Married mother of 4 dies after taking abortion drugs administered by younger lover

A 29-year-old mother of four children, Mrs Chinasa Odah, a native of Inikiri Effum community, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has died after she allegedly took drugs for abortion.

She was said to have bled to death at Sudan Hospital on Saturday, August 24, 2019.

Our correspondent gathered that the woman had been sneaking out to have an affair with her 25-years-old boy-friend, identified as Monday Mgbada, who allegedly impregnated her and administered the abortion pills on her.

A community source told City Round that the woman started bleeding and her husband, Michael Odah, rushed her to Sudan Hospital in the area, where a doctor on duty, confirmed that she had taken a substance capable of damaging her womb.

The case was said to have been reported to the police station in Effuim and the suspect was immediately arrested.

“Chinasa was bleeding from her private parts. When she was questioned, she opened up that one Monday Mgbada impregnated her and administered abortion drugs on her. As soon as she made that statement, she gave up the ghost,” the source said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident. She, however, said the matter was still under investigation.

She said, “The man has been arrested and investigation is ongoing. The suspect will be arraigned after investigation. The woman is 29 years old and has four children before going for extra martial affairs. The man will be charged with murder.”

@ Punch Newspaper

I have lost my manhood, Wadume cries out

Hamisu Bala Wadume, the kidnap kingpin, rescued by soldiers from the hands of policemen have revealed how one of the bullets shot by military officers injured him.

The kidnap kingpin said that the bullet damaged his scrotum and left him sterile and ever since, he has been unable to use his manhood due to the injury.

The kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala, also known as Wadume, had made more revelations about what transpired during his rescue from the hands of police operatives by soldiers on Wednesday, August 7, and how the experience has affected him.

In a recent confession, Wadume said that one of the bullets shut by soldiers at members of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) that detained him on that fateful got to him and damaged his scrotum, leaving him sterile ever since, The Nation reports.

Narrating the experience, Wadume said: “I was arrested by the police in Ibi on August 7. The police said I am a kidnapper and they handcuffed my hands and legs.

“On our way, we passed through an army checkpoint and after identification, they allowed us to go. We passed the second checkpoint which had mobile policemen and they also allowed us to pass.

“At the third checkpoint, we wasted a little time but they allowed us to go after the policemen told them they were detectives on assignment.

“Five minutes after we left that point, an army patrol vehicle started shooting at us. Our vehicle got hit, somersaulted severally times and crashed.

“When the bus stopped, all of us came out alive, except for bullet wounds. A bullet hit part of my scrotum.

“When I ran to my uncle in Kano state, he called a doctor to treat the bullet wound that affected my private part.

“It is possible, I cannot use it (manhood) again because of the damage and I have discovered that when I wake up in the morning these days, I no longer have erection.”

NECO releases 2019 SSCE results

The National Examinations Council on Tuesday released the May/June 2019 Senior Secondary School Examination results.

The NECO Acting Registrar, Mr Abubakar Gana, made the announcement at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, adding that 71 per cent of candidates obtained credits in English Language and Mathematics.

It will be recalled that over one million candidates sat for the examination and had been clamouring for the release to enable them to begin admission for the 2019/2020 academic year.

TV anchor apologises after comparing black co-host to a gorilla

(CNN) — A morning TV anchor in Oklahoma apologized a day after likening her black cohost to a gorilla.
Alex Housden said a gorilla at the Oklahoma City Zoo "kind of looks like you" to her colleague, Jason Hackett, at the end of a feature on KOCO-TV, a CNN affiliate, on Thursday.
She addressed what she called hurtful comments on the next day's show.

"I said something yesterday that was inconsiderate, it was inappropriate, and I hurt people," a tearful Housden said to the audience and Hackett.
"And I want you to know, I understand how much I hurt you out there and how much I've hurt you. I love you so much, and you have been one of my best friends for the past year and a half. And I would never do anything on purpose to hurt you. And I love our community and I want you all to know, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize for what I said. I know it was wrong and I am so sorry."

Housden did not address the racism implicit in her comparing an African American to an ape.
Hackett accepted the apology on air and acknowledged the pain caused.
"It cut deep for me and it cut deep for a lot of you in the community," he said.

First black woman nominated to be marine brigadier general

Washington (CNN) — Marine Corps Col. Lorna Mahlock has been nominated to serve as the first black female brigadier general, the Marine Corps media office said.
Mahlock was nominated by President Donald Trump, and Defense Secretary James Mattis announced the nomination on Tuesday.
According to his announcement, Mahlock is currently the deputy director of the Operations, Plans, Policies, and Operations Directorate at the Marine Corps headquarters in Washington.

Her nomination was one of several by the President that Mattis announced Tuesday.
Last year, an infantry battalion at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina received the first female infantry Marines, who were set to serve in the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, with specializations as rifleman, machine gun and mortar, 1st Lt. John McCombs, a Marines spokesman, said at the time.

Havard's new student denied entry into US over social media posts by his friends

A foreign student who has just been admitted to Harvard University has been denied entry into the United States over some posts traced to his social media friends.

As reported by Washington Post on Wednesday, Palestinian Ismail Ajjawi arrived at Boston Logan International Airport on Friday night, but immigration officials detained him for eight hours.

After interrogating the 17-year-old and searching his phone and computer, they revoked his visa and sent him back home.

Speaking on the incident, an immigration officer said she “found people posting political points of view that oppose the U.S.,” though she discovered nothing Ajjawi had posted himself.

Lamenting his ordeal, Ajjawi said, “After the five hours ended, she called me into a room, and she started screaming at me.

“She said that she found people posting political points of view that oppose the US on my friend[s] list.

“I responded that I have no business with such posts and that I didn’t like, share or comment on them and told her that I shouldn’t be held responsible for what others post.”

Then Ajjawi’s visa was revoked and he returned to Lebanon.

Harvard spokesman Jonathan L. Swain told the medium in an emailed statement: “The university is working closely with the student’s family and appropriate authorities to resolve this matters so that he can join his classmates in the coming days;” as classes begin September 3.

In response, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Michael McCarthy, said the department was “responsible for ensuring the safety and admissibility of the goods and people entering the United States.”

Abike Dabiri speaks on IPOB's protest in Japan

" I Watched The Video Online And I Called Our Embassy In Japan. We Saw Their Faces And All I Can Tell You Is That We're Already On The Matter. This Unpleasant Behavior Cannot Be Allowed To Continue. This Is Turning Out Into A Global Embarrassment For The Country. And Something Must Be Done To Put A Stop To It.

- Abike Dabiri, SSA To President Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Speaking With NTA Correspondent On IPOB Storming Nigeria Embassy In Japan.

(Source: Naija Media)

Otedola offers scholarship to little Gelato singer

A baby girl who is playing DJ Cuppy’s Gelato on a keyboard has earned herself a scholarship to the highest level of education she might wish to aspire to.

