₦airaland Forum

Samuel Awoyinfa


There are indications on Friday that some aides of the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun , and members of the All Progressives Congress, have been registered as National Assembly candidates of the Democratic People ’ s Party for the 2019 general elections.

This development might have confirmed the growing speculations that the governor has an alternative plan having been dissatisfied with the outcome of the governorship and legislative primaries of the APC in the state .

Those whose names appeared on the DPP list as pasted by the Independent National Electoral Commission were until Friday members of the ruling APC.

On the list as candidates for three senatorial seats in the state were the sitting state Commissioner for Health, Dr . Babatunde Ipaye (Ogun East); a Senior Special Assistant to Amosun , Alhaji Bola Adeyemi (Ogun Central) and another Senior Special Assistant on Energy , Chief Taiwo Fagbemi , as the senatorial candidate for Ogun West .

Whereas the names of Amosun , his Chief of Staff , Tolu Odebiyi and his ally , Senator Lekan Mustapha were listed and pasted as senatorial candidates of the APC for Ogun Central , West and East seats in the National Assembly respectively on the provisional list released by INEC on Thursday .

Our correspondent gathered that the names of the APC executive members and political appointees “ planted” in the DPP would be substituted with all the names of the consensus candidates of the APC on or before the December 1 deadline for withdrawal and final substitution of candidates.

lalasticlala

Ademola Olonilua and Toluwalope Kareem


Technology is the driver of convenience; so easy has life become ever since the emergence of technology and its continual improvement that virtually anything can be purchased online ranging from food , clothes, electronics, and even houses , by just a tap on any internet connected device.

In fact , in recent times, the advent of social media has paved the way for individuals in Nigeria to find a way around the problem of unemployment as they have begun to use various platforms for business purposes to showcase their goods , talents and skills which in turn churns in some income to them.

Commercial sex workers are not left out as they have grabbed such opportunity to ply their trade online. The tech savvy among them have ditched their old fashioned modus operandi of hanging by the road side at red light districts in a city like Lagos.

Of course while some are still glued to remain by road side waiting for patrons , some have decided to take their business to the social media which they believe is more classy , profitable and safe.
These ladies make use of some social media platforms to attract clients but in coded forms.

They have their terms and condition which you either accept or decline . On their platforms , they make use of raunchy pictures and lascivious languages to advertise themselves to the public and prospective customers .

For instance , during a chat with Saturday Punch over some bottles of alcoholic beverages , a fashion designer who identified himself simply as Abimbola , explained how he had engaged with at least three commercial sex workers who he met on a mobile application which name is similar to the popular Instagram.

He explained that ever since his five - year relationship ended in 2017 , he drowned himself in work and anytime he felt Hot , he would rather pitch his tent with a commercial sex worker .

Abimbola explained that initially, he would drive down to Allen Avenue to ‘ select ’ any lady he wanted for the night but he stopped ever since his friend introduced him to the mobile application.

He said , “After my last relationship ended , I decided to face my business squarely but bodi no be firewood. So sometimes when I have to blow off steam , I drive down to Allen to pick a girl for the night . I did that for a while before a friend of mine told me of a mobile application whereby I can literally order for a girl online. We would do all the negotiations online; I would tell her all I want from her . If she agrees , she comes to my house and we have sex . Ever since I was introduced to the app , I never went back to Allen. ”

The fashion designer explained that the mobile application has saved him time and fuel for his car that would convey him to Allen. “I know I am a workaholic, so I really do not have time for frivolities. The reason I subscribe to the application till date is because if I am Hot during the daytime , I don’ t need to wait till nightfall neither do I need to stress myself and drive down to Allen .

All I need do is switch on my mobile data , browse through the girls in the neighbourhood , we negotiate and once one agrees to my terms , I continue with my work till she comes over to my house . It is so convenient . I would probably delete the application once I find the right woman for me but till then, it is helping me to ‘ ease tension , ’” he said .

Aside from the application known to Abimbola , there are other mobile applications that Nigerian commercial sex workers are leveraging on to parade their craft . Saturday Punch findings showed that most of these applications are meant to be messaging apps but these ladies have found a way to make them money -spinning applications .

Kazeem Danjuma , a farmer told Saturday Punch that he has an application on his phone which he visits anytime he is Hot and once he logs onto the application, he is good ‘ to go ’ . He noted that he stumbled on the application and thought it was a normal messaging app till the ladies he met began asking him this particular question , ‘ hook up ?’ ‘ short time or long ?’

He said that initially he did not understand and the ladies were quick to quit the conversation once they noticed that he did not understand them till one day he decided to play along .

“ To be honest , I was trying to download another application but I was not concentrating so I downloaded this messaging application. I did not want to delete it because I felt it would be a waste of data, so I logged in through my Facebook account and I started chatting with the girls .

I noticed that whenever I was trying to make a decent conversation , they kept asking me if I wanted a short time or long time . Initially , I did not understand but one day I decided to play along . After I told the girl I wanted short time , she told me her price range and that was when it was clear to me that she was a commercial sex worker .

I went through her pictures and they were all raunchy , they turned me on and I invited her over . It was one of the most effortless sex I had in my life . Since then, I have kept the application even though I have changed my phones several times. ”

He opened up that he had met at least four girls on the application.

During an interaction with a student of a federal university who simply prefers to be addressed as Adejumo , when the subject was brought up, he simply laughed and said that there was a mobile application where the girls are ‘ bad oo. ’

He noted that as students , they were in the know of most of these applications and further hinted that some of the girls who advertise their crafts on these apps are students as well .

Adejumo also revealed ways to know if girls on the mobile applications are ‘ normal girls ’ or ‘ runs girls ’ .

He said , “Bros , it is quite easy to differentiate the ‘ runs girls ’ from the normal girls looking for love. I am aware of all the mobile applications you mentioned but it is only ‘ sure boys ’ that know of them . As students , we know about them and to tell you the truth, some of our female counterparts are on these mobile applications looking for quick money . I have met two girls from my school on the site.

“ I am certain that if you log on to any of them, you would see on the girl ’ s bio , ‘ hook up only ’ , it is a term that shows that she is a commercial sex worker . Also , from experience , if you see bios like , ‘ go straight to the point , I am not here for long talk’ , ‘ don’ t ask me JAMB questions, say what you want’ , ‘ I am a masseuse and I can offer happy hour , ’ bios like this tend to show that the lady is a commercial sex worker . ”

Saturday Punch findings show that these ladies also use popular social media applications like Facebook and they tend to be more daring based on their profile names.

For instance , as seen on Facebook , a young lady ’ s profile name is, ‘ Olosho Egbeda ’ , which literally means , Egbeda prostitute in English . Her Facebook bio further says , “ Olosho olobo codeine ni mi … that all I want … u have it … oya let’ s f** k ourselves to death (sic ). ”

Another young lady created a profile on Facebook with the name Nofisat Olobo Icloud and her bio states , ‘ I am a real olosho( commercial sex worker ). I can do 3 sum with just 5 k (sic ) . ”

A lady who seems to be in her early 20 s also created a Facebook profile with the name , Obo Langido and in her bio , she explicitly stated , “ I train all my life to become a porn star. ” For the Facebook user , Obo Panseke , she stated on her bio, “ I owe no guy a tight pussy . He who can ’ t swim should drown . ”

In order to verify Abimbola , Danjuma and Adejumo ’ s claims , Saturday Punch downloaded the applications and was able to engage some of these ladies.

As seen on her social platform , the beautiful young lady who seemed to be in her twenties had publicly advertised herself , as she wrote: “ hookups only , only serious persons should message ” .

The lady had her beautiful and titillating pictures splashed all over her page with the aim of attracting patrons like sugar attracts ants . One of our correspondents reached out to her pretending to be fully interested and a conversation ensued .

“ Whatever would go on between us is strictly professional and no strings attached , ” she said .

In the conversation , issues like price, the location and the activities that would take place between them were addressed.

She also suggested a party to our correspondent which she referred to as a special package that would cost more .

She was charging N 30, 000 for a night which included her transportation , but if the correspondent was going to be sorting out her transportation , the fee would be N 20, 000 for a night .

Also , another lady who introduced herself as Blessing met with one of our correspondents at a pub and during the conversation , she made it known that she had a day job but she was a commercial sex worker by the side.

