Articles of impeachment charging President Donald Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress will be formally read to the Senate Thursday, setting in motion a historic trial that threatens the US leader with removal from office.


Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will then be sworn in to preside over the trial and senators sworn in as jurors, as preparations get underway for an impeachment trial that will open on Tuesday, January 21.

Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said that the articles would be formally read to the chamber at noon (1700 GMT), in an announcement following their delivery to the Senate Wednesday.

“This is a difficult time for our country, but this is precisely the kind of time for which the framers created the Senate,” McConnell said, referring to the authors of the US Constitution.

“I’m confident that this body can rise above short-termism and factional fever and serve the long-term best interests of our nation. We can do this, and we must.”

The two articles of impeachment — one for abuse of power and the other for obstructing the House investigation — were delivered in blue folders in a solemn procession by the newly appointed House managers, seven Democrats who will prosecute the case against the president.

“So sad, so tragic for our country, that the actions taken by the president to undermine our national security, to violate his oath of office and to jeopardize the security of our elections, has taken us to this place,” Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said as she signed the articles.

“This president will be held accountable,” she said. “No one is above the law.”

The solemn formalities underscored the grimness of the occasion, Trump becoming only the third US president in history to be placed on trial in the Senate.

“We feel we are carrying out the will of the framers of our constitution, and that’s a pretty serious load,” said Adam Schiff, the Democratic lawmaker tapped to lead the prosecution team.

– ‘Two weeks’ –

Trump is accused of secretly holding up $391 million in aid to Ukraine between July and September to pressure Kiev to investigate former vice president Joe Biden, the Democratic frontrunner in this year’s White House race.

The president is also charged with obstruction for holding back witnesses and documents from the House impeachment investigation in defiance of Congressional subpoenas.

He was formally impeached on December 18.

But Pelosi held back on delivering the articles to the Senate as she pressured McConnell to agree to subpoena the witnesses and documents that the White House blocked from the House probe.

McConnell has refused to commit, saying the issue will only be decided after the trial’s opening arguments and questioning, which could take two weeks.

A Trump administration official told reporters Wednesday that they expect the trial to last no longer than two weeks, suggesting McConnell could use his 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate to stifle calls for witnesses and quickly take the charges to a vote.

“I think it’s extraordinarily unlikely it will be going beyond two weeks,” the official said, on condition of anonymity.

With impeachment rules requiring a two-thirds super-majority to convict and remove a president, Trump’s acquittal is widely expected.

Earlier Wednesday Trump ridiculed the investigation and trial, as he has for months.

“Here we go again, another Con Job by the Do Nothing Democrats,” he wrote on Twitter.

On Tuesday Democrats released newly acquired files that showed Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani working with Ukrainian-born American Lev Parnas early last year to pressure Kiev to investigate Biden.

They also showed the two, working with Ukrainian officials, trying to force out the US ambassador to the country, Marie Yovanovitch, eventually removed by Trump.

In a televised interview that aired Wednesday, Parnas told MSNBC that “President Trump knew exactly what was going on.”

“He was aware of all of my movements. I wouldn’t do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president.”

– Grave task –

Underscoring the high level of politics surrounding the trial, Pelosi was immediately attacked over the ceremony to sign the articles, in which she used multiple pens to distribute to key lawmakers as souvenirs of the occasion.

House Republican Liz Cheney attacked Pelosi and Democrats for being “giddy with excitement” about the signing and “making a mockery of their duty to the Constitution.”

Aside from Schiff, the House Intelligence Committee Chairman, the prosecution team will include Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler; House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries; Zoe Lofgren, a veteran of two previous impeachment investigations; and three others.

Former federal prosecutor Elie Honig said the lawmakers chosen stood out for their backgrounds in the US legal system, several of them being former federal attorneys.

The Democrats “signal they intend to do this like a criminal trial and not like a political show,” Honig said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1579159439/senate-prepares-set-trump-trial-motion

The police have brought before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Ikeja, an Islamic cleric, Kabiru Adebayo, for allegedly defrauding his follower, Oluwadamilola Oyesomi, of N4.3m.

It was gathered that Kabiru collected the sum on the pretext of performing some sacrifices for Oyesomi.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Kabiru allegedly collected the sum of N4.3m from the victim over two years and converted same to his personal use and disappeared when he learnt that the police were on his trail.

Kabiru was on Wednesday arraigned on two counts of fraud and stealing before Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The police prosecutor, Ben Emuerhi, who stated that Kabiru was arrested a year after committing the crime, told the court that the defendant committed the offences alongside others still at large in December 2018 at Pen- Cinema in the Agege area of Lagos.

According to Emuerhi, the offences contravene sections 280 (1) (a) (b) and 314 (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

READ ALSO: How Kolade Johnson was killed by policeman – Friends

Sule-Amzat admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, adding that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case till February 24, 2020, for mention.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1579159571/cleric-defrauds-follower-for-sacrifices

[img]https://cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/31230833/Ikeja-Magistrate%E2%80%99s-Court.jp[/img]

Oyo State Government has declared that public school teachers would henceforth be promoted and honoured according to their diligence and efficiency, as reflected in the overall performance of their students in external examinations.

This was contained in a press statement by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Wasiu Olatunbosun, on Wednesday.

The statement noted that the declaration was announced by the Chairman, Oyo State Post-primary Schools Teaching Service Commission at an Interactive session with School Managers, Saki zone, Oke Ogun.

He said, “The promotion of teachers will no more be ‘business as usual’ as the Governor Seyi Makinde administration has concluded plans to award excellency, based on measures of efficient and productive input by teachers to make their students excel in external examinations.

“You can see that our government is a listening one, we are here today to have some feedback, tell us which area we need to improve as government and I can assure you that era of unpaid salary has gone forever as this administration will continue to make prompt payment of salary its priority.

“In the last promotion that we did where over 800 teachers got promoted, there was no report on the beneficiaries, everybody was just moved together at the same time, though we believe our teachers are noble, good and hard-working but we may have some bad eggs, who are lazy and might have sailed through without been qualified and the hard-working ones will be feeling cheated.

“This is why we are contemplating that at the end of every year, there must be reports on our teachers’ conduct and activities; teachers that are sanctified to be good and efficient need not wait for a general promotion, they will be promoted and honoured as at when due.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1579093647/governor-makinde-ties-oyo-teachers-promotion-students

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, remanded a 37-year-old man, Stephen, in Kirikiri Correctional Service for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr P.E. Nwaka, who did not take the plea of Stephen ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

Nwaka adjourned the case until February 13, for a mention,

Stephen, who resides at Alakuko, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a count of rape.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Inspector Christopher John, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on December 24, 2019, at his residence.

John alleged that Stephen forcefully raped his daughter without her consent.

“The case was reported to the police and the defendant was arrested,” the prosecutor said.

