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The Senate on Thursday, mandated its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal matters to investigate the reported invasion of a Federal High Court Abuja by operatives of the Department of State Services.

This is sequel to a point of order moved by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.


The President of the Senate asked Bamidele’s panel to start legislative action on the issue and submit its report next week.

Some suspected operatives of the secret police were shown in viral video recordings last week, making frantic efforts to arrest the Publisher of Sahara Reporters inside the courtroom.

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Lawyers on Wednesday backed the decision of PUNCH to henceforth address the President of the country as Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and his administration as a regime.

But the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr Alex Izinyon, opposed PUNCH’s decision.

The PUNCH, in a front page comment titled, “Buhari’s lawlessness: Our stand” on Wednesday, assessed the President and his leadership style and concluded that Buhari, who ruled the country as a military head of state from 1983 to 1985, had failed to “wean himself off his military antecedents.”


The newspaper’s decision generated a variety of mixed comments and reactions across Nigeria, particularly on the social media, and abroad with a significant majority backing the newspaper while a minority criticised it.

A few hours after PUNCH’s comment was published, two presidential aides expressed reservations about the decision to prefix Buhari’s name with Major General.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement, said PUNCH’s decision was an indication that the country did not lack freedom of speech.

Adesina’s statement, which was unusually measured and temperate, stated, “A newspaper says it will henceforth address President Muhammadu Buhari by his military rank of Major General.

“Nothing untoward in it. It is a rank the President attained by dint of hard work before he retired from the Nigerian Army. And today, constitutionally, he is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“All over the world, just as in our country, a large number of retired military officers are now democrats. It does not make those who did not pass through military service better than them.

“Rather than being pejorative, addressing President Buhari by his military rank is another testimony to free speech and freedom of the press, which this administration (or regime, if anyone prefers: it is a matter of semantics) has pledged to uphold and preserve.”

But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, in a separate statement, disagreed with the newspaper and accused the newspaper of ‘personal hatred and animus’ for the president.

The spokesperson who did not address the substance of the editorial, which drew attention to the regime’s repeated assault on the rule of law, disobedience of court orders, illegal detentions, the invasion of an Abuja court by armed operatives of the Department of State Security and other sundry human rights abuses claimed that the newspaper wanted to change the title of the president.

He said PUNCH “never changed President Olusegun Obasanjo’s title from the President to General Obasanjo, despite the latter’s refusal to comply with the Supreme Court judgment ordering him to release N30bn to Lagos State.”

Shehu said when “General Ibrahim Babangida, who wasn’t democratically elected, assumed the title of President,” PUNCH did not challenge him.

He recalled that Babangida closed media houses, including PUNCH, for several months.

“The Constitution of Nigeria recognises the President as the formal official title of the occupant of that office. Can the Punch newspapers, in their hubris address the President as Prime Minister as it pleases?” he asked.

NBA backs PUNCH

The Nigerian Bar Association, however, threw its weight behind the decision by PUNCH to begin prefixing the President’s name by his last military rank, major general.

The National Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr Kunle Edun, in an interview with The PUNCH, said the newspaper did not violate any law by its decision.

He noted that the newspaper was only expressing its right to freedom of expression in reaction to the acts of the regime.

Edun stated, “We all know that military regimes have no respect for the rule of law and the judiciary is usually under attack,” he stated.

Edun said referring to Buhari as a major general was not defamatory since it was his last rank in the military.

He said, “I am not aware of any law that expressly states how the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be addressed or prefixed; whether as Mr President, a General or simply as Alhaji, is of no consequence at the moment because it is a fact that Buhari is a retired military general and someone who has undergone the mandatory hajj.

“Moreso, the appellations used are not defamatory. Punch has just decided how to express its fundamental right to freedom of expression in conveying its reactions about certain actions of this government.”

PUNCH has not violated any law – Falana

A Lagos-based rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), said PUNCH had not violated any law, adding that the description was appropriate for the present regime.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria explained that the reactions of both Adesina and Shehu did not address the grave allegations of gross human rights abuses that had become the hallmark of the Buhari regime.

Falana noted that contrary to the diversionary ploy of the presidential spokespersons to cover up the desecration of the Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday, the State Security Service had apologised to Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu and the Chief Judge of the court for the armed invasion of the temple of justice.

He said, “While commending PUNCH for imposing the symbolic sanctions on the Buhari regime, it is pertinent to remind Mr Garba Shehu that he was arrested and detained by the State Security Service in 2006 during the Obasanjo/Atiku face-off. It was the human rights community that fought for his release from the illegal custody.

“In the case of the IGP vs ANPP (2008) 12 WRN 65, we also won the Nigerian people the right to protest for or against the government without police permit. In exercise of the right of freedom of expression won through the court, Major General Buhari and other APC leaders convened rallies to protest election malpractices and insecurity in the country. But as far as the Buhari regime is concerned, any Nigerian citizen, who participates in a peaceful rally, is liable to be charged with treasonable felony or terrorism.

“Mr Garba Shehu alluded to the illegal closure of the PUNCH newspaper by the Babangida junta. It is embarrassing that the senior journalist is not aware that the closure was declared illegal, while the sum of N22m was awarded in favour of the newspaper by the Federal High Court. The said judgment has since been affirmed by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The era of military dictatorship in Nigeria has passed. The current era of civilian dictatorship will pass too.

“In recognition of the undeniable fact that he once ruled the country with iron hands, Buhari had assured Nigerians that he had become a ‘converted democrat.’ But since the civilian administration headed by him has become ruthlessly authoritarian, PUNCH is perfectly in order in addressing him as a major general heading a regime which has contempt for the rule of law and human rights.”

PUNCH has committed no offence – Adegboruwa

A human rights lawyer, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, said PUNCH committed no offence punishable under any law by its choice to refer to the President as a major general.

Adegboruwa said, “The organisation has had that track record of always standing up to illegality, impunity and lawlessness and today, Nigerians have been celebrating the courage of PUNCH newspapers and I am calling on other well-meaning Nigerians, especially Prof. Wole Soyinka, to stand up and be counted on the part of the people at this moment.

“It is illegal to refer to Muhammadu Buhari as President Muhammadu Buhari; his name is Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). That is the expectation of the Armed Forces Act. When he contested elections in this country, there was no President affixed to his name. It was his rank of major general that he used in contesting elections. It was when he won in 2015 elections that he sought to change his nomenclature, which was illegal.”

Editorial calls for sober reflection by Buhari regime – Ogunye

Another lawyer, Mr Jiti Ogunye, argued that neither the executive nor the judiciary could punish anyone for an offence that was not expressly criminalised by any law in the country.

Ogunye, said “I’ve read PUNCH’s editorial and the editorial raises a lot of concerns about the rule of law, respect for the fundamental rights of citizens and the present and future of the Nigerian state at this time. I want to say that for an administration that is introspective and reflective, that editorial does not call for an immediate knee-jerk rebuttal or response; that editorial, because of its import and significance, calls for a serious sober reflection.”

He also commented on Shehu’s assertion that PUNCH “does not have the liberty or right to style the President a major general and the administration, a regime.”

Ogunye stated, “As of today in Nigeria, there is no law prohibiting referring to the President as a general, if a newspaper, for good reasons, believes that is what it wants to use.”

Shehu has right to defend his boss – Raji

Ahmed Raji, SAN, described the PUNCH’s editorial as a subtle way of telling Buhari that the regime was not observing the rule of law. But he quickly added that Shehu had the right to defend his boss.

He also said, “If he has retired, and living in quiet retirement, he can be referred to as ‘Major-General (retired)’ However, since he is the President for now, I believe we should address him as President.”

Raji, who is the lawyer to the detained ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, added, “The point being made by PUNCH, if I understand PUNCH very well, is a subtle way of telling him that the government is not observing the rule of law.

