₦airaland Forum

A brave Nigerian woman using the handle @annie_vams has narrated on Twitter how she slapped a policeman who had the effrontery to touch her
bumbum in public.

The woman who obviously didn’t think about the consequences of her actions before she did it, slapped him anyway and since she was able to come online to narrate the entire story with a fine face, it can be said that the officer was left dumbfounded as he realized he had done wrong.

She wrote: “More some of you in this lagos are mad.

Cos you’re an officer with a gun doesn’t give you the stupid guts to slap my ass.
Slapping that police man this evening will teach him never to mis use his power again.

I only stepped out to get deodorant now i’m back with anger.

Useless man!”
According to her, the police officer was left dumbfounded after the incident. A user asked her what the officer did after receiving the hot slap and she responded “He was confused.”

The Personal Assistant on Social Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie has asked that ‘should we now say Goodluck Jonathan was behind the incessant attacks which predated Buhari’s government? Since according to her he is a Life Patron of Miyetti Allah.

Lauretta Onochie on her Twitter handle Saturday presented a certificate indicating that former President Goodluck Jonathan is Life Patron of Miyetti Allah.

She said: “True, Miyetti Allah denied crimes, but Lo and behold who is its real Life Patron? It’s Reno Omokri’s erstwhile boss, Goodluck Jonathan. So should we now say Jonathan was behind the incessant & condemnable attacks which predated Pres. @MBuhari’s Administration?”- @AliyuAbdullahA

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The Nsobundus, the Nigerian couple living in the Houston-area of the United States has been ordered by an American court to pay $121,000 as restitution to the Nigerian woman who worked for 20 hours a day for two years as the nanny to their five children.


[img]https://images.dailytrust.com.ng/cms/gall_content/2018/1/2018_1$large_wicked_couple.jpg[/img]

The nanny was not paid throughout the period. Now she has a N44m windfall.

Chudy Nsobundu, 57, and his wife Sandra Nsobundu, 49, also were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas to seven months in jail and seven months of home confinement, plus three years on probation, the Associated Press reported.

The naturalized U.S. citizens originally from Nigeria recruited the woman there with the promise of a $100 monthly wage. Instead, authorities said they abused her physically and verbally while she worked at their home in the Houston suburb of Katy from September 2013 to October 2015.

Chudy Nsobundu in 2016 pleaded guilty to visa fraud while his wife pleaded guilty to unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of forced labor.

According to court documents, the nanny would work every day from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., couldn’t take breaks and had to eat leftovers and not fresh food, including being forced to only drink milk left in bowls in which the children had eaten cereal. She also couldn’t take hot showers.

Authorities said the Nsobundus prevented the nanny from leaving their employment by keeping her passport and by threatening her with physical and mental abuse.

The nanny reached out for help and was rescued following a tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. Her name has not been released.

Prosecutors say the couple knowingly caused a false visa application for the victim to be submitted to the Department of State with numerous pieces of false information.

The woman’s date of birth was incorrect on the application, listing her 20 years older than she was, said she was married when she was not, incorrectly indicated the purpose of her travel was to attend a niece’s graduation and falsely identified her in a letter that Chudy Nsobundu was her brother. Prosecutors also said he made false representations under oath on the visa application to increase the chances that the application would be accepted and to hide the fact she’d be working for his family as a housemaid and nanny under conditions that violated U.S. labor laws.


Federal prosecutors said Sandra Nsobundu took the nanny to the U.S. Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria, to obtain her visa and provided her with a letter indicating she didn’t speak English well, that she was to attend a family graduation and gave her a picture of her husband with instructions that she tell embassy officials he was the nanny’s brother and that she was married. The nanny’s husband listed on the visa application actually was the Nsobundus’ driver in Nigeria.(NAN)

Ndubuisi Ugah, Cephas Iorhemen, Regina Otokpa, with agency reports



Strong indications emerged last night that youths in Benue State in a bid to counter the recurring attacks by Fulani herdsmen in the state may have resorted to the establishment of a militia group to check the attacks. Saturday Telegraph reliably gathered from a competent source in the know of the latest move that the youth decided to form the militia group, which is expected to take the formation and modus operandi of some well known groups in other geo-political areas in order to save indigenes from further bloodshed arising from the attacks.

The source, who craved anonymity, said by establishing the militia group, the youth were not in any way trying to be violent or confrontational as the case maybe but instead, were trying to safeguard the numerous lives and property yet to be destroyed, especially as it affects other indigenes from other states. It will be recalled that armed gunmen had on Janaury 2, unleashed violence and mayhem on some rural communities in Benue where about 50 persons were killed.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday condemned the killings, and wanton destruction of property in the affected communities in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state even as he commiserated with the government and people of Benue over the incidents.

The president had also expressed outrage at reports of killings of innocent persons in Omoku, Rivers, and the traditional ruler of Numana, Kaduna State, the Etum Numana, Dr Gambo Makama, and his wife.
The traditional ruler and his wife were killed in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the New Year.

However, the source told Saturday Telegraph that: “The resurgence of attacks on Benue communities since the beginning of the year has remained a sour grape in our mouths. Our people now live in perpetual fear of the unknown particularly on which community or area would be attacked again. This is very absurd. From reports available, it appears the indigenes are being pushed to the wall and this is saddening.

“Even, I “scooped” from some them saying they are planning to establish militia group (s). You know the implication of this but I can tell you that this is going to be far reaching. Our brothers elsewhere did same and there was sanity in the domain.

Maybe this is going to be far reaching as the days unfold.” The source, who could not state categorical what the group’s name may be, noted that the situation had called for a proactive measure to check the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in the state. “We are not violent people. Everyday, the news is about Benue State being attacked in one way or the other. How long shall we continue like this with the killings of our people,” he asked.


Buhari: Killer herdsmen deserve maximum punishment

President Muhammadu Buhari has described herdsmen who murdered over 50 persons in Benue communities a few days ago as criminals. President Buhari, who spoke yesterday through his representative and Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd), during a condolence visit to Governor Samuel Ortom at the Government House, Makurdi, said he was personally pained by the heinous incident.

He said: “We feel your pain especially our mothers who bore us in their wombs. Government will not sit down and watch people to be killed and their property destroyed. Anyone found wanting deserves maximum punishment.” The president cautioned Nigerians against politicising the incident, noting that many people were cashing on the killings for their selfish political interest.

“We should exercise restraint. The Federal Government is putting heads together with the state government to find a lasting solution to the crisis. As I have said, the attacks have nothing to do with religion, it is criminality. Benue State as the food basket of the nation needs a lot of security.”
On why the Federal Government failed to act fast despite a letter written by Ortom to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the minister said he was yet to be briefed, stating that the attacks were unacceptable in a civilised society. “This is a sad period in our nation’s history but I assure you that security agencies are doing a lot to contain the situation.

We will stop at nothing in fishing out perpetrators of these act and deal with them,” he vowed. Dambazzau disclosed that over 5,000 agro-rangers were being trained by the Federal Government to handle incessant herders, farmers clash across the country.

Ortom urged President Buhari to demonstrate his words with action by directing the immediate arrest of the leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore whom he said were executing their earlier threat to the peace-loving people of the state.
“These people that issued threat are staying with you there in Abuja. We want you to arrest them and make them to account for their words,” Ortom said.

Senator George Akume who is the Chairman of Committee on Army expressed confidence in president Buhari to handle the situation. He urged him not to allow the issue of herdsmen to dent his hard earned image.


Ortom: I am not afraid of assassination threats

Meanwhile, the governor yesterday said he was not bothered by threats to his life by those who do not want implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in the state. Ortom stated this when leadership of the state’s branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), paid him a courtesy call at the Government House in Makurdi.

The governor affirmed that if it is not the will of God, no man has the right to take life or stop the ongoing implementation of the ranching law of the state. He told the people to remain steadfast till impunity is defeated in Nigeria, saying no sacrifice is too big in the struggle to end the genocide being perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in parts of the state.

Ortom said it is time Benue sons and daughters put away political differences and unite to speak with one voice against invasion and occupation of their land which has left many people dead and property worth billions destroyed.

He said the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law had come to stay and no amount of intimidation could make the state stop implementing of the legislation. The governor expressed the hope that President Buhari would take further steps to stop the carnage and arrest those behind the genocide especially leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who had threatened to resist the law.

Ortom, while appreciating the NBA for the consolatory visit, said he was happy that he had not done the wrong thing by enacting a law that seeks to protect his people, stressing that it was a global best practice and that he and President Muhammadu Buhari also practise ranching. Earlier, Chairman NBA Makurdi branch, Mr. Emmanuel Agbakor, said the gruesome killings violate the right to life of Benue citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.


