Suicide bombers kill three in Borno

Two suspected female suicide bombers detonated explosives at Sabon Gari Market in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing three persons.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Opadokun, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri.

Opadokun said that five other persons were also injured in the incident, which occurred at about 11am He said the explosives were strapped to their bodies.

Why NDDC Failed To Provide Jobs For Niger Delta People

Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw , chairman, Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),said non- remittance of over N800 billion funds has adversely affected the operations of the commission.

Ewe-Henshaw, in company of other members of the board, including the managing director and chief executive officer of NDDC, Bassey Dan-Abia, yesterday, July 7, 2015, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state.

L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole , Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Board Chairman, NDDC and Bassey Dan-Abia MD/CEO NDDC Giving his remarks, NDDC board chairman explained the money was legally due to the commission but has remained unremitted since 2001.

He lamented poor funding has prevented the commission from creating the right business investment and employment opportunities for the people of the region.

READ ALSO: Read What Ex-Militants Want From Buhari He affirmed that the commission is still committed to helping the plights of the Niger Delta,hence, urged Oshiomhole to intervene on behalf of the commission to get the funds released “We are not unaware of the negative perception of our people, but as a board we have come determined to change that.

Vision of the board is one that can provide a platform and the avenue for integrating and developing the Niger Delta sub-region through strategic intervention and key infrastructure development in road, rail and education,” Ewa-Henshaw said.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in response, promised to present the issue for discussion when the governors of the South-South region meet later in the month.

He added they will discuss how they can collaborate to help the commission fulfills its responsibilities and get support from appropriate authorities.

Oshiomhole urged the NDDC board to embark on major infrastructure projects that will benefit the people of the region.

He noted that the condition of the South-South will be effectively serviced with an efficient and effective rail system irrespective of political party affiliations.

“One major weakness I have observed in the running of the commission is that it has been over-politicized.

It was not meant to be a political vehicle.

Nigeria has opted for a multiple political democracy and our people from time to time could replace a government and a political party.

No party will be too good to govern forever.

Regardless of the government, there are certain key principles that must never be sacrificed, namely that composition of the Board must be made of people who bring to it the aspirations of their respective states” he advised.

READ ALSO: Jonathan Had A Chance To Change The Niger Delta But…

Edo governor also advised the commission to liaise with appropriate authorities in each state.

He however, assured the visiting team of Buhari’s support “I am very confident that President Muhammadu Buhari, given his passion for development as a trusted friend of the poor masses which is his own main constituency, will do everything possible to look at the letter and the spirit and do what ever has to be done to ensure that the law of NDDC is complied with.” he assured.

#DareToBeBig: Paradigm Initiative Nigeria conducts ICT training for 27 Secondary schools in Imo State

Paradigm Initiative Nigeria in partnership with Youth for Christ, Owerri hosted 27 secondary schools spread across 6 zones in Imo State and a total of 1, 212 students at ‘Dare to be B.I.G.’ in Imo State.

Dare to be B.I.G (Brightest ICT Guy or Girl) is an exciting ICT quiz competition bringing early unique opportunities, positive peer pressure and show casing Africa’s budding ICT talents from Secondary Schools.

The event was spread over four days, from the 2nd to 5th June 2015, and featured the ICT training for the 27 schools participating schools leading up to the quiz competition on the final day of the event.

Some participating schools were Anara Community Secondary School, Government College Owerri,Bishop Lasbery Girls’ Secondary School, Chosen Secondary School, Mgbidi;Living Word Academy and Orlu Girls’ Secondary School among others.

The ICT quiz competition took place on Friday, June 5th at FSP Park, with 23 schools participating in the competition.

At the end of heated rounds of the competition, CRM International Secondary School Mgbidichi took the much coveted first place winning a trophy for the school and Etisalat Cliqlite Tabs for students who represented the school.

Chosen International Secondary School- Mgbidi and Urban Development Secondary School- Umunawere in2nd and 3rd positions respectively also winning trophies, Samsung Galaxy star phones and Infinite Hot phones.

The principal s and teachers from the participating schools were present, and they found the event very motivating.

It spurred them on to believe in the future of Nigeria through the young sters, and to aim to deliver quality training always.

Dare to be B.I.G is an initiative of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, has held in Lagos state and Ondo State in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

Another edition is scheduled to hold on Nassarawa in October 2015.

The project features a regional quiz competition for secondary schools in Nigeria, with a deliberate focus on ICT knowledge and application.

Our team visits participating schools in the region, meeting with students in their school halls and introducing them to the benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the advantages of starting early.

The ICT quiz competition and training is at no cost to the students or schools.

Source Linda Ikeji

Man who killed his son and left another almost dead is spared jail term by judge

A dangerous driver who killed his young son and left another with life-changing injuries has been spared jail by a judge who said the father had suffered enough.

Abdul Mosa, 43, was driving on the wrong side of the road when his family's car hit a lorry head-on, killing his seven-year-old, Alin, and injuring six-year-old Ara.

The family from Leeds, West York shire, had been returning from a holiday in France and had just left the Channel Tunnel terminal in their Kia Soul when they crashed on the A20 at Hythe, Kent.

Mosa's wife, Huzan, and one-year-old daughter, Arda, were also seriously hurt in the collision last August, while lorry driver Anthony Brown was left with career-threatening injuries.

Mosa escaped with just minor injuries, thanks to his airbag, and sobbed loudly as Canter bury Crown Court heard how he cradled dying Alin in his arms.

The court was also told that two of the children were not wearing seat belts, and that Mosa had ignored other motorists as they tried to warn him he was going the wrong way.

Mosa admitted five charges of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving and was facing a prison sentence as a deterrent, only for Judge James O'Mahony to spare him from jail.

'I do not know a greater deterrent for this defendant to know his mistake ended up with the killing of his own child,' said Judge O'Mahony.

Stephen Shay, prosecuting, said Mosa had just exited the Eurotunnel and had travelled at least 200 yards in the right-hand lane - ignoring clear signs posted along the route.

'It would seem that he simply forgot and was driving in European conditions,' said Mr Shay.

'This was a mistake, a brief mistake with appalling consequences.

' Mosa later told police he thought he was on a one way road - but the prosecution added the clear road markings made that unlikely.

Lorry driver Mr Brown spent eight days in hospital after suffering a series of fractures to his right arm.

And he is now unable to use one of his fingers, which was injured when part of the Kia's roof rack was hurled through the lorry's windscreen in the impact of the crash.

Andrew Nuttall, mitigating, said little Ara will now 'never lead a normal life' because of his injuries. He said:

'This is an appalling case which arose out of a simple mistake.

