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Seun
We don't see the faces of mods or supermods. When they are dead, we bring the topic to NL and bring up their hitherto "hidden" faces.

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A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a Lagos farmer, Yesiru Onajobi, to 10 years imprisonment for raping and impregnating his 14-year-old daughter (name withheld).

Justice Sule Hassan convicted Onajobi following a six-year trial

The judge said the prosecution successful proved the charges of rape and unlawful canal knowledge made against the farmer.

Justice Hassan held: “The prosecution has been able to establish the charges against the defendant. “I have also listened to the plea of allocutos made by the defendant’s counsel, though, she did not say much.

“The offences that the defendant is charged with are very serious offences, consequently, I hereby sentenced you, Yesiru Onajobi to 10 years imprisonment on each count without option of fine.

“The terms of imprisonment are to run concurrently. However, the period spent in custody shall be deducted from the jail terms”.

Onajobi was arraigned by the National Agency for Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on July 18, 2013.

The offences, according to NAPTIP, contravened Sections 13 (1) and 18 (a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement Act 2003.
https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-court-jails-farmer-10-years-for-raping-impregnating-daughter/
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Mynd44
Oam4j

Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson has undertaken measures to regain the confidence of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, popularly called the Bayelsa Kano in terms of voting, ahead of the November 16th governorship election.

There were fears that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Southern Ijaw, which has the second voter population after Yenagoa, were making plans to move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after losing the party’s governorship ticket.

Dickson and the party leaders were said to be worried by defections of PDP members in the council and the likely mass exodus that could hit the party in the area if nothing was done to assuage them.

About eight out of the 21 PDP governorship aspirants in the just-concluded primary election came from Southern Ijaw but they all lost the poll to Senator Douye Diri, who hails from Kolokuma-Opokuma, in the same Central Senatorial District.

Despite pressure mounted on the governor to back down on Diri and support one of the Southern Ijaw aspirants especially the state revenue boss, Dr. Nimibofa Ayawei, Dickson was said to have insisted that since the council had produced a governor, the slot should go to Kolokuma-Opokuma in the same district in the interest of justice and equity.

It was, however, gathered that following the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hand over its flag to Chief David Lyon, who hails from Southern Ijaw, the governor was making moves to counter the APC raging influence in the council.

The decision of the governor and PDP leaders to appoint Ayawei, the Director-General of Diri’s campaign organisation was said to be one of the moves to reposition the PDP in Southern Ijaw.

A statement by the State Secretary of the PDP, Chief Godspower Keku, said that Dr. Ayawei’s appointment was part of the key resolutions of a meeting of the Gubernatorial Campaign Advisory Council of the State Chapter of the PDP.

It is believed that with such key positions, confidence and a sense of belonging would be restored in the council and aggrieved PDP members would be persuaded to work for the party at the main election.

Sources said the decision of the PDP leaders to force the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, to resign his office was also part of the moves was in the interest of votes from Southern Ijaw.

Though Isenah earlier said he was not going to resign, it was learnt that following sustained pressure mounted on him, the speaker would have no option but to leave his position.

The Special Adviser to the speaker on Social Media, Ranami Afagha, indicated that PDP leaders were blackmailing the speaker to leave the office for a lawmaker from Southern Ijaw.

He said they were telling Isenah that his stepping down was crucial for the PDP to win the forthcoming poll.

He wrote: “‘Mr Speaker Rt Hon Tonye Emmanuel Isenah if you step down as speaker then the PDP will win the governorship election.

“If PDP did not win then then you are the cause because you refuse to stepdown as speaker’. One of the blackmail against Mr speaker”.

Afagha, however, advised the speaker to step down if the PDP insisted they needed his office to win the election with less than 50 days to election.

He said some of the leaders also resorted to blackmailing the Speaker with an allegation of bribery to change the tide of public opinion against him.

He said: “Please kindly disregard any blackmail being peddled by those who want the Rt hon Tonye Emmanuel Isenah the Bayelsa 6th Assembly speaker out of office.

“Their blackmail is to incite the public who are always standing with the speaker from when he becomes an Assembly member from the labour party to when he was elected speaker, this they are doing to incite the masses to rebel against the speaker, who are always there standing with the speaker.

“This is why they are out with this blackmail that the speaker has collected money to step down as Speaker. All they want is public rebellion against the Speaker.

“The Speaker will not betray the trust of the masses. The Speaker still stands with the public and whatever decision he will take is for the good of the public and the masses who have always stood with and by him from the day he was elected speaker.

“The Speaker has not collected a kobo from anyone and will not collect. The Speaker will address the public and tell you why he will step aside for the house of Assembly to function in full for the sake of the masses and the public”.

To reach the aggrieved youths of Southern Ijaw ahead of the poll, Dickson redeployed the Commissioner for Youth Development, Udengs Eradiri, to the Ministry of Environment.

https://thenationonlineng.net/bayelsa-guber-dickson-moves-to-fortify-southern-ijaw/

Terhide Utaan, the former Focal Person of the Social Investment Programme (SIP) in Benue State, has been arraigned for allegedly misappropriating N195,689,980.00

He was arraigned alongside the former accountant of the agency in the state, Nicholas Suakor, at a High Court in Makurdi presided over by Justice Theresa Igoche on Wednesday over a seven-count charge.

The case was filed against the accused persons by the state government at the Makurdi court division of the High Court with case No. MHC/30c/20857m/2019.

In the ex-parte application, the state government sought leave of the court to prefer charges in the court under Section 185 (b) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Among the seven charges preferred against the accused persons, the state government said, “That you Conrad Terhide Utaan and Suakor Nicholas sometime between 23/11/2016 and 19/04/2018 at the offices of the Benue State SIP, Makurdi within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did agree to do an illegal act to wit, convert or divert funds meant for use of the Benue State SIP to personal use and same act was done in pursuance of the agreement, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Benue.”
https://www.independent.ng/former-benue-sip-boss-another-arraigned-for-misappropriating-n195-6m/
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Mynd44

Be the judge........



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VZIxKdPmWM

The Presidency has said the online hysteria over President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74) is unnecessary.

The Nigerian President, asked during an interactive session at the New York event to talk about his plans for the future of Nigeria’s young population, responded to the question with a prepared speech about Climate Change.

Explaining the context of the seemingly incongruous speech, the Presidency, in a statement signed by the President’s Media Office, said that Buhari had been participating alongside other world leaders in the United Nations Climate Action Summit.

The statement reads:

“On Monday September 23, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari participated alongside other world leaders at the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019.

“Since then, we have seen conversations on Twitter doing what Twitter allows many people to spend a lot of their time on: getting things horribly wrong and/or focusing on the wrong things, while completely missing the real/meaningful/actual message.

“And so, this is a backgrounder/explainer, focusing on Nigeria’s commitment to climate action, under the Buhari Administration.

“The Climate Action Summit was convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to provide an opportunity for world leaders to, ‘come to New York on 23 September with concrete, realistic plans to enhance their nationally determined contributions by 2020, in line with reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent over the next decade, and to net zero emissions by 2050.’

“The theme of President Buhari’s panel was, ‘Towards a Resilient Future’ — with the rider: ‘Announcement of plans to mainstream climate risk in decision making’.

“So, note that the goal of the panel was to elicit ‘announcements’ from the panelists on behalf of their respective countries: Fiji, Nigeria, Netherlands, the Bank of England, etc. In other words, panelists were billed to deliver remarks announcing their country/organisation plans to build a resilient, climate-sensitive future.

