₦airaland Forum

[b]A commercial driver in Lagos, Philip Okpuzor, who was manhandled by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), said his life is in danger.
Okpuzor, now uses crutches to walk, following his brush with some overzealous LASTMA officials, opposite the Lagos State University (LASU) main campus, Ojo, Lagos.

The driver of a 14-seater Fanagon bus with registration number, FP 906 GN, was said to be coming from Agbara axis of the metropolis when he was flagged down at Iyana-Iba Bus Stop by LASTMA officials.

His alleged reluctance to obey the traffic managers was said to have angered them, as they dragged him down from the vehicle and started torturing him.

Crime File gathered that as they were driving away the impounded vehicle to their office, it ran over the victim, who attempted to resist his vehicle being driven by one the LASTMA officials.
He was said to have been dragged along by the moving vehicle, before some sympathizers pulled him out from it.

The victim, who sustained multiple fractures was said to have been helped into a Keke NAPEP and taken to a nearby hospital. He was said to have sustained injuries on the right knee, waist, thigh, hand and head.

His case was further made worse by the fact that he was rejected by the he earlier taken to.
Crime File gathered that the second refused to admit him after the man, brought him to place disappeared under the pretence that he was either searching for a doctor or a nurse.
His wife, Esther, later took him Onyems Hospital, Ojo, where he was admitted after initial deposit of N1,000.

Meanwhile, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), who got wind of Okpuzor’s travails were said to have stormed LASTMA office to protest the officials’ high-handedness.
It was also gathered that LASTMA could only give the hospital N20,000 but Crime File learnt that the victim had already spent over N50,000 and his condition is not getting any better. Now, his left leg is shorter that the right one.

“I’m planning to go and reset my left leg, so that it will be of the same length with the right one,” he moaned.

The incident is already taking its tolls on the father of six (three males, three females), as he could no longer cater to the needs of members of his family. The situation is not helped by the rising cost of medical treatment.

When Crime File visited the zonal office of LASTMA at the Church bus-stop, Mebamu, near Ijaniki, Lagos, a senior staffer of the he couldn’t recall the incident. “There are many cases like that, so, I can’t remember the one you are talking about,” he said.[/b]

[b]DESPITE the stout defence put up by former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu’s camp when the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko administration accused him last month, of operating secret accounts during his tenure, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ranti Akerele, insisted yesterday that the Sunshine State has not changed its position over the matter.

Akerele and his Finance Ministry counterpart, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, were summoned to the state House of Assembly to shed more light on the allegation.

He, however, could not provide details of the accounts when asked to do so

While Akerele and senior officials of his ministry appeared before the lawmakers to explain the government’s position on the accounts, Akinterinwa did not show up.

In his explanation to the Public Accounts Committee of the Assembly, led by Mr. Niyi Adebusoye, Akerele said some accounts were actually discovered by the committee working on the government’s accounts after the officers in-charge in several ministries had submitted their statements of accounts.

He could, however, not tell the committee the amount of money in the alleged secret accounts, the banks, the branches and the signatories to them.

Akerele said the committee would complete its assignment today and submit its report to Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

He added that the governor would give the state of other government’s accounts to the people through the Assembly next week.

But the members, who spoke during the session, were livid that the commissioner could not substantiate the allegation about the secret accounts, just as they expressed disappointment that Akinterinwa snubbed them.

A member of the committee, Mr. Thompson Otito Atikase, expressed dismay that the government could make unsubstantiated allegation against Agagu.

His words: “We should discontinue misinforming the people of this state. Governance is a serious business. It is not compulsory that you must give information. You cannot give what you don’t have.

“Nobody will be in government forever. When you leave office, people will say things about you. From what you have said, I am sure the allegation was a political statement raised to discredit the immediate past government.”

Replying, Akerele said the information was a response to the questions raised by reporters about the state of finance of the state inherited from the immediate past government.

“The information did not emanate from me. It was a fallout of my explanation of the reasons why the government has not released the state of finances. I did not seek out to distort, malign or give wrong information. All the information you seek will be given by the governor next week when he presents the state of the state address,” he said.

In his ruling, the chairman of the committee said it behooves on the commissioner to have facts and figures before informing the people of the state.

He directed the state Accountant-General, the Auditor-General, and the Permanent Secretary of the Finance Ministry to appear with Akerele on Tuesday, next week, to explain whether the accounts in question were opened on behalf of the government, or on behalf of individuals.

Adebusoye added that the Assembly would want to know the state of finance of the government as the representatives of the people.[/b]

[b]A new political party will soon be floated by General Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters in the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) as an alternative platform for the General to contest the 2011 presidential elections should he fail to secure ANPP’s ticket, Daily Trust learnt in Kano yesterday. Buhari, a former military Head of State, was ANPP’s presidential candidate in the 2003 and 2007 elections.   

