₦airaland Forum

Reno Omokri has reported a Twitter user for chalenging his homophobic statement that gays are demonic.

In a controversial tweet responding to a user who described himself as being gay, the former presdiential spokesman described gays as being demonic.

Reno Omokri was later banned temporarily on Instagram for his homophobic comments, but then took to his twitter handle to share how he was reported on twitter, but escaped being banned.

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http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/reno-omokri-reports-twitter-user-for-challenging-his-homophobic-statement/

The Federal Government, yesterday, dismissed the groundswell of opposition to its suspension of embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, over his non-declaration of assets, insisting that no amount of mass protests would change the course of justice.

The government also boasted that more Nigerians were in support of the suspension of the CJN than those opposed to the wielding of the sledgehammer against the chief justice. Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke at a world press conference on the matter in Abuja, declared: “More Nigerians are with us than are with them on this issue, going by the feelers that we are getting from across the country.

Those who want to protest against the suspension of the CJN should feel free to exercise their rights, within the limits of the law. The minister, however, took a swipe at Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its sympathisers for using the suspension of the CJN to celebrate corruption and attempting to make a mockery of the effort of Buhari’s administration to sanitise the polity.

Mohammed said: “The opposition, in its reaction, is guilty of engaging in hysteria and for overheating the polity. Conveniently, they have anchored their failed campaign for the 2019 election on an issue that is totally unrelated to the election.

“By their reaction, they have made their tattered umbrella available for shielding alleged corrupt persons. Their leopard can never change its spots. PDP is corruption personified and it’s only reason for seeking a return to office is to complete their looting of the national treasury. “The attack dogs unleashed by the opposition have been engaging in incitement and other actions that can threaten law and order. There is no cause for alarm, as the law enforcement agencies are alive to their responsibilities.

“Contrary to the cacophony of voices that have been muddying the waters, the CCT was acting within its powers in ordering the suspension of Justice Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria, and President Muhammadu Buhari was right in carrying out the order. “The suspension of Justice Onnoghen is a consequence of his breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and has nothing to do with the forthcoming elections, neither does it signify the onset of dictatorship or tyranny as some have insinuated. It amounts to irresponsible extrapolation to say that the suspension of Justice Onnoghen is the onset of dictatorship.’’

The minister argued that rather than blame Buhari for his fate, the embattled CJN should blame himself for his misfortune. Mohammed said having admitted that he made a “mistake” by “forgetting” to declare his assets as required of him as a public officer in Nigeria, Onnoghen should have simply stepped aside as soon as he realised he had erred in that regard. The minister said it was also wrong for the embattled justice to have dodged summons by Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, and refused to appear before it, having known that it was the same court that had exclusive power to try him for the offence.

Mohammed drew attention to the ruling given by Onnoghen in 2013 in which he declared that it was only the CCT that had the exclusive right to try offences bordering on assets of public officers and no other court in the land. He said: “It is unfortunate that in the ensuing debate, the talk about due process has overshadowed the talk about the substance. Procedure cannot or should not trounce substance. That brings me to the role of the National Judicial Council, NJC.

“Some have argued that the Justice Onnoghen issue should have been referred to the NJC to handle. They would have been right if Justice Onnoghen had been accused of professional misconduct, which is what is within the purview of the NJC. “The allegations against Justice Onnoghen go beyond professional misconduct. It is the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. And only one body is statutorily empowered to deal with this: The Code of Conduct Tribunal. “Interestingly, Justice Onnoghen himself has elucidated on this. In various judgments, he upheld the provisions of the law concerning the CCT. In one particular judgment he delivered on July 12, 2013, Justice Onnoghen held that the CCT had exclusive jurisdiction (emphasis mine) to deal with all violations contravening any of the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau. “Let me put this in a layman’s language: All breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers must be handled by the Code of Conduct Tribunal

Pure and simple. In other words, Justice Onnoghen’s judgment held that the provisions expressly ousted the powers of ordinary regular courts in respect of such violations. “In a case between Ismaeel Ahmed and Nasiru Ahmed, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Chairman of the Kano state chapter of the party, and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which has been reported by the media, Onnoghen, while interpreting Paragraph 12 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as regards CCT’s jurisdiction held that, “…the said paragraph 12 provides as follows: ‘Any allegation that a public officer has committed a breach of or has not complied with the provisions of this Code shall be made to the Code of Conduct Bureau.” “The judgment, which was delivered at the Supreme Court with suit number ‘SC.279/2012’ before Justices Onnoghen and others, also held that the provisions of the law are clearly unambiguous. Justice Onnoghen said the provisions are, “so construed literally meaning that any breaches of any provisions of the said 5th schedule or matters of noncompliance with any provisions of the Code shall be made to the Code of Conduct Bureau that has established its Tribunal with the exclusive jurisdiction to deal with any violations of any provisions under the Code.’’

“Is anyone still in doubt that the CCT is the right court to try the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers levied against Justice Onnoghen? Is it not clear that challenging the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him is an abuse of court process by Justice Onnoghen? “As for those who argued that the CCT is wrong in ordering Justice Onnoghen’s suspension, are they aware that Justice Onnoghen himself disagreed with them? In the judgment I referred to earlier, he wrote: “The tribunal to the exclusion of other courts is also empowered to impose any punishments as specified under sub-paragraphs (2) (a), (b) & (c) of paragraph 18 as provided in sub-paragraphs 3 and 4 of paragraph 18 while appeals shall lie as of right from such decisions to the Court of Appeal.” In essence, the CCT is right to have directed Justice Onnoghen’s suspension, and the President did the right thing by acting on the orders of the CCT.

Needless to say that in many of the cases of professional misconduct against judges that Justice Onnoghen has presided over at the NJC; judges have been suspended while still undergoing trial! “In particular, the opposition has latched on to it, threatening fire and brimstone and concocting all sorts of imaginary scenarios and generally muddying the waters. In what I will call the theatre of the absurd, the main opposition party, the PDP, even suspended its electioneering campaign for 72 hours! Of course, you must have seen my reaction to that. ‘’I said there is nothing to suspend in a campaign that never took off in the first instance! So much for the opposition’s hysteria. “Today, I have called this press conference to set the records straight and redirect the discourse. Contrary to what the opposition and their ilk have been saying, this is not about the forthcoming elections; neither does the suspension of the CJN signal the beginning of dictatorship. President Buhari is an avowed democrat, and this he has proven time and time again. This administration stands firm on the rule of law.

This whole issue is about the country’s highest judicial officer, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, being accused of a breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and the legal and moral conundrum surrounding that.” ‘’It is about the suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the suspended CJN’s personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law. ‘’It is about the Hon. Justice Onnoghen himself admitting to the charges that he indeed failed to follow the spirit and letter of the law in declaring his assets.....