“To address the theme of the event, President Buhari chose to deliver prepared remarks.

“And the moderator’s question, was, in keeping with the theme: ‘President Buhari, Nigeria has a very young population; perhaps you might highlight what a pathway for a resilient future looks like?’

“The President did exactly that, in his prepared remarks, over the next few minutes, highlighting what a ‘resilient future’ will look like in Nigeria — by focusing on the administration’s policies (the ones already being implemented, like the Green Bonds, and the ones set for implementation, like the new tree-planting campaign, and the energy mix target).

“His prepared remarks were wholly in alignment with the theme of the Panel event, and the question he was asked.

“Keep in mind that as panels often work, the moderator’s question was meant to invite/usher him to take the stage, and share his remarks. As a panelist it was up to him to choose to respond ex tempore, or to go the ‘prepared remarks way.’

“He chose the prepared remarks way. And most importantly, he touched on the issues re: mainstreaming climate action for the future and for the young people of Nigeria.

“The only story here, for all serious minded people, is what he said, and what it means for the future and for the young people of Nigeria. His remarks read in parts:

“’I share the sentiment expressed by the Secretary-General that the world is on the verge of climate catastrophe. Undeniably, Climate Change is a human-induced phenomenon.

“’In the water sector, Nigeria will issue a Green Bond for irrigation and construct multi-purpose dams for power, irrigation and water supply. We will strengthen solid and liquid waste management systems to attract more private sector investors.

“’We will mobilize Nigerian youths towards planting 25 million trees to enhance Nigeria’s carbon sink.

“’Specifically, Nigeria is progressively working to realize 30 percent energy efficiency and renewable energy mix by 2030.

“’Furthermore, the Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme in Ogoniland, to recover the carbon sink potential of the mangrove ecosystem of the one thousand square kilometers (1,000 KM2) polluted site in the affected area.

“’Finally, permit me to add that the forty million citizens in the Lake Chad area expect this Summit to take into consideration their concerns. They anticipate that the outcomes of this meeting would include solutions to address the Climate Change impact in the Lake Chad area.'”

“We believe that the important things for young people of Nigeria to do now should be around holding the government to account on these ‘announcement’ and promises, and ensuring they are fulfilled and delivered in a timely manner.

“One of the most exciting should be the tree-planting campaign. Ethiopia recently set a world record on that account — perhaps Nigeria’s young people might even be able to pressure the Government into scaling up the ambitions of our own planned tree-planting campaign.

“Therefore the online hysteria is completely unnecessary,” the statement concluded.
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/online-hysteria-over-video-of-buharis-unga-speech-unnecessary-says-presidency/

The first batch of 370 Kano students, who graduated with first-class degrees and obtained sponsorship by Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation will leave the state for India and Sudan on Tuesday September 24, 2019 to study Masters’ degree in various courses.

The first batch of 370 Kano students, who graduated with first-class degrees and obtained sponsorship by Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation will leave the state for India and Sudan on Tuesday September 24, 2019 to study Masters’ degree in various courses.

The first batch of 370 Kano students, who graduated with first-class degrees and obtained sponsorship by Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation will leave the state for India and Sudan on Tuesday to study Masters’ degree in various courses.

DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the students, drawn from the 44 local government areas of the state, secured admissions at four universities in India and one in Sudan.

Speaking during the send-off ceremony of the beneficiaries at his residence on Tuesday, former Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso said 234 of the students would undergo Masters’ degree in science, technology and humanities in India, adding that 8 of them would study Islamic religion and Arabic in Sudan.

Mr Kwankwaso disclosed that the foundation had paid all the fees, including tuition, accommodation, feeding and insurance to the universities.

According to him, air tickets has already been secured for the beneficiaries for easy return back to the country after completion of the programmes.

“Today is a memorable day to me when we will witness the departure of the first batch if 370 students sponsored by Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation to study abroad.

“Education is the cardinal principle of Kwankwasiyya, as it is the bedrock of development in a society.

“We have done so much to education when we were in power in Kano. Now we feel it right to sustain the tempo,” Mr Kwankwaso said.

Mr Kwankwaso, a Senator at 8th Assembly, urged the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors during their stay in the two countries, assuring that the foundation would soon commence preparation for the second batch.

Earlier in his remark, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abba Yusuf, congratulated the beneficiaries.

Mr Yusuf pledged to sustain the scholarship if he won his case at the tribunal and become the state governor.

He maintained that the Kwankwasiyya ideology was about human development.

Mr Yusuf promised to revive the 26 institutions established during Mr Kwankwaso’s administration, which were allegedly abandoned by the incumbent governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
https://dailynigerian.com/first-batch-of-370-students-sponsored-by-kwankwaso-leaves-for-india-sudan/
Lalasticlala fynestboi

The Management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, on Monday disclosed plans to build an airport within the campus of the institution soon.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Eyitope, dropped the hint at the 2019 Faculty of Technology International Conference, held at OAU ICT Park recently, saying that the airport would serve as training ground for the planned aeronautic programme of the university.

The vice-chancellor said, “We believe that the future of travel globally is in the air. It is in view of this that we are starting an aeronautic programme. As part of this, we will be having our own airport.

“We have over 11,000 hectares of land, with which we hope to achieve our objective and we have developed a proposal for the airport. We will be taking it up with the authorities to ensure that we do not only have the aeronautic programme here, but also build an airport that will serve that purpose.

“We want to make OAU the hub of aeronautic studies in Nigeria. Currently no federal university in the country offers a programme in aeronautic studies. We believe that with OAU taking up this challenge, we can go places with it.

“This idea was contemplated some years ago. Now we are very serious with it. We have the drawings in place and the land has been earmarked. Everything that we need for the airport and to start the programme is ready.”

In his keynote address, themed, ‘Diversification of Developing Economies: Imperatives for Sustainable Environment and Technological Innovations’, Prof Oluwatoyin Ashiru said ideas are abundant in Nigeria but the framework transform the ideas into reality.

Stressing that ideas abandoned in the country thrived in other countries of the world, Ashiru noted that the difference between Nigeria and other countries is the level of commitment and dedication to its development.

According to him, irrespective of the challenges facing the country, the country must embark on technological innovationand sustained support for research and development.

https://punchng.com/oau-to-build-own-airport-soon-says-vc/

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has concluded plans to file an appeal on Monday challenging the outcome of the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal, PEPT.

According to THISDAY, ahead of Wednesday’s deadline for an appeal against the tribunal’s judgement, Mr Atiku had put together 70 points as grounds for the appeal, which he plans to turn in on Monday.

The PEPT judgement was delivered on September 11 and Mr Atiku, as the appellant, had 14 days to file an appeal. By this calculation, the deadline for the filling of an appeal is Wednesday, September 25, while the petition has a lifespan of 60 days within which the appeal must be determined.

An unnamed Mr Atiku’s lawyer was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the former vice president’s lawyers had put together 70 grounds of appeal based on errors dictated from the tribunal’s judgement.

According to him, “We will file latest on Monday, September 23, and at most, due to any unforeseen reason, by September 24. Bear in mind that the deadline for submission is Wednesday. We won’t file on Wednesday for tactical reasons.”

The lawyer also ruled out the possibility of a new legal team, because the new lawyers would not have sufficient legal background of the petition since the Supreme Court panel is expected to deliver its judgement within 60 days from September 25.

He said one of the 70 grounds of appeal is that “the judgement of the PEPT was based on the facts; the judgement was not on the issues presented to the Court of Appeal presidential tribunal by the petitioner, especially in relation to the respondent’s academic qualifications.”