“ I actually work for a spa and often times after massaging my customers , a few of them ask for happy hour and if the price is right , I oblige them . In order to augment what I make, I decided to use the mobile app as another way to meet new patrons .

I prefer the mobile application because it seems classy , safe and stress - free . Most of my clients are young men who just want to blow off steam after a long day. The few ones I like, I actually massage their body before we get down to business , ” she said.

She noted that she has never been one to stand by the roadside seeking patrons and that her price range was N 5 , 000 for ‘ short time ’ while she accepted to spend the night for N 10, 000.

Another young lady who identified herself as Dami told Saturday Punch during a chat she just completed her Ordinary National Diploma in a popular Nigerian polytechnic and instead of staying home idle , she felt she could make money through this venture.

Dami said , “ I recently completed my OND and while I was staying at home bored, my friend told me about the application. I have met several guys on it but I only indulge fine boys . If I go through your picture and I like you , then I would attend to you but if you are not fine, I would ignore you , ” she said .

Sharon opened up to Saturday Punch that she used to be a regular face at Allen Avenue till a friend introduced her to the mobile application and ever since , she never returned to Allen.

She explained that while she was still a roadside commercial sex worker , she was almost kidnapped and on several occasions, she had been humiliated and ridiculed by customers who refused to pay after she had ‘ serviced ’ them . But everything is now history thanks to the various mobile applications she is registered to .

The young lady further said that the mobile application had eliminated the stress and risks of hanging by the roadside . “ I used to stand by the roadside around Allen and GRA Ikeja but for about two years that I did that , it was God that saved me . There was a time I was almost kidnapped but I jumped out of a moving vehicle to save myself . I was in the hospital for weeks and I had to get a love-vendor to protect me . He was collecting half of what I made which was ridiculous to me .

“ There were also times that I would get insulted and humiliated by a customer who would not want to pay me after he had been serviced but all that is history now as I am ‘ online’ . Also , the mobile application I use connects me to men within my vicinity , so it makes the work easier . My price actually depends on the negotiation skills of the potential patron, ” she said.

Sharon further revealed that aside physical sex , she offered virtual sex to clients who did not have enough money for physical sex. “There are some men who do not have enough money but they want to relieve some stress so I engage in virtual sex with them . After negotiation and I have received a credit alert , I do a video call with them; we get naked and masturbate till they are relieved . The ones that are too shy just ask for my nude pictures and I oblige them , ” she said .

Speaking on the trend, a sociologist , Monday Ashibogwu , stated that the trend simply means that the commercial sex workers are moving with the times. “As sociologists, it is not in our place to condemn or commend such issues but we can comment about it . Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world and it also follows consumption. It is a determinant of consumption pattern .

When you do a business , you look for where your customers are and you identify them . If you take this sense of direction , you would understand that today , businesses are moving online. If commercial sex workers decide to stop staying on the road and go on the internet to attract patrons , they are not out of order.

It just shows that like every other business minded persons, they are moving with times. They know where to find their customers because for them, it is a business . For those who want to justify it as a vice , it is up to them but the trend just shows that they are moving with times, ” Ashibogwu . added.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja



The All Progressives Congress (APC) may be compelled to hold an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting early next month to address the issues arising from the primary elections, THISDAY has learnt.

THISDAY also gathered some powerful elements in the party are plotting to take advantage of the meeting to determine the fate of the embattled National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

However, a reliable source said that Oshiomhole’s loyalists are working hard to stop the meeting.

But the National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Isa-Onilu, has denied knowledge of any plan to convene NEC meeting.

He told journalists that he was not in the know of such plot.

Onilu said: “There is nothing as such, if it will happen we will actually make a formal announcement.”

A top party leader who confirmed the move to summon the NEC, said some elements are already lobbying for the replacement of Oshiomhole with “former governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement Ebiri or any other moderate fellow”.

It was learnt that those pushing for NEC meeting have been sending messages to party stakeholders and trying to convince them of the need to use the opportunity to review the outcome of the recently conducted primaries across the country.

The primary elections have generated much crisis with some governors and other party leaders openly calling for the removal of Oshiomhole as the National Chairman.

One of the governors who have openly expressed displeasure is Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who in a statement on Wednesday, described the National Chairman as “incompetent.”

A NEC member, who pleaded anonymity, said: “unless the current National Chairman is removed, the party might be heading for a defeat in 2019.

When asked how feasible it is to force NWC to convene a NEC meeting, the source said “Yes but that Oshiomhole is trying to prevent it”.

He said: Majority of the NEC members can call for a NEC meeting; that is what our constitution says. We can force him to call for a NEC meeting. The meeting is due because after the primaries NWC has to brief us (NEC members) on the reports of the primaries across the country. The reports have to be reviewed and we have demanded for it through the National Secretary’s office.

“Normally, after the primary they are suppose to call for a NEC meeting so that they will present the reports of the primaries to the NEC, because some of these decisions they have taken and said NWC has decided, there is nothing like that because NWC is not the highest organ of the party, it is the National Executive Committee (NEC) which the president and the Vice President are members. NWC is just a policy-making body of the party.

“So, currently the NWC under Oshiomhole has breached the constitution, and I can tell you categorically that there is no leader in APC across the country that is happy with Oshiomhole”.

He said there were fears that about 20 House of Representative members are planning to defect to PDP because of the badly handled primary election.

He also accused the NWC of granting automatic tickets to some serving lawmakers without consulting the real stakeholders in the various states.

Ben Akabueze, director general of the Budget Office, says the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is paying N53 on every litre of petrol consumed by Nigerians.

Speaking on Wednesday at the Strategic Dialogue on the Morocco-Nigeria Relations in Abuja, the DG said Nigeria would have been celebrating high oil prices but it isn’t.
At the Department of Petroleum Resources’ estimates that 45 million litres of petrol are consumed daily, this means that the NNPC records N2.38 billion as under-recovery daily.

“On oil price, for us, it is a double-edged sword, unfortunately. This ought to be a season where we should be clicking glasses with regards to the oil price. But right now, practically every drop of refined petroleum product that we consume in the country is imported,” PUNCH quoted him to have said.

“And the one single factor that determines the price of refined product is the price of crude. In essence, while we export the crude at about $80 (per barrel), we effectively import back the same crude at about $100 importation price for refined products. And that explains why despite the strong oil prices, we are not seeing a corresponding growth in government revenue.

“Also at the moment, in terms of pricing of petroleum products, for every litre of petrol, there is an N53 under-recovery. Well, that is the term that the NNPC, which has this responsibility, calls it and so who am I? This represents a significant value for us. Hence, the need to diversify the economy remains urgent.”

by Mayowa Tijani



Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state and running mate to Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) says people hardly tell you the truth in government.

Speaking at the just-concluded Nigerian Economic Summit (NES24) in Abuja on Tuesday, the former governor said it took an 11-year-old schoolgirl to tell him he was not keeping his promises.

“For me, what I will say to all of us here is that government is not working today. It didn’t work in the past, don’t think it was working when I was there, it didn’t work in the past, it is not working today,” Obi said.

“I have served, I can tell you, the government is far apart from the people. What we need to do is to see that there is no other country except this one, and engage them (government).

“I was governor for eight years, I hardly see people tell me ‘you’re doing the wrong thing’, everybody tells me ‘you are super, since you came the world has changed’, and that is the problem.

“Nobody tells you anything. I use this example wherever I go, it took an 11-year-old child in school to courageously tell me I don’t keep my promise.

“I went to their school to say something, and I came back, and she asked a question, ‘governor why, you didn’t keep your promise?’ Nobody tells me.”

Obi added that the current government has not been keeping its promises, therefore, citizens should engage them to keep them accountable.


PASTORS CELEBRATE CORRUPTION TOO

“On the issue of corruption, I am not saying people shouldn’t shout anti-corruption, but let’s start dealing with it, let us work on it, stop it from escalating.

“People are actually celebrating corruption every day. I see it as I walk around every day. Like they say, let us start with ourselves by saying ‘oh, we can’t be part of it.’

“I have somebody who has just invited me to an occasion that is coming up in two week’s time and it is supposed to be an occasion to celebrate jubilee and everything, but I know it is a product of corruption and people will be there to celebrate with him.

“Pastors will be there, praying that God should give him more and they know it is corrupt money. For me, it is not working, let us deal with it.”

