Nigerian woman gives birth at sea minutes after rescue

She was rescued from a sinking dinghy in the Mediterranean. And minutes later she gave birth to a baby.

The new born baby

Had she not been saved by the Italian coast guard, she would have sunk with the baby.

The woman, believed to be a Nigerian, had been attempting to cross the sea on a rickety dinghy with around 100 other migrants and refugees when it began to deflate.

After being rescued by the Italian coast guard, the woman went into labour as the boat was on its way to the island of Lampedusa.

After giving birth, the woman was helped off the boat. A coast guard carried her baby in a blue blanket.

Both mother and baby were in hospital doing well The Mirror reported last night.

The woman is one of 300,000 refugees and migrants who have crossed the Mediterranean  into Europe this year, up from 219,000 in the whole of 2014.

2,760 people have died this year in their attempt to make it across the sea from the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

The United Nations (UN) yesterday urged Europe to guarantee relocation for Syrian refugees, as record numbers flee to Macedonia and Greece.

A record 7,000 Syrian refugees arrived in the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia on Monday, while some 30,000 are on Greek islands, including 20,000 on Lesbos, the UN said.

Nigerian woman gives birth at sea minutes after rescue

If Igbos get butchered again, Nigeria will break - Fani-Kayode warns

ABUJA- FORMER Director of Publicity, Peoples Democratic Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode Monday lampooned the Convener of the Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, describing his comments that President Muhammadu Buhari owes Igbos nothing as most most insensitive, cruel and Puerile.

Femi Fani-Kayode

Responding to comments credited to Junaid, Fani- Kayode in a message to Vanguard noted that his statements that If the igbo feel marginalised they should attempt to break away again, was most uncharitable and careless, warning that if there was any attempt to butcher the Ibos or a repeat of what happened in 1966, it would be resisted by not only the Ibos, but by all Nigerians, with attempt to secede, which according to him, would be successful.

According to him, the like of Junaid must learn from history, our mistakes, preach peace and peaceful coexistence, rather that boast and beat our chests for yet another round of war. Fani- Kayode reacting to a statement titled,

” If the igbo feel marginalised they should attempt to break away again”- Dr. Junaid Mohammed, The Punch Newspaper, 17th August 2015, said, “Given the immense suffering that the igbo were subjected to both before, during and after the civil war this is one of most insensitive, cruel and puerile comments that I have heard in recent times. “I daresay that if Junaid Mohammed’s Nigeria ever butchers over 100,000 innocent igbo civilians again, as they did in the north in 1966 just before the civil war, there will indeed be another attempt to secede, but this time it will not only be successful, but they will also take many others with them. “Rather than boast and beat our chests, we must learn from our history and we must never repeat its mistakes.

” Dr. Junaid Mohammed, had in an interview in one of the national dailies( not Vanguard) , dismissed the sentiments shared by a former Governor of Anambra State that the Igbo have not been treated fairly in the governance of Nigeria. Junaid who noted that people of the Igbo nation have enjoyed favourable treatment, said it was wrong to reward the Igbo simply on the basis of the Nigerian Civil War, which lasted between 1967 and 1970. Mohammed had said, “If it is about Buhari making the appointments based on merit, I have no problems with it. I don’t believe Buhari or Nigeria owes any Igbo anything. I don’t care what Ezeife says; if they had seceded, there would have been no Nigeria today. As people who acted outside the interest of Nigeria as a country, to expect compensation is a very odd logic.

“If the Igbo don’t like it, they can attempt secession again. If they do, they must be prepared to live with the consequences. Nobody owes them anything and nobody is out to compensate them for anything.”

If Igbos get butchered again, Nigeria will break - Fani-Kayode warns

Mother stabs seven-year-old for defiling sister, neigbour’s daughter

A seven-year-old boy, identified simply as Promise, has been stabbed by her mother with broken bottles for allegedly defiling his two-year-old step-sister and the daughter of a neighbour.

The incident happened on Monday on Tunde Olusola Street, in the Ijaiye-Ojokoro area of Lagos.

The mother, Mrs. Blessing Fred, was said to have gone out with her daughter on Sunday, leaving Promise behind.

It was gathered that while the mother was away, Promise went to visit five-year-old Yemi (pseudonym) ─ the neighbour’s daughter ─ at her parents’ apartment. He was said to have met Yemi alone and took her to his mother’s room.

On getting to the room, he reportedly told her to remove her clothes and lie down. It was said that he slept on top of the girl and fiddled with her private parts.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Yemi’s mother had left her with her sister, who was said to have left home when the incident happened.

Our correspondent gathered that Yemi narrated what transpired between her and Promise to her mother when she came back.

Residents approached by PUNCH Metro on Wednesday declined to speak, but a neighbour, who did not want her name in print because of the sensitivity of the matter, told our correspondent that Yemi’s mother invited Promise to her apartment and verified the story in the presence of her daughter.

She said, “Initially, he denied. But when the woman assured him that she would not tell his mother, he opened up and said it was true. He said he had been doing it with his step-sister too. The woman later reported Promise to his mother and he confessed to her as well.”

“She first beat him with a stick on Monday for the offence. But all of a sudden, she smashed a bottle and stabbed him in the back.”

A resident, Bose Komolafe, said Fred had been arrested by the police from the Ijaiye-Ojokoro Police Division, while Promise had been admitted to a hospital in the area.

She said, “Some neighbours rushed to rescue the child from her. He is on admission at a hospital. Whatever the child might have done wrong, such a move was too harsh.”