He said, “Take, for instance, one of the respondent’s witnesses, Major General Paul Tarfa (rtd), called by President Muhammadu Buhari’s lawyers said that they did not give their qualifications to the Military Board. Tarfa’s testimony is against the claim by Buhari that the Nigeria military is in possession of his certificates.

“Secondly, Buhari said that he was recruited into the military in 1961 and Tarfa said in 1962, so what is the correct date of his recruitment into the army?Somebody is not telling the truth.

“The issue in question is who entered the different grades for him from both the Cambridge and the West African School Certificate results. This is the first time that the court will say that the documents are admitted in the interest of justice. So, who entered the different grades for him and if he did it, why?

“One of the grounds of appeal is that the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, brought the Cambridge documents dated July 18 and testified on July 20. The point here is that it was not pleaded, when the respondent replied to the petitions of Atiku. So, speaking as in point of law, you don’t speak on documents not pleaded.

“The WAEC documents contradicted the Cambridge documents. This is a case of forgery, inconsistency in documents.”
The lawyer added, “On the INEC server, the judgement of the PEPT said the INEC server was hacked and we then asked, which of the servers was hacked?

“The tribunal judgement was based on the Electoral Act section 52 (1) (B), but this aspect of the law has since been deleted in 2015. It is no longer in existence. This was the case in Wike Vs Peterside.

“If the judgement said INEC server was recklessly hacked, then, there is a server and, therefore, a criminal offence. Yet, INEC did not claim so or that its documents were stolen. How come the judge reached this scandalous decision?

“If section 52 (1) (B) is no longer in existence, how come the lead judgement came to this decision? It was not based on the documents pleaded. Therefore, how come it was decided so? That means that the judge went on a voyage of discoveries and exploration. Buhari was not accused of forgery. Rather, he was accused of lying, when he said the army was in possession of his documents.

“In his form CF001, he presented an affidavit, instead of his certificates. PEPT relied on the CV presented. We are asking, is that supposed to be so? CV is basically to show working experience. No Primary School certificate. The judgement was based on inferences. The judge simply inferred.

“We are surprised that the PEPT went the way it did. It is our view that the judges would have gone further to help improve our electoral laws as well as use it to commence the reform of the electoral laws. So, these are some of the issues that form the grounds of the 70 points of appeal at the Supreme Court.”
https://dailynigerian.com/pept-atiku-goes-to-supreme-court-monday-to-file-70-point-grounds-of-appeal/

It was massive jubilation today, in Imo State, when news of the validation of Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s election was confirmed by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, GEPT.

The Tribunal had earlier in the week, announced that it was moving its sitting to Abuja, where it would also deliver judgment.

Several musical groups and party faithful were seen as they sang victory songs.

All the major streets in Owerri municipality were taken over by jubilant citizens, who thanked God for seeing them through what they termed “the bad rubbish we experienced in the past eight years”.

Speaking to Sunday Vanguard, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Udokwu, commended members of the Tribunal for doing justice to the matter.

“I must thank members of the Tribunal for delivering Justice in the matter. I am wonderfully happy about the outcome of the legal tussle. Like our Lord Jesus Christ said on the cross, it is finished”, Dr. Udokwu said.

In his own reaction a United States of America based attorney, Mr. Stanley Ozuzu, said he is elated by the decision of the Tribunal.

“I am elated that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal upheld the election of Governor Emeka Ihedioha. I see the opinion as a very sound and thorough judgment”, Ozuzu said.

He recalled that “the majority of Imo citizenry voted enmass for Governor Emeka Ihedioha because of his track records and noble agenda to liberate from the ineptitude and unreasonable policies of the failed Rochas Okorocha administration”.

Ozuzu then appealed to Governor Ihedioha to “continue on the good work he is doing for the state”.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/imo-erupts-in-jubilation-as-ihedioha-win/
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Mynd44

The President of Customary Court of Appeal in Osun State, Justice Gloria Oladoke has died after a protracted illness.

Oladoke, who served as acting Chief Judge of the state at some point in her carrier died Friday morning.

Before rising to the position of the president, Customary Court of Appeal, Oladoke served at the High Court in Osogbo, Ede, Ilesa, Ikirun, Ila Orangun and Ile-Ife.

The State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, described her death a loss to the judiciary and the state.

The governor dispatched a delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Wole Oyebamiji to the residence of the deceases in Ile-Ife to condole with her family.

Oyetola described the late jurist as an epitome of good character, integrity and selfless service.

In a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola commiserated with friends and professional colleagues of the late jurist.

Oyetola saluted Justice Oladoke’s forthrightness, deep sense of patriotism, loyalty and commitment to the discharge of justice.

According to him, “I received with great shock the passing of the president of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal. Her death is not only a loss to her family and the judiciary alone, but to the state at large.”

“As people who believe in God, we should take it in good faith and give gratitude to God that the late Jurist ran a good race while she was alive.

As a professional who started her career in the old Oyo State, as a youth corps member, the late Justice Oladoke showed class in the discharge of her responsibilities, as a judge.

“My deep condolences go to the entire family, the judiciary as well as the entire state.”

Oyetola said Oladoke would be missed. He prayed for peaceful repose of her soul and also prayed for the courage and fortitude to bear the loss.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/osun-customary-court-of-appeal-president-is-dead.html

Ansu Fati has made a long trip from the fields of Guinea-Bissau, where he played as a child, to Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium where the 16-year-old is playing with some of the biggest stars in the world.

Fati's has made a stirring start to the season, scoring just two minutes into his full La Liga debut on a magical night when he hardly put a foot wrong in front of over 80,000 astonished Camp Nou fans who gave him a standing ovation as he left the field.

He was just seven years old when he first came to Spain and his startling talent meant he was invited to join Barcelona's prestigious youth academy 'La Masia' aged 10.

It was an incredible achievement for a boy from the impoverished West African nation that has never been known for football.

In Sao Paulo, his home neighbourhood in the rundown suburbs of capital Bissau, the children yell "Ansu Fati, Barca player!" as they run around on ochre soil, under the tropical trees.

Malam Romisio, who coached Fati as a child, told AFP how the boy used to play football wearing only socks or plastic sandals, easily dribbling the ball past bigger, stronger teammates.

When Fati made his debut with Barca's first team at the end of August, the coach switched his allegiance from Real Madrid.

"If he continues like this, he will be a great player," he predicted.

In Guinea Bissau, which is one of the world's poorest and most fragile nations, Fati is a source of national pride.

Born on October 31, 2002, he lived in Bissau until he was six.

In the house where he grew up, Fati's uncle Djibi Fati shows photos of the footballer as a child, dressed in traditional clothes, recalling how others used to tease him for his love of bread and butter.

"Every time he came back from playing football, he would ask for it," he recalls.

- Family divided, reunited in Spain -

When he was still very small, his father, Bori Fati, went to Portugal to look for work, later settling near Seville in southwestern Spain.

Bori picked olives, collected empty glasses in nightclubs and even helped build a high-speed rail track, recalls Amador Saavedra, who befriended him in Herrera, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Malaga.

It was only when the Communist mayor of Marinaleda, a nearby town, hired Bori as a driver and helped him financially, that he managed to bring his young family over in 2009.

"It's a very beautiful story," said Saavedra, 53.

Bori ended up training his young son at the Peloteros football school, which is free for thousands of children in Herrera and the surrounding towns.

