordered that the escaped member of the group must be fished out.


http://pmexpressng.com/two-brothers-arrested-raping-sex-worker/

The Anglican Church in Aguata diocese, Anambra State has sacked three of the church ministers for their alleged engagement in homosexual activities in some church parishes under the diocese.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the ministers (names withheld) were sent away from the church after the church council under the leadership of the Anglican Bishop found them culpable of gross misconduct and sodomy committed in the various parishes.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the victims were mainly young boys who the ministers forcefully penetrated and sexually abused through the anus in the parishes where they were in charge.
One of the ministers was said to have served at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Umuchu town in Aguata local Government Area in Anambra State.

It was gathered that the Bishop had received several reports of sexual molestation of young boys in some parishes around Aguata and Orumba Local Governments under the metropolitan sea of the church.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that the Bishop first transferred the pastors to other parishes over the complaints of their unholy activities. However, the complaints kept coming despite the transfers as some members of the church were still victims in the new parishes assigned to them and there were protests against the ministers in question.

Thus, a panel was said to have been set up to investigate the allegations and some of the victims testified against the ministers and made some shocking revelations against them. During the investigation, the suspects were also discovered to have committed other offences against the church and the members and they were found culpable. The panel therefore recommended for their dismissal to save the image of the church.

Some of the church members who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS confirmed the incident and revealed that the ministers in question had defiled many young boys in their various parishes and the victims parents protested to the Bishop.

The sources who did not want their names to be published said they were ministers in the church who formed themselves into a kind of cult group who had defiled the young boys and their parents were ashamed to mention them to save the image of the church.

One of the sources said what baffled most of their members was the fact that the ministers were all married yet they still engaged in such act. This raised serious suspicion that they were committing such unholy act for other purposes other than for sexual satisfaction.

The Bishop could not be reached for comment but sources close to the Bishop confirmed the incident and said they have since been dismissed from the church.



http://pmexpressng.com/bishop-sacks-three-pastors-homosexuality/

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has expressed gratitude to Nigerian security agencies, particularly the army and State Security Service (SSS) for working together to kill a notorious criminal, Igwedibia Johnson aka Don Waney, who for long terrorised the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State and also charged Gov. Nyesom Wike to show political will towards tackling the challenges in the state.

According to the NIMASA boss, “This is a confidence-building step towards restoration of law and order in Rivers State.”

A statement from the Nigeria Army Public Relations department disclosed that Don Waney and two of his accomplices were killed in Enugu while trying to escape after being encircled.

Dr. Peterside, while commending the gallantry of the security men, urged them not to rest on their oars until all criminal elements in Rivers state have been arrested and made to face their days in court.

“The people of ONELGA have been harassed, traumatised, maimed and killed needlessly. This is a great day for the people and end of the road for those who felt this day would never come. For their sponsors, they should know that there is a consequence for every action and a day of reckoning for all of us” he said.

The APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2015 election however sympathised with those who have lost their loved ones in ONELGA and called on the Rivers state government to give all the required support to security agencies, while also showing the political will to distance itself from criminal elements.

“This is a good warning to all those who think they can be protected and accommodated by politicians. Those who live by the sword will die by the sword; we must give every support to the security agencies to help them rid our state of these criminals.”

“Let me also call on the Governor Wike-led administration to create policies and programmes that will create employment opportunities for the teeming Rivers youth. The government must go beyond brick and mortar and, fashion out ways of getting our youth employed.

“Rivers has huge potentials in agriculture and allied products; I see no reason why the state government has not looked at such opportunities to engage our youth. Governance is not just about building houses and painting roads; human capacity development is also very crucial,” he stressed.

Peterside assured the security agencies that Rivers people will continue to cooperate with them in terms of information, logistics and mutual respect as a way of promoting peace and attracting investors.



http://pmexpressng.com/peterside-charges-wike-show-political-will/

This last yuletide was a memorable one for Lagos fun seekers with the opening of a new hospitality outfit, Blackwood Grills and Bar in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos State capital.
The new exclusive dancing bar cum restaurant, located on Olu Akerele Street in Ikeja, is an architectural delight, with a perfect ambiance ideal for pleasure and business.
The new watering hole’s aesthetics was further accentuate with unique designed interiors of contemporary furnishings, elegant styling with great attention to details.
Blackwood exudes the cosmopolitan nature of Hammed Oke, the mercurial dude behind the concept.

