NIGERIA NEWS

MAN KILLS WIFE OVER N500
Oronna Street in Abule-Egba area of Lagos was, yesterday, thrown into confusion after a 60-year-old man who allegedly killed his wife over his missing N500, locked himself up with the corpse.
Reports said fight broke out after the man identified as Gbadebo Elegbede, accused his 17-year-old son  of stealing his N500 at about 7am. His wife, Maria, was said to have defended his son, an action that reportedly led to a verbal confrontation with her husband,which degenerated into a scuffle. In the process, Gbadebo was said to have hit his wife with a hard object on the face, causing her to slump.

His son, Johnson, was said to have attempted to lift his mother from the floor only to discover  that she was motionless and bleeding from the mouth and nose. Johnson reportedly ran out to alert neighbours to come to his mother’s help, but they met the door of the apartment locked from inside, with Gbadebo threatening to kill anyone who attempted to force the door open. Eye witnesses said some of the deceased’s relatives who rushed to the scene were also prevented from seeing Maria’s corpse as the door was still locked.

NIGERIA NAVY ARRESTS 40 SHIPS FOR STEALING CRUDE OIL.


The Nigerian Navy at the weekend, said that it had arrested over 40 vessels for allegedly stealing crude oil. Briefing newsmen in Abuja, as part of activities lined up for the Nigerian Navy week celebration and its 57th anniversary, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Joseph Ezeoba, however expressed regrets that Navy’s job ended with the arrests, as it could not go further to bring the owners to book.

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP), Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbor, the CNS said that many barges used for crude oil theft were also destroyed. He said that the arrests were made throughout the three operational Commands of the Navy during their special operations to consolidate the gains of the Joint Maritime Patrol, “Exercise Farauta.” He said that to sustain this tempo in line with the Presidential mandate to end oil theft, “three OCEA fast patrol boats and NNS ZARIA have been deployed to Brass to beef up the patrol team in the area. In furtherance of this war against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, he said that the Navy has launched a new website, www.cot.navy.mil.ng, to provide details relating to exploration, nominations, approvals, movement and trans-shipment of petroleum products as promulgated by relevant authorities.

GUNMEN ABDUCT BAYELSA EX-PERM SECRETARY'S WIFE, INJURE GOV'S AIDE WIFE.


 Unknown gunmen, weekend, abducted the wife of a retired Permanent Secretary, Mrs Anne Ziworitin, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital. Also injured in a separate attack was the wife of the Special Assistant on Radio to the Governor, Mrs. Vivian Ikio Iziama. Both incidents which caught  operatives of the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo, napping occurred Saturday night at Biogbolo, a suburb of Yenagoa.

While Mrs. Ziworitin was reportedly abducted along the Otiotio road area, Mrs. Iziama was injured with the butt of a rifle for refusing to part with the key of her Toyota Sienna car. Mrs. Iziama‘s daughter, it was learnt, was inside the vehicle when the gunmen struck as she was about to drive into her compound. Her younger sister, who was about to open the gate, was forced to raise alarm on hearing the cry of her niece.

The hoodlums were said to have fled in a black Golf salon car with which they trailed their victim. It was, however, learnt from a source close to the Ziworitin family that kidnappers of the retired permanent secretary’s spouse have demanded  N5million for her release.

NEWS: IN NIGERIA

LAGOS STATE GOVT BANS KEKE NAPEP FROM MAJOR ROADS

Lagos State government Friday banned the activities of Tri-cycle popularly called Keke Napep from the major roads in the state, saying, “it is meant to protect the lives and property of the residents of the state.” The state government however vowed to impound any disused and abandoned vehicles across the state, explaining “4,632 vehicles were currently abandoned on over 9,100 roads in theState.

Commissioner for transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa  disclosed this at the 2013 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa to mark the sixth anniversary of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration. Opeifa said that the state government had held several meetings with the unions on the development, adding “they have agreed to stay away from these roads.”

Some of the roads tri-cycles operation was outlawed were: the entire Victoria Island, Government Residential Area, GRA Ikeja and Ikoyi. Also on Awolowo road and Awolowo way, Alausa and entire major roads in Surulere Local Government.

MOTHER, NURSES ARRESTED OVER MISSING BABY

A twelve year old girl,  Mary Nmakamba Eyo and two nurses Amaladi Isaac and Lillian Aloysius  are being detained  by the police in Akpabuyo, in the outskirts of Calabar, the Cross River State capital for allegedly stealing  a baby delivered by the girl without the consent of her parents. Mrs Justina Eyo, elder sister to Nmakamba who reported  the matter to the police which led to the arrest and detention of the three,  said the girl who got pregnant sometime in 2012 went missing two months ago and resurfaced last week without the pregnancy or the baby.