John said the offence contravened Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1579089292/man-allegedly-rapes-daughter

A trader, Anthony Okolie, who was arrested by the Department of State Services and detained for 10 weeks, has sued the DSS for N500m.

Okolie, in a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, by his lawyer, Tope Akinyode, also demanded N500m from Hanan Buhari, the daughter of the President, Major General Muhammadu (retd.), as well as a telecommunications company, MTN.

The suit, with number FHC/ASB/CS/3/2020, is seeking an order to “compel the respondents (DSS, Hanan and MTN) jointly or severally to pay the applicant the sum of N500,000,000 only as general and aggravated damages for the gross and unlawful violation of the applicant’s right to acquire moveable properties, freedom of movement and self dignity.”


The 33-year-old man said in a supporting affidavit that he was arrested on July 19, 2019, in Asaba, Delta State, for using a telephone line that was previously owned by Hanan.

According to him, he remained in custody, bound by handcuffs, till September 22, 2019, as the DSS waited for Hanan, who was schooling in the United Kingdom, to come and clear him but she never did.

Okolie also attached the receipt he was issued after purchasing the SIM card as well as the SIM certificate.

The affidavit read in part, “That on December 8, 2019, at Ogbeogonogo Market, Nebu Road, Asaba, Delta State, I purchased a SIM card with Phone Number, 09035666662, for the sum of N1,000 only and I received a SIM pack with accompanying documents as a result as evidence of purchase receipt.

“That in line with relevant regulations, I approached a kit operator of the 3rd respondent (MTN) named Jeff, who captured my biometric and registered the SIM card in my name and on my behalf.

“That in July, 2019, I visited my business associate at his residence in Asaba and saw him being taken away by officers of the 1st respondent (DSS). During the process, they obtained information from him on who he communicated with last over the phone and my associated announced that it was me.

“That immediately afterwards, officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) arrested me and led me to their vehicle, asking me to keep quiet and drove me to their offices in Asaba, Delta, State.

“That after a while, they disclosed that my arrest was ordered by the Presidency and I had to be taken to Abuja for further interrogation on which basis they drove me to Abuja by road the following day.”

The applicant stated that he explained to the DSS how he bought the SIM card but he was informed that the phone line, which was linked to his SIM card, was once used by Hanan.

“They thereafter labelled me a criminal for using a phone line that previously belonged to the 2nd respondent,” he said.

Okolie alleged that because of the personality involved, his case file was tagged, ‘First Family’ and he was denied access to his lawyers.

The trader claimed that his mother, who was not allowed to see him, developed high blood pressure while he lost a N5m business deal.

He added, “They also disclosed to me that the President wants to see me and my case was boldly earmarked, First Family. Based on the foregoing, officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) maintained that the 2nd respondent (Hanan) must be available to clarify her allegations against me before I was allowed freedom from their facilities.

“That the 2nd respondent (Hanan) was contacted several times by officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) but the 2nd respondent (Hanan) declined making herself available by claiming that she was busy with studies in the United Kingdom.”

Okolie asked the court to declare that his long detention was an abuse of his fundamental human rights.

He asked the court to declare that the actions of the DSS contravened sections 35 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578985634/sim-card-man-sues-buhari-daughter-dss

The police, on Monday, arraigned a housekeeper, Blessing Patrick, who allegedly stole jewellery worth N11.5 million belonging to her employer in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The police charged Patrick, 27, who resides at No. 9, Unity Road, Lekki Ajah, Lagos State; Suraj Usman, 50, and Hassan Hamidu, 40, with conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property.

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecution Counsel, Inspector Christopher John told the court that the defendants committed the offence on August 4, 2018 at No. 9, Unity Road, Lekki Ajah, Lagos State.

He alleged that Patrick stole 32 pieces of gold worth 11.5 million belonging to her employer Mrs Oyinye Obi.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578918060/housekeeper-two-others-court-for-allegedly-stealing

The Nigeria Police has commenced investigation into a viral video on social media where persons dressed and armed as policemen are extorting from members of the public with a point of sale (POS) machine.

In the video shared by @marshallkacy, the “policemen” are seen demanding some citizens by making payments with their ATMs on the POS machines.

In the 45-second video, a particular young man can be heard protesting that he would not provide his own ATM, because he had never heard about such.

The police through its verified Twitter handle @policeNG on Friday, said it has commenced investigations to unravel the authenticity of the video, location of incident and identity of persons captured in the viral video where some persons in Police uniform were captured, allegedly with POS machine and demanding ATM card from a member of the public.

“Members of the public with relevant information that could assist Police investigators are enjoined to kindly DM @policeNG or furnish same via any of our confidential channels e.g email protected

“The IGP condemns all acts of corruption by Public Servants, particularly Police officers and is committed to bringing to book any officer found wanting in this regard,” the tweet read.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578653091/police-commence-investigation-into-video-officers-extorting

A grandma from hell has been arrested by police in Nigeria’s southern state of Rivers following reports she gave two grandchildren a peppered water bath and thereafter chained them, stripped.

She then locked up the female kids, aged 7 and 8 up like a jailor.

According to the police, the 52-year-old woman, simply called Mama Vera, gave the kids the horrendous punishment because they ate garri, a popular staple made from cassava and mixed it with sugar, as a meal without her consent.

The incident happened at Mgbuoba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State

Witnesses said concerned neighbours had to break into the house when they heard the wailing children calling for help.

The police who arrested the woman are also accusing her of denying the children their rights to go to school.

A lawyer, Precious Johnmark, who also witnessed the incident is calling on the Rivers State Police Command and the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, to follow the case and ensure the prosecution of Mama Vera for allegedly violating the rights of the girls.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578652478/grandma-bathes-two-kids-with-pepper-chain

The party said the Presidency’s continuous reference to a presidential successor, less than a year into President Muhammadu Buhari’s second tenure, was a direct acceptance of failure and lack of capacity of the administration to manage the affairs of a nation as complex as Nigeria.

The PDP, in a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said such “continued allusion” to a successor by the Buhari Presidency allegedly showed that the President and the APC had no agenda for the nation for the next three years.


“Our party, standing with millions of Nigerians, counsels the Buhari Presidency to bury its confessed interests in the 2023 Presidency and desist from making unsolicited allusions and references to a successor, as failed leaders can only bequeath failure on a people.

“The PDP therefore, charges the Buhari Presidency to immediately withdraw the offensive and provocative remark to ‘hand Nigeria over’, in its response to Rev. Tunde Bakare’s comment on the 2023 Presidency.

“In insisting that President Buhari has interest in his successor, the Buhari Presidency is in direct aggression against the will of the people to freely elect a president as guaranteed by the constitution.