Some politicians have approached the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to substitute some names on the list of candidates submitted by their political parties, SaharaReporters has learnt.

Multiple sources, who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday, alleged that the politicians are conniving with some officials of the electoral body to manipulate the names on the list.

It was gathered that some of the parties that conducted parallel primary elections submitted different candidates' lists. To authenticate their lists, these candidates are plotting with some staff of the electoral commission to accept their preferred lists as genuine.

INEC had announced October 18 as the deadline for all political parties participating in the 2019 general election to submit names of their candidates.

However, SaharaReporters exclusively learnt that some party candidates, whose names had been omitted by their various parties, are now being added.

One of the sources disclosed that the "moneybags" in the affected parties are desperately moving round in Abuja to ensure the change of these names at the INEC office.

"These politicians are mostly from the major political parties, APC and PDP. They are colluding with their party chairmen to perpetrate this illegality," said the source.
"Many of them, in their desperate bid, are conniving with some officials of INEC at the ICT unit to substitute those names.

"Don't forget that the deadline given by the commission to the parties to submit all names of the candidates contesting for either the National Assembly or presidency ahead of 2019 general election has elapsed.

"So, what they are doing now is an act of illegality because it's against the electoral act. And it is good we call the attention of INEC to this to investigate its officers at the ICT unit of the commission. In fact, as I am speaking with you now, some incumbent members of the National Assembly who believe they hold the grip in Abuja are the ones championing this illegality for their political parties."

Another source, who confirmed the act, said the candidates are trying to get new CF002 forms that will enable them input names of their preferred candidates in the final list.

"They are moving around with the chairmen of their various political parties, and pressurising them to sign new CF002 forms to facilitate the illegal substitution of these names," he said.

Olusola Fabiyi , Abuja


The Department of State Services has refuted an allegation that five of its personnel allegedly aided Mr. Nnamdi Kanu to escape from Nigeria .

Kanu , leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra , escaped from his abode in Umuahia , Abia State on September 14, 2017 .

He, however, showed up in Jerusalem , Israel on Friday.

Before his sudden disappearance , Kanu was being tried by the Federal Government for treason , but was granted bail by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja .

Spokesperson for the DSS , Mr. Peter Afunanya , in a statement in Abuja on Monday , described the rumour alleging that operatives of the agency helped Kanu to escape as “ malicious . ”

He said , “ The Service wishes to state that the news is fake , mischievous and defamatory . It is nothing but a figment of the imagination of the originators .

“ The public should , by now , have noted the antics of Kanu , IPOB and their collaborators whose stock in trade is to peddle unfounded rumours , gossips and propaganda aimed at subverting the government , its key agencies and officials .

“ The DSS is aware that some unscrupulous elements are keen on exploiting the situation to constitute a nuisance to the freedoms of all persons as guaranteed in the Constitution and as well disrupt the forthcoming general elections.
“ The DSS will not stand by idly and watch these undesirable elements achieve their aims.

“ It is to be further emphasised that the indissolubility, unity and indivisibility of our beloved country is sacred . ”

Afunanya called on those he described as “ obstructive planners against the unity of Nigeria ” to know that no individual or group can be bigger than this country.

He, therefore , reassured residents about their safety and the DSS ’ s commitment to providing an enabling environment for peace and stability in the country.

By Motolani Alake


Pulse did an article on a tweet that surfaced about paternity fraud;
Nigeria placed second on the list of countries where men are not the biological fathers of children they think are theirs.

Whether it is a shame on Nigerian men or Nigerian women, nobody knows, but the depth of unfaithfulness adds an extra kick in the teeth for a country sunken as Nigeria.
The rate of paternity fraud in Nigeria was 30 percent — which means 30% of Nigerian men are caring for children that are not theirs.

Recently, a Nigerian Twitter User, Chuka Chukwudile who tweets @MrAdeBond
replied a Reno Omokri tweet that, “ I know a couple who went for same Visa processing and it came out that the 4 children the man thought he had, none were his. Plot twist all 4 children were from 4 different men. Real life stuff .”

Omokri had earlier tweeted on his rollercoaster, never-ending #RenoNuggets that, “ The US Embassy in Nigeria now involves guards when reading results of DNA tests for families applying for visas, because of high instances that the father is not the biological dad of the kids. Our churches shouldn’t teach more tithes, they should teach more morals
#RenosNuggets”

It all brings some perspective into the
Kanye West lyrics off his 2005 Grammy nominated hit song, Gold Digger
featuring Jamie Foxx.

Talking from the angle of wealth seeking, desperate women, West discussed the philandering women, and the art of prenuptial agreements to women who give kids to wrong fathers due to wealth or security those men guarantee.

He rapped, “ Eighteen years, eighteen years. And on the 18th birthday he found out it wasn’t his?! ” The song perfectly captures the infamy and shock paternity fraud on the unfortunate men who have to deal with the heartbreak of the realization.

It remains to be seen whether these women think about anybody but themselves.

JOHN ALECHENU



The All Progressives Congress realised N 12. 635 bn from the sale of its Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives expression of interest and nomination forms for the recently concluded APC primaries held across the country.

SUNDAY PUNCH arrived at the figures after computing the cost of the forms and multiplying it by the number of aspirants who paid for and collected same to participate in the primaries .

Only President Muhammadu Buhari was supported to collect the forms to contest the presidential primary. The president ’ s supporters were said to have paid N 45m to obtain the forms on his behalf.

Governorship aspirants paid the non - refundable fee of N 22. 5 m each to obtain their forms as of the close of sales ; 171 aspirants were confirmed by the party to have paid for and obtained the forms. When the figure was multiplied by N 22. 5 m , it amounted to N 3 , 847 , 500 , 000 or N 3 . 847 bn .

For the Senate , 386 aspirants paid N 7 m each to obtain the forms and when the number was multiplied by the total number of aspirants , it brought the figure to N 2 . 702 bn .

No fewer than 1 , 587 persons paid N 3 . 8 m each to obtain the party ’ s nomination forms . When the number was multiplied, it amounted to N 6 , 030 , 600 , 000 or N 6 . 03bn .

When the sums were put together, they amounted to a grand total of N12,625,100,000 or N 12.625 bn .

Efforts to speak with the new APC National Publicity Secretary , Lanre Issa - Onilu , were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report on Friday.

Calls to his mobile were neither answered nor returned. A response to a text message sent to him on the subject was still being awaited as of the time of filing this report .

It was however gathered that the party leadership opted to increase the cost of its forms to raise the needed resources to conduct the primaries and also prosecute the 2019 elections.

The APC National Vice -Chairman (South - South ) , Hilliard Eta , had, in an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, said , “ Anybody who cannot afford the cost of our forms has no business running for an election .

“ We all know elections anywhere in the world are expensive ventures . You have to be prepared because you will require money for logistics , to print posters , T-shirts and other items.

“ As a party , we have made conscious efforts to ensure that we do not dip our hands into public treasury to run the party as was the case in the past. ”

lalasticlala

JOHN AMEH



Despite protests that greeted the outcome of its primary elections, the All Progressives Congress still denied many of its members in the House of Representatives return tickets ,
SUNDAY PUNCH has gathered.

Investigations showed that as the submission of the final list of successful candidates for the 2019 polls closed on Thursday , many members , who appealed their loss of the primary to the APC Appeal Panel , didn’ t get any reprieve from the party .

Findings showed that over 70 lawmakers petitioned the appeal panel , seeking to have their cases reviewed, but lost their appeals .

“ The appeal panel didn’ t work much in their favour . Only a very few persons were lucky, ” a senior parliamentary official informedSUNDAY PUNCH in Abuja .

However , the members were said to be expecting a formal report on the findings of the appeal panel before taking any further steps.

Investigations by SUNDAY PUNCH revealed that only eight out of the over 70 lawmakers , who petitioned, had their names submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The lucky ones so far are the Chairman , House Committee on Financial Crimes, Mr. Kayode Oladele; Mr. Isiaka Ibrahim ; Mr. Baderinwa White ; Mr. Aminu Malle ; Mr. Goodluck Opia ; Mr. Mayowa Akinfolarin ; Mr. Lado Abdullahi and Mr. Jimoh Oladele.

It was gathered that the panel did not invite the majority of the petitioners to any session to defend their petitions or hear their cases .