According to Justina, the family searched every where for the girl but could not locate her whereabouts until last week when she came back. “She was impregnated by a married man in our village who for obvious reasons could not take her into his home but was taking care of her in the little way that he could but suddenly last March, the girl disappeared and we have searched everywhere without locating her”. She said  last Friday, the girl came back without the pregnancy or the baby. She was asked where the baby was and she said the woman who took her away to Umuahia in Abia State collected the baby and gave her 2,000 naira to  return to Calabar. “She said the woman met her here in Akpabuyo and took her to a Maternity home  Abia and when she gave birth, the woman gave her some drugs and she slept off. When she woke up, she did not see the baby and the woman gave her money to return to Caalabar”

FG TO DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN BORNO, OTHER STATES

Indications emerged on Friday that the Federal Government might declare a state of emergency in five states in Northern Nigeria, as a last-ditch measure to check the rising killings and insecurity. The states are Borno, Yobe, Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau. A pointer to this emerged as President Goodluck Jonathan held an emergency meeting with security chiefs and some other top government officials in his bid to address the spate of insecurity in many parts of the country, with the latest being the killing of 47 policemen and 10 State Security Service operatives by the Ombatse militia in Alakyo forest in Nasarawa State on Tuesday. They also destroyed nine patrol vans. 

Jonathan, who rushed back to the country from South Africa late on Thursday, was said to have reviewed reports from the security chiefs on recent violence in Baga and Bama in Borno State; Alakyo Village in Nasarawa State; and Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. Among those at the meeting that lasted several hours were the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Said; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh; Director-General of State Security Service, Ita Ekpenyong; representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen. Emmanuel Bassey; and Inspector-General of Police,  Mohammed Abubakar.

NEWS: IN NIGERIA

YOUTHS PROTEST MURDER OF VARSITY STUDENT IN EKITI
Scores of youths, mainly students, yesterday, staged a protest at Ilupeju Ekiti over the killing of 400 level student of Ekiti State University, Mr. Seyi Fasere. Fasere was killed in controversial circumstances in February 28, in Oye Ekiti by the police after some armed bandits struck at a first generation bank in the town.
During the protest, commercial and social activities were paralysed, as the youths sealed off all the public and private schools in the town, and commercial centres for the over eight hours that the protest lasted. The aggrieved youths, who had trooped out as early 7am, were said to have engaged the police in serious battle, while being tear-gassed, which culminated in a stampede that led to the hospitalisation of one Deji Omoniyi.

FOREIGNER ARRESTED FOR N15M FRAUD.
The police, yesterday, arraigned a Canadian, Jim Mansfield, at a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly cheating one Hajiya Binta Muktar of N15 million. The prosecutor, Tope Falode, told the court that Muktar reported the matter to the Interpol on May 2012. Falode said in May 2012, Muktar leased her house located at 3, Udi-Hill Close, Aso Drive, to Mansfield with an agreement that he should pay N15 million into her account. However, he said Mansfield fraudulently possessed the said house and refused to credit Muktar’s account.
The prosecutor added that the accused, in July 2012, presented forged documents from Wells Faruo Bank to Muktar, claiming to have deposited the said sum into her account, an offence which contravened sections 312, 321 and 368 of the Penal Code. However, Mansfield, pleaded not guilty to the charges as his counsel, Mr David Ashaolu, prayed the court to grant bail to his client. Ashaolu said his client would not jump bail and would not jeopardise investigation in the case. But the prosecutor objected to the bail of the accused, and said “the accused is not a Nigerian and he is likely to jump bail.”
The prosecutor also alleged that the accused had two different passports bearing two different names. “The accused has a Canadian passport bearing the name Jim Mansfield and a UK passport with the name James Michael Mansfield.”
Mansfield’s counsel, however, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms.
The Senior Magistrate, Mr Tony Ubani, granted the accused bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

COMMUNITY HANDS OVER KIDNAP KINGPIN TO POLICE.
THE leadership of Ekpan community in Uvwie council area of Delta State has apprehended an alleged  kidnap and robbery kingpin, Gift Famous Etagvwene a.k.a Babune and handed him over to the Ekpan Police Headquarters.
The community was said to have arrested him last Wednesday after an alleged escape and gun fire exchange with security personnel in the community. Famous, said to be an ex-convict, was involved in the kidnap of a Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, staff (name withheld) on March 19, 2001.

NGIGE DECLARES GUBERNATORIAL AMBITION.
 Former governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, yesterday, declared his intention to run for the 2014 governorship election in the state. Senator Ngige made the declaration in Awka on the occasion of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), and Democratic People’s Party (DPP). Speaking on the occasion, convener of the meeting and coordinator of Rainbow Coalition, Chief Ben Oranusi, explained that after due investigations and understanding of the personalities aspiring for the 2014 gubernatorial election, they found that Ngige was the person good enough and better experienced to take up the task of piloting the affairs of Anambra State.