- Cheerful but quiet -

When Fati arrived he quickly caused a sensation on the football pitch, said Jordi Figaroa Moreno, his first Spanish coach.

"He had a gift," he told AFP. "The difference between him and his teammates was just huge, both technically and tactically. Among the youngsters, it's rare to find children who can play as a team, but he had everything."

Jose Luis Perez Mena, who runs the Peloteros school, described Fati as "very spontaneous" and "very cheerful" as well as "extroverted, but very quiet".

His stellar success "has not gone to his head".

Within a year of arriving in Spain, Fati joined Sevilla. In 2012, at the age of 10, he was enrolled in Barcelona's youth system.

"Ansu was one of the youngest players ever to have entered La Masia," said Marc Serra, his first coach at Barcelona.

"From the day that he arrived he was different, the type of player who invents football."

- 'Mind-blowing' -

In August, the teenager became the youngest player to score for Barcelona in La Liga. This month he became the club's youngest player in a Champions League match.

Spain's national coach Robert Moreno described Fati's debut for Barcelona as "mind-blowing". Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde spoke of him as a "balanced boy" who is "at ease with himself".

"We want him to learn to know himself, to know the first division, so he sees that it is hard and how much work and dedication it will take to succeed," he said.

Speaking to Spain's Onda Cero radio last month, his proud father said he had taught Fati to "be respectful and happy with everyone".

"Every day I tell him: 'This is your job: when you have the ball, turn towards the goal, don't look anywhere else, and just shoot."

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.france24.com/en/20190920-wonderkid-fati-from-african-suburb-to-barcelona-s-camp-nou

Five Persons including a manager of a bakery factory were on Thursday morning abducted along Biu- Buratai- Buni Yadi- Damaturu road.

The abduction took place between Kamuya and Buratai village, the home town of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai.

Recently, the Cashier of Hawul Local Government Area of the state was kidnapped along the same route, before he was released.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/just-in-kidnappers-abduct-5-along-buratai-village/

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday convicted and subsequently ordered the winding up of Process and Industrial Development Limited and its Nigerian affiliate, P&ID Nigeria Limited, for charges of fraud and tax evasion in respect of the contract leading to the recent controversial judgment of a British court empowering the firm to seize about $9.6bn worth of Nigerian assets.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment also ordered the forfeiture of “the assets and properties” of the two firms to the Nigerian government.

The judge made the orders shortly after the two firms, through their representatives, pleaded guilty to the 11 counts instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

While P&ID Limited incorporated in British Virgin Island was represented in the dock by its Commercial Director, Mohammad Kuchazi, P&ID Nigeria Limited was represented by Adamu Usman, who is also a lawyer.

Both men pleaded guilty on behalf of the companies to all the 11 counts read to them before Justice Ekwo on Thursday.

Kuchazi was represented by his lawyer, Dandison Akurunwua, while Usman represented himself.

They were accused of among others, fraudulently claiming to have acquired land from the Cross River State Government in 2010 for the gas supply project agreement which led to the $9.6bn judgment.

After the defendants pleaded guilty to the 11 counts, an EFCC investigator, Usman Babangida, was called to the witness box for review of facts which was not opposed by the defence.

Documents relating to the controversial 2010 gas supply contract and EFCC’s investigation activities were tendered and admitted by the judge as exhibits without objection from the defence.

The judge then went on to pronounce the two firms represented by the two men guilty.

Making an allocutus, plea for mercy, P&ID’s lawyer Akurunwua, urged the judge to consider “the forthrightness and candour” of P&ID by pleading guilty and not wasting the time of the court in the trial.

https://punchng.com/breaking-court-winds-up-pid-nigerian-affiliate-orders-forfeiture-of-firms-assets-to-fg/

Two brothers, Avan Smart aged 61 and Avan Jerry aged 29, have been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court for allegedly duping President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Rev. Felix Omobude, the sum of N3m.

The two brothers were arraigned on seven-count charges bothering on forgery, stealing and obtaining under false pretence.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police Prosecutor, ASP Patrick Agbonifo, informed the court that the suspects committed the offence on May 31st and June 24, 2019 at the headquarters of the New Covenant Church, Benin City.

ASP Agbonifo said the suspects presented themselves as contractors to the Edo State Government and bidded to construct road within the Light House Polytechnic, owned by Rev. Omobude.

Agonifo said the suspects presented forge documents of an unregistered company to Rev Omobude.

He said they collected the sum of N3m under false pretences.

The offences, according to Agbonifo, were punishable under sections 516, 390, 467 and 419 of the Criminal Code vol II laws of the defunct Bendel State now applicable to Edo State.

It was gathered that the brothers were arrested following a petition to the State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Abubakar.

Presiding Magistrate, I A Osayande granted the accused bail to the sum of N200,000 each and a surety in like sum.

Osayande adjourned the case to September 26, 2019.
https://thenationonlineng.net/two-brothers-docked-for-duping-pfn-president/
Mynd44
Lalasticlala

• MMIA in sorry state despite N52.5b from outbound passengers yearly
• Passengers groan over poor services, extortion, collapsed infrastructure

Owing to the neglect by government, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos is in a sorry state. Passenger services at the airport may have reached its all-time low. The palpable rot, in the form of leaky roofs, unkempt floor, walls and lavatories, ineffective cooling systems, stuck escalators, and poorly lit checked-in area, among others, advertise the negligence by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and worsen the travel experience of thousands of daily users.

Apparently miffed by the consistent decay, regular air travellers and other stakeholders yesterday described the situation as an embarrassment in the face of FAAN’s earning $50 (N17, 500) as service charge per international passenger.

The airport, built in the 1970s, is the foremost gateway into the country. It currently sees over six million passengers yearly, compared to about 200,000 it processed at inception.

A visit to the ever-busy terminal yesterday spoke volumes of gross infrastructural gaps within the facility. Though the departure lounge was packed with afternoon-belt passengers, the cooling system was hardly felt – contrary to the strength of about 20 air conditioners positioned across the terminal.

It was learnt that FAAN, about two years ago, awarded the contract of a new central cooling system. The contractor, however, abandoned the work midway, and the project has remained uncompleted till date.

Indeed, the Lagos airport is not in short supply of toilets, but they are largely an eyesore. The Guardian observed that each lavatory was manned by at least three to four janitors attached to various cleaning services engaged to manage the toilets. The trend is that the janitors leave the toilets unkempt, as they attend to more lucrative business of serving toiletries to users that could be kind enough to offer cash rewards.

Samuel Akinbami, a Dubai-bound passenger, emerged from one of the toilets tiptoeing. “Naija, we will never change!” he said. Akinbami, though a frequent traveller, had, until yesterday, practically avoided using the lavatory in the last one year.

“I found it too dirty to manage. But today that I just ventured to use it, I came out not disappointed because I actually met it in a bad state. We cannot just change around here. The more people are deployed to clean it, the worst the toilets become. It is either the taps are bad or the water is not running, leaving everywhere dirty. We are just a peculiar people,” he said.

Another user, Elizabeth, said the discomfort of a bad toilet was better, compared to “a leaky roof right inside a modern airport.”

She was departing Lagos last Friday in the company of foreigners when it started to rain heavily. “Before we knew it, the wing where we were kept started to leak like a basket. I couldn’t believe it. Even the officials got fed up and abandoned us to our fate.

“I felt ashamed to call this an international airport. The whole world is moving forward but we are going backward. Yet, all our leaders travel round the world and enjoy the best of services, including the resource-poor ones, but do not count us worthy of such little comfort. What is wrong with putting the airport in order?