“Describing him as major general is a figure of speech and that he is behaving in a manner not in line with democracy. This is what PUNCH is saying. That is PUNCH’s perspective.

“Some other people may feel, for the people to make progress we need strong institutions, we need iron hands. Garba Shehu has a duty and absolutely a right to rise up to defend his boss and we cannot begrudge him for that. As to whether PUNCH is justified, that is a matter for debate.”

Appealing for Dasuki’s release, Raji said, “My own appeal is that without calling the President a major general he should please release Col. Dasuki.”

PUNCH disrespectful – Sagay

In an interview with one of our correspondents, Sagay said the editorial showed a lack of respect for the Presidency and the President whom he described as the face of the country.

Responding to our correspondent’s request of his view about the editorial, he said, “It is a pity that you are from PUNCH. I think what PUNCH did today was disgraceful and disrespectful. They didn’t have etiquette. “

PUNCH’s editorial unconstitutional – Izinyon

Dr Alex Izinyon, a prominent lawyer, said PUNCH’s new editorial policy was unconstitutional.

He said despite Buhari’s anti-democratic acts complained about by PUNCH, he remained the President, adding that the newspaper ought to have stopped at reeling out the complaints.

He said, “It is not right to say he should be called a major general. PUNCH cannot sidetrack the constitution to call the President a major general. Despite the acts complained about (by PUNCH), he remains the President.

“It is unconstitutional to refer to him as a major general because he is no longer wearing the khaki, he is now an agbada man. So, by the democratic principle of the Constitution, the Constitution says, ‘there shall be the President’, it did not say there shall be a major general.

“Calling him a major general is not the best approach. That will be contrary to the constitution. As one of the leading newspapers in the country, yes, the newspaper has made a point, but it should stop at that and let us see what happens after the issues that were raised.”

Abubakar Sani defends PUNCH

But another Abuja-based lawyer, Abubakar Sani, defended PUNCH’s decision to describe Buhari by his last military rank.

He said it was backed by the Armed Forces Act and other military conventions. He said, “Once a General is always a General even when you are no longer in active service.”

A United States-based professor, Farooq Kperogi, in a post on his facebook, commended PUNCH.

He stated, “Punch newspapers’ decision to prefix ‘Major General’ to Muhammadu Buhari’s name and to call the government, he’s the inept, unaware figurehead of, a ‘regime,’ is praiseworthy.”

Also, a civil society organisation, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, commended the boldness of PUNCH’s editorial.

It called on Nigerians to stop addressing any governors identified as “agent of state terrorism and repression as his excellency.”

The civil rights organisation stated this in a statement issued Wednesday by its principal officers, Emeka Umeagbalasi and Chinwendu Umecher.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576138149/buhari-title-law-states-how-president-should

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An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, remanded four suspects in an Ilorin Correctional Centre for allegedly buying and selling human parts in the metropolis.

The defendants, Babatunde, Rasheed, Hassan, and Ayo, appeared in court on two counts of unlawful possession of human parts.

Magistrate Monisola Kamson ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Oke-kura Correctional Facility, Ilorin and adjourned the case till December 31 for further mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Ayeni Gbenga, had informed the court that the defendants were arrested on December 2 following a tip-off by the residents of Akerebiata area of Ilorin.

Gbenga said when the defendants’ house at Akerebiata was searched, some bones and flesh, suspected to be human parts, were recovered from their possession.

He said during the investigation, the first defendant, Babatunde, confessed that seven human skulls were brought and sold to the second defendant, Rasheed for N15, 000 each.

The prosecutor added that the third defendant, Hassan, also confessed that his duty was to help Rasheed in delivering human skulls to Kawu.

The prosecutor said the alleged offences contravened Sections 7 and 2 and punishable under Section 12 of the Kwara State Prohibition Law.

He, therefore, urged the court to remand the defendants pending the completion of all necessary investigations into the matter.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that all the defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576137697/court-remand-for-buying-selling-human-parts

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Former Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said on Tuesday said he surpassed other past governors in the state in terms of infrastructural development and service delivery during his eight years in office.

The former governor, who made the declaration during a live radio programme in Ibadan, said his administration would remain unbeatable for many years in the history of the state.

Ajimobi, who will clock 70 on December 16, recalled that while in office, he made unprecedented achievements in areas of road construction, education, health delivery, peace and security.

He said, “Our administration’s strides were great. We made remarkable achievements in all ramifications in eight years.

“The present administration promised to do many things, so we will be watching what they will do. However, we can only hope they do well as we are all concerned about the development of the state.”

According to him, the sustainable peace and security being enjoyed by residents of the state are the resultant effects of his administration’s initiatives.

“I make bold to say that if peace is the only achievement people will remember this administration for, I am happy for it,” he said.

In a reaction, however, the state Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Akeem Olatunji, described Ajimobi’s claim as empty boasts, saying, “his true personality is not about what he says about himself but about what the people of Oyo State say about him.

“Can Ajimobi walk the streets freely in Oyo State today to demonstrate his popularity? The answer is no. This is a former governor who enforced caretaker committee chairmen on local government councils in Oyo State for seven years in his eight years in government.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576050767/former-governor-ajimobi-oyo-governors-surpass-his

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A teenager, Pelumi Alabi, on Monday appeared before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo for breaking into the house of a man, while he was away in church.

The 18-year old Pelumi, who appeared before Magistrate Risikat Olayemi on two counts of house breaking and stealing, in his confessional statement tendered as exhibit in court, said he started stealing at the age of nine.

The police prosecutor, Abiodun Fagboyinbo, said the defendant broke into the house of one Demilade Obiyemi at No. 25 Dada Estate, Osogbo, on Sunday, December 8, 2019, around 12.22pm.

The defendant, after gaining entry into the house, allegedly stole items like yoghurt, fruit juice and powdered milk.

Other items are tins of sardine, cocoa beverage, a bottle of groundnut, two sachets of sugar, a bottle of perfume, 15 pieces of noodles and earpiece. The total sum of the stolen items was put at N10,000.

The prosecutor explained that the defendant had carefully studied the schedule of the complainant and broke into his residence while he was attending Sunday service, adding that Pelumi and Obiyemi attend the same church.

Asked to read the statement he wrote at the police station, Pelumi said, “Around 12.22pm when I was coming from the church, I branched at Mr Demilade Obiyemi’s house, because I knew he would be in church at that time.

“So, I broke into the house through the ceiling with a mopping stick and I stole the stated items and N5,700. I have been stealing from my mummy’s purse since I was nine years old.”

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

The counsel for the defendant, Olusegun Fagbewesa, applied for his bail and prayed the court to consider Pelumi’s age. He also pleaded for probation in place of sentence.

In her ruling, the magistrate committed the defendant to bail with some conditions.

Olayemi said by admitting that he committed the offence and considering the prayer of the counsel, the defendant should provide two sureties in the sum of N5,000 and must appear in court with his sureties once in three months for one calendar year.

She said if the defendant could meet all the conditions, he would be finally discharged by December 2020.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575965127/pelumi-tells-court-started-stealing-the-age

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday alleged that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, chose to present and spread concocted ‘alternative facts’ and lies on the resumed trial of the convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore.

APC National Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement yesterday, said the APC would not be drawn into arguments over the powers of the Department of State Services to arrest and re-arrest Sowore over his actions and utterances.

Issa-Onilu, said the constitutional mandate of the DSS already addressed the matter, said whether Sowore flouted any of his bail conditions or staged the incident in court was another matter which the court and prosecuting agency should address.

He said Atiku particularly accused the DSS of attacking the presiding judge.

Issa-Onilu added that documentary evidence such as videos and pictures had shown that the tales were a “complete ruse” until anyone was able to present contrary evidence.

