₦airaland Forum

One Joseph Sunday of Obot Ideng, in Ibesikpo local government area of Akwa Ibom state, has landed himself in police net for allegedly raping his two daughters aged nine and thirteen years.

The suspect, it was gathered had been having party with his daughters for over three years after he divorced the mother of the girls who has relocated to Rivers State.

Investigations revealed that Mr. Sunday believed to be in his late 40s, always had canal knowledge of his two daughters at same time in his home in Ibesikpo.

It was also revealed that the suspect had threatened his daughters with an idol (mbiam) if they make attempts to divulge the incidence to anyone.

But the illicit affair was blown open when he caught his thirteen-year-old daughter with another man who identified himself as the daughter’s boyfriend and he moved to caution his daughter.

Infuriated by the daughter’s action, he beat up the girl who later decided to expose her father’s immoral act.

Meanwhile, the nine-year-old who is also a victim confessed that she was already in love with her father and had enjoyed the act.

However, the suspect has confessed to the crime and said he wanted to test if his penis was still functioning well.

“My wife left me some years ago because of some family issues and relocated to Rivers State. I have been the only one taking care of my daughters. I just want to test if my manhood is still functional using my daughters,” he said.

The Police Spokesperson in the state, SP Odiko MacDon told our correspondent that the case would be charged to court.

The PPRO who ascribed the case to the level of moral decadence in the society called for attitudinal reorientation and urged people to report perpetrators of such dastardly acts to police.

“Moral Bankruptcy is what is causing all these acts. As a people, we need to take morality in society very seriously.

“For us in Akwa Ibom State, we take fight against rape, defilement and Gender base violence serious. Some of the suspects are in our custody, some charged to court, some under investigation while some have been convicted by the court,” Odiko said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571925371/raped-daughters-test-manhood-father

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All Progressive Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole has explained how Tell Magazine survived military onslaught during the era of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

The magazine continued to publish, even when it was proscribed by the Abacha-led military junta.

Tell, which was a torn in the flesh of the military government, went underground as copies from its stable were seized and burnt regularly while security operatives went after its editors and reporters.

Undeterred by the military onslaught, the editors went on publishing from their hideout, giving birth to what was then called “Guerrilla Journalism”.


But on Wednesday, Oshiomhole revealed how his union, the Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers, provided accommodation for the magazine, thereby shielding it from military persecution.

The APC National Chairman was the National Secretary of the over 75,000 workers under the union.

He spoke at Tell magazine’s 20 years of democracy conference 2019 with the theme: ‘Democracy and the Rule of Law’.

Oshiomhole narrated how his union shielded the magazine to enable it continue to publish even when it was proscribed by the government of the day.

He said: “One thing he (the magazine’s President/Editor-in-Chief Nosa Igiebor) did not tell you is that I was once his landlord. We provided accommodation for him and his team. We also provided cover for him. They were afraid to come to our building so as to avoid trouble.

“There were times that they (security) would mistakenly stray into my office when they came to look for him.”

On the subject matter, the APC national chairman said improvement in the electoral process is outside the realm of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when other stakeholders fail to do the right thing.

He added that logistics challenge the electoral body faced during elections are sometimes deliberate.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571915993/protected-tell-magazine-under-abacha-oshiomhole

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President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has said the National Assembly will provide the necessary support to the anti-corruption agencies in the fight against corruption.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are the leading government agencies in anti-corruption war.

“The ninth Senate and indeed the National Assembly is set to support the anti-corruption agencies to the best of its ability, to enable us eradicate the malaise,” Lawan said.

He gave the assurance in Abuja while declaring open the third EFCC National Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

“What we face today in the area of corruption requires that all hands must be on deck to fight it. And we are determined to work with other arms of government to fight it.

“It is a fight that should be fought by all and we are ready to initiate moves that will help in ensuring we succeed in the fight.

“We are also continuously prepared to support agencies like the EFCC and professionals like the Justices and Judges always,” Lawan said.

He noted that corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of “our society” and has literarily become endemic.

He acknowledged that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has done a lot in the last couple of years in fighting corruption but added that the fight has surely not been an easy one.

“Dealing with corruption is surely a task we must undertake very well. The consistency of the EFCC on its mandate is quite commendable.

“The best we can continue to do in our circumstance is to encourage anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and the ICPC discharge their mandate very well.

“The police are also inclusive because of their statutory responsibility of enforcing law and order, by preventing and detecting crime,” Lawan added.

He said the justices and Judges need all the ethical, moral and institutional support to be exemplary in the discharge of their duties.

He advocated for a review of the basic school curricula to include the teaching of anti-corruption tenets.

“I believe that we should look at our civic education. We shouldn’t wait until people commit corruption before we start chasing them.

“We should start educating our children in schools, basic education secondary level and even tertiary level, on the ills of corruption in any society.

“Therefore, it is a task that requires that we review the current curricula of our basic education particularly to include something like what corruption means, the ills and the responsibility on every citizen to be part and parcel of the fight against this scourge,” Lawan said.

Meanwhile, Senators, yesterday, queried N600 million padding, reportedly allocated to Distribution Companies (DISCOs) by Ministry of Power in the 2020 budget which had been privatised.

Chairman of the committee, Gabriel Suswan, who expressed dissatisfaction with Tyne allocation of N600 million to privatised companies, wondered how government will still be budgeting money in an already privatized company.

Susuwan, while reacting to the presentations of the Power Ministry of Power, said President Muhammadu Buhari is working hard for stabilise power supply in the country, but lamented that some of his lieutenants were working against it because of money.

A member of the Committee, Yususf Yusuf, also expressed dissatisfaction with the allocation of such money to DISCOs when Mambila Power project is not yet implemented.

Yusuf, who is from Taraba State, demanded speedy execution of Mambila power project which has been on for the past 20 years.

Responding to the budget of N600 million to DISCOs, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Power, Louis Edozien, justified the inclusion of the money in the 2020 budget for privatised companies.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571834674/support-efcc-icpc-fighting-corruption-lawan

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Justice Nicholas Oweibo has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to serve investigators’ statements on musician, Azeez Fashola, alias Naira Marley, who is being prosecuted on cybercrime and credit card fraud charges.

The judge made the order on Tuesday following an application by Naira Marley’s lawyer, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN).

As a result of Ojo’s request and the judge’s order, Naira Marley’s trial, which was scheduled to open on Tuesday, was further adjourned till Wednesday (today)

The up-and-coming musician was arraigned on 11 counts, bordering on credit card fraud and cybercrime in May.

The EFCC alleged that Naira Marley conspired with one Yad Isril and Raze, said to be at large, to use access cards with numbers 5264711020433662 and 42658840359191132, “issued to persons other than you in a bid to obtain gain.”

It also alleged that Naira Marley was on May 10, 2019 found in possession of two counterfeit access cards Nos. 4539782440624281 and 492189410257431 issued in the names of Nicole Louise Malyon and Timea Fedorne Tatar, respectively.

The anti-graft agency said the artiste retained the two cards and another one with number 5264711020433662, issued to an unknown person “under circumstances which constitute card theft.”

The prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that Naira Marley acted contrary to Section 27 (1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.

He said the musician was liable to be punished under sections 33(9) and 34 of the same Act.