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https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/onnoghen-mass-action-cant-change-course-of-justice-lai-mohammed/amp/

By Edith Nwapi

The FCT High Court in Maitama presided over by Justice Yusuf Halilu has again granted bail to Sen. Dino Melaye who was arraigned on an eight-count charge of evading arrest.

The senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, was arraigned on allegations of conspiracy, resistance to arrest, failure to honour police invitation and intentionally giving false information to the public.

Ruling on the application by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Justice Halilu held that the essence of bail could not be overemphasized, saying that it was meant to make a defendant to stand for trial.

According to him, in granting a defendant bail, the court has to consider the nature of the charge, the antecedent of the bail applicant, among others.

He held that the constitution presumes a defendant innocent until found guilty by the court.

The judge, therefore, upheld the earlier bail granted the Melaye on Jan. 18 and added that Melaye should not leave the shores of the country without a written application to the court.

He held that the police’s refusal to release the senator after being granted bail by the court called for serious concern.

Halilu further held that the bail was to ensure that whoever charged was not allowed to suffer while his trail was going on.

According to him, the police and the judiciary were partners in criminal administration in the country.

Halilu, however, directed Ozekhome to warn his client to ensure that he does not comment on the matter before the court in any media.

“This is the only country where people make very unguarded comment on matters that are sub jaundice,” he said.

He then adjourned the case until Feb. 25 for commencement of trial.

While granting Melaye bail last Friday, the judge ordered that the senator provide three sureties, two of whom must show evidence of landed properties in Abuja, adding that the third must be the Clerk of the National Assembly.

According to him, the clerk had to write a letter to the court assuring that the senator would be produced in court whenever he was required.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Shuaibu Labaran alleged that Melaye conspired with one Silas Omenka on Dec. ,28, 2018 to commit an offence of illegal obstruction of lawful arrest.

This he said was contrary to section 97 of the penal code.

He alleged further that he intentionally resisted lawful arrest, contrary to section 172 of the penal code...

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http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/dino-melaye-granted-bail-again/

Former Minister of Defence, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma rtd has raised the alarm of impending plots to use undemocratic ways to rig the 2019 elections.

He alleged that there are clandestine moves to cause civil unrest in Taraba with the hope of making the governorship election inconclusive in order to perfect the change of government.
Danjuma who alerted voters of the secret plan at the commissioning of medical laboratories in Takum on Tuesday, urged them to guard their votes and avoid all forms of provocation before, during and after the elections.

He said “we are in the eve of election and if you want another four years for our able governor, we must work for peace.

“Those who do not wish us well will want us to fight ourselves, then they will use soldiers and police to distabilize us and rig the election.

“It will be in our best interest to ensure there is peace. We should suffer all provocation because there are going to be plenty between now and the time of election.

They will provoke you to fight yourselves because they know they will loose if there is a peaceful election.

“I beg everyone of you to help maintain peace so we can have a peaceful election and that there are no surprises and will be no postponement.

” The last time when Darius’s political party was the ruling party, he was made to have run off three times.

“This time they have perfected running off. Once you don’t win the first time, the second time, they will sit down and write the result and announce it in the run off.

“They will award votes and this is the primitive democracy we now operate in this country.

“It is up to you to guard your votes, secure your votes and make sure that everyone of your votes count and that is when you can have four plus four.”

He also cautioned eligible voters from selling their votes to power hungry politicians, saying that “you will be selling your birth right if you agree to their demand.”..

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http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/ty-danjuma-raises-alarm-over-plans-to-rig-2019-elections/

PaChukwudi44:
IN WHAT CAPACITY IS HE DOING THAT?

You tell me
As the incoming Governor of the state, i presume

Ahead of the World Economic Forum holding from Jan 22 to Jan 25, 2019 in Davos, Switzerland, the All Progressives Congress Governorship Candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has highlighted the enormous investment opportunities in Lagos State at an exclusive session with selected Swiss Investors in Geneva.

At the event held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the business interaction triggered commitments of $5bn investment in infrastructure and capital projects in the state and also provided an avenue for Mr. Sanwo-Olu to further reinforce the investment opportunities in the state. While the array of investors comprising commodity traders, equity managers, investment bankers, Fintech & I.T experts, infrastructure builders, international donors, energy and power companies unanimously agreed that Lagos is fertile ground for investments, they cited political risk as a more disturbing consideration over economic risk.

In reassuring them, Sanwo-Olu told the investors that Nigeria is safe for investment and Lagos State as the economic nerve centre of the country presents the best environment for global investments. Sanwo-Olu said “There is progressive leadership and stability in the governance of Lagos State since 1999. The state has been under the administration of a party, my party, which is the All Progressives Party for more than 16years. The state has remained a reference point for infrastructural development and economic prosperity in Nigeria and West Africa. “On investors’ protection, I think that should be the least of your worries. Lagos has a comprehensive regulation that protects and shields investors. The scope of the regulation covers disputes resolution and commitment to ease of doing business.” Earlier in his speech, Sanwo-Olu informed the investors about his determination to transform Lagos into a 21st century economy. He said, “Lagos economy is adjudged to be the 5th largest in Africa and is not yet a 24-hour economy, where you can do every transaction round-the-clock, do you think we have really maximized the potentials of that economy? “We are saying it is a large and growing economy, and you are not playing in it yet. This THEME agenda beyond being the focus areas of our government, it is also indicative of areas of possible collaboration between you and our government. “Like I said, Transportation & Traffic Management, Health & Environment, Education & Technology, Making Lagos a 21st century economy and Entertainment & Tourism are the topline agenda our government will pursue upon election in 2019.”

While assuring Sanwo-Olu of investors’ and multilateral institutions’ commitment to Lagos and Nigeria, Country Portfolio Manager, High Impact Africa 1 Grant Management Division of Global Fund, Ibrahim Faria pledged the commitment to support health system in Lagos State if Mr. Sanwo-Olu won the election. “I am happy to know your THEME priority areas that cover education, health, infrastructure and strengthening private sector investments in your state. We will work with you if you win your election. We have particular interest to support health system in Lagos. Global Fund is an important partner of the Nigerian government where we are funding support for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.”..

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http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/just-in-sanwo-olu-secures-trade-commitment-from-swiss-investors/

By Ismaila Chafe

The National Council of State on Tuesday endorsed N27,000 as new National Minimum Wage, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has disclosed

Ngige made this known when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the Council’s meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The minister revealed that the bill on the new minimum wage of N27,000 would be transmitted to the National Assembly in the next 24 hours for passage into law.

According to him the N27,000 is the benchmark for all employers of labour with more than 25 workers on their payroll, emphasising that no employer of labour with more 25 workers should be paid less than the proposed N27,000.