Billionaire oil mogul Femi Otedola uploaded the girl’s simple video on his own verified Instagram page and wrote: “My Daughter 😂😂😂 Can you find this girl? I will provide her scholarship from now through University! …F.Ote”

In the video, the girl whose age is likely to be no more than five, wears a headphone and sings,”Who is your daddy, Otedola,” a line now associated with Otedola’s music star daughter, DJ Cuppy.

The billionaire is impressed with the little girl’s performance and has told anyone who could locate her to do so.

I governed Abia with my money - Orji Kalu

Orji Kalu, former governor of Abia, says the state never had the alleged N7.6bn he was accused of laundering when he was governor between 1999 and 2007.
In his testimony at a federal high court in Lagos on Tuesday, the former governor said he governed the state with his own money in the first six months of his assumption.

He is standing trial alongside Ude Udeogu, an ex-commissioner for finance in Abia and Slok Nigeria Limited, his company, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N7.6 billion.

Kalu, who is the chief whip of the senate, allegedly committed the offence between August 2001 and October 2005 while in office as governor.

Responding to a question from Awa Kalu, his lawyer, during cross-examination, the former governor said there was no way he could have stolen “what was not in existence”.

He said it was difficult for him to run the state with the allocations from the federal government, adding that he spent his own money to run Abia for the first six months.

“Abia state didn’t have such amount. Even the day I was leaving, we borrowed money to pay salaries. Abia state didn’t have even a billion naira in any account at the time I was governor,” Kalu said.

“The monthly allocation of Abia state when I took over in June 1999 was N168 million. It was averaging between N168 million and N172 million monthly. The first month that I came in, there was even no money to buy diesel. I spent my own money to run the state for six months.

“In the year 2000, monthly allocation was between N170 million and N189 million. In 2001, it came to about N302 million to about N380 million. I can recollect in 2002, it was almost the same and in 2003 when the revenue allocation was changed, we were having about N400 million.

“The highest money I got as governor came from 2004 when we had about N1 billion and from that time up till May 2007 before I left, what we had was N1.6 billion.

“Throughout my stay in office, I never owed salary and pension. When I took over as governor and before I left, we moved it up to N500 million. It was from this that we were able to do a lot of things.”

Pastor Biodun in police custody over rape allegations

Detectives are presently questioning the founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, over the rape allegations levelled against him by Busola, a photographer and wife of popular singer, Timi Dakolo.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, said this during an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday.

Responding to a question, Mba said, “Yes, he is in our custody.”

When asked if the pastor was being detained, the Force spokesman said it was too early to say.

He also said the investigation of Fatoyinbo was proof that the police had not swept the matter under the carpet as was being insinuated in some quarters.

When asked why it took so long for the pastor to be invited, Mba said the police wanted to get statements from several witnesses and then build a solid case before inviting him.

The police spokesman said, “We have done a whole lot of background investigations and spoken to a whole lot of people before now. It was a deliberate investigative procedure to bring him last. Although we may invite others later depending on how investigations go.

“We were not in a hurry to bring him because we wanted to have enough background information that would be used in interrogating him. We have done an extensive investigation.”

Mrs. Dakolo accused him of raping her 20 years ago while she was still a teenager.

EFCC speaks on Oyo-Ita probe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, is not influencing ongoing investigation of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita.

EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

The EFCC is investigating Mrs Oyo-Ita over alleged N3 billion contract scam, abuse of duty tour allowance, money laundering, among others.

According to Mr Uwujaren, “the attention of the EFCC, has been drawn to reports by a section of the media”.

“The reports are insinuating that the ongoing investigation of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation by the commission was instigated by Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari.

“The commission wishes to state that there is no truth in these claims, and urges the public to disregard the reports as the handiwork of mischief makers.

“For the avoidance of doubt, investigation by the EFCC is evidence-based.

“Most often, they are triggered by petitions or intelligence.

“In the case of the HoS, Oyo-Ita’s investigation, it was prompted by intelligence received by the commission,” he said.

Mr Uwujaren further said that the EFCC was an independent agency created by law to fight corruption without fear or favour.

“In the discharge of its mandate, the commission does not take instructions from extraneous bodies neither will it lend itself to be used to settle scores by anyone.

“The commission again wishes to appeal to the media to be circumspect in their reportage and not lend themselves to actions that can befuddle the activities of the commission,” he said.

NAN

EFCC arrests 33 suspected internet fraudsters in Imo

Thirty three suspected internet fraudsters were on Monday August 26 2019, arrested at their hideout in an early morning operation by Operatives of the Abuja and Enugu Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Owerri,  Imo State.

The suspects are Clinton Emere, Obinna Okonkwo, Ogochukwu Ogbonna, Joseph Udom Kousin, Prince Ewunone, Franklin Michael, Tolli Ameiche, Anderson, Berthel, David Franklin, Aboi Etealu, Chinubu Nwosu, Marizu Chidiebere, Dominic Terry Joseph, Christopher Nwosu, Peter Gift Uche, Edinalo Ifeanyichukwu , Ndubuisi Ikenna, John Frank, Anowe Precious, Joseph Levi Chima, Samuel Oria, Tochi Mmerom, Chimezia Cleansman, Okonkwo Obinna, Uchendu Gift, Nkwodi Nnamdi, Izywa Munachi, Ekone Aniche, Opara Donald, Aniche Tochukwu, Anelka Okon and Ebizien Franklin Udochukwu.

Items recovered from them include laptop computers, mobile phones, 2 Lexus RX350 SUV and a Toyota Solara salon car.

The suspects have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.

NYSC DG tells corps members to inter-marry

Ibrahim made the call on Monday when he paid an unscheduled visit to the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Wamakko, Sokoto State.

The NYSC DG made the call when he inspected the camp facilities and interacted with corps members, staff and military personnel deployed to train corps members.

Ibrahim reminded the corps members that the main objective of the scheme was to promote unity among Nigerian youths especially graduates.

He warned corps members against the use of social media fake news and hate speeches.

Ibrahim called on them make use of social media to spread good news and not bring hatred and disunity.

“You should see your selves as one family irrespective of where you come from, establish the sprit of oneness right from the orientation camp and if possible marry your selves,’’ he said.

According to him, NYSC always encourage marriages among corps members especially inter tribe marriage adding that the headquarters will support any inter tribe marriages.

He assured corps members of their welfare and safety throughout their stay in the state.

”We work hand in hand with all  security agencies to ensure your security is guaranteed”, he said.

Ibrahim cautioned corps members against incessant unauthorised journeys  and warned them that no corps member was  allowed to travel without the consent of the management.

“If you have reason to travel seek the consent of your state coordinator and your employer’’ the DG warned corps members.

He further urged all corps members to take all camp activities especially skills acquisition programs seriously in order to become employers of labour after their service year.