Army confiscates 30 motorcycles from Fulani insurgents

A detachment of the Nigeria Army deployed to contain the renewed attacks on Benue farmers by rampaging herdsmen in parts of Guma Local Government Area yesterday confiscated over 30 motorcycles used by the attackers.

This is just as seven Fulani herdsmen who were arrested in connection with the invasion of two local government areas of Benue State, and another one who was arrested for grazing in Governor Samuel Ortom’s farm were also yesterday arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Isaac Ajim.

The accused herders who were arraigned for criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, anti open grazing, causing grevious hurt with dangerous weapons and culpable homicide include Ibrahim Saleh, Jibrin Adamu, Magaji Yau, Ibrahim Abubakar, Useni Bala, Sabin Yau, while Ibrahim Mallam was also arraigned for grazing on Governor Ortom’s farm along Naka road in Makurdi. Briefing Ortom at Branch Umenger, during his tour of parts of Guma, a soldier (names withheld), said the attackers had gathered at Bakin Korta in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State preparatory for operation before they were discovered and dispelled during routine patrol.

According to him, the rampaging herdsmen, numbering about 200 engaged them in a gun battle but were eventually overpowered and their motorcycles confiscated. Nine of the motorcycles were taken to Makurdi while the rest were burnt at the scene of the operation.

Ortom while addressing the displaced persons at Umenger, Kaseyo and Gbajimba, said more deployments of security personnel were being made and hoped that the deserted communities would be secured for the displaced persons to return home.

He stated that the blood of the innocent farmers spilled by the herdsmen would always cry to God and the enemies would be defeated. It added that during police investigation, six accused person including Ibrahim Saleh, Jibrin Adamu, Magaji Yau, Ibrahim Abubakar, Useni Bala, Sabin Yau were arrested and further investigation into the matter revealed that the suspects had destroyed houses, crops and burnt down many buildings.

The accused were also arraigned for openly rearing their cows within farmlands at Akor village in Guma Local Government Area thus contravening section 97,329,333 and 222 of the penal code law of Benue State and Section 19(2)(3) of the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law of Benue State 2017. When the case came up, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction but prosecution counsel Edward Imoh asked for another date.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Isaac Ajim who noted that the court could not grant the accused persons bail because the charges against them were very grave, adjourned the case till March 5, 2018 for further mention and ordered that they be remanded at the Federal Prison in Makurdi.

Over 40,000 persons displaced –SEMA
Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) yesterday said over 40,000 persons had been displaced following the attacks. The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr. Emmanuel Shior, told journalists in Makurdi, that the agency had opened four camps for the displaced persons in the affected areas. Shior disclosed that Ortom had been extremely worried over the plight of the people. “As we speak over 40,000 persons have so far been displaced as a result of the attacks on our people in Guma and Logo LGAs.

“Government has decided to open four camps, three in Guma LGA and one in Logo LGA, the camps in Guma LGA are in Daudu, Gbajimba and Agasha, while the camp in Logo LGA is in Ugba,” he said. Shior said that the state government decided to locate the camps in areas considered safest in the LGAs for security reasons. “The camps are in areas that are safe and enough security has being provided for the safety of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

What we are doing at the moment is to open temporary camps except the one in Daudu that already has existing camp facilities, the others camps are situated in primary schools located in the areas. “We do not hope to keep them in the camps for a long time, remember this is January and most of the affected persons are farmers who are still harvesting their crops,” he said. Shior said that gov-nment was concerned about the security of the people and their communities to enable them to return back to their homes instead of staying in the camps.


Buhari’s govt has betrayed, failed Nigerians-CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari’s government for betraying the confidence of Nigerians, and its failure in protecting their lives and property from the rampaging Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country. In a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, noted that unlike government’s nature to act decisively and address the attacks levelled against Nigerians by various groups, it has continued to remain silent, doing nothing to address the attacks perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen.

According to him, the Fulani herdsmen within the short period of its operations when compared to the years of attacks by the Boko Haram sect, have killed more people and almost displaced more people than the Boko Haram sect. He said that given the spate of attacks, Christians were now reaching a breaking point in their patience and toleration of the wicked impunity which if not addressed speedily by competent actions and not just action by words of mouth, would soon degenerate into a civil war.

“We in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) are forced to make this press release on the continuous inhuman and wicked activities of the Fulani Herdsmen all over the federation who are going from community to community killing innocent farmers with impunity.

“While the government has taken the battle to Boko Haram terrorists, the Indigenous People of Biafra, the Badoo boys, the Niger Delta Avengers and other groups, the government has not shown any serious willingness to checkmate the murderous Fulani herdsmen.

This to us is a betrayal of the confidence reposed in this government by Nigerians when they voted them into power.

“Similarly, the government has failed to uphold the constitution which they swore to uphold because they have failed in protecting, Nigerians from the attacks of Fulani herdsmen in the affected areas. If they continue to allow the herdsmen to be having a field day in killing people like this, is it not the Fulanis alone that would remain that they would be governing? God forbid,” he said.

Ayokunle questioned the inability of security operatives to uncover the sponsors of the deadly herdsmen saying, “we need to know why the intelligence units of all security apparatus we have in this country have not been able to discover the sources of supply of ammunition to the herdsmen living virtually in the bush.

“The Customs and the Immigration services together with the Police have case to answer. Who are the suppliers of these weapons?
If the murderous herdsmen are foreigners, as it is being claimed in some quarters, why did we allow dangerous foreigners into our country to come and kill us? Our government has a case to answer too.

“We are, therefore, tasking the government of the day; the Executive, the Senate, the House of Representatives and all security agencies to rise up to their responsibilities and we equally call on all stakeholders in this nation together for a solemn assembly that would address all these things and come out with lasting solution to these senseless attacks,” he added.

The CAN president who further called on the international community to comment and assist those affected by the wanton attacks, urged all churches to set aside time this coming Sunday to pray for Nigeria and for victory over the unfortunate situation bedevilling the nation. “The international community cannot afford to be watching us without lending a voice to our cries to our government to checkmate the murdererous Fulani herdsmen who appear not to care about the future of this nation.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is further appealing to the international community to come to our aid by providing relief for many in the hospitals and those that are displaced as a result of these attacks.

“We urge all churches to set aside time this coming Sunday, January 7, to pray for Nigeria and for victory over the wicked killings by Fulani herdsmen. Our nation can never be great in a state of insecurity and war as we are presently experiencing it,” he added.

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Tragedy struck, on Wednesday, in Ndufu Echara community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as a football fan, whose name was given as Obinna Igwe, was shot dead allegedly by the police when a fracas broke out at a match in the area.

Two other persons at the scene were wounded, while two police officers were injured during the imbroglio.

The football match, Daily Sun gathered, was a Unity Cup competition organised by the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Elder John Nnabo, at Urban Secondary School, Ndufu Echara. It was the final bout between Ndufu Alike and Ndufu Echara teams.

According to eyewitnesses, trouble broke out when the Centre Referee issued a red card to one of the players on the Ndufu Alike team which eventually resulted in his team conceding a goal in the second half.

The sources narrated that the unfavourable development did not go down well with the dismissed player as he allegedly returned to the pitch and launched attacks on the referee along with other players on the bench.

The incident, according to them, sparked a row which resulted in the some youths of Ikwo rampaging on the scene. Save for the intervention of some government officials at the scene, the youths would have had a serious showdown with the police.

One of the stakeholders, Mr Onyekachi Nwoba, condemned the use of live ammunition by the police pointing out that their action was not in line with rules of engagement.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mrs Loveth Odah, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, alleged that the fan was killed when the rampaging youths attempted to snatch a rifle from one of the policemen.

She explained that normalcy had returned to the area as the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Titus Larmode, had deployed more policemen to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

Meanwhile, the remains of the victim has been deposited in an undisclosed morgue while those injured were receiving treatment in a hospital.

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Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum, says the federal government has no plan to jack up the pump price of petrol, which is at present fixed at N145 per litre.

Idang Alibi, the director of press in the ministry, in a statement on Thursday night clarified the minister’s submission made to the joint committee of the national assembly on petroleum downstream.

“The ministry of petroleum resources would like to categorically state that the Honourable Minister never mentioned nor insinuated the need or plans by the federal government to increase the current pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS)”, Alibi said.

Alibi said Kachikwu told the hearing that the presidency has set up a special committee to identify the immediate and remote causes of the fuel scarcity with a view to finding both immediate and long lasting solutions to the challenge.

“The committee has been in rounds of deliberations in the past few days and these discussions are still ongoing. The final decisions and recommendations from the committee would be passed on to the President and commander-in-chief for approval”, said Alibi.

Alibi urged the public and indeed stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to disregard any such report of a price increase.

Kachikwu told the public hearing at the national assembly on Thursday that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC had incurred a cumulative loss of N85.5 billion in importing petrol and selling at the current retail price of N145 per litre since October 2017.