Yemi’s mother’s apartment was locked when our correspondent checked for comments on the incident.

Our correspondent inquired about the matter from a police woman at the complaint desk of the police station, but she said she did not have the details.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident.

He said, “Fred stabbed her son on the back for allegedly touching the vagina of his two-year-old sister. She has been apprehended. The victim is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. The neighbour’s daughter case was not reported to us.”

– See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/mother-stabs-seven-year-old-for-defiling-sister-neigbours-daughter/#sthash.zRqCDihn.dpuf

Mother stabs seven-year-old for defiling sister, neigbour’s daughter

I am destined to be a robber - Suspect

For two teenagers, Sani Harry and Muhammed Yahaya, who were nabbed by the Kwara State Command of the Nigerian Police Force for allegedly robbing people with a cutlass, becoming robbers was something they had no power to resist.

Fatai Aderomu Islamic Cleric, Ritualist

The suspects, who claimed to be herdsmen and farmers, however, were remorseful enough to warn other youths like themselves to steer clear of robbery and other crimes.

Seventeen-year-old Harry said he was destined to be a robber as according to him, he could not resist the temptation.

He said, “It is destiny that made me to start robbing people. The temptation just came in a strong way. I just did it without knowing why I did it. I have never killed anybody. We normally rob with cutlasses and sticks. I regret my action now. I will not do it again.”

Yahaya on the other hand, expressed remorse for robbing people. He added that he would never get involved in robbery if he was pardoned and released.

Also paraded by the police was a robbery suspect, simply identified as Ibira, 25. Like Harry and Yahaya, he said he did not know what pushed him into the crime.

“I am a farmer and cattle rearer. I do not know why I decided to pertake in robbery. But believe me, I will never do it again.”

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Mr. Salihu Garba, said the arrests of the suspects were in fulfilment of the command’s promise to the people of the state to reduce or possibly eradicate violent crimes in the state.

Garba, who spoke through the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okesanmi, said Harry and Yahaya were arrested with a cutlass and face masks.

“One Hadiza Abubakar ‘F’ of Sabo Gada Village via Bode Saaadu reported that on Monday, June 29, 2015 at about noon, she was waylaid and robbed by a gang of armed bandits. Investigation into the case led to the arrest of Harry and Yahaya,” Garba said.

He said the suspects would be arraigned soon since they had confessed to the crime.

Also paraded by the police were some former prison inmates, who were nabbed after carrying out robbery they planned while in incarceration.

The police commissioner said the house of one Rhoda Adekeye ‘F’ at Tanke area of Ilorin, Kwara State was invaded by five armed men.

He said the suspected robbers tied the victims and robbed them at gun point. Valuables including one Toyota Camry saloon car with registration number Lagos FST 828 AW and mobile phones were taken away from the victims.

According to him, investigations later led to the arrest of Blessing Fayemi (19), Stephen Bamidele (32), Samuel John (24), and Juma Olasanmi (27).

Garba said an American Brony Pistol with 11 rounds of live ammunitions was recovered from the suspects, adding that they had confessed to committing the crime.

He stated that investigation revealed that the suspects were at one time inmates of Madala Prisons where they allegedly perfected plans to carry out series of robbery attacks when they regained their freedom. He said the police had intensified efforts to recover the stolen vehicle.

Meanwhile, the police have also arrested four suspected members of the Alora cult group.

The suspects – Oladayo Yusuf (22), Kelvin Orji (24), OgunnikeAdeola, (27), and Oludia Shogo (23) were arrested for armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearm.

He added that the police recovered one Ghana manufactured triple barrel pistol; five live cartridges and one 0.9mm live ammunition from the suspects.

Garba said, “At about 10am on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 the above named suspects were arrested at Sango area of Ilorin, with the above listed exhibits.

“On interrogation, they admitted being members of Alora cult group preparing for an operation when they were arrested. They confessed that they came from Lagos. It is pertinent to note that lately, vehicles have been snatched at gunpoint and were traced to Lagos.

“Investigation is ongoing to recover some of the vehicles they have stolen.”

I am destined to be a robber - Suspect

Iyabo said I was going to die in office – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his eldest daughter, Iyabo, told him he was going to die in office.

Obasanjo

The former President also said his daughter said if that should happen, she would not weep for him.

The former President said he, nevertheless, replied his daughter that such would not mean anything to him since he would not be there to appreciate it.

Obasanjo, who said this in his controversial book, MY WATCH, said that was Iyabo’s submission when he informed her and three of his other children about his desire to contest the 1999 Presidential election.

The meeting with the four children, which he said came after he had consulted almost all those that mattered before joining the presidential race, was held in New York.

He said it was ironic that Iyabo became a senator during his tenure.

Meanwhile, before being elected a senator, Iyabo was appointed a commissioner by Otunba Gbenga Daniel, while he was serving as governor of Ogun State.

Obasanjo said, “My mind was almost made up (to vie for the position of President) but I had to consult with my children. I got four of them together in New York.

“I told them I was going to decide whether to go into politics or not. Iyabo was the most antagonistic.

“She burst out loudly, ‘I know you will join and you will die there and if you die, I will not weep.’

“I told her ‘if I die and you weep, it is for yourself and others, not for me as I will not know you are weeping.’

“It is ironic that within 10 years, Iyabo became a Senator and I completed two terms of eight years without a scratch.”