But Naira Marley has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He was granted bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties by the judge.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571820692/efcc-ordered-serve-ipos-statements-naira-marley

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The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission will expose those who are milking Nigeria dry through the commission.
Akpabio, who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, faulted those oppose to the audit order issued by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying they were those who might have benefited from the corruption in the system.
Akpabio said, “If you were to be a Nigerian who have benefited from the NDDC in the last 10 years and you did not carry out the jobs but you were able to build houses, you will be happy that the NDDC has lived up to its expectation because your pocket has moved forward.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571821525/corrupt-nigerians-against-nddc-probe-gov-akpabio

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Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the ruling party will correct the mistakes made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state if it wins the governorship election.
Oshiomhole spoke at the launch of the party’s campaign in Ogbia town, Ogbia local government area of the state.

He said the party has presented a good team and was confident of winning the November 16 governorship election in the state.
Oshiomhole said APC’s victory at the poll would restore hope to the people of the state and rebuild their confidence in government.

“APC is coming to right the wrongs of the PDP government in Bayelsa state, come November 16,” he said.

“The APC government, under David Lyon, will work assiduously to provide security, employment, and empowerment for all Bayelsa people.

“I understand that my dear friend, the outgoing governor of Bayelsa, is already visited by the withdrawal syndrome facing any governor close to the end of his tenure.

“I want to assure him, on behalf of our candidate, Lyon, that he is not coming to chase him away or witch-hunt him; our candidate is only coming to correct his wrongs.

“Our desire is to see that the people of Bayelsa will witness greater development and sustainable growth.”

He assured the people of the state that the ruling party is ready to bring positive change to the state.

“APC is coming to make a difference in Bayelsa; Lyon will not betray those who stand by him; he will carry the youth along; he understands the language of poverty,” he said.

“Lyon understands the deprivation which this state and people of the south-south went through, and that is why he decided to fight for justice.”

In his speech, David Lyon, APC governorship candidate, promised to implement policies that will bring development to the state.

He promised to revive the Kolo Creek gas turbine to ensure adequate power supply in the state.

“I am a man of my words; I will not fail my people; Bayelsa’s money will be used for the good of all; I am coming to serve my people and not for them to serve me,” Lyon said.

“There is insecurity in Bayelsa at the moment; we will handle it adequately; I will work for the development of our state.

“We shall ensure adequate power supply in Bayelsa; our gas turbine will be revived under my government.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571754609/apc-coming-correct-pdp-wrongs-bayelsa-oshiomhole

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A housewife, Hannah Atodo, on Tuesday appeared before a Kabusa Grade I Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly pouring hot water on her neighbor.
Atodo was charged with causing grievous hurt.

The defendant , who resides at Gbagalepe, Nyanya, was alleged to have gravely injured her neighbor, Christiana Adekpe, also of Gbagalepe, Nyanya.
The Prosecutor, John Ijagbemi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Aug. 18, at her residence.

Lawal said that Adekpe’s husband reported the matter at the Force headquarters.

He said the complainant reported that Atodo attacked Adekpe with a pot of boiling water and poured it on her.

The prosecutor said that as a result of the attack, the complainant’s wife sustained various degrees of life threatening burns all over her body.

Lawal informed the court that during police investigation, the reason for the attack could not be established.

He further told the court that as at the time of the investigation, Adekpe was still undergoing intensive medical care at Trauma Centre National Hospital, Abuja.

Lawal said the offence contravened Sections 24 of the Penal Code.

Atodo, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.

The Judge, Malam Aliyu Kagarko, ordered that the defendant should be remanded in Keffi Correctional pending hearing on her bail application .

Kagarko adjourned the case until Oct. 29 for hearing of the bail application .

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571745012/woman-custody-for-pouring-hot-water-neighbor

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Former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said sound and qualitative education will secure the future of Nigeria, if well supported by all stakeholders.
Tinubu , who spoke in Ado Ekiti during the 10th anniversary and 7th convocation ceremonies of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), described education as a light for any nation to navigate its way to greatness and development.

At the occasion, 99 students bagged first class with four of them being students sponsored through Presidential Amnesty Programme out of 57 bankrolled for degree programmes at ABUAD by the Federal Government .
Tinubu and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and an entrepreneur and Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Greeen Energy International Limited, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, were garlanded with honourary Doctor of Letters (LLD) of the varsity.

Delivering his speech at the ceremony, Tinubu said: “Education is the light of a nation and ignorance its darkness. Only with that light can we hope to see where we are and to discover the path we must go to realize our greatness as a nation.

“To educate a generation is to secure the future. Thus, it is indeed my honour to be here with you for this university stands as a shining beacon, casting the light of education upon our nation and its people.

“This university thus serves as a vital piston in the machinery of national progress. Our young people deserve and require quality education that will unlock their utmost potentials. This will engender critical thinking and build their capacities for self and national development.

“Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) is dedicated to providing that stellar education. Since its inception about 10 years ago, this university has distinguished itself. Its record is exemplary: the National University Commission (NUC) acknowledge.

“If we do not board the train of progress, it will pass us by. This means we must acquire and use the scientific and technological skills of the 21st Century to advance our common purpose. In this manner we help break the fetters of underdevelopment and expand the boundaries of economic, intellectual and moral growth.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571746690/qualitative-education-secure-nigeria-future-says-tinubu

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has raised the alarm over plans by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to spend N8billion on the proposed reconstruction of the Iwo Road Interchange axis in Ibadan, the state capital, describing it as “a misplaced priority as well as an attempt to squander government resources.”
Makinde had on Friday announced plan to immediately embark on the project, which would be completed in about one year as a measure to decongest the area and also give the physical outlook of Ibadan a facelift.

The governor stated this at Adogba Central Mosque, where he had joined the congregation for the weekly juma’at service to clear the air on what his government would do in compensation for the facilities expected to be affected by the reconstruction project.

But the Oyo APC, in a statement issued at the weekend by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, said that the present administration was now popular for building castle in the air in demonstration of its gross incompetence and avowed desire for mismanaging public funds.


The statement read: “The good people of the Pacesetter State were taken aback by the action of Gov. Makinde last Friday, when he chose a mosque as the place to announce the plan to do a multi-billion project. Without any record of presentation at the State Executive Council meeting or consideration and approval by the appropriate organs of government as required by law, the governor reeled out a contract sum for another white elephant.

“The question on the lips of many people now bothers on how the cost of N8billion was arrived at even when no picture of the proposed picture has been shown to the world. What is the scope of the reconstruction project and where are the engineering designs that culminated in the contract sum? Was there any due diligence before the cost was arrived at and when did the consultants carry out their survey of the proposed site? Where is the Bill of Quantity (BoQ) and when did the relevant office advertise for Tender to be made?”

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the criticism of the planned expansion of the interchange N8 billion by the APC is a demonstration of the party’s insensitivity to the plight of commuters in the axis.

A statement issued by Mr Akeem Olatunji, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, also accused APC of showing disregard for the state economy which, it said, had been bleeding owing to loss of several man-hours due to perennial traffic congestion at the interchange.

Adetunji said that the immediate response to the criticism by the APC on the project was to educate the party on the forward-looking approach already adopted by Governor Makinde in solving the problem of the interchange.

“Let us place it on record that Iwo Road is not just a segment of a road located within the Oyo state capital; it is an interchange that has become the melting point of all travellers within Nigeria.

“It brings those coming from the North face to face with travellers across the South-West, South-South and South-East as well.

“The criticism by the APC shows a clear insensitivity to the plight of commuters who daily waste lots of man-hours trying to wade through the sea of traffic around the interchange.

“Makinde is not only on point with the decision to reconstruct Iwo Road, but has also shown his humane character by choosing to directly explain the developmental objectives to the people around the area.