A knowledgeable source close to The Buhari Organization [TBO] said the new party is set to apply for registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the constitution that will regulate the new party’s affairs is now in place. He however declined to give the party’s name, saying however that the faction “has gone far in this regard” of adopting the name.   

He said the new party’s flag will have green, black and white colours. Initially, he said, the colour of the party’s flag was green and white but it was later changed to green, black and white on the advice of legal experts, who said the green and white colours will resemble the national flag of green-white-green. He also said the party’s logo will be a pen and an inscription, meaning that the party’s major focus is education.   

Former senator for Kano Central Alhaji Rufa’i Sani Hanga was also said to have been tipped for protem chairmanship of the party. The source said the new party is being formed in response to calls from General Buhari’s supporters for him to quit ANPP and join the proposed mega party or float a new party altogether.   

When contacted yesterday, chairman of the Buhari Network for Change Alhaji Abdulmajid Danbilki Commander declined comment on the new party, saying he was not in the best position to comment.

When contacted yesterday, TBO’s Director General Alhaji Sule Hamma told Daily Trust that he is not aware of such moves. He said General Buhari “is still in consultation with relevant organisations and individuals and that when the time comes, the outcome of the consultations would be made public.”

He added, “I am not aware that Gen. Buhari is floating a new party. We are still in the process of consultation as we earlier said. It is after the consultations and when the time comes that we would let the whole world knows about it.”

Another senior official of TBO told Daily Trust last night that some elements of Buhari’s supporters are vigorously pushing in that direction, but that the moves are not yet conclusive and no firm decision has been made to float a new party.

According to him, serious discussions have been held with various elements within and beyond ANPP as to what to do in the run-up to 2011. He said some political parties and other groups have asked for more time to make wider consultations before a firm decision is made.

General Muhammadu Buhari himself was attending one of such meetings last night when Daily trust sought to speak with him. His aide said the meeting would last far into the night, but that he did not know what it was all about.

Speculations that Buhari would float a new party gained currency earlier this year when his rift with the ANPP leadership led by Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke appeared to ne unbridgeable. Though Ezeoke was Buhari’s running mate in the 2007 polls, he led ANPP to enter into a Government of National Unity [GNU] with President Umaru Yar’adua’s PDP government soon after the polls. ANPP also withdrew from the suit instituted by Buhari against Yar’adua’s election and let him fight it alone up to the Supreme Court. Buhari’s politics now mostly revolves around TBO, the group of close associates that first launched him into politics in 2002. [/b]

http://www.news.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2486:buhari-to-float-new-party&catid=46:lead-stories&Itemid=140

I GO MARRY BY FORCE O !

How much do you think this Wedding cost?

Get ready to have your mind blown. Ready? Here we go ,

-- Michael Jackson signed his will on 7/7/02.
-- Michael Jackson's memorial was on 7/7/09 , exactly 7 years after the will was signed.
-- Michael Jackson's two biggest hits -- "Black & White" and "Billie Jean" -- were each #1 for 7 weeks.
-- Michael Jackson's three biggest albums -- "Thriller," "Bad" and "Dangerous" -- each produced 7 top 40 hits.
-- Michael Jackson was the 7th of 9 children.
-- Michael Jackson was born in 1958 , 19 + 58 = 77
-- Michael Jackson died on the 25th , 2 + 5 = 7
-- Michael Jackson has 7 letters in his first and last name.

If you're looking for lottery numbers tonight, we recommend something with the number 7 in it.

[b]This will definitely discourage good samaritans and some of us might be lynched trying or offering to help

read on,


On 27th June, 2009 one woman, a widow (named withheld) was returning from her church after a fellowship when she was hit by car at Nkwo Ala, Ekwerazu Mbaise.

According to eye witnesses, the driver sped off abandoning the victim with slight injuries. Within minutes, a jeep pulled by and the driver and his cohorts (wicked Samaritans) offered to assist the accident victim and carried her into their vehicle. The people who gathered at the scene believed she was taking to a nearby hospital not knowing that they were working with the driver that knocked her down. In a hurry they left her bicycle and one of her wrappers.

The victim's relations on getting the accident news visited various hospitals within the LGA and beyond in order to locate their mother, sister, wife, cousin, sister, daughter, etc to no avail. They quickly reported the matter to the police who after inquiries and search discovered on Sunday, 28/06/2009 that the widow was killed and her dead body dumped along Umuahia/Owerri road. Her body was found without her eyes, tongue, brain, breast, and other vital parts. The bad Samaritans happened to be ritual murderers!

Beware of this new approach by ritualists and make sure that you know the identity of those offering help to you or your relations (in case you fall victim of accident). The first driver will hit the victim and run away. Within seconds, the driver of a second vehicle (behind the hit-and-run-driver) carrying the bad Samaritans will appear to offer unsolicited assistance to the victim.