The former President added that out of the four children in attendance when he spoke with them, it was only Segun who he said, had a few words of encouragement.

The son, according to Obasanjo, said, “Daddy, you have always said that we must serve God and humanity and if this is the way you have chosen to serve God and humanity, I will pray for you.”

With those words from his son coupled with the words of encouragement he said he got from those he had spoken with earlier, the Owu-born retired general said “the die was almost cast.”

In the book, Obasanjo also mentioned the names of his 21 children. He was however silent on the number of his wives or the mothers of the children.

Five of the children are holders of PhD in different fields.

The children are Iyabo (PhD), who is the eldest; Busola, Segun(PhD), Gbenga(PhD), Deboye, Muyiwa, Funke, Bola (PhD) and Seun (PhD).

Also listed were Dare, Kofo, Dayo, Biyi, Bisoye, Damilola, Jonwo, Bunmi, Funso, Dayo, Toyosi and Bukola.

The listing and mentioning of the names of his children was the first time the two-time President of Nigeria, would publicly talk about his children.

In the book, Obasanjo also extolled his late wife, Stella who he said had to contend with violent nature of his divorced wife.

He said he decided to bring Stella to his house after the dissolution of his first marriage in a Lagos High Court by Justice Dosumu. Stella, he added, was “one of the women who had children for me.”

The former President noted that in the course of his marriage to Stella, she handled four major issues most admirably.

The issues, according to him, included “constant harassment at home through telephone calls and name-calling, and physical and violent confrontation in the streets by my divorced wife.”

Obasanjo added that Stella tried to avoid exchange, but said that he got at least one report of close combat where both inflicted wounds on each other at his farm when he was not there.

He also commended his late wife for taking proper care of his other children and also visiting him on many occasions while he was in Jos and Yola prisons.

He regretted the death of the former First Lady, who he said was very close to him, but added that it was after her death that he got to know that the desire to celebrate her 60th birthday made her to embark on stomach operation without his knowledge.

Obasanjo said that it was after her burial that he decided to look into the circumstances that led to her death.

He said in the book, “After her death, I found out the circumstances of her death. I found out that part of her sixtieth birthday anniversary, which was unknown to me, was her operation for her tummy and her shape.

“This was carried out in Spain. The doctor was careless,” he said, adding that with the help of the Nigerian Embassy in Spain and the Spanish Authority, he was able to prosecute the doctor and the hospital.

Though he said he realised that once a life has been lost it life cannot be brought back. He said he was of the opinion that successful prosecution could prevent similar carelessness and loss of life in future.

The doctor, he said, was made to pay damages while his licence was withdrawn for a considerable period of time.

He said Olu, Stella’s son, collected “whatever damages were paid.”

The former president said he was however sad when he heard that some Nigerians were carrying rumours that he might have caused the death of his wife “to sacrifice her for success in my job.”

“That is how wicked and satanic some Nigerians can be in their rumours and mischief,” the former President added.

Iyabo said I was going to die in office – Obasanjo

I Did Not Say Boko Haram Worsen Under Buhari"s Administration - Ekweremadu

By Kelly Amos, Naija Center News

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has denied a statement credited to him that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has worsened Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

The Senator warned that insurgency should not be politicized or trivialized on the alter of political interest as it has wasted the lives and properties of innocent Nigerians.

 

His Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu disclosed this in a statement titled “The Challenge of Insurgency is beyond Partisanship”

The statement reads: ““The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has been drawn to the attempt to misrepresent and sensationalise an innocuous call by Senator Ike Ekweremadu to Nigerians to pray for and rally round the Federal Government to win the war against insurgency.

“Specifically, the Deputy President of the Senate was reported by two national dailies as stating that the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration has worsened insurgency.

“Whereas Senator Ekweremadu expressed concerns over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in parts of the country, at no time did he try to blame it on the present administration. It is instead on record that he not only commended the efforts of the present administration, especially in building international support and synergy to tackle the monstrous group, but he also called for greater inter-party, intergovernmental, and international collaboration to address the problem.

“It is instructive that his patriotic comments were well captured by many electronic and print media. They include:  “Boko Haram: Ekweremadu Seeks Support for Buhari” (Leadership, Friday, July 10, 2015) and “Boko Haram: US Pledges Deepened Support for Nigeria… Ekweremadu rallies Support for Buhari” (New Telegraph, Friday, July 10, 2015).

“The fact that out of the 75-man Senate Press Corps, representing various media houses, which were present at the function, only one medium sensationally skewed its statement out of context, while a second medium copied the same story without a byline (name of reporter), tells the whole story of a devious intent.

 

I Did Not Say Boko Haram Worsen Under Buhari"s Administration - Ekweremadu

Keyamo fails to get SAN rank, Banire, others successful

Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo again failed in his attempt to get the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria as the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee conferred the rank on 21 lawyers on Friday.

The successful lawyers include, National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Muiz Banire, Dr. Oladapo Olanipekun, who is a son of a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun, and Emeka Etiaba, a son of a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, and Mrs. Virgy Etiaba.

Also benefited were Legal Services of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ibrahim Bawa; Edward Ashiekaa, Benson Nwankwo, Joseph Bamigboye, Patrick Okolo, Prof. Maxwell Gidado, Dr. Tahir Mamman, and Dr. Akinpelu Onigbinde.

Others were Samuel Zibiri, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Aderibigbe Adedeji, Emmanuel Aguma, Abimbola Akeredolu, Olumuyiwa Akinboro, Gordy Uche, Uchechukwu Obi, Kehinde Eleja and Prof. Paul Idornigie.

