On Dec. 5, Nigerian authorities seized more than 2 metric tons of pangolin scales in yet another effort to clamp down on the country’s booming transnational wildlife trade.
Acting on intelligence provided by the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), an international NGO fighting organized wildlife crime, the Kano-Jigawa command of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) also arrested one person, suspected to be a broker. The seizures and the arrest were made in two warehouses in Mubi, a town in Adamawa state, where they were being stockpiled for export. The WJC estimates the 2,179 kilograms of scales likely originated from around 1,100 pangolins poached from across the continent.
“This seizure is estimated to be worth tens of thousands of dollars on the black market in Nigeria, making this shipment highly valuable to traffickers,” Olivia Swaak-Goldman, executive director of the WJC, told Mongabay in an email. The scales were likely intended for Asian markets and linked to Lagos-based trafficking networks, she added.
Since 2021, the WJC has partnered with the NCS to combat wildlife trafficking and dismantle criminal networks in Nigeria, which has recently become a transit hub for pangolin trafficking. “This partnership has primarily focused on pangolin scales and ivory, as they are the primary wildlife products being trafficked through Nigeria by organised criminal networks,” Swaak-Goldman said, adding they’re also looking at trafficking of shark fins and other marine species.
The December seizure is the third WJC-NCS operation in 2024 involving pangolin scales, and the fourth in Nigeria this year.
So far, their collaboration has resulted in 16 operations, 35 arrests, 12 convictions, and the seizure of around 21.5 metric tons of pangolin scales, more than half of it in 2024, and 1.065 metric tons of ivory. It’s also responsible for nearly 95% of all pangolin scale seizures in Nigeria.
“It’s amazing news,” Mark Ofua from WildAfrica, a Nigeria and South Africa-based organization that has worked with NCS in the past but wasn’t involved in this operation, told Mongabay. “It tells us that the government is up and about its work and its function is no longer lip service.”
A 2022 investigation by Nigeria’s Premium Times and Mongabay found Nigerian law enforcement had mostly failed to bring wildlife traffickers to justice, as many accused settled their cases out of court or bribed local officials. Despite numerous wildlife trafficking busts since 2010, no one had faced a jail term.
But Ofua said this is changing, citing an instance where three Vietnamese organized criminals involved in ivory and pangolin scales trafficking ivory were convicted in 2023 following their 2022 arrest in an NCS-WCJ operation. “I am enthusiastic that such is happening, and it gives hope that we’ll be able to solve the Nigerian [wildlife trafficking] problem and better protect our wildlife.”
EXCLUSIVE: How Nigeria’s AGF Fagbemi Authorised Falana To File Fraud Charges Against Zinox Group CEO, Leo Stan Ekeh, Wife, Others After Malami Shielded Them From Prosecution
The then AGF and justice minister, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had for years shielded the persons from prosecution, thereby frustrating the case and hindering thorough investigation.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), officially authorised renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), to file file fraud charges against the Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, his wife, Chioma and 8 other individuals and three companies, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday that Ekeh and the others were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly diverting N162,247,513.80 intended for a laptop supply contract at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Headquarters.
In a correspondence by Fagbemi, SAN, dated December 20, 2023, and obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the AGF noted that the prosecution of Ekeh and others was at the expense of the nominal complainant, Mr. Joseph Benjamin as requested.
The then AGF and justice minister, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had for years shielded the persons from prosecution, thereby frustrating the case and hindering thorough investigation.
In the memo obtained by SaharaReporters, titled, "Authorisation Under Section 174 Of The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria 1999 As Amended', and addressed to the Federal Ministry of Justice, the AGF said, "In the exercise of the powers conferred upon the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice by section 174(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, hereby authorize; Mr. Femi Falana of Falana & Falana & Co. of 22 Mediterranean Street, Imani Estate, Abuja- FCT, Nigeria to exercise the Powers on my behalf with particular reference to the refiling and effective Prosecution of Charge No. CR/827/2013 between Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chris Eze Ozim and 6 ORS at the expense of the nominal complainant, Mr. Joseph Benjamin as requested.
"You are to also ensure diligent prosecution and consistent update on the progress report of the case to my office without let or hinderance."
SaharaReporters on Tuesday reported that the government took legal action against Leo Stan Ekeh, his wife, Chioma and 8 other individuals and 3 companies, charging them before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly diverting N162,247,513.80 intended for a laptop supply contract at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Headquarters.
The funds, domiciled in account number 0059202675 with Access Bank Plc, were reportedly misappropriated by the defendants under the guise of payment to Citadel Oracle Concept Limited.