God will continue to save us from the wickedness of evil men. Amen ![/b]

[b]This will definitely discourage good samaritans and some of us might be lynched trying or offering to help

read on,


On 27th June, 2009 one woman, a widow (named withheld) was returning from her church after a fellowship when she was hit by car at Nkwo Ala, Ekwerazu Mbaise.

According to eye witnesses, the driver sped off abandoning the victim with slight injuries. Within minutes, a jeep pulled by and the driver and his cohorts (wicked Samaritans) offered to assist the accident victim and carried her into their vehicle. The people who gathered at the scene believed she was taking to a nearby hospital not knowing that they were working with the driver that knocked her down. In a hurry they left her bicycle and one of her wrappers.

The victim's relations on getting the accident news visited various hospitals within the LGA and beyond in order to locate their mother, sister, wife, cousin, sister, daughter, etc to no avail. They quickly reported the matter to the police who after inquiries and search discovered on Sunday, 28/06/2009 that the widow was killed and her dead body dumped along Umuahia/Owerri road. Her body was found without her eyes, tongue, brain, breast, and other vital parts. The bad Samaritans happened to be ritual murderers!

Beware of this new approach by ritualists and make sure that you know the identity of those offering help to you or your relations (in case you fall victim of accident). The first driver will hit the victim and run away. Within seconds, the driver of a second vehicle (behind the hit-and-run-driver) carrying the bad Samaritans will appear to offer unsolicited assistance to the victim.

God will continue to save us from the wickedness of evil men. Amen ![/b]

Tudór:
Was the guy found guilty?

Oya over to you ! @Recognise

[b]Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Lawal on saturday, at Ado Ekiti Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) matriculated as one of the students to study law in the institution.
Dr Lawal who already holds a PhD in Educational Management and Financing was admitted into 200 level of the five year programme. He took the matriculation oath at about 10.30 am with other students at the centre, after which the Centre Manager, Professor Olanrewaju David invited him to the high table as one of the Invited Guests.
Introducing the Deputy Governor to other matriculating students, Professor Olanrewaju said Lawal was a shining example of people in positions of authority who availed themselves of the opportunity provided by NOUN to study with relative ease in the face of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Globalisation, urging the students to give a round of applause to their colleague and leader.
In the message of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, read by Professor Olanrewaju to the students, he said "today marks the University’s fourth matriculation ceremony being conducted nation-wide simultaneously at 35 Study centers and should raise the total number of our student population already matriculated since the inception of the University to about 100,000"
The Vice Chancellor explained that "NOUN is an open and distance teaching university that employs all the available resources and infrastructure to deliver flexible learning to students where they are, when how, and by which means they wish to study.
"In other words, learning through NOUN is not bound by any obstacles because our operations seek to take the distance out of your access to education; which for many of you may have been denied by other institutions of higher learning", he said.
Answering questions from newsmen, the Deputy Governor said "I decided to go back to school to study law after having obtained my PhD in fulfilment of my life ambition. After having been education I would want to be learned. In future I can represent myself and people in court. Education is no respecter of age or position."
Asked whether he would use his position to influence his studies, Dr Lawal said "I was a university scholar; I do not need my position for anything. I will read my books and come out in flying colours."[/b]

[b]A young man who claims to be a Nigerian has been arraigned in a UK court for the murder of a British woman. The man, Kristoph Emmanuel Aluya, 23, was recently arraigned at the Belfast Magistrates Court for the murder of Grace Moore, 38, at her home in Belfast, Ireland.
The victim was, until her death, a shop assistant in a city center department store in Belfast. Preliminary reports indicated that she was stabbed to death.
Moore’s lifeless body was said to have been discovered by her daughter at their house in Erris Grove on west Belfast’s Suffolk Estate a few hours later.
In court, a detective sergeant from the serious crime branch told the presiding magistrate, Fiona Bagnall, that the accused could be connected with the murder directly or indirectly.
Aluya, according to court records lives on Church Road in Carlow, SE Ireland. The defendant who spoke only once in court to confirm he understood the charge against him, however, denied the charge and, according to his lawyer, Peter Ford would apply for bail.
He has, nevertheless, been remanded in custody and would appear again in court by video link on December 21. [/b]