Oke has expressed his stylish inclination by putting up such a very alluring and posh edifice that would equally pass for perfect backdrop for a candlelight dinner or a kingly buffet.
Blackwood offers intercontinental cuisines and exquisite lodging facility to make it a complete world of hospitality and pampering.
Since it officially threw its doors open during the last festive period, it has arrested the minds of some of Lagos jet-set crowd and habitual fun seekers, who have now literally turned Blackwood into their second home.
Oke has even promised to make good his arrival in the hospitality sector with a service that will be unequal.

http://pmexpressng.com/blackwood-grills-bar-berths-ikeja/

Liberian President-elect, Mr. George Weah is set to pay another visit to The Synagogue Church of All Nations.
According to sources, the visit of the president-elect is to thank God over his victory in the run-off election that led to his emergence as the Liberian President.
In October last year, the 51-year old President-elect had visited the church and attended one of the church's Sunday service accompanied by former Liberian Warlord and presently a Senator in that country, Prince Yormie Johnson.
Weah’s visit to the Synagogue was said to have been facilitated by Johnson, who was a member of the church, during his stay in Nigeria.
Weah is said to have had a special session with the Founder of the Synagogue, Prophet Temitope B. Joshua, who assured him of victory in the November 7 rescheduled run-off election.

During the visit, Joshua was quoted at the time that, Weah’s visit was to pray for an ideal candidate for the country to emerge.
“My brother is here today because he loves his country. He is not here to impose himself. What does God say about his country, Liberia? What is God’s opinion? That is why he is here," said Joshua.

“We are not herbalists or witch doctors, we are people of God. God’s choice is our choice. We cannot pray against God’s will,” he added.
The former World footballer of the year faced incumbent Vice President, Joseph Boakai in the runoff poll.

In the result released shortly after the election, Liberia’s National Election Commission (NEC) said Weah had polled 61.5 percent while his opponent polled 38.5 percent of the total 98.1 declared. The president-elect had topped the first round of voting in October, last year with 38.4 percent of the votes but was unable to win 50 percent necessary to avoid a runoff.
Boakai came second with 28.8 percent.

Weah is not the first African leader to visit the church. Tanzanian President, John Magufuli; late Ghanaian President, John Atta Mills; former President of Malawi, Joyce Banda, among others had at one time or the other visited The Synagogue.

http://pmexpressng.com/weah-liberian-president-elect-set-thanksgiving-synagogue/

As the race for 2019 general elections is getting set, political zones, vested interests of different shades and colours, races and tribes are directly and indirectly mobilising for the all important exercise. Ambitions and aspirations are being articulated towards achieving future relevance.

From all indications, Ndigbo seem to be gearing up toward our usual political trademark – delusion and shadow chasing. One can discern from body languages, actions and inactions of the Igbo political elite that Ndigbo in PDP are not prepared to upgrade their near traditional second fiddle political ambition.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) few weeks ago concluded its elective convention where the position of the National Chairman was thrown open to all the Southern states. The Igbos in PDP did not consider it expedient to vie for the post. Attempt in most cases is no crime but can be recognised as a matter of seriousness and commitment. Instead of any show of interest in the exalted position, we know that Ndigbo in PDP are anxiously angling their usual noncompetitive and most of the time useless positions as "deputies".
In the words of Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, "The Vice President, in Nigeria political setting, is merely a political vulture who waits to feed from the carcass of The President, if he dies. But in Nigeria, a president never TRULY dies. That leaves the Vice politically castrated".

We keep on crying and blaming others for our self inflicted political woes but refusing to demonstrate seriousness when it matters. We always fail to realise that a victim mentality is a prolonged form of self-destruction, a.k.a suicide. Those individuals and their zones who attempted getting what belonged to every member of the PDP from the South will command respect and regard than those who were nonchalant and timid about their right. Byron Katie said, “As long as you think that the cause of your problem is “out there” –as long as you think that anyone or anything is responsible for your suffering –the situation is hopeless. It means that you are forever in the role of victim that you’re suffering in paradise”.

In every political contest like any human contest, a winner must emerge. But history records those who are part of the culture of competition in the electoral process. It is the civilisation of electoral competitiveness that yields dividends in democratic process. Sitting on the fence waiting for the second fiddle position is therefore a lazy approach to politics. And this is the bane of Ndigbo in PDP.

The victim mindset dilutes the human potential. By not accepting personal responsibility for our circumstances, we greatly reduce our power to change them. The constitutional framework allows individuals, states, and zones to attempt anything aimed at ensuring competitive democratic processes. What you get as a nonchalant party man/woman is a meaningless and useless gesture from an equal partner. Ndigbo should not be repeating the same thing all over and be expecting different results.