“Do you know why many travellers get onboard and immediately fall asleep? It is because of the stress of this airport and our country at large. It is not like that anywhere,” Elizabeth lamented.

A private official, who works at the airport, said the maintenance task had overwhelmed the concerned team.

“They are just doing minor repairs, waiting for the opening of the new facility. Before now, you would always see them going round, fixing bad bulbs, broken glasses, fittings and walls. We hardly see that now, except when there is a major problem,” the agent said.

The MMIA was in 2018 ranked the fifth among the worst airports in the world by The Guide to Sleeping in Airports – an international survey. The yearly review asks travellers to rate airports worldwide based on their overall experience, which they do based on factors like comfort, services, facilities, food options, immigration or security, customer service, cleanliness and sleepability.

Besides the infrastructure gaps, the survey respondents complained about corruption.

“This happens to be the number one travellers’ complaint about the Lagos airport. Add to this filthy bathrooms, limited seating, archaic check-in procedures, sporadic air conditioning, and lousy customer service, and you’re not likely to enjoy your time here. Fortunately the airport does host a number of pay-to-use lounges that might make an extended stay a bit more bearable,” the report read in part.

A survey respondent stated: “Every official asks you for money. Don’t tell them you have cash, otherwise, the customs official will take you to the dark room. But if you give the money to the Nigerian official, you can bring anything on to the plane.”

A travel agent, Enitan Abayomi, blamed FAAN for allowing the infrastructure problems to fester, and leaving the security agencies unsupervised.

“It is always embarrassing dealing with the so-called security officials. Even the new guys (aviation security operatives) have joined them in extorting passengers by asking: “Any thing for me?” “What did you bring come?’’ “Shake body small, now’. It is sad, but nobody is feeling concerned. That is why I will always blame FAAN that owns the airport.”

With over six million passengers yearly, the stakeholders are of the view that the airport, if used to potential, has enormous resources to operate as the hub for West Africa.

For instance, on each passenger that travels through the airport, FAAN earns Passenger Service Charge of $50 (N17, 500) for airport maintenance and to improve passenger facilitation. By about three million outbound passengers, the earnings is in the neighbourhood of $150 million (N52.5 billion) a year.

An aviation security consultant and former Commandant of the Lagos Airport, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd) yesterday said “the premier airport to Nigeria and in the West African region” made a minimum of N2 billion a month.

Ojikutu, however, described it as shameful that the authority could not afford to allocate five per cent of that amount for the maintenance of its service infrastructure.

“What is happening now at the MMIA is one of the reasons I support the concession of the airports. Concession of the terminal buildings does not affect the aeronautical services but the earnings will improve the aeronautical services.

“A taxiway at the airport has been in disuse for over a year, yet every month we rake in about N2 billion and cannot spend five per cent of the amount for the periodic maintenance of the aeronautical and non-aeronautical services in the airport. Can you find the same level of infrastructure services at the MMA2 (under a private management)? That is why the airport’s non-aeronautical services should all go for concession without exception,” Ojikutu said.

However, the government is not unaware of the overstretched facility. The immediate past Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma, recently said a massive rehabilitation would soon begin.

Dunoma said the airport would be partially pulled down by Julius Berger for major facelift, which would cost N14 billion. He added that this would happen after the inauguration of the new terminal, a partnership between Nigeria and the Chinese government.

https://m.guardian.ng/news/nigeria-abandons-lagos-airport-facility-repairs-maintenance/
Lalasticlala

The Nigerian Army Tuesday inaugurated a military Court Martial to put on trial of the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Sokoto, Major Gen. Hakeem Otiki, over alleged disappearance of the sum of 400 million naira.

The Court Martial was conveyed by the Army at the Army Headquarters Officers Mess, Asokoro, Abuja at about 12.34pm and presided over by Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, who is the Chief of Policy and plans, Army Headquarters.

Gen. Otiki was brought into the Court in a white Military Ambulance. He was on a Wheel Chair.

The former GOC and some soldiers involved in the matter had been interrogated by the Directorate of Military Intelligence, the Special Intelligence Bureau, and the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police.

The names of Soldiers who allegedly ran away with the said money while on escort duty were Corporal Gabriel Oluwaniyi, Corporal Mohammed Aminu, Corporal Haruna, Olusoji Joshua and Hayatudeen.

The soldiers who were said to be on Escort Duty with a Very Important Person (VIP) allegedly absconded with the money while travelling from Sokoto to Kaduna.

However, there was a mild drama inside the Hall where the Court Martial was holding as the Lawyer representing Gen Otiki raised objection on the leadership/Chairman of the Court, saying his client would not get justice if Lt. Gen Adeosun sits as the Chairman.

Barrister Okechukwu Adinu who raised the objection on behalf of Gen. Otiki said Lt. Gen Adeosun should recused himself because “we have strong feelings that he (Gen. Otiki) may not get good trial and fair trial under your leadership in this court here”.

Adinu explained that Otiki would not get fair trial particularly as some of the soldiers involved in the matter were security escorts he inherited from Lt. Gen Adeosun when he Otiki took over as Core Commander of the Army Infantry Corps.

Adinu also told the Court that Otiki entered the Nigerian Defence Academy ahead of Lt. Gen Adeosun and at a particular time he Otiki drilled Adeosun in the military tradition when he Adeosun committed an infraction.

He alleged that Adeosun was yet bearing the grudge against Otiki.

Adinu explained that from the relationship between the two from the beginning it was clear that there was an animosity which Adeosun had been nursing against Otiki as Adeosun refused to acknowledge or reply the text message Otiki sent to him recently when Adeosun was promoted to the rank of Lt. General.

Giving reasons why Lt. Gen Adeosun should recuse himself from presiding over the Court, Barrister Adinu said “We have this strong feeling that he may not get a good trial and a fair trial under your leadership in this court here.

“The reasons are as follows sir. It is a known fact that General Otiki got into Nigeria Defence Academy on 10th January 1983, while you got in on July 4, 1983, so he got in there before you”.

“Sir and it’s a fact that Gen Otiki here actually drilled you, he punished and drilled you, so we have this feeling that the grudge then is still there, more so. Sir, it is a known fact that Gen Otiki took over from you sir as the Core Commander Infantry last year and with due respect, by the time we go to the proper trial certain issues will still come up”.

Adinu said by the time the issues are put at the front burner before the Court, it is certain that Lt. Gen. Adeosun would be mentioned or that reference would be made to him as some of the issues had to do with functions of the offices he held previously.”

At this point, journalists were asked to leave the Hall where the Court martial was taking place. However as at the time of filing this report, details of the turn of events were still unfolding.

https://thenationonlineng.net/army-begins-court-martial-of-ex-goc-over-missing-n400m/

Nigerians are about to witness a new scandalous revelation with Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo, Funke Adejumo and Prophet SK Abiara at the centre of an alleged abortion and Manslaughter allegation.

Weeks after Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo was invited for questioning by the Police Headquarters in Abuja over his alleged involvement in the rape of professional photographer, Busola Dakolo, Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo is being investigated for another crime bordering on alleged possible manslaughter.

According to reports, a petition which includes an audio recording has been submitted to the office of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, accusing Fatoyinbo of coercing former church member, Ifeoluwa Dolapo into undergoing a procedure to abort a baby after allegedly impregnating her - a procedure which eventually caused her death.