'This defendant started his punishment the moment his son died in his arms and he realised the enormity of his mistake.

'The harsh reality is that this defendant is going to be punished every minute of the rest of his life.

'He has to live with the consequences of his mistake... there can be no greater punishment in this world than that.'

The court heard that Mosa was now 'the glue' holding his 'fragile family' together, and Judge O'Mahony added that despite the aggravating features in the case, jailing him would probably result in his surviving children being taken in to care because his wife was unable to cope. He said:

'That would further punish the victims of these offences.'

Instead, Judge O'Mahony imposed a two year sentence, suspended for two years, and banned Mosa from driving for three years.

Source Linda Ikeji

Lagos planning to reconstruct Ladipo market road

The Lagos State Government on Sunday indicated plans to reconstruct the popular Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market Road and other connecting roads to enhance vehicular movement within the areas.

Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Bamgbose Martins, said this when he led government officials on inspection of some road networks in the Papa Ajao and Ladipo Spare Parts Market areas in Mushin and Oshodi/ Isolo Local Government Areas of the state.

He also disclosed government’s commitment to commence rehabilitation of the roads to ease vehicular movement in the areas.

Martins said plans were under way to get the contractor, working on the Daleko Road, back on site to complete the remaining portions of the road.

“We need to get the contractor back on site, have them fill it up at least, so that it becomes motorable,” he said.

Martins, who was joined by the General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Ayotunde Sodeinde; the Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna; and other officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, said palliative measures would be applied by the Public Works Corporation on other roads and craters in the Papa Ajao area.

On the state of Ladipo Market Road, he ruled out the option of carrying out palliative work, saying what the road needs was total reconstruction.

“One of the things you would observe here is that the road here is gone, in terms of standard road, it’s gone.

It’s not a case for palliative; it’s not a case for patching.

This is a case where the road has to be totally reconstructed.

“In other words, we need to redesign it to fit into the habits and the use that is here. It’s a market.

There are rocks here, so it is still motorable, even if it rains, it is motorable.

So PWC can’t come here and put asphalt because it’s not going to last.

If they put asphalt, the next rain, it will wash off,” he said.

He however said the state would include the road in its plan of work for next year as some other roads in the state needed urgent attention.

“It is still passable now, but what we need here is a full construction.

When we are going to do anything, we are going to redesign it and then, we have to reconstruct from the beginning.

That’s the situation here; but for now, at least, it’s motorable,” Martins added.

5 Things That Do Not Belong in Grownup Rooms

So you’re in your 30s and your house still feels like it belongs to a college student. Many of us have been there. When you’re in school, or just starting in the workforce it can be tough to afford furniture and décor, so most of us tend to fill our spaces with hand me downs and random fun things we can find for cheap. And that’s great when you’re young, but as we grow up the things that were fun and cute a few years ago start to look kitschy and immature.

If you want your home to look like it belongs to a grownup it’s time to eliminate these 5 items.

Stuffed Animals

We know, your precious stuffie has been with you since childhood, or your high school sweetheart won it for you at a carnival when you were 16. We know it makes you happy and you don’t want to part with it. But if you want your house to look like it belongs to an adult the stuffies have to go. The best way to part with them without feeling bad? Give them to another child who will enjoy them and love them as much as you did.

Futons

Nothing says “a student lives here” like a futon. Yes they’re practical for places where you need furniture to do double duty, but as a general rule they’re not the most comfortable or stylish. Futons tend to have a cheap look about them that can be hard to mask. Once you’re in your 30s it’s time to upgrade to something a little more grownup.

Strings of Lights Indoors

White twinkle lights are lovely outside at any time of year, or inside around the holidays, but inside all year round? Not so much. Sure occasionally you’ll see a room where twinkle lights are used in a unique or stylish way, but generally speaking strings of lights inside look very “college student”. Fun when you’re young, but immature once you get older. Save them for outside where they’ll look their best.

Unframed Movie Posters

Some movie posters are really fantastic works of art, and they can be great collectors items, but if you’re going to hang them in your home please make sure to have them framed. Unframed movie posters with the edges curling up look cheap and messy and don’t do your room any favors. Custom framing is an option (albeit an expensive one), or you can pick up some simple frames at a big box store. When it comes to movie posters simple frames are generally best as they don’t detract from the image.

Empty Wine Bottles as Candle Holders

Entertaining by candlelight is always lovely. The light is flattering for everyone and it creates a great atmosphere, but if you’re going to do it, do it right – invest in some nice candleholders. They don’t have to be expensive, but they should be actual candle holders. Empty wine bottles do not count. Sure, taper candles fit perfectly in them, but don’t kid yourself, they look cheap and messy. Return the wine bottle, collect the 10 cents, and start a collection for some real candle holders.

This article was submitted by Lauren Flanagan

Payment Status: UNPAID
Free-ID: Pub-5254662864658

Nigerian football star, Fikayo Tomori signs professional contract with Chelsea

The 17 year old defensive player, who was born in Canada, shared the good news on twitter.

Seven things to know about the new DG DSS

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday sacked the Director General of the Department of State Service, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong.

The Director of Communications in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Haruna Imrana, announced the appointment of Mr. Lawal Musa Daura as the Acting DG of the DSS.

Here are seven things to know about the new DG:

1. Daura was born on August 5, 1953 in Daura, Katsina state.

2. He attended Ahmadu Bello University between 1977 and 1980.

3. He started his career in the State Security Service and then rose to become a director in the service.

4. He served as the State Director of Security service in Kano, Sokoto, Edo, Osun, Imo and Lagos States before his retirement.

5. He was also a one time Deputy Director, Presidential Communication Command and Control Centre at the Presidential Villa Abuja between 2003 and 2007.

6. He attended various professional courses including the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

7. President Buhari recalled him from retirement on July 2, 2015 to be the Director General of the State Security Service, replacing Ita Ekpeyong who occupied the position between September 7, 2010 and July 2, 2015.

Nigerian Troops Arrest Chibok Girls' Kidnap Leader

Babuji Ya’ari, the business man accused of leading Boko Haram in their abduction of over 200 female students of Chibok secondary school in Borno state, has been arrested.

The Nigerian troops, who effected the arrest have revealed that the business man is a member of a vigilante group that was infiltrated by the dreaded insurgents before effecting the infamous abduction of the school girls over a year ago.

According to Major-General Chris Olukolade, spokes person of the Defence Head quarters (DHQ), the suspect was the head of a “terrorists’ intelligence cell” for Boko Haram under the guise of the self-defence youth vigilante group.