Ibrahim expressed satisfaction over the cleanliness and condition of the camp and urged authorities to sustain it. (NAN)

Stop using security agencies to silence Nigerians, Soyinka tells FG

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has asked the Federal Government and the security agencies to stop trying to muzzle Nigerians anytime they come together to exchange ideas.

He stated that such a step could signal fear on the part of government and that such reduces the people and the government itself.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Soyinka spoke in Badagry on Saturday at the unveiling of an art gallery in commemoration of his 85th birthday.

The police, Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services on Monday in Lagos sealed off the venue for a symposium where Soyinka, rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, and others were to speak on the security issues in the country.

Police vehicles were positioned around the venue located at Oregun, Lagos. The programme tagged ‘Democracy, state repression and the state of insecurity in Nigeria’, was organised by Coalition for Revolution.

But speaking on Saturday, Soyinka, who thanked Femi Coker Art Gallery in Badagry for organising the event, said, “It is important to send strong message to this government and to the security services to stop trying to muzzle people when they come together to exchange ideas.

“You’re reducing them as human beings and you’re also reducing yourselves as human beings, because it means you’re afraid to listen.”

Soyinka also cautioned Nigerians not to believe everything they read on social media. He said they should instead take such online materials “with a pinch of salt.

He said, “Be very, very careful what you believe even when you read such materials in social media or sometimes in newspapers because in this country, we have a most fertile multiplier effect.

Man loses wife to pastor who wedded them

John Kanyua, a businessman in Kenya, has lost his wife to the pastor who presided over his wedding.

According to NAIROBI NEWS, Leah Wambui, his wife, had reportedly fled with the pastor, abandoning a 26-year union that produce five children.

The newspaper said the relationship between the duo began when Kanyua and his wife started attending the pastor’s Joy Springs Church in Juja farm, Kiambu county in the state, and that the pastor appointed Wambui an assistant pastor.

Agnes Wangivi, the pastor’s wife of 34 years and mother of three, had rejected the appointment, all to no avail.

“I strongly objected the appointment, but he was determined to have his way. I confronted Leah and threatened her not to play games with my husband. She looked innocent, and I gave in,” she said.

Wangivi said the bond between the duo blossomed and the pastor began to invite Wambui for family dinners, in the absence of her husband.

“This is when I started questioning their friendship. I confronted Kanyua to keep his wife away from my husband, but he seemed blindfolded. My husband developed cold feet on his family and ran away to Leah in 2015,” she said.

Kanyua narrated that the matter got out of hand when the pastor would visit his house in the morning and spend the entire day locked with his wife inside the house.

He said it was at the time that he sought interventions from the local administration and members of the clergy.

The businessman vowed to take actions in order to get his family back from the pastor.

“This fueled the issue further as the pastor later ran away with my wife and children and rented a house in a nearby market where they live,” he said.

“This is unacceptable and I wouldn’t sit back and watch someone take my family. If the government does not intervene, I will choose my ways. It has taken me a lot to grow the family all those years. I will not allow the wedding to continue. I can also seek legal redress. Let her stop soiling her name and ask for forgiveness, then I will take her back.”

Meanwhile, Wambui’s parents had reportedly contacted Kanyua to accept repayment of the dowry he paid to them, to pave way for the new wedding of their daughter, an offer he refused.

We will send illegal migrants back, Says Boris Johnson

UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has warned migrants against attempts to get into Britain illegally.

He said this on Friday in the wake of several attempts by migrants to cross the English Channel to Britain, reports Yahoo News UK.

Johnson said,  “Clearly the most important thing is to stop them coming across from France so we are working very closely with the French authorities.

“The point I would just make to people thinking of making this journey – one, it is very hazardous, you may think the weather looks great but it’s a very, very dangerous thing to do.

“The second thing is – we will send you back. The UK should not be regarded as a place where you could automatically come and break the law by seeking to arrive illegally.

“If you come illegally, you are an illegal migrant and I’m afraid the law will treat you as such.”

Nnamdi Kanu orders IPOB to arrest Buhari in Japan

Daring President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu said members of the group in the Republic of Japan had received orders from him to disgrace and arrest the President when he arrived the Asian country on Sunday.

According to Kanu, President Buhari must be arrested and handed over to Japanese authorities to enable him to answer for his alleged mass murder and crimes against humanity, which he allegedly committed in Nigeria between 2015 and 2019.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, had earlier on Friday informed Nigerians that the President would leave Nigeria for Japan on Sunday to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development, holding in the City of Yokohama from August 28-30, 2019.

But in a statement on Friday evening, the pro-Biafra leader urged its members in the country to mobilise and ensure that they arrest President Buhari, saying they were ready for the legal aftermath of the action.

Punch

IPOB Threat: South-East governors shelve travel plans

….Scared of travelling abroad, say sources
….Nnamdi Kanu orders followers to attack Buhari in Japan
…Separatist group’ll lose 70% of sympathisers –Ndigbo coordinator in Germany

The governors of the south-eastern states are currently reluctant to travel abroad following the threat by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra to attack them and other Igbo politicians whenever they are sighted outside the country, Saturday PUNCH findings have revealed.

Findings have also shown that the South-East governors are very unlikely to make any trip abroad at the moment until the issue with IPOB is resolved.

Sources said the South-East governors were afraid that what happened to Ekweremadu might happen to them if they travelled abroad.

Investigations by our correspondents into the position of South-East senators on the matter also revealed that the federal lawmakers held divergent views on the threat but confirmed that no Igbo governor was prepared to travel outside the country at the moment.

While some lawmakers believe that the governors should dare the IPOB agitators and travel to any part of the world without fear of being assaulted, others warned them to tread with caution.

One of the lawmakers, who spoke with one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said the governors drew the anger of the Biafran agitators when they supported the proscription of the IPOB.

He said, “It should be clear to our governors now that the essence of the military operation (Operation Python Dance) in the South-East then was to carry out an ulterior motive which has been defeated. The governors should initiate dialogue with the leadership of IPOB in the interest of peace.”

The IPOB had last Saturday attacked a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in apparent obedience to an order by the leader of the secessionist group, Nnamdi Kanu, that its members in 100 countries across the world should attack the governors of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Anambra states if they were seen abroad.

The group also put on notice Ndigbo leaders such as the President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who it accused of supporting the Operation Python Dance in the South-East.

Ekweremadu was subsequently attacked in Nuremberg, Germany, where he had gone to celebrate the New Yam festival. In video clips which went viral on the Internet, the lawmaker was seen being pelted with stones, yams, sticks and water packs, while his isiagu, a pullover shirt worn by the Igbo people on special occasions, was torn.

After the IPOB’s threat, the South-East governors and Nwodo in separate statements debunked the group’s threat, stating that attacking them would not solve the problem of their agitation for Biafra.