The minister, however, stated that the Federal Government had resolved to pay its workers N30,000 as the new national minimum while the State Governments are free to negotiate with their respective staff.

The organised labour had insisted on a N30,000 minimum wage as proposed by the Ama Pepple tripartite committee, while the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) proposed N24,000.

The reports that the meeting which lasted for about three hours, was attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Abdulsalami Abubakar and the former Head of the Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Others, who attended the meeting included three former Chief Justices of Nigeria, namely; Muhammadu Uwais, Alfa Belgore and Mahmud Mohammed while Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnogen, former military President Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Yakubu Gowon were however absent at the meeting.(NAN)
More details..
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/just-in-council-of-state-approves-27000-minimum-wage/

The Anambra Coordinator, Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organization, Sen. Andy Ubah, has promised to mobilise total victory for President Muhammadu Buhari in the state.

Uba made the pledge at a meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his Uga ward one, Aguata Local Government Area on Monday.

“There are a lot of things that the President is doing that the people do not know about, but what we are going to do is to take those good works to the rural people and ensure that they assimilate this.

“There are projects like the Zik’s Mausoleum that have been abandoned for several years, but now constructed by the Buhari administration.

“There is the Second Niger Bridge which is still ongoing and seriously too, and there is also the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.

“There are several more projects and our job is to tell the people about them and mobilise them to vote for President Buhari,” he said.

He said his reason for beginning his campaign in the ward was to fulfill the saying that “ charity begins at home”, assuring that he would use his position to mobilise voters from the state to vote for Buhari.

Uba, who is also seeking re-election to represent Anambra South Senatorial District at the Red Chambers, said Igbos had a lot to benefit from Buhari if they voted him.

According to him, Buhari was ready to support the South East to produce the Senate President in 2015, but could not find an APC ranking senator from the zone, leading to the position being clinched by another zone.

“If Igbos vote Buhari in the coming election, I am sure that the Senate Presidency would come from the South East, especially as the people are also ready to vote senators from the zone on the platform of APC.

“You need to have people who are ranking senators from the zone who can be made the Senate President.

“I am vying for a seat in the senate for the third time, and that among other things qualify me to be a ranking senator, who would be qualified to be a senate president.

“There are some people who are contesting for the senate against me, but cannot as little as read documents.

“To be a Senate president, you have to be a ranking senator, and you have to be in the senate for at least eight years and must have a number of bills you have sponsored.

“So Igbos must vote wisely in their choice of senators,” Uba said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Uba will contest the seat with his elder brother, Chris of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ifeanyi Ubah of Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). (Credit: NAN)

Source:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/buharis-re-election-equals-igbo-senate-presidency-uba-assures-as-he-promises-victory-for-apc/

By Huseyn Abubakar Mbar

No fewer than 30 political parties in Bauchi have formed a coalition to support President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Muhammed Abubakar’s re-election during the forth-coming general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is coming barely 24 hours after six other political parties in the state formed a common front to unseat Gov. Abubakar during the election.

The 30 parties, led by Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammed of the All Peoples Alliance (APA), announced this on Monday Bauchi while addressing newsmen on the development.

Muhammed who listed some of the parties to include; NCP, YPP, NAC, DPP, ANRP, AA, HOPE, NUP, Fresh, NIP, DA and NDLP, said that the coalition was informed by the same objectives they had with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We hereby declare our support and alliance with APC, as well as to campaign for its candidates in Bauchi at all levels and President Buhari in the elections.

“We are satisfied with the progressive agenda, development projects and policies of the present administration of Buhari and Gov. Abubakar.

“We are committed to their success in the forthcoming general elections.

“We categorically dissociate ourselves from the six other political parties who had earlier purportedly formed a coalition to unseat Gov. Abubakar.

“No room for crack shall be allowed to thwart our collective success in the elections at all levels,” the leader said. (NAN)

Source:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/breaking-30-political-parties-declare-support-for-buhari/

The 27 Task Force Brigade and Nigeria Army Special Forces School, Buni-Yadi, Yobe, on Sunday neutralised scores of Boko Haram insurgents who attacked the military base.

Major Nureni Alimi, the Assistant Director, Public Relations, 27 Task Force Brigade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Alumi said many insurgents were killed, others received gunshot injuries while a cache of Anti-Aircraft ammunitions, bombs, Rocket Propelled Guns and two Gun trucks were recovered.

“Troops of the 27 Task Force brigade and the Nigeria Army Special Forces school in Buni-Yadi, Gujba Local Government, Yobe successfully defeated Boko Haram terrorists that launched an attack on the military base” it said.

“The terrorists came to engage the Brigade around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday January, 20, 2019, daring the troops for almost two and half hours.

“The gallant troops stood their ground and thoroughly dealt with the insurgents, the troops were in high spirit and jubilated at the victory with high morale,” it added.

Alimi also disclosed that four soldiers sustained minor injuries and were presently receiving treatment in the Brigade medical facility. (Credit: NAN)

Source:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/just-in-we-neutralized-scores-of-terrorists-on-sunday-na-boasts/

By Chioma Ugboma

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has held a dialogue with Christian Youths in Lagos State, where he assured them that President Muhammadu Buhari administration will not share public funds to friends and families.

The Christian Youths under the aegis of the GRILL, Ikeja Branch, held the dialogue on Sunday at the Podium Events Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said President Buhari deserved to be re-elected because of the way he had been able to address grand corruption, which was the main problem that led to the destruction of the nation’s economy.

“Corruption has had detrimental effects on Nigeria’s economy. This country was subjected to corruption for many years. Grand corruption perpetuated by previous governments is responsible for the state of the economy.

“Many of the projects in the country initiated by the previous government are not completed because of corruption. Grand corruption makes people start projects and never complete them.

“Grand corruption is when the head of government takes money from the treasury and shares it to the people.

“You will never find people stealing from the public treasury under this administration.

“The same individuals who robbed this country are saying they want to come back and fix the problems.

“We should ask them what they are going to do about grand corruption? How are you sure they are not going to enrich their friends with public funds,” the VP said.

Osinbajo, while answering questions from the audience on the dismissed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA),
Amb. Ayo Oke, said the duo were recommended for prosecution by the committee he chaired.

“I think the first thing for us is that the report was acted upon; the former SGF was dismissed.

“Secondly, the president has directed that the SGF and former DG of NIA should be prosecuted.

“So, we are expecting that prosecution will take place. The next of course is that criminal allegations will be filed against them and the prosecution process will be completed,” he said.

The vice president, however, called for more tolerance among Christians and Muslims in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the VP later held closed door meeting with various representatives of Igbo groups and organisations in Lagos state. (Credit: NAN)
Source:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/no-one-steals-from-the-public-treasury-in-this-administration-osinbajo/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) totally and vehemently rejects contemplations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accommodate the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general elections in Rivers state.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) totally and vehemently rejects contemplations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accommodate the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general elections in Rivers state.