Gidado, Mamman‎, and Idornigie were of the academic category while the rest of the 18 lawyers were conferred with the rank as advocates.

‎The only female among the 21 successful lawyers, Akeredolu, was one of the three females in a total of 124 applicants that applied for the rank when the application entry opened in January.

Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary to the LPPC, Ahmed Saleh, announced the name of the successful lawyers at a press conference on Friday.

He said the rank was conferred on the 21 lawyers at the 119th general meeting of the LPPC on Friday “as a mark of excellence to the under listed members of the legal profession.”

The 21 lawyers were selected after an interview of the 50 shortlisted candidates held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Keyamo was shortlisted for the final interview last year but did not make the final list. ‎This made the second time he got so close to getting the rank after previous attempts that failed to earn him an opportunity for the final interview.

Also, a former National Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olusola Oke, who is now an APC member, was also shortlisted for this year’s final interview but failed to make the final list.

The LPPC secretary, while briefing journalists, said 124 applicants applied for the rank.

Saleh said the 21 lawyers would be sworn in on September 21 at a special court session marking the beginning of the 2015/2016 legal year.

The new SANs will join 408 lawyers both living and dead who had been conferred with the rank since its inception in 1975.

Keyamo fails to get SAN rank, Banire, others successful

Get Yourself A constitional Teacher - Dokubo-Asari tells Buhari

By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News

A Niger Delta born activist, The CEO, King Amachree Royal Academy(Automotive academy, Mujahid Dokubo-asari has condemned the President, Muhammadu Buhari over his statement on Federation Account.

Asari Dokubo

According to the post on his Facebook Profile, monitored by NAIJA CENTER NEWS, the monies entering into the account are supposed to be shared and not kept.

He advised the President to get himself a constitutional teacher, adding that he is displaying his ignorance on matters that his knowledge is grossly inadequate about.

Asari added “As devious as the Nigerian state may appear, it has a piece paper it calls its constitution and it is this document that regulates the affairs of the state…the constitution states in

Section 162(1) “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the armed forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or department of government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

Subsection (2)“The President, upon the receipt of advise from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, shall table before the National Assembly proposals for revenue allocation from the Federation Account, and in determining the formula, the National Assembly shall take into account, the allocation principles especially those of population, equality of States, internal revenue generation, land mass, terrain as well as population density.”

subsection (10) “For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, “revenue” means any income or return accruing to or derived by the Government of the Federation from any source…..”

Explaining the above constitution, the former militant said “ it is manifestly lucid that there shall be a Federation Account into which “all revenues” must be paid into.

“Therefore,the talk about empty treasury clearly shows Buhari ignorance in the understanding of the clear provisions of the constitution he swore to abide by,secure,protect and defend on May 29, 2015…All proceeds of revenue into the federation account will be promptly shared amongst the federal, states,local government,commissions and agencies as stated in the constitution….The constitution did not provide for keeping any accrued revenue behind in the federation account.

In the same vein, the so-called Excesses Crude Oil account,National Reserve, Sovereign wealth account and all other accounts of whatever name or names are unknown to the constitution as the supreme law that binds all under it…It is criminal and vexatious for anyone who respect the supreme law of the land to operate outside it’s boundaries….But the likes of Buhari and Obasanjo are known abusers of the constitution and laws of the land….Who had in the past benefited from constitutional abuses.

Asari reminded Buhari that 1984 is different from 2015, adding that no one is afraid of him (The President).

He said “What Buhari fail to realize is that 1984 is not 2015….He should by now know that NOBODY IS AFRAID OF HIM AND IT TAKES TWO TO PLAY A GAME. Those who are encouraging him to use state institutions to witch hunt people should be ready for the boomerang effect of these extra-constitutional actions.”

Get Yourself A constitional Teacher - Dokubo-Asari tells Buhari

Fraud: Orosanye returns to EFCC today

Everything points to arraignment — EFCC official

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

ABUJA — FormeR Head of Service of the Federation, HoSF, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, yesterday, returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s custody ahead of possible arraignment.

Oronsaye was arrested and detained by operatives of the anti-graft agency, Wednesday, but released late night and asked to turn in himself, yesterday.

Vanguard learnt that Oronsaye was, however, asked to go home at about 6p.m., yesterday, and asked to report back to the commission today.

A top official in the commission confirmed to Vanguard that the former top civil servant had been taken in, yesterday, and that every indication pointed to the fact that he would be formally charged before an Abuja Federal High Court.

The official said: “Yes, Mr. Oronsaye is with our operatives preparatory to his arraignment. He was allowed to go yesterday after spending a long time and making useful statement to us. He was ordered to return to our investigators today and he reported around 10a.m. today (yesterday)”

It was not clear if he would be arraigned today or not.

Vanguard learnt that apart from being associated with the mismanagement of huge pensions funds, Oronsaye is being investigated over allegations by top Federal Government officials that he used his position as the chairman of the Presidential Standing Committee on Financial Action Taskforce to fleece the government.

The anti-graft agency source said: “Oronsaye is also being interrogated on fresh allegations of monumental fraud and embezzlement of funds in the running of a Presidential Standing Committee on Financial Action Taskforce, which he chairs.

“The committee is a policy advisory body to the President on the implementation of the AML/CFT. Oronsaye allegedly used it as a conduit to siphon and launder money.