Days after Ekweremadu was attacked, the South-East Governors Forum also wrote President Muhammadu Buhari to approve its earlier decision banning herders who have no cattle, as well as the movement of cattle by foot in the region to forestall insecurity and banditry, which was one of the issues raised by IPOB in its threat.

However, an Igbo senator who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity said the governors should not further expose themselves to ridicule by reaching out to the IPOB members.

He said, “Why should they (governors) reach out to them (IPOB members)? For what purpose?  The IPOB threatened the governors and the states’ chief executives also threatened them.

“The governors threatened to force the IPOB leader, Kanu, back to Nigeria if the agitators should lay their hands on any politicians from the eastern part of the country who travel abroad again.

“The governors said they would use every means to repatriate Kanu. How they want to do that, I don’t know. That threat means that they are afraid. That means that they are taking the man’s threat seriously.

“Our people are expecting the governors to dare the guys by saying nothing would happen and decide to embark on foreign trips, but it is obvious that the governors are scared of the IPOB threat.

“Our people are even happy that the threat would make the governors stay at home and work for their people. The governors were saying that they would plot Kanu’s repatriation so that the people at home can deal with him, but the boys on the ground here are just laughing at them.

“What can either the South-East governors or the Federal Government do on Ekweremadu’s case?  Will they travel abroad to go and arrest the guys who attacked him? The German government has already said that the guys have the right to protest. What else will they do?

“It is a mob action. No one can be arrested. The only thing that the Nigerian government can do is to go and arrest those who invited him, which is not possible.”

But the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, who also doubles as the Chairman, South-East caucus in the federal parliament, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, cautioned the IPOB agitators against further molesting any Igbo politician, within or outside the country.

Abaribe, who is the Minority Leader of the Senate, told one of our correspondents on Thursday that the security agents in foreign countries might not hesitate to deal with anybody who tried to infringe on the rights of other people.

He said, “I am travelling next week. I will be in Houston, United States, and I will also be in Atlanta. I will go anywhere that I want to go in the world, I don’t care. Senator Ekweremadu, despite the assault he suffered, has also said that people should be free to go to wherever they want.

“Because of that, I do not really see why anybody should be afraid to exercise their rights. It is only in Nigeria that people do things without getting the appropriate sanctions.”

There are indications that the South-East governors may reach out to broker peace with IPOB.

Also, it was gathered that the South-East governors’ letter to President Buhari, about four days after the incident in Germany, showed the governors were under pressure to win back the hearts of the people.

There’s still a window for negotiation –South-East govs

The Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, who is also the Governor of Ebonyi State, has said there is enough window for negotiations because governors of the region are open and available for peace.

Speaking to one of our correspondents through his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Uzor, Umahi said governors of the region had in the past shown solidarity with the IPOB leader, saying they were still “very willing to sit down with him (Kanu) again over this current issue.”

He said, “The Operation Python Dance, which Kanu is alleging that the governors brought to the zone was beyond the governors themselves; they rallied round him and advised him then, even though he didn’t take their advice, but rather accused them of bringing the military into the zone.

“Kanu lied against the governors over the Operation Python Dance in the zone then. The armed forces are under the supervision and instruction of the President, not the governors.

“There is still enough window for negotiations and the South-East governors are open and available for peace. Nnamdi Kanu is our son;  nobody would dare to kill him, because he is an Igbo man. Although we disagree to agree, there must always a meeting point.

S’East govs won’t cancel trips –Forum

Meanwhile, Uzor has said that the South-East governors won’t cancel their foreign trips because of the threat.

He said, “Why would the governors cancel their trips? This is unnecessary because any governor in the zone who has an engagement outside the country that is geared towards the development of his state will travel to attend to such an engagement.

“The governors have freedom of movement. Remember, IPOB said they have rights by protesting; so also do the governors have their own freedom of movement and they should be allowed to exercise their rights.

“Nobody should infringe on anybody’s rights. Nobody has the right to stop the governors from travelling anywhere in the world. It is their fundamental human rights and not even IPOB has the power to deny them such freedom.”

IPOB’s N1m bounty on S’East govs itinerary suspicious –Ohanaeze youths

Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council on Friday said the N1m bounty placed by IPOB to monitor the overseas itinerary of South-East governors was suspicious.

The Ohanaeze youth wing said the bounty, which was offered after the attack on Ekweremadu in Germany, was an indication that IPOB was being sponsored by political interest groups within the country.

The President-General of the Ohanaeze youth wing, Okechukwu Isiguzor, said, “We are angrily calling for a truce over the raging threats and counter-threats between the South-East governors and IPOB from both quarters.

Ekweremadu returns to Enugu amid jubilation

Hundreds of Igbo youths trooped out to receive Ekweremadu in Enugu on Friday, a week after he was attacked in Germany by IPOB members.

The youths, under the aegis of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Worldwide comprising the seven Igbo-speaking states, took over the road from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, all the way to Ekweremadu’s house chanting “Nzogbu nzogbu,” an Igbo solidarity song.

They said they came out to express their solidarity to the senator.

The President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Worldwide, Arthur Obiora, who spoke on the solidarity march, noted that if anybody in Igboland should be visited with such treatment, it was not Ekweremadu, who he described as a “mentor and defender.”

MFA dismisses video showing Onyema being harassed in Vienna

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed a video circulating on the social media, purporting to show disruption of a meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, was holding with some members of the Nigerian community in the Embassy of Nigeria in Vienna, Austria.

The ministry explained that the incident captured in the video took place three years ago, adding, however, that Onyema was not harassed out of the venue as speculated.

The MFA spokesperson, Ferdinand Nwonye, clarified in a statement in Abuja on Friday that a group of no more than five individuals had complained that they were not given the opportunity to speak during the interactive session.

In a related manner, the special counsel for IPOB, Aloy Ejimakor, has rebuffed a statement credited to the leader of the Ndigbo in Germany, Mr Ogechukwu Nsofor, that IPOB would lose 70 per cent of Igbo in the European country.

According to Ejimakor, “The so-called Igbo leader in Germany is wrong that IPOB will lose the support of the Igbo in Germany. I think Nigerians, particularly the Igbo, need to see the Ekweremadu incident in Germany from the prism of German law.”

We’ll disgrace, arrest Buhari in Japan, says Kanu

Daring President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, IPOB leader Kanu said members of the group in the Republic of Japan had received orders from him to disgrace and arrest the President when he arrived the Asian country on Sunday.

According to Kanu, President Buhari must be arrested and handed over to Japanese authorities to enable him to answer for his alleged mass murder and crimes against humanity, which he allegedly committed in Nigeria between 2015 and 2019.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, had earlier on Friday informed Nigerians that the President would leave Nigeria for Japan on Sunday to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development, holding in the City of Yokohama from August 28-30, 2019.

But in a statement on Friday evening, the pro-Biafra leader urged its members in the country to mobilise and ensure that they arrest President Buhari, saying they were ready for the legal aftermath of the action.~Punch.