The Complainant – the Federal Government of Nigeria – alleges that the accused knowingly used the account to receive and launder proceeds from the contract, despite being aware of its illicit nature.
The charge sheet, filed under case number FCT/HC/CR/985/24, lists individuals and entities, including Leo Stan Ekeh, Chioma Ekeh, Mr. Chris Eze Ozims, Oyebode Folashade, Charles Adigwe, Obilo Onuoha, Agartha Ukoha, Anya O. Anya, Femi Dosumu, and Nnenna Kalu as the Defendants.
The companies involved are Admas Digital Technologies Limited, Technology Distributions Limited, and Zinox Technologies Ltd.
The 15 counts filed on November 26, 2024 and received by the high court on November 28, 2024, were signed by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
[b]One of the charges reads in part, "That you Chris Eze Ozims "M", Folashade Oyebode "F", Leo Stan Ekeh "M", Chioma Ekeh "F", Charles Adigwe "M", Obilo Onuoha "M", Agartha Ukoha "F", Anya o. Anya "M', Nnenna Kalu "M", Femi Dosumu "M", Technology Distributions, Admas Digital Technologies Limited And Zinox Technologies Limited on or about the 30th day of January 2013, in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of the honorable court jointly and severally acted to criminally misappropriate the sum of N 162, 247, 513. 8k (One hundred and sixty-two million, two hundred and forty-seven thousand, five hundred- and thirteen-naira, eight kobo) in account number 0059202675 domicile in Access Bank Plc being proceed of Federal Inland Revenue Headquarters Abuja contract for supply of laptops which you fraudulently diverted and received with the said amount in the name of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 79 and punishable under section 390 of the Penal Code cap 532LFN Abuja (1990).”[/b]
Another count reads, "That you Mr. Chris Eze Ozims "M" and Folashade Oyebode "F" on or about the 30th day of January 2012, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court criminally misappropriated the sum of N 162, 247, 513. 8k (One hundred and sixty-two million, two hundred and forty-seven thousand, five hundred- and thirteen-naira, eight kobo) from account number 0059202675 domiciled in Access Bank plc. being proceed of the Federal Inland Revenue Headquarters Abuja contract for supply of laptops which you fraudulently diverted and received the said payment in the name of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited knowing it to be a crime. You thereby committed an offence contrary to the section 308 of the Penal Code cap 532LFN Abuja (1990) and punishable under section 309 of the same Act.”
BACKGROUND
In June, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja discharged and acquitted the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, Benjamin Joseph, of one count bordering on false petitioning, which was filed by the police.
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, ruled on the case which had been going on since 2016, following a letter from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to nolle prosequi to charge and terminate the case.
In October 2013, Joseph petitioned the then Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Bureau (FCIB), Solomon Arase, over a N170.3m fraud he said was committed against his company by a syndicate.
In his petition, he accused some senior officials of Zinox Technologies Limited and its subsidiary, Technology Distributions Limited (TD) of conspiring with their allies in Ad’mas Digital Technologies Limited and Pirovics Engineering Services Limited to hijack and illegally execute a contract awarded to his company by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in 2012 for the supply of laptop computers.
The businessman named the suspects to include the Chairman of Zinox Group, Leonard Stanley Ekeh, and wife, Chioma; Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Zinox Group and TD, Chris Eze Ozims, and a director of TD, Folashade Oyebode.
He said they connived with the Chief Executive of Ad’mas Digital Technologies Limited and Pirovics Engineering Services Limited, Onny Igbokwe, along with one Princess O. Kama, and two officials of Access Bank PLC – Obilo Onuoha and Deborah Ijeabu, to commit the fraud.
Joseph said Oyebode and Ozims appointed themselves signatories of a fake account opened in his company’s name at Access Bank with forged documents, including a board resolution dated December 18, 2012, using a caricature of his signature.
To facilitate the fake account opening, the businessman said Onuoha and Ijeabu betrayed the company’s confidentiality and illegally gave out to the syndicate the original copies of his company’s documents with the bank.
The businessman said transaction documents also showed that Chioma Ekeh, wife to Stan Leo Ekeh, issued the instructions to the accountant at TD, Charles Adigwe, for the disbursement of funds from the fictitious company account at Access Bank to various benefiting parties in the fraud.
SaharaReporters reported in November 2022 how then Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami opted to exercise his discretionary powers under the constitution to favour the suspects against the complainant.
SaharaReporters on October 2, 2022 reported how Falana filed a charge of 17 counts at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama against the 13 persons and companies suspected to have played different roles in the alleged N170.3 million fraud perpetrated against Joseph, the Managing Director of an Ibadan-based ICT retail firm, Citadel Oracle Concepts Limited.