“The PDP therefore, counsels President Buhari to end his interest in the 2023 Presidency and use the remaining years of his tenure to get competent hands to assists him to manage the affairs of the nation, while he concentrates on his retirement plans, as Nigerians expect no solutions from him and his party,” the opposition party said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578649124/withdraw-your-2023-ambition-pdp-cautions-buhari

A young man in Germany has died four years after being poisoned by a co-worker and falling into a coma.

The state court in Bielefeld, which convicted the suspect in the case last year, confirmed the death on Thursday, German news agency dpa reported.

It said the 26-year-old’s parents spoke about their son’s suffering during a trial last year.

A 57-year-old man, identified only as Klaus O. for privacy reasons, was sentenced to life in prison last March after the court in Bielefeld, 330 kilometers (205 miles) west of Berlin, found him guilty of attempted murder.

The defendant, who has appealed the verdict, had peppered co-workers’ food with mercury and other substances over several years, leaving one in a coma and two others with serious kidney damage, DailyMail reports.

He was arrested in May 2018 after surveillance video showed him putting a suspicious powder on a colleague´s sandwich at their workplace in the town of Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578571757/man-dies-four-years-after-eating-poison

At least 19 people were killed and 24 injured in northern Iran when a bus plunged off a mountain road into a ravine before dawn Thursday, local news agencies reported.

Brake failure was believed to have caused the accident in Mazandaran province, 150 kilometres (90 miles) northeast of Tehran, official news agency IRNA said.

The bus was travelling between the capital and Gonbad-e-Kavous, a historic town near Turkmenistan renowned for its 11th-century brick tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578568570/killed-injured-iran-auto-crash

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned against speculations on the probable causes of a crashed Boeing-type airline owned by Ukraine International Airlines.

The UIA said there was no immediate indication that foul play may have caused the plane to go down soon after take-off.

Bereaved friends and families have joined in mourning after the Ukrainian airliner crashed near Tehran killing all 176 on board, as heartbreaking details started emerging about the victims, most of them from Iran and Canada.



According to Ukraine, 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons were on board, as well as 11 Ukrainians — including nine crew.

At least 25 of the passengers were under the age of 18, the UIA said.

READ ALSO: FG interference, govs’ intrigues threaten Operation Amotekun

Search-and-rescue teams combed through the smoking wreckage of the Boeing 737 flight to Kiev, but officials said there was no hope of finding survivors.

Body bags were lined up on the ground, and the passengers’ personal items including luggage, clothes, a Santa Claus doll and a boxing glove were scattered in the debris.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his “sincere condolences” to the bereaved families.

READ ALSO: US ready to embrace peace, Trump extends olive branch to Iran

The head of Iran’s civil aviation organisation, Ali Abedzadeh, said Iran would cooperate with Ukraine, but not send the black boxes to the US, with which it has no diplomatic relations.

Without naming Iran directly, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement calling for “complete cooperation with any investigation into the cause of the crash.”

According to aviation experts, only a handful of countries are capable of analysing black boxes — notably Britain, France, Germany and the United States.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578564818/iran-crisis-ukraine-warns-against-speculations-causes

A suspected military man is said to be on the run after he allegedly slit the throat of a man in the Itire area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the fleeing suspect perpetrated the crime during an argument with the deceased on Wednesday.

Efforts to rescue the victim, who was taken to an emergency centre for treatment, were said to have proved abortive.

One Samuel Agbolajo, who posted details of the incident on his Facebook page, said policemen from the Itire Police Division arrested the suspect.

Agbolajo, however, said the yet-to-be-identified military man was later released in an alleged bid to cover up the crime.

“Man slaughtered by a force man all because of argument. The Itire Police Station released the suspect all because he is a force man. We need the support of fellow Nigerians; they want to sweep this case under the carpet. Justice must be served. #PCRC #NIGERIAPOLICE,” he wrote.


The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said, “We have no such case. I spoke with the Itire Divisional Police Officer and he said no such case was reported. Maybe it happened in another location, but not Itire.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578556972/suspected-military-man-slit-man-throat-lagos

The US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday Iranian missile strikes on bases in Iraq had not harmed any US troops stationed there and damage was minimal, an outcome he said showed Tehran wanted to de-escalate a standoff, Reuters reports.

Iranian forces fired missiles at military bases housing US troops in Iraq early on Wednesday, saying it was in retaliation for the killing in a US drone strike of powerful Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani on January 3

“No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases,” Trump said in an address to the nation.

Iranian forces fired missiles at military bases housing US troops in Iraq early on Wednesday, saying it was in retaliation for the killing in a US drone strike of powerful Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani on January 3

“No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases,” Trump said in an address to the nation.

“Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.”

As he spoke, the US president was flanked by Vice President Mike Pence, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and military officers.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who earlier on Wednesday addressed a gathering of Iranians chanting “Death to America”, said Iran’s attacks were a “slap on the face” of the United States and said US troops should leave the region.

Tehran’s foreign minister said Iran took “proportionate measures” in self-defense and did not seek an escalation.

Trump’s reaction in the immediate aftermath of the attacks had been to say on Twitter that “All is well!” and that Washington was assessing damage.

Trump’s early tweet and the comment by Iran’s foreign minister had acted to soothe some initial concerns about a wider war and calmed jittery financial markets.

US and European government sources said they believed Iran had deliberately sought to avoid US military casualties in its missile strikes to prevent an escalation.

Earlier on Wednesday, an Iranian army spokesman had denied “foreign media reports” suggesting there had been some kind of coordination between Iran and the United States before the attack to allow bases to be evacuated, Fars news agency said.

The US president, who was impeached last month and faces an election this year, had at the weekend threatened to target 52 Iranian sites if Iran retaliated for Soleimani’s killing.

Iranian state television said Iran had fired 15 ballistic missiles from its territory at US targets in its neighbor Iraq early on Wednesday. The Pentagon said al-Asad air base and another facility in Erbil were struck.

Iranian state television had said 80 “American terrorists” had been killed and US helicopters and military equipment had been damaged. But it did not say how it obtained that information.

Germany, Denmark, Norway and Poland said none of their troops in Iraq were hurt. Britain, which also has personnel in Iraq, condemned the Iranian action and said Tehran “should not repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks”.

Iraq said its forces did not suffer casualties.

More than 5,000 US troops remain in Iraq along with the other foreign forces in a coalition that has trained and backed Iraqis against the threat of Islamic State militants.

However, the Mexico President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, said on Wednesday that he would like to see a conflict between the United States and Iran resolved peacefully via dialogue, and asked those involved to say “no to war.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578558285/troops-hurt-iran-strikes-trump-says-tehran

The Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday locked horns on national issues, including renewed insurgency and insecurity in the country.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, said the ruling party, the APC, was responsible for what it called renewed insurgent attacks, bloodletting and worsened insecurity in some parts of the country. It also accused the APC regime of looting.