Invictus Obi hires Nigerian lawyer

Obinwanne Okeke, the Abuja-based businessman arrested earlier this month for Internet fraud in the United States, has hired a new lawyer to help fight off the criminal charges levelled against him by American authorities.

Mr Okeke hired John Iweanoge, a Washington D.C.-based attorney of Nigerian origin, to take over from Rahul Sharma, a public defender, PREMIUM TIMES learnt from court documents.

Mr Sharma was appointed by a judge to stand as counsel to Mr Okeke because the suspect did not appear with a defence lawyer at his initial hearing on August 9.

Mr Iweanoge notified the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia later in the day on August 9 that he was stepping in to replace Mr Sharma as Mr Okeke’s lead counsel. He also said he had the suspect’s consent to represent him in the trial.

Mr Iweanoge, lead attorney at The Iweanoges Firm, has been practicing law the U.S. since 1993, according to the firm’s website. He has been running the law firm apparently with his family members.

In 2007, he was publicly reprimanded by the disciplinary board of Maryland Bar for misconduct. He protested the sanction in court and lost.

Mr Okeke, known widely in Nigeria as Invictus Obi, was remanded in custody of the U.S. Marshall Service indefinitely after his initial appearance before Theresa Buchanan, a magistrate. He had been arrested days before on August 6 in Dulles, Virginia, based on a criminal complaint filed against him by the F.B.I.

Tribunal sacks Dino Melaye, orders fresh polls

Election Petition Tribunal, Kogi State, has nullified the election of Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi West.


The tribunal ordered a fresh election to be conducted in the senatorial district.

Mr Melaye’s closest rival, Smart Adeyemi of the APC, had challenged his victory at the tribunal.

Mr Melaye was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 to represent Kabba/Ijumu federal constituency. He served two terms and later won election as a senator in 2015. He was declared winner of the February 2019 to serve another term in the Senate.

U.S. may end birthright citizenship

President Donald Trump says his administration is seriously considering an executive order to end birthright citizenship.


Mr Trump made this known to reporters when leaving the White House for the U.S. state of Kentucky.

He said: “We’re looking at that very seriously.

“Birthright citizenship, where you have a baby on our land – walk over the border, have a baby, congratulations, the baby’s now a U.S. citizen.

“It’s, frankly, ridiculous.”

Mr Trump promised ending the birthright citizenship during his 2016 presidential campaign and once revived the idea last year, according to a report of The Hill.

Earlier Wednesday, acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan unveiled new policies which will allow the government to detain families crossing the U.S.-Mexico border longer than before.

If the new rule survives court challenges, the policy change could permit authorities to detain families through the duration of their immigration proceedings.


The U.S. federal government has sought various ways to curb illegal and legal immigration since Mr Trump was sworn in in January 2017.

New power minister begs Nigerians for prayer to succeed

The newly-appointed Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has asked Nigerians to pray for him to succeed in his new role.

Mamman was announced as the new Power Minister when President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated his second term cabinet in Abuja on Wednesday, August 21, 2019.

While speaking later during a reception organised in his honour by a committee of friends, the minister asked Nigerians to pray for him.

"What I need from Nigerians at this time is prayers. I have just been appointed Minister of Power, so I have nothing much to talk about or say than for Nigerians to pray for me to succeed," he said.

Mamman's assignment came as a surprise to some as the ministry was previously under the stewardship of former Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola, who was reappointed and also sworn in for another stint in Buhari's cabinet on Wednesday.

Fashola was the Minister of Power, Works and Housing during Buhari's first term between 2015 and 2019. However, he returns only as the Minister of Works and Housing.

The Power Ministry holds a lot of political implications as the country has failed for decades to adequately supply electricity to its estimated population of 200 million people.

While the Buhari-led government has identified improving power supply as a key to improving economic growth, growth in the power industry has been sluggish with many parts of the country still deprived.

While delivering his remarks on Wednesday, Buhari urged the new ministers to work tirelessly for Nigerians to achieve a future where they can reach their full potential.

FBI indicts 80 Nigerians for fraud

(CNN) — Federal prosecutors say 80 people, most of them Nigerians, have been charged in the United States with being part of a widespread conspiracy that stole millions of dollars from businesses and elderly individuals through a variety of scams then laundered the money.

Law enforcement officers arrested 14 people in the United States on Thursday, the US Attorney in Los Angeles told reporters while announcing a 252-count indictment that was unsealed. At least three other defendants were already in custody.
Six defendants living in the United States are fugitives.

The remaining defendants live in other countries, principally Nigeria.

"Today's announcement highlights the extensive efforts that organized criminal groups will engage in to perpetrate (business compromise email) schemes that target American citizens and their hard-earned assets," said Assistant Director in Charge Paul Delacourt of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "Billions of dollars are lost annually, and we urge citizens to be aware of these sophisticated financial schemes to protect themselves or their businesses from becoming unsuspecting victims.

All defendants will face charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and aggravated identity theft. Some also will face fraud and money laundering charges.

Policemen extort motorist for using Google Map in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has promised to investigate the alleged extortion of a motorist by some of its personnel.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, told PUNCH Metro that the command was already in contact with the victim and action would be taken.

The motorist had gone on the social media to allege that the cops extorted N45,000 from him for using Google map on his phone.

In a series of tweets the motorist, who wrote on the twitter handle, @viva_jc, stated that he was late for work.

He said, “I was harassed by some policemen on my way to work this morning (Tuesday) at Ojota around 8.10am while I was in traffic. I had reached for my ID card and calculator (needed at work) from the armrest of my car, only for this unarmed policeman to jump in front of my car claiming that I was using the phone while driving. Of course, I argued with him and showed him the stuffs I had reached for, but he kept shouting.

“My reporting time was 9am and I didn’t want to get to the office late, so I rolled down and kept talking to him, only for his other colleagues (two in uniform and one not in uniform) to also join in the drama. The two guys in uniform took my keys and sat in the front seats, while the other two asked me to go to the back (seat) for us to go to the station.

“I was sandwiched between the two, who were not in uniform. Inside the car, they saw my phone; I was using Google map to get the best route to work and one of them kept saying that it was an offence to use Google map while driving.

“These policemen said they were going to charge me N120,000 for the ‘offence’. I had to resort to begging them when I realised that arguing with them wasn’t going to lead me anywhere and I didn’t want to get late to work.

“One of them asked for my driving licence; he snapped it with his phone and he started negotiating on how much they would collect, while they were driving me around feigning that they were taking me to the station.

“Throughout the negotiation, they took turns shouting at me while also playing the good cop and the bad cop in their minds. When they discovered that I needed to get to work as soon as possible, they kept saying the best they could do was to collect N50,000.