“It will shock the APC to note that the people who worship at the Adogba mosque and others who will be affected by the demolition exercise have gladly adopted the governor’s decision, following the interface.

“We are reassured by the fact that the PDP government has, in less than five months, designed and started implementing a holistic solution to the perennial Iwo Road traffic problem,” the party said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571666120/n8b-interchange-project-scam-oyo-apc

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Onitsha-based lawyer, Ogbannaya Obasi, who was recently beaten to the point of losing consciousness by some policemen in Anambra State, recounts his ordeal in this interview with TONY OKAFOR

A recent video, which went viral on social media, showed two policemen beating you. What happened?

I was on my way to file a matter in court when I saw a large crowd staring at something on the road. I tried to find out what was going on, but nobody told me anything. When I moved further, I saw a man lying helplessly on the road and writhing in pain as a group of armed policemen punched and kicked him viciously.

I watched the policemen brutalise the man for about four minutes before I decided to intervene. Then I made a sign and shouted, “Please”!

The policemen paused when they heard me. The crowd of spectators turned to look at me as I pleaded with the policemen to stop beating the man. The policemen abandoned their victim and moved towards me at once. One of them asked what I was doing. I told him that I was pleading on behalf of the man. I said it was better to arrest the man and detain him for a while than to beat him.

“How is it your business? Is it your concern?” another policeman asked me. I told him that I was concerned about the man’s life. Then he moved closer to where I stood and ordered me to leave. I told him I wasn’t going anywhere.

The next thing I knew was that he slapped me. For a moment, I couldn’t see anything. I quickly moved backwards, further away from him. But he kept advancing towards me. I warned him to stay away from me or I would be forced to retaliate. The second policeman joined him and they both pounced on me. They hit me with the butts of their guns, damaging my ear in the process.

I don’t know what the doctors are saying about my damaged ear, but they have referred me to a teaching hospital in Nnewi.

Was the man somebody you knew?

I didn’t know the man they were beating. I kept watching to see if they were beating him for being an armed robber or kidnapper. If that had been the case, the policemen would have taken him to their station. I don’t know about any law in Nigeria, which says it is criminal to say “please” to a policeman. That was the only offence I committed and the reason why I was brutalised and dehumanised. I wasn’t looking for cheap publicity. I was only following the footsteps of my principal, who is a gentleman and straight forward person. I didn’t insult the policemen or say they were wrong. But what they did to me was nothing, compared to the way they treated the man. If you had seen what they did to that man, you would shed tears.

Why don’t you want this issue to be made public?

It is because of the persistence of the media that I’m doing this. Many media organisations, including radio stations, asked me to grant them interviews, but I refused because I didn’t want to make it look as if I wanted publicity for myself. How I wish the video of the man that was released to the public. But I’m happy that I had never had any problem with the police before that incident. It was just a plea from afar place that led to this ugly situation.

What lesson have you learnt from the incident?

I’m worried that Nigerians have conditioned their minds to watch their fellow human being brutalised, while they observe from a distance, as if they are watching Africa Magic.

Since you want to be silent on this matter, does it mean the policemen are now free?

The Nigerian Bar Association has taken over the case. They asked me to hands off, as it were. I can’t write anything personally against the policemen. Let me wait for the body to act. The case is no longer mine. I can’t do anything about it.

Did you introduce yourself to the police before pleading with them on the man’s behalf?

This kind of question sometimes makes me laugh. When they pushed me to the ground and I fell on the pavement and hit my head on the wall, people around me were saying, “Now that they have beaten a lawyer, let us see what will happen.” When they heard that, they withdrew, boarded their vehicle and drove off. I struggled to follow them, but blood was already coming out from my ears and mouth. I was rushed to the hospital.

The issue is not whether I’m a lawyer or not. The fact I’m a lawyer doesn’t make me superhuman. Before the law, we are all equal and nobody is above the law. I’m not better than the man they manhandled. I won’t say that because I’m a lawyer I can now insult other people. A lawyer is not God. There is no justification for disobeying the law because one is a lawyer. I’ve learnt from our principal’s simple way of life.

What are the police doing about the matter?

I don’t know anything about their dismissal and I’m not interested because I didn’t employ them. I’m not interested in people losing their jobs. My interest is in saving people’s lives. If I had known that saying “I beg” and “please” would attract this kind of treatment from the police, I wouldn’t have intervened. Maybe I would have watched helplessly like the other persons.

People will think you are trying to avoid a confrontation with the police

That is the misconception, but they are wrong. I’m not running away and will never run away from the police. That was why I intervened in the case, in the first place. That’s how I earn a living, too. A colleague of mine took me to the hospital when I was unconscious.

I’m aware that an injury of this type is personal. I insist on waiting for the NBA. They association may decide to go to court or not. Maybe if you call me later, you will see the result. I will be involved. But I belong to an association that says I should hold on until its comes up with a position on the matter. I know they saw the video, which no right thinking person would see and keep quiet.

But I have to obey the NBA. Time can never run against the state in criminal matters. If they (policemen) are charged to court, then it will be against O. J. Obasi as a nominal complainant. You know when they attacked me, they ran away. Their names were hidden. We had no idea that someone was videoing the incident, we’ve been making efforts to get the person that videoed it. I’m waiting for the NBA to take a position on the matter. That does not prevent the police from taking action, if they feel they committed an offence.

What if the NBA asks you to forget the case?

Definitely they won’t do that. They want to take a step that will not be challenged.

What did the doctors say about your condition?

It was around 5pm that I regained my consciousness. I’m still undergoing a series of tests. It appears that my right ear is permanently damaged. As we speak, my ear drum is broken. Also I have discovered that my eyes are affected. If I try to read for an hour, tears will be running down my eyes. I still need to undergo some eye tests. I’ve been taking drugs as well.

The next time you see the police assaulting a man, are you going to look the other way?

Some things are better left unsaid. If I say yes, it means the society will remain that way. And if my answer is no, then it means I’ll always be ready to be challenging security agencies. In other words, that question should better be left unanswered. Let’s treat the case as it comes.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571647415/for-begging-them-leave-man-they-were

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A former Executive Secretary, Nigeria National Missions Movement, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, has expressed concern over the lukewarm attitude of President Muhammadu Buhari towards the parents of Leah Sharibu.
According to him, Leah’s father, Nathan Sharibu, has been worried that apart from the fact that he “has not heard a single word about his daughter’s release beyond the promises,” he has not received any phone call from Buhari.

He also regretted that the kidnap of Leah Sharibu had been politicised by both government and certain groups.
Para-Mallam, who is a close friend of the Sharibu family and founder, Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, expressed these views in a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday to commemorate his 60th birthday which held on October 15.

Our correspondent reports that the Jos-based religious activist has been one of the vocal voices championing the cause for the release of Leah Sharibu.

He said as of October 15, 2019, Leah Sharibu had spent 603 days in captivity.

The activist queried what Buhari would have done if Leah were his daughter.

He said, “On October 15, Leah’s father, Nathan Sharibu and I were on the phone again. We connect on a regular basis and this has been the case since March 2018, till date. He said he had not heard a single word about his daughter’s release beyond the promises. He also confirmed that he had not received any phone call or updates from the President of this country.

“Why is this the case? I am wondering deeply. Mr President, where is your humanity? Is life all about enjoying power in Aso Rock? You are a father and Nathan Sharibu is also a father. Before you were anything in government, you were a father.