Kachikwu said the price was fixed in the first quarter of 2016, when crude oil was selling for $49 and expressed fears that with crude price rising to $67 a barrel, the pump price, may no longer be sustainable.

According to him, the landing cost of PMS which was N133.28 per litre in 2016, is now N171 per litre and this has resulted in a stoppage of importation of the product by independent marketers.

This, he said, had made the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to be the 100 per cent importer of the product.

The minister said as a result of the N26 difference per litre between the current landing cost of the product (N171) and pump price of N145, NNPC which had been singularly importing the product at the volume of 25 million litres per day since October last year, has been incurring a daily loss of about N800-N900million.

According to him, government has mandated him and a committee set up, to find ways out of the problem until the local refineries become functional in 18 months time.

He said three solutions are being considered.

“One, is for the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) to allow the marketers access forex at the rate of N204 to a dollar as against the official rate of N305 to keep the pump price of fuel per litre at N145.

“Two, to give room for modulated deregulation where NNPC would be allowed to continue selling at N145 per litre in all its mega stations across the country while the independent marketers should be allowed to sell at whatever price is profitable to them in all their outlets.

“Three, to look at the direction of blanket subsidy for all the importers in bridging the gap which would be like going back to a problem that had earlier been solved,” he said .

He, however, stressed that the final solution to the problem was for the nation to put her refineries in good shape in a way that 80 per cent of local consumption of the product should be provided for locally.

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The Minister of State For Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu on Thursday said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has incurred a cumulative loss of N85.5 billion in importing petrol and selling at the current retail price of N145 per litre.

Kachikwu said the price was fixed in the first quarter of 2016, when crude oil was selling for $49 and pointed out that with crude price rising to $67 a barrel, the pump price, may no longer be sustainable.

Kachickwu made the explanation to the National Assembly joint committee on Petroleum Resources ( Downstream).

According to Kachikwu, the landing cost of PMS which was N133.28 per litre in 2016, is now N171 per litre , which has resulted into stoppage of importation of the product by independent marketers.

This, he said had made the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ) to be the 100 per cent importer of the product.

The minister disclosed further that as a result of the N26 difference per litre between the current landing cost of the product ( N171) and pump price of N145, NNPC which had been singularly importing the product at the volume of 25million litres per day since October last year, has been incurring a daily loss of about N800-N900million, cumulatively reaching N85.5billion today, in just three months.

According to him, already government has mandated him and along with a committee set up to find ways out of the problem which he said requires emergency of about 18 months before the local refineries are expected to be in good shape.
He said three solutions are being considered.

” One , is for the Central bank of Nigeria ( CBN) to allow the marketers access forex at the rate of N204 to a dollar as against the official rate of N305 to keep the pump price of fuel per litre at N145.

” Two , to give room for modulated deregulation where NNPC would be allowed to continue selling at N145 per litre in all its mega stations across the country while the independent marketers should be allowed to sell at whatever price is profitable to them in all their outlets.

” Three, to look at the direction of blanket subsidy for all the importers in bridging the gap which would be like going back to a problem that had earlier been solved “, he said .

He, however, stressed that the final solution to the problem was for the nation to put her refineries in good shape in a way that 80 per cent of local consumption of the product should be provided for locally.

In his submission , the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Baru Maikanti said the just ended fuel scarcity was caused by combination of factors ranging from diversion of the product from depots by tanker drivers to neighbouring countries where it sold between N300 to N400 per litre to outright hoarding of the product by unscrupulous marketers at home.

According to him, the NNPC had prior to the scarcity, had 1.9billion litres in reserve, which was emptied as a result of panic buying arising from rumour earlier made on social media about price increase , the one day strike action embarked upon by PENGASSAN, hoarding and diversion by some dubious players in the sector .

On his part, Director General of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Dantani Ladan, revealed that most of the filling stations in the country were found wanting in hoarding and diversion during the scarcity.

He said some of the stations’ personnel who were involved in storing of the petroleum project had been arrested.

While calling on the general public to contact the agency with any useful information on anyone hoarding fuel, he disclosed that, the agency had charged individual marketers to comply with Government pump price.

“For now NNPC is the sole distributor, individual marketers can help and one marketer has been charged 127 million for going against the rules”.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Kabiru Marafa said the various submissions made by all the stakeholders would be looked into.
He called for an urgent solution to resolve the wide gap existing between the current landing cost and the pump price .(NAN)

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A North Korean missile reportedly crashed into one of its own cities after it failed just minutes following its launch.

US officials said the Hwasong- 12 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM ) was initially thought to have disintegrated mid- flight after it was fired on 28 April last year .

However , new data suggests it landed in the city of Tokchon , around 90 miles north of the secretive communist country’ s capital , Pyongyang . Tokchon has a population of around 200 , 000 .

The missile likely exploded on impact , causing significant damage to a complex of industrial or agricultural buildings , The Diplomat magazine reported , citing a US intelligence source alongside satellite imagery.

After its launch from the Pukchang airfield, the missile flew approximately 24 miles to the north - east, the report stated , adding that it flew no higher than around 43 miles .
A US government source said the missile ’ s first stage engines failed around a minute after it was launched .

Liquid - fuel missiles can cause massive explosions when they fail, and satellite images from Google Earth taken after the test show a cleared area where a building once stood and damage to a greenhouse caused by debris .

However , as the publication pointed out, it is impossible to verify whether the accidental strike caused any deaths due to the secretive nature of the North Korean regime.

The report highlights the danger of another North Korean missile test failing at the wrong time . If the missile fell towards Japan , its trajectory may resemble an attack .

The hermit kingdom, which has launched ballistic missiles over Japan since August 2017 , gives no warnings before its tests, leaving nearby countries and the United States little time to determine whether missile launches are a test or a legitimate attack .

The report also warned that the North’ s newly constructed tunnels , hangars and storage sites mean its missiles won ’ t be “ sitting ducks” easily targeted on known launch pads .

The Diplomat article comes as Japan ’ s Prime Minister warned that the security situation facing his country is the most perilous since the Second World War because of North Korea ’ s “ unacceptable provocations ” .

“ It is not an exaggeration to say that the security environment surrounding Japan is at its severest since World War Two , ” Shinzo Abe said , as he vowed to bolster the country ’ s defences and protect the Japanese people .

“ By raising pressure on North Korea , together with the international community, I intend to do my utmost to solve North Korea ’ s nuclear , missiles and abduction issues. ”

Earlier this week , Nikki Haley , the US ambassador to the United Nations , said the US was hearing reports North Korea might be preparing to fire another missile.

A ballistic missile launch was “ possible , if not likely , in the coming days ”, military officials told NBC News. One official said a possible launch could happen mid - week , while another called the timeline “ short term. ”

“ North Korean Leader Kim Jong - un just stated that the ‘ Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times’ . Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger and more powerful one than his , and my Button works !” the US President tweeted .

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Chukwu David


The Senate, yesterday, said that the Presidency lied on its claim that the National Assembly was responsible for the current fuel crisis for allegedly delaying its loan request for payment of oil marketers in the country.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, had allegedly, at a meeting with stakeholders in the oil industry on the fuel scarcity in the country, said that the payment of debt owed to oil marketers was being delayed because the National Assembly had not approved request presented to the apex legislature for loan meant for that purpose.

But in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi, the Red chamber posited that there was no such request made to it specifically requesting for loan meant for payment to oil marketers.

Sabi also said that the Chamber was aware that subsidy on petroleum had been cancelled by this administration; noting that the members of the Parliament were wondering which payment the Presidency was talking about at the moment.

The Senate further observed that Senators had been inundated with calls from oil marketers who were present at the meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President on the issue.

Accordingly, Sabi advised Mallam Kyari to either come out publicly and prove his claim or retract it, to put the matter straight and remove the name of the National Assembly from the ongoing crisis between the Executive arm of government and the oil marketers.

He noted that a similar claim was made by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, on the foreign loan at a time the Presidency had not forwarded the request to the National Assembly, pointing out that the letter requesting for the foreign loan was submitted long after she was confronted with the fact.

The Senate therefore, warned public officials working in the Executive, to rather seek cooperation and collaboration with the legislature on how to tackle some of the national challenges instead of indulging in blame game.

The statement read:”The Senate would want members of the public to know that no such request has been made to it specifically requesting for loan meant for payment to oil marketers.

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By Michael Eboh


Oil marketers, Wednesday, jettisoned their clamour for an increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, and instead appealed to the Federal Government to grant them tax holidays and other incentives that would help cut their costs and also ensure that they resume fuel importation.

This was part of agreements reached at the meeting of the ad-hoc committee set up by the Presidency to engage the Federal Government on ways to get oil marketers to restart importation of the commodity and resolve the country’s fuel supply challenges.

A source in the meeting, who does not want to be named, because he was not authorized by the committee to talk on the agreements, also disclosed that it was agreed by all the members that the price of the commodity should not be increased.