[b]A 29-year old lady, Miss Blessing Aghimieh has been arrested by operatives of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja with substances suspected to be cocaine concealed in her anal cavity.
Female operatives of the NDLEA at the airport assisted Blessing to excrete wraps of cocaine neatly sealed in water-proof bags from her body shortly after she was arrested.
Apart from the yet to be quantified amount of cocaine found in the suspects anal cavity, our correspondent leant further that Blessing had also ingested 68 wraps of the same narcotic substance in her stomach.
She was to board a KLM flight bound for Italy before security agents arrested her.
NDLEA commander at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, Alhaji Hamisu Lawal, who confirmed the arrest said the agency had recovered 35, 37 kilograms of cocaine from 29 suspects between January and June this year.
He put the street value of the cocaine intercepted at over N389 million, adding that 12 of the suspects have been charged to court while others are serving various jail terms.
“Drug suspects are becoming more desperate as they continue to adopt various means of smuggling illicit drugs in and out of the country. On our part (the NDLEA), we shall continue to intercept and prosecute them. So far, we have beefed up security at this airport. I assure you that with the measures we have put in place, nobody can successfully smuggle any quantity of drugs through this airport. They cannot penetrate the security network we have put in place,” Lawal added.
In a related development, a 57-year-old grandmother has also being arrested by narcotic operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos with three kilograms of cocaine that she claimed was baby food that.
The suspect, Mrs Adeleke Abisola Mariam was arrested when she was about boarding a British Airways flight to London.
When Mrs Adeleke was intercepted by NDLEA operatives, she claimed that the substance was given to her by a baron who promised to pay her £4,000.
“I used to have a shop where I sell women shoes, bags and children clothes at Tejuosho Market in Lagos before I lost everything to a fire incident in 2007. I tried to establish my business at Oshodi Market but we were displaced by the government. When I could no longer afford my rent in Lagos, I moved to Ife to join my mother. I have never done drug business in my life but I was pushed to the wall.
“A man that promised to help me lured me into the illicit drug business. We met twice at a popular eatery at Gbagada area of Lagos before the deal was sealed. He used to pay my transport and give me feeding money each time I came to Lagos from Ife to see him.
“On that Saturday, he gave me a bag that he said contained one kilogram of cocaine. He kept it inside garri. He did not even tell me that it was up to three kilograms. The agreement was one kilogram and my fee is £4, 000,” Mariam stated.
Similarly, a 35 year-old trader, Felicia Ajayi who resides at Ijebu-Ife in Ogun State was arrested at the Lagos airport on her way to Bombay, India with 1. 849 kg of cocaine packed in black polythene bags.
NDLEA operatives at the airport also nabbed one Okafor Churchill, an Onitsha based trader with Indian hemp while trying to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Guangzhou, China. The suspect said he was tempted to carry the drugs because of the high profit margin.
“I bought the cannabis for N25, 000 in Onitsha. I concealed it myself. My intention was to sell it in China and use the money to buy clothes.[/b]

Naija ! Unu to like AWUFU ! HABA.

Siena:
The seller has included a contact number, for interested parties to call him.

Yet, here are "potential buyers", all wanting the seller to call them!

The first sign of an unserious buyer, is a skinflint, who's too mean to pay the cost of a call! How can you then afford to buy a car?
Amazing!

That is CORRECT NAIJA MAN for y'all !

[b]IT was tragic day in Nimgurumi town in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday when six people lost their lives after eating cassava flour meal suspected to have been poisoned.

Also, four people are now receiving medical attention at a private hospital located in the town as a result of the incident. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the incident occurred following the crisis between two families over a parcel of land in the town. According to the information, one of the families was said to have spread the cassava flour in front of their house so as to get it dried for consumption but unknown to them, one of the neighbours was allegedly said to have put a substance suspected to be poisonous into the cassava flour

Source close to the town said that the unsuspecting family was reported to have prepared the cassava flour which resulted in the death of some members of the family

When contacted on Tuesday, the state police command who confirmed the development, said the command had commenced investigation into the incident.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Dabo Ezekiel, who spoke with newsmen in Ilorin on Tuesday said that as soon as the detailed report on the incident was ready the command will make it available to the public.

Also speaking on the food poisoning on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Health, Hajia Ayinke Saka who also confirmed the development in Ilorin said that the incident was as a result of land problem between two families.

She said that one of the families spread their cassava flour outside where it was allegedly poisoned by the neighbour.[/b]

Manual for that price ?!!!!

[b]IT was tragic day in Nimgurumi town in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday when six people lost their lives after eating cassava flour meal suspected to have been poisoned.

Also, four people are now receiving medical attention at a private hospital located in the town as a result of the incident. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the incident occurred following the crisis between two families over a parcel of land in the town. According to the information, one of the families was said to have spread the cassava flour in front of their house so as to get it dried for consumption but unknown to them, one of the neighbours was allegedly said to have put a substance suspected to be poisonous into the cassava flour

Source close to the town said that the unsuspecting family was reported to have prepared the cassava flour which resulted in the death of some members of the family

When contacted on Tuesday, the state police command who confirmed the development, said the command had commenced investigation into the incident.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Dabo Ezekiel, who spoke with newsmen in Ilorin on Tuesday said that as soon as the detailed report on the incident was ready the command will make it available to the public.

Also speaking on the food poisoning on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Health, Hajia Ayinke Saka who also confirmed the development in Ilorin said that the incident was as a result of land problem between two families.

She said that one of the families spread their cassava flour outside where it was allegedly poisoned by the neighbour.[/b]

[b]Captain of MV Yenagoa Ocean, Captain Graham Egbegi, said on Thursday that although the crew of the hijacked ship were not physically assaulted or tortured, the experience was traumatic.