The suspects were due to be arraigned before Justice Oba on Tuesday at Apo on November 8, 2022.
In the charge sheet with suit No FCT/HC/CR/469/2022, Falana accused the suspects of conspiracy to hijack a contract for the supply of laptops awarded to Joseph's company in 2012 by the FIRS.
But in a suspicious move by Malami, under the guise of exercising his power (nolle prosequi) to intervene and terminate any case at any time, he withdrew the authorisation earlier granted to Falana to prosecute the suspects.
For instance, a letter signed by the Director of Public Prosecution, M.B. Abubakar, dated October 28, 2022, and titled, "Withdraw of Authorisation Under Section 174 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 As Amended’ was addressed to Falana.
The letter, obtained by SaharaReporters, read, "I am directed to write in reference to the above caption and to inform you that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in exercise of the power conferred upon him by Section 174 ( 1 ) ( c ) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended has withdrawn the authorization earlier granted to you dated 10th May 2022 to prosecute the case mentioned below as the expenses of the nominal complainant Mr. Joseph Benjamin FRN VS Chris Ezeh Ozim & ORS Charge No CR/8327/2013.
"You are accordingly requested to withdraw charge No FCT /HC/ CR / 469/2022."
Malami’s intervention in the case a few days before the arraignment by quashing the fiat he granted Falana to prosecute ensured no charges were filed against the Zinox top officials and other suspects.
Court issues restraining order against Wike, others in Abuja land dispute
An Abuja High Court has issued an interim injunction preventing Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and other parties from proceeding with the sale of a landed property.
The property, situated at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja, became the subject of an interim injunction issued by Justice Mohammed Zubairu. The order followed an ex-parte motion presented by the applicant’s counsel, Reuben Ata.
While the ex-parte motion, marked M/16807/2024, was filed by Mr Atabo on Monday, its certified true copy was provided to the journalists on Tuesday.
Justice Zubairu, serving as a vacation judge, stated that he was inclined to grant the application as requested in the interest of justice and fair hearing. He ruled that the interim injunction would remain in effect for a few days, pending the service of all parties and their appearance before the court for the hearing of the motion on notice.
“Consequently, an interim injunction is hereby granted, restraining the defendants/respondents, whether by themselves, agents, privies, servants, workmen, or any other person acting on their behalf, from trespassing into or interfering with the claimant’s exclusive possession of the property.” The judge further stated that the order would remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“In the same vein, prayers 2, 3, and 4 are granted as requested,” the judge noted. He also directed that the motion on notice already filed before the court be served on all defendants and adjourned the case until December 30 for the hearing of the substantive suit.
In the ex-parte motion, dated and filed on December 16, the applicant, Nextdora Nigeria Limited, sued Mr. Eric Anyamene Nnamdi, Hajiya Bilikisu Mallam, the FCT minister, and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as the 1st to 4th defendants, respectively. The company sought and was granted four interim orders.
The fourth relief granted was an interim injunction restraining the defendants from developing or assigning the property at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja—covered by a Right of Occupancy with File No. MISC 128232, or any portion thereof—to a third party, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
In a motion on notice filed on December 16 and marked CV/5517/24, the company sued the four defendants, seeking to prevent them from selling its landed property, among other requests. The writ of summons sought seven reliefs, including a declaration that the claimant is the title holder of the property located at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja.
Meet the world's deadliest rat, which can kill an elephant with one bite
Predators beware! The world’s deadliest rat carries enough toxin to kill an elephant
Did you know there's a rat poisonous enough to kill an elephant?
Lophiomys imhausi, also known as the crested rat, the maned rat, and the African crested rat, is a deadly rarity says Aoife Glass.
The crested rat is the only known poisonous rodent, and the only known mammal to sequester plant toxins for use as a defense mechanism. One bite is enough to kill.
What does the crested rat look like? Adult crested rats grow to between 360mm and 530mm head to tail. The small head is covered in short, black fur, while the body and tail have a thick grey and white undercoat with longer guard hairs tipped white or black, together giving the impression of a small, fluffy skunk.
A mane of longer black and white banded hairs stretches the length of the rat from the head to the base of the tail, and this is the crest or mane from which the animal gets its name. When it’s threatened, this mane erects, exposing a band down each side of the body, bordered in white, with specially adapted hairs covering glandular skin.
This has two purposes. The first, like a skunk, is to display warning colouration. The second is to reveal those specially adapted hairs, which contain enough toxin to make any animal that decides to take a bite extremely ill, if not fatally poisoned.