He said the APC rejectedthe “inciting messages and criminal antics” of some individuals and partisans who had embarked on a campaign of calumny against the administration and calling for a “forceful takeover” of government, describing them as “cowards and enemies of Nigeria.”

He called on Nigerians to look at the issue of Sowore’s arrest and subsequent trial “dispassionately and devoid of the skewed narratives and sentiments” being propagated by the likes of Atiku and the PDP.

“Our laws are clear on treason and Nigerians would expect decisive actions from our law enforcement agencies and government. Any attempt to truncate our democracy and threaten our collective peace and safety must and will be resisted using the full weight and instrumentalities of the law,” he said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575885807/sowore-pdp-atiku-spreading-lies-the-resumed

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday alleged that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, chose to present and spread concocted ‘alternative facts’ and lies on the resumed trial of the convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore.

APC National Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement yesterday, said the APC would not be drawn into arguments over the powers of the Department of State Services to arrest and re-arrest Sowore over his actions and utterances.

Issa-Onilu, said the constitutional mandate of the DSS already addressed the matter, said whether Sowore flouted any of his bail conditions or staged the incident in court was another matter which the court and prosecuting agency should address.

He said Atiku particularly accused the DSS of attacking the presiding judge.

Issa-Onilu added that documentary evidence such as videos and pictures had shown that the tales were a “complete ruse” until anyone was able to present contrary evidence.

He said the APC rejectedthe “inciting messages and criminal antics” of some individuals and partisans who had embarked on a campaign of calumny against the administration and calling for a “forceful takeover” of government, describing them as “cowards and enemies of Nigeria.”

He called on Nigerians to look at the issue of Sowore’s arrest and subsequent trial “dispassionately and devoid of the skewed narratives and sentiments” being propagated by the likes of Atiku and the PDP.

“Our laws are clear on treason and Nigerians would expect decisive actions from our law enforcement agencies and government. Any attempt to truncate our democracy and threaten our collective peace and safety must and will be resisted using the full weight and instrumentalities of the law,” he said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575885807/sowore-pdp-atiku-spreading-lies-the-resumed

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Operatives of Iba Police Station have arrested a 19-year-old man, Ifeanyichukwu, for allegedly setting his 24-year-old girlfriend, Tolani, ablaze because he suspected that she had another lover.

DSP Bala Elkana, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, said this in a statement released to newsmen on Sunday.

Elkana said the incident took place in Ojo, Lagos, where they both lived in Ifeanyichukwu’s N600,000 per annum apartment.


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Operatives of Iba Police Station have arrested a 19-year-old man, Ifeanyichukwu, for allegedly setting his 24-year-old girlfriend, Tolani, ablaze because he suspected that she had another lover.
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DSP Bala Elkana, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, said this in a statement released to newsmen on Sunday.

Elkana said the incident took place in Ojo, Lagos, where they both lived in Ifeanyichukwu’s N600,000 per annum apartment.


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“Ifeanyichukwu met the victim on February 28 through a hookup and she moved into his house in March.

“He has been into internet fraud popularly known as ‘Yahoo boys’ for the past three years where he gets the proceeds for renting the apartment.

“They have, since then, co-habit as lovers because her parents live apart,” the Police spokesman said.

He said that Ifeanyichukwu brought Tolani into his house with conditions that she would quit prostitution and stick to him alone.

“However, trouble started on Thursday when the victim left home to fix her hair and did not return until the next day.

“She also left the house on Friday under the guise of visiting her father, but ended up seeing another man.

“Ifeanyichukwu got to know on Saturday when she returned by scrolling through her phone and saw her chats, video calls and nude pictures of herself which she sent to her client,” Elkana said.

He said that the suspect (Ifeanyichukwu) became angry and used the petrol he kept for his generator to set her ablaze.

“A team of detectives visited the scene and the victim has been taken to General Hospital, Igando, where she was admitted. She, however, died in the early hours of Sunday.

“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has directed the immediate transfer of the case to Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

“The suspect confessed to the commission of the crime and will be charged to court for murder,” Elkana said

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575879375/year-old-yahoo-boy-sets-year-old

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President Muhammadu Buhari and the state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress have begun a meeting in Abuja.

The National Chairman of the party, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, is also attending the meeting.

Oshiomhole arrived at the Presidential Villa about 11.30am, looking excited as he responded to greetings from Department of State Services operatives by the entrance to the Council Chambers

The meeting with the chairmen came less than 24 hours after Buhari and APC governors also met at the Villa on Thursday.

The meetings are believed to be efforts geared toward resolving the crisis in the ruling party.

In Oshiomhole’s home state, Edo, a dispute is raging between the national chairman and Governor Godwin Obaseki, resulting in two factions of the APC in the state.

Already, the chairman of the faction of the party loyal to Oshiomhole, Mr David Imuse, already arrived for the meeting.

However, the chairman of the factional loyal to Obaseki, Mr Anselem Ojezuz, was not sighted at the meeting before it went into closed-doors.

The meeting started at 12pm.

Besides, there appears a crack among National Working Committee members of the party, party leaders and governors on whether Oshiomhole should remain as the chairman or step aside.

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The police in Katsina State have arrested a 38-year-old woman, Aisha Abubakar, for allegedly killing her stepdaughter with a poisonous substance.

Abubakar, who resides in the Sabuwar Unguwar Quarter, Rimi Local Government Area of the state, allegedly laced the food she gave the four-year-old victim, who was the daughter of her husband’s late wife.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.

He said the suspect was arrested on November28, 2019.

Isah stated, “On November 28, 2019, the command arrested one Aisha Abubakar, 38, of the Sabuwar Unguwar Quarter, Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State, who killed her stepdaughter, aged four years, who was kept under her care, by giving her poisoned food. The victim was rushed to hospital and later confirmed dead by the attending physician.

“In the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime. Her motive has been a long-standing hatred she had for the mother of the victim. Investigation is ongoing.”

In another development, a 22-year-old graduate of Chemistry and Biology from the Federal College of Education, Gusau, Zamfara State, Ibrahim Kasim, has been arrested by police detectives from the Katsina State command for masterminding the kidnap of his six-year-old stepsister.

Isah confirmed that Kasim was arrested on November 28, 2019.

It was gathered that Kasim and other members of his gang kidnapped the victim from the family house along Sokoto Road, Makera in the Funtua Local Government Area, and took her to Talata Marafa in Zamfara State on April 16, 2019.

The police spokesman said, “A SARS patrol team led by SP Andrew Alphouse arrested the mastermind. In the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to have conspired with his girlfriend, one Murja of Zamfara State.

“He further stated that he was the one who organised the kidnap, including giving out the phone number of his father to his cohorts, who demanded the sum of N10m. The command is making efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate. Investigation is also ongoing.”

Kasim told newsmen in an interview at the police headquarters that he only collected N2,000 out of the N200,000 part payment made from the N10m ransom demanded from his father.

He stated, “It was my girlfriend, who sold the idea of the kidnap to me. I am a graduate of Chemistry and Biology from the Federal College of Education in Zamfara and my father is a pharmacist. I am working under my father. I was not in my right senses when we were arranging the kidnap and I am regretting my action now.

“The only money I got from the deal was N2,000 and it was even given to me by one of my friends, who went to collect the N200,000 paid by my father out of the N10m ransom we demanded.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575452676/police-arrest-woman-kill-stepdaughter-with-poisonous

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An officer with the Los Angeles Police Department is under investigation after his body camera allegedly caught him handling a deceased woman’s breasts.


Police authorities said the officer has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the probe.

A police spokesman confirmed the probe to AFP on Wednesday but would not discuss details of the case.

“We are aware of it and an administrative investigation has begun,” Lieutenant Chris Ramirez said.

“We cannot discuss the case because it’s a personnel matter and because of litigation issues.”

An official familiar with the case who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity said the incident unfolded after the officer and his partner responded to a call about a woman who was possibly dead in a residential unit.