Somali pirates hijacked the ship, run by Nigerians, in August 2008 and had demanded a million dollar ransom from government.

``It was a very terrible experience. We were not physically maltreated or tortured,'' Egbegi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview from Yemen.

Egbegi said his crew was confined to the cabin without seeing the sunlight for the first three months.

``But the kind of experience we faced, I mean anytime you wake up in the morning you see barrels of guns, it was worse than a physical torture,'' he added.

He said that since they were not armed they had to deploy diplomacy in their dealings with the pirates.

``The key word was just diplomacy, we just had to be cool headed and be friendly with them even when they did things we did not like, we had to accept,'' Egbegi added.

On whether the ransom was paid or not, Egbegi said: ``Let us not go into other details for now. But all I am saying is that myself and my crew are safe together with the vessel.

'' When I come back to Nigeria, we will talk. I will not want to make so much comments on that for now until I am back in the country,'' he said.

He commended the Federal Government and Nigerians generally for their efforts in facilitating their release.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's Ambassador to Kenya and Seychelles, Chijioke Wigwe, said that the freed crew would be returning to Nigeria on Monday.

Wigwe told NAN on phone that the crew were physically fit to return home and would be accompanied by members of the presidential task force that facilitated their release.

``Since Nigeria closed its embassy many years ago, I have the additional responsibilities to oversee Somalia, hence my involvement in the process of their release,'' he added.[/b]

[b]It was a sad day in Aba, Abia State yesterday, as suspected kidnappers set ablaze four policemen, less than 24 hours after the Anti-kidnap Squad set up by the Abia State government swung into action.

In Onitsha, Anambra State, another policeman was killed by kidnappers after they abducted three businessmen in the commercial city.

The four policemen were burnt beyond recognition and another critically wounded, following an attack on them by the kidnappers at Ogbor-Hill, Aba.

A witness told Daily Champion that an attempt by the hoodlums to kidnap the General Manger of 7-Up Bottling Company (an expatriate) was foiled by the police.

Some residents and shop owners who spoke to Daily Champion at the scene said they saw the vehicle that was conveying expatriates who work with the 7-Up bottling company and the police van occupied by the burnt police men that were escorting the expatriates being pursued by some men in a sport utility vehicle (SUV) jeep and a Mercedes V-Boot before the shooting that took place.

They said probably sensing that the two vehicles were after them with the intention of kidnapping the expatriates the driver sped up and was able to drive into the Seven-Up premises before the men of the underworld could get to them.

But the police van was not lucky as according to eye witnesses, the suspected kidnappers having missed their main target descended on the policemen inside the escort van. It was reported that when the driver of the police van could not drive into the premises of Seven-Up before the gate men locked up the gate, he jumped out of the vehicle and was about to run when one of the kidnappers shot him on the leg.

As some of the kidnappers, including a female member began to shoot the police men in the vehicle, some other members of the gang totaling eight were already shooting sporadically, an action which forced shop owners and residents to flee.

Not done with mere shooting and killing of the police men the kidnappers went to a nearby road side petrol station, carried some cans of petrol, spread the contents on the lifeless bodies of the policemen and the van and set them ablaze.

The eye witnesses said after the operation that lasted over 30 minutes with no challenge from any quarters, the kidnappers discovered that one of the tyres of the jeep had deflated took time to fix another tyre and then drove off, shooting sporadically as they went.

When Daily Champion arrived the scene some police men, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ogbor Hill Divisional Police Station, Mr. Warebi Owotorufa, were there taking stock of what happened.

The police men did not allow news men to get closer to the burnt van as the remains of the burnt police men were still inside.

Two private ambulances, one belonging to General Medical Practice (GMP) arrived the scene and the remains were transferred to them and they drove away, probably to deposit them at a mortuary.

As the ambulances left, the DPO who supervised the movement of the remains of the victims Mr. Owotorufa, also left the scene, accompanied by some police men, leaving other police men and some soldiers behind.

It was at that point that the soldiers and policemen allowed Daily Champion reporter to get closer to the burnt police van.

On closer look half burnt boots that might have slipped off the legs of the burnt police men as the police men were burning, heaps of ashes from the burnt flesh of the of the burnt police men, a rim of burnt spare tyre inside the van and other items also burnt were inside the van that it was only its burnt pan could be seen.

At this point a lance corporal broke down in tears pointing at the van said, Madam these were the shoes of the police officers in the van that came to work this morning. Even our oga (the DPO) couldn’t recognize any of the men as they were burnt beyond recognition. Madam, you saw that it were only their bones that were transferred to the ambulances".

When Daily Champion called the phone number of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tam Edgar Nanakumo, he answered but told the reporter that he was at the office of the Aba Police Area Commander and advised that the reporter should meet him there.