Where does the crested rat live? Sometimes called the African crested rat, this species lives in forests, savannah and shrubland, favouring rocky terrain, and nesting in hollow tree trunks, holes and hollows. Populations have been observed in Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Keny, Djibouti and Eritrea.
Crested rats seem to be mostly solitary, sometimes living within a small family group of male, female and offspring. Female crested rats have small litters of between one to three offspring.
What does the crested rat eat? Despite its fearsome reputation, the crested rat’s diet of choice mostly consists of plant material such as leaves and fruit, though it has been known to eat meat, insects and root vegetables.
Unusually, it has stomach physiology that’s similar to ruminants such as cattle; a four-chambered stomach with plenty of digesting bacteria which allows it to process and breakdown the food it consumes. This fact makes it unique amongst Moroidea, the super family to which all rodents belong.
Why is the crested rat so deadly? The other unique element of the crested rat is its killer abilities. It’s the only known rodent that uses toxins from another species as a defence mechanism, and it does this via some incredible evolutionary adaptations.
First, Lophiomys imhausi feeds on the bark of the African poison arrow tree, Acokanthera schimperi. The bark, as well as the roots, stems, leaves and seeds of this tree, contain acovenoside A and ouabaine; these are heart stimulating chemicals, called cardenolides. In small doses, these types of chemicals can be used for medicinal purposes, but at larger doses can have catastrophic effects; vomiting, convultions, breathing difficulties and even cardiac arrest.
Next, L. imhausi licks the hairs along the glandular skill patches either side of its crest, depositing saliva infused with those cardiotonic glycosides from the African poison arrow tree. At a glance, these hairs look much like those on other areas of the crested rat, but they have a very particular structure; a honey-comb outer layer, with an inner layer of long vertical fibres. This makes them particularly suited to absorbing liquid, dispersing it along its interior, and storing or ‘sequestering’ it.
How does the crested rat kill? If a would-be predator ignores the warning colouration and tries to attack, the exposed hairs will release these toxic compounds into the mouth, and very quickly into the bloodstream. With natural predators including the honey badger, caracal, serval, hyena and leopard, an effective deterrent is a definite evolutionary advantage.
Just how toxic could the crested rat be? Arrows treated with the same cardenolide toxins have floored full-grown elephants, so potentially very deadly indeed. However, it’s not in the rat’s interest to kill every predator that attacks; instead, it ideally needs to make them so poorly that they learn that crested rats aren’t on the menu in the future.
Casualties do happen though, and dogs that have attacked crested rats have been known to die; those lucky enough to survive display, unsurprisingly, a strong fear response at any future encounters.
The crested rat also has a particularly thick dermis or skin, making it very resistant to bites, and a very long, strong and flexible spine with four extra vertebrae.
Why isn’t the crested rat poisoned by its diet? The short answer is science doesn’t exactly know the specific mechanism or adaptation that allows it to consume poison without succumbing itself.
However, it is known that rodents from the Moroidia super family have a slight biochemical variation that means they are more resistant to this type of chemical, so that may be why the crested rat is able to survive levels of the toxin that are fatal to its predators. Another theory is the bacteria contained in its chambered stomach may include a type that can break down cardenolides safely in the gut.
Is it endangered? According to the IUCN Red List, the crested rat is listed as ‘least concern’. However, researchers have concluded that due to low population density, low reproductive rates and a relatively long life-cycle, this might not be the full picture.
While populations exist in protected areas, the woodland and forest they live in are increasingly threatened by logging, and a loss of habitat is likely to impact the species’ long-term success.
Drug lord Fabio Ochoa walks free in Colombia after 20 years in US prisons
One of Colombia’s infamous drug lords and a key operator of the Medellin cartel has been deported back to the South American country, after serving 25 years of a 30-year prison sentence in the United States.
A short while later, Fabio Ochoa was again a free man.
Ochoa arrived in Bogota’s El Dorado airport on a deportation flight on Monday, wearing a gray sweatshirt and carrying his personal belongings in a plastic bag. After stepping out of the plane, the former cartel boss was met by immigration officials in bullet proof vests. There were no police on site to detain him.
Colombia’s national immigration agency promptly posted a brief statement on the social media platform X, saying Ochoa was “freed so that he could join his family” after immigration officials took his fingerprints and confirmed through a database that he is not wanted by Colombian authorities.
Ochoa, 67, and his older brothers amassed a fortune when cocaine started flooding the US in the late 1970s and early 1980s, according to US authorities, to the point that in 1987 they were included in Forbes magazine’s list of billionaires.
Living in Miami, Ochoa ran a distribution center for the cocaine cartel once headed by Pablo Escobar. Escobar died in a shootout with authorities in Medellin in 1993.