Once the pair determined the woman was deceased, one of the officers left the room, the official said.

“The one who is accused went back in to where the deceased woman was and allegedly fondled her breasts,” he added.

Although the officer had turned his body camera off, a two-minute buffer on the device captured the incident.

The official said the footage was uncovered during a random inspection and reaction among the force has been “utter disgust.”

“This has no place in law enforcement or anywhere,” he said. “There needs to be and there always has been a reverence of respect for folks who have died, and from the rank and file all the way up to the chief, it’s just total disgust at this.”

In a statement, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents officers, said the allegations are “extremely disturbing.”

“If this allegation is true, then the behavior exhibited by this officer is not only wrong, but extremely disturbing, and does not align with the values we, as police officers, hold dear and these values include respect and reverence for the deceased,” the statement said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575536799/policeman-under-investigation-for-handling-dead-woman

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The Ondo State Police Command, on Wednesday, said the policeman who killed a truck driver on Monday in Uso town, Owo Local Government Area of the state, had yet to be arrested as he fled immediately after committing the crime.

The killer cop, identified as Sergeant Idowu Omosuyi, attached to the Federal Highway Patrol, allegedly shot the truck driver, Ado Saleh, at a checkpoint on the Akure-Owo Expressway in Uso following an argument between both of them.

The driver was said to have died on the spot.

The incident sparked a protest by other truck drivers and residents of the town, who barricaded the road for several hours. The angry drivers called on the command to fish out the perpetrator for prosecution.

Speaking with our correspondent on the development on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Femi Joseph, said men of the command were already on the trail of the fleeing killer cop.

He added that five other members of the police team at the checkpoint were already in detention, while investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Joseph said, “We have yet to arrest him (Omosuyi) but the other members of the team have been arrested and are currently in detention. It was during our preliminary investigation that the members of the team told us that immediately after the incident, Omosuyi dropped his gun and ran away.

“But we are after him; he cannot escape and we will soon declare him wanted if he does not report himself to the command. The command has begun the trial of the other members of the team and we are in the process of declaring Omosuyi wanted if he fails to show up.”

A police source said the command had taken the deceased to Adamawa State, where he was buried.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association, Owo branch, which condemned the action of the policeman, has called on the command to ensure the prosecution of the trigger-happy cop.

In a statement issued by the Chairman of the association, Mr Tajudeen Ahmed, the NBA condemned the unprofessional attitude of policemen on the roads.

The statement read in part, “The NBA, Owo branch, noted with delight the resolve of the Ondo State Police Command to ensure that the culprit of the Uso police murder is made to face the full wrath of the law.

“The branch hereby expresses her willingness and readiness to assist in the due and diligent prosecution of the culprit on a pro bono publico basis.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575534594/police-kill-truck-driver-escapes-after-committing

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The Buhari Media Organisation has faulted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s claim that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration took more loans in the last three years than the preceding 30 year


The group said the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections was a mixture of outright lies and conjectures.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the group said Atiku had a penchant for twisting facts for political expediency.
It cautioned the former Vice-President to always check his facts and figures before going public.

This, the group said, was the least expected from a man of his status.

The BMO accused Atiku of hiding under the banner of Prof. Anya O. Anya of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group to add credibility to a false narrative on the country’s debt profile.

It said, “We are alarmed that a personality of the calibre of a former Vice-President would go to the extent of playing up unverified information at a forum like that of a university, even if he owns the institution.

“We recognise that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is still bitter about the 2019 presidential election that he lost fair and square but he doesn’t have to lie about something as serious as the country’s debt stock.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo once made it clear that the Buhari administration inherited a debt of $63bn from the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“He also said the same thing at a function at the University of Ibadan where he added that the debt rose to $73b in 2018 with a meagre $10b under Buhari’s watch.

“The breakdown presented by Prof. Osinbajo showed that Nigeria’s debt stood at $35bn in 2010, $41bn in 2011, $48bn in 2012, $64bn in 2013 and $67.7bn in 2014 but as at handover, it was $63.8bn.

“Fact-checkers have also cross-checked the position of Vice-President Osinbajo on the debt profile, using data from the Debt Management Office and found it to be correct.

“We invite Nigerians to note that President Buhari was not in power when the country’s debt climbed to that level. So, what is the basis for a man that aspired to rule Nigeria presenting fake news to an academic audience?”

The group urged Nigerians to ignore attempts by a defeated presidential candidate to continue to play politics long after the election had been lost and won.

“It is our view that Atiku doesn’t understand when to drop the garb of politics and dorn that of a statesman,” the BMO said.

The group also decried the former Vice-President’s attempt to downgrade the administration’s strides in the education sector.

It said, “Is it not sheer hypocrisy for the PDP presidential candidate to attack President Buhari on education?

“While we know that there is still work to be done in the educational sector, we make bold to say that Atiku was in government when Nigeria witnessed the most disruptions in its tertiary education system.”

“Was he not the Vice-President when the Academic Staff Union of Universities had one of its worst strikes with academic activities crippled for years?”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575443291/buhari-assume-63bn-debts-bmo-tells-atiku

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An inmate at the Ikoyi Medium Security Custodial Centre, Lagos (Ikoyi prison), has blamed the death of five inmates in a cell on the carelessness of the prison authorities.

The inmate, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity, said prison officers did not tell the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, the whole truth about the incident when he visited the facility on Monday.

He explained that it was not the first time there would be an electrical fault at the centre, adding that three weeks earlier, an inmate had suffered a shock.

Five inmates were electrocuted on Monday after what was described as a power surge.

The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ja’afaru Ahmed, had said investigation was ongoing into the incident.

But the inmate, who spoke to our correspondent on Tuesday, said there had been an electric shock before Monday’s incident.

He noted that the failure of the warders to properly address the problem led to Monday’s tragedy.

The inmate stated, “It happened three weeks ago and somebody was seriously injured. They thought they had addressed the problem.

“Then, on Monday, around past 7am, the problem recurred. It was from the place where they usually plug a fan in the cell.

“A total of 10 inmates were affected. Five inmates died on the spot; one is still talking, but the remaining four are in critical conditions in hospital.”

The cell, meant for 35 inmates, was said to be occupied by 140 inmates.

While lamenting overcrowding in the facility, the source said the Ikoyi correctional centre had become a business venture for some of the officers.

He added, “They are using us to make money. The officers all have investments in that centre. I paid N30,000 for the bed I sleep on and I even share it with another person.

“We are all awaiting trial inmates. When Aregbesola came, they did not allow us to talk. They lied to him and gave him a false impression of the prison.”

The inmate also faulted the judicial process of Lagos State, saying bail conditions had become stringent.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575446983/how-five-ikoyi-prisoners-were-electoshock-source

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Some truck drivers, on Monday, barricaded the Akure-Owo Expressway at Uso in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, to protest the alleged killing of one of them by a policeman at a checkpoint in the town.

It was gathered that the protest halted vehicular movement on the road for several hours.

The deceased, whose identity had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, was said to be heading for the northern part of the country when the tragedy struck.


He was said to have engaged in a hot argument with a policeman who allegedly demanded a N50 (fifty naira) bribe from him.

A source said, “The policeman stopped the truck driver at the checkpoint and they engaged in an argument over a bribe of N50.

“The driver refused to offer the policeman the bribe and suddenly, the policeman shot the man in the head and he fell down and died.

“This infuriated the other truck drivers and they barricaded the road in protest.”

Another source stated that efforts made by a team of policemen, who were deployed in the scene, could not end the protest as the drivers insisted that the killer policeman must be dealt with.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident, described it as “sad and unfortunate.”

He gave an assurance that the culprit would be brought to justice.

