NIGERIA NEWS

….An Osogbo High Court, yesterday, sentenced a 31-year-old Kelvin Igha Ighodalo to 45 years imprisonment without an option of fine for stealing a Sony Ericsson phone valued at N50, 000 belonging to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, during his swearing in ceremony in 2010. However, the convict, who faced a six-count charge, would only spend 10 years in prison on each of the first three charges while he also bagged five years jail term on each of the last three counts, as all the six counts charge will run concurrently.

….Ahead of Nigeria’s certification as a guinea worm free nation by the World Health Organisation, WHO, in June 2013, the Federal government is offering a cash reward of  N25,000 for every report of authentic new guineaworm cases in any part of the country. In 2011, a N10,000 reward was offered for a similar report.

….The Lagos State Police Command has started investigation into the murder of a banker, Adindu Ohamara, who was stabbed to death by his suspected homosexual lover in Akoka, Bariga Local Council Development Area of Lagos State. It was gathered that Ohamara lived in a three-bedroom flat with his elder sister, Flora and one Collins, an undergraduate of the University of Lagos. According to residents, the banker was stabbed repeatedly at his residence located at 26 Obayan Street. It was gathered that Ohamara, who was believed to be a homosexual, was fond of bringing different men, who were also believed to be into same sex relationship, to his home. It was learnt that trouble started when he (Ohamara) decided to get married due to pressure from his family. A resident, who craved anonymity, said after the banker had his wedding introduction, a man, believed to be  also  a gay came to fight him.

….There seems to be no end in sight to the feud between residents of Mojisola Street, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos State and Evangelical Apostolic Church. The residents are accusing the church, owned by Prophet Olatunji Talabi, aka Lesekese, of causing noise pollution in the area anytime it holds its services. They said the noise emanating from speakers at the church, which was under construction, was “deafening”. It was learnt that a number of petitions had been sent to the state government over the issue.

….The Nigerian Entertainment Conference held over the weekend at the Grand ball room of the Eko Hotel and suites, Victoria Island, Lagos was nearly marred by violent exchange of words between Kennis Music Boss Mr. Kenny Ogungbe and Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji.  Chief Tony Okoroji had confronted Kenny Ogungbe in the presence of journalists for daring to say in public that COSON owed him (Kenny Ogungbe) money.

….Nigeria spent N9.4billion ($59 million) on consumption of champagne last year, a report by the AFP has said. Recent data puts Nigeria among the fastest-growing countries for champagne consumption, spending an estimated N9.4billion ($59 million) last year on bubbly, according to Euromonitor International research firm. That number is up from N7.84 billion ($49 million) in 2011, and the firm forecasts that the country will spend some N616.8 billion ($105 million) on fizz in 2017. Analysts say oil wealth, hip-hop, movie stars and an elite obsessed with status symbols have driven demand.

….Ringim, headquarters of Ringim Local Government Area, Jigawa State, was on Sunday night the scene of violence, unleashed by a gang of gunmen.

They attacked a police station and a bank, killing three policemen and two civilians.

The state government said the deadly attack lasted for over five hours.

Also attacked was the family house of the immediate past Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim, a branch of Unity Bank and the Ringim Divisional Police Headquarters.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were hurled at the police headquarters and the bank. Two police vehicles and other properties were destroyed.

Acting Governor Ahmed Mahmoud Gumel, who visited the scenes of the incident, confirmed the death of five persons.