He also stated that oil marketers had agreed to adopt cost-cutting strategies, while four sub-committees were inaugurated to help address the challenges of fuel supply across the country.

He said, “There is no planned increase in the fuel price. The minister said that it should not be contemplated. Even, none of us wanted the fuel price to rise. What we talked about is tax holidays and other things in that line.

“Also, all stakeholders have agreed to look inward and improve efficiency so that we can cut down cost and resume our business. Nobody is concerned about any price increment.

“The Minister also inaugurated some sub-committees, about four in number, some of which are logistics and business conduct committee. Some individuals were appointed into all the committees.”

The source said all the agreements reached at the meeting, which was still ongoing as at 5pm Wednesday, would be relayed to the Presidency, hopefully by tomorrow, before they are made public.

The committee was headed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, and has as members, heads of some parastatals under the ministry, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, (DAPPMA, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, and labour officials.

The meeting took place at the office of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, in Abuja.

by Mayowa Tijani,



At the banquet hall of the presidential residence, Abuja, the Aso Villa demons are having the first meeting of the year. Their meeting is characterised by a lot of laughter, mockery and of course, drums and songs for dancing.

After minutes of dancing, the chief demon steps in; the drums roll a for a minute more before coming to a halt. The demons sit in order of hierachy, as they await the words of the chief.


(Chief clears throat to give the first speech of the year).
“Good evening gentlemen and ladies of the celestial villa, it is with great pleasure and a deep sense of gratitude that I welcome you to the first meeting of the year 2018.

“You all deserve a raise; your work in 2017 was remarkable. You recorded feats we have never seen in the history of this nation. Not even Sanni Abacha fell prey to our tricks as much as you made this man fall to them in 2017.

“For the first time in 57 years, we ensured that the man at the helm appointed masquerades (men of the world yonder) to his government to lead key agencies as board chairmen.


(Confusion and Delay, the demons responsible for this feat stand up and take a bow. The chief raises his right arm to make gestures of gratitude to the demons of the year 2017. He continues…).
“We gave them blind eyes to ignore the fracas between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS). We ensured that Baba Lawal was sent back to his house in Borno since he was not cooperating. How can he use only N200 million to cut grass, when his mates are using over N4 billion to maintain the villa.

“We should send special gifts to Baba Garba, Uncle Femi, Prof Tsetse Sirkay, and Abu Mallami as our men of the year 2017. They made our work extremely easy this year. For Baba Garba, he embarassed the president with his rodents on rampage narrative, making rats chase the president from office for over two months.

“For Uncle Femi, it was a move from one blunder to the other. To cap a remarkable year, he cooked a presidential documentary where visuals were faster than sound, showing the incompetent side of his media team and the other side of the president. To make our work easier, he insisted that the documentary be aired at a time when only himself and the team in the villa would watch it. Insensitivity, how did you pull that off?


(Insensitivity , a four-eyed demon stands up to answer the chief. He speaks…)
“My lord, I cannot take all the credit for that one o. Uncle Femi is a phenomenal man. He is simply a man who loves to see the positive side of everything. When his boys told him not to air the documentary, I just whispered to him: ‘your boys complain too much; in fact if they mistakenly find themselves in Heaven, they would even complain against God’. That was all I said, Uncle Femi did the rest.”

“In fact, it will be harder to convince governor Rochas to build a statue of George Weah than to get Uncle Femi to see the bad side of things.”


(Insensitivity takes a bow and sits. The chief continues…)
“We should send Maina’s golden gate to Mallami for a job well done. And perhaps send a beautiful whistle-blowing tip to Prof Sirkay, who added colour to our 2017.”
“A round of applause for you all. It was a remarkable year. Let us celebrate.”


(The demons turn up with irrational laughter, drumming, dancing, and drinking to a great 2017)
DEMONS REVIEW PLANS FOR 2018
(The chief calls for calm, as demons get seated for planning the new year. Chief speaks…)
“We need to plan; our vision for 2018 must be brighter and more daring that what we saw for 2017. We must excel, break records, and set landmarks, never seen in the history of this nation. So the floor is open, make your suggestions for the year.”


(Deception stands up and laughs continually for 18 minutes, as other demons join the laughter parade like drunk men. He stops abruptly and begins to speak)
“2018 is my year! As it is the last year before another general election, it is my time to shine. As it is my culture every year before an election, I would put a lying tongue in the mouth of almost everyone in the Villa. With this, I would effectively put the president in a bubble, detached from reality.

“I have started my work; as you must have noticed in the president’s speech on January 1. I put a lying tongue in the mouth of his speech writers to blame Nigerians for fuel scarcity, when in fact, it is an increase in global price of petrol, coupled with poor policies, and his lack of investment in local refining, that is causing this particular scarcity.

“With the remarkable patience Nigerians displayed in 2017, I made the president blame them for being so impatient.
“I would ensure that some young minds in this half of the villa tell other youths on social media that the president is the best thing that has happened in Nigeria after Jollof rice. I so submit.”


(The demons give deception a round of applause as political prostitution takes the stage)
“My lord, you know this is my time to shine too. I plan to find a way to the hearts of every politician that steps into the villa. This year, I will unveil my pet project called ‘cross-carpeting’. I have tried out my wand on Atikulate and Obanikoroad, and it worked just fine.

“I am planning on getting Tinuboot and Sir Raki to move, but both men are proving to be very stubborn. My lord, I shall try harder and bring you update by the time we meet again in February.”


(The Chief takes over…)
“Thank you for your brilliant contributions. I am afraid we have to halt the meeting for now; If all is well, the first Federal Executive Council meeting should be on, and we must attend to inspire some havoc.

“As we go, I want us to think really hard on why Nigerians say there are no demons in the Villa, when dead people are appointed as board chairmen. Personally, I think we have been operating too much in the background, let’s work harder to make it to the next list of appointees.


“Meeting adjourned.”
(They all rise as the chief leads the procession out of the hall).
The story never ends…

Yohanna Kukah, a traditional ruler in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna state, has been abducted.

The monarch with the title: ‘Agwam Akulu,’ is the younger brother of Matthew Kukah, bishop of the Catholic diocese of Sokoto.
The attackers were said to have struck in Anchuna, village of the traditional ruler.

They were said to have arrived at his private residence around 9pm.

A witness told TheCable that after shooting sporadically, they ordered him to come out.
One of his guards, who reportedly attempted to foil the attack, was also kidnapped.

Waziri Ashafa, a community leader, who confirmed the incident said the gunmen drove away with the traditional ruler and his guard.

Mukhtar Aliyu, spokesman of the Kaduna state police command, did not answer his call when TheCable called to get his reaction.

The incident comes less than 48 hours after a monarch and his pregnant wife were shot dead.

lalasticlala

The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday said it has arrested alleged herbalist working for the notorious murderous gang , Badoo . His name is given as Fatai Adebayo, alias Alese .

A press release signed and emailed to The PUNCH by the Police Public Relations Officer , Lagos State Police Command, SP Chike Oti , stated that the notorious activities of the cult group was prevalent in Ikorodu and Epe axis of the state .

It noted that through their activities , the group had murdered many people by smashing their victims ’ heads with mortar and pestle .

The release reads , “Adebayo , 34, who specialises in administering oath on members of the group before they launch any attack , was arrested at his shrine located in Imosan village , a suburb of Ijebu- Ode , Ogun State .

“ The arrest of the herbalist followed the arrest of some Badoo cult suspects at the weekend , including the overall head of the group .

“ Speaking while parading Adebayo before newsmen at the shrine , the State’ s Commissioner of Police , Mr. Imohimi Edgal , said the head of the group was arrested on water during an attempt to escape.

“ The CP, who led the operation involving the Commander of Rapid Response Squad, ACP Tunji Disu ; Chairman of Lagos State Special Task Force , SP Yinka Egbeyemi , among others, said investigation was still ongoing but that the full details about the arrests made so far would be disclosed on Thursday at a press briefing . ”

Continuing , the release added : “ Over the weekend , we had far reaching achievement in the fight against the killers popularly known as Badoo in Ikorodu .

“ Their kingpin who is the head of the group has been arrested . He was arrested on water as he was making his escape.

“ Revealing how the herbalist was arrested , Edgal said , ‘ One of the suspects arrested confessed and he led us here that before they go for any killing, the head of the group brings them to this gentleman (Adebayo ) to come and carry out oath for both themselves and the piece of stone they used for their killings and that they don’ t go for any killing without first of all coming for oath in this shrine and that is why we are here .

“This gentleman is an accomplice before the fact and so definitely we are placing him under arrest and as well as sealing off the shrine till after investigation .

“ I will give further details on Thursday during my press briefing but I can assure the good people of Ikorodu , Lagosians and Nigerians that we will not rest until this evil is completely rooted out from Lagos State, ’ Edgal assured.