However , a source close to the appeal panel informed SUNDAY PUNCH that those cleared were found to have “ genuine cases. ”

The source , who did not want to be named , explained that those who were cleared had genuine cases after a careful study of their petitions.

He said , “This is democracy at work . You can ’ t lose the confidence of your people at home and rush to Abuja in search of an automatic ticket . ”

One of the affected members , Mr. Ayodeji Joseph , told SUNDAY PUNCH that he had nothing to do yet until the party released the report of the panel .

Joseph , who represents Apapa Federal Constituency in Lagos State, stated that since the petition was sent to the party through a formal channel , he expected that he would also be accorded the respect of a formal reply .

A lawmaker from Kaduna State, Mr. Musa Soba , who last week spoke for the affected members , had said they would decide on their next line of action after the appeal panel ’ s report .

Soba and his colleagues had met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa last Saturday , where the latter reportedly promised to look into the matter.

The meeting was at the instance of Buhari , who summoned the members after he heard of their threats to work against the party in 2019 .

Effort of SUNDAY PUNCH to get Soba ’ s reactions on the latest development had yet to yield fruit as of Saturday .

Another member from Ondo State, Mr. Gabriel Kolawole , declined to speak to SUNDAY PUNCH .

A few of the members , who had their cases resolved in their favour , also declined to talk to SUNDAY PUNCH , saying they were not sure of how their colleagues would react.

Up to 70 per cent of serving lawmakers or 252 out of 360 across political parties may not to return to the House in 2019 as a result of losing the primaries , voluntary withdrawal and contesting other offices .

When SUNDAY PUNCH contacted the Chairman , House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas , to verify the figure , he doubted that the non -returning members were up to 252 .

Olusola Fabiyi, Olalekan Adetayo, Adelani Adepegba and Okechukwu Nnodim



There is confusion over the list of over 50 high - profile Nigerians placed on a travel ban by the Federal Government last Saturday as security agencies , including the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service have said the list is not with them .

However , the Presidency insisted on Friday that the travel ban list had been sent to the various security agencies through the Attorney General of the Federation , Abubakar Malami (SAN).

President Muhammadu Buhari had last Saturday announced that security agencies , including the NIS , had placed over 50 high - profile Nigerians on a watch list and restricted them from leaving the country , pending the determination of their corruption cases with the various security agencies.

The development followed the judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja last Thursday .

Buhari spoke through his Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu , in a statement issued in Abuja.

“ To this end , a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high - profile persons directly affected by EO 6 on watch list and restricted them from leaving the country, pending the determination of their cases, ” the statement titled , ‘ Buhari directs implementation of EO 6 in full force’ , had read in part.


We don ’ t have travel ban list –Immigration, Customs

However , the NIS spokesman , James Sunday, told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that the Immigration had not received any list detailing names of corrupt persons , adding that the service would enforce the travel ban whenever it got such list and directive .

“ We have not received the travel ban list ; we are a law enforcement agency , our service will fully enforce whatever directive the Federal Government gives to us . So , once the directive (travel ban) is given, we are going to comply . We are an enforcement agency , we don’ t have any reason not to comply , ” he told one of our correspondents in a telephone conversation on Friday .

In the same vein , the NCS on Friday told one of our correspondents that it had yet to receive any list containing the names of 50 high - profile Nigerians banned from travelling out of the country.

According to the Public Relations Officer , NCS , Joseph Attah , the Federal Government has yet to send such a list to the service.

He said , “ There’ s none of such as far as I know . I’ ve not seen any such list as I speak with you . However , if there is any development that is necessary to let the public know about , I’ ll let you know . ”

Furthermore , investigations by one of our correspondents showed that the Department of State Services was also not given a list containing the names of those being barred from leaving the country.

Sources close to the security agencies , however , said that there were individual names that had either been placed either on watch list or stopped from travelling by courts .

These individuals, the sources added , were being watched .

One of the sources said , “ We have names of individuals that had been on watch lists for some time . There are some who have been barred from travelling by courts and so on. So , those people are being watched.

“ However , I’ m not aware of any special list that contains the names of about 50 people as being speculated in the media. ”
Another source noted that some of the popular names trending online had earlier been barred by courts from travelling .


Travel ban list with security agencies , Presidency insists

But the Presidency insisted on Friday that the nation ’ s security agencies were already in possession of the list of about 50 Nigerians placed on travel ban as part of moves to implement Executive Order 6 signed by the President .

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Shehu , said this in an interview with one of our correspondents .

Shehu said the information made available to him by Malami was that the list had been made available to the security agencies .

The presidential spokesman said he had no reason to doubt the AGF .
“ The AGF has made the list available to them .

“ That is the information available to me and I don’ t have any reason to doubt him , ” he said .


No travel ban list with us – NIS airport officials

Security agencies, including the NIS , NCS and the DSS at the Lagos and Abuja airports also said they had yet to have any new travel ban list .

Findings at various commands of the immigration indicated that the NIS had not received the names of those to be on the watch list .

A source at the NIS command in Lagos which oversees the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Immigration formation, said the government had yet to send the names affected by the Executive Order to them.

The official explained that many high - profile individuals whose names were said to be on the list were seen travelling out of the country during the week .

“ A prominent lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria who is facing corruption trial and who was mentioned as one of those affected by the Executive Order was seen travelling out of the country during the week , but nobody stopped him because there was no directive to that effect from the government , ” the operative explained.

Also , sources in the NIS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport , Abuja , claimed that they had yet to see the list .

Meanwhile , the Spokesperson for the AGF, Mr. Salihu Isah , could not be reached for his comments on the level of implementation of Executive Order 6 .

While the calls made to his line failed to connect, the text message inquiry sent to his phone had yet to be delivered as of the time of filing this report .

Following the judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 last Thursday , Buhari had last Saturday mandated the AGF to implement the order in full force.

Aside the travel ban, Buhari said the financial transactions of those affected by the travel ban were also being monitored by the relevant agencies to ensure that the assets were not dissipated.

Explaining the rationale for the travel ban, a statement by the President ’ s media aide had said , “ It is instructive to note that the EO 6 was specifically directed to relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all assets within a minimum value of N 50m or equivalent , subject to investigation or litigation are protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful means, pending the final determination of any corruption - related matter . ”

Meanwhile , the Presidency has refused to make the list public .

Stating the reason for this , Shehu had in a statement said , “ I want to confirm to you that we have not released any list and we are not doing so . These cases are well known and to say this or that name is on it will open the door to further accusations , including trial by media. The Immigration Service and other security agencies have the mandate of the President to carry out enforcement and they will do so giving due respects to individual rights, in line with the constitution. ”

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the third stage of its ongoing recruitment will commence soon.

Public Education Officer of the corps, Mr Bisi Kazeem, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

The agency had between Sept. 24 and Sept. 29, commenced the recruitment, with physical screening of no fewer than 324,000 applicants, who applied for 4,000 jobs in the corps.

The exercise was for various cadres, including officers, Marshal Inspectors and Road Marshal Assistants.

Kazeem said that the last physical screening that was conducted was the second stage of the exercise.

“Efforts are on for the third stage. We had earlier conducted the second stage which is the screening.

“Efforts are on now to call people that have been shortlisted for the officers and marshal inspectorate cadres,” he said.

According to him, those applicants shortlisted during the screening will be made to write exam which is to be conducted by JAMB.

“The marshal assistants which is the lowest cadre, including artisans, will only be interviewed without going through the JAMB exam.

“After JAMB, the officers will still go through interview but the marshal assistants are going for interview which is going to be their last stage.

“They will soon be contacted,” he said.

The ongoing verification and data capturing exercise of the ex-workers of defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways at the Sky Catering Services at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos was stalled yesterday due to inadequate verification forms by officials of the Ministry of Finance, President Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) department.

This is as investigation by our correspondent revealed that two retirees slumped and died while on queue at the venue of the exercise on Thursday.

The absence of the verification forms caused at the centre as hundreds of retirees could not be attended to by the officials.

No fewer than 3, 000 retirees were slated to be verified at the Lagos centre by the officials of PICA.

When our correspondent visited the centre yesterday, it was gathered that the verification forms had been exhausted as early as 10am while those slated for screening by the officials were stranded and had no clue on when the forms would be made available.

As at 1pm when our correspondent was leaving the centre, the forms were yet to be issued to the former workers.