MULTIPLE KILLED IN BOKO HARAM ATTACK ON BAMA
Suspected members of Islamist sect, Boko Haram, on Tuesday, attacked Bama, Borno State, leaving 55 people  dead, the Joint Military Task Force said on Tuesday. The gunmen, according to Reuters, killed 22 police officers, 14 prison officials, two soldiers and four civilians, while 13 of the sect’s members died in the clash with the task force members.
Spokesman for the JTF, Sagir Musa, confirmed this to Reuters. The suspected terrorists were said to have  freed 105 prison inmates during the attack which reportedly began at around 5am. The JTF, which took journalists to Bama to assess the damage caused by the terrorists, added that three children and one woman, were among those killed during the multiple attacks in the town. Sources in the town claimed that about 300 suspected members of Boko Haram stormed the town, first attacking the  200 Tank Battallion, a military Barracks.

FOURSQUARE GOSPEL BUILDING COLLAPSE IN LAGOS
At least one person died, while several others were trapped in Lagos on Tuesday as a four-storey building under construction belonging to Foursquare Gospel Church, collapsed. The building on Bashiru Street, Berger, collapsed as some artisans were carrying out carpentry work on it .It was gathered that the incident happened around 3.30pm.
The cause of the collapse could not be ascertained, but observers said it might have been caused by the use of substandard materials. A 15-year-old apprentice, Joshua Ayandokun, who was among the artisans that were working on the building, escaped being trapped in the building. Joshua was sent on an errand to buy bread and beans for others, but before he came back, the building had collapsed.

EKITI HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY RATIFIES ADELABU AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR
Ekiti State House of Assembly, yesterday, ratified the appointment of Professor Modupe Adelabu as the new Deputy Governor of the state. The former university don was screened by the 26-member Assembly at 10.15am, yesterday, in Ado-Ekiti. Adelabu, present Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education, was screened at the Houses’s parliamentary session.
Governor Kayode Fayemi sent the name of Prof. Adelabu to the House for ratification as replacement for late Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka, who died of cancer on April 6, last Friday. The former chairman of the Education Board was ushered in to the assembly building by the Speaker of the House, Adewale Omirin, and drilled for about 30 minutes.
Speaking with the newsmen shortly after the exercise, Omirin said: “We conducted the screening at the parliament based on the decision of the lawmakers. “They drilled the nominee for over 30 minutes but she did not let us down. She answered us intelligently and we didn’t expect anything less.”

NEWS: IN NIGERIA

EKITI STATE ACN CHAIRMAN, FOUR OTHERS ARRESTED OVER JEJE'S DEATH.


Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Ekiti State Chapter, Chief Jide Awe, and four others were, yesterday, arraigned before a Chief Magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti in connection with the killing of one Ayo Jeje, a former ACN member, at Erinjiyan Ekiti.
Others arraigned with Awe include Faboro John, Aniramu Basiru, Busuyi Falayi and Shefiu Owonifari.
They are facing a four-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and disruption of public peace, which according to police prosecutor are punishable under the law.
Jeje, who hailed from the same Erinjiyan Ekiti with Awe, was killed by agents suspected to be political thugs on March 30, while planning to decamp to PDP.


RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY WANTS POLICE COMMISSIONER REDEPLOYMENT


Rivers State House of Assembly, has called for the immediate redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, saying he was an interested party   in the political crisis rocking the state.
Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr.  Otelemaba Amaechree, in a statement, said the House had to postpone its sitting, yesterday, because the state Police Commissioner suddenly cancelled an approval requesting police protection for the sitting.
 He  said  they had uncovered an alleged plot by five members of the House to cause panic and tension if the House had gone ahead with the  sitting, adding that  the game plan was for security operatives to start shooting sporadically and firing teargas to create  a picture of a breakdown of law and order in the Assembly.
EFCC ARRAIGNED PROVOST, BURSAR OVER FRAUD.


THE Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government area of Ebonyi state, Dr. Paul Ajah Onu was, yesterday, arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged financial misappropriation.
Also arraigned was the suspended bursar of the institution, Samuel Atoi.
The duo were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit illegal act to wit: money laundering and disguising the origin of stolen funds amounting to over N4 million. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They were accused of illegally transferring N1.5 million, N1.89 million and N1.816 million from three different FirstBank accounts belonging to the college to the accounts of Juliana Ogbaka and Kalejaiye Bunmi at various times.