“This fresh lead is triggered by allegations by some members of the committee who claim that Oronsaye operated an illegal account in a first generation bank in the committee’s name without the knowledge of the members through which he has laundered hundreds of millions of naira.”

The renowned bureaucrat has earlier been questioned in relation to the September 2014 damning 169-page report by the office of the Auditor General of the Federation claiming that Oronsaye mismanaged over N123 billion during his tenure as HoSF.

The report, entitled “Special Audit of the Accounts of the Civil Pensions,” found Mr. Oronsaye guilty of allegedly presiding over the looting of the nation’s resources during his tenure.

 

Fraud: Orosanye returns to EFCC today

Edo State: Gynecologist, MD may have committed suicide

Dr. John Abode who was found dead in his wardrobe last Thursday in Benin may have taken his life, a security source has disclosed.

The 48-year-old Chief consultant Gynecologist and Managing Director of Hope Medical Centre in Edo state had attempt suicide on several occasions but halted by his wife, now widow.

Information gathered revealed that the doctor had injected himself with some unknown substance before heading to wardrobe where he was found hanged.

 

The doctor picked a perfect day to commit suicide by allowing his wife to go to church service. It was gathered that the wife called home, instructed her 10-year old son to fetch his father that she wanted to discuss with him.

The child was said to have searched everywhere in the house but to no avail until he was found dead in his wardrobe.

It es learned that the doctor’s wife rushed home in an attempt to revive her husband but was too late.

 

Investigation by vanguard revealed that the wife had earlier informed the family of her husband on the attempted suicide in the past, which made the wife to be more committed to attending church services if it will find a lasting solution to her husband’s problems.

It was further gathered that though the deceased, who also is a staff of the Stella Obasanjo Women and Children Hospital in Benin City, was a successful gynaecologist, his alleged occasional erratic behaviour at home had been a source of great concern to the wife, who had always counselled him against his urge to commit suicide.

Though the deceased’s family is suspecting foul play, autopsy results so far indicated that the deceased died as a result of cessation, mostly caused by suicide. However, the family of the deceased called for another autopsy which is being conducted in Lagos.

 

Edo State: Gynecologist, MD may have committed suicide

Impeachment: APC supporters launch attack on anti-Aregbesola protesters

By Gbenga Olarinoye

Osogbo—Two days after hoodlums suspected to be sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress, APC allegedly unleashed terror on anti-Aregbesola’s protesters in Osogbo, some residents of the state capital were again yesterday attacked over an alleged opposition stance against the governor.

The fresh attack took place at a popular news-stand, Makson Junction, opposite old Governor’s Office in Osogbo with several innocent people sustaining various degrees of injuries.

The thugs numbering about 25 stormed the place in six mini-buses and with all kinds of arms such as guns, axes and cudgels started chasing and beating up anyone at sight.

The attacks were linked to those sympathetic to Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the game of wits between the government and a serving judge,

When contacted, APC director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi said the party has decided not to comment on the issue.

Also, Aregbesola’s Director of media and publicity, Mr Semiu Okanlawon refused to pick several calls put across to him for his comment. He also refused to reply the text message.

According to one of the victims of yesterday’s attack, a vendor, Mr Kazeem Madamidola, the hoodlums accused people around the area of being anti-Aregbesola and that those gathering to read newspapers at the news-stand were said to be speaking against the governor.

“The thugs pulled down my news-stand, tore all the newspapers and started beating people up. They accused them of booing Aregbesola during the rally on Tuesday and threatened that by today, they will kill anyone who comes around here”, he said.

Meantime, the Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State, CSCEO, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call Aregbesola to order, saying the governor’s plan was to create an atmosphere of fear in the state.

The group condemned the fresh attack by the APC thugs on innocent citizens of the state as unwarranted, sad and barbaric.

The group’s Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman stated, “We condemn this unprovoked attack because attacking innocent citizens of our state cannot solve the problems on ground. This is democracy and every Nigerian has the right to freedom of speech as guaranteed by the 1999 constitution.

“The whole world is aware of Aregbesola’s unpopularity in the state. His plan is to keep peoples’ mouths shut and create an atmosphere of fear so as to put us in perpetual bondage.

He warned Aregbesola to desist from his despotic rule and face the enormous challenges before the state while calling on the state House of Assembly to intensify its probe of Aregbesola’s government.

Sulaiman called on security agencies to brace up and ensure that those “perpetrating trouble and engaging in these violence are apprehended and brought to book”.

 

Impeachment: APC supporters launch attack on anti-Aregbesola protesters

FG bows to pressure; relocate boko haram back to Abuja

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, on Thursday explained why the planned protest by traders against the relocation of some Boko Haram suspects to Anambra State did not hold in the state.

Boko Haram

He told journalists during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in Abakaliki that since the suspects had already been taken to Abuja, the protest was unnecessary.

He said, “The traders have the right to protest but there was no need for the protest because we (South-East governors) had enjoined the Federal Government not to relocate any Boko Haram prisoner to any prison in the South-East. Those suspects brought to Anambra State have been taken back to Abuja.

“The state decided against the protest for the reason that the governors of the region had intimated the Presidency on their opinion on the matter, and so no need for anyone to encourage people of the state to take to the streets.”

Umahi said that risking the lives of the people of the state on the streets was not the best.

It was gathered that the planned protest by the traders was expected to take place simultaneously across the five states of the South-East.