However, as at yesterday out of the 3,000 slated for the exercise, only 400 had been verified and gone through the data capturing.

On Monday, officials of PICA had said that at least 500 retirees would be verified and captured daily, but five days after the commencement of the exercise, about 400 had been processed.

At the centre, Capt. Julius Orimoloye, the first black pilot in on the content, decried the sordid arrangement.

Orimoloye, 87, explained that he was slated for Friday by the officials of PICA, but expressed disappointment with the handling of the exercise by the officials.

Orimoloye in an interview with our correspondent noted that the exercise was poorly handled by PICA officials in Lagos, stressing that the last exercise about 10 years ago was better handled than the current one.

He said: “It has been very terrible, worse than before. We were here last in 2008 and the exercise was much better than this, but have we made progress? The answer is no.

There are lots that should have been done, but things are now worse.

“I came here from Akure, Ondo State Capital today (Friday), but all I see is chaos. I can’t comment on a chaotic situation. I have not done anything. I was billed for Friday, which is today. The last exercise of 10 years ago, they billed me for Monday and I came down on a Monday, only to meet everybody else here.

“Those who were billed for Tuesday and Friday, were entering the place before me, but despite the confusion then, I was attended to within three hours. Now, I have been here since 9am, but nothing is happening.”

Besides, Engr. Sheri Kyari, who worked in the Engineering Department before the airline was liquidated 2004, said that he was yet to go through verification.

According to him, he was penciled down for Tuesday, but as at yesterday, he was yet to be attended to by the officials of the ministry.

He also attributed the delay to poor power supply and network issues.

“The officials of PICA have not finished the one they started on Monday. As I am talking to you now, those they attended to on Monday have not finished capturing, which is very important. They claimed it was due to technology.

“However, I don’t see them concluding the exercise in Lagos as envisaged because everyone will have to be attended to. My own date was shifted by 24 hours on Tuesday. Today again, I am here, but they are yet to attend to me.”

Also, another beneficiary, Mr. Taiwo Adenekan blamed the delay in processing on officials of PICA.

Adenekan decried that the same exercise was smoothly performed by officials of Accountant General of the Federation in 2009 when late President Musa Yar’Adua approved five years of the 25 years pension for them.

“People should understand that these PICA officials are inexperience when it comes to handling something like this. This is their first time of handling issues like this. In fact, they lack the knowledge.

“There system is slow and breakdown always, but I think they will learn on the job. Let’s continue to cooperate with them.”
Besides, it was gathered that two retirees of the former national carrier slumped and died on Thursday at the venue.

A source close to the venue told our correspondent that the remains of the dead were deposited at the mortuary.

The government through the Ministry of Finance had said recently that half of the N45bn, representing N22.5bn would be disbursed to the former workers soon while the balance of N22.5bn would also be disbursed to them at a later date.

Mr. John Waitono, Deputy Director, PICA, Ministry of Finance, who is coordinating the exercise in Lagos had exuded confidence on Monday that the exercise would be concluded as planned.

He did say that several stages would be required to be fulfilled before the beneficiaries would eventually be paid electronically.

“We have gone far with the exercise today. This is the first day and you can see what we have done already. We had challenges at the beginning of the exercise especially with capturing because the light was interrupted and the issue of the server, too, but, they have all been resolved.

“When you come first, you check your name on the list, you will now go for identification and then, clearing. After that, you are given a form to fill and they will check your documents if they appear as advertised in the papers. If this was in positive, you then go for capturing.

“We are expected to round up the programme by this Friday and after then, the sum would be sent to their accounts for payment. You know we are in a cashless environment. Those at the ministry would pay them after their clearance. Their bank details would be on the biometrics, passport would be captured. Then, we will generate payment voucher to the Accountant General of the Federation.

“For everyone that is cleared, the officials would sign. We have representatives of The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Auditor General and Ministry of Finance would sign the form for confirmation.

Those are the ones that the sums would be sent to. Quality control of the IG of Police would check and do data cleaning. Any of the group that has been cleared would be paid,” he had said.

Posted By: Mike Odiegwu,



Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the auspices of the Ogbia PDP Renaissance (OPR) has accused some leaders of Ogbia Local Government Area including former President Goodluck Jonathan of working against the interest of the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The stakeholders specifically accused a prominent traditional ruler, King A.J Turner and the lawmaker representing Ogbia Constituency 1 in the state House of Assembly, Mietama Obodor of anti-party activities.

The Chairman of the group, Obhioru Mitanoni, in a statement on Friday said that Turner and Obodor were sponsoring candidates in other political parties to challenge PDP candidates.

Mitanoni said following failures of their preferred aspirants to emerge victorious in the just-concluded PDP primaries, Turner and Obordor allegedly purchased nomination forms in other political parties for them.

He further alleged that the Chairman of the State Environmental Sanitation Authority, Chief Robert Enogha and former Special Adviser to the Managing Director of the NDDC, George Turnah, were also involved in anti-party.

He claimed that Turnah, who lost in his bid to clinch the PDP ticket for Ogbia Federal Constituency was backing one Cleric Awudum for the Ogbia Constituency 2 seat in the State Assembly.

The statement said: “We are raising this alarm because of the emerging political development in Ogbia kingdom which is very disturbing. We want everyone to know that some people who call themselves leaders are working against our collective interest as a party.

“We want our people to know that the likes of King A.J Turner, Hon. Mieteme Obodo, Chief Robert Enogha Ayalla and Barr. George Turnah are all guilty of anti-party activities. These men bought forms for those who lost the PDP primaries to go to other parties to contest against our candidates.

“We are aware that for George Turnah the man he is sponsoring Cleric Awudum in Accord Party has not even resigned his appointment in the Niger Delta University.

Everything is being done to ensure he wins the Ogbia constituency two seat. But we are ready for them”.

Mitanoni lambasted Jonathan for failing to call some of the leaders, who are his known allies, to order, adding that the ex-president was promoting political divisions in Ogbia.

He said Jonathan was the one who encouraged Chief Nimi Barigha-Amange to contest the Bayelsa East senatorial seat on the plattform of the ADC, having lost the PDP ticket to Blessing Ipigansin.

He wondered why the former President would conspire against a party that brought him to the limelight.

He said the group decided to make a public statement and put the leadership of the party on notice to prevail on leaders to retrace their steps.

He described the leaders as disgruntled and blamed them for the gross underdevelopment of Ogbia.

Ogun finance commissioner Adewale Osinowo rattled state lawmakers on Thursday in response to a barrage of questions, telling them to “go for refresher courses in order for us to understand ourselves better.”

Lawmakers questioned him about details of the recently released N17. 3 billion last tranche of Paris Club Fund and delay in the payment of backlog of deductions.

His remark that they should take refresher courses turned the session rowdy for two minutes, during which the chairman tried to calm aggrieved lawmakers.

While the bedlam was on, another member representing Yewa North II, Rasak Oduntan fired back, saying, “If he (referring to the commissioner) thinks we deserve refresher courses, he should organize one for us.”

The lawmakers had been questioning the commissioner about the state’s failure to pay cooperative reductions of workers, taking over of internally generated revenue of local governments, non compliance with financial autonomy and the delay in payment of severance allowances of past political appointees.

A member representing Ewekoro constituency, Israel Jolaoso had insisted that the government had taken over council roles in revenue generation, but the commissioner denied.

The Commissioner noted that aside from the issue of signage and ticketing of commercial motorcyclists, the state has not taken any other roles of the local government.

When normalcy returned to the session, the lawmakers insisted on the need for commissioner to make full disclosure of last tranche of fund.

The Committee Chairman Victor Fasanya later saved the day when he adjourned the meeting, saying the commissioner would be re-invited on the matter.

“There are still more questions begging for answers,” Fasanya said.

Speaking later with journalists, Osinowo attributed delay in the payment of the deductions to the recall of the fund earlier released by the Federal Government.

The Commissioner said, “Actually the funds were recalled due to some certain parameters that must be fulfilled before it will be returned to individual states but that parameter and conditions has been met now which we did with the local chapter of the NLC in Ogun state. I am sure that before the end of the week or early of next week the funds is likely to be with us.

“It is being done stage by stage and we have finalized our own and we are ready to take our own back.