Such suggestion by INEC is distasteful and only points to a collusion with the APC in its plot to stalemate electoral processes in some strategic states to pave the way to postpone elections in such states and use compromised security forces to effect massive rigging, as was the case in the 2018 Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections, a scheme, which will be firmly resisted by Nigerians in the 2019 general elections.

Currently, the APC is not on the ballot and has no candidates for the governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly elections in Rivers and Zamfara states following the voiding of the APC congresses in these states by the court.

In line with this reality, the ballot paper in all elections in Rivers and Zamfara states must, under no circumstance, bear the logo of the APC. The PDP insists that INEC must base all its actions and contemplations for the elections on this reality and should under no circumstance predicate any action on a hypothetical condition. It is also important for INEC to know that Okoye’s advocacy for the APC detracts from the commission’s neutrality and exposes it as a compromised umpire.

The PDP therefore charges the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to be appropriately guided in the conduct of the general elections. Unlike the APC, our party is fully prepared for the elections and will never allow the APC and some compromised INEC officials to manipulate the elections, just because the APC has seen that it has no chance of winning. The PDP therefore calls on all Nigerians to unite in condemnation of this cowardly scheme by the APC in its bid to foist itself back to power against their collective will as a people.(Credit: Vanguard)

Source:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/elections-pdp-rejects-inecs-move-to-accommodate-apc/

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is expected back in Madrid on Tuesday to attend a trial for tax evasion where Spanish prosecutors are asking for a 23-month prison sentence and fine.

Portuguese striker Ronaldo, who left Real Madrid for Juventus last July, is expected to plead guilty after he agreed a settlement worth 18.8 million euros (21.38 million U.S. dollars) with Spanish tax authorities last summer.

However, he is unlikely to serve any time in prison as Spanish law states a sentence of under two years for a first offense can be served on probation.

The prosecutor's office said it was seeking a fine of 5.7 million euros (6.5 million U.S. dollars), which it said Ronaldo had already paid, as well as interest of about one million euros (1.14 million U.S. dollars).

That fine, expected to be confirmed on Tuesday in a Madrid court, is part of the total agreed in the earlier settlement, judicial sources said.

Ronaldo, 33, who has helped take Juventus to the top of Italy's Serie A, will have to travel to Madrid immediately after playing against Chievo on Monday.

The trial was initially expected to take place on Monday but the prosecutor's office said the date was now set for Tuesday.

It is expected to be concluded on the same day and be short, with officials saying the hearing will only require Ronaldo to confirm he accepts the deal.

The player is involved in a second legal case where police in the U.S. asked Italian authorities to obtain a DNA sample from him as part of their investigation into accusations he raped a woman a decade ago in Las Vegas.

Ronaldo says he is innocent and that the sexual encounter in question was consensual. (Credit: Reuters)

Source:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/ronaldo-expected-in-madrid-tuesday-for-tax-fraud-trual-may-bag-23-months-jail-time/

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to fresh corruption allegations made by the federal government.

Mr Abubakar in a statement on Friday dismissed as ‘cock and bull story’, the allegation by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Friday, that he (Atiku) has a case to answer over the collapse of Platinum Habib Bank, Bank PHB.

Premium times earlier reported the allegation by Mr Mohammed, who said Mr Abubakar would be questioned by anti-corruption agencies when he returns to the country. Mr Abubakar, however, challenged the federal government to either prove his alleged corrupt activities or forever remain quiet.
“It is disgusting to continue to spin allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office. Isn’t it a shame that the ruling party whose National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole only yesterday gave official confirmation to the general belief that, even if Lawrence Anini becomes an APC member today, Buhari will forgive and consecrate him can turn around to accuse me of corruption today?
”They just suddenly woke up to the reality that, their lies about Atiku being corrupt can no longer hold? I challenge the federal government to come up with evidence that I benefitted from N156 million slush funds through Claremont Management Services Account on 13th January, 2009 as well as the collapse of Bank PHB as they have alleged.
”It is instructive to note that, the same BankPHB is now Keystone bank which was said to have been acquired Buhari’s cronies through AMCON last year,” Mr Abubakar said.
The opposition candidate also said with or without a trip to the U.S., he will defeat the President Muhammadu Buhari at next month’s election.
Mr Abubakar visited the U.S. on Thursday after 12 years of ‘avoiding’ the nation over perceived graft issues.
He had not visited the U.S. since 2007 when he left as Nigeria’s vice-president. He served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Mr Obasanjo accused Mr Abubakar of fraud while in office, and he was also linked to corruption charges filed in the U.S. The politician denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

For the over 12 years that Mr Abubakar was unable to visit the U.S., American authorities had declined to issue him entry visa and there were speculations that a secret indictment had been entered against him by that country’s authorities.
In the statement issued in Abuja on Friday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Mr Abubakar said the federal government should bury its head in shame ”having failed to stop him from travelling to the US”.
The APC-led government had consistently taunted Mr Abubakar over his inability to visit the U.S.
Mr Shuaibu said it was shameful that the governing APC took it upon itself to call on the authorities of another country not to grant a private citizen entry visa, which ordinarily should not be its business.
The information minister, Mr Mohammed, had cautioned the U.S. not to grant a visa to Mr Abubakar, saying it might give the impression that the foreign power is supportive of the opposition party’s candidate.
Mr Abubakar said the APC was jittery knowing that its government has failed. He said Mr Buhari’s days as president of Nigeria were numbered, ”which explains why members of the ruling party have been running from pillar to post”.
According to him, Nigerians have already made up their minds to send President Buhari packing on February 16, 2019.
“Tell them that their days of deceit are numbered. Nigerians are tired of them and they can no longer lie or take the people for a ride anymore,” the statement said.
Mr Abubakar further taunted his main opponent next month.
”It was a mark of the idleness of the folks in charge of the APC that they resorted to lobbying the US to deny him (Atiku) visa, when they should be busy strategising on how to save their party from an imminent defeat. (Credit: Premium times)

Source:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/fgs-bank-phb-allegations-cock-and-bull-story-atiku/

The Police Command in Rivers state has confirmed the kidnap of Dr. Anugbom Anuoha, the Special Adviser to Gov. Nyesom Wike on Lands and Survey by unknown gunmen in military uniform.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, made the confirmation in a statement in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Omoni said that the incident took place on Thursday at about 8:30 pm at an unnamed hotel in Port Harcourt, the state capital. “This is unfortunate and as a command we are touched by this development and will go all out to ensure his speedy and timely release.