This Day also reports that soldiers told the Associated Press (AP) that some of their comrades belong to the extremist group.

“The arrest of the business man … has also yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists’ intelligence cell who are women,” Olukolade was quoted to have said in a statement Tuesday night.

The DHQ spokesperson, who did not reveal when the arrests were made or how many people were arrested, alleged that Ya’ari has since 2011 coordinated several deadly attacks on Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram, and spearheaded the May 2014 assassination of the Emir of Gwoza, a religious and traditional ruler who was targeted for speaking out against Boko Haram’s extremism.

While some of the girls have escaped, there are many others within the camp of the insurgents as speculations are rife that some of these girls may have been converted to suicide bombers by the islamic sect.

READ ALSO: Bomb Blast In Maiduguri As Osinbajo Visits Among other revelations by the defence troops was that of a woman arrested, Hafsat Bako, who confessed to coordinating the payroll for operatives paid a minimum of N10,000 a job. In another development, Oby Ezekwesili, convener of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, disclosed on Wednesday that she has been able to secure a meeting with president Muhammadu Buhari, to discuss how the remaining school girls would be released.

Pres. Buhari meets Gbajabiamila, other APC House of Reps members

President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met with some APC House of Representative members led by Femi Gbajabiamila at the presidential villa yesterday July 1st.

Femi Gbajabiamila was the APC House of Reps choice for the Speakership position but he lost out to Yakubu Dogara.

Source Linda Ikeji

7 Women Arrested For Prostitution, Child Trafficking

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ondo State command detained seven women on suspicion of prostitution and child traf ficking.

The women were arrested at a brothel on Car Street, in Akure, Ondo state after some church members reported a suspected commercial sex worker and trafficker, Susan John, to police for luring a girl, Faith Ekepemephia, into prostitution.

READ ALSO: Pathetic Story Of How Nigerians Are Forced Into Slavery, Prostitution In Britain While giving testimony Faith Ekepemephia said:

“A girl from my village in Akwa Ibom, who re sides in Akure, Ondo State, told me that one madam she currently works with needed the service of a house help.

The girl said I would be helping the madam do house chores and will be paid monthly.

I arrived Akure last Tuesday for the house help job only to be lodged in a hotel.

It was later that I discovered that I have been lured in to prostitution.

I cried and told them that I want to go back to my village as this was not the type of work she told me about, but she threatened me.

READ ALSO: Sex Ring Forcing Nigerian Women In Prostitution Smashed In Spain The woman always collected the service money from me any time I meet with a man.

I have made up to N6,000 and slept with more than three men since my arrival.”

After being paraded by the command, the suspects had been handed over to National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for further investigation.

Name Alleged Abductors - Pro-Lawan Senators Tell Saraki

Following the allegation the senate president, Bukola Saraki made about being a target for abduction on the day the National Assembly was inaugurated, the senators loyal to the candidacy of Senator Ahmad Lawan in the recent election for senate presidency, have challenged him to name the suspect.

Saraki being sworn in as senate president Vanguard reported that senators, who are strong members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisted that Saraki must name those allegedly behind the abduction he claimed to show that he was not economical with the truth about development preceding his emergence as Senate President.

READ ALSO: Why My Support For Saraki Is Not Disobedience – APC Senator The senators who spoke under the auspices of senate unity forum noted that they would not join issues with Saraki for now, but that said his proof of the allegation was necessary so that they can reply him properly.

This reaction from the pro-Lawan senators was made through their spokesman, Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC) Zamfara Central tasking Saraki to name those who wanted to kidnap him before getting full reaction to his allegation.

Meanwhile, at a recent interview with journalists in Abuja, Saraki alleged that before the inauguration of the 8th Senate on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, there were plans by some big guns within the party, who were blatantly not in support of his aspiration as president of the 8th senate, to abduct him in a bid to deprive him from being present at the inauguration to accept the nomination for the position in person.

During the interview which has gone viral from last weekend, Saraki stated that he escaped the abduction allegedly planned against him that day by refusing to report at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel where all federal law makers elect were billed to gather at 8:am for onward movement to the National Assembly.

READ ALSO: READ What APC Leaders Will Do To Saraki, Dogara The senate president noted at the interview that instead of joining his colleagues at Transcorp Hilton Hotel at the slated time, he moved faster than everybody by getting to the premises of the National Assembly as early as 6:am that day and hid in a car at the car park for four hours where he was quiet and somewhat unnoticed.

Fast rising actor Daniel K Daniel shines in new movie, Mummy Dearest

Fast-rising Nollywood sensation Daniel K. Daniel (a.k.a DKD) who was recently nominated for the 2015 Afrifimo Awards and Film/Music Festival (AAFMF) Best Upcoming and Best Supporting Actor Categories for his role in the movie “Bambitious” was a major feature at the recent premiere of Mummy Dearest, an exciting new Nollywood family comedy/drama, which premiered on Thursday 25th June 2015 at the Film house Cinemas, Spar Port Harcourt Mall in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The highpoint of the premiere weekend was the ‘meet and greet’ by Daniel K. Daniel and the rest of the cast to the delight of the movie fans.

In spite of the fact that the major lead actress in the movie, veteran Liz Benson who gave a flawless performance as the Matriarch in the film, wasn’t available at the premiere, the fans still had a great time hanging out with the other stars in the movie and they were particularly excited to meet DKD, whose stellar performance in the movie had received rave reviews.

Mummy Dearest which was produced by Chioma Willis Ikedum and directed by Willis Ikedum, is now showing in cinemas nation wide and is sure to be one of the best loved movies of 2015!!! Check out pictures from the premiere and watch the preview and be sure to check it out at a cinema near you.

Daniel K Daniel has recently joined the cast of the hit TV series Tinsel.

Check out the video trailer and pictures from the "Mummy Dearest" Premiere

Source Linda Ikeji

Displaced persons face uncertainty as S’Africa camp closes

The last camp in South Africa hosting displaced foreigners following a series of xenophobic attacks across the country in April, is scheduled to close on Tuesday, officials from the municipality where it is located have told Al Jazeera.

Tozi Mthethwa, Head of Communications for the eThekwini municipality, told Al Jazeera on Monday that the Chatsworth camp, which at one stage hosted more than 5,000 people displaced by the violence, would be closed after a municipality assessment found that the situation had normalised.

“After assessing the conditions and conducting extensive community dialogues through the Provincial Department of Community Safety and Liaison, the city is pleased that the situation has normalised which there fore means that the shelter should cease to operate,” Mthethwa said in a statement issued to Al Jazeera.