“Mr President, 603 days? Would you have the presence of mind to lead Nigeria? A few minutes into writing this statement, Leah’s father and I were on the phone again. He shared with me that their life as a family is one of daily agony and pain; but they remain thankful to God.

“I encouraged him once again as I normally do, to remain hopeful about Leah’s release. He went further to tell me that October 14 was rather a very difficult night for him because he dreamt about Leah. He seemed distressed and unhappy.”

Leah Sharibu was one of the 110 abducted female students of Government Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 2018 by Boko Haram terrorists and was denied freedom on account of her Christian faith.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571647986/buhari-hasn-called-leah-sharibu-father-nnmm

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A group, Adamawa Peace Defenders, has threatened to sue Senator Elisha Abbo (Adamawa North) for alleged breach of peace.
The senator, according to the group, made inflammatory comments capable of breaching the peace in Adamawa.

Abbo is currently in court for allegedly assaulting a woman in a intimacy gadget shop in Abuja.

Coordinator of the group, Pwanabeshi Alson, alleged in statement Friday that Sen Abbo referred to the state Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, as one playing politics of religion.


“These are reckless words capable of pitching the people of one faith against the other, and we cannot tolerate leaders talking like this at a time when peace is very fragile,” the group coordinator stated.

The group gave Abbo five-day ultimatum to, among other things, retract “all his fallacious and derogatory utterances against the Governor,” and to write an apology to Adamawa people “for his derogatory comments capable of causing unrest, especially in the political arena and among religious and ethnic groups across the state.”

Senator Elisha Abbo has been at loggerheads with Governor Ahmadu Fintiri whom he has accused of trying to impose candidates for the local council elections due next month.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571402292/group-threatens-sue-sen-abbo-over-alleged

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Maryam Sanda, who was charged with the murder of her husband Bilyaminu Bello, yesterday gave her own account of the incidence that led to the death of her husband.
She is being tried before the FCT High Court in Maitama for allegedly killing her husband, Bello, who was a nephew of former PDP chairman, Alhaji Bello Halliru Muhammad, in 2017.

She was docked alongside her brother, Aliyu Sanda; her mother, Maimuna Aliyu and her housemaid, Sadiya Aminu, who were charged with assisting her to conceal the evidence by cleaning the blood of the deceased from the scene of the crime.

However, the court upheld the submission filed by the three other defendants and discharged and acquitted them of the offence levelled against them by the police.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Sanda, who was testifying in her own defence, told the court amidst tears that though they had their differences in the course of their two-year marriage, she did not kill her husband.

She told the court that on November 18, 2017, she used her late husband’s phone to make a call, adding that when she discovered a nude picture of a lady on the phone, she went downstairs and called the deceased so that they could talk about it.

She stated that in the course of discussion which degenerated into an argument, she asked the deceased to divorce her, adding that the late Bilyaminu held her neck, which got her choking.

The argument continued late into the evening and that around 11pm, she went to take her charger in the living room.

“He pushed me and as I was falling down, I mistakenly broke his Shisha bottle and the water inside spilled on the floor.

“He pinned me to the ground and I heard our daughter crying. I told him to leave me so that I could attend to her and he loosened up a bit and I struggled to my feet,” she said.

She stated that while trying to hold her, the deceased fell down and that she saw her husband holding his chest and saw a broken bottle in his chest which she removed and covered the chest with her scarf.

She said she rushed out to call for help and met one Ayuba with whom she took her husband to Abuja Clinic, where the late Bilyaminu was confirmed dead, adding that he was later taken to Maitama General Hospital where he was also confirmed dead.

From the hospital, she said she was taken to Maitama police station where she wrote her statement.

She said the evidence of two of the prosecution witnesses that she threatened to kill her husband was false.

“I did not try to kill my husband. We had an argument; that was all. I never wished my husband to die,” Sanda told the court.

Under cross-examination by the prosecuting counsel, Sanda told the court that she did not break the shisha bottle in anger.

She stated that as of the time she drove her husband to the hospital, the broken bottle she removed from his chest and the spilled water from the shisha bottle was on the floor of their living room.

Following the evidence of Sanda, her counsel, Rita Okotie Eboh, informed the court that they were closing their case.

The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, subsequently adjourned the case to November 25 for adoption of final written addresses.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571403224/never-wished-husband-die-maryam-sanda-tells

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Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, has said the ministry will help President Muhammadu Buhari to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
The minister expressed the optimism on Thursday in Barwa, a local settlement in Abuja, in her address at the celebration of this year’s International Day for Eradication of Poverty.

The global theme for the celebration is: Acting Together to Empower Children, Their Families and Community To End Poverty and Nigeria’s sub-theme is: Enabling A Poverty-Free Nation.

Umar Farouq said: “The ministry has poverty eradication as a fundamental part of its mandate and will drive the fulfilment of President Buhari’s vision to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

“Under my watch, the ministry will attempt to empower every child and adult living in poverty by putting in place strategic programmes and interventions that will aid economic growth.

“The programmes will also address social needs, like health, social protection and education in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to end poverty in all its forms by 2030.

“Already, commendable efforts by the National Social Investment Office have impacted 12,887,207 beneficiaries directly, and 44,588,628 secondary beneficiaries.

“These have been achieved through programmes, like the National Cash Transfer Programme, where monthly cash transfer of N5,000 are made to the poor and vulnerable households…”

Also, the Federal Government promised to establish a national register for the poor.

It said the register would help to know the exact number of poor Nigerians with the aim of lifting them out of poverty.

Umar Farouq broke the news at Barwa.

She said: “We are going to have a register. We know there is one that is in existence, but we are going to improve on it. Our first step is to have data because without data, we will not be able to achieve what we have set out to achieve.

“So, a unified social register is coming up very soon.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571393096/buhari-will-end-poverty-among-100m-nigerians

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A shoe maker, Kayode Owolabi, 25, on Thursday appeared in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged theft of bitumen chemicals worth N7 million.
Owolabi, whose house address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing to which he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Christopher John, told the court that the defendant committed the offence with some other persons, at large, sometime in August at Apapa Area of Lagos, Lagos state.

John said that Owolabi stole bitumen chemicals belonging to one Mr Nmezi Ogbuebule, in contravention of Section 411 and 287 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr P.E. Nwaka, however, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to Nov. 11 for mention.(NAN)

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571313103/shoe-maker-court-over-theft-bitumen-worth

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The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki on Wednesday said that he has no plans to leave the All Progressives Congress.
Obaseki said this when he received members of the Godwin Obaseki Support Group during a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City.

The stance of the governor was revealed in a statement from the office of the Special Assistant on Media to the governor.

“If a handful of individuals start misbehaving and feel we will leave the party for them; they will be the ones to leave,” Obaseki said.

READ ALSO: Why Nigeria is borrowing fresh $3bn from World Bank —Ahmed

Obaseki described the APC as a party for the youths and the next generation, hence his administration is focused on infrastructural and institutional reforms that would stand the test of time.

He said “This is a government of real change, which is concerned about youths and the future. This government has performed beyond people’s expectations and we are proud of the things we have done so far.”

He commended the GOSG for its commitment to supporting his administration, urging members of the group to intensify activities in the state and collaborate with other groups with the same ideology.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571326294/not-leaving-apc-obaseki

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday said his administration will not shy away from taking hard decisions in order to set the state on a path of sustainable development.
Makinde, who also advised other state governors not to allow themselves to be caged by crave for second term, stated that service delivery to the people should be of greater importance to office holders.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said that the governor stated these while performing two separate functions in his office.