“According to the revelation from the audio clip, the 1st Suspect (Biodun Fatoyinbo) threatened the deceased, and requested that she got rid of the unwanted pregnancy as he surmised that it would be scandalous and injurious to his reputation as a highly revered and renowned Pastor,” the petition reads.

“While the deceased assured the 1st Suspect that she would keep the news of the pregnancy private and just within her family, the 1st suspect insisted and ensured that an abortion of the pregnancy was carried out with the reluctant acquiescence of the deceased.”

The petition which was submitted by Pelumi Olajengbesi, a public interest lawyerz, who alleged that the renowned clergyman and woman, Pastor S.K Abiara and Rev. Funke Adejumo were not only privy to the crime but also assisted Fatoyinbo “to conceal the offences”.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thenigerianvoice.com/amp/news/281619/alleged-forced-abortion-manslaughter-police-to-investigat.html

Three people, including a clergy and his daughter, have been abducted by gunmen in Kaduna State.

The clergy man, Rev. Haggai Kwasau, and his daughter, Margret, are members of Baptist Church in Kankomi Village located in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. They were reportedly abducted on Sunday.

The bandits were said to have invaded the community at about 11.00 p. m., and started shooting sporadically.

Chairman of Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joseph Hayab, who confirmed the incident, said the family members of victims informed him of the unfortunate incidents last night.

He also disclosed that on Saturday, Mrs. Esther Ishaku Katung, wife of the pastor of ECWA Church in Bagoma, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was abducted, when bandits broke into their home in the night.

Hayab said her husband, Rev. Ishaku Katung, who managed to escaped, was seriously injured by the bandits and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The CAN chairman added that people are becoming helpless by the day following the deadly activities of bandits.

“We are no longer safe in our homes. We are no longer safe on the highways. We are in perilous times and we pray that the authorities will wake up to their responsibilities and address the menace,” he said.

However, Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Police Command, Mr. Yakubu Sabo, did not respond to calls and text messages when contacted on the issue.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/09/17/bandits-abduct-three-in-kaduna/
Lalasticlala
Mynd44
Oam4j

Aishat Ardo, one of the residents of Abuja who was kidnapped on Saturday, has been freed after a ransom was paid by her father.

Aisha, is aged 24 years and popularly called Ummi. She was reportedly abducted on Saturday at about 7:45pm at Blinkers Shopping Mall, No. 46, Kwame Nkrumah Crescent in Asokoro, Abuja.

It was gathered that the gunmen who drove away in an ash colour Toyota Camry car initially packed close to the shopping mall and whisked her away at gun-point to an unknown destination.

It was learnt that the victim was coming out of the shopping mall with the provisions she just bought when the gunmen blocked her with their car, forced her in and whisked her away.

The victim’s father, Umar Ardo, a said cousin to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, contested for the governorship of Adamawa state under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011 election.

TheCable learnt that she was released by her abductors on Sunday night after her father paid $15,000 in bitcoin.

She was said to have been released in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja.

Security sources had told TheCable that at least five residents of Abuja were abducted on Saturday evening. Among them were two teenagers and a lecturer with Baze University, Abuja.

But the police said they only received report of the kidnap of two persons in the city.

In a statement, Anjuguri Manzah, spokesman of FCT police command, said the force had not learnt about the rampant cases of kidnapping as was earlier reported.

“The FCT police command wishes to assure residents that the federal capital territory is safe and the police has reinvigorated its crime-fighting strategy to ensure the to ensire the protection of lives and property,” he said.

“Contrary to speculations about an upsurge in this crime, the command wishes to correct the notion and inform the public that the aforementioned were the only cases reported to the police and efforts are being intensified to arrest the suspects.

“The command wants to reaffirm its commitment to protect lives and property by deploying pro-active security measures that would nip this crime in the bud.”

Manzah added that the police had rescued the lecturer. TheCable could not independently verify this claim.
https://www.thecable.ng/kidnappers-free-abuja-victim-after-15000-ransom

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/atiku-cousins-daughter-kidnapped-by-gunmen-police-launch-manhunt/
lalasticlala
mynd44
oam4j
dominique

A man identified as Ibrahim Mohammed Maigandi was arrested by Zamfara state police after he impersonated the state police commissioner Usman Nagogo and duped the senator representing Zamfara West, Lawali Hassan Dan Iya, of N1.8 million.

Parading the suspect at the state police command SP Muhammad Shehu said the suspect, who hails from Moriki in Zurmi local government area of the state, was arrested after they received a report from the duped senator that one man claiming to be CP Usman Nagogo called him and demanded for a sallah gift.

He said when the suspect called, Senator Dan Iya directed his personal assistant to collect the suspect’s account number and transfer N200,000 to him.

“Thereafter , the suspect called the senator again and told him that he had given him nine slots for Cadet ASP’s and Cadet Inspectors and asked the senator to pay N2 million for the all the slots. The senator again directed his PA to pay N1.6 million into the suspects account number,” Shehu said.

The police spokesman said the suspect was tracked and apprehended by police detectives in Gusau and a Mercedes car and N1.4 million was found on him, and investigation has begun to arrest other members of the syndicate.

Meanwhile, the suspect had confessed to his crime saying that he knew what he did was bad. He said he is a polytechnic graduate with two wives and eight children. “I did it to foot the medical bill for my sick wife who is battling cancer.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/man-impersonates-zamfara-cp-duped-senator-of-n1-8m-to-pay-wifes-medical-bills.html

An economist, Prof. Tella Sheriffdeen, on Tuesday expressed concern over the N1.04 trillion debt profile of states in the South West.

Tella, a Professor of Economics in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun, expressed the concern to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos while reacting to the data published by the Debt Management Office (DMO).

NAN reports that DMO, in the debt data released recently, said the six states in the region namely: Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo and Ogun carried a debt burden of N1.04 trillion as of March 2019.

A breakdown of the debt figures shows that Lagos came first with N542.2 billion, followed by Osun with debt stock of N147.7 billion.

Ekiti has a debt burden of N118.01 billion, Ogun N97.09 billion, Oyo N94.14 billion and Ondo N56.96 billion.

Tella said that these states needed to explain to their citizens what the loans were used for.

"There is the need for the states concerned to explain to their citizens what they used the loans for.

"They collected Paris loan largess like other states to pay outstanding salary arrears and were reimbursed by the Federal Government for the federal roads executed.

"They claimed that they improved on internally generated revenues and spent same for development.

“There were no feasible development in public education and health sectors except in the case of Lagos and Osun. So, where did the foreign loans go into?,” Tella asked.

He said that the Houses of Assembly in the concerned states and the civil society organisations must inquire into the issue.

According to him, the public too must be interested on how loans contracted on their behalf are utilised.

“This is because their children will not enjoy development, but will pay for funds that were mismanaged,” Tella said.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/exposed-lagos-osun-ekiti-oyo-ondo-ogun-carry-a-debt-burden-of-n1-04tr/

Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a politician and leader of the Zulu ethnic group, has condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Addressing a mob which converged on Johannesburg on Sunday, Buthelezi said many African nations played key roles in the struggles of South Africa.

Armed protesters had hit the streets of Johannesburg on Sunday, asking foreigners to return to where they came from.

While speaking with them, Buthelezi said the world expects South Africans to treat other Africans as their brothers.

He said citizens of countries being attacked at the moment assisted South Africa during apartheid.

The Zulu leader recalled how ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo invited him over to Nigeria when the white minority was in power, adding that he also delivered a lecture at the 82nd birthday ceremony of Obasanjo.