The second fiddle (Deputies) ambition is no longer feasible if we must stop the perceived marginalization of Ndigbo. Rochas Okorocha has in the past contested twice in the primaries against Buhari. He is respected and acknowledged as a faithful party man, and when he talks APC listens. Ndigbo must choose to deal with injustice humanely and break the chains of negative thoughts and energies, and not let themselves sink into them.

To our numerous “Deputy infested” Igbo political elite in all the political parties, make it a New Year resolution to reject this lowly selfish political ambition. It makes you a dog in the manger; it renders you impotent. Politics is about the greater good for the greater number. But your selfish ambition of deputy positions is seriously retarding the political and economic progress of Ndigbo. The time to beat a retreat and change is now!

- KRESTAN UKAH WRITES FROM LAGOS

http://pmexpressng.com/igbo-marginalisation-victim-mentality/

Two brothers of the same parents, one a Catholic priest and another a senior pastor at Winners Chapel are engrossed in fierce battle over who among them will inherit their late father’s inheritance.

The fight which started from their base in Enugu metropolitan city has moved into their home town in Umuchu town, Aguata Local government in Anambra State.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that the bone of the contention was the family house which their father built before he died. It was gathered that before their father passed on, the first born in the family died some years before their father’s demise.

It was learnt that the Catholic priest claimed that since he was the second born after the first born died, that he was the real first child in the family and as such the family house belonged to him. P.M.EXPRESS gathered that in line with the Igbo culture, the first son among the children usually took over the family house as the head once their father died.

The one who is a pastor in Winners Chapel insisted that since the priest has been handed over to Catholic church, he had no right to inherit anything in the family.
However, the community is divided over the matter. Some said that after the priest was handed over to the church he has lost every right in the family. But others who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS said that the priest still had certain rights in the family as such he still remained the eldest in the family and should inherit their father’s house.

http://pmexpressng.com/catholic-priest-winners-chapel-pastor-fight-late-fathers-inheritance/

Two brothers of the same parents, one a Catholic priest and another a senior pastor at Winners Chapel are engrossed in fierce battle over who among them will inherit their late father’s inheritance.

The fight which started from their base in Enugu metropolitan city has moved into their home town in Umuchu town, Aguata Local government in Anambra State.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that the bone of the contention was the family house which their father built before he died. It was gathered that before their father passed on, the first born in the family died some years before their father’s demise.

It was learnt that the Catholic priest claimed that since he was the second born after the first born died, that he was the real first child in the family and as such the family house belonged to him. P.M.EXPRESS gathered that in line with the Igbo culture, the first son among the children usually took over the family house as the head once their father died.

The one who is a pastor in Winners Chapel insisted that since the priest has been handed over to Catholic church, he had no right to inherit anything in the family.
However, the community is divided over the matter. Some said that after the priest was handed over to the church he has lost every right in the family. But others who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS said that the priest still had certain rights in the family as such he still remained the eldest in the family and should inherit their father’s house.

http://pmexpressng.com/catholic-priest-winners-chapel-pastor-fight-late-fathers-inheritance/

The police at Ajao Estate, Lagos has arrested the manager of a popular hotel identified as Billy Osagie over the death a young man inside the hotel’s swimming pool.

The incident happened on Saturday morning at Heritage Hotel located at Isolo Road at Ajao Estate, Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the manager, Mr. Osagie was alleged to have said that the victim got drown inside the pool because he went there within the time it was not permitted and as such he was liable for his death.

It was also gathered that when he was evacuated from the pool, he was still alive but the management had no facility to take him to any hospital in the area until he died eventually.

The manager’s statement angered the deceased relations and friends and they started destroying properties in the hotel before the police intervened.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that the victim who the police was yet to disclose his identity went with his friends to the hotel for a party and early in the morning at about 4.00am he was found dead inside the pool.

What could have caused his death was not yet known as the autopsy report was not yet out. But some said that it might be that the victim was drunk and fell inside the pool, while others believed he could have been murdered and thrown inside the pool.

When our correspondent visited Ajao Police Division, Osagie was seen detained there and the management was making effort to have him released from custody.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, was not in the office to comment on the matter. However, sources at the police station confirmed the incident and said that the police has since commenced investigation into the incident.

At the hotel one of the supervisors simply identified as Samuel confirmed the death and said that it was a case of accident and denied the claim of murder. He explained that the management had set of rules guiding the use of the swimming pool which was between 7am to 6pm and anybody using the pool was at his own risk as stated in the notice board beside the pool.

He said that the management did not take him to the hospital because they did not anticipate that any customer would use the pool at that period. He added that when the management saw what happened, the victim was rushed to the hospital where doctors confirmed him dead.

P.M.EXPRESS also found out that the pool was opened up again for use few hours after the corpse of the victim was evacuated and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy report.