Coca fields are seen in Tibu municipality, Norte de Santander department, Colombia, on October 29, 2022. - "The government is persecuting us", deplores one of the more than a thousand coca growers gathered on the Colombian-Venezuelan border. AFP listened to their claims in the face of the new leftist government headed by the world's largest cocaine producer. "Because we are coca leaf collectors, they brand us as guerrillas, as drug traffickers, as criminals", complains Alexander Contreras (36), an expert scraper or stripper of the plant, which is the raw material for cocaine.
Ochoa was first indicted in the US for his alleged role in the 1986 killing of Barry Seal, an American pilot who flew cocaine flights for the Medellin cartel, but became an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Along with his two older brothers, Juan David and Jorge Luis, Ochoa turned himself in to Colombian authorities in the early 1990s under a deal in which they avoided being extradited to the US.
The three brothers were released from prison in 1996, but Ochoa was arrested again three years later for drug trafficking and was extradited to the US in 2001 in response to an indictment in Miami naming him and more than 40 people as part of a drug smuggling conspiracy.
He was the only suspect in that group who opted to go to trial, resulting in his conviction and a 30-year sentence. The other defendants got much lighter prison terms because most of them cooperated with the government.
Ochoa’s name has faded from popular memory as Mexican drug traffickers take center stage in the global drug trade.
But the former member of the Medellin cartel was recently depicted in the Netflix series “Griselda,” where he first fights the plucky businesswoman Griselda Blanco for control of Miami’s cocaine market, and then makes an alliance with the drug trafficker, played by Sofia Vergara.
Ochoa is also depicted in the Netflix series “Narcos,” as the youngest son of an elite Medellin family that is into ranching and horse breeding and cuts a sharp contrast with Escobar, who came from more humble roots.
Richard Gregorie, a retired assistant US attorney who was on the prosecution team that convicted Ochoa, said authorities were never able to seize all of the Ochoa family’s illicit drug proceeds and he expects that the former mafia boss will have a welcome return home.
“He won’t be retiring a poor man, that’s for sure,” Gregorie told the Associated Press earlier this month.
U.S. court sentences Tunde Ayeni to 10 years for internet fraud with $20 million restitution to victims
Mr Ayeni, an internet fraudster, pleaded guilty to the fraud charge, leading the judge to hand him a 120-month sentence.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama has sentenced Babatunde Ayeni to 10 years’ imprisonment and ordered him to pay approximately $20 million to victims of his scam, court filings obtained by Peoples Gazette showed.
Mr Ayeni, an internet fraudster, pleaded guilty to the fraud charge, leading the judge to hand him a 120-month sentence.
Although Mr Ayeni had stopped scamming people since April 2019, U.S. judge Terry Moorer on October 31 ordered him to pay $19,599,969 million as restitution to all the individuals and entities he defrauded.
The court waived the interest required on the restitution for Mr Ayeni, having determined that he “lacked the ability to pay.”
Mr Ayeni was asked to pay the restitution alongside co-conspirators Feyisayo Oyindola Oginsanwo and Yusuf Olasunkanmi Lasisi.
The U.S. immigration authority will determine whether Mr Ayeni will be deported immediately after serving his sentence or if he will be allowed to stay in America under three years of supervised release with stringent rules.
Mr Ayeni’s prosecution for fraud on foreign soil adds to a long list of Nigerians who have been jailed by various U.S. courts including Bola Bobo Chicago, Ray Hushpuppi, Mr Woodberry and so on.
Among the list of Nigerian fraudsters convicted in the U.S. was also Abidemi Rufai, an ally of Ogun governor Dapo Abiodun but was released last month.
Lagos LG chair to rename Liverpool Road in Oshodi-Isolo after Tinubu’s son
He said the decision was “borne out of his immense contributions to youth and community development.”
The Oshodi-Isolo Local Government chairman, Kehinde Oloyede, has announced that plans are underway to rename the newly constructed Liverpool Road after Seyi Tinubu.
“All is now set for the renaming of Liverpool Road in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government after the son of Nigeria’s President, Amb. Seyi Tinubu,” said Mr Oloyede in a statement shared on the LG’s X handle by his media team on Monday.
The statement noted that the road, which is strategic to Oshodi and one of the major roads linking Oshodi/Apapa Expressway and connecting the international airport, “would soon be commissioned and renamed in Seyi Tinubu’s honour at a date to be announced.”
The council chairman said the decision to rename the road after Mr Tinubu was “borne out of his immense contributions to youth and community development.”