KWARA STATE  MAY RENAME VARSITY AFTER OLUSOLA SARAKI


THE Governing Council and members of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, have requested for a change of the name of the institution to either Sola Saraki University (SOSU) or Abubakar Sola Saraki University (ASSU) in honour of the state's political icon, Dr. Abubakar Sola Saraki, who died last year.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Sen. Muhammed Sha'aba Lafiagi, while making the presentation Friday in Ilorin to the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, said the request was an acknowledgment of late Saraki's contributions to educational development in the country.
According to him, the university community acknowledged Saraki's "immense contribution to education through the award of scholarship to indigent students and sponsorship of several youths to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, aside from frequent monetary intervention to parents and guardians to offset the school fees of their wards".
Lafiagi, who is also a former Governor of Kwara State, said the presentation of the request for name change was made to Governor Ahmed so that the State House of Assembly could amend the relevant law, which established the Kwara State University, to reflect the proposed name change.
Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, commended the university community for the request, adding that the change of the name of the institution would serve as a platform for Nigerians to remember Saraki's contributions and motivate future generations on the cause of humanity.

NEWS: IN NIGERIA

PRIVATE JET OWNERS BARRED FROM CARRYING FRIENDS, ASSOCIATES
The revolution sweeping through the nation’s aviation industry is likely to cause discomfort to private jet owners as a new policy introduced by the Federal Government has come up with stringent conditions for their operations
The long awaited National Civil Aviation Policy, 2013, which took the Federal Government over one year to prepare, was finally unveiled on Friday with severe rules for private jet owners in the country.
The policy has barred individuals with private jets from carrying their friends and business associates on board the aircraft, stating that only members of their families are allowed aboard.
It states further that companies with private jets are permitted to carry only their employees or members of the Boards of Directors.
Moreover, the policy has also directed that the identities of all passengers onboard any private jet must be made known through a manifest before air traffic control clearance will be sought.


EIGHT KILLED IN BAYELSA ATTACK.

It was another black weekend in the creeks of Bayelsa State as eight persons were killed in a deadly attack launched by suspected militants.
Though the circumstances surrounding the attack were hazy, among those killed were five ex-militant youths that embraced amnesty under the leadership of Pastor Reuben Wilson popularly known as General Wilson.
Also killed was Pastor Reuben’s 37-year-old younger brother, identified as Judah Benaebi Wilson and two others.
It was gathered that the armed attack occurred on Saturday night at the Lobia waterside.
The slain youths, it was learnt, were tricked into the creek and shot dead.

NIGERIA NEWS

Two brothers, Malik and Mufu Akewusola, were shot dead in front of their home on Akerele Street, Shitta area of Surulere, Lagos on Thursday evening by gunmen suspected to be cultists. An eyewitness said that a pregnant woman was hit by a stray bullet during the incident, which caused pandemonium in the area. The brothers were said to be relaxing in front of their house when a gang stormed the place around 8 pm and shot at them multiple times.


Nine passengers sustained various degrees of  injuries on Friday when two buses belonging to the Peace Mass Transit (PMT) company  collided on the Nsukka-Enugu road. The accident happened in front of Queens Secondary School, Nsukka, around 3 p.m. One of the passengers, who identified himself as Kennedy Eze, thanked God that nobody died in the collision. Eze said the bus heading to Enugu was trying to avoid a speed bump and ran into the one coming from the opposite direction. He said FRSC officers and passersby helped to evacuate the injured to the hospital.


 At least 20 people were killed in violent clashes on Friday between Christian and Muslim mobs in Taraba state, prompting a round-the-clock curfew, an aid worker has said.  Local residents said Friday’s violence erupted when the funeral procession of a traditional chief from the predominantly Christian Jukun ethnic group marched through a Muslim neighbourhood chanting slogans, which Muslims viewed as an act of provocation.


THE Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar yesterday said the removal of roadblocks from the nation’s highways has reduced corruption in the Nigeria Police Force in the past one year after he assumed office.  Abubakar disclosed this during an interaction session at a ‘One Day Roundtable and Dinner’ organized by a non -governmental organization, CLEEN Foundation to mark the post-one year of his being in office.  Opining on the removal of roadblocks from highways across the country, Abubakar said it has drastically reduced accidental discharges and eliminated the N20 syndrome, as well as harassment of road users.

EKITI STATE SUBEB CHAIRPERSON TO BECOME NEW DEPUTY GOV.

Following the death of Ekiti state deputy governor, Mrs Olayinka, the State Governor has forwarded the name of the Chairperson of the State SUBEB to the House of  Assembly for consideration as the new deputy governor of the state.
Gov Fayemi, in a letter dated 3rd of May and addressed to the House's Speaker, Dr  Adewale Omirin requested the House to consider Prof Adelabu for the position.
Prof Adelabu was the Head of Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife before her appointment as chairperson of Ekiti State SUBEB in July 2011.

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.

NIGERIA NEWS

….The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has commenced an indefinite strike, following failure of the federal and state governments to implement agreements on issues affecting polytechnic education in the country.

…. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command, said weekend, that it had arrested about 82 candidates of the just-concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, in the state for alleged involvment in examination malpractices.