He stated that the state Deputy Commissioner of Police had visited the scene of the incident and appealed for calm, adding that justice would be served in the matter as the command had set up a panel of enquiry on the incident.

“We will ensure that the culprit is brought to justice. We have visited the scene of the incident and I can assure you that it will not be swept under the carpet,” Joseph stated.

He urged the protesters to remain calm and await the outcome of the panel of enquiry set up to probe the incident.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575359470/policeman-allegedly-kill-driver-over-n50-bribe

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The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has vowed that harsh punishment awaits anyone who attacks men of the state’s law enforcement agencies in the line of duty.

He expressed displeasure with the killing of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Ganiyu Oyeshina, who was attacked by two trailer drivers in the Sifax-Iganmu area of Apapa.

The 34-year-old Osun State indigene died on Saturday from injuries he sustained during the attack.

The governor, while describing the attack as “mindless and callous,” said it was a wake-up call to all Lagosians.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Monday during his condolence visit to the family of the deceased in company with members of the State Executive Council.

While commiserating with the family, he said government would not sit and watch motorists or anyone wilfully break the laws or inflict injuries on state officials.

The governor said, “In the last 48 hours, we have had heavy brutality on men of LASTMA who were doing their work. We have had people whose legs were amputated in the last 48 hours while on the assignment that was given to them to bring about enforcement of our laws and order.

“I think this is the level at which we need to make this very stern warning that we will not stop at ensuring that we implement and enforce our laws, not minding which force is involved.

“We cannot be condoning reckless killing and sending our young men to early grave. This government certainly will not stand for that.”

READ ALSO: Five awaiting trial inmates electrocuted in Ikoyi prison

The governor vowed that Oyeshina’s killers would face the law.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575358909/sanwo-olu-promise-sue-killers-lastma-officer

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Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has asked the Federal Government to comply with court orders in Nigeria, just as it has complied with orders of the court in Britain.

In a letter addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), dated December 1, Falana wondered why the FG would easily and readily obey British court orders but flagrantly and consistently disobey its own court orders.

He cited the court case between the FG and a British firm, Process and Industrial Development (P&ID), where he alleged that the Federal Government was celebrating what he described as variation of the court orders to deposit $200 million.

He reminded the AGF how the leave granted the FG to appeal against the judgment of the British Commercial Court in London after posting a bank guarantee of $200 million awarded in favour of P&ID was celebrated by his office.

According to Falana, the AGF was quoted to have said: “Our application for variation of the order was allowed and we are, as a result, not making cash deposit but posting a bank guarantee. We remain in control of our funds by the act of acceptance of the guarantee. The advantage of the variation in the judgment from direct deposit of cash to posting of bank guarantee is that the money and its control resides in the Federal Government as against if it were otherwise”

He, however, maintained that the FG had earlier paid the costs of £250,000.00 awarded in favour of P&lD by the same British Commercial Court, even when it was not satisfied with the judgement.

Falana, therefore, accused the FG of deceiving the international community by obeying the British court orders just to paint a picture of a country that respects the Rule of Law, whereas in reality, it has consistently disobeyed several court orders in Nigeria.

“For instance, the Department of State Service (DSS) has continued to detain our clients, Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare, in defiance of the order of the Federal High Court which has admitted them to bail pending trial,” he stated.

Falana wondered why the DSS has insisted on approving the sureties of his clients after they have been verified by a Federal High Court; a development he described as novel and strange.

“From the information at our disposal, there is no precedent whatsoever for the illegal demand. Instead of purging the security agency of such contempt of the Federal High Court, the prosecutor, Dr. Hassan Liman (SAN), whom you engaged to prosecute our clients, has curiously applied to the trial court to have them transferred to a correctional centre and detained indefinitely for having the temerity to question the illegal directive to produce their sureties,” he added.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575290057/femi-falana-tasks-comply-with-court-order

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The acting General Officer Commanding, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig Gen Abdul Khalifa, has said the military will soon force Boko Haram fighters to surrender.


He said the Super Camps strategy introduced by the military would ensure that the North-East was free of Boko Haram.

He spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri while on an operational tour of army units within his division.


He said the Super Camps strategy introduced by the military would ensure that the North-East was free of Boko Haram.

He spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri while on an operational tour of army units within his division.

http://www.nairapark.com/news/1567081298/force-boko-haram-surrender-says-military

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The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Kebbi state, have arrested three suspected fraudsters who specialized in defrauding public along Kangiwa – Niger Republic border in Kangiwa Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects are: Aliyu Abbas, Babangida Shuaibu and Khalil Adamu, all between 40 to 45 years of age. Both Abbas and Shuaibu are from Funtuwa Local Government Area, in Katsina State while Adamu is from Adamawa State but a resident in Funtuwa LGA.

While addressing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on the suspects arrested, Public Relations Officer of the corps, DSP, Bamaiyi Ribah, explained that the suspects were apprehended after they swindle innocent victims in Amogoro market in Kangiwa LGA on Nov. 28,2019 of the sum of N300,000.

“Virtually, there was an incident that happened in a market called Amogoro, in Kangiwa LGA, where three suspected fraudsters who specialized in defrauding public along Kangiwa to Niger Republic border.

“The suspects where nabbed after a message had been sent across agencies that one Abubakar Dan- Rabi, from Bunza Local Government Area of the state had been defrauded by a syndicate of fraudsters .

“The luck run out of them and they were apprehended by the Anti- Vandal Scout heads by DC Sani Anaruwa, of the NSCDC after they carted away with over N300,000 plus from victim,” he said.

According to him, “the suspects were identified by the scout in a car based on the information they had received from the anti -vandal head.”

Ribah said that the suspects would be taken to court with charges of fraudulent activities and dealings in fake currency.

While responding to questions on behalf of other suspects, Shuaibu, attributed their action to the work of the devil.

“We believe in good and bad destiny, and we consider this incident as a bad destiny upon us and work of the devil,” he said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575120248/kebbi-nscdc-araign-three-fraudsters-niger-republic

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The Court of Appeal, Jos Division, on Friday, dismissed the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State and its Governorship candidate, former Governor Mohammed Abubakar, against Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party.


The PUNCH had reported that the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Bauchi had, on 7th October 2019, dismissed the petition of the APC and its candidate in the election and affirmed the victory of Sen. Bala Mohammed as the duly elected Governor of Bauchi State.

Dissatisfied with the tribunal’s judgement, the APC approached the higher court asking it to set aside the lower Court’s judgment and declare its candidate, Abubakar as the duly elected Governor.

Delivering judgement on Friday, the 5 man panel dismissed all the four grounds of the appeal filed by the APC and its defeated candidate in the election.

Reading the judgement, Justice O. A Otisi held that all the grounds of appeal filed before the court by the appellants lacked merit and thereby dismissed them.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the judgement, Counsel for the Bauchi State Governor, Chris Uche, hailed the judgement saying it was a victory for democracy. He also described it as a reconfirmation and ratification of Bala Mohammed’s victory.

He said, “This is a very well-considered and good judgement and we are happy that this is further confirmation and ratification of the electoral victory of Gov. Bala Mohammed.

“This is the second time the court has affirmed him and as you can see, the appellants had no place because their appeal lacked merit, just as the court found it and that was why he said they never tried proving any of their allegations.”

Uche who taunted the APC and its Governorship candidate said “their case suffered from acute evidential deficiency both in quality and quantity.”

Asked if the APC and former Governor Abubakar decides to go to the Supreme Court, he said that “it is still the same case that is suffering from this deficiency that they are taking there. It is not a new case and what has befallen the case is what will follow it.”

Immediately after the judgement, there was wild jubilation by supporters of the governor and the PDP which caused serious traffic gridlock on the Yakubu Gowon Highway in the city center.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575033890/appeal-court-ban-apc-appeal-file-against
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President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, yesterday, said the upper legislative chamber would not recognise the interim management team of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The controversial management team was constituted by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

The team replaced an acting management board of the Commission.