Below is his full speech:

I come here today not as a politician, but as an elder. There is a terrible quarrel in our nation with foreign nationals who are living amongst us. Lives have been lost and property damaged. There has been looting and burning and violence. While all this is happening, the world is watching, and we are being judged.
I must speak very bluntly to my fellow South Africans, not to take sides, but to quell the tensions with the voice of truth.

What we have seen in the past few days is unacceptable. The attacks on foreign nationals and their businesses are purely xenophobic. It is a violation of human rights and a violation of our Constitution. Our Constitution enshrines the right to freedom from all forms of violence. That right applies to everyone in South Africa, whether citizens or not.
We cannot allow this to move in cycles. It is not the first spate of attacks; but it must be the last
I understand the tensions, the complaints and the anger. I understand that there is validity to the complaints, on both sides. I also understand that wrongs have been committed by both sides. This has not come out of nowhere.

But there is a saying in Zulu that you cannot slaughter all the sheep because one sheep has transgressed. In a situation of conflict, it is dangerous to tar everyone with the same brush. Even where there are valid complaints against an individual, we cannot take the law into our own hands. Looting and destruction of property is a crime, full stop. Assault is always wrong.
Don’t think these things have no consequences. This violence has diplomatic and economic ramifications. We have hundreds of thousands of South Africans living in countries throughout Africa. We have businesses and companies operating across this continent. We have vital trade relations within the African Union and within SADC, the Southern African Development Community. South Africa is not an island.

There will be sanctions against us for what we are doing. It started with the Zambian Football Association cancelling a soccer match against Bafana Bafana. Then Nigeria announced a boycott of the World Economic Forum on Africa being held in Cape Town. But as I feared they would, sanctions quickly turned to retaliation.

Already South African-owned companies in Nigeria have been targeted for looting and vandalism. MTN has had to close all its stores to protect staff, while the police stand guard at Shoprite stores. On Thursday our diplomatic missions in Abuja and Lagos were forced to close after threats were received. President Buhari has announced a visit to South Africa to speak to President Ramaphosa
We need to stop this thing in its tracks before serious action is taken against us. Do we really want to escalate into international conflict?

I feel ashamed. As Africans we are making ourselves a laughing stock in the rest of the world. Because the world knows what we seem so quick to forget: Africans are brothers and sisters.
In every family there are quarrels and squabbles. But the way we are behaving is shooting ourselves in the foot. We are making the name of South Africa a swear word on the continent.
This is not the first time we have had a spike of xenophobic attacks is our country. In 2008 and in 2015 lives were lost and livelihoods destroyed as communities went on the rampage against foreign nationals. I went then, too, to the communities and townships, and I spoke as I am speaking now.
But now my words are somehow different. The sentiments have not changed, but there is a sense of urgency because I fear what will happen if we fail to extinguish this fire.
The IFP has formally asked the Speaker of the National Assembly to call an urgent debate in parliament, not just to condemn xenophobia, but to hear what the state intends to do to swiftly end the violence.
We cannot allow this to move in cycles. It is not the first spate of attacks; but it must be the last.
We have been facing the rising problem of undocumented migration ever since 1994. I served as the first Minister of Home Affairs in a democratic era. For ten years my department grappled with this, trying to find a way to balance human rights with the good of the country.
I was struck even then by the number of undocumented Africans within our borders, especially from Zimbabwe, and the implications this had for our ability to create social and economic justice for South Africans. But when I pointed out our porous borders and said they need to be guarded, some people actually accused me of xenophobia, saying it was because I didn’t go into exile.
If anyone knows what our African brothers sacrificed for the sake of our struggle, it is I.
Many of the countries whose citizens were coming to South Africa had given sanctuary to our political exiles during the struggle for freedom. Being an Anglican myself, I received a letter from the Anglican Bishop of Mozambique, Bishop Dinis Sengulane, lamenting that I was not helping his people who were flocking to South Africa.
These accusations were painful, and quite misplaced. Because if anyone knows what our African brothers sacrificed for the sake of our struggle, it is I. I went myself to Zambia and Tanzania in 1974, to thank President Kaunda and President Nyerere for giving sanctuary to all our exiles. Earlier this year, I again visited His Excellency Dr Kenneth Kaunda in Zambia, and he spoke touchingly about the risks they took on our behalf. Let me quote him directly. He said:
“Prince Buthelezi, we first met in 1974 here in Lusaka when I was a leader of a young independent nation of Zambia and was honoured to be leader of the frontline states which were all newly independent states. We hosted South African political exiles and freedom fighters. (It) was a huge risk to our own freedom as a nation. Financially we could not afford this task, since Ian Smith had closed the borders for us to transport goods through Rhodesia. The security risk was enormous on our people as the apartheid regime in South Africa was becoming more and more vicious. But we had to do that historic duty for the freedom of black people. I am a very proud man that we did this and all God’s children in South Africa… are free today.”
Friends, this is our own history. African countries like Lesotho, Swaziland, Nigeria, Zambia and Tanzania took huge risks on our behalf. Is this how we repay them?
I am not saying that anyone should be able to live in South Africa if they come here illegally, or if they are illegally running a business. If they are committing crime, they are criminals like any South African would be a criminal for doing the same thing. But we cannot adopt the attitude that Africans have no right to come here, and no right to be here, if they come through legitimate channels.
I know that even this is controversial. I remember visiting Geneva for a meeting called by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. As South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, I discovered that many people who claim to be refugees are not refugees in the legal sense of the word. Yet due to various and very real problems in their countries, they are forced to try their luck in South Africa.
Through immigration legislation, I sought to protect South Africa, closing the door to undocumented migration while opening it to the skills our country so desperately needs. There is, for instance a shortage of doctors in South Africa, and with our failing health care system we need to welcome professional doctors from Nigeria and other countries.
I still regret the irrational hostility towards my Immigration Act when I brought it to the Cabinet of President Mbeki. We moved in the wrong direction as a country and we never resolved the rising tensions. It’s time to do that now, before it is too late.
We dare not forget or disregard all that was done for us by African leaders like His Excellency President Olusegun Obasanjo. As a member of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group, General Obasanjo revealed to the world the real conditions of our people under apartheid. He supported us in our stand against the regime’s plan to deprive us of our citizenship.
In fact, on the very day that Transkei took so-called independence, President Obasanjo arranged for me and my wife to be in Nigeria so that I could avoid attending Transkei’s independence ceremony. General Obasanjo invited me to Nigeria again this year, where I delivered a lecture in celebration of his 82nd birthday.
This is one of the giants of Africa. What are we doing to his people?
I have been a guest of President Hastings Banda in Malawi. I was received by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie in Ethiopia. In Addis Ababa I was received by the Under-Secretary of the OAU, Dr Peter Onu. In Liberia, President Tolbert bestowed upon me a National Order, The Knight Commander of the Star of Africa. And when the OAU bestowed a posthumous award on my mentor Inkosi Albert Luthuli, I accompanied MaNokhukanya Luthuli to Maseru to receive the award from His Majesty King Moshoeshoe II.
If we turn our despair, our anger and frustration against our brothers, we will start a feud that can only end in tragedy.
Our struggle is tied to the struggle of these countries throughout Africa. They fought colonialism just as we did. And they sacrificed to see us liberated. So when I say that we are one family, I am speaking the truth. Just recently, when my wife passed away, His Majesty the King of Lesotho paid a visit to my home to comfort me.
We are brothers in Africa.
Yes, South Africa is struggling economic hardship. Our country is in crisis. The cry of our people has not fallen on deaf ears. But if we turn our despair, our anger and frustration against our brothers, we will start a feud that can only end in tragedy. We are fighting our own family.
Friends, I am a Christian. I believe what the Bible says. It says, quite clearly:
“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt…” (Leviticus 19 v 33 and 34)
“Let them live among you wherever they like and in whatever town they choose. Do not oppress them.” (Deuteronomy 23 v 16)
“Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow (citizen) or a foreigner residing in one of your towns… Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice.” (Deuteronomy 24 v 14 – 17)
“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner.” (Deuteronomy 27 v 19)
“Do not oppress… the foreigner… Do not plot evil against each other.” (Zechariah 7 v 10)
I cannot put it more clearly. This is not my instruction, but God’s. Let us be led by our moral conscience.