….One Emmanuel Nwegwe, 40, from Umunaga village in Uburu community of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, weekend, was reported to have murdered his relative, Innocent Onu, 54, over an unresolved misunderstanding. It was gathered that the suspect had been engaged in a feud with the deceased and other relatives on Saturday over the suspects’ decision to offload sand inside the compound where the family members had planned to use for a wedding reception of another family member on Sunday.

…. The Federal Government has ordered the retrenchment of no fewer than 20,000 workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, ahead of takeover by successful bidders of its assets.

….Chief Mike Adenuga of Globacom clocks 60 today.

….Nine workers of two oil servicing companies, the Octopus Clan Nigerian Limited and the Deck Oil Services, were yesterday confirmed kidnapped along the Ilebiri Creek in the southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State

….The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, will today Monday hear the appeal filed by Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, and Lateef Shofolahan.

….Lagos State Police Command has rescued Olufolabi Adeniji, the 16-year-old pupil of American International School, who was kidnapped on April 16, 2013. According to police authorities, the victim was found in a bush in Ilaro area of Ogun State on Friday. It was reported on April 18 that the victim was being driven to school by his parents’ driver, John Adebayo, when he was kidnapped. It was also reported that the parent’s vehicle was later found at the Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, while the driver and the boy’s whereabouts were unknown.

….An official of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Cross River State, Mr. Uwemben Inyang, has said his wife, Affiong, died because of the negligence of her professional  colleagues who ignored her at the point of death. Affiong, who was a Chief Matron at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, died on February 11, 2013, after attempts to bring her blood pressure under control failed. In his farewell during the burial of his late wife, Inyang alleged that Affiong’s professional colleagues slept off and did not give a helping hand to a female doctor who was attending to the deceased.

NIGERIA NEWS

….The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has commenced an indefinite strike, following failure of the federal and state governments to implement agreements on issues affecting polytechnic education in the country.

…. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command, said weekend, that it had arrested about 82 candidates of the just-concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, in the state for alleged involvment in examination malpractices.

….One Emmanuel Nwegwe, 40, from Umunaga village in Uburu community of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, weekend, was reported to have murdered his relative, Innocent Onu, 54, over an unresolved misunderstanding. It was gathered that the suspect had been engaged in a feud with the deceased and other relatives on Saturday over the suspects’ decision to offload sand inside the compound where the family members had planned to use for a wedding reception of another family member on Sunday.

…. The Federal Government has ordered the retrenchment of no fewer than 20,000 workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, ahead of takeover by successful bidders of its assets.

….Chief Mike Adenuga of Globacom clocks 60 today.

….Nine workers of two oil servicing companies, the Octopus Clan Nigerian Limited and the Deck Oil Services, were yesterday confirmed kidnapped along the Ilebiri Creek in the southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State

….The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, will today Monday hear the appeal filed by Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, and Lateef Shofolahan.

….Lagos State Police Command has rescued Olufolabi Adeniji, the 16-year-old pupil of American International School, who was kidnapped on April 16, 2013. According to police authorities, the victim was found in a bush in Ilaro area of Ogun State on Friday. It was reported on April 18 that the victim was being driven to school by his parents’ driver, John Adebayo, when he was kidnapped. It was also reported that the parent’s vehicle was later found at the Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, while the driver and the boy’s whereabouts were unknown.

….An official of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Cross River State, Mr. Uwemben Inyang, has said his wife, Affiong, died because of the negligence of her professional  colleagues who ignored her at the point of death. Affiong, who was a Chief Matron at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, died on February 11, 2013, after attempts to bring her blood pressure under control failed. In his farewell during the burial of his late wife, Inyang alleged that Affiong’s professional colleagues slept off and did not give a helping hand to a female doctor who was attending to the deceased.

NIGERIA NEWS

….The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has commenced an indefinite strike, following failure of the federal and state governments to implement agreements on issues affecting polytechnic education in the country.

…. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command, said weekend, that it had arrested about 82 candidates of the just-concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, in the state for alleged involvment in examination malpractices.

….One Emmanuel Nwegwe, 40, from Umunaga village in Uburu community of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, weekend, was reported to have murdered his relative, Innocent Onu, 54, over an unresolved misunderstanding. It was gathered that the suspect had been engaged in a feud with the deceased and other relatives on Saturday over the suspects’ decision to offload sand inside the compound where the family members had planned to use for a wedding reception of another family member on Sunday.

…. The Federal Government has ordered the retrenchment of no fewer than 20,000 workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, ahead of takeover by successful bidders of its assets.

….Chief Mike Adenuga of Globacom clocks 60 today.

….Nine workers of two oil servicing companies, the Octopus Clan Nigerian Limited and the Deck Oil Services, were yesterday confirmed kidnapped along the Ilebiri Creek in the southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State

….The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, will today Monday hear the appeal filed by Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, and Lateef Shofolahan.