“African immigrants at the shelter have been offered an option of being reintegrated into the communities they once lived in, while others have requested to be repatriated to their countries of origin.”

At least eight people were killed and thousands of others displaced in a series of attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa in April.

The violence started in Durban and quickly spread to areas around Johannesburg, prompting world wide condemnation.

There are still 212 people, mostly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, living at the camp, and they say it is too dangerous to move back to their communities around Durban, or return to their home countries.

Police arraign manager for stealing N2m beverages

The police have arraigned a ware house manager, Akokhia Joseph, before an Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing beverages estimated at N2.2m, belonging to his employer, one Vivian Osian.

It was learnt that Akokhia was to give the goods out based on orders from the management of the company.

He allegedly diverted some of the goods, replacing them in the warehouse with empty cartons.

He was said to have also allegedly deleted stock data from the computers to cover up the crime.

It was learnt that several times, goods had been discovered missing in the warehouse, but Akokhia usually returned the monetary value of the goods, claiming that he later found and sold them.

Our correspondent learnt that after his employer noticed some inconsistencies in the computer data and the missing warehouse goods, an auditor was invited to analyse the records, leading to the discovery of the theft.

The 24-year-old was arraigned on Monday on one count of stealing.

The police told the court that Joseph stole from the warehouse between September 1, 2014 and January 12, 2015.

The charge read, “That you, Akokhia Joseph, between September 1, 2014, and January 12, 2015, at Ojuelegba Road, Surulere, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal Nestle products valued at N2,264,597, property of one Vivian Osian, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 285(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011” The defendant pleaded not guilty, while his defence counsel, Saka Bello, applied for his bail in liberal terms.

The Magistrate, O. A. Komolafe, admitted him to bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum.

He said, “Both sureties must have the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency ID card.

One of the sureties must be a relative, while the other must be a level 10 civil servant working with the Lagos State Government.”

The case was adjourned till July 27.

Buhari MUST Sack Jonathan's Last-minute Appointees

If president Muhammadu Buhari has to go by the recommendation of the Ahmed Joda-led transition committee, all the last minute appointees of former president Goodluck Jonathan will soon be sacked.

In less than two months, ex-president Jonathan, not previously known to readily hire and fire, sacked dozens of top officials and replaced them before leaving office, especially after losing the March 28, presidential election.

President Buhari

READ ALSO: Salary And Subsidy: Buhari Source For Funds The committee has now urged president Buhari to terminate all Jonathan’s dubious appointments and review all contracts awarded by the administration in the last 18 months because it will help the new government take aside ineptitude and waste, and scale up its revenue base.

In its 800-page report submitted to the president which contains extensive analysis of Nigeria’s key challenges, with suggested responses for the economy and finance, governance and social welfare, the report obtained by Premium Times, detailed a list of prompt, medium and long term decisions president Buhari must take, or authorise, with in 30, 45, 60 and 90 days of taking office.

READ ALSO: Transition Committee Tell Buhari To Appoint Only 19 Senior Ministers It said: “non-strategic contracts that have not commenced or where no payments have been made can be cancelled,” adding that the president must negotiate exits for projects where mobilisation payments have been made but work not commenced in order to “save expenditure on non-strategic projects, and can free up cash flows for other vital initiatives.”

The Joda-led committee also said that the president should review all appointments made by Jonathan in the last nine months, and “for strategic agencies requiring professional leadership, the government should terminate all appointments not based on merit.”

Recall that the same committee alleged that the administration of the former president virtually destroyed the nation’s economy, alleging that no ministry was free of corruption.

Group Urges Buhari To Cancel Anti-Gay Law

President Muhammadu Buhari, has been urged to take a cue from the United State and cancel the same sex marriage prohibition Act of 2014.

This comes days after the Supreme Court of the United States of America finally legalised same sex marriage through out the whole country.

In a report on Sahara Reporters, specifically aimed to attack the “Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act of 2014”, leading human right s organisations, PEN America and PEN Nigeria urged President Buhari to scrap the law as it en courages evictions, mob attacks, police torture, and public whippings against gays.

The report called for Buhari to repeal laws that legalise discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and people who are inter-sex and transgender.

READ ALSO: TB Joshua, Femi Fani Kayode React To New Gay Law This was disclosed by the PEN Executive Director, Suzanne Nossel, in the report titled “Silenced Voices, Threatened Lives:

The Impact of Nigeria’s Anti-LGBTI Law on Freedom of Expression.”

She said: “The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act of 2014 punishes gay relationships with 14 years in prison and belonging to a gay associations with 10 years in prison.

It also criminalizes a failure to report homosexual activity to police which threatens the friends and families of gays living in Nigeria.

“Nigerian human rights groups have documented 105 violations against gays including assaults, mob attacks, and black mail since the passage of the law.

One case in Bauchi, an under cover police officer joined a group being counseled about AIDS pretending to be gay.

He arrested the 38 men there, tortured them, and provided their names to the public, leading to a witch-hunt.

Many gay people fled Bauchi as a result of this incident.

“The anti-gay law, while purporting to target same sex marriage, has infringed upon rights to free speech, access to health care, housing, and employment, interfered with civil and political rights, and led to wholesale impunity for violence against LGBTI people.

“LGBTI Nigerians cannot express their identities, write or publish about their experiences, or even advocate for their own human rights.”

Protesters of the Anti-gay law She added:

“The law is essentially self-enforcing, barring most challenges to its own legality as prohibited LGBTI advocacy and effectively legalizing vigilante justice against gay individuals.

“Free expression of one’s own identity and opinions is the bedrock of all human rights.

Where this right is denied, all forms of personal freedom are in jeopardy—for not just the LGBTI community, but also the population at-large.”

The group also argued that the anti-gay law distracts local populations from prevalent problems like poverty, corruption, and failed education systems under the banner of “uniting in homophobia.”

Despite protests from some countries, groups and activists, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan signed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act into law in 2014. Some foreign embassies were shocked by the development leading to ‘curious’ inquiries from

the federal government, but despite the inquiries, the FG said there was no going back.

The bill which was passed by the Senate in November 2011, and affirmed by law makers in the House of Representatives on May 29, 2013.

According to former president Jonathan, the decision to pass the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act of 2014, is owing to the fact that most Nigerians were opposed to the bill, saying the parliament acted in line with the wish of the majority.

NEC Sets Up Committee To Probe NNPC Accounts

In the last three years, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) withheld and spent N3.7 trillion oil revenue with out budgetary provision and approval.