But its counterpart for the APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, accused the PDP of falsehood. He said the opposition party was not constant in its lies.
PDP, APC clash as 30 die in Borno bridge explosion

1 hr, 39 mins agos
9:43 am

Breaking News Trending Featured

The Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday locked horns on national issues, including renewed insurgency and insecurity in the country.
Read Also:
Join APC, get 2023 presidency, Ngige tells Igbo

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, said the ruling party, the APC, was responsible for what it called renewed insurgent attacks, bloodletting and worsened insecurity in some parts of the country. It also accused the APC regime of looting.

But its counterpart for the APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, accused the PDP of falsehood. He said the opposition party was not constant in its lies.


Read Also:
Fire destroys property in Delta


The PDP and the APC disagreed over national issues , just as no fewer than 30 people were killed and 35 injured in an explosion on a bridge at Gamboru, Borno State, on Monday.

Residents of the town, in an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, said an improvised explosive device was detonated on the bridge at 3pm on Monday in the market town of Gamboru, close to Cameroon.

One of the eyewitnesses, said, “All I can say is that I heard a loud bang and when I rushed to the scene, I saw lifeless bodies, about 30 in all.”

However, a source at one of the United Nations agencies in Maiduguri, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told one of our correspondents that only nine persons were killed and 17 others injured in the explosion.

The source, in a text message sent to the correspondent, stated, “The explosion killed nine persons. The blast was heard around 3:30pm yesterday (Monday) on the Gamboru bridge.After the explosion, Nigerian military closed the bridge.”

But a member of the civilian joint task force, a youth group fighting insurgency alongside the military in the North-East, said improvised explosive device detonated on the bridge killed scores of people.

Also, Reuters reported on Tuesday that eyewitnesses in the market town said more than 35 injured people were taken to the local hospital following the attack.

An eyewitness, Modu Ali, in an interview with Reuters, said, “It is an unfortunate day for us to witness this frustrating and devastating incident in our community. I just heard a loud sound of explosions, before I realised what was happening I saw many of our friends and colleagues were killed.”

It was suicide bombing – Commander

The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, confirmed the bombing of the Gamboru bridge. He attributed the explosion to a suicide bombing carried out by a suspected insurgent.

“It was a suicide bombing by a terrorist which claimed many lives and also damaged the bridge,” Adeniyi, told one of our correspondents on the phone on Tuesday.

Recall that after gains made by security agents last year, there has been resurgence of banditry, killing and kidnapping in some parts of the country.

On Friday, gunmen attacked Tawari in the Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State and killed 23 people.

On Sunday, bandits killed four soldiers at Sarkin Pawa in the Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

In Bayelsa State, gunmen on Monday killed four naval ratings and abducted three expatriates at Agge in the Ekeremor Local Government Area.

Also, after security chiefs’ meeting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on December 30, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas, had said, “Just two weeks back, we have had over 27 attacks from Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East alone.”

Amidst the worsening insecurity, the Federal Government had said it would withdraw troops from less volatile areas in the country.

APC responsible for rising bloodletting – PDP

In its statement on Tuesday, the PDP said the APC allegedly had been feeding fat and servicing its interests from the pains and anguish of Nigerians.

The party urged Nigerians to be wary of the alleged APC’s renewed attacks and baseless allegations against the PDP and its leaders, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

It said the alleged APC’s attacks were all in the bid to divert public attention from its perceived atrocities against Nigeria, including compromising its security architecture for selfish purposes.

The PDP challenged the APC to respond to allegations that its regime terminated the nation’s counter-insurgency operations to satisfy foreign interests, leading to escalated violent attacks and bloodletting in various parts of the country, particularly in the North.

The opposition party stated that the APC should explain the assertion by an international security expert, Eeben Barlow, who said on an international television, Aljazeera, that Nigeria was successfully routing out insurgents in the North-East before the APC and its regime terminated the counter-insurgency operation to satisfy an alleged American interest that assisted it to win the 2015 elections.

Ologbondiyan said, “It is instructive to note that the APC has engaged in unwarranted attacks on the PDP and Atiku Abubakar as well as sponsoring negative divisive publications in the last few days in the bid to divert public attention from this very grave issue.

“Nigerians can now see why insurgents, marauders and bandits, who had been pushed to the fringes under the PDP administration suddenly resurged in renewed ravaging of communities and killing our compatriots unabated, while the APC and its administration engage in empty condolence messages.

“Nigerians are aware of how the APC imported political mercenaries, thugs and miscreants from neighbouring countries including Niger Republic and used them to unleash violence on Nigerians during the 2019 presidential election.”

The PDP said the APC should account for or demand investigation and prosecution of its leaders responsible for the looting of over N14tn from federal coffers, including the stolen N9tn exposed by the leaked Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation memo on oil subsidy theft.

“The APC should also account for the N1.1tn worth of crude siphoned by its leaders using 18 unregistered vessels, the stealing of over N48bn meant for the rehabilitation of victims of insurgency.

“It should account for the N33bn National Emergency Management Agency saga in which a very top member of the President, Major-Gejeral Muhammadu Buhari (retd), regime was mentioned as well as the looting spree in National Health Insurance Scheme and the Federal Inland Revenue Service under its watch.”

PDP has nightmares, peddling falsehood, says APC

But the APC accused the PDP of peddling falsehood and fabricating figures to justify its claims of alleged looting of the treasury.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the opposition had kept changing its figures on the alleged fraud committed in the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

He said, “We have challenged them to ascertain their facts before coming to the public. The PDP should be constant in its lies by getting a constant figure. They should stop peddling different figures as it may soothe them by telling Nigerians their final figure on the alleged looting.

“Secondly, we have challenged them to give evidence from anywhere – not just FIRS or NNPC – where any missing money is traced to the party.

“They have kept changing the figures they want to use to lie. Although we know it is falsehood, they should at least keep to a figure. They can’t be reeling out figures they obtained while having nightmares.”

Beef up security, Atiku tells Buhari

On his part, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urged the President to beef up security across border communities in Nigeria.

Atiku, in his tweeter handle, @atiku, said he was saddened by the death of no fewer than 30 people in Gamboru, Borno State, after an improvised explosive device was detonated on a bridge.

“I am saddened by reports of the death of no fewer than 30 people in a bridge bomb attack in Gamboru, Borno State. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace and their families be comforted. Security must be beefed up across border towns. –AA”

Renewed banditry: Kastina villagers fleeing, says coalition

In Kastina State, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations criticised both the federal and Katsina Stat governments over renewed bandit attacks in the state.

The coalition, in a statement in Kastina on Tuesday by its Chairman, Bishir Ruwangodiya, said banditry had made thousands of people in the state to flee their homes.It said bandits had increased and intensified their attacks to virtually all parts of the state.

The group stated, “It is no longer news that Katsina State that used to be one of the most peaceful states in the country is gradually missing such glory due to increasing act of banditry and related crimes.