….Lagos State Police Command has rescued Olufolabi Adeniji, the 16-year-old pupil of American International School, who was kidnapped on April 16, 2013. According to police authorities, the victim was found in a bush in Ilaro area of Ogun State on Friday. It was reported on April 18 that the victim was being driven to school by his parents’ driver, John Adebayo, when he was kidnapped. It was also reported that the parent’s vehicle was later found at the Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, while the driver and the boy’s whereabouts were unknown.

….An official of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Cross River State, Mr. Uwemben Inyang, has said his wife, Affiong, died because of the negligence of her professional  colleagues who ignored her at the point of death. Affiong, who was a Chief Matron at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, died on February 11, 2013, after attempts to bring her blood pressure under control failed. In his farewell during the burial of his late wife, Inyang alleged that Affiong’s professional colleagues slept off and did not give a helping hand to a female doctor who was attending to the deceased.

NIGERIA NEWS

JAMB CANDIDATES DIE IN AUTO CRASH

No fewer than nine candidates going to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations  were feared dead in an auto crash on the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Police Command, Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, said seven persons, including the driver died instantly while two others died later in hospital. The police did not identify the victims.

Mr Ogbonna said that the candidates were travelling in a Hiace bus with registration number Rivers XY 249 from Port Harcourt to Aba. Ogbonna said that the driver of the bus rammed into a truck with registration number Lagos XC 109 SLK, parked off the road.

He said that the accident occurred at Obeaku-Ihie in the Ugwunagbor Local Government Area of Abia at about 10.40 a.m.

Ogbonna said that the dead had been deposited at the mortuary while six survivors of the accident were in critical condition and receiving medical attention in a hospital Aba.

He said that the 15 seater-bus was conveying mainly people, going to sit for the JAMB examination, slated for 27 April.

According to him, the clue comes from the items recovered at the scene of the accident.

 

CONTROVERSY TRAIL 2FACE’S DONATION TO CHARITY

Following 2face’s decision to donate his traditional wedding cap and shoes with the inscription “2Baba” to charity,  his fans have been divided  over the action.

While some of his fans are wondering what the helpless children would stand to gain from  inheriting his cap and shoes, many others believe that 2face’s shoes and cap worth a million naira.

According to criticisms that have continue to trail the gesture, fans expected 2face to  put the items up for auctioning before donating the proceeds to charity.

EKITI STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR BURIED

The remains of the late deputy governor of Ekiki State, Funmilayo Olayinka were Friday buried at the newly constructed Heroes Park in Ado Ekiti, amid eulogies. This was after a commendation service at the
Cathedral Church of Emmanuel Anglican Communion, Okesa.
Late Olayinka died on April 6, 2013 after years of unsuccessful battle with cancer. Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi and several prominent Nigerians turned up to give the late deputy governor a befitting burial.
President Goodluck Jonathan in his message to the gathering charged Nigerians to embrace peace, love and unity, “if the country must move forward.” The President, who was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Omoniyi Olubolade said the situation in the country today “calls for the need to work for the
progress and emancipation of the Nigerian nation.” He pointed out the need for Nigerians to show love and be united, “for Nigeria to achieve desirable progress in all spheres.” With love and unity, the country could
overcome its security challenges and become stronger among the advanced country of the world,” said the President.
While describing the death of Mrs Olayinka as unfortunate and premature, Jonathan said the cold hands of death snatched her away at a time her full potential had not been fully tapped.
The President said his government was taking proactive and holistic actions to ensure that it overcomes its security challenges, assuring that the county would get out of the knotty situation stronger.
He said: “With the history of the late Ekiti deputy governor I read, her life represented simplicity, diligence and brilliance, which stood her among her peers”.
Also in his sermon, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh said the problems of kidnapping, militancy, insecurity and corruption continued to fester in the country owing to the priority placed on money. Archbishop Okoh, who was represented by the Archbishop Ecclesiastical, Province of Ondo , Bishop George Latunde Laosebikan blamed the problems of the country on “the
extravagant lives of some of the leaders.” Archbishop Okoh said: “I am happy today because politicians here cut across all parties and they know all the happenings in the nation, particularly the issue of insecurity, political problems and others. I want you to learn from the death of Mrs Olayinka that nobody is too big to die.
“Insecurity of life and property, kidnapping, militancy and corruption will continue to fester because our leaders have reduced everything to monetary value. So, political class has a lot of roles to play at ensuring
that the lifestyles of Nigerians are changed for better, if truly they love this nation. Their
bad lifestyles have permeated every strata of the society. So, the leaders must continue to show good examples to the citizens.”
The governor expressed joy that his late deputy lived a most fulfilled life, saying “though her life here was short, but very eventful, impactful and positive.” Governors present at the church service were Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; Ahmed Abdufatai of Kwara State; Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Aliyu Babangida of Niger State.
Former governors at the event included Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of Lagos State; Aremo Segun Osoba of Ogun
State and Segun Oni of Ekiti State.