On getting to the Area Command the gates were locked and the policemen at the gate said they would only allow the reporter in if the Commissioner gives order that they should escort her to the Area Commander’s office.

The chief mortician of Abia State University Teaching Hospital mortuary in Aba, where the corpses of the victims were deposited, Mr. Damian Chinemerem, who confirmed the incident, said: "Police Officers brought four corpses of their colleagues here this morning and called us on phone because we are on strike, and simply told us they were attacked by robbers".

Meanwhile, when our correspondent called on the Area Commander in Aba, he said he was indisposed to address the press, but simply referred him to the Police Headquarters.

It will be recalled that the Abia State government had last Monday, banned the use of motorcycles in major towns in the state, arguing that they facilitate the escape of kidnappers and robbers from the scene of crime.

Meanwhile, the ban on commercial motorcyclists in Isialangwa Council Area of the state has been disregarded as Daily champion investigations revealed that they have been operating freely since the announcement

At the Isialangwa North junction of Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway where some of the operators spoke to our reporter they said they ignored the ban because they had no other alternative means of livelihood.

"We are ready to die with any police officer that will try to touch us. If the governor likes, let him bring in the army," they said.

Ironically a team of Police/Army Joint Task force at a road block at the opposite side of the highway was busy checking "papers" fro motorists.

Apart from Umuahia the state capital, where there is overwhelming compliance with the ban, commercial motorcyclists were observed in other parts of the state moving freely without molestations.

Meanwhile, the ban has continued to generate mixed reactions from residents as some welcome the action while others consider it a rash policy with far reaching economic consequences.

People were seen around Umuahia metropolis trekking to their destinations as taxis are yet to be introduced to most routes in the city.

Daily Champion investigations showed that the "Ochendo Yellow" taxi extended to individuals to ease transport problems in the city have either been converted to private use or taken to other cities especially Port Harcourt for greener pastures.

Okada operators in Aba had during a demonstration on Monday alleged that the cabs were allocated to only government cronies

Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr. Sam Hart had in a press release directed all those who benefited from the scheme but absconded to other cities to return to the state immediately and commit the cabs to the purpose for which they were distributed or risk arrest.

Also, kidnappers again invaded Onitsha yesterday and killed a mobile policeman, after abducting three businessmen in the town.

Daily Champion gathered that the operations which took place in two separate places in the town almost the same time caught the police in the city unawares.

However, Super Eagles goalkeeper Austin Ejide escaped being kidnapped by whiskers as he had left earlier in the morning by the time the kidnappers went to his house at Fegge in Onitsha. [/b]

[b]Both Gbenga Obasanjo and his ex-wife, Moji returned to the Lagos high Court sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday to continue their battle over access to the two children of the divorced couple.

At the resumed hostility of the ex-lovers before Justice Elfreda Williams-Dawodu, Moji on her part gave further conditions that must be considered by the court in deciding the issue of access to children brought before the court by heir of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo.

Specifically, confident and audacious ex daughter-in-law of the Peoples Democratic Partys chairman, Board of Trustees, insisted that her children should never be allowed to stay with her ex mother-in-law because according to her, she will poison their minds against her.
Continuing, the mother of two explained that her reason for giving the condition was informed by the fact that her former husband is still living with his mother even as she alleged that her former mother-in-law had threatened to pour acid on her if she ventures there.

However, the ex-husband argued that his children deserve to know their grandparents and that it is imperative that they (children) stay with his mother during holidays and weekends when they are with him.
While Obasanjo’s counsel, Emmako Addeh, proposed to the court that his client was asking for a minimum of one week during short holidays and one Saturday in a month with allowance for the kids to be returned the following day, Moji refused and asked for her former husband to have access to the kids only between 10am and 6pm of the Saturday and proposed only one week before or after vacation for the father to spend time with the kids while the driver and nanny are there with them.

Following the failure of the parties to reach a consensus, the trial judge directed that the combatants should have another round of conference in her chamber to resolve the issues while adjourning further hearing till June 16, 2009.[/b]

[b]The Police in Enugu made a breakthrough over the week when they arrested a five-man kidnap gang that specializes in kidnapping prominent businessmen and personalities within the South Eastern States for which ransoms worth several millions of naira had been paid to them. Members of the gang were intercepted at a police check point manned by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Enugu State Police Command on the Enugu – Onitsha highway Monday evening, the police said .

Interestingly, the gang has already confessed to the kidnap of a prominent Anambra billionaire businessman and Chairman of Pokobros Group of Companies, Chief Paul Okonkwo popularly known as Pokobros at Awka on June 5, this year. They claimed they collected a huge ransom of N70 million from the businessman before he was set free few days later.

The gang also claimed responsibility for the killing of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Central Police Station Awka, CSP Francis Effiong Bassey (44) and a junior policeman shortly after kidnapping Pokobros as well as the kidnap of an Isreali woman married to an Igbo man, Mr. Ezenwa.