“Currently, in addition to the eight frontline local government areas of Batsari, Jibia, Danmusa, Safana, Sabuwa, Kankara, Dandume and Faskari, the menace has escalated in Dutsinma, Kurfi, Batagarawa, Rimi, Danja, Kafur, Matazu, Kaita, Malumfashi and Katsina, which are now also vulnerable to these attacks .

26 attacks recorded in two Katsina LGAs in 30 days

“Worst hit of recent after the dialogue and amnesty are Jibia and Dutsinma local government areas where hardly a day goes by without a reported attack. Within the last 30days for instance, 26 attacks were recorded in these places.

“Insurgency in Katsina State has made thousands of people flee their homes and relocate to other communities for safety. Those that can afford rents look for accommodation in other safer communities within and outside the state while those that cannot live with relatives.

“ In view of the state’s security situation, coupled with the actions being taken by government at all levels, the coalition wishes to strongly express its dismay by the way federal and state governments are not living up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people of Katsina State, as enshrined in section 14 (2) of the constitution. The Federal Government is the tier that has control over the security institutions and machinery of the country.”

The group said the federal and state governments had failed woefully in securing the lives and property of the people of the state.

It stated, “The dialogue done with the bandits initiated in good faith became efficient for a while because it was neither professional nor built on any defined framework.

“Should this situation continue , the people would be left with no option but to take the law into their own hands to protect themselves. This may spell doom for the future of security in the state.

“The foresight of the state government in creating security department and appointing a seasoned security expert is commendable.”

The coalition alleged that some unpatriotic citizens had started conniving with the bandits to smuggle rice, arms, and other items.

It added, “The coalition has also observed that the suspension of vigilante groups has created an avenue for the bandits to wreak havoc at will. It has been observed also that there are several allegations of connivance between bandits, security personnel, and traditional rulers.”

The coalition advised the state government to review its dialogue with the bandits with a view to making it professional, effective and sustainable.

It also called for what it called “productive engagement on security issues with communities. Government should ensure that the office of the security adviser be made to function effectively devoid of any interference.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578472997/pdp-apc-clash-die-borno-bridge-explosion

The family of the late Favour Daley-Oladele said that an order from the Lagos State Ministry of Health stopped it from burying her remains at the Atan Cemetery in the Yaba Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.

Speaking at the cemetery, Favour’s uncle, Solomon Toyeme, said the family members had mobilised to the ministry to retrieve her corpse for burial, but were instructed to suspend the arrangement for the sake of the investigation.

Toyeme said, “We were told that some procedures needed to be met and that we needed to stop the burial so that we won’t lose the case. The family had made an arrangement and we were at the Lagos State Ministry of Health to retrieve Favour’s corpse for burial when we got a call that we should not go ahead with the burial today (Tuesday).


“We were told that some procedures needed to be observed and that we needed to stop the burial so that we wouldn’t lose the case. I plead with everybody to hold on until the investigation is completed.”

When contacted, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Olusegun Ogboye, who spoke through the Director, Public Affairs, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, said, “Presently, there is a forensic investigation going on and the police investigation is also ongoing. The moment we get the report, the family will be able to go ahead with the burial. So, the investigation is still ongoing.”

Reacting to the development, the Speaker, LASU Students’ Union Government, Olayinka Kuku, who led some undergraduates of the institution to pay their last respect to the deceased, said he believed that the postponement of the burial was for justice to prevail.

“Getting here and finding out that Favour would not be buried was not something we feel happy about, but we are very confident that the reason for it is important and has to do with getting justice for our late school mate. We are not demoralised and we are motivated that justice will prevail,” Kuku stated.

PUNCH Metro had reported that Favour, the daughter of a pastor, David Daley-Oladele, was allegedly murdered by her lover, Owolabi Adeeko; his mother, Mrs Bola Adeeko; and the pastor of a white garment church, Segun Philips, in the Ikoyi-Ile area of Osun State, for money rituals.

When efforts to locate her whereabouts proved abortive, a case of a missing person was reported to the Ogun State Police Command by Favour’s parents.

During the investigation, a tracker traced the deceased’s phone to Ikoyi-Ile in Osun State, where the suspects were arrested.

Owolabi and Philips had confessed during interrogation that after she was killed, they dismembered her corpse and used some vital parts of her body for money rituals.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578472744/govt-ordered-suspension-lasu-undergraduate-burial-family

A hairdresser, Patience Oamen, on Tuesday, narrated to a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja how her brother, Nelson, stabbed their father, Sunday Oamen, to death with a broken bottle.

A hairdresser, Patience Oamen, on Tuesday, narrated to a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja how her brother, Nelson, stabbed their father, Sunday Oamen, to death with a broken bottle.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Patience stated that though Nelson had a cordial relationship with their father, the relationship was sometimes strained because of Sunday’s refusal to give the defendant money.

Patience, while being led in evidence by Adewoye, told the court that Nelson’s clothes were stained with blood on the day of the incident and he hurriedly ran out of the house.

She said, “On the day of the incident, our mother, who sells foodstuffs, was downstairs with me and between noon and 1pm, while we were still downstairs, I saw my brother hurriedly coming downstairs with his clothes stained with blood. I called his name but he ran away.

“The door to the house was locked and I was wondering how he opened the door. I took the keys, opened the door and saw a pool of blood and immediately ran downstairs to call our mother and we both ran upstairs to check on our father and noticed that he had been stabbed. He had been stabbed all over his stomach and neck with a broken bottle.

“We reported the case to the police and three days later, Nelson came to the police station to confess that he stabbed our father to death.”

Patience, who added that Nelson used to smoke Indian hemp, said his conflict with their parents over money had made him steal and sell a prepaid meter belonging to the family.

Patience, while being cross-examined by the defence counsel, E. B. Ogogo, reiterated that though she was not in the room when the incident happened, she knew that her brother committed the crime, because his clothes were stained with blood.

She added, “I saw him that day but I forgot to put it down in my statement. I was not myself that day because of the shock; that was why I did not remember to write it in my statement.

“My brother said our father’s spirit was haunting him and that was why he went to the police station to confess.”

Justice Oshodi adjourned the case till April 6 for the continuation of trial.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578470219/brother-stabbed-our-father-death-witness

The Presidency said on Tuesday the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was working hard to secure the release of all hostages taken by Boko Haram and to re-unite them with their families.

The Presidency spoke in reaction to recent statements credited to the Christian Association of Nigeria on Christian hostages held by terrorist groups.

It said, “The security forces of Nigeria are working continuously to return those taken hostage by Boko Haram to their families, friends and communities. In doing this, the government has full confidence in their ability to accomplish the task.”

CAN had, in a statement by its President, Dr Samson Ayokunle, warned about grave dangers ahead, saying that the Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province were working together, attacking more Christian villages.