“After several pleas, the ‘good cop’, said they would only collect N45,000. By this time, we had got to Maryland and turned back (opposite direction to my office, which I had told them). At the end of the negotiation, they took me back to Maryland and parked by the roadside for me to go and withdraw money at the Wema Bank ATM (they had asked for the money to be withdrawn at the ATM); while one of them went with me, the other three stayed back in the car.”

Lamenting the extortion, the motorist added, “These policemen collected my hard-earned N45,000 for no reason and I still got late to work! This is injustice.”

When PUNCH Metro contacted the state police spokesperson, Elkana gave an assurance that the investigation would soon commence.

“The matter was reported to us and we are investigating it; the victim got in touch with me to report and I told him to come to my office so that we could investigate the matter,” he stated.

US govt extends visa restrictions to INEC chairman, commissioners, others

The United States Government may have extended its visa restriction policy to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu and its other national and Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) , a source in the known has told WazobiaReporters.

The source confided in our reporter that the visa ban affected all the lNEC Chairman, National Commissioners and RECs excluding Akwa Ibom State REC, Mike Igini.

Our reporter was told that three weeks ago, Oyo State INEC REC, Mutiu Olaleke Agboke was denied visa by the US Consulate in Lagos.

Shocked and worried Mutiu Agboke was said to have asked his one of his brothers to contact a notable Ondo State born rights activist, who has very close links with the US consulate, but the activist turned him down, saying; “Tell him I am not a visa consultant.”

The rights activists was among those who monitored the 2019 elections.

The U.S. State Department had said on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, that it imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians it said were involved in trying to undermine democracy in presidential and parliamentary elections this year.

However, the department did not name the individuals or say how many were affected by the visa restrictions.

President Muhammadu Buhari won a second term in February in an election marred by delays, logistical glitches and violence.

“These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights,” spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in the statement.

“The Department of State emphasizes that the actions announced today are specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people or the newly elected government,” Ortagus added.

We will fight against those who attached Ekweremadu - Keyamo

Festus Keyamo a Nigerian Lawyer and newly appointed minister of state affairs for Niger Delta speaks on IPOB attack on Ekweremadu as shared on facebook by Somto okonkwo an IPOB.

Read the statement Below:

“We Will Fight Against Those Who Assaulted Former Deputy Senator Ike Ekweremmadu And Bring Them All To Justice.

What Happened Cannot Be Allowed To Go Unresolved And Unpunished. We Are Going To Fight It Legally If Possible. I’m Already Working On The Case.

– Keyamo Speaks On Behalf Of Ekweremmadu

Buhari's government has fooled Nigerians - Secondus

The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government has fooled Nigerians with unfulfilled promises.

Prince Secondus who knocked the government, said it lacked a blueprint to revive the nation’s ailing economy.

He spoke in Abeokuta at the unification meeting of the PDP members under the leadership of a former governorship aspirant in the state, Hon. Oladipopu Adebutu.

The PDP chairman who led members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to the meeting, alleged that there had been incessant killings, collapsed economy and disunity among sections of the country under the leadership of President Buhari.

Secondus, however, said it was time PDP leaders started the process of rebuilding the party towards reclaiming the government at the centre which the party lost in the 2015 elections.

He said, “The will of God must be done. If you like it, delay it, if you like, intimidate the people, if you like whatever you want to do, but one day…There is this adage that you can fool the people some of times, but you can’t fool the people all the time.

“Nigerians have been fooled by the APC government. Today, they say they have lifted 100 million people from poverty. Do you have any economic blueprint? What is the way forward? The economy has collapsed. Nigeria is divided. We are being disgraced outside the country.”

Addressing the gathering through a five-minute video clip, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, expressed hope of reclaiming his mandate at the tribunal.

Boko Haram captures two LGAs in Borno

Thousands of Nigerian citizens were feared trapped on Wednesday after Boko Haram fighters attacked two local government areas in northern Borno and held control without immediate pushback from the military, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

The insurgents attacked Gubio and Magumeri local government areas – about 50 kilometres apart – between morning and evening on Wednesday, and have maintained a grip on them a day later, military sources said. The two local government areas have a combined population of almost 300,000 inhabitants.

In Gubio, the insurgents operated for several hours from 5:30 p.m. Wednesday until 2:00 a.m. Thursday without any resistance, carting away drugs, food items, fuel and other valuables, PREMIUM TIMES.

“The military patrol vehicles from Damasak at that time abandoned the populace to their fate,” sources said.

Another team of terrorists operating near Gubio also moved from their base to Magumeri, about 50 kilometres south, raiding the local government area and traumatising its population.

The insurgents arrived Magumeri town, the local government headquarters, and set ablaze the local government secretariat, a public health clinic, community leaders’ houses, vehicles used by NGOs and telecommunication masts.

“It is not clear what they intend to do with the people,” a military source said.

The terrorists, mostly of the Boko Haram ISWA affiliate, have remained in control of Gubio, Magumeri and contiguous communities, controlling large swathes of northern Borno where the military has largely pulled out amidst relentless deadly attacks on troops and their bases.

The attack comes barely days after Boko Haram fighters attacked the Nigerian Army 5 Brigade in Gubio, killing four soldiers. The military relocated the entire brigade from Gubio following the attack, and no contingent arrangement was immediately put in place to secure its population.

A senior military source who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES after the August 10 attack expressed fears that the entire stretch between Maiduguri to Damasak, spanning over 160 kilometres, had been left without military presence and may be vulnerable to attacks.

View gallery (3)
Villagers in Gubio were keen on moving out of the community after the brigade was closed, but the state governor, Babagana Zulum, asked them to remain there because security measures had been improved, Daily Trust reported. But thousands have fled, nonetheless,

Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai later sanctioned the commanders overseeing the brigade, but security analysts recognised the war situation was too dire for cosmetic interventions.

Sagir Musa, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, did not comment on the sack of 5 Brigade. He also declined multiple requests for comments on the latest seizures of Gubio and Magumeri by terrorists.

Afenifere, Ohanaeze kick as North-West gets nine senior ministers

Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo have criticised the allocation of ministries by President Muhammadu Buhari, with all nine ministers from the North-West receiving senior positions.

Among the six geopolitical zones in the country, the North West, which consists of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states, have the highest number of ministers, all of which received senior portfolios.

The President, who hails from Katsina State, also garnered the highest number of votes from the North-West.

The nine cabinet members from the North-West include Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa State), who was appointed Minister of Water Resources; Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna State), Minister of Finance; Muhammad Mahmood (Kaduna State), Minister of Environment; and Sabo Nanono (Kano State), Minister of Agriculture and Development.

Others are Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Kano State), Minister of Defence; Hadi Sirika (Katsina State), Minister of Aviation; Abubakar Malami (Kebbi State), Minister of Justice; Maigarai Dingyadi (Sokoto State), Minister of Police Affairs; and Sadiya Umar Faruk (Zamfara State), Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, who spoke to one of our correspondents, said the appointment of the ministers was a reflection of “sectionalism on the part of the President.”