“The first parameter is that 50% of the funds must be for workers and while the rest of the 50% will be on the prerogative of the executive of the state. The moment these prerogatives are written and signed with the NLC in agreement, I am sure they will release the funds to us.”

When asked on the allegations that the fund had been trapped in a commercial bank, the commissioner said “that is a total lie, there is nothing of such the money is not in any bank, the money is with the central bank and you can validate my statement with the CBN.”

lalasticlala

By Deji Elumoye in Abuja



The Senate on Thursday approved the establishment of a Science and Technology University for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It equally stood down the consideration of the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the INEC Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

The Senate’s approval of the Science and Technology University for the FCT is coming 17 months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had at one of its weekly meetings in May 2017 approved the establishment of the specialised university in Abaji.

Presenting the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND at plenary for the establishment of the university , its Chairman, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North), urged the Senate to receive and consider the report of the committee for the establishment of FCT University of Science and Technology (Est, etc) Bill, 2018.

He urged his colleagues to approve the establishment of the university because the location is central and will generate employment opportunities for the residents of Abaji and its environ.

Senator Philip Aduda (PDP FCT), who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the university, told newsmen after plenary that all was set for the take-off of the university by next academic session.

He disclosed that collaborative efforts were being made to get similar passage in the House of Representatives for the required presidential assent.

According to him, 500 hectares of land had already been provided for the university in Abaji Area Council of the FCT aside blocks of classrooms and equipment also put in place by FCTA.

“As the senator representing FCT and the sponsor of this bill, I’m very elated with its passage today in the Senate and happy to inform you that required concurrence from the House of Representatives will be carried out soonest for the awaiting presidential assent being a project conceived and approved by the federal government in May last year.

“FCT needs a university of its own outside the University of Abuja established in 1988 to cater for more and more people seeking for university education within the territory and in Nigeria at large,” he said.

Also Thursday, the Senate stood down
the consideration of its Committee on INEC on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, said the Senate had to defer debate on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to another day so as to give the committee headed by Senator Suleiman Nazif ( PDP Bauchi North) enough time to do a thorough legislative work on the Bill.

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in agreeing with Lawan, then said the committee’s report will be stood down till next Tuesday.

Saraki said: “The Electoral Act Amendment Bill will now be presented at plenary by INEC committee on Tuesday.”

The Senate after a heated debate also Thursday confirmed the appointment of Dr. Abdulmalik Durnnguwa as the Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC).

Some senators had faulted the presentation of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and National Population Commission, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (PDP Kaduna North), about the credentials of Durnnguwa while presenting him for confirmation.

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujinmi, wondered how the nominee can obtain his primary school leaving certificate at the age of 10.

The Senate President quickly interjected and said: “We have passed that stage, let’s do the needful as the committee has done its work.”

He thereafter put the nominee’s name into voice vote and the ‘ayes’ had it.

Earlier, the Senate had gone into a close-door session upon resumption of plenary immediately after Saraki said the opening prayer at 11.45 am.

At the end of the session that lasted for only 15 minutes, Saraki said the session discussed issues of national importance as it affects the National Assembly in general and Senate in particular.

lalasticlala

James Ibori, who was jailed in Britain for laundering tens of millions of dollars in stolen public funds, through British banks and properties, lost an appeal against his conviction in London on Wednesday.

Ibori was governor of oil-producing Delta State in Southern Nigeria for eight years.

He had pleaded guilty in a London court in 2012 to a 10-count charge of fraud and money-laundering, involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds ($66 million).

Read Also: NAF wings 91st combat pilot
He received a 13-year jail sentence of which he served half, as is common in the British system.

Ibori, who is now back in Nigeria, appealed against his conviction, alleging misconduct by British Police and prosecutors, which he argued, tainted the judicial process.

lalasticlala

Posted By: Tony Akowe



THE Labour Party (LP) has declared it was not presenting candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Ebere Ifendu, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja, said there was no substantive national chairman and secretary to sign Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form for such candidates.

She said the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Alhaji Abdulkadir Salam, expired on October 10, 2018.

Ifendu added that Salam has refused to obey the consent judgment, which ordered the party to convene a national convention to conduct fresh elections.

She dismissed a purported National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which reportedly took place in Minna.

According to the publicity secretary, the meeting was not properly constituted in accordance with the LP Constitution.

She said: “There is a subsisting court order that gave us a mandate to conduct an all-inclusive national convention. The judgment is a consent judgment, which involved all parties, including Abdulsalam, who signed the documents that was used for the judgment.

“So, it is no longer what INEC can interfere with. The court orders must be respected.

INEC wrote the party a letter asking for an all-inclusive national convention, but Abdusallam went ahead to elongate his tenure outside the content of the consent judgment.

“So, he is already in violation of the consent judgment. INEC on its part has obeyed the court order by asking LP to go and hold an all-inclusive national convention.

“I am repeating it again LP cannot field candidates for the elections in 2019, reason being that the tenure of the party’s present National Working Committee has expired on October 10. There is no existing national chairman and national secretary of Labour Party as we speak.”

Ifendu said: “Article 13 (2) A, explicitly spells out the composition of the party’s National Executive Councils members.

Among the persons on the lists are the Presidents and General Secretaries of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

“None of these constitutional members of the organ were in attendance nor represented. That clearly shows that the purported NEC meeting has nothing to do with LP whatsoever.”

'I FELT MY BODY SNAP' Mum, 46, left paralysed after being ‘catapulted’ from super-king bed during sex with partner sues for £1m

The mum-of-four is suing the bed suppliers after claiming the bed was in a 'defective state'

A WOMAN who was left paralysed after being “catapulted” from her super-king bed during sex is suing the bed suppliers for £1m compensation.
Claire Busby suffered a serious spinal injury after she fell from the super king-size double divan whilst changing positions.

The 46-year-old was kneeling in the middle of the bed performing a sex act on her partner when she decided to change positions.

Claire told the High Court this is when the bed gave way and she fell off and landed on her head.

She said: “I spun around, I put my hand down and then I felt like I was catapulted off the back of the bed.

“My head hit the floor, I fell to the side and then I heard like a spring in my body snap, it felt like.”

The mum-of-four claims the bed was in a “defective state” and has taken legal action against the Berkshire Bed Company, trading as Beds Are Uzzz, which supplied it.

The supplier denies any liability for Claire’s injuries and is arguing the bed was properly assembled.

The bed was one of five that were delivered to Claire’s home in Maidenhead, Berks when she was renovating the property in August 2013, the court heard.

Claire told the court she was injured a week after the bed was delivered.

Her sister, Natalie, told the court that she went to the visit her sister after the accident and saw “two feet” were missing from the bed.

However, they pair did not discuss the matter right away because Claire was in such poor health.

She said: “Claire wasn’t in any fit state to be having a conversation, at one point she had two heart attacks in 24 hours.

“It was touch and go whether she was going to make it.”

Claire claims the divans that make up the base of the bed were never properly fastened together and the two “gliders”, or feet, were missing from the end of the bed.

She said this created a height difference between one end of the bed and another.

Her barrister Winston Hunter QC said Claire expected the mattress to support her weight, but it failed to and she continued moving “backwards and downwards”.

He told the court: “It is the claimant’s case that the point at which she left the bed is precisely the location where the different height of the two divans was at its maximum.

“It represented the area where the mattress was most likely to ‘fall away’ due to the fact that it was partially unsupported.”

Lawyers for the bed company argue the bed was properly assembled when it was delivered and even if the two feet had gone missing it still would not have caused Claire to fall off the way she said she did.

Neil Block QC, for the firm, said: “It is overwhelmingly likely that, whatever her actions, they were too close to the edge of the bed and she simply lost balance and toppled backwards.”

The hearing continues.

Posted By: Augustine Ehikioya





…Says Murtala, Obasanjo sacrificed for Namibia’s freedom



President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that the sheer desperation that makes Nigerian youths dare both the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, all in the bid to take up menial jobs in Europe, is hurting the pride of the country.

The President spoke at State House, Abuja, during a farewell audience with the outgoing High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency, Peingeondjabi Shipoh.

Noting that there were vast opportunities for Nigeria and Namibia to cooperate in areas like agriculture and trade, President Buhari recalled the sacrifices made for the freedom of Namibia, particularly by the administrations of Generals Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo.

With great potentials in Africa, the President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, decried illegal exodus to Europe, at grave risk to lives and limbs.