Recall that on Christmas Day, ISWAP executed 11 hostages, 10 of whom were Christians, to avenge the death of their leaders, Abu bakr al-Baghdadi and Abul-Hasan Al-Muhajir in Iraq and Syria, respectively.

The body stated, “CAN Chairman in Michika, Adamawa State, Rev Lawan Andimi, was abducted by Boko Haram terrorists some days back when they invaded the predominantly Christian community. We were told troops repelled the terrorists but not until they had successfully forced Rev Andimi into their Toyota Hilux and took him away.

“The innocent cleric, in a video footage released by his captors, has been making appeal to the Federal Government, the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, and the leadership of CAN to come to his aid.”

CAN added, “As if that was not enough, there was an attack on Kasaya village, another Christian community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Monday about 6.30am. The attackers were said to have abducted 41 people, including a pastor, Rev Joshua Samaila. Up till now, nobody knows what has become of them.

“Similarly, on 27th November, 2019, Mr Bitrus Bwala, a principal lecturer at the College of Education, Gashua, Yobe State, and 10 others, who are all Christians, were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists. Bwala, in a short video released recently, cried out for help. But up till now, the government has yet to secure their freedom or say anything about them.

“These are all evidence of Christian persecution in the country, and when we cried out in support of the position of the US Government, some people would say it was untrue. If criminals are invading Christian communities, killing and abducting people unchallenged, what do we call it if not deliberate persecution?”

But the Presidency, in its reaction, called for caution, urging Nigerians not to fall for the plan of terrorists to divide Nigeria on religious lines.

“Not seeing them as they should be is exactly what the terrorists and groups wish; they want Nigerians to see their beliefs as reason to turn against one another.

“On the contrary, Christians and Muslims alike are united in their opposition to Boko Haram and the hatred for decency that the infamous group stands for,” the statement read.

…secure Nigerians, CAN tells FG

The Christian Association of Nigeria has said it will not stop criticising the Federal Government until it improves the security situation in the country.

The body also said the government must ensure the release of Christians and other Nigerians in Boko Haram captivity.

READ ALSO: Emulate South-West’s Operation Amotekun, APC tells South-South, others

“The government should wake up to its primary responsibility to protect the lives and property of the people,” CAN spokesman, Pastor Bayo Oladeji, said in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

He added, “Calling on the Federal Government to free our members from their captors who claim to be attacking us on religious grounds is the right thing to do in this situation we have found ourselves.”

Oladeji contended that criminals were still targeting predominantly Christian communities, killing, maiming and abducting the people with or without resistance from the security agencies.

The group admonished the government to wake up to its responsibilities “and see if we will not stop talking about its failure to protect our members.”

“If the government has not been treating those criminals with kid gloves, let them publish the names of their kingpins, the terrorists, herdsmen killers and bandits in their custody and those who are being prosecuted in the court of law for the world to see,” the CAN spokesman challenged the government.

He said there was nothing to show that the government was willing to rescue Leah Sharibu and the remaining Chibok girls in Boko Haram den, stating that they were being held because they were Christians.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency of Adamawa State in the House of Representatives, Mr Dauda Zakaria, has urged the Federal Government to secure release of the Chairman of CAN in the Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan Andimi, from Boko Haram’s captivity.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578469897/buhari-working-free-hostages-presidency-replies-can

Immediate-past Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi, has assumed duty at her new job at the United Nations.

A UN spokesman, Mr Farhan Haq, made this known to News Agency of Nigeria in New York on Tuesday.

Haq said Ogunbiyi, who was appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) in October, started work on January 1.

That was after the Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, had suspended Ogunbiyi at the REA in December over alleged infractions and power play in the agency.

The President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), however, reversed the suspension for “lack of due process”, according to a letter from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday.

The letter, addressed to the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed, conveyed the president’s acceptance of Ogunbiyi’s resignation from the REA with effect from December 31.

“The Government of Nigeria has publicly communicated and also informed the United Nations that the suspension of Ogunbiyi was reversed.

“Accordingly, she has begun her appointment at the United Nations as of January 1,” the UN spokesman said in response to a NAN enquiry on Monday.

The enquiry, made before Buhari’s intervention, had sought the Secretary-General’s reaction to the suspension and its implication for Ogunbiyi’s appointment with the UN.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578468403/rea-boss-resumes-after-buhari-reversal-suspension

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old housewife, Hauwa Lawal, for allegedly pushing her co-wife Zuwaira Sani, 35, and her 18-month-old son, Mustafa Gambo, into a well.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the arrest in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Kano.

Haruna said the police received a report on Friday that Lawal of Rurum village of Rano Local Government Area of Kano, had pushed her co-wife and baby into a well.

“The suspect had a misunderstanding with the victim, and in the process they started fighting in the house. The suspect pushed her rival along with her 18-month-old son, whom she was backing into a well situated in their house.’’

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Habu Sani-Ahmadu, ordered the arrest of the fleeing suspect within 24 hours.

“Operation Puff-Adder, swung into action and arrested the suspect on Saturday at about 1:17 a.m.

“The victims were removed from the well and were rushed to Rano Hospital, where Sani was confirmed dead, while her son is alive and has been discharged from the hospital. The suspect confessed to the crime,’’ the PPRO said.

The PPRO said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for investigation.

“Once investigation is completed the suspect would be charged to court,’’ Haruna said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578310038/housewife-flees-after-pushing-wife-baby-into

The Ekiti State Police Command has arraigned a 34-year-old man, Sunday Fatunase, before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly duping a cleric in a land deal.

Fatunase is facing a count of fraud.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Oriyomi Akinwale, told the court on Friday that Fatunase and one other person now at large allegedly obtained N150,000 from the complainant, Pastor Emmanuel Onyainya, on the pretext of selling a plot of land to him.

Akinwale said, “The defendant and his fleeing accomplice committed the offence around 2pm on July 26, 2019, in Ado Ekiti within the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District.

“The offence is in contravention of Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him study the file and assemble his witnesses.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

His counsel, Mr Femi Steven, urged the court to grant his client bail and promised that the defendant would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adesoji Adegboye, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Adegboye adjourned the case till January 10, 2020, for hearing.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1578304188/man-arraigned-for-duping-cleric-n150-000

The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party in the 2019 elections in Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, on Thursday urged Nigerians to tolerate other people’s beliefs and respect their opinions, no matter how disagreeable they might seem.

Gbadamosi said this in Lagos while reacting to the reports and comments that followed his recent tweet on the release of Mr Omoyele Sowore and Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) and the attack on the home of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He had tweeted that he suspected that the release of the former National Security Adviser and the Co-convener of #Revolutionnow was done to douse tension caused by the attack on Jonathan’s home.

The ADP chieftain said he was surprised that his tweet had been misquoted in the social media space and that some people had launched vitriolic media attacks on him over the distorted view.