Governor Makinde, while receiving reports of seven committees set up by his administration to look into various issues, said: “I have seen people come to me and said I should not do some certain things or take certain decisions because of second term. Those that are interested in second term should wait, at least till 2022. For now, we should do the job the people have committed to our hands and do things that will place Oyo State on the path of greatness.”

Also, while receiving the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, Mr. Musa Wada, Makinde advised office-seekers and governors not to allow themselves to be caged by the crave for a second term in office.

“The people are the sole determinants of the fate of the politicians. Fresh term, second term are all linked to what we have for the people. During the first term, you make promises to the people and once you start ticking those boxes, the people can always decide that they want you to come in first and later say they want you to continue,” the governor said.

In his speech at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office, while receiving the reports of the committees, Makinde called for ideas from the citizens to move the state to greatness, saying: “I want to say this publicly; some of us on this side of the table are not the brightest. No. We have just been blessed that God provided the opportunity for us and that’s why we value what you have to say. We value your contributions.

“Whatever we need to do on infrastructure, we need to target our economy. So, I want to implore anyone who has an advice for us should inform us because we don’t have any other place we can call home.”

The committees that presented their reports included the Investigative Panels on Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun Polytechnics; Committee on Dismissal/Retirement of Civil Servants between 2011 and 2019; Committee on Review of Contracts, Projects between 2017 and 2019; Task Force on Review of Operations at the Bola Ige International Market, Gbagi, Ibadan, among others.

The governor, after receiving the reports, said that the government would take immediate action on the recommendations, adding that the people should expect full implementation of the report within four weeks.

He made specific reference to the report of the committee on the wrongful dismissal of civil servants, noting that the government would look into the recommendations of the committee and if they included bringing back some of those affected, they would be returned to work immediately.

He said: “I want to say that we are not going to set up any further committee to review these reports but instead, we will go straight ahead to implement the recommendations, especially the committee that worked on the dismissed workers. This is because I believe that it is better for us to allow 100 guilty persons to go scot-free than to punish one innocent individual. I know you have done very well, looking at each individual and the issues that led to their getting dismissed. We will look at the report immediately and implement the recommendations.

“If you ask us to bring some of them back, we will bring them back almost immediately. So, I will set a time frame of four weeks for implementation of most of these reports.”

The Governor added that though the committee that was set up to look into the affairs of local government by the last administration was dragged to court, he said that his administration would soon clear the legal huddles and get to the roots of how the councils were administered.

He said: “When we came in, we actually set up these seven committees and an additional one that is meant to look into the affairs of the local government and LCDAs.

“They went to court, got an injunction through the back door saying we should not be doing the review. I have not seen it anywhere in the world where you say to people that you want to investigate an issue and they say you cannot poke your nose into what is your own business. Well, I have bad news for them. Though we will obey court orders, it’s only a matter of time. We will eventually look into the issues surrounding the local government administration.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571310992/take-hard-decision-make-oyo-better-gov

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Members of the Otunba Gani Adams-led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), yesterday arrested a suspected kidnapper in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The suspected kidnapper, who identified himself as Taofeek Lawal, said he hailed from Osogbo, Osun State.

Lawal confessed he had been engaged in the kidnapping business to sponsor his wife’s education in a higher institution in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The suspect, who confessed that his targets were children between the ages of four and six years, said the ransom for any kidnapped child was N100,000.

According to him, he had successfully kidnapped three children in Osogbo and three in Lagos, and had sold his own child to take care of his family.

Lawal said his 15-man gang was working for politicians and a traditional ruler in Osun State whenever they needed their services.

“I have built two houses, a mosque and a church. I do take care of my family from what I do and my parents know about what I do,” he said.

The suspect further said that he had intended to quit the kidnapping but the said traditional ruler in Osogbo encouraged him to keep doing it.

He said he had been caught five times in Lagos and Osogbo, but that the traditional ruler in Osogbo was always securing his release.

An OPC official at Olaifa zone, Mr Babatunde Atiba, explained that the Congress got hint of the activities of the suspected kidnapper through a woman.

Lawal has been handed over to the Oyo State Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for proper investigation and prosecution.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571227866/used-ransom-from-victims-educate-wife

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The All Progressives Congress in Cross River State has slammed Governor Ben Ayade of the Peoples Democratic Party for returning to school to study law, describing it as a sign of idleness.
The state Chairman of APC, Mr John Ochala, in Calabar on Tuesday said any serious-minded governor would not abandon governance for any academic pursuit.

Ochala lamented that the state had been handed over to an unserious person who continued to drag it backwards, adding that the APC had always known that the governor was “never a serious person.”
He said, “We are talking about dilapidated roads all over the state. Look at our schools, our health infrastructure, our revenue generation capacity and all other infrastructure. These are not enough to bother a governor. All that bothers him is to use public funds to go to school. Why didn’t he go to school when he was a senator?

“He is doing this to divert people’s attention from his failed administration. The schools he attended before now, how has he imparted the knowledge to Cross Riverians other than economic underdevelopment?”

Ochala raised the alarm over the “white elephants” Ayade had said he would carry out “without any tangible impact.

“Because he is actually idle, he wants to go to school so that he will tell the students in that university that he is the governor of the state. Ayade likes showmanship.”

But the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Ita, described the criticism as “sheer idiocy.”

Ita said, “The criticism is sheer idiocy because there is no law stopping anybody from going to school, including those occupying public offices. Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) had most of his degrees while in public office.”

The governor’s spokesman stated that because of the governor’s development strides, the Federal Government had given licence to the state for a deep seaport, “which will drive development into the state.”

The governor’s recent decision to register for his Master’s degree to study Law at the University of Calabar has attracted criticisms from some citizens of the state.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571212167/apc-slams-gov-ayade-over-return-school

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The absence on Tuesday of three of the five students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), facing trial for allegedly gang-raping a student of the institution has stalled their criminal trial.

The students are facing trial at an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for allegedly raping a 17-year-old student of UNILAG.

The five students facing trial are: Moboluwaji Omowole, 19, Chuka Chukwu, 19, Peace Nwankama, 19, James Aguedu, 20, and Josephine Osemeka, 20.

The male defendants – Omowole, Chukwu and Aguedo were however, absent during proceedings, due to the inability of the officials of the Kirikiri Medium Prisons to bring them early to court.

Justice Abiola Soladoye had stood-down proceedings at 9 a.m. when none of the defendants was in court.

However, at about 10.23 a.m., the female defendants, Nwankama and Osemeka were brought into the courtroom by officials of the Kirikiri Female Prisons.

When the case was called at 10.51 a.m. for hearing, the three male defendants were still absent in the courtroom.

Aguedu’s Defence Counsel, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), registered his displeasure over the development.

“The court sits at 9 a.m. We, the state and citizens are equal before the law.

“The same indulgence (standing-down the case) will not have been granted if the situation was the reversed,” he said.

Reacting to Pedro’s submission, Dr Jide Martins, a Director in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions and lead prosecutor in the case, noted that the delay was not caused by the prosecution.

“The correctional services are yet to bring the defendants to court. I do not want to speculate but one can generally assume that it is caused by the traffic situation.

“I am not comfortable with the aspersion that is inferred that the delay was at the instance of the prosecution.

“This is beyond our control. We have done our part. Our witness is in court and we are ready to proceed with our case.”