https://www.thecable.ng/south-african-leader-to-mob-obasanjo-is-one-of-the-giants-of-africa-what-are-we-doing-to-his-people

Against the backdrop of inauguration of a committee on Tuesday 27 August 2019 by the Lagos State House of Assembly to probe the immediate past administration of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, a group by the name ‘Eko Heritage Group’, has come out with a list of methods it alleges the former Lagos helmsman used to siphon money from coffers of the state.

In a two-page advertorial published in the PUNCH newspaper of Wednesday 4 September 2019, the group, which also says the list is the beginning of a series to be released, accuses Ambode of the following misdemeanours.

1. Road contracts awarded to CRANEBURG CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. In the advertorial, the group accuses Ambode of awarding a mouth-watering contract of $300million for roads construction in his constituency of Epe. The engineering company was said to have just been established in 2016 without any road construction record. They hint that ownership of the company could be traced to him.

2. Alleged illicit business relationship with Access bank’s Group Managing Director Herbert Wigwe. According to the group, “In 2016, Wigwe was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly helping former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, launder millions of dollars. It is therefore befuddling that against sustained dissuasion, Ambode still chose to do business with him.” They accuse him of making the bank contractor and the sole banker of the state.

3. Foreign bank accounts. He is also accused of having links with “private accounts in countries like Seychelles and Mauritius.”

4. Choice properties: The former Governor is linked with some skyscrapers in Eko Atlantic City.

5. The Lagos transit bus controversy: This was the major grouse the State House of Assembly had against Ambode’s government at the time which brought the two arms of government to a head on collision. The House accused him of embarking on the gigantic project without the constitutional approval of the assembly. He is accused of spending a whopping N45billion to purchase 820 buses as against the budget of N24billion and N7billion in 2018 and 2019 respectively which were said to have been turned down by the State House of Assembly.

6. VISIONSCAPE DEAL: Ambode is accused of changing the Environmental Management and Protection Law of the state and signing a multi-million dollar deal with the Dubai-based Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited with the sole aim of personal enrichment. The group says the state Accountant General’s office was given a standing order to make monthly remittance of N713.7million to Visionscape. This, the group said, was costing the state a staggering N8.56billion annually.

7. Operating bank accounts via proxies: He is accused of operating many fraudulent bank accounts by proxies as conduit through which the state resources were heavily pillaged. The group cites the case of three bank accounts recently discovered and frozen by the EFCC. The accounts are domiciled in First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Access Bank, and Zenith Bank with numbers 5617984012, 0060949275 and 1011691254 respectively. The accounts were said to experience fund inflow in billions from the Lagos State revenue accounts during his administration.

The anti-corruption agency said it discovered a huge inflow of N9,927,714,443.29 from the state accounts into the FCMB account opened on 17 September 2018 and operated by Adewale Adesanya, permanent secretary in the office of the Chief of Staff to the then Governor Ambode. Adesanya is presently being tried for money laundering.

8. One Lagos Fiesta: The former Governor is accused of reorganizing the state’s annual end-of-the-year cross over programme in a way that would enable him to award questionable contracts to himself through fronts. According to the group, “The concerts cost the state government hundreds of millions of naira of unbudgeted funds some of which reportedly found their way back into the pockets of the governor and his cronies.”

9. Nepotism and cronyism: Ambode is accused of recklessly sacking perceived loyalists of his predecessor and replacing them with his loyalists in order to have complete hold on the state and her resources. “No contract was too big to unilaterally award cronies, friends of his wife and female friends. A case in point is the management of facilities inside the Lagos State University (LASU), which was contracted to a close ally of his wife.” The group alleges, promising more revelations.
https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/09/07/methods-used-by-ambode-to-swindle-lagos-eko-heritage/
Lalasticlala
Mynd44

GavelSlam:
Your write up states the abduction was unsuccessful if it occurred at all.

Modified!
Danke

A Lieutenant in the Nigeria Army has been abducted by armed kidnappers at a shop near Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

A source within the area told Saturday Sun that the army officer, dressed in casuals, had gone to the shop to buy some personal items when the kidnappers came calling leading to people scampering for safety.

The problem of kidnapping along the three major highways in Kaduna, namely; Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria and Kaduna-Birni Gwari, has been giving motorists hard time while the state government and security agencies’ efforts are yet to produce commensurate results when compared to the amount of monetary and human resources so far expended to put the situation under control.

The State Police Command spokesman, DSP Yakubu Sabo, confirmed the development in a telephone call. The name of the abducted army officer was given as Lieutenant A. Falana. He was seized on Monday evening but has since been able to escape from his abductors unhurt, police records said.

According to Sabo, “We were told he was picked at a shop near ABU Monday evening. But, he has been able to escape unhurt.” But, a source in the Army who spoke in confidence denied the incident, claiming there was no such to best of his knowledge.

According to him, “let me check and get back to you.” He did call back within a few minutes and said, “I have checked and no one among us was kidnapped.”

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/kidnappers-abduct-army-officer-in-kaduna/

President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’ Ivoire has appointed Adama Koné Minister of Economic and Financial Affairs to support the re-election of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as President of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB).

Quattara said this at the first Council of Ministers of the country’s new government team on Friday.

He explained that Koné, a former minister of Economy and Finance was reappointed to represent the country as the Executive Director in AfDB to support and work for Adesina’s re-election.

According to him, Adesina deserves a second term because of the great job he is doing.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/afdb-cotei-voire-appoints-minister-to-work-for-adesinas-re-election/amp/

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar, on Wednesday, nullified the election of Mr Alex Egbonna of the All Progressive Congress (APC) representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency of Cross River.

The Tribunal upheld the petition filed by Mr John- Gaul Lebo, who contested for the seat under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The petitioner had approached the tribunal asking it to anull Egbonna’s election due to massive irregularities and his ineligiblity to contest in the election.
Lebo had contended that Egbonna was not the rightful candidate of the APC.

Delivering judgment on the case, Justice Vincent Agbata, Chairman of the three-man tribunal agreed with the petitioner that as at Feb. 23, 2019, Egbonna was not qualified to contest in the election of which he was declared winner.

Agbata therefore declared all the votes scored by Egbonna in the said election as defiant votes, invalid and unlawful.

He further declared that, Lebo, the candidate of the PDP who scored the highest number of valid votes in the election, be issued with certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Tribunal also directed the commission to withdraw the certificate earlier issued to Egbonna.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the judgment, lead counsel to Lebo, Aniah Ikwen said they were happy with the judgment and would take steps to actualise it.

“The judgment said Alex should vacate and handover to John Gaul, but should he want to pursue the option of going on appeal, we will meet him at the Court of Appeal”, he said.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/just-in-tribunal-sacks-apc-rep-in-c-river/amp/