“ The CP also made a brief stop-over at the palace of the traditional ruler of Imosan Village , Chief Tajudeen Muili to intimate him of the criminal activities going on in his domain.

“ At the shrine located at No 38 , Ayegbami Quarters in Imosan , which was later demolished by policemen, there were different charms and big stones said to be used for the illicit activities of the Badoo group . ”

See more photographs of the alleged Badoo shrine, courtesy , Lagos State Police Command:

https://punchng.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/02200523/Suspect-Fatai-Adebayo-alias-Alese.jpg

https://punchng.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/02201253/Badoo-1.jpg

https://punchng.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/02201259/Badoo-cult2.jpg

https://punchng.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/02201307/Badoo3.jpg

https://punchng.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/02201313/Badoo4.jpg

By Regina Otokpa,


There are strong indications that some top officials in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, have commenced clandestine moves to frustrate the probe of former Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf by the antigraft agencies.

Yusuf was suspended by the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole in July this year following allegations of gross abuse of office and sheer contravention of extant laws guiding the administration of the scheme.

His suspension came less than one year after he was appointed by Buhari to head the agency.

Piqued by Yusuf’s suspension and the interest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe his activities, our correspondent learnt that the cabal, who were instrumental to bringing Yusuf into the government, were doing everything possible to ensure President Buhari reinstates him to pilot the affairs of the scheme.

The two leading anti corruption agencies had in separate letters, informed the Acting Executive Secretary of the scheme, Mallam Attahiru Ibrahim that they were set to investigate Yusuf five months after he was suspended and found guilty of allegations levelled against him by a panel of enquiry set up by the Federal Ministry of Health to probe him.

A top operative in the EFCC, who spoke on the grounds of anonymity, said “such a move to frustrate the agency from investigating him is not unexpected, as we have had many of such in the past. We are investigating him. There is no going back.

That is the recommendation of the panel of enquiry that found him guilty of accusations against him.” That was even as an impeccable source in the presidency told our correspondent that the cabal was displeased that the anti-graft agencies would wade into such a matter “at this critical time.”

The source, who also pleaded anonymity, and claimed to be displeased with the manner the two top officials of the president are handling matters of corruption, urged the president to be wary of some of the persons he appointed to help him run his government.

The work of convincing Buhari to reinstate him was almost done, until the EFCC and ICPC waded in. They (the cabal) were actually shocked that such development would occur.

If you understand the interplay of powers in the Buhari’s government, you will understand why the issue of EFCC and ICPC came up at that critical time. And, for me, the agencies acted rightly and promptly too.”

“The next step, as I talk to you now, is for the agency under one of the member of the cabal to fight back. That is the plan. And, you know which of the two agencies that will have a bigger blow. You understand what I mean. “Until the agencies stepped in, the cabal had been on the matter for weeks.

They believe the Ministry of Health was able to have upper hand because the president was not in charge of government at the time the issue came up and festered.

They believe they will have their way because the person in question is of the same tribe and religion with them and the president; and that it was not the president that suspended him.

“We don’t need the public to protest before the presidency does the needful this time around. The issues of sacked SGF, Babachir Lawal and DG NIA, Ayodele Oke, are still fresh in our memories.

We know the president we have, no matter the political whirlwinds. Whatever any critic may say today, we know the president to be firmly against corruption. I know the president never has record of reinstating anyone investigated and found guilty of corruption and related practices in his government.

lalasticlala

Ibrahim Umar, leader of a gang of suspected kidnappers, has reportedly confessed drinking blood of victims who cannot afford ransom.

Umar is among 16 suspected kidnappers who were arrested in Niger state.

They were accused of “terrorising” people along the Abuja-Kaduna road in Sabon Wuse in Tafa local government area of Niger state.

Addressing reporters at Sabon Wise on Tuesday, Jimoh Moshood, force spokesman, said items recovered from the suspects were five AK 47 rifles, nine AK 47 magazines, two cutlasses, one cell phone and 1,598 rounds of ammunition.

He said the arrest followed coordinated operations by the special tactical squad operating in the area.

The spokesman said that the gang leader confessed to killing at least 10 persons.

Moshood, who said that the suspects were arrested during the Yuletide, said it was a huge success for the police and Nigerians.

He said the suspects have all confessed to the various roles they played in the commission of the crime.

“The suspects will be arraigned in court after the completion of investigation,” he said.

He said the force had evolved a new security arrangement to fight and prevent crimes in the country.

by 'Fisayo Soyombo,



On the first day of 2018, as it is with every new year, the temptation is to dream big — to fantasise about sudden turnarounds of poverty to wealth, sadness to happiness, suffering to delirium.

It’s a time when self-appointed men of God, latching on to the propensity of the people to romanticise the future, declare all good and no bad on the nation. This is a clear-cut warning: as far as expectations of a people from the government go, 2018 will be a worse year than 2017 — possibly the worst in recent years. The government has done enough in 2017 to offer us a glimpse of what to expect in 2018. There will be no surprises. No one needs to be clairvoyant to see this.

Government is a continuum not just in terms of faithfulness to policies in the face of changing governing personnel, but also in the performance of a government from year to year. Technically, the only New Year’s Day in the life of any government is its ascension to power or its consolidation (in the form of re-election).

Therefore, expect this government to begin the 2018 exactly, if not worse than, the way it ended 2017. And how did the Muhammadu Buhari administration end 2017? Scandalously!
This government saved arguably the biggest embarrassment of its tenure for the last days of the year, naming eight dead people among the 1,457 appointed to the boards of scores of government and public institutions.

Not only that, some names were duplicated on the list, while the government still managed to name four to the board of the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, Kogi State — a company it privatised through concession back in 2016! This was an appointment that should have been made in 2015; two years on, it was still bungled. Therefore, in 2018, don’t expect a government that is suddenly tidy; it will continue to be tardy in the execution of the people’s mandate.

In 2018, expect a government that doesn’t take responsibility — so long we have a Garba Shehu who defends the ‘ghost appointments’ by saying; “There is nothing scandalous or extraordinary about what has happened. This list is a historical list. It dates back to 2015.” His current statement is an inkling of future statements. So, expect, in 2018, a government that blames the country’s problems on everyone else but itself.

In 2018, expect more job losses. This is no doomsday prophecy. In any case, I haven’t said anything new. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), The unemployment rate, induced by a recession, typically peaks about 15 to 18 months after the beginning of a recession or four to eight months after the end of a recession before it returns to its pre-recession trend.” It was in September 2017 that Nigeria officially exited the economic recession it entered in August 2016. “Four to eight months” from September spills into 2018; the job cuts that accompanied the recession won’t suddenly disappear on January 1, 2018.

A change of dates doesn’t automatically spell the end of the ongoing fuel scarcity. Both government and the marketers have been coy about the hard decisions that have to be taken. It is either pump price of fuel is raised to at least N171/litre or government pays a subsidy of roughly N26/litre to retain the current price. But as it stands, government doesn’t want to pay subsidy on petrol, and marketers are averse to importing for sale at N145/litre.

NNPC typically imports only 20% of the country’s petrol consumption; there’s no chance it can suddenly cope with the burden of sole importation. How wrong therefore, it is to misconstrue the current fuel shortage for a Yuletide affair! Unless the outstanding questions are answered, it’s new year, renewed fuel crisis!

Finally, expect a year when the wheels of governance grind at the very slowest. It’s election year! In his first year in office, Buhari waited six months before appointing his ministers.

That delay still hurts his administration till date, as it left investors scared of Nigeria and engaging in guesswork about the policy directions of the country, and is partly to blame for the fuel scarcity of September to December 2015. This year, with a grueling electioneering to come, expect a litany of delayed appointments. Expect the budget to suffer its worst implementation level since Buhari’s ascendancy to power.

The 21 percent implementation of the capital component of the 2017 budget is the lowest in five years; no one needs a soothsayer to know that the ignominious record will be shattered in 2018. The executive will be too busy seeking re-election to oversee substantial budget implementation.

How many important events happened in 2017 that Buhari was unaware of? Abdulrasheed Maina’s recall, the Ibe Kachikwu-Maikanti Baru feud, the fuel scarcity? Expect many more in 2018, because his health will be stretched by the hectic campaign schedule, and you can be sure that governance — not the campaign — will be the sacrificial lamb.

In short, the masses will not experience significant upgrade in the standard of living this new year. Instead, it will plummet. But the good news — the only one in a gloomy 2018 outlook of the country — is that the socioeconomic advancement of the people is not wholly in the care of government. There will be individual success stories.