He explained that his opinion was only that of suspicion and did not at all represent the fact as being insinuated.

“A couple of days ago, I posted a tweet in which I commented on the release of Mr Omoyele Sowore and Col. Sambo Dasuki.

“And I said further in the tweet that I suspected the release was timed to divert public attention from the attack on former President Jonathan’s home. I need to stress here that this is my personal opinion and observation as far as I could see.

“I had thought the government might want to douse tension generated that might be generated from the attack on Jonathan by focussing attention on the release of these gentlemen while the government investigates the incident.

“And that was precisely my opinion. Now to my utter surprise, I saw a post by one Kikelomo Olowolagba, where she said that I had stated in my tweet that the release of Sowore and Dasuki was actually to divert public attention to the assassination attempt on former President Jonathan.

“That is not the truth. What I simply said was that my opinion is suspicion, to which I am entitled. We should learn to tolerate other people’s opinions; if the public space has become where opinions and views cannot be stated, then we are in trouble in the country,” he said.

The ADP chieftain urged political leaders to learn to tolerate criticisms from the opposition.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1577437172/gov-candidate-clarifies-position-jonathan-attack-sowore

United States law enforcement agents have allegedly found illicit drugs and firearm in a private jet, with American rapper Lil Wayne on board.

Quoting the law enforcement agents, the Miami Herald reports that Wayne flew into Miami on Monday aboard a private jet that was stopped by federal agents who later found drugs and a firearm on the aircraft.

Charges could be filed against the musician in federal court, the Herald says.

It states, “Miami-Dade Police had received a tip about weapons and marijuana possibly being transported on Wayne’s plane, and then alerted federal authorities so they could obtain a search warrant to inspect the aircraft at Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport.

“During the search, investigators found cocaine and a gun.”

The Monday evening operation included investigators with the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Miami-Dade police officers and other agencies, the medium added.

“Miami defense attorney Howard Srebnick said his client, Lil Wayne, was “cleared” to leave the scene Monday evening by federal investigators,” it said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1577174468/cocaine-gun-allegedly-found-american-rapper-lil

[img]https://www.nairapark.com/news/1577174468/cocaine-gun-allegedly-found-american-rapper-lil[/img]

Gunmen have abducted the wife, children and driver of the traditional ruler of Odigbo town, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade.

It was gathered that the victims were kidnapped on Ikare-Owo Expressway in Oba Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state.The traditional ruler, who confirmed the incident to our Correspondent, said the abductors had contacted the family and had demanded a sum of N100m as ransom.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1577174311/gunmen-kidnap-ondo-monarch-wife-daughters-seek

There have been no fresh charges instituted against Sowore since he was rearrested by the operatives of the DSS on December 6 barely 24 hours of being released from the agency’s detention lasting over months.

But Justice Mohammed ruled on Monday that he could not hear Sowore’s case filed on December 10 saying it was the fair, just and proper thing to do in view of the previous publications by Sowore’s medium, Sahara Reporters, accusing him of taking bribe in a case to influence the outcome of his case.

The case in question is the trial of a former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, who is now being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before another judge of the court, Justice Okon Abang.

Justice Mohammed noted on Monday that the reports by Sahara Reporters in 2016 and 2019 made him to withdraw from the ex-governor’s trial.

He recalled that when the first report was published in 2016, he was prevailed upon by the prosecution and defence teams to continue with the case.

He said on continuing with the case, a similar report was published in June this year.

He said the situation put him in a situation whereby if he ruled in favour of Sowore, it could be perceived as having been blackmailed by Sowore to so rule, and that in the event that he ruled against the activist, he could be perceived as being vengeful.

“Justice is rooted in confidence,” the judge said, adding, “That is to say none of the parties should have fear or apprehension that he will not get justice before a court.”

He then ordered that the case file be sent back to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for reassignment to another judge.

Justice Mohammed, who will be sitting as a vacation judge until the court resumes from its Christmas and New Year vacation in January, had earlier at the Monday’s proceedings sought lawyers appearing in the case to comment on the implication of the previous reports by Sahara Reporters on what the public perception would be in respect of his handling of the Sowore’s case.

On returning from a short break to hear the lawyers, counsel for Sowore, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), who said he was aware of the publications referred to by Justice Mohammed, noted that in view of the judge’s observations, it was proper for the judge to withdraw from the case.

Falana cited the Supreme Court’s decision in 1995 when the apex court disqualified eight Justices from handling a case involving the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late M.K.O Abiola, over his Concord’s previous publications concerning the Justices.

The counsel for the Director-General of the DSS, Yusuf Bichi (the first defendant), Mr. G.O.A Agbadua, said he would not take a position on the matter so that his comment would not be misconstrued as an attempt to delay the hearing.

Counsel for the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), the second defendant, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi, also said he would leave the decision to the discretion of the judge.

In his ruling recusing himself from the case, the judge relied on Falana’s submission.

Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, were first arrested in August 2019 and were later in September charged with treasonable felony among other offences, for calling for the ‘RevolutionNow’ protests, which the Federal Government interpreted to be a call for an overthrow of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1577107829/revolutionnow-judge-withdraws-from-sowore-suit

The founder of Sotitobire Miracle Center, Akure, Prophet Alfa Babatunde, has been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Oke-Eda, Akure.

They were arraigned by officials of the Department of State Services on two counts of felony and kidnap.

Babatunde was arraigned alongside six other members of the church – Omodara Olayinka, Margaret Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo, Esther Kayode and Peter Anjorin.

Recall that one-year-old boy, Gold Kolawole, was declared missing during a Sunday service in the church on November 10. Angered by the perceived unconcerned attitude of the leaders of the church over the boy’s disappearance, youths on Wednesday, December 18, burnt down the church.

Property worth millions of naira belonging to the church was destroyed, three people, including a police officer, were killed and several others injured.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1577106111/missing-child-dss-arraigns-akure-miracle-centre

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has maintained that he will not install his successor in 2023, adding that only God will determine who will succeed him.

Wike, who explained that planning to plant a successor would amount to being selfish, called on those interested in the governorship position in the next dispensation to come out and inform the people of the state.

The governor spoke on Sunday during the thanksgiving service of the lawmaker representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Barinada Mpigi, at the Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Koroma Town, Tai Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “I will not install my successor. It is God that will determine who will succeed me. Only God has the power to install my successor. However, I will fervently pray that my party succeeds in 2023.

“The insistence to plant a successor is mainly for selfish reasons. Everyone with the right capacity should come forward to tell Rivers people why they should vote him or her. Only God has the power to enthrone my successor in 2023.”

Wike described himself as the luckiest politician that was assisted by God to overcome the onslaught of federal might during the 2019 elections.


The governor described Mpigi as a dedicated politician, who worked hard to achieve results.