“The Commissioner of Police (CP) has given a marching order to all the Tactical Units, including the IGP Monitoring Unit, to work round the clock and ensure that the victim is released in record time. “Contacts have been made with sister security agencies and other stakeholders in this direction,” the command’s spokesman said. The police public relations officer appealed to the general public, to avail the command of useful information that could lead to unconditional release of the governor’s aide.

Source:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/police-confirms-abduction-of-wikes-sa-by-gunmen-in-uniform/

The All progressives Congress has flagged off its campaign rally in Kaduna.

The Executive Governor of the state Mallam Nasir Elrufai is reportedly present, alongside other APC chieftains at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium for the Presidential Campaign in Kaduna State and the opening of the Kaduna Music and Arts Festival (KADAMFEST)


More pictures coming in:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/massive-crowd-as-apc-kicks-off-campaign-rally-in-kaduna/

The Coalition of United Political Parties,CUPP, Thursday, claimed that it received information to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari would not participate in Saturday’s president debate.

The reason to stop the president from participating in the debate, it said in a statement by its 1st National Spokesperson,Ikenga Ugochinyere,was to “avoid President Buhari’s unfitness for Presidential Office being exposed.”

“The CUPP has raised yet another concern over the physical and mental fitness of President Muhammadu Buhari who is seeking second term in office on the platform of the ruling APC party.

” Events in the last few days have turned out to be very clear signals that all may not be well with our President in terms of his fitness to continue in office,”the statement said.

The statement read further:”Nigerians will recall that following the allegations by the wife of the President on the hijack of the Presidency by two or three people and her call for Nigerians to rise against them, the fact that the President is being shielded from the Nigerian media and that he speaks only from prepared scripts, the CUPP had raised alarm over the mental health status of the President and called for an independent team of experts to examine all the Presidential candidates, that call for medical examination is hereby reiterated and there are no clearer signals than Nigerians have seen in the last few days.

“The President’s media team had attempted to present as a live interview a pre-recorded interview with AriseTV crew only for the truth to eventually emerge that not only was the interview pre-recorded, the television station was not even allowed to bring their cameras for the interview. It was wholly recorded and edited by Villa officials.

“Furthermore, the President’s lackluster performance at a town Hall Meeting tagged ‘The Candidate’ can best be described as a national calamity, an embarrassment and one which made Nigerians the butt of jokes and jabs globally.

“The President clearly showed every sign of lack of comprehension of even the simplest questions while the Vice President was frantically making effort to interject and come to his aid. How can a man who cannot comprehend a problem be the one being put forward to solve those problems? God forbid that Nigerians are boxed into a situation where they will lament, had I known.

“The cabal is doing everything to foist President Buhari on Nigerians yet again for their own selfish interests and not for any other purpose.

“In less than 24hours after the President showed signs of physical frailties in Lokoja, Kogi State where he almost collapsed on the podium, he yet again in another faux pas while presenting a flag to Chief Great Ogboru in Delta State declared that he was presenting the flag to the Presidential candidate of the Party. Though he was promptly corrected, he further referred to him as a Senatorial candidate and then Governortorial candidate, whatever that means.

“We have got it on good authority that the APC have resolved that President Muhammadu Buhari will not be attending the Presidential Candidates Debate, organized by the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria and scheduled to hold on Saturday, 19th January, 2019.

“They insist that such appearance by the President will eventually unveil all they have been hiding from the citizens about the lack of capacity, comprehension and understanding of the basic issues by the President. Nigerians should insist that the President must attend the debate and voice out now that if he fails to attend, the race should be over.

“This insistence should be clear and unequivocal as we continue to wonder whose interest it will be serving to put a man through the torture of campaigns when it is clear that he is not up to it.

“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to rise up now and begin to speak up and join in making this demand as a motley crowd of sycophants are manipulating institutions of State to foist an obviously unfit President on the nation to enable them hold onto power and continue their unbridled looting of our treasury.

” Nigerians should be deeply worried and question why all the expert looters of yesterday who were eased out by the PDP have all found comfort in the ruling party enjoying front row seats and are all rewarded with tickets and other positions of responsibility.

” Nigerians should wonder why the thieves are now more comfortable in the house of the person that professed he would stop them. God forbid that Nigerians are led by the nose to this Golgotha that the cabal is leading us. God forbid! Speak up now before it is too late.”

http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/buhari-planning-to-run-away-from-presidential-debate-cupp-insists/

Photo- Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu

By Temitope Ponle

The Federal Government has said it is working with the Indian Government to access $100 million concessional loan to develop Nigeria’s rural broadband connectivity.

The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said unveiled at the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day held in Abuja on Thursday night.

Shittu said that the loan to be accessed would be part of India’s 10 billion-dollar concessional loans to African countries for the implementation of projects of their national priority.

The minister said that the rural broadband connectivity in India “inspired” his application for the 100 million dollar-loan for the project.

“Nigeria must be prepared take advantage of the available opportunities, one of which is in the securing of credit line for the development of rural backbone infrastructure.

“In India, as expansive as the country is, every area has sufficient broadband connectivity; everybody has access to online connectivity.

“This is the opposite in Nigeria. We have barely exceeded the 30 per cent connectivity rate.

“However, with this initiative, I believe within the next two months, we will have the opportunity of getting a credit line of $100m from India to develop rural infrastructure, such that without electricity, telecoms masts can function, as masts to be constructed via the credit line funding will be renewable based – that is solar-based. “

He explained that Indian companies would be the installers of the equipment “because it is their technology that we will use the credit line to acquire”.

Shittu, however, said the timeline for the implementation of the project was yet to be determined.

He further added that the return of the loan would be “ironed out” by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

In his response, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur told newsmen that the high commission had received a written project report from Nigeria and would examine it.

“We (Nigeria and India) are working very closely on the rural broadband network project.

“India is deeply interested because we genuinely have a lot of expertise in the area of broadband network building, and reach to (the Indian) masses.

“We will examine the written report, and I am sure very soon, we will be in a position to tender out the project under the India Development Assistance, which is a very attractive soft loan funding for Nigeria.”

Thakur also said the pilot phase of the project, if considered, would start in Oyo and would be further carried out in the other 36 states.

He further expressed optimism that the project would lead to other spin-off projects in the areas of IT trainings and e-governance to rural populations.
“This is something India has achieved, and hope to cooperate on with Nigeria with the support of the Nigerian government.”

Speaking on the ITEC Day, the high commissioner said that 315 training slots in the ITEC short-term programme had been made available for Nigeria in 2019.
He explained that this included 100 training slots under the India Africa Forum Summit and 20 scholarships for undergraduate, post-graduate and higher courses.

He said the high commission also covered Benin, Cameroon and Chad in addition to Nigeria.

“This year we are offering 50 ITEC slots and five degree scholarships to Benin; 63 ITEC slots and eight degree scholarships to Cameroon; 20 ITEC slots and eight degree scholarships to Chad, and five ITEC slots to ECOWAS.