They also kidnaped a businessman from Ideato, Imo State last Friday shortly after his late father’s funeral and was taken to Ihe town in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State where he was held until the SARS operatives rescued him on Tuesday. One of the arrested persons took the police to the hideout where he had spent about five days while his family was being contacted to pay a ransom for his release.

DPO Bassey, a 1987 graduate of English Language at the University of Port Harcourt was eagerly looking forward to his long expected elevation to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) when he was felled by bullets from the kidnappers.

His brutal killing took place after the 15~man gang of kidnappers who were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons succeeded in kidnaping the Chairman of Pokobros Group, Chief Paul Okonkwo at the popular UNIZIK junction in Awka, capital of Anambra State on Friday June 5, 2009.

They were escaping from the scene when the Police was alerted by their sporadic release of gunfire indiscriminately. Both Anambra State Police Commissioner, Amusa Bello and DPO Bassey reportedly mobilized their men and went in their pursuit. Unfortunately, when the effrontery of the police team became so unbearable to the fleeing kidnappers, they decided to confront the Police.

It was during the ensuing exchange of gunfire that DPO Bassey, a father of four was hit on the eye and the bu
llet pierced his skull. He died before he got to the nearest hospital.

The Police gave the identities of the kidnappers now being detained at SARS operational base in Enugu as Emeka Uzonwanne alias “Chiefo” from Uga, Anambra State said to be leader of the gang; Anayo Okorougbo from Agbor, Delta State; Ogbonnaya Emmanuel Sunday from Obollo-Eke, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State; Kingsley Mammah also from Obollo-Eke; and Chidi Onyechi from Amokwe, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“Luck ran out on this deadly kidnap gang while returning to Enugu from Nsukka Monday evening. They had gone to Nsukka to negotiate for a place to keep their captives and were returning to Enugu when SARS men at a check point accosted them. Their rickety vehicle was searched and an incriminating material was found on one of the occupants prompting the policemen to drag them to the station,” a senior police officer attached to the state police command told Crime Guard .

Investigations conducted on the gang revealed that some of their GSM phones contained text messages which suggested that they were kidnappers. One of such messages read: “Don’t bring the kaya to Enugu because Enugu is not safe”. As the policemen were conducting further investigations ,some of them reportedly confessed to have been involved in several kidnap cases within the South East Zone and named some of their victims in the illicit business which has fetched them several millions of naira.

“However, Wednesday morning, one of their phones rang and behold the caller was a relative of one of their victims, the Ideato businessman who was kidnapped last Friday after his father’s burial and kept at Ihe in Awgu local government area of Enugu State. The caller asked the kidnappers to tell them where to pay the ransom earlier demanded as condition for the man’s release,” the source said.

Following the phone call, one of the kidnappers took the SARS operatives to the detention camp where the captive was set free Wednesday. A search at one of their hotel rooms in Enugu, it was further gathered, led to the discovery of some bank tellers indicating lodgments of several millions of naira into some second generation banks.

“We saw bank tellers containing cash deposits of N2.5 million, N3 million, N4 million amongst others,” the top police officer said, adding that the leader of the gang from Uga is currently building a mansion worth millions of naira at his hometown. It was learnt that police recovered two AK 47 rifles and one barretta pistol from the gang.

At the time of going to press, Crime Guard learnt that efforts were being made by Police authorities to parade the arrested suspects at the Force Headquarters in Abuja while other members of the gang are being rounded up. A source close to the family of the slain DPO said that when news of the arrest of the suspects got to the wife, she burst into another round of wailing and gnashing of teeth with her children. Meanwhile, Anambra State Police Command has reportedly completed plans to accord a befitting burial to the slain DPO early July.[/b]

[b]Little Johnny watched his daddy's car pass by the school playground and go into the woods. Curious, he followed the car and saw Daddy and Aunt Jane in a passionate embrace,
Little Johnny found this so exciting that he could hardly contain himself as he ran home and started to tell his mother. 'Mommy, I was at the playground
and I saw Daddy's car go into the woods with Aunt Jane. I went back to look and he was giving Aunt Jane a big kiss, and then he helped her take off her shirt. Then Aunt Jane helped Daddy take his pants off, then Aunt Jane, '

At this point Mommy cut him off and said, 'Johnny, this is such an interesting story, lets save the rest of it for supper time. I want to see the look on Daddy's face when you tell it tonight.'

A t the d inner table that evening, Mommy asked little Johnny to tell his story Johnny started his story, 'I was at the playground and I saw Daddy's car go into the woods with Aunt Jane. I went back to look and he was giving Aunt Jane a big kiss, then he helped her take off her shirt. Then Aunt Jane helped Daddy take his pants off, then Aunt Jane and Daddy started doing the same thing that Mommy and Uncle Bill used to do when Daddy was away on the rigs.'

Mommy fainted!