According to Martins, Omowole, Chukwu and Aguedo sometime in January and sometime in February, 2017 defiled the complainant by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

“Chukwu, who lives at No. 25, Shobande St., Akoka, Yaba in January, 2017 knowingly allowed Omowole to defile the complainant by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

“Nwankama, Aguedo and Osameka between January and March 2017 were into the procuration (obtaining) of young girls for the purpose of defilement.

“Osemeka sometime in the month of January 2017, in UNILAG, sexually assaulted the complainant by kissing her.”

However, as a result of the absence of the three male defendants, Soladoye adjourned the case till Dec. 3 for continuation of trial.

A prison official, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on condition of anonymity at the court premises, confirmed that the absence of the defendants was as a result of heavy traffic.

“I spoke to my colleagues at the Kirikiri Medium Prison. They are encountering very terrible traffic in that area. That is why there was delay in bringing them to court this morning,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the defendants were eventually brought to court at 11.32 a.m. by prison officials after the court had risen and concluded hearing for the day.

According to the prosecution, the defendants committed the offences sometime in 2017 at the Akoka Campus of UNILAG.

The complainant while testifying on Feb. 26, said that she was lured by Nwankama who was her roommate to High Rise, a staff quarters hostel at UNILAG.

She said she was gang-raped at High Rise by eight male students and sexually assaulted by Osemeka.

She alleged that the gang-rape and sexual assault at High Rise was videotaped and that she was blackmailed with the video.

She alleged that she was also gang-raped on some other occasions by the defendants and their accomplices who are now at large. (NAN)

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571152080/unilag-gang-rape-absence-defendants-stalls-trial

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Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has described as shameful revelations by the daughter of Mamman Daura, Fatimah, that they have been living in the Presidential Villa for over three years.
Afenifere further stated that it was most unfortunate that an unelected man could hijack the seat of power as revealed by the First Lady, Aisha Buhari.
The Spokesman for Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said this during an interview with PUNCH on Tuesday.

Odumakin said, “It is unfortunate that Nigeria has reached the point where someone who was not elected or appointed and holds no position known to our constitution has become this powerful

“It is a big shame and some of the personalities who are illegally in the Villa are granting interviews. It shows the level of impunity. It shows that our nation and the seat of power have been desecrated.”

Odumakin said with the new revelation, the ball is now in the court of Nigerians to continue to be ruled by proxy or break free from the chains of the cabal.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571147565/afenifere-shameful-that-mamman-daura-lives-villa

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Monday raided a nightclub in Osogbo, Osun State, arresting 94 suspected internet fraudsters.
The anti-corruption body also recovered 19 exotic cars, laptops, scores of mobile phones and other items from the suspects.

The nightclub, popularly known as Club Secret Underground, is located on the Ibadan-Iwo Expressway.
Spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement the operation followed intelligence report that suspected internet fraudsters were having a party to celebrate their loot.

He said, “A discreet operation on the club had earlier been carried out to ascertain the authenticity of the intelligence. The confirmation led to the mega raid effected on Monday.”

Uwujaren said the suspects were undergoing further interrogation, adding that those indicted would be charged after investigation.

However, an Osogbo-based lawyer, Bukola Onifade, condemned the manner the EFCC swooped on the suspects.

He said if the EFCC was looking for criminals, the officers should have done their investigations well, adding that many of those apprehended might not be criminals.

He said the owner of the club should approach the court to seek redress.

Onifade said, “I am a lawyer. Once in a while, I go clubbing. If I were at the club on the day the raid was carried out, I would have been apprehended.

“I believe such illegality on display by the EFCC was imported to the organisation by the police that are working in the anti-graft body.”

The Convener of Dialogue 365, a rights group based in Osogbo, Saka Waheed, said the EFCC officers that carried out the raid should be identified and punished.

He recalled the arrest of 21 students of Osun State University in Osogbo in July 25 on the belief that they were internet fraudsters, only for the commission not to press charges against them.

Waheed said, “From what I was told, none of the 21 students arrested was eventually a Yahoo Yahoo person after they had been beaten like common criminals by the EFCC officers that came from Ibadan.

“With the manner the latest raid was carried out, the probability is high that the majority of those nabbed would be mere revellers. I urge Federal Government to check excesses of the operatives from Ibadan zonal office of the EFCC.”

But Uwujaren said it would be difficult to identify a particular suspect, hence the decision to apprehend all those present for profiling.

He disclosed that the screening would expose those with cases to answer based on the evidence obtained from their phones and the documents found on them.

He said, “People were many at the club, so you have to arrest them and then carry out screening. Our screening is not manual; it is an evidence-based investigation which will be based on what we find on them (suspects).

“It is also possible that those that our intelligence didn’t identify initially may also be part of those perpetrating the crime and they may be identified based on the evidence found on them.

“The commission will know those who were part of the cyber scammers. We are going to do a screening and that was why we didn’t release the names and photographs of those we arrested.”

Asked if the rights of the suspects would not be breached, the commission promised that the screening won’t take long.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571128644/efcc-condemned-over-arrest-nightclubbers-osun

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The Secretary of the Media and Publicity Committee of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Council in the forthcoming Kogi State governorship election, Dr Tom Ohikere, has said former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, does not command the influence to facilitate reconciliation within the Kogi State’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party or pull the party from the brink of defeat.
The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, on Friday named Saraki s the chairman of a five-man reconciliation committee charged with the task of reuniting the PDP factions in the state.
Ohikere, who spoke to journalists in Abuja, said Saraki was never a close friend of the people of the state.

He said, “What does Bukola Saraki know of Kogi politics? He never established any warm relationship with our people, not even the state chapter of the PDP, even when he was the Senate President. What did the state chapter of the PDP benefit from him?”

“Now all of a sudden, they want the PDP in Kogi State to refer to him. A PDP that is desperately struggling to find its bearing amidst a surge of defections and altercations.”

According to him, the PDP in Kogi state has no bearing oscillating between former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Saraki.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571135197/what-does-bukola-saraki-know-kogi-politics

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan zonal office, on Monday, raided a nightclub in Osogbo, notorious for hosting parties for suspected internet fraudsters.
The raid led to the arrest of 94 suspects and confiscation of 19 exotic cars, laptops, scores of mobile phones and other items.
Popularly known as ‘Club Secret Underground’, the nightclub is located on the Ibadan-Iwo Expressway in the Osun State capital.

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement said the operation was a followup to an intelligence report that the suspected internet fraudsters were having a party to celebrate their loots.

“A discreet operation on the club had earlier been carried out to ascertain the authenticity of the intelligence. The confirmation led to the mega raid effected on Monday,” he said.

Uwujaren said the suspects were undergoing further interrogation, adding that those indicted would be charged to court after investigations.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571059743/efcc-raids-night-club-osogbo-arrests-confiscates

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Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Goodluck Jonathan will receive a cumulative entitlements of N2.3 billion under the 2020 fiscal year.
This is contained in the details of the 2020 Appropriation Bill presented to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The details of the fiscal document obtained by our reporters also showed that others who will also benefit from the budgeted entitlements include General Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Ebitu Okiwe, Oladipo Diya, Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo.
The budgetary allocation is listed under the omnibus “Service Wide Vote” domiciled in the Presidency as “Entitlements for former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chief of General Staff.”

Also listed under the Service Wide Vote are the benefits for retired Heads of Service of the Federation who are to enjoy a whopping N4.502 billion, while retired Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Generals and Colonels are to receive a cumulative N3.88 billion.

Retired workers of the Nigerian Airways who have been agitating for their benefits will also have course to smile under the budget as the government made a provision of about N16 billion for them.