Adams Oshiomhole, the governor of Edo state Adams Oshiomhole, the governor of Edo state, disclosed this after the National Economic Council meeting, which was held at the presidential villa in Abuja.

The governor said that out of N8.1 trillion generated from the oil sales during the period only N4.3 trillion was remitted to the federation account.

Oshiomhole also disclosed that Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, the former minister of finance, spent $2 billion from the Excess Crude Account between November 2014 and May 2015 with out approval.

READ ALSO: President Buhari’s Full Speech At The NEC Inauguration

“This is the first time we had a National Economic Council meeting in which under the instructions of the president, NNPC and the office of the accountant general of the federation was compelled to provide information in black and white on issues as it relates to the total sales of Nigeria crude from 2012 to May 2015.

This never happened before.

“What we saw from those numbers, which I believe Nigerians are entitled to know, is that where as the NNPC claimed to have earned about N8.1 trillion, what NNPC paid into the federation account between 2012 and May 2015 was N4.3 trillion and NNPC with held and spent N3.7 trillion.

“The cost of running NNPC is much more than running the federal government.

That tells you how much is missing, what is mismanaged and what is stolen.

There are huge figures,” he stressed.

The NEC chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo set up a four-member committee to probe the accounts of the NNPC and the Excess Crude Account managed by the last administration.

READ ALSO: North Strategises To Take Over NNPC Governor Abdulazeez Yari of Zamfara state, who was also present at the meeting, told journalists:

“On that line, a four-man committee consisting of the governors of Edo, Gombe, Kaduna and Akwa Ibom state was constituted to go through the books of NNPC and Excess Crude as well as the federation account.

”The four-man committee will check the books of NNPC, most especially the issue of excess crude and what is not remitted into the federation account.

“The FG, in conjunction with the CBN, will look in wards to see how to support, how much they will give to states especially on the issue of out standing salaries owed by the states and even the federal government.”

It would be recalled last week Buhari sacked NNPC board of directors.

Commenting on the president’s decision, Femi Adesina, presidential aide said:

“You can’t make changes without having new leadership”.

He also added that Buhari remains “committed to cleaning up the system, and wants account ability and transparency in the oil industry.”

Nigeria Court remands ex-FCT Minister’s aide, others

The Nation Online ---- Justice Abubakar Talba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja Monday ordered that Yau Mohammed Gital, the Chief of Staff to the immediate past FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed and two others be remanded in prison.

The judge’s order followed their arraignment on a 10-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, conspiracy and forgery involving about N192, 000,000. Also arraigned with Gital, who was said to be a member of the Land Allocation Committee, Federal Capital Territory Administration, include his former Special Assistant, with Shuaibu Yakubu and the Managing Director, Jibmir Ventures Nigeria Limited, Jibril M. Tahir.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stated in the charge that the three accused persons to obtained money from various unsuspecting persons under the false pretence that the money was for processing and facilitation of land allocation by the Federal Capital Development Authority.

The three pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them, following which their lawyer, Nura Imam applied to the court to grant them bail pending their trial.

The judge adjourned to July 2 for ruling on the bail application and ordered that the accused persons be held in prison before the next date.

Boko Haram Spy Nabbed In IDP Camp

Security agents at an Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camp in Damaturu, Yobe state, yesterday arrested a suspected Boko Haram member accused of spying on the camp.

An IDP Camp in Yobe

A security official who spoke to the Daily Trust, said that suspect was apprehended after vigilante agents close to the camp reported seeing a unknown man loitering the area.

The official said: “We arrested him.

He claimed to be a Ghanaian who came from a nearby village.

We took him to the JTF head quarters for interrogation where he confessed to be a Boko Haram member spying on the area.”

READ ALSO: After 8 Months Break, Mubi Poly Reopens Despite Boko Haram Terror A resident added that the strange man was seen around the camp around 7am in the morning and residents decided to report to relevant authorities.

He said: “Nobody knew him in the area and we became suspicious of him.”

The residents then alerted the Civil Defence Service Corps guarding the IDPs camp.

The corps then arrested the man and handed him over to the military.

Meanwhile, President Muhammudu Buhari has reacted angrily to the latest Boko Haram attacks on Borno and Yobe states.

The president slammed the insurgents for attacking Muslims during the Ramadan month adding that his government will use all availiable resources to crush them.

AU will not observe elections in Burundi – Spokes person

The African Union will not observe Burundi’s legislative elections scheduled for Monday, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the chairperson of the commission of the AU, has said.

In a communique released on Sunday, Dlamini- Zuma said the “AU reiterates the imperative need for dialogue and consensus for a lasting solution to the crisis in Burundi”.

“[The AU] will not observe the elections scheduled for 29 June 2015,” Dlamini-Zuma said.

Echoing the AU’s remarks, the UN said on Sunday that Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was concerned about “the Government of Burundi’s insistence on going a head with elections on 29 June despite the prevailing political and security environment.”

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from the capital Bujumbura, said some supporters of President Pierre Nkurunziza are wondering why Sudan’s President Omar Al-Bashir was seemingly protected in South africa at the AU summit in Johannes burg just over a week back, while their president seems to have been abandoned by the AU.

Burundi has been in turm oil since April, when Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term, triggering weeks of protests, and an abortive military coup last month.

Dlamini-Zuma said the AU was disappointed that proposals put forward to postpone elections were not accepted.

“Noting that the necessary conditions are not met for the organization of free, fair and transparent and credible elections .

the AU commission will not observe the local and parliamentary elections,” the statement read.

Nkurunziza’s opponents say his decision to stand again violates the constitution as well as a peace deal that ended a civil war in 2005 The latest developments come as clashes continued on the streets of the capital Bujumbura, as the country inched to wards the controversial poll.

Italy rescues thousands of migrants from smuggler boats

Italian coast guard ships, along with military vessels from Ireland and Britain, have rescued at least 2,900 migrants from 21 smugglers boats in the Mediterranean, north of Libya.

An Irish military statement said the Irish vessel Le Eithne was involved in six of the operations on Sunday, rescuing migrants from inflatable rubber dinghies.

In a statement, the Italian coast guard also confirmed the number.

About 100 of the migrants were being brought to the tiny island of Lampedusa, off Sicily.

Authorities were determining which larger, southern Italian ports would receive the others on Monday.

So far this year, about 60,000 migrants saved by ships in a multi-nation search and rescue mission have been brought to Italian ports.

Many seek asylum from wars or persecution in Africa or the Middle East, and hope to reach families in northern Europe.