“We will do our best to make our country live-able again,” he promised.

The outgoing High Commissioner, who spent four years and eleven months in Nigeria, said the country had become second home for himself and his family, submitting:
“I enjoyed great support in carrying out my duties. I return home with absolute satisfaction that our two countries are more than ready for intra-African trade and exchange of state visits by the leaders. Our two countries have a lot in common, and Africa can only be developed by Africans themselves.”

Mr. Shipoh wished Nigeria successful general elections in 2019.

futuregovernor:
Do you have one in ur family!

Posted By: Onyedi Ojiabor,




There was mild drama on Tuesday in the Senate over the management of over $3.8 billion fuel subsidy fund by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Senators were at each others throat following accusations and counter accusations of alleged compromise in their line of duty.

There was also allegation of subterranean plot to source campaign funds from the oil behemoth.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, sparked the controversy when she raised the alarm over alleged mismanagement of huge subsidy fund.

Olujimi (Ekiti South) told her colleagues that it was dangerous to allow just two people in NNPC, the Group Managing Director (GMD) and the Executive Director in charge of Finance, as the sole controllers of huge subsidy fund.

The fund, she said, has been curiously renamed “Fuel Subsidy Under-Recovery Fund” for a purpose that has not been explained to Nigerians.

She recalled that NNPC has been severally requested to submit subsidy budget to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

A request, the lawmaker said, has been resisted by the NNPC without reason.

She insisted that the Senate cannot sit by and allow only two people to continue to manage over $3 billion oil subsidy funds.

Olujimi who came under a point of order, reminded the upper chamber that attempts to compel NNPC leadership to do what is right by submitting a budget to the National Assembly on subsidy payment, has failed.

The amount involved, she reiterated, was “too huge for only two people to control and manage without appropriation.”

Olujimi said, “I need to bring this issue to the attention of the Senate. The NNPC is operating an illegal fund on subsidy. As a Senate, we are the true representatives of the people. We cannot sit back and allow this to continue to happen.

“I am bringing this to the attention of the Senate so that we can look at the issue. Let the various committees, especially the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), look into this issue. Let them investigate and tell us what the position on ground is.”

She prayed the Senate to mandate its committee on petroleum (downstream) to cause the NNPC to come before the senate to explain what has happened to the fund and the new terminology formulated to manage the fund.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, agreed.
Saraki asked Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan and chairman, Petroleum Committee (downstream) Senator Kabiru Marafa to inter face with those involved and report back to the Senate within four days.

He said that “the issue is too serious and the money involved too huge to be left just like that.”

Saraki said: “When we passed the budget, I said the executive needed to bring subsidy budget. In the light of the enormity of this, we will direct the Leader and chairman of Downstream to summon those in charge.

They need to get back to us in four days. I don’t want this issue to be partisan. I want us to speak on the basis of fact. I don’t want us to take up this issue and people will begin to see it as a partisan issue.”

Some Senators were however not comfortable with the inclusion of the committee on Petroleum as part of those to investigate the matter.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume suggested that since committee on Petroleum has oversight function over NNPC, it should be left out of the probe.

The Borno South Senator re-echoed what Senator Buka Abba Ibrahim murmured that the Petroleum Committee might have compromised on the issue.

Apparently for emphasis, Ndume said that his proposal that the Petroleum Committee should not be part of the investigation stemmed from the insinuation by Ibrahim that the Petroleum committee might have compromised in the course of its oversight duty.

He said, “Issues like this should be looked at seriously. When these things happen, the committee should know. I suggest that the Leader and other people who are not members of the committee should look at this. The committee may have compromised. We should set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the issue.”

Marafa felt injured by the comment that members of his committee might have been comprised by officials of the NNPC.

The Zamfara central lawmaker said that he would not be bothered if his committee was disbanded.

He said that it would not be out of place to say that those proposing the setting up of ad-hoc committee in place of a standing committee have other motives.

He did not stop there. Marafa said that those behind the proposal for ad-hoc committee were actually gunning to generate campaign funds ahead of the elections in 2019.

There was uproar on the floor. Many senators attempted to shout him down. He persisted.

Marafa said that Ndume must also asked to withdraw his statement that members of his committee have been compromised.

He said that Ndume must not only stop at withdrawing the statement but also tender an apology to them.

He said, “I feel insulted. If the Selection Committee agrees today to dissolve our committee, I will not have any problem with that. They have the right to do that. But for anyone to just accuse us that we have been compromised, I think it is an insult.

“I know that those advocating that an ad-hoc committee be set up to investigate the issue are out to generate campaign funds for their election next year. They are free to do so. I will not stop them. But no one should malign us and accuse us of compromise.”


Saraki attempted to restrain Marafa.

Marafa refused to apologize.

He insisted that Ndume must first tender unreserved apology and withdraw his statement.

Sensing total break down of law and order in the chamber, Ndume told his colleagues that Buka Ibrahim had given him the authority to apogise and withdrew his statement.

Marafa followed and withdrew his statement. He also apologised to his colleagues for what many considered a sweeping statement.

The matter did not end there as the Senate Leader protested Marafa’s statement.

He declined to serve in the yet to be constituted committee.

Lawan said that he was declining his nomination to head the probe team to protect his integrity.

Although he did not mention Marafa, Lawan said that it took him several years to build his integrity and reputation and will not want anybody to soil his name.

Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, requested Lawan to reconsider his decision.

The Senate President said that the Senate cannot afford to handle the issue haphazardly.

He said that “the country cannot be running a subsidy fund of $3.8 billion without knowing who is doing what.”

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will not replace Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, as his presidential candidate despite opposition from some party leaders in the South-East — the same region Obi hails from.

Obi was announced Atiku’s running mate on Friday evening, but some South-East PDP leaders, including four state governors — Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Willie Obiano of Anambra, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi —of Enugu protested, saying they were not consulted.

It is a complaint Atiku has taken note of, according to a source very close to him, even though replacing Obi with anyone else is "not an option for him”.

“The fact remains that Peter Obi remains the best option for now… the best who is in sync with Atiku ideologically and business-wise,” said the source.

“He is young, smart, cool-headed as well. Atiku wants a VP whom he can give important responsibilities to; not someone going around to give lectures and seminars, and sharing N20,000 at market squares. Those were some of the things Atiku was looking for, and he has seen them in Peter Obi.”

He added that reneging on the Obi choice would amount to Atiku running foul of one major weakness identified by many in the current administration.

“On the political side, it will be hard for him — because the opposition might use that against him, saying he is not firm and cannot stand by his decisions. We were talking about cabals running the Muhammadu Buhari administration; how will that be different from some individuals in the country dictating who should be picked as running mate?
“South West only had two options: Akinwunmi Adesina and Gbenga Daniel.

But while campaigning, Atiku had even promised that them in the South-East that one of them would become his running mate. If he doesn’t keep to that promise, it would be difficult for those people to trust him for the election. He made a promise; he has fulfilled that promise. It is not now for some individuals to now think they should be able to tell him who exactly should be picked.”

Depsite the opposition by some of the PDP leaders, there scenes of wild jubilation in many parts of Anambra when the announcement was made.

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by Chinedu Asadu


Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says he will not waste time in choosing his cabinet members if elected Nigeria’s president.

Writing via his Twitter handle on Thursday, Atiku said his cabinet will be ready before President Muhammadu Buhari vacates offices.

Atiku is seeking to displace Buhari under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His comment is apparently a direct shot at the president who took six months before unveiling his cabinet after he was elected in 2015.

According to Atiku, the country needs a decisive leader “to get Nigeria working Again.”

He wrote: “If Nigerians elect me as their President, I will NOT take 6 months before naming my cabinet. My cabinet will be ready before May 29, 2019, if by the grace of God, you elect me. Our country needs a decisive leader. #LetsGetNigeriaWorkingAgain.”

If Nigerians elect me as their President, I will NOT take 6 months before naming my cabinet. My cabinet will be ready before May 29, 2019, if by the grace of God, you elect me. Our country needs a decisive leader to Get Nigeria Working Again.
#LetsGetNigeriaWorkingAgain
pic.twitter.com/XFUb7aqQxB
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) October 12, 2018


Economic experts had said Bubari’s delay in choosing his cabinet affected the nation’s economy as well as the smooth running of government.

But the president had defended his decision, saying his government received the hand over notes from the outgoing government “only four days before taking over”.

“Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for change is all about,” he had said at the time.

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Posted By: GRACE OBIKE

Officials of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), with help from the police, have raided a hotel in downtown Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where underage girls were allegedly used as commercial sex workers. But the girls arrested are angry and eager to return to business. GRACE OBIKE reports Some things do not add up.

Some information went out to the authorities that a brothel in Kubwa, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was a thriving centre for not just teenage prostitution but also child trafficking. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) briefed its officers. The police were also informed, and together they mounted surveillance on the spot, watching the goings-on for a length of time.

When they felt they had enough evidence, they swooped in, arresting some girls and patrons of the facility. They also sealed up the brothel, in accordance with the relevant laws.

Now, you might think that the officers were on a salvage mission to rescue underage girls who were being exploited, but what the NAPTIP and police officers got was not what they expected.

First, it looked as if they were rudely interfering in the girls’ private businesses, and that whatever the girls were up to was fine by them. They were angry at the visitors, and were making faces at them.

Some of them were even overheard plotting how to beat the authorities by lying about their ages to create the impression that they were old enough to be responsible for their behaviour.

Second, the girls did not betray any fears or shame. Some were saying they were not likely to be away for long, and will soon be back to take off where they left off.

Prostitution, they say, is the oldest trade known to man. The FCT has its fair share of the trade. In Kubwa, a suburb of the FCT, Woman Boku, a hub of the flesh trade, is known by all.

On September 27, NAPTIP said that they received intelligence report about a place being used for underage and exploitative prostitution. Intense surveillance was mounted by officers of the agency which led to the arrest of four suspects: Onyinyechi Osuoha, 32, Nkechi Chukwuma, 37, Sandra Chi, 32, and 27-year-old Favour James during the raid.

NAPTIP in a joint operation with officers from the police busted the human trafficking gang and rescued 11 girls while four suspected human traffickers were also arrested. The hotel where the girls were harboured, Thales Guest House, is located at Pipeline Area in Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja.

According to the agency, the raid was done in accordance with sections 43 and 52 of the Trafficking In Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, which authorise NAPTIP to enter, search and seal up properties suspected to be used for human trafficking purposes.

The agency said preliminary findings revealed that the suspects often lure the victims, who are underage girls, from various parts of the country with promises of employment in the Federal Capital Territory.

However, upon their arrival at Abuja, they are put to work at the Guest House, serving the clients and thereafter introduced to prostitution, at the end of which the suspects collect the money paid to them.

Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, commended her officers for a smooth operation, while lauding the collaborative efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, which she described as a “true proof of strong partnership between the two law enforcement organisations, aimed at ridding the society of ills such as this”.

She also sent a strong warning to operators of brothels who use underage girls as prostitutes to desist from such acts, as the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 criminalises the sexual exploitation of minors, in any form.

She further enjoined members of the public to report such establishments to NAPTIP, as they are not only immoral and an abuse of human rights, but also a criminal act that is punishable by law.

Dame Julie Okah-Donli added that “young girls should either be in school or learn skills that will enable them be empowered as functional members of the society, not holed up in brothels to be sexually exploited by human traffickers”.

But the girls who were rescued did not look excited about the rescue. Looking very angry as they were being taken away, the girls whispered among themselves, warning each other to inflate their ages and pretend to be older.

Some confronted their mates who packed more luggage, saying, “Why you do pack plenty cloths, this arrest no pass two, three days, dem must release us and life continues.”

One of the girls who gave her name as Emmanuelle Okoroji explained to The Nation that she came to Abuja on her own.
“I came to Abuja on my own,” she said, “I am from Abia State and used to live in Aba.

Before I left Aba in February this year, I was an SS2 student of Chinwe Unique Secondary School in Ohanku Road, Aba. I take care of myself and my family through my hustle, my father is dead, my mother is a cripple and I have four other siblings.”

The second victim Favour James explained that she has finished her NCE and is prostituting to get enough money to return for her HND. She said, “I rounded up my ND at the Delta State polytechnic Uzoro in 2016, I came to Abuja in 2017 and am here to hustle for myself so that I can make enough money to return for my HND.”

The girls who stared angrily at the officers that raided their place of business were taken away alongside some customers as NAPTIP sealed the establishment.

Posted By: Precious Igbonwelundu


https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Screenshot.jpg


A mother of four has injured her son for refusing to eat ‘fufu’ (a cassava meal).

The woman, simply identified as Mrs. Celestine, was said to have beaten up her son, Tochukwu, until blood gushed out of his head.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at 18, Olu Irolu Street, off Adeshina Road, Ijeshatedo in Surulere.

It was gathered that neighbours, who intervened and stopped her from further beating up the boy, accused the woman of always venting her frustration on her children.

The boy, who confirmed that he and his siblings usually suffered physical abuses from their mother, however, pleaded that she should not be arrested.

A neighbour, who identified herself as the landlord’s daughter, said there was a night Mrs. Celestine beat up one of her children until he bled from ears.

She said neighbours reported the incident at the police station and Mrs. Celestine was arrested, cautioned and released.

The landlord’s daughter went on: “The latest incident occurred on Tuesday morning. I was sleeping when neighbours informed me that she had started beating up her son again. I asked what the matter was and they said because the boy refused to eat ‘fufu’.

“I refused to intervene because I had reported her to the police and even to her pastor. The police told me to leave her alone; that they would caution her.

“When she learnt that I had reported her to her pastor, she attacked me and accused me of denting her image.

“Since then, I stayed away from her and her family. That was why I refused to intervene on Tuesday.

“But I cannot continue to keep quiet. I left my home in Iwaya, Yaba, Lagos last August for my father’s house because of an issue involving the murder of a child. I don’t want anything like that to happen in my father’s house.

“How can someone beat up a child mercilessly because he refused to eat fufu?
“There was a day she beat up one of her children. Blood gushed out of his ear. I reported at the station and the police told me to leave her alone, saying they would warn her.

“During the Ramadan fast, she repeated the act. She beat up her child from 12am to 3am. No one could sleep. I reported the incident to the church near our house that they should counsel her. Consequently, she became annoyed with me.”

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Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Thursday in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun, called for unity within the Yoruba nation for other nationalities in Nigeria to emulate.

Ogunwusi made the call at a workshop organised by the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) with the theme “State Of The Nation: Yoruba, Where Are We?”, held in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun.

The Ile Ife monarch, who is also patron of the group, said that disunity among Yorubas and their leaders often snowballed into crises in the nation’s polity.

Ogunwusi said that the role of the Yorubas’ in nation building could not be underestimated and called on politicians to rise above self-gratification and ensure equity and fairness in running the nation’s affairs.

“I have one belief as Arole Oodua that the moment Yoruba unity is settled, Nigeria will progress. We are the light of the nation.

“We have allowed deception, mistrust to divide us as a nation. We should be examples for other ethnic groups in Nigeria.

“Until Yoruba unity is resolved before the nation can develop. Many leaders have destroyed their children’s future.

“The lesson we should teach ourselves is that nothing last forever, except God.

“Let Yoruba respect the human race. The moment our leaders begin to have consideration for the future, this nation will move forward,” Ogunwusi said.

Earlier, YUF Chairman, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, gave assurances that the Yoruba nation would continue to sustain the country on the path of unity and stability.

“Today, our country is being ravaged by forces of terrorism, corruption and a defective constitution. We will not shy away at this critical moment of our nation’s history.

“We believe that the Yoruba nation could do all within its powers to sustain the unity of Nigeria and put the nation back on a stable course,” Ladigbolu said.

The YUF chairman further called on Yorubas to support and vote for capable individuals who would be truthful about restructuring the country in the next political era.

According to him, the prosperity, growth and sustainable development of Nigeria can only thrive on the tripod of restructuring.

The News Agency ofoNigeria (NAN) reports that discussions at the workshop centred on security, impediments to free and fair elections, restructuring and Yoruba unity ahead of 2019 elections.

Among Yoruba leaders present were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, represented by Bashorun of Oyo, Chief Yusuf Olayinka, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Aare Ona-Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, Chief Gani Adams.

Others were Sen. Femi Okunrounmu, Prof. Banji Akintoye, Chief Gboyega Adejumo, Mr Yinka Odumakin and Dr Tokunbo Dosunmu-Awolowo, the Vice-Chairman of the group. (NAN)

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