A greater majority of retired Nigerian Airways staff are said to have died without receiving their entitlements.

Also contained in the budget is N20 billion voted as University Revitalisation Fund which is said to be part of the agitation by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

A source in ASUU told one of our reporters that “N20 billion is a far cry from the funds required by union for the revitalization of the universities.”

He noted that “it is unacceptable that the government did not make any provision for the long overdue allowances owed our members all over the country.”

Equally contained in the budget is the provision for the Federal Government to pay electricity bills of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to the tune of N5billion in the 2020 fiscal year.

The President Buhari voted N132,199,558 for fuel and lubricants, N240,730,180 for welfare package and N98,306,492 for foodstuffs and catering materials supplies to the State House.

There is also a provision for medical expenses of N51,821,160, rehabilitation and repairs of buildings of N4,451,883,558, refreshments and meals of N25,652,502.

There is an additional proposal to construct a “Presidential Wing” at the State House Medical Centre with the sum of N416,668,229.

Read Also: 2020 budget defence: President bars ministers, heads of agencies from foreign travels

The State House Medical Centre is to gulp N723,003,927 with overheads put at N331,730,212.

Besides the State House budget also made provision for conversion/upgrade of “Villa Ranch” and construction of wildlife conservation capture in the sun of N14,344,026.

The proposed reconstruction and furnishing of the security building within the Villa, including extension of bodyguards kitchen is to cost N18,502,943 while the sum of N6,197179 would be expended for the rehabilitation of animal enclosure/procurement of Veterinary laboratory equipment in the State House.

The Presidency would also purchase plant nursery equipment for production of local flowers for routine floral arrangement, irrigation and upgrade of helipad grass field at the sum of N11,924,777, while the systematic collection and assessment of data about projects and programmes to aid management to make decisions in the State House is to cost N25,419,885

The budget document also contained a provision for the cleaning and fumigation of the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in the sum of N52,219,699.

Motor vehicle fuel cost for the office of the NSA was put at N36,102,180 as other transport equipment fuel cost were estimated at N72,932,000.

The NSA is also to expend N3,022,300 refreshments and meals and N8,494,958 for honorarium and sitting allowance.

There was also a proposal for the purchase of security equipment at the cost of N3,235,729,600, medical expenses of N8,388,275 and welfare packages N41,250,000 for the office of the NSA.

In addition, the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs proposed amount for refreshments and meals is N38,620,353 with honorarium and sitting allowance of N6,338,158 and welfare packages of N31,600,481.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1571050531/2020-budget-obasanjo-ibb-jonathan-get-billion

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The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, has stressed the need to strengthen the state’s Gender-based Violence (Prohibition) Law to ensure punishment for violators.
The governor’s wife, who spoke on Thursday during the public hearing of the GVB Amendment Bill at Ekiti State House Assembly, Ado Ekiti, lamented, “Violence against women keeps increasing in Ekiti. We appeal to the House to pass this law expeditiously.

“I am not the owner of the law; it is for men and women in Ekiti. We only championed it. It is to protect us, our family and society against all forms of discrimination, so that we can all live life of respect and dignity,” she said.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Fapohunda, said the amendment to the bill might include medical castration, compulsory psychiatric test and disqualification of offenders from benefiting from government’s social investment programmes.

Fapohunda said, “We plead with the House of Assembly to have expeditious and holistic consideration of the amendment into this bill because it is to provide legal framework for Governor Kayode Fayemi’s zero tolerance for all forms of gender violence.

“The increasing cases of rape and defiling of little children in Ekiti requires urgent attention. The amendment being sought may include imprisonment and medical castration of offenders among others not stipulated in the existing law.”


Fayemi’s wife said the amendment became imperative to give the victims voices and for offenders to be held accountable, saying, “The best form of injustice in any society is for offenders to be let off the hook without justifiable reasons.

“To make the law effective, we are going to decentralise the referral centres and all the local governments will have one each. You don’t need to come to the state capital before lodging your complaints. The GVB Management Committee has been brought back to attend to complaints.”

The Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye, said the law when amended, would elevate gender issues to human rights in the state.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1570783630/bisi-fayemi-proposes-castration-sexual-offenders

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Disqualified Big Brother Naija housemate, Tacha Akide has announced Tiwa Savage’s ex Teebillz as her new manager.
She made the announcement on Friday via her verified Instagram handle.
Before making the announcement, Tacha deleted all photos from her handle.

Sharing a collage of the brand, Tacha said, “New Management @teebillz323”

Teebillz is the former husband of popular singer, Tiwa Savage.

Tacha was disqualified from the BBNaija house after she had an altercation with the winner of the reality TV show, Mercy, which turned physical.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1570802732/tacha-announces-teebillz-manager

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Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has warned that religions should not be used as tools for destruction of tradition and culture of people in Nigeria if the country will join the league of developed nations of the world.
He said until Nigerians “begin to appreciate what God has done for us in Nigeria, appreciate humanity and place important priority in sustaining our culture, tradition and other core values of life, that is when we can continue to enjoy the blessings of God that are bestowed on us as a people.”

The Yoruba generalismo gave the warning in his address at the 2019 edition of Oro-Ebedi festival, held on Thursday, at Old NYSC Orientation Camp, Iseyin, Oyo State.
The festival was supported by the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) and Oyo State Chapter of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).

He enjoined the leadership of Islam and Christianity in the six states in the South West of Nigeria not to use religions as tools to destroy the tradition and culture of Yorubaland.

Adams spoke against the backdrop of objection of leadership of Islam and Christianity to holding of Oro-Ebedi festival in Iseyin and the insistence of Oro adherents that the festival must be held.

The altercation led to signing of peace accord during a peace meeting convened by Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr. Shina Olukolu, with a strong warning that any group that contravened the law would be dealt with.

The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdul Ganiy Adekunle Ajinese I, and some traditional rulers from Oke-Ogun zone of the state as well as distinguished son and daughters of Iseyin, graced the festival

‘’I feel bad whenever I see how some of us are doing everything to denigrate our culture. Some of us use religions as tools to destroy our tradition. And this is affecting us as a people.

“I want to make it clear today that the Yoruba nation of our dream is a collective responsibility. Therefore, it is instructive to say it openly that across the length and breadth of the world, history remains the bedrock of development.

“No nation in the world can make any meaningful progress without a good knowledge of history. All over the world, people’s culture and tradition take the centre stage.

“You appreciate people most by what they do and how they are able to impact their society. Let me say it once again that efforts should be made to sustain the cultural identity of the Yoruba race.”

Adams noted that Olokun Festival Foundation “is poised to promote the tradition and cultural identity of the Yoruba race. It is our duty to educate and re-orientate our people on the need to preserve what is truly ours.”

He particularly appealed to indigines of Iseyin to embrace the age-long tradition and culture of their forebears, adding that there are differences between culture, tradition and religion.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1570789684/religion-shouldn-tools-destroy-tradition-culture-gani

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Popular rapper, Sky B has debunked the rumour of his death dead.
He stated he only died in a movie he acted and not in real life.

The rapper took to his Instagram page on Wednesday to clear the air on his purported death.
“The rumour about my death started after acting a movie last week in Owerri. I died in the movie, not in real life. The main one that hit the net was the one that happened yesterday around 2:30 am I had an emergency which I was taken to the hospital and I called a few friends to pray for me”

“And I updated on my status that I was critically ill and needed prayers only for me to come out after hours of taking drip to hear about my death rumour everywhere. I was shocked at first but now I thank God today that I didn’t die and I can’t die and please let no one post anything about my death.