According to him, the appointment mirrored the complaints made by critics in Buhari’s first term as president.

Odumakin said, “That is next level of sectionalism in your face, and incorrigibility.

“There have been complaints about all these things since the first term.

“Now, it has been done in super way. So, that is the next level. Welcome to the next level.”

The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Uche Achi-Okpoga, said his group was not surprised by the development.

He noted that Buhari had repeatedly promised to give the North-West preference in his cabinet.

He said, “It is not a surprise. We were not expecting anything less. We have a President that does not mince words.

“He stated it in his first tenure that he would not sacrifice those who gave him 97 per cent votes to those who gave him may be five per cent. So, why should we be surprised that he gave juicy and senior positions to his kinsmen?

“He has demonstrated it in his body language, speeches, action and everything.

“He also said we should not expect him to change.

“We will survive him and another president will come who will change things.”

Punch

South-East governors dare Nnamdi Kanu

State governors from the South-East region has dared Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) to made good his threat and see if he will not be deported back to the country.

Mr Kanu, who heads the secessionist group demanding the restoration of the defunct Biafra Republic, threatened to unleash mayhem on political leaders from the Igbo predominantly area.

The leader of the proscribed group made the threat while claiming his group was responsible for the attack on Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy Senate President, at the weekend in Germany.

Describing the warning as an empty threat, David Umahi, Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, dared Mr Kanu to attack any of the political leaders from the zone and see if he will not be forcefully repatriated back to the country to face his trail on treasonable felony.

“South-east governors are saddened with the ugly display and dance of shame by IPOB in Germany in attacking one of the finest leaders of Ndigbo, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. We totally condemn it as we weep for them as they never knew the implication of their Unclad dance in public,” the Ebonyi governor said in a statement he signed on Tuesday.

“We have also noted the empty threats by Mr Nnamdi Kanu (a former ordinary Member of MASSOB) to attack Governors of South-east, Ohanaeze leadership and other Igbo politicians for not supporting the self-acclaimed supreme leader in his self-fight for the raw power and wealth while pretending to be fighting for Ndigbo.

“We wish to warn that should any Southeast person be attacked anywhere in the world, we shall, by all means, bring back Kanu to Nigeria to face the wrath of our people. It is madness for anyone who wants raw power with no experience to think that we Governors will support the killing of our people giving out our scarce land to herdsmen.

“If Kanu is serious, let him direct IPOB to fight those foreign killer herdsmen in their countries of origin since he claims the IPOB is in over 100 countries in the world.

“If Kanu who was previously in MASSOB but needed power and money wants Biafra and he is the self-acclaimed supreme leader, let him come back home with his army and guns to lead us to battle for the empire he desire to lead other than cheap talks. Soonest Ndigbo will know him better,” the statement concluded.

Atiku Vs Buhari: PEPT reserves judgement

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal has reserved judgment in the suit filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party challenging the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

A five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Mohammed Garba reserved judgment to a date to be communicated to all the parties involved in the petition.
Dr Levi Uzoukwu, who led the petitioners’ legal team insisted in his final written address that President Buhari’s claim that he submitted his certificates to the Military Board has been controverted by the Secretary to the Military Board.
Lawyers to INEC, President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, however, urged the Tribunal to dismiss the petition with substantial cost for lacking in merit and substance. They argued that the nation’s law only requires a candidate to be educated up to secondary school level or its equivalent.
Dr. Uzoukwu told the court that the 2nd Respondent (Mohammadu Buhari) and his party both failed to provide evidence (certificates) even in their final written addresses.
He said witnesses provided by the 2nd Respondent (Muhammadu Buhari) himself further compounded his case when one General Tarfa told the Court on oath that it was not the duty of the military to collect credentials of military officers for save-keeping
He went further to the tell the court that the variations in the names in most of the documents submitted by the 2nd Respondent also speaks volumes.
That in some documents, it reads Mohamed Buhari and in another it’s Muhammadu Buhari and even in the scores.
In the same exams, in some documents, he claimed to have 8 subjects and in another 6 subjects.
During the adoption of the written addresses, counsel to the APC, Chief Fagbemi had announced to the court that his client had filed additional authorities citing the ruling of the Supreme Court on Tuesday August 20, 2019.

The PDP lead counsel, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, challenged the eligibility and admissibility of the new authorities filed by the APC since the time for such documents are over and the final written addresses by all the parties had been submitted.
The trial Judge, Justice Mohammed Garba informed him that the court will look into the admissibility of the new authorities from the APC but that the PDP and Atiku/Obi should look into the documents since they have been served and respond accordingly.
Also in adopting their address, the petitioners emphasized on the non qualification of the 2nd Respondent (Muhammadu Buhari), in the February 23, 2019.
Dr. Uzoukwu reminded the court that one of the grounds of petition in an election in both the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and the electoral act 2010 as amended, submitting false information of a fundamental nature is grievous and that the matter should not be trivialized.
Dr. Uzoukwu reminded the court that if and only if the educational certificates of the 2nd Respondent exist or is with the military as he claimed, as the commander in chief of the armed forces, he can order the military to provide all these documents to the court.
He submitted that on that note, the 2nd Respondent does not have any certificate, both in electronic, photocopy, photograph etc.
That there was no defense from all the respondents and urged the court to grant the relief of the PDP and Atiku/Obi that the 2nd Respondent was not qualified ab initio to contest the February 23, 2019 Presidential Election and that the former Vice President and Candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar should be declared as winner of the election.
He also reminded the court that the 2nd Respondent relied on the electoral act of 2010 in most of its authorities and abandoned the march 2015 amendments of the electoral act by the former president, Dr. Jonathan. He told the court that in the new amendments to the electoral act, voting was supposed to be determined by the INEC and the guidelines of INEC for the 2019 General Elections also was very clear on this.

Get clearance from Abba Kyari before seeing me, Buhari tells incoming ministers

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday told incoming ministers that all requests for meetings with him should pass through his chief of staff, Abba Kyari.


Mr Buhari said this in his closing remark at a presidential retreat for minister’s designate in Abuja.

“In terms of coordination, kindly ensure that all submissions for my attention or meeting requests be channelled through the Chief of Staff, while all Federal Executive Council matters be coordinated through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” Mr Buhari said

IPOB's attack: Lawan visits Ekweremadu

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Monday paid a solidarity visit to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who was assaulted by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra in Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday.

Lawan visited the former Deputy Senate President, at his Abuja home.

A photo from the visit was released by the office of the Senate President.

Present during the visit was the immediate past Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige.

Ekweremadu had been invited to by the Ndi-Igbo Germany association to its  Iri-ji (a traditional festival) celebration in Germany where the assault took place.

The Ibo group had apologised to Ekweremadu and the senator also said, he had forgiven those who assaulted him as they were high on drugs.

Forlan blasts Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has been blasted by former teammate Diego Forlan for being an "egotist" who would "spend all day in the mirror."