“We give full details of these slots because we want every opportunity to be utilised; we will like to see 100 per cent utilisation, so we can increase the slots in the next year.

“We are open to nominations from all Nigerian organisations.”

At the third Africa-Indian Forum in 2015, the Indian Government announced 50,000 scholarships for African students in India.

Since the second forum in 2011, more than 24,000 scholarships across 300 training courses conducted at 60 training institutions in India were utilised by African nationals in diverse areas.

The ITEC programme instituted in Sept. 1964 is a flagship programme of the Indian government’s capacity building efforts...

More:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/more-debt-for-nigeria-as-fg-seeks-100-million-broadband-loan-from-india/

Seven people were killed when Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in remote northeast Nigeria, setting fire to shelters for those displaced by the conflict, military and humanitarian sources told AFP Tuesday.

The attack in Rann, some 175 kilometres (110 miles) northeast of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, began late on Monday afternoon and forced civilians to flee. It followed a pattern by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction of Boko Haram that has called into question government claims the group is virtually defeated.

A similar attempt was made to take over a military base in Magumeri, 50 kilometres northwest of Maiduguri, on Sunday, a local community leader said. Rann currently hosts around 35,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), according to the International Organization for Migration. It has been repeatedly hit in the conflict, exacerbating already dire humanitarian conditions on the ground. A military source in Maiduguri said the attack began at about 5:20 pm (1620 GMT) on Monday. Poor visibility because of seasonal Harmattan winds hampered the deployment of air force jets, and troops were forced to withdraw, he said.

“So far we have three soldiers killed and two others are still unaccounted for,” he said. “The base was burned by the terrorists, who took away weapons and vehicles left by the troops when they withdrew.” Locals and IDPs fled as the Islamist militants set fire to camps and shelters, he said. There was no immediate official response from the military when contacted by AFP. – Camps torched – An aid worker in Maiduguri said colleagues in Rann blamed ISWAP for the raid and people fled towards Bulale, on the Cameroon side of the border. “Four IDPs were killed. Two were shot dead while two were slaughtered by the attackers. Several shelters were burned. They also looted food supplies in the town,” the source said. Reinforcements from Gamboru, some 40 kilometres away, arrived in Rann on Tuesday morning, the aid worker said. The United Nations last week said more than 30,000 people fled after a similar attack in and around the Borno town of Baga in late December. Some 260 aid workers had also been forced to withdraw from three local government areas in northern Borno near Lake Chad, where ISWAP are known to operate. Humanitarian operations in Rann were suspended in March last year after another attack on a military base, which killed three aid workers. Two out of three health workers who were kidnapped have since been executed.

Scores of people were killed in January 2017 when Nigerian air force jets mistakenly bombed the IDP camp in Rann. The Islamist insurgency began in 2009 and has killed more than 27,000. Some 1.8 million people are still homeless.

http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/boko-haram-attacks-nigerian-military-base-7-confirmed-dead/

Photo- Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has promised to review the condition of service of servicemen if elected as president.


Atiku and other PDP members
Armed Forces Event: Ugwuanyi pays glowing tributes to fallen heroes

He said this in a special service in remembrance of those who lost their lives in defense of the nation held at the Ondo State PDP Secretariat in Akure on Tuesday.

According to the PDP standard bearer, the servicemen deserve the best for dedicating their lives for peace and stability of the country.

In his address, today (January 15), he stated, is set aside as a special day to remember our fallen heroes. “Since the First World War, Nigeria has lot many souls in defense of the country and various peacekeeping efforts”.

“We are gathered here in Akure to join others in remembrance of these fallen heroes and pray for the sustenance of their respective families”.
“As we remember those who have laid their lives in defense of their fatherland, I commit myself to make sure our servicemen are given the best in terms of condition of service when in office by the special grace of God. ”

He then prayed for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes to rest in perfect peace.

More:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/armed-forces-remembrance-day-ill-review-condition-of-servicemen-atiku/

Photo- The Deji of Akure

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, the Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, has stated that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is the true fighter of corruption in Nigeria.

The traditional ruler disclosed this on Monday while receiving the PDP’s candidate and party Chieftains in his Palace in Akure, Ondo State. According to him, “I’ve heard a lot about Atiku as a very successful businessman. I also learnt he was the brain behind the establishment of EFCC and that shows he understands how to fight corruption. You can’t be corrupt and yet create an institution that will fight corruption.

Speaking on the competency of the former vice president, the Paramount ruler acknowledged that having served as the nation’s number two man, that it shows he has what it takes to govern.

“This is the type of people that Nigeria needs and should be put forward in these times when the economy is going down.

“As traditional rulers, we must be neutral. I’m just saying what I heard about him. If Nigerians think deeply, they should know who to vote for,” he said. In his response, Atiku faulted the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, for failing to deliver on their promises and made Nigeria the poverty capital of the world.

They are aware they have not delivered. That is why they cannot willingly come out to campaign. They won’t come to you as we have come talking to you now. I can assure you that we shall focus more attention on youth development by granting them 40% participation in the cabinet when we come to power.

“As for the PDP, we shall continue to uphold traditional institutions and protect the people’s heritage.”

Speaking earlier, the Deputy Chairman of the PDP Campaign Organization for the South and a Chieftain of Akure Kingdom, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, disclosed that Atiku will rescue the dire situation the country is in and restore all lost fortunes...

More:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/atiku-understands-how-to-fight-corruption-deji-of-akure/

The Sanwo-Olu mobile app surfaced on playstore some days ago and some Nigerians are having a field day giving the app hilarious reviews on the Google app platform.


See some:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/news/check-out-the-hilarious-reviews-nigerians-are-giving-the-sanwo-olu-mobile-app-om-playstore/

Photo- Deji leading a protest

A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kano on Friday remanded Deji Adeyanju in prison until February 2019, after taking his plea and concluding that it lacked jurisdiction to hear murder charges against the political activist.

However, Nigerian newspaper PREMIUM TIMES confirmed, after a review of the case, that Mr Adeyanju was discharged and acquitted by the Kano State High Court following a lengthy trial that lasted between 2005 and 2009.

The Kano state police command arraigned Mr Adeyanju before Hassan Fagge on December 19, but ordered his remand and scheduled today for bail hearing.
But when the court opened at about 9:42 a.m. Friday, Mr Fagge said he had determined that he lacked the power to hear the homicide charges brought against Mr Adeyanju by the police, but said the political activist should be remanded in prison until February 6 when a higher court could be available to hear the matter.
Mr Adeyanju was subsequently moved to Kano Central Prison, his lawyer, Yusuf Suleiman, told correspondents from Nigerian news paper PREMIUM TIMES Friday afternoon, the move is a desperate one by the Nigerian government to suppress a major critic a few weeks to the election.
“This is clearly an attempt to keep him unlawfully in detention,” Mr Suleiman said, adding that the matter was concluded nearly 10 years ago and should not have been picked up again by the police, much less taken back to court.
Mr Suleiman said the police in Kano are playing politics with Mr Adeyanju’s fundamental rights in a gruesome assault on the Nigerian Constitution.
After detaining him in Abuja for several days without arraignment, in violation of the Constitution that gives a maximum 48 years for such detention, “they now charged him for attempted murder which the magistrate said he has no power to hear,” Mr Suleiman said.