Sky B further urged his fans to no longer post anything about his death.

He apologised to them for the trauma the news of his passing put them through.

“Please, I beg you to post about my music, not about my death. I apologise to everyone who was hurt and to people who cared about me and also I apologise to my greatest fans home and abroad who called tirelessly and messaged to get facts.

“Please, SkyB is strong now and ready to perform anywhere on any stage and dropping new songs too. I’m back fully with earth and water”. He wrote

The news of Sky B’s death was trending in different social media and blogs a few days ago and generated mixed reactions among fans.

On Tuesday, October 8, 2019, Sky B was reported to be dead in Owerri, Imo State after he was reportedly found unconscious at his residence in the morning.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1570717154/not-dead-rapper-sky

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A nine-year-old pupil (name withheld) on Wednesday narrated before an Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos how a 40-year-old policeman, Andy Eghobamien, lured her into his apartment and defiled her on numerous occasions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the child made the revelation during the trial of Mr Eghobamien on a one-count charge of defilement contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The child, who described herself as a primary five pupil of one of the schools in Lagos State, was led in evidence by Inumidun Solarin, the state Prosecutor.

She said the defendant, who was her neighbour, had defiled her on various occasions and that on the last occasion, he had lured her into his apartment under the pretext of giving her N200 to buy milk for him.

The child told the court that Mr Eghobamien after defiling her had hid her under his bed when her elder sister was frantically searching for her.

She said: “I know Brother Andy (the defendant). He is our neighbour, who lives at the back yard of our house. He is popularly known as ‘Officer’.

“On that day, Brother Andy called me when I got back from school and sent me on an errand. He sent me to go and buy milk for him. Then he gave me N200.

“I bought the milk and when I returned, he asked me to bring it inside his room. He then said I should drop the milk on the table and sit down.

“When I sat down, he now told me to lie on the bed and remove my pant. He now put his penis in my bum bum. He put his penis at my front bum bum (she demonstrates by pointing at her vagina).

“After that, he asked me to hide under the bed when my elder sister came calling my name. One of our neighbours, Chioma, even entered his room to buy recharge card for him, though she didn’t see me, I saw her from under the bed.

“And because my elder sister was shouting my name and looking for me, officer told me to pretend like nothing happened and that I should pass through the backyard gate.”

The child said when she was found by her sister she lied and said she was at her friend’s house and that her sister had insisted that she took her to the friend’s house.

“I started begging her not to beat me, and I told her that I was inside officer’s room. My sister beat me and reported to my father who was very angry.

“When my mummy came back from the market where she sells Abacha (African salad), my sister reported me again.

“This time my mummy threatened to kill me if I don’t tell her what happened. I became afraid and told her the truth.

“Immediately my mummy called all her brothers and they came to our house the following morning and took us to Amukoko police station to report. It was after we made a report at the station that the police came and arrested Brother Andy,” she said.

The witness said she was referred by authorities to the Mirabel Centre (a Sexual Assault Referral Centre) where the doctors revealed that she had been sexually abused on several occasions by the defendant.

The prosecutor asked “How many times has he done such to you (sexual intercourse)?”

“Many times. I can’t really count,” the child responded.

While being cross-examined by Mr M.L. Ezomo, the Defence Counsel, the child said the reason why she did not report the abuse was because the policeman had threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

She also added: “no other person touched me except Brother Andy.”

NAN reports that according to the prosecution, the policeman allegedly defiled the nine-year-old child on June 6 at Amukoko area of Lagos.

Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015 prescribes a life sentence for anyone found guilty of defilement.

Justice Sybil Nwaka adjourned the case until October 30 for continuation of trial.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1570709564/policeman-defiled-several-occasions-year-old-pupil

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THE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief David Lyon, has told Governor Seriake Dickson that he was trained as a scientist to think and seek solution to problems in the society.
Lyon, who was reacting on Wednesday to the jibes thrown at him by Governor Dickson during the inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) campaign for the November 16 election, said he believed more in solving problems and not in noisemaking.

The candidate, in a statement signed by his media aide, Chief Gift Ebiki, said governance was beyond deployment of flowery words and garrulous talks to confuse and deceive the people.
Lyon said a governor is required to think, identify problems, formulate actionable plans, deploy and monitor human and material resources to resolve the issues and ensure achievements of required results.

“This is who Lyon is. By virtue of my training as a scientist, having studied Chemistry and Mathematics, I am prepared to solve the problems of my people. We have identified the problems and we are going to solve them.

“We won’t speak too much grammar about it. We will simply roll up our sleeves and get to work. It is on record that those who talk too much have little or no action. Most of them abuse public resources, divert our commonwealth to their private and family pockets and then use beautiful grammar to cover up. For me and my team, our actions and performances will do the talking,” he added.

Lyon asked Dickson to focus on his party (PDP), which he noted had been rejected by the people because of his years of broken promises, underdevelopment and poverty despite huge allocations received by his government.

He said instead of Dickson dissipating his energy, making uncomplimentary remarks against him and other illustrious indigenes of the state, he should channel such energy in resolving the crisis he inflicted on his party.

Describing PDP as a sinking ship, Lyon said the governor, out of alleged greed, poor performance and arrogance, made his party very unattractive to the people, who in turn rejected him to embrace a new era powered by the APC.

He said the governor should be worried that the national leadership of the PDP was absent at the campaign launch, adding that the governors elected on the platform of the PDP, even the ones sharing borders with Bayelsa State, also stayed away from the rally.

Lyon said Dickson’s anointed candidate and running mate further showed their unpopularity at home and abroad when they could not attract their PDP colleagues at the National Assembly to attend the event.

He said: “I want to tell Dickson that governorship is not a talk show. Dickson should also know that every Bayelsan understands his (Dickson’s) antics of propaganda and falsehood. Dickson should know that Bayelsans are well informed and need someone who has the capacity to provide food for the people, create employment opportunities, improve their standard of living and build lasting infrastructures.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1570707266/thinker-not-noisemaker-lyon-tells-dickson

https://thenationonlineng.net/lyon-to-dickson-im-a-thinker-not-a-noisemaker/amp/

Out of all the Presidents that have emerged in the country, only late President Umaru Yar’Adua took up the presidential role of Grand Patron of the Nigeria Academy of Science.
According to the organisation’s structure, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is supposed to serve as the Grand Patron of the academy.
However, our correspondent gathered that apart from the late Yar’Adua, no other President bothered to take up the position, despite formal requests made by the NAS.
President of the academy, Professor Mosto Onuoha, who confirmed the development while speaking with our correspondent, observed that Yar’Adua’s academic background might have informed his decision to assume the position.

The late Yar’Adua acquired a B.Sc degree in Education and Chemistry, as well as an M.Sc degree in Analytical Chemistry, from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

“The President of the country is supposed to be the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Academy of Science but only the late President Umaru Yar’Adua took up the position, maybe because he was a scientist,” Onuoha said.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari had indicated an interest in the position of the academy’s Grand Patron.

However, the President is yet to assume the position.

The Nigerian Academy of Science – the official science academy of Nigeria – was established on January 18, 1977 as an association of Nigeria’s foremost scientists, but became incorporated in 1986.

The academy, which is the apex scientific organisation in Nigeria, acts as an advisor to the Federal Government.

The academy is also expected to fund research fellowships and scientific start-up companies.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1570698137/only-yar-adua-took-presidential-role-nas

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