Nigerians must know, in 2018, that they can succeed in spite of the underwhelming federal leadership. To continue hoping against hope for the hurriedly-promised change is to set oneself up for heartbreak at the end of the new year. In 2018, Nigerians can succeed — but they will have to do it without their government!

by Oluseyi Awojulugbe,



Innocent Chukwuma, CEO of Innoson Nigeria Limited, has filed a N200 billion lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to a statement shared with TheCable, the lawsuit has been filed at the Enugu high court by Joseph N. Mbadugha of McCarthy Mbadugha & Co, the counsel to Innocent Chukwuma.

Chukwuma is suing the EFCC for defamation, malicious falsehood and unlawful imprisonment.

The Innoson boss had been arrested by the capital market and insurance fraud unit of the EFCC on December 19, claiming that he resisted arrest and used forged documents to get tax waivers.

Chukwuma maintained that at no time did Innocent Chukwuma receive an invitation or was invited by the EFCC or was there any time he jumped an administrative bail granted by the EFCC, his spokesperson, Cornel Osigwe, said.

“Innoson is a public figure and a well-known industrialist of international repute. There is no how he would be invited by the EFCC and he would ignore or refuse to honour it,” Osigwe said in the statement.

He also said he did not have any recent issue with the EFCC.

“The last issue Innoson had with EFCC was an invitation extended to him in 2012 based on a complaint against him by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB). Innoson honoured this invitation and subsequently EFCC filed a charge against him at the Lagos high court.
The charge was subsequently struck out,” he said.

“However, Innocent Chukwuma and Innoson Nigeria Ltd appealed against the order striking out on the basis that it ought to be dismissal and not striking out. The appeal- appeal no: CA/I/1330Cm/2017 is till date still pending at the court of Appeal Lagos State. Since then EFCC has never invited him.

“On this premise, Chief Innocent Chukwuma (OFR) and Innoson Nigeria Ltd are claiming against EFCC; N30 billion exemplary damages; N30 billion for assault and battery; N30 billion for false imprisonment; N40 billion for injury to feelings- mental pains and anxiety arising from malicious falsehood and or defamatory publications of the defendants against the plaintiffs; N50 billion for injury to plaintiff’s reputation arising from the said publications; N20 billion for general damages.

“An order that the published words complained of; be retracted by the defendants and such retraction be published in two national newspapers, including the Punch Newspapers.”

Posted By: Augustine Ehikioya,



Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is committed to promoting the establishment of privately financed modular refineries in the country.

This, he said, will increase local refining capacity, create jobs, ensure peace and stability in the Niger delta region.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said that the initiative which featured prominently in recent talks between the Federal Government and the oil-producing areas, as represented by PANDEF, will also reposition the petroleum industry and ensure self-sufficiency of petroleum products, while serving as a disincentive for illegal refineries and oil pollution.

According to the statement released on Saturday, he said “At an end-of-the-year review meeting of the Niger Delta Inter-Ministerial Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, before the holidays, Prof. Osinbajo noted that the Federal Government, in line with its Niger Delta New Vision, is targeting measurable objectives in its efforts towards implementing development projects in the region.

“The December 22 meeting received a report that 38 licensed privately financed greenfield and mini-modular refineries investors have so far indicated interests in the establishment of refineries in the region, and at least ten (10) of the licensed refineries investors are at an advanced stage of development.

“The advanced stage of development means that these projects have passed the Licence to Establish (LTE) stage, while some have the Authority to Construct (ATC) licence or close to having it because they have met some critical requirements in the Licensed stage.

“There are three stages in the process of refinery establishment; Licence to Establish (LTE), Authority to Construct (ATC) and Licence to Operate (LTO).

“So far, 10 modular refineries are located in five out of the nine states in the Niger Delta region; namely Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Imo states.

“Also, two out of these 10 – Amakpe Refinery meant to be located in Akwa Ibom, and OPAC Refinery to be based in Delta State – have their mini-refineries modules already fabricated, assembled and containerized overseas, ready for shipment to Nigeria for installation. The total proposed refining capacities of the 10 licensed refineries stands at 300,000 barrels.” it added Noting the issue of funding as a major challenge to most of the investors, and the primary reason holding further progress of the refinery projects, the Vice President directed that the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources keep providing the necessary support and creating the enabling environment for positive investments in modular refineries by engaging key government agencies.

The agencies include the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and financial institutions, including the International Finance Corporation, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Bank of Industry, amongst others.

The Vice President stressed the importance of ensuring that the oil communities have a stake in the modular refineries and directed that an appropriate model be developed to achieve that.

Other issues addressed at the end of the year meeting include the Maritime University, Ogoni Clean-up, and other related issues such as increasing support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the region.

On the Maritime University take-off, the Vice President noted that further support would be given by the Federal Government to ensure the training of staff to give the best to the incoming students of the institution.

On the Ogoni clean-up, the Project Coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, (HYPREP), Dr. Marvin Dekil briefed the meeting that progress has been made in several areas of the clean-up.

He listed the evaluation of existing water facilities in the four local government areas in Ogoni land in the process of providing clean drinking water, demonstration of remediation technologies at sites in some of the impacted communities; hiring of and the technical training of Ogoni scientists.

The Coordinator added that health impact assessment would be conducted in some communities in the coming weeks.

At the meeting were the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Unguru Usani; Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jubril.

Others include the Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Corporation, Mr. Nsima Ekere; and the Special Adviser to the President on the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-General Paul Boroh (rtd).

By Arron Nyamayaro



A GRADUATION ceremony of more than 1000 nurse aides ended prematurely after one student was stripped by the other graduands over money in Harare Gardens on Friday.

[img]http://hmetro.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_6012.jpg[/img]

Graduands dragged one of the students Eurita Churu and stripped her as she tried to escape over failure to give them their certificates and other services she promised after she demanded extra money from them.

The aspiring nurse aides vowed not to leave Eurita until she availed one Evans Mudavanhu whom they accused of dealing with her in defrauding them.

Police moved swiftly to disperse the graduands and arrested Eurita along with Trisah Mudavanhu and another student only identified as Sarah.

They were taken to central police station where they were detained and more than 300 aspiring nurse aides were vowing to lodge a police report against Eurita and Mudavanhu.

“We want Evans here because he is the one who sent Eurita, Trisah and Sarah to demand money on a training they said was being funded by a nongovernmental organization,” said one of the students.

“What irked us is that they are failing to give us our certificates only to give us fake ones written different things.

“Mudavanhu was ordering these ladies to ask us pay US$95 each to cover cost of food on this graduation day, name tags, uniforms and certificates.

“Mudavanhu demanded US$10 from those who wanted to be helped in getting attachment to hospitals like Parirenyatwa, Chitungwiza and Harare among others.

“He even bedded some of the students promising them jobs,” said the student.

Contacted for comment Mudavanhu pleaded with H-Metro over publishing the story.

“Please do not publish that story, where are you so that we can agree mkoma pakaipa,” said Mudavanhu.

He claimed one of the arrested people was his wife but she has since been released.
“My wife and the other ladies were released by police since I had paid them to protect the graduation ceremony.

“The arrests were meant to escort them safely from the people who were baying for their blood.

H-Metro refused to entertain Mudavanhu’s bribe offers.

The ceremony started with a prayer and a speech from Trisha congratulating the graduands and handed the ‘fake’ certificates to students starting with those from Bulawayo.

Graduands were drawn from Bulawayo, Chitungwiza and Harare.

Posted By: Yusuf Alli,


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over N27.7billion from six banks being unremitted withholding tax on dividends.

Also, about seven more banks were said to be on the radar of the anti-graft agency for similar infractions.

According to a fact-sheet obtained by our correspondent, the EFCC was expecting recovery of more withholding tax.

The document reads: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered a staggering sum of N27, 712,334,455.06 as withholding tax on dividends payment by six Nigerian banks.

“The banks are Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Unity Bank Plc and StanbicIBTC Bank.

“The recovery by the Bank Fraud section of the Lagos office of the Commission was made through direct intervention by the Commission and indirectly through the assistance of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of some states as well as the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

“Zenith Bank alone allegedly accounted for more than 80 percent of the amount as a whooping N26, 468,223,358.24 was recovered from the bank between November and first week of December, 2017.

“Of the sum, the EFCC directly recovered N4, 207,235,701.06 from the bank, while N22, 260,987,657.24 came through the intervention of FIRS, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, the Internal Revenue Service of other states and the RMAFC.

“The balance of N1, 244,111,097.43 was recovered from the other five banks. The investigation is still ongoing.

“Seven other banks are currently under the Commission’s radar with respect to withholding tax on dividends.

“We are certain to record more recovery by the time the investigation is completed.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC has arrested 13 suspected internet fraudsters for conspiracy, possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining money under false pretence.

The suspects are- Badejo Tobi; Abiola Dimeji; Anthony Godwin; Osoba Adeboye; Adeleken Abiodun and Awokoya Oriyomi Yusuf.

Others are – Oyatayo Ismail; Coffie Meschark; Sylvester Amaddin; Olawale Farouk; Adeniran Tolani; Taiwo Michael and OyekanmiAyodeji.