He claimed that the road used to be an abode for touts and criminals armed with dangerous weapons and fomenting trouble within the council area.
“The road was a lion’s den, as no one could dare pass it either during the day or at night,” he said.
He, however, noted that upon his assumption of office, the criminal elements who had been using the road as a hideout before its reconstruction were all chased away.
MASTAkiLLAh: hundreds of thousands of Indian journalists have successfully done so since their independence even till tomorrow. What's wrong with being among the good ones ? Why don't you be mediocre in your own field ?
your head no correct ooooo! Am I the writer? See me trouble oooooooooo Prof biko carry your I too know go elsewhere or help them to rewrite it ...abeg make I enjoy my pepper soup in peace. This is Christmas.
MASTAkiLLAh: Your writing style is terrible and word usage is atrocious. You bloggers should really consider going to journalism school to hone your skills instead of just jumping behind a laptop just because you've got internet data and a website with your name on it
Do you expect an Indian journalist to write or speak English more than the English?
Condoms in thousands were used by India during 1971 war against Pakistan due to…
The story dates back to 1971, when India was fighting Pakistan for the liberation of Bangladesh. Here's the full story.
Why Indian navy used condoms: You must have heard many stories about the bravery and velour of the Indian army soldiers but today, we have a special story which is likely to surprise most of the readers reading this story. During the war with Pakistan in 1971, the Indian Navy ordered hundreds of condoms. The incident dates back to December 1971, where the India was fighting Pakistan for the liberation of Bangladesh. During the war, the Indian Navy ordered hundreds of condoms to attack the Pakistani ships using mines and successfully liberated Bangladesh. Here’s all the details you need to know about the story why Indian Armed forces ordered condoms. How Indian Navy used condoms during war During the war, Pakistani army targeted the Indian airbase and consequently, the Indian Navy attacked Pakistan from many fronts. One of the war fronts was situated in Chittagong port in East Pakistan’s (Present day Bangladesh) and during the conflict, Indian soldiers planned to target Pakistani ships by blowing them up. However, the mine called the ‘Limpet mine’ was to be placed under the ship, but the issue was, it would explode in just 30 minutes.
Thus, in order to solve this problem, Indian Navy ordered hundreds of condoms during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. As per a report by ABP Live, the condoms were placed over the limpet mine, so that the mine could remain safe in the water and explode in time. Moreover, reports also have it that the Indian Air Force also played an important role in this mission.
Why was the Chittagong Port Operation important? The Chittagong Port Operation of the Indian Navy was part of the India’s strategy aimed to cripple Pakistan’s shipping and supply lines, which was a key part of the strategy during the 1971 war.
About 1971 Indo-Pak war The 1971 Indo-Pak war was the third war that India fought with Pakistan after both of the countries gained independence. However, this time the reasons for the war were different as compared to the previous ones. You may recall here that on the eve of partition of India there were two wings of Pakistan – the West and the East – separated by 1000 miles.
Buhari’s aide Bashir Ahmad says he’s proud to be called Islamic extremist
“As a muslim, once they start to call you an extremist, just know you are on the right path. The path of truth,” @hayateey1 tweeted.
Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s former aide, Bashir Ahmad, has said he is proud to be called “an Islamic extremist.” Recently, Mr Ahmad had showered praises on Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas, assassinated by Israeli soldiers on Wednesday.
“As a muslim, once they start to call you an extremist, just know you are on the right path. The path of truth. Never be discouraged by their actions, stay true to your faith and Allah will guide you through,” An X user, @hayateey1, tweeted on Thursday before the crash in Germany.
Responding to that tweet, Mr Ahmad, notorious for extreme religious and political views, stated, “It is an honour to be called an Islamic extremist.”
Mr Ahmad’s post on X was oddly timed and drew sharp criticism given it came hours after a Saudi-born doctor unleashed terror in Germany, killing five people —that include a nine-year-old boy.
The attack occurred at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, eastern Germany, on December 20. A car driven by Taleb Al Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor, plowed into a crowd of visitors, killing five people and injuring over 200. The victims included a nine-year-old boy and four women aged 45, 52, 67, and 75.
Mr Ahmad comes from the northern part of the country ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents —Islamic extremists—who constantly unleash terror attacks on the region, resulting in multiple deaths, mass abductions, closure of schools and so on.
Prior to his now-deleted post, Mr Ahmad has always ramped up campaign for the killing of those adjudged guilty of blasphemy by Muslims.
Mr Ahmad’s comment has renewed worries among Nigerians who for long have speculated that some government elements are backing terrorists given how they almost never apprehended and the few ones nabbed were often entered into a rehabilitation programme.