It Takes Painstaking Planning To Clean PDP's Mess - PMB

The presidency on Sunday defended President Muhammadu Buhari performance in the last 30 days, dismissing an assessment by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the president failed in his first month in office.

In a swift response to the PDP’s 30 days assessment on President Buhari, the presidency on Sunday faulted the call for prayers for the president.

This was disclosed in a statement by the special adviser on Media and Publicity to the president, Femi Adesina, who said that Nigerians are already on the side of the administration and that the Buhari administration is on course.

Femi Adesina, special adviser on Media and Publicity to the president According to Adesina, it requires scrupulous and painstaking planning to clean the mess left behind by the PDP.

READ ALSO: Buhari Irked By Ekweremadu Post The statement reads:

“It is amu sing to read what the National Publicity Secretary of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, considers a 30 days appraisal of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“He wants Nigerians to join hands in prayers for the government, so that things would begin to move.

What he does not know is that Nigerian s had long formed such coalition.

They are hands in hands, and that was what gave victory to President Buhari in the March 28, 2015 poll.

“It takes meticulousness and sure-footedness to repair all the breaches.

This, the Buhari administration will deliver.

“The Buhari administration is naturally contemplative because there was absolutely no rhyme or reason to the way PDP ran the country, particularly in the immediate past dispensation.

“That is why the Augean Stable is being cleaned now, and it requires scrupulous and pains taking planning.

“Across all sectors, our national life was devalued, and it takes meticulousness and sure- footedness to repair all the breaches.

This, the Buhari administration will deliver.”

“Metuh talks of people round the President conniving with bureaucrats to syphon money from the treasury.

This must be deja vu, as it was the pastime of the immediate past administration, and the enormity of the sleaze will be evident when stolen money, to the tune of billions of dollars, is recovered, and returned to the national treasury soon.

“In the process of time, after all that is being planned by the current administration has matured, and bearing fruits, Nigerians will be able to determine who is serving the m acceptably, and who has taken them for a ride.

It is just a matter of time. “Mean while, Metuh and his masters can only rue the missed opportunities to make salutary impact on the lives of Nigerians.

They have a long road of regrets to travel,” Adesina concluded.

Fashola turns 52 today, his brother sends him sweet birthday message

Former Lagos state governor Babatunde Fashola is a year older today, and his younger brother Demola Fashola took to Social Media to wish him a happy birthday.

What he wrote after the cut...

'Since i could remember, i have always looked up to you.

My earliest memories are of me sitting on your shoulders while walking to Eagle club.

Watching you play tennis and football, and me thinking my brother is the coolest in the world.

I remember when u moved to ur own place in aguda.

It became my home and playground away from home.

You have always inspired everyone around you.

You have been a great brother, a mentor, a role model, problem solver. Mr Trendsetter, i wonder what is next. A leader amongst the rest.

With all the pressure, you have always made time for family.

Wishing you many happy returns, long life and may Allah Grant all your heart Desires.'

Source Linda Ikeji

Elections Tribunal turns down APC witness in Ekiti

The Legislative Election Petitions Tribunal for Ekiti State on Saturday, declined the APC lawyer from leading one Mr Aderemi Akinlade in evidence, at the sitting of the tribunal in Ado-Ekiti.

The Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice A. Erahor, turned down the request at the resumed hearing of a petition challenging the election of Sen.

Fatimah Raji-Rasaki (PDP- Ekiti Central) The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Akinlade was subpoenaed at the request of APC and its candidate, Mr Gbenga Olofin, in the Ekiti Central Senatorial District election.

Erahor in a ruling held that the witness was issued with `subpoena duces-tecum’ in which a witness summon is required to tender only documents and there fore, he cannot be put on oath in the witness box to give evidence.

NAN recalls that at the pre-hearing stage of the petition, counsel to the petitioners, Mr Yemi George, had caused the tribunal to issue the summon on the witness.

At the resumed hearing on Saturday, George, however, told the tribunal that he wanted to put the witness on oath and lead him in evidence.

Mr Jude Ogodi, counsel for Sen. Raji-Rasaki opposed the position of the petitioner’s lawyer on the ground that “subpoena duces-tecum” could suffice for a witness to be led in evidence.

He argued that the witness could only give evidence if he had been issued with “subpoena ad-testificandum”, a writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding.

Mr Akintade Aluko, Counsel to INEC and Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner supported the argument of Ogodi and urged the tribunal to strike out the subpoena.

The tribunal adjourned to June 29 for further hearing in the petition.

UN urges Libyan rivals to reach agreement

UN envoy Bernardino Leon on late Saturday urged the Libyan conflicting parties to quickly expedite the dialogue to end the conflict in their country.

“Let’s try to make it possible this week.

What is possible now will be final solution, will be a solution that will seem difficult in the short perspective, but I am sure it will be the right one,” Leon told Libyan peace talk participants who sat down for an iftar during the current round of talks in Morocco.

The UN special representative also called the participants to show more flexibility, expressing his hope that a deal could be reached within days.

The UN-backed Libya political talks resumed in the Moroccan city of Skhirat on Thursday amid hopes that this round would be the last between the country’s rival parties.

The parties are expected to reach an agreement on the formation of a year-long mandate transitional government of national unity, in which a council of ministers headed by a prime minister and two deputies will have executive authority based in Tripoli.

Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, has been witnessing a frayed political process after the former leader Muammar Gaddafi was to ppled during the 2011 political turmoil.

The country is now deadlocked in a dog@fight between the pro-secular army and Islamist militants, which has led to a security vacuum for home grown extremism to brew.

The UN has brokered several rounds of dialogues between the conflicting parties since last September, but clashes remained despite a truce agreed on by factions.

Abducted Vice Chancellor Was Freed In Rivers

Rivers state police said on Saturday, June 27, Rosemond Osagholu, the Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University in Port Harcourt, who was abducted by gunmen has been finally released.

The professor was abducted by gunmen a week ago on June 20 as she was leaving the campus of the Rivers government-owned institution.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Ahmad Muhammad, the police public relations officer in Port Harcourt, said that Ms. Osagholu was released on June 26.

However, he did not disclose the exact location of her release or if any ransom was paid for her freedom.

Also he did not also say if any arrest had been made.

“I can confirm to you that the Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University has been released.

She is in good health and has been reunited with her family,” Mr Muhammad said.

Reportedly, the vice chancellor’s abduction threw the academic community into a state of shock.

Unions, associations and groups in the academic community mounted pressure on the police to rescue her.

My sister is married to a homosexual

From a female LIB reader

Am from Ananmbra State, a family of Five, 3girls and my sister is the eldest.

My parents are not poor, we were all educated to the university level.