The traders in Abakaliki, according to sources, were expected to convene at the Abakpa main market at about 8am.

They were to march round the state capital before converging at the Government House gate where Umahi was also expected to address them.

It was observed that riot mobile policemen had taken over the market to prevent the traders from embarking on the protest and to avert possible breakdown of law and order in the state.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chris Anyanwu, said that the command had to beef up security on major roads and locations of the state to avert any possible breakdown of law and order.

He said, “We got wind of plans by traders in Abakaliki markets to stage a peaceful protest over what they alleged as relocation of persons suspected to be Boko Haram members to some prisons in the South-East. We had to mobilise our men immediately to major roads and locations in the state to avert any breakdown of law and order.

“Part of our responsibility is to ensure the security of lives and properties of the citizenry. We envisaged that hoodlums may take advantage of the protest to disrupt the peace of the state especially now that the election petition tribunal is sitting in the state capital. We don’t want people to loot peoples’ properties in the name of peaceful protest, so we had to mobilise our men.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. John Lebo, on Thursday said the state would resist any attempt to send Boko Haram suspects to prison facilities in the state.

Lebo said this in Calabar during his maiden press briefing with journalists.

The Speaker, who was reacting to a question on the recent public outcry over the relocation of Boko Haram suspects to a prison facility in Anambra State, said the Federal Government should not contemplate sending Boko Haram suspects to any prison facility in Cross River State.

He said emphatically that the state could not accommodate the suspects.

There are no fewer than six prisons sited in different locations including Calabar, Adim, Obubra, Ogoja and Obudu.

Lebo said, “We will resist relocation of Boko Haram suspects to Calabar Prisons or any other one in the state.”

He reiterated the assembly’s commitment towards making good laws that would impact positively on the lives of the citizens.

Lebo, who represents Abi state constituency in the House, also underscored the need for a robust relationship between the legislature and the executive, this he said, would help in deepening democracy in the country.

 

FG bows to pressure; relocate boko haram back to Abuja

Buhari turns down new N400m armoured cars

President Muhammadu Buhari has turned down an offer by the Federal Government to procure five new armoured Mercedes Benz S-600 (V222) cars for his use.

The cars which total cost is put at about N400m were planned to be purchased by the State House.

A Presidency source told journalists on Thursday that Buhari got to know of the plan when the Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Nebolisa Emodi, was briefing him of his ministry’s activities on Wednesday.

Miffed by the revelation, the President was said to have told Emodi that the purchase was unnecessary.

Describing it as a waste of scarce resources, the source said Buhari told the permanent secretary that the cars he inherited from former President Goodluck Jonathan were good enough for him.

“I don’t need any new cars. The ones I am using now are just fine,” the source quoted the President as saying.

The top government officials, however, said Buhari welcomed other initiatives presented by the permanent secretary to reduce the operating costs of the State House and strengthen its Finance and Accounts Internal Control Mechanisms.

He however directed that more efforts be made henceforth to capture all State House expenses within the approved national budget.

This, he said, was to avoid the frequent recourse by past administrations to “Presidential intervention funds.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, confirmed to our correspondent that Buhari had withheld approval for the purchase of the new cars.

Shehu said the President would continue to use the cars left behind by Jonathan in keeping with his commitment to prudent management of national resources.

Our correspondent learnt that the proposal to procure the new cars was first made to Jonathan before he left office.

The former President was however said to have directed that it be represented to Buhari for approval on his assumption of office since the cars could only be delivered some months after the May 29 handover date.

 

Buhari turns down new N400m armoured cars

Gunmen kidnap 80-year-old woman in Ekiti

An 80-year-old woman, Mrs. Rose Aina, has been kidnapped in Ilogbo Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state.

Madam Aina was said to have been kidnapped at about 9pm on Tuesday and her whereabouts remains unknown till date.

It was gathered that efforts of search parties raised to comb the forest in the community and other neighbouring towns, so far, had been futile, a situation which has thrown the community into confusion.

The octogenarian was said to be sleeping in her room when the kidnappers struck and took her to an unknown destination.

A source said, “We have been searching for the old woman without success and nobody knows where they have taken her to.

“The kidnappers have not made any contact since then and this has heightened our fear. This is an old woman, she is a poor woman who only depends on what her children and good Samaritans give to her.

“The whole community is afraid and we now live in perpetual fear because it can happen to anybody. We are more concerned because we are no longer safe.

“In a state or country where we have police and other security agencies, this is very unfortunate.”

The Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, said the command was making efforts to secure the release of the octogenarian.

Gunmen kidnap 80-year-old woman in Ekiti

Bayelsa Govt. hires hackers to hack Nigerians phones, computers

By Ogala Emmanuel, Premiumtimes

The Bayelsa state government paid close to one hundred million naira to an Italian firm, Hacking Team, to hack computers and phones in Nigeria, new information emerging from the firm’s leaked internal data has shown.

Hacking Team, notorious for equipping governments with tools to hack citizens’ computers and phones, was itself hacked Sunday night and 415 gigabyte of internal data leaked to the public.

Researchers have been pouring through the leaked documents since it was first leaked Sunday night, throwing up many shocking details of the firm’s secret dealings with Bayelsa state and other repressive governments, including Sudan, Russia, and Bahrain.

Documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES show that the Bayelsa government, a small state in Nigeria’s oil rich Niger Delta, paid Hacking Team N98 million to carry out internet attacks, in what appears to be the most ambitious hacking project by a Nigerian state government.