Forlan spent the 2003/04 season alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, with the pair helping Sir Alex Ferguson's side win both the Premier League and the FA Cup.

The season is best remembered by United fans for being Ronaldo's debut campaign with the club, and one in which the Portuguese forward announced himself to the world as one of the sport's brightest young talents.

But Forlan, who retired earlier this month, seems to have different memories of his ex-teammate.

"Ronaldo was an egotist in the dressing room — not like (David) Beckham." Forlan told Fox Sports Radio.

"Cristiano always wanted to be near a mirror. He spent all day looking in the mirror. Ronaldo was changing in front of the mirror, tremendous."

The ex-Uruguay international also elaborated on his comparison between Beckham, another one of United's former number seven's, and Ronaldo, saying: "Beckham was more natural, they are different. Cristiano is all more worked.

Soldiers attack policemen for arresting narcotics dealer

Soldiers Attacked Policemen For Arresting Narcotics Dealer – Report

More revelations have come to light about the activities of soldiers attached to Battalion 93, Takum, including how they allegedly shielded a drug dealer who was about to be arrested by the police.

Special Forces from the battalion were said to have also attacked the five policemen who went on an operation to arrest a narcotics dealer in Kwesati village, Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State, last year.
The policemen who stormed the village to arrest one Endurance Mike for allegedly selling tramadol and other banned psychotropic drugs were allegedly beaten up by 10 soldiers attached to the Operation Whirlstroke.
A police report on the incident, obtained from police archives on Monday by one of our correspondents in Abuja, stated that the incident, which occurred on June 30,2018, almost led to a violent confrontation between policemen and soldiers of Battalion 93.
The report, with reference number CK4161/AC/TK/TRS/VOL.1/2 dated July 7, was written by the Area Commander, Takum Area Command, ACP Ayuba Dickson, to the Commissioner of Police, state headquarters, Jalingo.

It explained that when the policemen got to Mike’s shop where he also sold medicines, they met a soldier who exchanged hot words with them on learning that they wanted to arrest the shop owner.
It said, “While the police team was still inside the shop, the unnamed soldier went out and mobilised more than 10 fellow soldiers who came on motorcycles and beat up the policemen, seized the confiscated drugs and set the suspect free. One of the men also seized and chewed the search warrant and swallowed it.
“The soldiers also forcefully seized two rifles from the police team and took them to their makeshift office.”

Punch.

EFCC raids Ambode's residence

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are raiding the Epe residence of immediate past Lagos Governor Akinwumi Ambode.

According to online medium, TheCable, the raid has been confirmed by EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade.

More details soon.

How I fixed Nigeria's 2010 World Cup qualification - Perumal

Yet to come to terms with FIFA’s life ban on ex-Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, for bribery and match manipulation, the country’s football community have been jolted again with a viral video, where notorious Singaporean match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal claimed he fixed the Super Eagles’ 2010 World Cup qualifier against Kenya to help the Eagles qualify for the Mundial in South Africa.

Perumal, who headed an underground match-fixing syndicate based in Singapore, opened up on his dirty deals and connivance with players, football federation officials from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Togo and Nigeria to manipulate and fix matches.

Perumal, who was jailed for two years for fixing and manipulating matches at international level, revealed in an interview with Al-Jazeera’s undercover series, People and Power, how he tapped up some African national team players and their federations in fixing international friendlies and matches during South Africa 2010 world cup qualifiers through his company Football For You international.

“Evading securities, it became more sophisticated and we decided to reach out to federations and players in South East Asia and Africa. It was easy to convince players and officials from these impoverished areas.

“Zimbabwe was the first national team to fall under my spell. I promised to take care of the entire Warriors’ feeding, accommodation and traveling expenses while also guaranteeing them $50,000 per match in 2008, provided they play ball,” he said.

However, four years later, the Zimbabwean media exposed the scandal branding it Asia Gate. And, about 80 Zimbabwean players and officials were axed by the country’s football governing body ZIMFA in 2012.

The Singaporean in a lengthy detail, explained how him and partner, Manimaran Kalimuthu, met some officials of the Nigeria Federation Football at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, early 2009 to strike a deal ahead of the Super Eagles make-or-break 2010 final qualifier against Kenya.

“I got to meet officials of the Nigerian football federation through a Nigerian football agent, Odira Sylvester Ezeh. I had invited the national team before to Malaysia for the Intercontinental Cup.”

Perumal, alongside his trusted associate, flew to Nigeria in 2009 to meet with NFF officials.

“I told them I’ll make sure I do everything to make Nigeria qualify for the World Cup in 2010, as I’ve got two to three players in the Kenyan team that are ready while my company will give Mozambique $100,000 for getting a positive result against Tunisia in Maputo.”

In exchange, he wanted his company to get the official mandate to organise pre-W/Cup friendlies for the Eagles.

Nigeria beat Kenya 3-2 in Nairobi, while the Black Mambas grabbed the three points off Tunisia with a shock win.

But Perumal was left furious as the final 3-2 score cost him millions of dollars.

“He was really angry when the three Kenyan players came up to the hotel room. He told them he lost millions because he told them to make sure it was a two-goal difference and not one. I didn’t see him pay the trio any money, “Kalimuthu confessed.

Documents in his possession had names of former NFF officials, like former Head, International Competition, Dr Muhammed Sanusi.

Though, the former came out to vehemently deny knowing the Singaporean when Aljazeera reached out to him.

Another disturbing revelation was the pictorial evidence of embattled ex-U-23 coach Samson Siasia standing beside Perumal during the Eagles’ Intercontinental Cup tourney in Malaysia.

Copyright PUNCH.

Orji Kalu shuns Spain trip to avoid Ekweremadu treatment

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that his refusal to attend an Igbo event in Spain was not to avoid assault from members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, who may be residing in the country.

Kalu, a two-tern governor of Abia State,  gave the explanation in a statement issued on Monday by his media office.

He described reports in some social media platforms that he suspended a medical trip to Germany following attacks on Senator Ike Ekweremadu, as totally untrue.

He said the report was a  figment of the writer’s imagination.

Ekweremadu was physically assaulted in Germany, on Saturday, by members of the IPOB.

The former Deputy Senate President was invited as a guest speaker at the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival in Nuremberg, Germany, when the assault took place.

Kalu explained that he has been in his country home, Igbere, interacting with members of his constituency, since the National Assembly went on recess.

The Senator said he had held several meetings with the people of Abia North at his Camp Neya residence in Igbere.

The statement read in part, “I have been in my country home interacting with people from my constituency and settling disputes.

“The news that I suspended by planned medical check-up in Germany was not true.

“I was invited by an Igbo group in Spain to attend their function, I could not go because of the interaction with my constituents.”

He described the action of the IPOB members against Ekweremadu as uncivilised, unacceptable and barbaric.