Speaking, yesterday, while referring the budget of NDDC to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Lawan instructed the panel to only deal with the board screened and confirmed by the Red Chamber.

He told the Committee to turn in the report of the budget in two weeks, to enable the Senate pass it into law.

“This budget is hereby referred to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs. You’re to report back in two weeks. Let me state that only the Committee should only deal with board members confirmed by the Senate,” he said.

This is the first time Lawan is making such a daring move since he was elected as president of the Senate in June.

The move may also signal an end to the cordial relationship between the executive and the senate.

Three weeks ago, the Senate confirmed 15 out of the 16 nominees forwarded by President Buhari for confirmation as members of the board of NDDC.

Lawan had after the confirmation, said the inauguration of an interim committee by the Akpabio was alien to law setting up the Commission. He said with the confirmation of the board, the interim committee ceased to exist and warned that those who ought to protect the sanctity of the law should not deliberately flout them.

While reading a letter from President Buhari, presenting the 2020 budget of NDDC, on Tuesday, Lawan said the right thing to do was for the President to inaugurate the new board. He said if the President inaugurates the board, the right people would appear before the Senate and defend the 2020 budget of the Commission.

Lawan had said: “As far as we are concerned, this Senate knows that we have confirmed the request of Mr. President for the board membership of the NDDC and we have communicated that and the next logical thing to do by law is for the appointments of the members of the board to take immediate effect.

“I believe that the executive arm of government will attend to that quickly so that we have the right people to come and defend the appropriation request of Mr. President.”

Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, had while speaking on the development on Tuesday, said the Senate should not allow an illegal interim committee of the NDCC to defend the 2020 budget of the Commission. “We just heard from you (Senate President) the communication from Mr. President which relates to the presentation of the NDDC’s Budget for approval. Of course, what it will mean is that the budget will go to the relevant Committee of Appropriation and the NDDC Committee and some persons will come to defend the budget.

“Having regard to the fact that this Senate has confirmed members of the board of the NDDC and they are yet to resume office, Mr. President, I fear that we may run into a problem of delayed budget again since nobody will come to defend this budget.

“Because this august body having confirmed the board of NDDC, will not countenance any illegal contraption coming in front of us to say they are representing the NDDC. I know that this may be preemptive, but my people say that if we act quick we will prevent disaster from coming.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575020037/nddc-board-lawan-dares-buhari

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An Ebute Meta, Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos State on Wednesday remanded a 16-year-old who allegedly stabbed a fellow teenager to death during a cult clash.

The defendant allegedly committed the crime on October 21, at Ijanikin, Lagos.

The prosecutor, Insp. Chinalu Uwadione, said the suspect stabbed one 14-year-old Abdullahi Wasiu in the chest, killing him on the spot, during a cult clash between Oto Awori Secondary School and Government Secondary School Boys, both in Ijani jikin, Lagos.
The Prosecutor, ASP Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences at No. 4, William Compound Oke-Aro, Ogba in Aguda area of Lagos.

Emuerhi said the defendant beat up his wife and failed to provide for their two children, aged three years and seven months.

He said that wife beating contravened Section 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olufunke Sule-Amzat, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum.

Sule-Amzat urged the defendant to ensure adequate care of his wife and children.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1574946508/teenager-stabs-another-death-during-cult-clash

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A 51-year-old man, Sunday Ojo, has allegedly raped his 13-year-old stepdaughter at the White House, Effurun, in the Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was learnt that Ojo ran away from home after he allegedly beat his stepdaughter and drowned her in a bucket of water on October 16, 2019.

Southern City News gathered that the teenager became unconscious after been raped and had blood stains all over her body before her mother could come to her aid.
The girl was said to have been rushed to a general hospital in Warri, where she was given first aid treatment before she was referred to another medical facility in the area.

It was gathered that the teenager later regained consciousness after seven days.

Narrating the incident, the victim’s mother, Mrs Edirin Matthew, said, “l left the house that night because of a misunderstanding I had with my husband, Ojo.

“l left the house to avoid the violent man, who had at one point stabbed me on my left elbow. I returned the next morning, but I could not gain entry to the house until I called my brother and we broke the door.

“I observed that everywhere was silent and met my daughter naked and lifeless with blood all over her body as well as a wet bed and a bucket of water that was used by my husband to drown my daughter.

“It is true that the stepfather raped and drowned my daughter. I rushed my daughter to the General Hospital, Warri, but she was referred to the Lily Hospital.

“My little child of four years, who was also in the house, narrated how Ojo suffocated her stepsister after beating her up.

“Ojo has been on the run since the incident occurred. His brother was arrested, but the police released him. I got him arrested again because he was communicating with his brother on the telephone, but he has been released.”

The victim, who is in a relatively stable condition, has accumulated a bill of N1.8m in the hospital.

“Please, I want the public to help me financially so that I can take my child home. We are here because we can’t offset the bill,” Edirin pleaded.

A human rights activist, Israel Joh, who has been fighting against rape, cultism and other related crimes in the society, said, “We are calling on the DPO, Ekpan Division, to intensify efforts at arresting the perpetrator and through a court order, declare Sunday Ojo wanted.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1575032633/year-old-man-rape-year-old-stepdaughter

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The National Youth Service Corps has arrested a 200-level student who allegedly obtained a fake degree certificate and was undergoing the orientation exercise at the Zamfara State camp.

Our correspondent learnt that the NYSC last Friday apprehended the student, identified only as Rose, who was a 200-level Journalism undergraduate at a university in Benin Republic.

The NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, confirmed the arrest of the student to our correspondent.


He said the Benin Republic university wrote to the scheme when its officials discovered her on the social media, posting her photographs in the NYSC uniform in the Zamfara camp.

She was undergoing the Batch C Stream 1 orientation course before she was arrested.

The DG noted that the student had been brought to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and handed over to officials of the Department of State Services for further investigations.

Ibrahim warned that the NYSC would clamp down on fake graduates and certificates, adding that anyone arrested would be handed over for prosecution.

The DG said, “The clampdown on fake graduates and certificates is yielding more results. On Friday, one of the universities in Cotonou, Benin Republic saw their 200-level student in the NYSC uniform on the social media. She is supposed to be a 200-level of the university studying journalism.

“But she went and purchased a fake certificate from another Benin Republic university and now served in the camp in Zamfara. So, her classmates saw her on the social media and raised the alarm to the university, which then alerted and wrote me.

“The university said they recognised the efforts of the scheme in nabbing fake graduates and they were not a party to her fake certificate. So we got her arrested in Zamfara. She was brought to Abuja and we have arranged with the DSS to take her away.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1574925528/nysc-200-level-student-arrested-for-obtaining

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A middle-aged woman, Eki Ekhator, has been arrested by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly killing her husband by violently grabbing his scrotum and squeezing it till he died.

The incident, which happened at the Ukhiri community in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, shocked the residents as the man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

Eki was said to have regularly had misunderstandings with her husband anytime he returned home late by accusing him of having an affair with another woman.

[READ ALSO] N2bn fraud: ‘How Maina, son made huge withdrawals’

An eyewitness stated, “On this occasion, the deceased slapped his wife and the woman went for his trousers and held on to his scrotum in a violent manner.

“She held on to it even as the man was screaming for help before he later collapsed and was rushed to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead.”

The homicide department of the state police command said the incident was being investigated.

According to a police source, the suspect has confessed to the crime and blamed it on the devil.

The police spokesman in the state, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, could not be reached for comments.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1574928685/wife-kills-husband-squeezing-his-manhood

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Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South senatorial district on Tuesday clarified his reasons for supporting the Internet Falsehood and Manipulations Bill on the floor of the senate.