The contract was signed in late 2013, Hacking Team’s internal documents, leaked after the Sunday night hack attack on the company, show.

Details of the extent of the attacks Hacking Team carried out on behalf of the state is not clear at the moment.

The contract with the Bayelsa government is classed “intelligence ” – the same class with contracts the firm unlawfully held with Russia and Sudan.

The cost of Bayelsa government’s contract with the firm is equivalent to what the Russian government recently paid the firm for maintenance of its Remote Control System. And worth more than what Turkey, Columbia and Bahrain paid to the firm.

Hacking Team, now learning how it feels to have one’s privacy breached, is notorious for developing intrusive softwares for state clients who use them to hack citizen’s computers and smartphones. Hacking Team’s twitter account was hacked and used to announce the hack.

The firm claims its intrusion softwares – Remote Control Systems – are the most invasive and ruthless, with ability to compromise most operating systems, except iOS – but including jail-broken iOS.

In one video commercial, it boasted that its software could hack offline and encrypted computers and smartphones, even if the target was outside the government’s “monitoring domain”.

Hacking Team’s Remote Control Systems are more dangerous and intrusive than the WISE technology the Nigerian government bought from Israeli company, Elbit in 2013.

While WISE depended on transmitted data such as voice calls, social media postings, and number plates, Hacking Team specialized in software that had full capabilities to hack, compromise your gadget and silently steal stored data like SMS, Whatsapp messages, call records, and photos.

Galileo, one of the company’s most evil softwares, is also able to secretly take snapshots and record conversations of its victims.

Hacking Team is loathed by digital activists and freedom of expression advocates all over the world for helping oppressive regimes abuses citizens’ right to privacy and freedom of speech.

Reporters Without Borders listed the firm on its Enemies of the Internet index due to its primary surveillance tool, Da Vinci.

Few weeks ago, co-founder David Vincenzetti joked in emails about how bad a leak would be for Hacking Team. In one of the leaked internal emails, he described the firm’s product as the “evilest” technology ever developed on earth.

The hacking software is originally designed as a country-wide attack tool.

The intentions of the Bayelsa state government in purchasing the software is unclear at this time.

As at the time the Bayelsa state government acquired the software, the state was not known to be under any external cyber aggression.

But it’s governor, Seriake Dickson, was persecuting a citizen over critical Facebook comments.

It was also in the run-up to the 2015 general elections.

During the same period, PREMIUM TIMES and few other Nigerian news organisations believed to be critical of the former regime, led by Goodluck Jonathan, suffered several cyber attacks.

Mr. Jonathan is from Bayelsa state and enjoyed absolute loyalty from Mr. Dickson at the time.

Hacking Team did not sell its software directly to the Bayelsa state government. The transaction was channeled through an Israeli company, NICE, and then V&V Nigeria.

V&V, also Israeli-owned, is known to have close relationship with former Bayelsa state governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

V&V is responsible for the supply of many government hacking tools in Nigeria.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier this year exclusively reported how V&V won a N6 billion contract, back in 2010, for a N6 billion strategic GSM Tracking System for the Nigeria Police Force and expansion/upgrade of the existing system with Nigeria’s secret police, the State Security Service.

The Bayelsa Governor could not be reached to comment for this story.

His spokesperson, Daniel Iworiso-Markson did not answer or return calls seeking comment. He is also yet to respond to a text message sent to him. And so also is Dan Kikile, the state commissioner for information.

Bayelsa Govt. hires hackers to hack Nigerians phones, computers

Police recover N42m from Niger suspected kidnappers

The Niger State Police Command on Thursday said it had recovered over N42m.2m cash from suspected kidnappers in Kontagora Local Government Area.

It added that the sum represented the ransom collected from families of kidnap victims in neigbouring Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Olusola Amore, made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Minna on the activities of the command from January to June, 2015.

Amore said a comparative analysis of major crime statistics for the first and second quarters of the year, showed that kidnapping increased slightly while other crimes reduced drastically.

The police commissioner said the N42.2m recovered from fleeing kidnappers in Kontagora had been transferred to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Abuja for discreet investigation.

He noted that within the period under review, 1,091 persons were arrested in 785 cases reported while 666 persons were convicted and 251 persons are awaiting trial.

Amore added that 56 cases were under investigation while property, worth N22.4m were recovered.

The CP explained that the command carried out 456 raids, where 933 persons were arrested while 305 people were screened.

It also said it recovered 399 exhibits; 539 charged to court, out of which 342 persons were convicted, while 181 persons were awaiting trial.

According to him, the command is confronted with inadequate logistics, paucity of funds and insufficient manpower to carry out it responsibilities, urging governments at every level and individuals to come to the aid of Nigerian police for maximum results.

Police recover N42m from Niger suspected kidnappers

We"ll resist attempt to relocate Boko Haram members to Cross River Prison - Rep

Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. John Lebo, on Thursday said the state would resist any attempt to send Boko Haram suspects to prison facilities in the state.

Lebo said this in Calabar during his maiden press briefing.

The Speaker, who was reacting to a question on the recent public outcry over the relocation of Boko Haram suspects to a prison facility in Anambra State, said the Federal Government should not contemplate sending Boko Haram suspects to any prison facility in Cross River State.

He said emphatically that the state could not accommodate the suspects.

There are no fewer than six prisons in different locations in the state. They are in Calabar, Adim, Obubra, Ogoja and Obudu.