Moral: Sometimes you need to just shut the hell up and listen to the whole story before you interrupt! [/b]

[b]TRAGEDY struck yesterday in Kurmi Local Government Council of Taraba State when two foreigners from the neighbouring Republic of Cameroun and a Nigerian were lynched to death by an angry mob for an alleged disappearance of a man's private organ.
The three persons were said to have been traveling in a jeep with registration number BV802AGL to Cameroun, a stone thrown from Baissa, the administrative headquarters of the council, when death came calling.
According to an eye witness account, the men, in an effort to refuel, were accosted by one Muses Umar, who claimed that his private organ was stolen by the three persons, whom The Guardian learnt were attached to one of the embassies.
The lynched persons, our source said, ran into the council police station for safety, but were hacked down to death right inside the station after all attempts by the police to disperse the irate youths failed.
Confirming the report, the state police commissioner, Aliyu Musa, gave the names of the three persons as Thomas Achotu, Joseph and Tarhamba Awuva. The driver, Tarhamba Awuva, according to The Guardian's finding, was a Nigeria from the Tiv-speaking part of the country.
Five policemen, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) according to the commissioner, were reported to have been seriously injured by the mob, as they attempted to rescue the victims. The police station, he said, was destroyed beyond recognition.
It would be recalled that the state has recently been filled with rumours of the disappearance of male genitals, which the police said could not be proved, except with the assistance of medical experts.
Though no single arrest had been made, the police, according to Aliyu Musa, had instituted a panel of investigation to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the ugly events.
The latest incident, which has thrown the council into dilemma, according to another eyewitness, who spoke with The Guardian on the condition of anonymity, said that "the usual free movement in and out of this country to Cameroun, will definitely be affected because, information reaching us here (Baissa and the state at large) shows that Camerounians are threatening to retaliate."
Also confirming the report, the chairman of the council, Mr. John Tobi, called on the security agents to urgently effect the arrest of the suspected youths.[/b]

[b]THE crisis in Ogun State involving G 15 members of the House of Assembly was triggered by a blood oath taken at a shrine in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government, last year, the Nigerian Compass learnt last night. The members took the oath to ensure a united front against Governor Gbenga Daniel.
The oath was sponsored by some politicians including the father of a prominent politician in Abuja, a Senator, a former South-West governor, a former minister and another prominent politician in Ogun State.
The oath, which was taken naked by the members and in daylight, was witnessed by the sponsors and the native doctors, the administrators of the oath.
Items used for the oath included blood, cow heads, calabash and other fetish materials.
Each participant swore to upholding opposition to Daniel at all times and submitted to the death of their first born, should they renege on the oath.
Each of them was required to mention the name of their first child in the course of the oath, setting in motion serious consequences for the children should their fathers go back on the prescribed course of opposition.
The Nigerian Compass learnt that the finality of this oath is why prominent traditional rulers such as the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo, and other prominent leaders such as Prince Bola Ajibola, General Tunji Olurin and Yeye Oodua H.I.D. Awolowo were unable to persuade them to change their stance.
In exclusive photographs obtained by the Nigerian Compass, one of those who took the oath, Hon. Wale Alausa, representing Ijebu-Ode State Constituency and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is seen holding a white article of oath, standing in front of a calabash filled with blood at the shrine.
The photographs were taken by the initiators of the oath to blackmail the G 15 members and prevent them from reneging. The Nigerian Compass obtained some of the photographs following a disagreement in the camp of the initiators.
Behind him in the photograph on the right taken outside the shrine (with his hand showing) is one of the native doctors who administered the oath. The photograph on the left was taken inside the shrine. A source said last night: “It is because of the oath that the crisis in the state has been protracted. They have vowed that nobody or nothing will stop them from achieving their goal, which is to impeach the governor and make the state ungovernable.
“This lawmaker called Alausa was jobless when his father, Alhaji Agboola Alausa, took him to the governor and the governor made him a special assistant in the office of the deputy governor. Even when he was working with Alhaja Salmot Badru, the deputy governor was not happy with him because of the various scandals he was involved in.
“In 2007, the father also begged that he should be made a lawmaker and the state PDP respected his view by giving the Ijebu-Ode State Constituency to his son.

“But since Wale Alausa and other members of the G 15 seized the Assembly in a coup last year, peace has eluded the state. That is why they are blocking the N50 billion bond and embarrassing members of the executive under the cover of oversight functions.”[/b]

;d ;d ;d

A man and his wife are in court getting a Divorce. The problem was who should get custody of the child.



[b]The wife jumped up and said,

'Your Honor. I brought the child into this world with pain and labour. She should be in my custody.'



The judge turns to the husband and says,

'What do you have to say in your defense?

The man sat for a while contemplating, then slowly rose.

'Your Honour, if I put my ATM card into a cash-dispensing Machine and the cash comes out, whose cash is it?,



'The machine's or mine?' [/b]