Moro who said he is not against the use of social media in Nigeria explained that during his contribution, he affirmed that the Internet Falsehoods and Manipulations Bill was one with a good intention and would protect the society.

In a statement by his Media Aide, Godwin Ameh, the Senator lamented that his remark was twisted, stressing that there was nothing like the “Anti-social Media Bill”.


The statement reads: “Recently, the new and conventional media spaces were flooded with mixed reactions following the introduction of the Internet Falsehoods and Manipulations Bill at the Senate by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, from Niger State.

“Sadly, the bill has been re-captioned and misinterpreted as “Anti-social Media Bill” by some persons who have not been privileged to read through the aims and objectives of the Bill.

“Also, the contribution of Comrade Senator Abba Moro on the floor of the Senate when this Bill was introduced on Tuesday has been twisted and quoted out of context on social media by some persons, thereby generating diverse reactions and concerns from many people, especially his constituents in Benue South.

“To set the record straight, there is no Bill currently before the Red Chamber tagged ‘Anti-social Media Bill’ as being widely reported in the media. This is a clear case of giving the dog a bad name just to hang it.

“For the avoidance of doubt and misrepresentation of facts, the aims, and objectives of the newly-introduced Bill include;

“(a) to prevent the transmission of false statement/declaration of facts in Nigeria and to enable measures to be taken to counter the effects of such transmission.

“(b)to suppress the financing, promotion and other support of online locations that repeatedly transmit false statements/declaration in Nigeria.

“(c) to enable measures to be taken to detect, control and safeguard against coordinated inauthentic behaviour and other misuses of online accounts and bots;

“There is nowhere in the bill that says social media should be muzzled or caged.

“One way or the other, we have been victims of the spread of falsehood and the manipulation of the internet has caused a lot of havoc to some of us.

” I believe it is intended to protect society against unscrupulous elements within the society.

“In this jet age, if we allow an unbridled manipulation of the internet and the spread of falsehood, society will be at the mercy of these elements.

” If we leave this to continue the way it is spreading, to take root in Nigeria, at a certain point, we may find it difficult to come to terms with the damage that it will do to society.” The above were the submissions of the Comrade Senator during the plenary.

“Distinguished Senator Abba Moro will never be part of any Bill that will gag the press or strip Nigerians of their constitutional right of

Freedom of Speech and Expression, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

“As a man who has always stood by the masses and very media friendly, Senator Moro will never, by act of commission or omission, support any action or Bill that’s aimed at muzzling the Press or silencing Nigerians; he will only continue to be a loud voice for the voiceless and defend the rights of Nigerians. He’s an active user of social media, hence, the reason he appointed an aide on social media.

“However, Comrade Senator Moro, being a patriotic Nigerian, will join other well-meaning Nigerians across party, religious and tribal

lines, to support any effort by individual, group or government that is aimed at sanitizing the cyberspace and curbing speeches or publications that are fake, unfounded, injurious, hate-filled and inflammatory, to willfully, intentionally and deliberately inflict pains on, cause embarrassment, harass or blackmail the target(s), or capable of inciting a person or persons against individuals or groups, to cause hatred or enmity among Nigerians, or divide the country along tribal and religious lines.

“He believes all Nigerians must work towards a peaceful, united and prosperous nation; a society that’s free of hate, malicious falsehood,

cyber fraud, willful blackmail, character assassination and cyberbullying.

“The task of protecting and jealously guarding the country against divisive, malicious and mischievous elements is a task that must be done collectively.

“Senator Moro would like to remind all Nigerians that no human right is absolute, noting one man’s right stops where another man’s begins.

“Comrade Senator Abba Moro believes the Social Media has an important role to play in building a healthy and prosperous Nigeria.”

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One Labake Olowookere has allegedly stabbed her lover, Seun Komolafe, to death with a fork after she reportedly caught him with another woman

Labake, it was learnt, had visited Seun’s residence in the Okeopo area of Ilesha around 8pm on Monday to pick her cooking gas when she met another woman in the apartment.After recovering from the initial shock, Labake was said to have picked a quarrel with Seun and the other woman, whose name could not be immediately ascertained.

In the ensuing fight, Labake allegedly picked up a fork and stabbed Seun in the stomach and he died on the spot.The acting Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mustafa Katayeyanjue, confirmed the incident and stated that the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Ige, had ordered an investigation into the matter.READ ALSO Kogi killings: We can be victims of poll violence – SenatorsHe said, “Around 10.30pm on Monday, one Adeyemi Ojo of Araromi Street reported to the police that one Labake Olowookere of Ido Ijesha, a lover of Seun Komolafe of the Okeopo area of Ilesha, stabbed Seun in the stomach with a fork and killed him on the spot.“From preliminary findings, Labake went to the residence of his lover to pick her cooking gas. On getting to the house, she met another woman there and a fight ensued.“It was during the fight that she reportedly took a fork and stabbed Seun in the stomach. He died on the spot. The corpse of the deceased has been deposited in the Wesley Guild Hospital morgue in Ilesha.”READ ALSO: Motorcyclist rescuing accident victim electrocuted in Lagos.

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The pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere has berated the alleged move by some individuals championing a third term agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a communique read by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, the inconsistency of President Buhari over the third term agenda shows that he is in support of the plan

The meeting which in Ondo State capital alleged that the plan had already been perfected, hence the recent invitation of 36 Speakers of Houses of Assembly to the State House to meet with the president.

According to the group, “the only hurdle left to change that provision would be two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly.”

Reading the communique, Odumakin emphasized that the introduction of the ‘Hate Speech Bill’ is an attempt to gag any dissenting voice over the move.

The communique partly read, “The meeting took serious note of the rumoured plans to subvert the Constitution of Nigeria to allow President Buhari to have a third term in office which started with an APC Senatorial Candidate in Bauchi last year during bye-election declaring that he was coming to the Senate to work for a third term for Buhari.

“This was followed by the President who has a maximum of possible 8 years in office telling the country he was going to lift 100million Nigerians out of poverty in TEN years.

“To douse the tension the rumoured plot is generating the President made a denial a few days ago which we took with a pinch of salt because it is not the first time politicians would pursue what they are denying in Nigeria swearing with Allah/God.

“We have not forgotten that General Buhari told this country in 2011 that he would do only one term if he became President. He is now on a second term.

“With the National Assembly in the pocket, the only hurdle left to change that provision would be two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly and we have seen the President holding a meeting of 36 Speakers.

And shortly after this meeting, an APC member in Ebonyi State has approached a Federal High Court to compel the National Assembly to remove the constitutional impediments against third term for President and Governors.

“We have seen this fire before for this smoke not to be strange to us.

Afenifere, therefore, calls on Nigerians to be vigilant and thwart any attempt to take the country for a ride once again.

Also, the group described the ongoing Hate Speech Bill that is currently being debated at the Senate as a breach of the Nigerian constitution which clearly spelled out freedom of speech.

“Meeting was miffed that in the midst of all the challenges facing Nigerians, the Senate would be concerned with a law to hang people for exercising their freedom of speech and airing views those in power may not like.

“The attempt to take away the freedom of expression earned through the sweat and blood of patriots is not only wicked but portrays us as a barbaric polity that operates by tenets of the jungle.

Meeting called on Nigerians not to succumb to this totalitarian agenda.

“All countries that cherish freedom of speech are called upon to shut their borders against all Senators who have spoken in favour of the bill to protect the right of man to air his view without prejudice to the laws of libel.”

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Plateau state governor Simon Lalong has submitted a budget estimate of N71.5 billion to the state house of assembly as the budget for the 2020 fiscal year with a promise to commence payment of new minimum wage from next year.

The 2020 budget estimate a capital expenditure of N74.4 billion representing 43% of the total budget while the remaining 57% goes for recurrent expenditure.

Of the entire sum, the water and energy sector got the lion share of about N16 billion followed by works sector with about N15 billion.