Lebo said, “We will resist relocation of Boko Haram suspects to Calabar Prisons or any other one in the state.”

He reiterated the Assembly’s commitment towards making good laws that would impact positively on the lives of the citizens.

Lebo, who represents Abi State Constituency in the House, also emphasised the need for a robust relationship between the legislature and the executive, which, he believed, would help in deepening democracy in the country.

He also dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the 8th Assembly would be a rubber-stamp legislature, noting that the best way to achieve desired results was by maintaining a harmonious relationship with all arms of government.

“The legislature under my watch in Cross River will make laws that will bring transformation to our state and this cannot be achieved by fighting the executive. The best way to maintain the integrity of the House is to maintain the history of synergy and performance, which is a common factor in Cross River State,” he said.

We"ll resist attempt to relocate Boko Haram members to Cross River Prison - Rep

Markets shut again in Anambra as Obiano, NSA’s rep meet over Boko Haram

Awka- FOR the second time in 13 days, all the major markets in Anambra State were Thursday shut by the leadership of the traders in protest against the relocation of some Boko Haram detainees to Ekwulobia Prison in Aguata local government area of the state.

Obiano and Buhari

Today’s closure of the markets came on the heels of a high powered security meeting held in Awka between Governor Wilie Obiano and an official from the office of the National Security Adviser, on the possible withdrawal of the Boko Haram detainees from Anambra.

Also, the presidents’ general of the 177 communities in the state issued a statement describing as shocking and embarrassing the news that the Nigeria Prisons Service had transferred some detainees of the dreaded suspected terrorists to Ekwulobia.

Many traders from outside Anambra State who arrived Onitsha early to make their purchases were taken aback when the traders’ security operatives informed them that all the markets in the South East geo-political zone were closed down to dive home their opposition to the relocation of the Boko Haram suspects to Anambra State.

Some of the Onitsha traders, who were unaware of the closure, came early to open their shops, but were turned back by the market security personnel. The closure however did not affect those trading on the streets as they were doing their businesses unmolested.

In Awka however, some traders initially tried to challenge security operators for forcing them to close markets, but order was restored after some heated arguments and they allowed to display their wares.

The president of Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, Okwudili Chief Ezenwankwo later led other officials to Ekwulobia where they were expected to march through the streets.

Meanwhile, Governor Obiano hinted after the meeting with a representative of the National Secirity Adviser that the Boko Haram detainees would soon be withdrawn from Anambra State.

 

Markets shut again in Anambra as Obiano, NSA’s rep meet over Boko Haram

Military checkpoints, gridclock return to Plateau roads

Military checkpoints in Plateau State, which disappeared a few weeks ago, have returned, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Soldiers at a checkpoint on Oba Adesida Road, Akure
| credits: Stanley Ogidi

NAN reports that the checkpoints have resurfaced in Jos, other towns, as well as major and rural roads in the state.

It was also observed that joint security teams, comprising soldiers and policemen, conducted thorough searches on vehicles, forcing a return of traffic gridlock that eased off last week.

President Muhammadu Buhari had three weeks ago directed that military checkpoints and road-blocks be removed from the highways.

A top source in the Special Task Force told NAN in Jos that the road blocks returned to Plateau State following an appeal by Governor Simon Lalong.

The source said, “The governor, after visiting the scene of last Sunday’s night bomb attacks in some parts of Jos north, had blamed the return of the blasts on the lack of mechanism to check the movements of evil people.

“The absence of the military checkpoints has ensured a free flow of all manners of evil and I call on the President to order that they be restored in Plateau.”

NAN reports that before the governor’s appeal, a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Timothy Golu, had also called on the President to restore the checkpoints in Plateau “especially in the rural areas’’.

Golu had premised his stance on the relevance of the military to securing fleeing villagers, especially from night attacks.

He also argued that the military checkpoints were crucial in curtailing the movement of small arms and light weapons, emphasising the need to secure the “hapless rural dwellers’’.

The lawmaker had said, “Some criminals are deterred when they know that they could be pursued by armed personnel at the checkpoints, but removing such checkpoints will ease their schemes and operations.”

STF spokesman, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha, said the military checkpoints “never totally disappeared’’ at any time.

Iweha added, “The checkpoints did not disappear; we merely reviewed them and collapsed some of them for effective service delivery.

“But, following what happened, I mean the bomb blasts and their aftermath, we resolved to restore the checkpoints to ease and quicken our response to situations.

“You recall that miscreants took advantage of the blasts to engage in arson and looting. The Commander was of the opinion that such would have been averted if checkpoints were nearby.

“So, he quickly ordered that the checkpoints be restored to respond much better to emergencies in and around the vicinity.”

Military checkpoints, gridclock return to Plateau roads

Masquerade Beats, Stabs Priest In Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested three persons for allegedly conspiring to beat and stab one Reverend Christian Ajibo.

A release made available to reporters in Enugu by the command’s public relations officer, Ebere Amaraizu said operatives of the Igboeze North Division of the command arrested the suspects.

According to him, the suspects gave their names as Uchenna Idoko, Ifechukwu Eke and Maxwell Idoko, all of Igogoro Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North local government area of the state.

Amaraizu stated that the suspects attacked the cleric with dagger on the right side of his chest, adding that they allegedly perpetrated the act while on masquerade but were later identified. He further disclosed that the suspects damaged the cleric’s car and stole his money.

He said “Suspects are helping the police in their investigations”.

Masquerade Beats, Stabs Priest In Enugu