IMMIGRATION OFFICER CONFESSES HE IS A BOKO HARAM MEMBER

Nigerians have consistently maintained that the dreaded sect Boko Haram must surely have sympathisers in government and security agencies, considering how effective their attacks have been. Finally, there is proof.
A high profile Boko Haram member, who is an officer of Nigeria’s Immigration Services, Ahmed Grema Mohammed, has named some security personnel among those carrying out terrorist attacks in the
country. His confession came after he was arrested by the men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Mohammed, who is an officer of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) attached to the Nangere office of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Yobe State, was apprehended at a checkpoint on the Maiduguri-Damaturu road while on his way to kill a former special adviser to the immediate past governor of the state.
Most of the personnel named by Mohammed have been arrested, while security agencies are on the trail of
others.
The news of Mohammed’s arrest was contained in a JTF statement signed by the task force spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa. According to the statement, Mohammed had been on the wanted lists in the country and was arrested on August 17, this year for impersonating a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army.
“Mohammed confessed to be actively involved in the killings of some senior civil servants, security agents, and politicians in Damaturu who spoke against the activities of Boko Haram, particularly the former chairman of Damboa Council, Alhaji Lawal Kawu. “He also took part in the attack on the old Police Headquarters in Damaturu, where some policemen were killed and large quantity of arms and ammunition carted away.
“In addition, he was among the terrorists that attacked Damaturu Prison, burnt some primary schools, the State CID office and the Police Safety Vehicle, among others.
“The suspect revealed to JTF that he and 15 other members of the organization were intensively trained for three months on G3 and AK 47 rifles, as well as in assassinations and special operations in Niger Republic.
“He also revealed names of some security personnel that participated in terrorists’ attacks in Borno and Yobe states.”
Recently, the Joint Task Force has recorded a string of successes against Boko Haram, including the killing of the sect’s spokesman, Abu Qaqa.

PROPHET BEATS PREGNANT WIFE TO DEATH

A pregnant mother, Mrs. Udeme Udo, 37, who was beaten to death by her prophet husband, Mr. Owoidogho Udo, 46, was discovered to be pregnant with twin babies.
The incident happened on Saturday in Ede Obom1, Afaha Offiong, in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Owoidogho is said to be the founder and prophet of The Land of The Truth Fellowship, Akpa Ekput, Ikot Asana, Afaha Offiong, in Nsit Ibom LGA.
The village head and relation to the deceased husband, Chief Friday Ikpe, told our correspondent that it was difficult for him to tell why Owoidogho had to kill his wife.



SOURCE: PUNCH

CHIEF OLUWOLE AWOLOWO BURIED

Encomiums and grief rented the air as remains of the late Publisher of the Nigerian Tribune titles, Chief Oluwole Awolowo were committed to mother earth  in a public  cemetery in Ikenne, few hours after his remains arrived Our Saviours Anglican Church in Ikenne, Ogun State in a Hearse led by a Chariot.
Delivering a sermon,  at the service, before the internment,  Bishop of Remo Anglican  Diocese, Rev. Micheal Olusina Fape on Friday lambasted  politicians in the country who use  public offices to enrich themselves  to  the detriment of their  people  who they claimed to be serving .
The Bishop who eulogized the late Awolowo for his simplicity, philanthropy   and humility   urged political office holders to bear good fruits  for them to be talked about when they die.
Bishop Fape who spoke  in the presence of the Federal Government delegation led by Minister of Information Mr. Labaran Maku,  the Speaker of Hopuse of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, governors of Ogun,
Osun, Lagos, Delta   and Ondo states; Ibikunle Amosun,Rauf Aregbesola, Babatunde Fashola, Emmanuel Uduaghan  and Segun Mimiko respectively   described some Nigerian roads as death traps.
He said, “there are so many Christian, today but they are not fruit-bearing ones, unfortunately today, many Christians are morally bankrupt, reckless and they have nothing to show for being identified as Christians.
“Unfortunately, Christians are adding more to the problems of our nation today.  There are Christian contractors in the nation today. Handling some of our road constructions, they bear Christian names and then why are our roads becoming death traps.
“In the present political dispensation, politics has become a thing of personal enrichment as against the tool for serving humanity. Insincerity is the bane of this country, if God could only open our eyes as we are sitting here today and help us to see what we concealed within us, people will run for some people and they will not stay close to them.
In Nigeria, how many people who are there today and sincerely believe that Wole is worth celebrating, how many people?
PresidentGoodluck Jonathan who was represented by Mr.  Maku said, “I can say as the President of this Republic that I cherish the good ideals of Chief Oluwole Awolowo and his good examples of not using his family name and tradition for self aggrandizement throughout his life, in spite of the privileges that the family name could have opened doors to the corridors of power.
In his remarks, Governor Ibikunle Amosun   described  Awolowo  as awesome, colossus, saying, ” Uncle Wole did very well and achieved so much and, the few times I met with him, I know he was a good man, very humble.”
Present at the funeral service were former two governors of Ogun, Osun   and Ekiti Chief Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Olagunsoye Oyinlola  and Segun Oni respectively while other dignataries filled the Church to pay their last respect to the late Oluwole Awolowo.