According to the Commission, the suspects were arrested on Saturday, December 16, 2006 in some parts of Lagos and Ogun States, following intelligence report received by the Commission about their activities.

The EFCC said: “The suspects allegedly confessed to be involved in phishing, love scam, forgery, spoofing and business email compromise, among other offences.

“Phishing is an attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details (and money), often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

“Spoofing, on the other hand, is a type of scam where an intruder attempts to gain unauthorized access to a user’s system or information by pretending to be the user.

“Some of the suspects, who live flamboyantly without any known sources of income, were said to have bought houses and exotic cars from the proceeds of their criminal activities.

“They were allegedly found to be in possession of forged contract papers of multinational oil and gas companies, banks’ instruments and forged data page of international passports of foreign nationals, among other documents.

“Other items recovered from the suspects included laptops, flash drives, modems, one Range Rover SUV, one Toyota Highlander, Two Toyota Corolla and one Toyota Camry.
The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

Okechukwu Nnodim , Abuja


The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association on Thursday said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation lied when it said DAPPMA members owe the oil firm N 26. 7 bn .

According to DAPPMA , its members had, in the past one month, paid over N 90bn for petrol supply but had yet to receive any cargo from the Petroleum Products Marketing Company , a subsidiary of NNPC.

On Wednesday , the NNPC attacked DAPPMA over a claim by the association that its members had no petrol in their various tanks despite NNPC’ s claims of importing millions of litres of products .

NNPC also stated that DAPPMA members owe it the sum of N 26. 7 bn for products received from the corporation, adding that the statement credited to the association on the fuel supply situation, especially Premium Motor Spirit (petrol ) was “ very unfortunate . ”

But in his reply to NNPC’ s claims , the Executive Secretary for DAPPMA, Olufemi Adewole , said it was unfortunate for the national oil firm to attack and accuse marketers falsely.

In a statement issued by Adewola on Thursday , the association said , “ It is an undisputable fact that DAPPMA members have paid for petrol supply (with bank funds) for over one month , the value of which is in excess of N 90bn , yet PPMC / NNPC had no cargo to allocate to them .

“ As such , how can we be held responsible for hoarding?

“ PPMC /NNPC does not transact business with DAPPMA members on credit , hence we are not aware of any indebtedness to PPMC /NNPC by our members .

“ We again reject any attempt to blame marketers for the shortfall in supply, as it is not our making since NNPC has been the sole importer since October 2017. ”

Adewole said marketers had continued to sacrifice to keep the country wet with fuel despite over N 600 bn debt owed DAPPMA members and over N 800 bn owed marketers as a whole by the Federal Government .

He said , “ The essence of our initial press release was to shed light on salient issues surrounding the shortfall in current petrol supply which is presently solely handled by the NNPC . It was not an attempt to join issues with PPMC / NNPC with whom we are partners.

“ NNPC’ s view of our press release stating our side of the story and seeking to defend marketers for the very first time against the unwarranted accusations of hoarding and profiteering is rather unfortunate . ”

The association , however , assured Nigerians, irrespective of NNPC ’ s stance , that all possible steps were being taken to cooperate with PPMC /NNPC to eliminate the fuel queues nationwide within the next few days .

lalasticlala

Taiwo Jimoh


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A 35-year-old Disc Jockey (DJ), identified simply as Femi, has died after initially escaping death a few weeks ago for reportedly sleeping with a housewife, Mrs. Promise Clement.

A few weeks ago, Promise died along with another man, Lukmon Olowo, believed to be her lover, inside a Toyota Corrola car behind the headquarters of the Area G Police Command, Ogba, Lagos State. They were both partially naked. It was reported that Lukmon and Promise died in the car after making love. Nobody knew that Lukmon and Promise were lovers until their death.

Many, however, including Promise’s husband, knew that Femi was having an affair with his wife. After Lukmon’s death, his family members said that he was a responsible married man, who had children and couldn’t have been dating Promise, let alone to be having sex with her inside the car.

When Lukmon died, members of the community where Promise and Lukmon resided claimed that Promise’s husband said that the death was not meant for Lukmon.

The husband reportedly said that Femi was the target. Although Femi escaped death then, it was clearly not for long. Femi, a father of three, went to a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at Bintu Street, two weeks ago for a service. Femi was said to have collapsed inside the church after he bent down to pick something.

He allegedly grabbed his chest as his face twisted in pains. He was rushed to a private hospital from where he was referred to another hospital. When Femi’s father heard of the incident, he made a beeline for the hospital and asked that his son be discharged. He reportedly told the hospital: “What ails my son is not a medical issue.”

He thereafter, took him to a church for prayers. Yesterday, our correspondent was at Femi’s community. A resident, who gave his name as Adebowale, said: “The DJ’s father moved him from the hospital to a church for prayer. After a while, he was returned to the hospital.

“The DJ later died at the hospital. He had since been buried by his family. The church and hospital couldn’t say what was wrong with him. His death came as a shock to every one of us in the community. In fact, since the death of Lukmon, we have not been seeing Femi in the area.” Another resident, who did not want his name in print, said: “I suspected that Femi’s death was caused by Promise’s husband. He must have punished Femi for sleeping with his wife.

Promise’s husband had before the incident warned Femi several times to stay away from his wife. In fact, when the incident happened, Femi told some of us that the trap that Lukmon fell into, was meant for him.”

The late Lukmon’s brother, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “When the incident happened, Promise’s husband said that he thought it was Femi who died. We were still at Area G Police Command when Prom-ise’s husband brought Femi’s phone out of his late wife’s handbag. It was then we knew that the late Femi was dating Promise.

“Since our brother died, we have not received his autopsy report from the police. When we asked the police for his autopsy, we were told that they had written to the Attorney General of Lagos State for approval. The police said that they were still waiting for the Attorney General’s approval. We have made several efforts to recover Lukmon’s car and other documents from the police, but our efforts have been fruitless.

The circumstance that led to our brother’s death in his car is still a mystery to us, but we have accepted our fate.” Promise and Lukmon were found dead in the man’s Toyota Corolla car parked by the roadside on October 29 at Abisogun Leigh Street, Ogba.

The late Lukmon was found on the driver’s side, half naked, with his genitals showing. Promise wore a gown and was dead found reclining in the passenger seat next to Lukmon.

A tricycle rider, who was plying the street, was the first person to notice that the headlights of the Toyota Corolla car were on about 8.30a.m. and had been on for long.

Suspecting all might not be well, the rider drew the attention of an executive member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to the car.

The executive member and the rider went to the scene, peeped into the car and observed that the lovers were motionless. They were said to have immediately alerted the policemen at the Area G Police Command.

By Nsikak Nseyen



A policeman attached to Bayelsa Police Command on Monday mistakenly shot dead a fellow policeman during a gun duel between the police and suspected cultists.

The incident occurred on Christmas day at Obele Area of Ovom in Yenagoa.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, an eyewitness said trouble started when a misunderstanding among the feasting cultists degenerated to a fight within the cult group, resulting to gunshots which eventually attracted a police patrol team to the area.

Confirming the incident, the Police Command Spokesman, DSP Asinim Butswat, said the killing was shocking.

Butswat said “Yes, the incident was between cultists but as the police went to find out what was going on, the cultists started shooting and one of the policemen mistakenly shot an officer.

“Though, we are yet to get the full details because some of our men, who were at the scene, are supposed to brief us over the matter.

“Nevertheless, the Police are intensifying efforts to ensure a crime-free environment for people in Bayelsa this period of Christmas celebration; we deployed over 4,000 personnel for patrol.

“We adopted some strategies like ‘Cordon and Search’; I must tell you, our men and women are fully on operations to safeguard lives and property,” Butswat said.

“I also urge them to continue to enjoy the Christmas celebration and steer clear of every criminal activity,” he added.


http://dailypost.ng/2017/12/26/policeman-kills-colleague-bayelsa/


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From: Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa


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There was a mild drama at the Azikoro Police station over the weekend as a suspected armed robber turned himself in after he had accidentally killed his partner during an operation.

According to investigation the two –man robbery gang operating around Azikoro Village axis had gone to Bakery Road in the area where they had attempted to rob one Francis Chibueze.

However during the attack on Chibueze, one of the robbers Peter Napoleon accidentally shot dead his partner Thankgod Smith.

Chibueze who escaped was said to have alerted the Police providing a description of the fleeing robber and the Police moved to the area combing it for Napoleon
Napoleon realising that the game was up and unable to handle the killing of Smith went to the Azikoro Police station to confess.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer( PPRO) Asinim Butswat, Napoleon
During a brief interrogation explained how the incident happened and took the Police to where the gun was hidden.

He said investigation is still ongoing to get more information before the suspect would be charged to Court.