In his remarks, Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, who was represented by Senator Sandy Onoh, described Mpigi as a potent force for Ogoni, Rivers State and the South-South.

Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, described Mpigi as a trustworthy politician, would not swerve in the face of pressure.

Ndume praised Wike for being a courageous politician, who worked for the people, no matter the pressure.

Mpigi thanked God for his mercies and for consistent political victories.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1577091745/won-install-successor-wike-insists

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday, asked politicians interested in contesting the 2023 general elections to work hard because he would not allow electoral malpractices.

He asked those who may be planning to use their offices or security agencies to subvert the will of the people to have a rethink because he would not allow them to have their way.

Buhari handed down the warning while receiving top government officials at his official residence inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to commemorate his 77th birthday.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576664527/won-tolerate-electoral-malpractices-2023-buhari-vows

[img]https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576664527/won-tolerate-electoral-malpractices-2023-buhari-vows[/img]

US lawmakers in the House of Representatives are due to start debate on the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, with a vote expected to follow a heated battle between Democrats and Republicans.

Democrats accuse the president of abusing his office by soliciting Ukraine to dig up dirt on his political rival, Joe Biden, and withholding military aid as pressure. He is also alleged to have obstructed Congress’ investigation of the affair.

Republicans reject both articles of impeachment against the president, saying he did nothing wrong in his contacts with Ukraine.

Trump accuses the Democrats of trying to reverse the 2016 election, which he won.

The House has the power to impeach with a simple majority, but the trial in the Senate will require a two-thirds majority to remove a president from office, making the prospect very unlikely.

This will be only the third time a president has been impeached.

After weeks of contentious hearings in the House, in which career diplomats and national security officials testified that they were concerned about Trump’s behaviour, the debate will shift next year to the Senate.

Democrats are keen to call four witnesses in the trial in the upper chamber, including John Bolton, the former national security adviser, and White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. Republicans are opposed.

Public opinion is sharply divided over impeachment.

Moreover, with the country heading to elections in November there is significant divergence, with some saying legislators should let voters decide the fate of the president, while critics of Trump expressed concern his behaviour risks the integrity of the election.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576663129/debate-articles-impeachment-against-trump-starts-today

[img]https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576663129/debate-articles-impeachment-against-trump-starts-today[/img]

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, on Monday, indicated that he could not ask the Department of State Services to release Omoyele Sowore from custody.

The minister said in the statement he could not take a unilateral decision on the release of Sowore without recourse to the court, where the ‘RevolutionNow’ protests convener and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, were being prosecuted for treasonable felony, among others.

The minister’s declaration is contained in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Gwandu, who stated that Malami was reacting to “the claim that a lawyer sent a letter to the AGF requesting the release of Mr Sowore”.

The statement appeared to be a veiled reference to the letter by Sowore’s lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), sent to the AGF on Friday to seek the release of the convener of ‘RevolutionNow’ protests from the custody of the DSS.

Falana’s letter, dated December 13, 2019, reported by The PUNCH on Monday followed the Friday’s announcement by the AGF’s office that it had taken over the prosecution of the Sahara Reporters publisher and Bakare from the DSS.

The AGF’s takeover of the case followed the widely-condemned invasion of the Federal High Court in Abuja by the operatives of the DSS to re-arrest Sowore on December 6.

Falana, who heads the defence team of the two men, informed Malami that Sowore had, since his re-arrest on December 6, been kept in the DSS custody without detention order or arrest warrant.

But in a statement with veiled reference to Falana’s letter on Monday, Malami said in the statement issued by Gwandu, “When parties submit their issues for determination to a court of law, they lack exclusivity of decision over such issues without recourse to court.

“We remain guided by the established tradition and will not take unilateral decision without recourse to the rule of law.”

The same court, the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Sowore and Bakare were charged, has granted bail to the two.

But the order for the release of Sowore was snubbed by the secret police organisation, whose operatives violently re-arrested him barely 24 hours of releasing him from a detention that lasted over four months.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576572068/can-ask-dss-release-sowore-malami

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested one suspect in connection with the gruesome murder of a 500-level Law student of the Rivers State University, Miss Matilda Mark Itonyo.

The suspect, whose name was withheld by the police, was only identified as a former boyfriend of the murdered student.

It was gathered that the police had in the early hours of Saturday tracked the suspect to his house in Port Harcourt before taking him away to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

The 24-year-old Matilda was stabbed several times in the neck and head by her assailant(s) at her private apartment outside the university campus.

The killers were said to have broken into her room in the early hours of Tuesday and allegedly raped her before snuffing life out of her.



The incident, according to sources, forced some of her course mates to shun classes when they got wind of the incident.

Confirming the arrest of the suspect, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Nnamdi Omoni, explained that he was apprehended for interrogation in connection with Matilda’s murder.

He stated, “We cannot say that we have arrested the killer of the student. He was only arrested for interrogation and at the end, if he is found culpable, he will be prosecuted. But if he is innocent, he will be allowed to go.

“Yes, the suspect is the former boyfriend of the late student. He was arrested on Saturday morning after being tracked to his residence.”

The father of the deceased, Mr Ebikene Itonyo, told our correspondent that he rushed to the state CID when he learnt that a suspect had been arrested.

Ebikene called on the police not to relent in their efforts to fish out the killers of his daughter and bring them to justice.

“I was at the state CID. I rushed to the place when I was told that one of the suspects had been arrested. We know that the suspect will deny, but I think the police must have seen some certain things that made them to arrest him,” Ebikene added.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576493379/police-arrest-boyfriend-murdered-rivers-varsity-student

The United States of America has filed three counts, bordering on bank and wire fraud and “aggravated identity theft” against Oladayo Oladokun, Farouk Kukoyi and Baldwin Osuji, before the United States’ Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger.


The three Nigerians were charged alongside 12 others.

In the charge, the defendants were alleged to have “wilfully and knowingly…combine, conspire, confederate and agree together and with each other to commit bank fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344, and wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.”

The alleged crime was said to have been committed between April 2018 and September 2019.

The prosecution said, “The defendants participated in a bank and wire fraud scheme involving three key phases.

“First, members of the conspiracy fraudulently opened more than 60 business bank accounts at national banks. The accounts were typically in the names of corporate entities. To open the accounts, members of the conspiracy presented real personal identifying information, including names and social security numbers, of other people.

“Second, members of the conspiracy deposited into the accounts fraud money that they typically obtained from victims in one of two ways – in some instances, members of the conspiracy deposited stolen or forged cheques; in other instances, members of the conspiracy fraudulently obtained wire and automated clearinghouse transfers.

“Third, members of the conspiracy accessed the fraud proceeds by transferring them into other accounts or by withdrawing cash.

“To date, law enforcement has identified more than 100 fraudulent transactions in furtherance of the conspiracy, totaling more than $18m.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1576222521/18m-bank-fraud-charges-three-nigerians-others