Last 2 years, my sister came home and told us she's getting married to a man she has not met, just through the guys mum because she stayed in their flat when she was in Uni.

The marriage was arranged between her, my mum and her mother inlaw.

The family in question is very rich and famous, they all stay abroad.

My dad was against this but she and my mum never listened.

They did the Trad in the guys absence, she danced alone and took pictures with empty chair that the husband was suppose to sit on.

They made mockery of our family in that wedding because it was so funny.

He came back a night to his white wedding and during the vote of thanks he could not say my sister name because he doesn't know her name.......

He left 2 days after and my sister got pregnant.

This guy never came back until his daughter was 2years and few months.

The problem started when he came back, with a white guy claiming to be his friend.

He spends sometime during the day with his daughter and the night with the young man at a hotel.

Mean while since he came back, he's refused touch my sister saying he's tired.

They had a fight which got the attention of the two families, all he could say was that he had a penis surgery and the doctor said it can't stand until after a few years, and that the white guy is just a friend that he enjoys spending the night with.

At the mention of his white friend he became aggressive and said he never wanted to marry, that his parents forced him, that they should allow him live his life........he left the country the next day with the friend and since then has not called.

My sister is broken, my family is bothered, and his parents said they will sort things out.

What do we do now?

Source Linda Ikeji

Get free Power Bank from Sumec Nigeria

Imagine a world without electricity?

Just like the fish without water, how human live in the endless darkness? No worry, born to generate electricity, SUMEC coming to help.

As a top generator brand stepping from China but now running across the world, SUMEC is being used in more and more households among the world.

SUMEC is always committed to creating stable, highly-efficient, and clean generating equipment and integrated power solution for customers and help customers obtain reliable power supply, reduce energy consumption, and save operation and maintenance costs.

SUMEC and her subsidiary FIRMAN brand have been registered as trademarks in 92 countries and regions all over the world.

SUMEC generators and other power products are widely applied to many fields such as routine life, industrial production, communications, medical care, finance, energy, and construction.

In Nigeria, where there is electricity scarcity, there SUMEC will be seen.

As the leading brand of house-using generator, with reliable quality and widely-spreader after sales service network.

Rooted in Nigeria for more than 20 years, SUMEC is growing with Nigeria and be dedicated to donate all her efforts to bear social responsibility to serve Nigerians in the long run.

New power, new life, let’s get together with SUMEC to enjoy the journey of brightness.

Source Linda Ikeji

NDLEA seizes drugs worth N542b

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, said it seized narcotics and destroyed cannabis farms worth N542bn in 2014. Chairman and Chief Executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade who gave the figure on Friday in Abuja at the celebration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, added that 12,304 persons were arrested and questioned in connection to hard drugs in the past 17 months.

Within the same period, 2,800 persons have been convicted in court for drug offences,he explained, noting that 2,054 were convicted in 2014 while 783 persons have been convicted between January and May, 2015. The NDLEA boss noted that the country was able to have a peaceful general election earlier this year because his agency stopped enormous quantity of hard drugs from entering into the system.

He explained that if that amount of drugs had got into the system, the elections would have been violent.

Giade said, “This huge amount is mind blowing and has the capacity to derail the most credible election.

Such proceeds could be used to either subvert the wishes of the electorate or instigate upheavals.

We shall continue to incapacitate and dislodge drug cartels.”

According to him, the NDLEA had fought very hard to eradicate illicit drugs in Nigeria but had recorded tremendous success with its activities, stressing that a total of 4,529.15 hectares of cannabis farmland, constituting 53.7 million kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed in 2014. Also, 8,826 persons, male and female were either arrested or questioned during investigations in the same year while illicit drugs seized weighed 166,697.18 kilogramme.

He revealed that the drugs seized include cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, ephedrine and psychotropic substances.

Giade said, “Besides arrests and drug seizure, 3,403 drug dependent persons received drug counseling services in NDLEA centres nation wide. 2,070 cases were charged to court and 2,054 were convicted in 2014.

However, between January and May 2015, the agency arrested 3,478 drug suspects and seized 170,341 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs.

The agency also discovered cannabis farms measuring 126,721 hectares. A total of 783 cases have so far been won in court.” Giade also revealed the discovery of more clandestine laboratories for the production of methamphetamine, and the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin, Chukwunwendu Ikejiaku (a.k.a Blessed) who is alleged to be the brain behind three clandestine laboratories, and leader of an international drug trafficking organization that recruits and sponsors drug couriers to China, Malaysia, Turkey and Italy.

Can Lagosians Still Go Out On Sanitation Day?

The monthly Environmental Sanitation Day holds every last Saturday of the month in Lagos.

During the former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola tenure, a court judgement had ruled that it is illegal for@ Lagosians to be restricted at home during the exercise.

But the state appealed the judgement.

Is movement still restricted for residents or must they wait till the appeal is determined?

Some months ago, the Lagos State government was stopped from restricting residents’ movement from 7am to10am in the morning for the monthly environmental Sanitation Day.

A Federal High court had declared as unlawful the re striction of citizens’ movement during the monthly Lagos environmental sanitation exercise.

READ ALSO : Lagos Monthly Environmental Day To Be Cancelled?

The court had ruled that there is no law in force in Lagos State by which any citizen could be kept indoors, compulsorily.

It also added that there is no regulation in force currently in Lagos State which authorizes the restriction of movement of citizens, on the last Saturdays of the month, for the purpose of observing environmental sanitation.

In the judgment, the court had found that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria grants freedom of movement to every citizen, and such freedom cannot be taken away by executive proclamation, in the absence of any law to that effect.

The thereafter proclaimed as null and void the power of the Lagos State Government and its agent to arrest any citizen found moving between 7am and 10am on the last Saturday of every month when the environmental sanitation exercise is observed.

READ ALSO: TGIF: 12 Interesting Things To Do In Lagos On Weekends The suit was filed by Lagos human rights lawyer and activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, against the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Government, to challenge the restriction of human movements on the last Saturday of every month, for the purpose of observing environmental sanitation.

Adegboruwa who had argued the case himself contended that there is no law in force in Lagos State restricting movement of persons, for the purpose of observing environmental sanitation.

The lawyer also argued that section 39 of the Environmental Sanitation Law 2000, of Lagos State, which the respondents claimed to empower the Commissioner for the Environment, to make regulations, cannot be the basis for restricting human movement on Saturdays, as no regulation in force has indeed been made for that purpose.

He challenged the Lagos State Government to produce such regulation before the court.