“On 22 December, 2017, at about 2000hrs a gang of two armed robbers attacked one Francis Chibueze of Bakery Road, Azikoro Village, Yenagoa. Luck ran against the gang as one of the robbers mistakenly shot and killed his partner. The victim Francis Chibueze escaped unhurt.

The deceased armed robber was identified as Thankgod Smith ‘m’ 25 years, and his partner who shot him is Peter Napoleon ‘m’ 23 years.

Policemen swung into action, and the suspect in hiding panicked and came to the Azikoro Police Station on 23 December, 2017 on his own volition and confessed to the armed robbery and killing his gang member. He led Police Detectives to an uncompleted building in Bakery Road, Azikoro Village, where the gun was recovered.”

Success Nwogu and Enyioha Opara


There are indications that workers in some states in the country will soon embark on demonstrations or strike action over unpaid salary arrears in their respective states .

A trustee of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees , Mr. Fatai Ibrahim , on Friday said NULGE would engage in demonstrations , work to rule and even strike action in states where the governors failed to remit to the local governments their share of the expected last tranche of the Paris Club refund .

Speaking in Ilorin , the Kwara State capital , during a media briefing by the state branch of NULGE, Ibrahim added that the union would engage governors of the states that fail to remit the funds to the local government , adding that where the engagements , negotiations and dialogue fail, the union would embark on strike action to get the governors accede to the workers’ demands .

Also , the state Chairman of NULGE, Alhaji Salihu Yusuf , has urged Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to ensure that the share of the local governments was paid to them when the state gets the final tranche of the Paris Club refund . He also stressed that the payment of some of the arrears being owed them would greatly alleviate their plight.

He said , “The Kwara State Governor has been saying that local governments will not benefit from the expected Paris Club refund and that we should not be expecting that arrears of salaries being owed workers in various local governments across the state would be paid from the Paris Club refunds .

“ Other states are declaring certain percentages in favour of their local governments, why should Kwara State be an exception ?”

He also urged the state House of Assembly to vote in favour of local government autonomy to create genuine development at the grass roots, adding that the governor should not wait until all LG workers were dead due to poverty and hardship before he came to their aid .

He also said the payment of junior secondary school teachers ’ salaries from the local government allocation through the Joint Account Allocation Committee was responsible for the about 10 months ’ arrears of salaries in local governments, adding that the local governments should be freed from that burden .

But the governor, while responding, said the state had accessed 50 per cent of the refund , adding that arrangement was on to end salary crisis in the 16 local government areas of the state.

He said he had met with the local government chairmen with the aim of identifying their problems and finding possible solutions to them.

He said , “What we are doing is to find a permanent solution to the problem . Giving them funds to clear the backlog of salaries is not the solution , but to find the means of improving their revenue base because of the continued drop in federal allocation . ”

Meanwhile , the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Kwara State has given the state government an ultimatum to address some lingering labour issues in the state before December 31 , 2017 , or else the union would not guarantee the resumption of teachers when schools resume on January 8 , 2018 .

The teachers , in a communiqué after the meeting of the state executive council , on Friday, stated that the labour issues bordered mainly on the payment of salary arrears , the position of the state government not to use the Paris Club refund to offset the salary arrears of its members as earlier pledged , allegedly , at different forums and refusal to implement promotion arrears with its attendant financial backing from 2015 till date .

The communiqué , signed by the state NUT Chairman , Alhaji Musa Abubakar , and the state NUT Secretary, Mr. Ola Idris , partly read, “In view of these , the House resolved that these issues must immediately be addressed before the end of 2017 , otherwise , the union cannot guarantee resumption of our members on January 8 , 2018 .

But the state government has urged the teachers to embrace dialogue , adding that strike was never a good way to address industrial issues .

The Commissioner for Information , Mr. Babatunde Ajeigbe , in an interview with journalists , stated that the governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed , was deeply concerned and committed to the welfare of the residents of the state , including teachers , saying the outstanding payment due to the drop in federal allocation.

lalasticlala

A suspected kidnapper was caught while allegedly chanting incantation and spewing alligator pepper on a toddler ’ s head.

The 30- year - old man , Tunde Adebiyi , who allegedly attempted to hypnotise and kidnap a toddler , was on Friday arraigned in an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate ’ s Court.

Adebiyi had appeared before Chief Magistrate Mr. Tajudeen Elias on a charge for attempted kidnap , which he pleaded ‘ not guilty ’ to .

The prosecutor , Kehinde Omosakin , told the court that the accused had attempted to kidnap the minor between December 10 and 11 at No. 25 , Ojo St. , Mushin, a Lagos suburb .

She alleged that the accused was found chanting incantation on the toddler ’ s head and had alligator pepper in his mouth which was to hypnotise the toddler .

The offences contravene Section 4 of the Anti -Kidnapping Prohibition Law of Lagos State, 2017 .

The magistrate admitted the accused to a bail of N 500 , 000 , with two responsible sureties in like sum.

He, however, adjourned the case until January 15 for mention. (NAN )

John Ameh , Abuja


There was drama on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday when the Peoples Democratic Party members celebrated the defection of one of their colleagues to the All Progressives Congress .

The defector , Mr. Johnson Agbonayinma, hails from Edo State.

Unlike in previous cases where the PDP lawmakers protested against the defection of their members , the lawmakers jubilates as they wished Agbonayinma well.

Agbonayinma became the eighth member of the PDP to defect this year and the second this week .

He described the PDP as “ darkness ” , where he could no longer belong because he had seen the “ light” in the APC.
“ The PDP has shut the door against me ” , he told the House in his letter read by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara .

PDP members, including the Minority Whip, Mr. Yakubu Barde ; Deputy Minority Leader , Mr. Chukwuka Onyema ; Deputy Minority Whip, Mrs . Binta Bello ; Chairman , House Committee on Foreign Relations, Nnenna Elendu -Ukeje ; and the Chairman , Committee on Public Petitions , Mr. Uzoma Nkem- Abonta , danced as they bade Agbonayinma goodbye.

They chorused, “ Agbonayinma, bye - bye ; Agbonayinma, bye -bye ; we wish you luck.

Onyema raised a point of order to give the position of the caucus on the defection.

He said , “ Even though we oppose defection; in the case of Agbonayinma, we are actually happy that he is leaving.
“ He is like a tumour . You know when you have cancer and it is cured , you feel happy because it has left you .

“ The PDP house will be better without Agbonayinma being with us . So , Agbonayinma, bye - bye . ”

The lawmakers danced and sang again amid laughter .

Agbonayinma was a member of the Ali Modu Sheriff- faction of the party before the Supreme Court recognised the then Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction as the authentic leader of the party .

The Edo State Deputy Governor , Mr. Phillip Shuaibu , witnessed the defection.

Agbonayinma later addressed journalists in company with the Majority Leader of the House , Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila , at the National Assembly.

Agbonayinma said he had observed that in spite of efforts being made to rescue the PDP , it appeared to be set on “dying , dying , and will be dead . ”

He cited the recent national convention of the party as another “wasted opportunity to check the reign of impunity in the PDP. ”

“ PDP is totally factionalised and a house that is divided against itself will not stand . I decided to leave because I couldn ’ t face the heat in the dark house .

“ I left darkness for light . The so - called unity list that produced the current leaders of PDP only brought more disunity to the party . ”

On his part, Gbajabiamila said he was elated that Agbonayinma joined the APC , saying he had always known him to be a man with a “ progressive mind . ”

He added , “ If you know Agbonayinma, he is the kind of person that should be in the APC, not in the PDP . I knew that it was only a matter of time he would join the APC. ”
Only on Tuesday , a member from Imo State, Mr. Raphael Igbokwe , defected to the APC from the PDP.

His defection cut the numerical strength of the PDP to about 119 . Agbonayinma’ s exit further brought it down to 118 .

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A young woman literally committed a crime against fashion!

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She was stopped by police who thought she was wandering around the streets half - naked in the middle of the day.

In fact , Abbie Crawford was braving the icy temperatures in a tiny pair of hotpants that were obscured by her coat.

The 25- year - old, who went viral after confused locals in Newton - Le- Willows in Merseyside took photos of her , has revealed the trusty item of clothing is her ‘ pulling shorts. ’

She said : “They’ re my pulling shorts. I wear them when I crave attention – and obviously they never fail me . ”

Abbie added that she found it ‘ hilarious ’ that her favourite pair of shorts had got so much attention. She said : “I had my music in, so didn ’ t notice anyone saying anything or looking at me in a funny way.

“ My friend only just showed me the picture yesterday – I was stunned , I couldn ’ t believe it . ”

As Abbie walked along the pavement with her headphones, people stopped and stared , believing she had gone out without underwear.

Officers eventually caught up with Abbie and, after establishing she was , in fact , wearing clothes, advised her to dress appropriately .