Mr Buhari was excoriated for enrolling hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists accused of mass rape and murders into a rehabilitation programme for reintegration into the society.
Denzel Washington Receives Minister’s License, Gets Baptized
Denzel Washington can now add ministry to his long resume.
On Saturday, the Gladiator II star was baptized, receiving a certificate of baptism, as well as a minister’s license, meaning that he can later get ordained. The event took place at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ located in New York City’s Harlem, per Today. First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York livestreamed the service on Facebook.
“In one week I turn 70. It took a while, but I’m here,” the prolific actor said. Washington also thanked his wife, Pauletta Washington.
The two-time Academy Award winner has been open about his faith before, telling Esquire last month that while talk of religion in Hollywood is rare, he is unflinching in his resolve to share his beliefs and experience.
“I’m unafraid. I don’t care what anyone thinks. See, talking about the fear part of it—you can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t talk like that and party. You can’t say that in this town,” he wrote in an essay relayed by the magazine.
He continued at the time, “It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe. There’s no such thing called Hollywood anyway. What does that even mean? That to me means a street called Hollywood Boulevard. It’s not like we all meet somewhere and discuss what we believe. So I don’t know how many other actors have faith. I didn’t do no poll. How would I find that out? I mean, there’s no Church Actor Meetings I’ve been to.”
'Congratulations' — Boniface hails Osimhen for buying airport
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface congratulated his international teammate Victor Osimhen for buying an airport.
The 23-year-old is the Nigerian national team's second-choice striker after the Galatasaray man, and despite gunning for the same position in the Super Eagles, the pair seemingly have an excellent relationship.
Osimhen and Boniface are not strangers to online banter and have, on multiple occasions, had playful exchanges in social media platforms.
What Boniface said In a recent Instagram story, Boniface, who is currently injured until the new year, shared the picture of a perky completed airport and playfully tagged Osimhen as the owner of the real estate.
While Osimhen is certainly affluent, leading many on the internet to take Boniface’s post at face value, the Die Werkself striker was most likely joking.
The Ondo-born striker is one of the most playful characters in football. During an international break, he teased another fellow striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, to gift him €100. He has so playfully told Osimhen to buy him a car.
seunmsg: Nigerian leaders have failed Nigerians from all regions. Leaders from SE like Peter Obi who tripled poverty in Anambra state and left without a single legacy project is not different from a NC leader like Yahaya Bello.
All our leaders from all regions have failed us collectively. We should call all of them out.
Peter Obi is not the cause of your poverty laden generational zygotes..... know this and have peace.
BREAKING: Ekiti Magistrate Court Claims Ruling On Dele Farotimi’s Bail Application Missing, Left At Home
The court is slated to give its ruling on the bail application filed by Farotimi today (Friday morning).
The Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti on Friday morning shockingly claimed that its ruling on the bail application filed by human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi is missing.
The court is slated to give its ruling on the bail application filed by Farotimi today (Friday morning).
However, SaharaReporters gathered that the sitting magistrate claimed that he could not find his ruling and adjourned the hearing again for a short period.
“The magistrate said his ruling note is missing and for this he's taken a break,” a source inside the court sitting told SaharaReporters.
“The Kangaroo magistrate expressed embarrassment for appearing in court without the ruling on @DeleFarotimi's bail application, claiming it had been left at home, a truly astonishing turn of events today! #FreeDeleFarotimiNow,” prominent human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore also tweeted.
Sowore had earlier said the magistrate received a call while delivering the ruling which made him stop.
Sowore said: “The Kangaroo magistrate, while delivering the ruling on the applications regarding the eligibility of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to appear before a magistrate court and @DeleFarotimi’s bail, received a phone call notification and promptly adjourned to his chambers to answer it.
#FreeDeleFatotimiNOW.” Farotimi was arrested following a petition by a legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).
SaharaReporters learned that the trial court pronounced this ruling to grant Farotimi’s bail application on Friday morning. This comes barely after the same court initially denied the human rights lawyer constitutional freedom.
The charge suit no: MAD/1,476.C/2024, pits the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police as the complainant against Farotimi as the defendant. Some of the charges read, "That you Dele Farotimi 'm' sometimes in 2024 authored, published and circulated your book titled:
"Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System" which was received and read all over the world including Ado-Ekiti within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District wherein you stated at page IX of the book: "That Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgment in the service of his clients" which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb the public peace knowing or having reason to believe that the Statements is false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of Criminal Code Act.