Now a lower court is hearing a matter that the Kano State High Court had decided long ago,” he added.
The lawyer said efforts would be made to free Mr Adeyanju from custody before the February 6 adjourned date, including approaching a high court to immediately review the case.
Already, some of Mr Adeyanju’s friends have filed a separate suit for his fundamental rights enforcement before a federal court in Abuja.
Adebayo Raphael, one of the leading campaigners for Mr Adeyanju’s release, said in a message to PREMIUM TIMES shortly after 12:00 p.m. Friday that the FCT High Court in Jabi had ordered Mr Adeyanju’s immediate release from police custody.

https://insiderpostonline./2018/12/21/breaking-deji-adeyanju-to-remain-in-prison-till-february-2019/

Photo- Bello receiving a group of people

3,252 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi West Senatorial District have allegedly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors included two former Kogi Commisioners; that of Water Resources, Mr Tunji Oshanusi and Agriculture, Mr Femi Abolarinwa.

The APC Zonal Chairman, Mr Ropo Asagun, allegedly received the decampees at the township stadium in Kabba during the official flag-off of APC Zonal Rally.

Asagun lauded the decampees decision to join the ruling party, saying it was a clear indication that the APC administration had performed credibly well, both at federal and state levels.

“This defection is an indication that APC is generally accepted in Kogi west, and the state at large, which is an assurance of our party’s victory in the 2019 general elections.

“The party will not discriminate against any member whether old or new,” asagun said.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Chief Matthew, urged the people to get their PVC and vote for APC.

“APC is the only party that can save us from the hands of looters; do not sell your conscience, your PVC is your power.

“In the last three and half years, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice have done very well. Our achievements will speak for us,” Kolawole said.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, APC Kogi West Senatorial candidate, pledged to lead by example if given the opportunity to serve the people.

Adeyemi reiterated that the President was doing everything possible to make sure that the Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Complex commenced operations to its full capacity in earnest.

Adeyemi added that the Buhari administration was committed to the development of Kogi as a rail line had been designed to pass through the state covering major parts of Kogi West.

He urged the people to continue to support Gov. Yahaya Bello and Buhari, saying the governor had been fair and just to Kogi West senatorial zone.

Photo- Bello receiving a group of people

3,252 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi West Senatorial District have allegedly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors included two former Kogi Commisioners; that of Water Resources, Mr Tunji Oshanusi and Agriculture, Mr Femi Abolarinwa.

The APC Zonal Chairman, Mr Ropo Asagun, allegedly received the decampees at the township stadium in Kabba during the official flag-off of APC Zonal Rally.

Asagun lauded the decampees decision to join the ruling party, saying it was a clear indication that the APC administration had performed credibly well, both at federal and state levels.

“This defection is an indication that APC is generally accepted in Kogi west, and the state at large, which is an assurance of our party’s victory in the 2019 general elections.

“The party will not discriminate against any member whether old or new,” asagun said.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Chief Matthew Kolawole, urged the people to get their PVC and vote for APC.

“APC is the only party that can save us from the hands of looters; do not sell your conscience, your PVC is your power.

“In the last three and half years, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice have done very well. Our achievements will speak for us,” Kolawole said.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, APC Kogi West Senatorial candidate, pledged to lead by example if given the opportunity to serve the people.

Adeyemi reiterated that the President was doing everything possible to make sure that the Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Complex commenced operations to its full capacity in earnest.

Adeyemi added that the Buhari administration was committed to the development of Kogi as a rail line had been designed to pass through the state covering major parts of Kogi West.

He urged the people to continue to support Gov. Yahaya Bello and Buhari, saying the governor had been fair and just to Kogi West senatorial zone.

https://insiderpostonline./2018/12/21/3252-pdp-members-allegedly-defect-from-melayes-district-to-apc/

Photo- the taxify logo

The new age taxi request app announced via its official Twitter handle that it had spread to its 5th Nigeria city.

Besides Lagos, Abuja, Porth Harcourt and Owerri, the taxi app is now available in the ancient city of Benin.

See official tweet below.



The ride hailing service had earlier in June 2018 announced that it had completed an investment round of $175 million, and that it intended to use the investment to expand its services worldwide – particularly across Africa.

“Adding a new city to our Nigerian network emphasises our continued focus on launching ride-hailing services in more towns and cities across the country, outside of the obvious main centres,” the Country Manager for Taxify in Nigeria, Uche Okafor, was quoted to have said in a statement.

Having started operations in Nigeria with its first city launched in November, 2016 in Lagos, the ride-hailing service has grown exponentially year on year.

Taxify will now operate in five cities across the country, and is available in more Nigerian urban centres than any other ride-hailing platform.

https://insiderpostonline./2018/12/21/taxify-now-in-benin-city/

Photo- bodies of slain people

Zamfara state has witnessed the killing of 5 persons by unidentified ruthless bandits who have caused havoc in the state for some time now.

The state Police Command has confirmed the killing of five persons in Gidan Halilu village in Birnin-Magaji Local Government Area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Muhammad Shehu, made the confirmation in a statement issued to the press in Gusau, the state capital.

“We wish to confirm that on Dec. 19, a group of armed bandits attacked some villagers of Gidan Halilu Village in Billashe district of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area in their farms.

“On receiving the report, the command mobilised teams of Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit and conventional personnel headed by the Area commander, Kaura Namoda Police Area Command, to the affected community.

“The police teams have been mobilised to the affected village to repel the attack, restore normalcy and arrest the perpetrators,’’ he said.

https://insiderpostonline./2018/12/21/bandits-kill-5-in-zamfara/

A 70-year-old rapist has been jailed for two days by Justice John Bosco Allieu, an action that has caused outpouring of outrage across Sierra Leone.

The elder was found guilty of raping a 13-year-old girl, whose parents he served as a night watchman.

Sierra Leoneans took to social media and radio following the sentence, with some calling for the sacking of the judge responsible.

Gender equality and rights campaigners said the move by a Freetown High Court was a slap on the face of the efforts to curtail sexual and gender-based violence in the country.

The convict was scheduled for release on Wednesday.

Reports indicated that Justice John Bosco Allieu had doubted the man’s mental state, even though he failed to order a psychiatric evaluation on him.