SOURCE TRIBUNE

IMO STATE GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHAINVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo was on Friday in Owerri involved in an auto accident.
Okorocha told newsmen that he was going to inspect projects in the state
when a Mercedes Saloon car ran into his motorcade. The governor, who wore a bandage on his forehead, said he was in a stable condition after receiving treatment.
Dr Sylvester Igwe, Personal Physician to Okorocha, said the governor had a minor injury on the forehead, adding that he needed a medical examination to determine the full extent of the injury.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Musa Katsina, said the police Accident Investigation Team had begun investigation into the cause of the accident.

OKONJO -IWEALA 'S FATHER SAYS WIFE'S KIDNAP WAS NOT ORDINARY, DENIES OWING STAFF SALARIES

The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State and father of Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Prof Chukwuma Okonjo on Wednesday refuted the allegation levelled against him by one of his former aides in his palace, Chiejine Onochie, that he was being owed salaries.

Onochie, who is a member of the syndicate arrested by the Police for the kidnap of the 82-year-old Prof. Kamene Okonjo, admitted he took part in the conspiracy because he was owed salaries.

But the monarch, through his spokesman Law Okolobi, said that the suspect lied.

He lauded security agencies for apprehending the suspects, saying he decided to speak out because of “some of the self-serving lies which the main suspect told the media when he and his accomplices were recently paraded by the police.”

He said Onochie was dismissed from the palace for alleged stealing.
The fact that he went on to become a kidnap suspect, the monarch said, speaks volumes about his character.”

“These lies are obviously designed to put a positive gloss on the serious crimes they committed by abducting and brutalizing an 82-year old woman for five whole days.

“For instance, the suspect claimed that Mrs Okonjo was fed generously while she was in captivity. This pure falsehood”.

“She was given nothing to eat throughout the period and only survived by the special grace of God” he said.

“Were it not for the prayers of Nigerians and the quick medical attention she received after she was freed, the story could have ended tragically”.

“According to the Monarch, the kidnapping was not an ordinary criminal act, adding that “God will reveal the truth in due course”

DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY APPROVES CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR KIDNAPPERS.

The Delta state House of Assembly, on Wednesday voted against Governor Uduaghan of the state on a bill seeking to prescribe death sentence for kidnappers in the state.

The Governor had earlier refused to assent to the Delta State Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism bill 2012, which had earlier been unanimously passed by the House.

At the House proceedings on Wednesday, 26 of the 29 members override the Governor’s veto which effectively makes the bill now an authentic law of the state.

The speaker, Mr Victor Ochei, had before the voting read out a letter sent by the Governor, explaining why he had refused to assent to the bill.

Dissatisfied with the explanation, members citing Section 100 sub section5 of the 199 constitution, as amended, which empowered the House to override the Governor’s veto by a two-third resolve to take action.

The Speaker, Mr Ochei thereafter directed the clerk of the House to enrol the law in the state high court, as it has become law with effect from yesterday.

HUSBAND, SISTER, MOTHER MURDERED WIFE.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 31-year-old man, Isaac Ajisegiri, his mother, Florence and sister, Esther for the alleged murder of Issac’s wife,  Endurance.

Endurance was killed at her home located at 1 Ajani Salawu Street, Shasha, Lagos, on Saturday.

Police authorities said she was slit in the throat with a knife in her kitchen.

 The victim’s brother, Caleb Agbobonye, said that the marriage was fraught with problems before the couple   reconciled recently.

 He said, “They have been married for about four years and they had a child together. They also run an education consulting firm not too far from their house.

“Problem started after Isaac was accused of having an affair with one of their employees. They fought over the issue for quite some time. She even moved out of the house but they later reconciled.

“On Saturday, one Stanley, who happens to be Isaac’s friend, came to pick her (Endurance) from the office, saying her husband’s family were waiting for her at the house to resolve a dispute.”

 Agbobonye said on Sunday morning, Stanley called Endurance’s relatives informing them that she was dead and that her body had been taken to Crystal Hospital.

 Some neighbours said on the condition of anonymity reported the case to the police.

 Asked if the couple had a history of domestic violence, one of the neighbours said, “There are four flats in this compound and we all mind our own business.

 “We don’t know if they fight. All we know is that we saw the family carrying her corpse and we observed that her neck was slit so we went to report at the police station.”

 At the station, policemen on duty said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

 Isaac however told PUNCH Metro that his wife killed herself with the knife.

 The indigene of Kogi State said on the day of the incident, she was acting crazy and would not listen to pleas from the family.