He urged to hold that even if there is such regulation in force, it cannot be enforced on roads that are designated as federal highway s under the High ways Act, such as the 3rd Mainland Bridge where he was arrested by the police and LASTMA officials.

But in a swift reaction, the Lagos State government has appealed the judgment.

But before the appeal is determined, can Lagosians take advantage of the initial judgment to go out or do they have to wait for the Appeal Court judgment?

Olabisi Onabanjo Uni students crushed to death after container falls on commercial bus in Ogun

At least 10 students of Olabisi Onabanjo University Ogun state lost their lives after a container on a truck fell on the commuter bus they were traveling in, crushing all the passengers and the bus driver to death.

This happened along the Sagamu/Benin express way at Ilishan, very close to Sagamu junction at about 12noon today June 26th.

The students were on their way to Lagos when the accident happened.

An eye witness said the driver of the truck drove against traffic which caused the head on collision with the commuter bus "I was coming from Sagamu side and saw the accident.

I had to hurriedly park my car, run to the scene to see if the passengers could be rescued but unfortunately all the occupants were dead including the driver.

The bus was facing Lagos, but I dont know where it was coming from.

The driver of the truck carrying an empty container was coming from Sagamu axis but was driving against traffic and that resulted in the collision, which eventually claimed the lives of the innocent people" the eye witness said.

The remains of the victims have been deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, OOUTH, Sagamu.

Source Linda Ikeji

Ebonyi Local Govt Officials Accused Of Embezzlement

On June 25, Thursday, the Ebonyi state House of Assembly accused 12 of the 13 chair person of local government care taker committee of financial misappropriation.

The immediate past assembly had reportedly set up a committee to probe the financial dealings of the chairmen between November 2014 and June 2015 when they all resigned their appointments.

Premium Times reports that the indictment was contained in committee’s report, which was read by its chairperson, Obasi Odefa, and presented to the state assembly.

The report stated that the ex-chairper sons em bezzled the state’s funds during the period under review.

It also disclosed that that some of their expenditures had fake titles such as immunisation costs, breast feeding expenses, security expenses and solidarity rally for former president Goodluck Jonathan and others.

“The caretaker chairmen, treasurers, cashiers, and heads of departments connived to illegally with draw money from the council’s accountant s and syphoned them into private accountants.

Tribunal to rule on Ambode’s objection to Agbaje’s petition

The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has fixed July 1 to rule on the preliminary objection filed by the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, against the petition challenging his victory at the April 11, 2015 governorship poll in Lagos. Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who contested on the plat form of the Peoples Democratic Party, had approached the @tribunal seeking an order upturning Ambode’s victory for alleged irregularities.

Agbaje and the PDP have accused Ambode and his party, the All Progressives Congress, of breaching the guide lines set out by the Independent Electoral Commission for the conduct of the election.

But Ambode and the APC, in a consolidated preliminary notice of objection filed through their counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Dr. Muiz Banire, have urged the three-man tribunal led by Justice Muhammad Sirajo to dismiss the petitioners’ case.

While canvassing argument in support of the objection at the Friday’s hearing, Olanipekun insisted that petition filed by Agbaje and the PDP was incompetent, saying there was nothing in the petitioners’s papers directly challenging his client’s victory in the April 11 poll.

Olanipekun, who urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitioners’ case, said the reliefs they were seeking conflicted with Section 285(2) of the constitution.

He said, “I submit that there is no petition before Your Lordships known to law.

“The grounds and particulars in the petition are at opposites with the facts and reliefs being sought within the purview of Section 285(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

“There are no grounds challenging the election of my client under Section 138(b)(c) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

“I urge my Lordships to dismiss the petition.

” Banire, in his own argument, described the petition by Agbaje and PDP as “groundless” and one that should be struck out.

“This is a groundless petition, there is no petition before Your Lordships.

“I pray that the purported document before Your Lordships be struck out,” Banire said.

However, counsel for Agbaje, Mr. Clement Onwuenwunor, maintained that the petition was competent and that the issues for determination by the tribunal had been carefully spelt out.

Onwuenwunor said the objection filed by Ambode and the APC was merely relying on technicalities rather than the ingredient of the case.

He said, “Paragraph 13(a) and (b) of our petition questioned the election in Lagos State on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and irregularities such as in the use of the card readers.

“We have looked at their preliminary objections in this case and have concluded that they are objections made on mere technicalities.”

Onwuenwunor urged the tribunal to dismiss the consolidated notice of preliminary objection and to award “substantial costs” against the respondents.

The court, after entertaining arguments from both sides, adjourned till July 1, 2015 for ruling.

Police arrest human trafficker, baby factory suspects in Imo

The Police on Friday said in Owerri that it has arrested a human trafficker and four baby factory suspects.

The Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr Austin Evbakharbokun, told newsmen that the suspects were nabbed sequel to a report.

He gave the names of the suspects as Emmanuel Eke, the alleged human trafficker from Mbutu in Isaiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia, and 23-year-old Nkasiobi Uchenna from Nkwuegwu Umuahia also in Abia.

Other suspects included Ela David, 24, from Isoko in Delta, deaf and dump Blessing Nwabekee, and 25-year-old Oluchi Victor also from Isiala Ngwa in Abia.

Evbakharbokun said the suspects were arrested following a report that Miss Ibuchi Okafor, 20, from Ihioma in Orlu local government area of Imo whose pregnancy was due for delivery absconded from her home and later returned without a baby.

Her parents, who queried the where abouts of the baby, grew suspicious and reported the matter to the police.

Upon interrogation, the police said Okafor disclosed that she was delivered of a baby boy at the home of Mr Emmanuel Eke of Mbutu in Isiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia.

She said the man later sold the baby to an unknown buyer.

According to Evbakharbokun, his men stormed Eke’s place and discovered other ladies believed to be producing babies for him for sale and arrested them.

In the course of investigation, he said, Eke confessed to have sold the baby delivered by Okafor at the cost of N500,000.

He said investigation was still in progress, adding that the suspects would be charged to court for child trafficking.

When interviewed, Eke told newsmen that the child trafficking business with the name, Divine Mercy Maternity in Isiala Ngwa was being run by his late wife.

Okafor also confessed that she was led to Eke’s place through one of the ladies that was arrested.

She said she was given N50,000 from the proceed of the sale of the baby boy.

The commissioner, however, frowned at the development, saying the girls now get pregnant and go to other states to deliver with ulterior motive.

He warned parents and guardians to always train their children well and ensure they know and monitor their movements to avoid such incidents.

Evbakharbokun spoke through the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Andrew Enwerem.