The ruling came just days after the launch of a national campaign against rape, spearheaded by First Lady Fatima Bio.

The high profile campaign dubbed Hands Off Our Girls, was launched in Freetown over the weekend by President Julius Maada Bio and graced by five West African first ladies.

The president and his celebrity wife have boosted the fight against sexual violence, which was rife in Sierra Leone, with words and actions in the last seven month of his coming to power.

Notably, President Bio recently heightened the debate around rape with his call for a harsher punishment for anyone found guilty of committing it.

Last month, an organisation which provides shelter and support for gender-based violence victims reported that it had a seven months old baby as the youngest victim at the time.

And that came amidst a public debate sparked by images of a five-year-old girl left paralysed after being raped by an elderly relative.

The head of the influential women’s rights campaign group, 50:50, Dr Fatu Taqi said the controversial ruling appeared to make mockery of the president’s and the first lady’s efforts and declaration.

“For me, it is a case for the president to act on the matter. Let him show that what he says he marches it with action,” she told a popular radio breakfast show on Wednesday.

The UN Women representative in Sierra Leone, Ms Mary Okumu, also expressed concern and said the ruling called for a review for the interest of justice for women and girls.

The judiciary has always been blamed for the rise in sexual abuse cases, due to what critics say were delays and low conviction rates.

https://insiderpostonline./2018/12/20/outrage-as-70-year-old-rapist-is-jailed-for-2-days/

Photo credit- Bussiness day

President Muhammadu Buhari’s return bid would receive a hefty financial boost this evening, if things go as planned as 12 million farmers that benefited from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme plan a grand reception for him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja with a pledge to contribute N100 each to the president’s campaign fund, insisting that the current agricultural revolution taking place at the grassroot across Nigeria must continue.

According to the Nigerian newspaper Thisday, the pledge would amount to a whooping N1.2billion and would be put together by the farmers under the auspices of Anchor Borrowers Farmers’ Association, whose membership runs across the country, particularly the North-west and the North-east.

Saying one good turn deserves another, one of the leaders of the farmers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were happy with the president for his credit initiatives that had boosted their trade.

Baba Buhari has been so good to us. So we think contributing N100 each will not be too much a way to appreciate him,” he said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in line with its developmental function established the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) and was launched by the president on November 17, 2015.

The programme is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies, involved in the processing, and small holder farmers (SHFs) of required key agricultural commodities. The programme thrust of the ABP is provision of farm inputs in kind and cash (for farm labour) to small holder farmers to boost production of these commodities, stabilize inputs supply to agro processors and address the country’s negative balance of payments on food. At harvest, the SHF supplies his/her produce to the Agro-processor (Anchor) who pays the cash equivalent to the farmer’s account.

https://insiderpostonline./2018/12/19/12-million-farmers-mobilize-for-buhari-to-contribute-100-naira-each/

Photo- Udom Emmanuel and M. Buhari

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed fraud charges against the Akwa Ibom governor, Emmanuel Udom, and several members of his cabinet. This is coming days after an official visit of the president’s wife Mrs Aisha Buhari to the south south state, where she predicted the Governor’s move to the ruling APC.

Mr Udom who is currently prote ted by constitutional immunity was charged in a case involving the president of the Nigeria Bar Association, Paul Usoro. Mr Usoro pleaded not guilty in a federal High Court sitting in Lagos to charges bordering on N1.4 billion fraud, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.

The EFCC preferred a 10-count charge against Mr Usoro, in a case before Justice Muslim Hassan. Others charged besides the serving Governor are: The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General of th state, Mfon Udomah; state Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, and Margaret Ukpe.
The cabinet members are however said to be at large. In the charge marked FHC/418c/18, the antigraft agency alleged that Mr Usoro committed the offence on May 14, 2016. It alleged that Mr Usoro conspired with others to criminally convert a N1.4 billion property of Akwa Ibom government.

The prosecution said that the unlawful activity include criminal breach of trust which contravenes the provisions of section 15 (2), 15(3), and 18 (A) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. On Tuesday, Rotimi Oyedepo, appeared for the EFCC, while WoleOlanipekun appeared with six other senior advocates for Mr Usoro. Mr Oyedepo told the court that the anti graft agency had successfully served the criminal charge on the accused on Dec. 10, and sought leave of court for the plea of accused to be taken.
In response, Mr Olanipekun confirmed service of the charge on the NBA President, but hinted the court that after it had directed that the accused be served with the charge at the last adjourned date, the accused was asked to report to the commission’s office for service.

Mr Olanipekun then informed the court that the team of defence counsel has been informed that there is already a letter written to the chief judge of the court, seeking a transfer of the case to Uyo, Abuja or any other jurisdiction of the court, apart from justice Hassan’s jurisdiction.

Based on parity of reasoning and citing diverse judicial and statutory authorities, Mr Olanipekun urged the court to await the decision of the chief justice rather than proceeding with arraignment.
In response, the prosecutor argued that the matter was adjourned until Tuesday for arraignment of the accused, adding that there is nothing before the court that can be construed as setting aside that purpose.
Referring to provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act Mr Oyedepo said that objections can only be raised after the plea of the accused had been taken.

According to him, section 9 governs the place of trial and enquiry, and requires that the charge be filed in the jurisdiction where the alleged offence took place.

In a bench ruling, Justice Hassan held: “I have listened vehemently, to the submissions of counsel, and I have also read the letter written to the CJ.
“The issue in view is narrowed down to whether the defendant can take his plea in the circumstance.”The court then ordered that Mr Usoro be handed over to a counsel of the inner bar, E.B Effiong (SAN), pending perfection of his bail terms.
He adjourned the case until February 5, March 5, and March 6, 2019 for trial; the news agency of Nigeria reported.
https://insiderpostonline./2018/12/19/efcc-files-charges-against-udom-after-aishas-prediction-of-governors-move-to-apc/

The U.S. Council on Foreign Relations (an American based think tank) has published figures of those killed by Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria since June 2015- to date at 19, 890 while between 2011 and 2018, about 54,595 lives have been lost due to the activities of the insurgents.

In a publication written by the editorial board of a news agency Guardian Nigerian, statistics from the Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) also reveals that about 1,061 persons were killed by Fulani militias in the Middle Belt in the first quarter of 2018. In its survey, Amnesty International (who has received knocks from the Nigerian militray, who accuses the NGO of unsubstantiated claims) put the number of deaths caused by Fulani herdsmen across 17 states since the beginning of the year at 1, 8143.

In a November, 2015 publication by UK based news agency Independent co, the Fulani herdsmen were recognized as the world’s 4th deadliest terror group.

https://insiderpostonline./2018/12/19/herdsmen-have-killed-19-890-nigerians-since-2015/