"That you Dele Farotimi 'm' sometimes in 2024 authored, published and circulated your book titled: "Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System" which was received and read all over the world including Ado-Ekiti within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District wherein you stated at page X: "That Aare Afe Babalola, Olu Daramola, Olu Faro and the law offices of Afe Babalola & Co, (Emmanuel Chambers) compromised the Supreme Court and the remaining semblance of integrity it might have had when they went back to the Supreme Court and got that Court to swim in the sewer of corruption and shameful self-abnegation which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb the public peace knowing or having reason to believe that the Statements is false and thereby committed an offence.”
Appeal Court fines MTN N15 million over unsolicited messages and caller tunes on lawyer’s phone
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has awarded N15 million as general damages against MTN Nigeria Communications Limited for disturbing its Nigerian customer’s phone number with unsolicited messages and callertunes, without the customer’s subscription to these services.
The Appeal Court passed the judgement on Friday that this action was a violation of the right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of airtime purchased by Barrister Ezugwu Emmanuel Anene, a public interest lawyer.
The judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice Okon Abang.
Facts of the Case
The matter arose from the judgment of the High Court of the FCT, delivered by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, on September 22, 2021.
The claimant, Anene, sought a declaration that the eighty-eight unsolicited calls made by MTN to him at odd hours caused embarrassment, inconvenience, distraction, and anxiety, thereby breaching his right to privacy.
Anene, through his legal team, also sought over N200 million in general damages for the “disturbing unsolicited messages sent to the claimant weekly,” as well as for the “imposition of callertunes on the claimant’s mobile number.”
He argued before the High Court that although he subscribed to MTN’s network services, he never signed up for the weekly clarion child guidance, counselling, or caller tune services provided by MTN.
He said Instead, “the MTN inundated him with a large volume of messages and deducted money from his airtime for unsolicited services from July 2016 to March 21, 2018, at inappropriate hours.”
He added that his refusal to answer calls from certain numbers denied him the opportunity to receive important business calls, while the strange calls were continuously recurring and embarrassing.
On its part, MTN, represented by its staff member Emmanuel Iteade, informed the High Court that when a prospective subscriber purchases a SIM starter kit, the prepaid terms and conditions are clearly placed in the kit to allow careful review.
The official stated that MTN did not breach the claimant’s right to privacy or the quiet enjoyment of his airtime and did not make any fraudulent or illegal deductions from his airtime.
“All services complained about by the claimant were subscribed to by him, and the defendant merely debited him for the services,” the respondent said.
In passing judgment, the High Court held that Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees and protects citizens’ privacy, including their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations, and telegraphic communications.
The judge also noted that MTN’s witness, when cross-examined, admitted that the reference in the company’s terms and conditions was “so tiny, he cannot read it,” which the judge considered to be “potent” evidence.
The High Court then declared that the numerous unsolicited text messages and callertunes sent to the claimant’s phone, without his subscription to them, as well as the subsequent deductions from his airtime, constituted a breach of his right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of his airtime and phone.
The court perpetually restrained MTN from sending unsolicited text messages or imposing callertunes and deductions on the claimant’s airtime.
The court awarded N300,000 as general damages but noted that the claimant could not sufficiently prove the assertions about the 88 calls.
Dissatisfied with the N300,000 awarded, the claimant approached the Appeal Court for redress, arguing that the amount was too low. MTN’s legal team also cross-appealed, stating that the total deductions from the claimant amounted to about N14,000 and that the N300,000 award was generous. What the Appeal Court said
The Appeal Court agreed that the unsolicited text messages caused the appellant anxiety, adding that MTN was likely profiting substantially from this practice, and Nigerians “may not know this.”
The court opined that the trial court should have awarded exemplary damages against MTN, a foreign company, as a “deterrent”, noting that the money generated from such charges was not legitimate income for MTN.
The judge stated, “If MTN had sent unsolicited messages to 10 million phones at the time, owned by innocent Nigerians, it would have unlawfully enriched itself” to over a trillion naira.
The judge, delivering the unanimous judgment of the three-member Appeal Court panel, set aside the N300,000 general damages imposed by the high court.
The Appeal Court agreed with the High Court that the claimant had complained to MTN and made a personal complaint to its customer care team.
It also agreed that the claimant had activated the Do Not Disturb (DND) option, but despite these efforts, MTN persisted in sending unsolicited messages.
“In all, I award N15 million in damages in favour of the appellant and against MTN. The appeal succeeds and is allowed,” the judge concluded.
Regarding MTN’s cross-appeal, the Appeal Court dismissed it, stating it lacked merit.
Crime › Nigeria Seizes 2 Metric Tons Of Pangolin Scales, Arrests 1 Suspect by Morbeta11(op): 12:18pm On Dec 26, 2024