Lalong who tagged the 2020 budget estimate as “Budget of Rescue and Infrastructural consolidation” said, Our approach to sustainable governance policy implementation and staff welfare will continue to be given priority consideration.

“For example, the issue of the New National Minimum Wage has recently been in the front-burner. Government appreciates the Organised Labour and Civil Servants as partners in progress. We see the yearnings or demands for increase in the minimum wage as a genuine source for motivation, improved productivity and general improvement in the living conditions of our Civil Servants and their families.

“I have accordingly approved the constitution of government committee to negotiate with the organised labour with a view to coming out with modalities for implementation.

“We share in the challenges faced by all and sundry in the light of some market forces that could defeat the good intention behind salary increase. With the Bill now passed into Law at the National Level and accented to by Mr. President, we are also fully committed to its implementation and have therefore made provisions in the coming fiscal year to address the issues” he said.

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Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has challenged newly sworn-in state commissioners to deploy their competence to help clear up the clutter of N115 billion naira debt that has been piled up by the previous government.

Fintiri told the new commissioners that they have come into office at a challenging time where the state is clogged with a heavy financial burden, and that they have to be in top form to turn around the fortunes of the northeastern state.

Fintiri made the remarks at the swearing-in ceremony of new commissioners on Monday.

“It is quite remarkable for me to preside over the swearing-in of these crop of distinguished men and women who have been found qualified and deserving to become state Exco members,” Fintiri said.

“What we have just witnessed is the result of a painstaking process designed to constitute a State Executive Council with the combined capacity to deliver the primary objective of this administration which is hinged on providing good governance, transparency and accountability.”

The Governor explained that the commissioners are joining the “Government at a critical period in a difficult journey to correct the ills of the past.

“This task has been made more difficult by the heavy debt burden and liabilities totaling N115 billion imposed on this administration.

“N98 billion is State owned debt, N55.5 billion outstanding external and domestic loans, N22.3 billion outstanding contractors’ claims, N16.4 billion, arrears of pension and gratuity and N2.7 billion salary arrears, out which N1.1 billion is deducted monthly from its statutory allocation.”

He added that “te Government has therefore been compelled to take decisive action to clear the mess which it has inherited and still meet-up the challenge of providing for the welfare of the people despite this precarious financial condition.

“As you assume duty in the various ministries, you are expected to bring your wealth of experience and competencies to bear in the implementation of policies and programmes of this administration.

“Furthermore, as political heads of various ministries, you are expected to promote a conducive atmosphere and synergy between Permanent Secretaries and Principal Officers, to drive success in execution, monitoring and evaluation of projects and vital services.

“On our part, government will continue to create an enabling environment for every Public Servant to perform maximally, through establishing and strengthening of relevant institutions.

“At this juncture, may I remind you to stick to the letter and spirit of the oath which all of you have just subscribed to.

“You also should keep in mind, the broad outline of this Government’s Eleven Point Agenda, which is hinged on security, free Education, zero tolerance for corruption and justice for all, irrespective of tribe religion and creed.

“Finally while congratulating you on being sworn-in as Honourable Commissioners, be assured of my personal confidence and expectation that individually, and collectively we will accomplish the task of making Adamawa State Great Again.”

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, has said the United States laws are only targeted at those who flout them.

In her reaction to the indictment of the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, Onochie said the American government only goes after law breakers. She, therefore, advised Onyema to go to the United States to clear his name.

The President’s aide said this in a series of tweets on Sunday.

She lamented the manner in which funds meant for the Niger Delta amnesty programme were allegedly diverted into private pockets.

The Air Peace boss is believed to have worked as a consultant for the Niger Delta amnesty programme in charge of training repentant militants.

Onochie said, “I do not understand what President Buhari has to do with Mr. Onyema of Air Peace being indicted and charged in the USA. According to our attorney-general, the Federal Government has not even been informed of the situation.

“American laws go after those who break them. What a man sows… How much has Nigeria invested in the Niger Delta amnesty programme, NDDC and 13 per cent derivation funds? All, mostly in a black hole (sic).

“Do we know the extent of poverty, ignorance and disease in the Niger Delta? Please let America too help us see how Niger Delta underdeveloped Niger Delta. Those of us from the Niger Delta who are the direct beneficiaries of the suffering that emanated from the looting of our wealth will tackle them. It is our war that is being fought.

“Laws, Nigerian or American, go after those who break them; so we must mind our business. QED! We are smarter now than ever before. Gradually, the scales of tribalism, religious affinity and political loyalty are falling off our eyes and being replaced by Nigerianism. Nigerians are not keen on tales by moonlight. Let him return to America to face his accusers.”

Onyema, who was praised nationwide for helping to evacuate Nigerian victims of xenophobia from South Africa, was indicted last Friday for allegedly laundering suspicious funds in excess of $20m in the US.

His associate, Ejiroghene Eghagha, was also indicted.

They were accused of conniving to commit money laundering and bank fraud for several years.

The allegations also included how Onyema facilitated fraudulent letters of credit to American banks to procure aircraft, equipment and luxury goods.

The CEO has since denied the charges, promising to clear his name in the United States’ court as necessary.

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President Muhammadu Buhari says that he will not accept underperformance from any All Progressives Congress
(APC) Governor, following the overwhelming victory of the party at the 2019 General Elections.

He urged the Governors to channel resources and initiatives to what will benefit Nigerian citizens.

Buhari made the remarks in Jos on Monday while declaring open the third Federal Government/Progressives Governors Forum’s parley on “Strenthening Public Service Delivery” hosted by Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong.

“Early in 2019, Nigeria overwhelmingly re-elected me as President. That election was a referendum on not just my leadership but also on our party. Some State Governors were re-elected while new ones also came on board,” Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha stated, delivering the President’s message.

“To whom much is given, much more is expected. It is therefore incumbent on this to meet the expectations of our teeming population. There should be no room for excuses and that is where the outcome of this parley becomes very critical.”

The President mentioned that insecurity has remained a major obstacle of his administration but expressed strong determination to overcome the challenge and secure the country.

He reiterated the protection of lives and property as the primary resposibility of government and called on citizens to be active participants in security matters.

Buhari said the APC government will do everything to sustain the country’s economic recovery efforts and reinforce the microeconomic policies to achieve sustainable economic stability in the country.

Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governor’s Forum Simon Lalong said despite the challenges facing the country, the APC has recorded tremendous progress in reshaping the economy, rebuilding infrastructure, creating jobs and improving security of of lives and prosperity.

“We must admit that there is still more work to be done considering the level of decay we inherited in our various states. That is why we have commended Mr President for leading the way in the determination to deliver change and take Nigeria to the next level,” Lalong stated.

Chairman of the Progressives Governors and Governor of Kebbi State Abubakar Atiku Bagudu appreciated those who led the campaign that culminated to the re-election of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and the victory of David Lyon of Bayelsa State as Governor-elect, victories which brought the number of the APC Governors to 20.

He said that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari has brought crucial intervention to the states which has enabled them pay salaries and pensions, and has expended N23 billion to states ravaged by floods.

Bagudu expressed pleasure over the Buhari administration’s zero-oil policy, a policy which he said has compelled most state Governors to look inward for domestic revenue sources in order to become economically sustainable.

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshomhole, on his part, said Nigerians must support the Federal Government’s policy on the closure of Nigeria’s land borders, a move which according to him has curtailed the infiltration of fake products into the country.

He urged the APC Governors to partner with the party leadership to make the party a strong and a formidable institution in the country.

The panel of discussants at the event included Governor Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi; Godwin Obasake, Edo; Alh. Abdullahi Sani Bello, Nasarawa; Nasiru El-Rufai, Kaduna, Mohammed Badaru, Jigawa while Kogi and Gombe State Governors were represented by their deputies


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