Saturday 1 February 2020

Married Women, Girls Engage In ‘Immoral Act And Pornographic Video’ For N30,000 In Jos

The International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Plateau chapter, in collaboration with Red Cross and Teens Partners has commenced rehabilitation of some girls and married women who engaged in a pornographic video for N30,000.
Chairperson of the association, Mrs Mary Izam, who disclosed on Wednesday, January 29, said that the rehabilitation became necessary as all the girls were depressed and another, a married woman, had committed suicide.
According to NAN, the video which was uploaded on the internet weeks ago showed some young girls and married women engaging in sexual acts.
It was gathered that a man identified as Emeka, who resides at the Rayfield area of Jos, took the girls and women to a hotel in the same area to shoot the videos.
Emeka was said to have interviewed the women before stripping them naked and having sex with them on camera.
He paid the victims N30,000 each with a promise to pay additional N100,000 at a later date.
The practice had reportedly gone on for about three years, with over 50 girls and women featuring in the videos. The video had generated reactions from the public with the victims becoming stigmatized.
Two girls who approached the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) office in the state said poverty and lack of need forced them to engage in the immoral act.
“This happened two years ago. My nephew was at the point of death and I needed to help my sister with money for his treatment. I met a lady at a beer parlour who told me about the man and I quickly agreed to do it,” one of the girls said.
“The painful part is that after I took the money home, my nephew still died. He promised us that he would release the videos outside Jos, but I later realised he only played us as we are not literate enough to know that once it’s on the internet, everybody can see it.”
Mary Izam, FIDA chairperson, said the association in collaboration with Red Cross and Teens Partners, has organised a rehabilitation process to save the victims from depression.
She said a married woman, who was one of the victims, had committed suicide after being stigmatized by members of the society.
Izam described the act as unacceptable and a crime against woman dignity and right as well as an offence against the nation.
She said the association and its partners would do all they can to ensure that the perpetrator was brought to book.
The chairperson urged women to engage in moral activities in order to avoid tarnishing their names and bringing the state to disrepute.
She called on other victims to utilise the rehabilitation process, adding that running away will be of no good to them and their loved ones.

ASUU threatens Kano University management over alleged financial mismanagement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Kano University of Science and Technology chapter, and the Management of the Institution are at logger-head over alleged misappropraition of the university’s funds.
This is even as the University Union haa issued a one-month ultimatum to the State Government and the University Management to address series of allegations against the university authority or face severe Industrial Actions.
The Union, in a released signed by its branch Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Muhammad Sani Gaya and Muhammad Murtala, accused the management of the university of alleged gross underfunding of the university.
However, the university management described the allegations raised against it as nothing but false.
According to them, the State Government has been forthcoming in releasing of funds to both the ASUU and for the Infrastructural development of the Institution.
The University Vice Chancellor Professor Alhaji Shehu, said Kano State Government, which is the proprietor of the university has been releasing funds, stressing that ” just recently, the government released N774 Million for Accreditation and N2.6 Billion for Salaries and Wages”.
Professor Shehu Alhaji said the University Management has just purchased Laboratory Equipment worth millions of Naira, while N198 Million was just paid as postgraduate Research Grant to ASUU and N200 as Hazard Allowances for non teaching Staff.
But ASUU insisted that they were dismayed that for a long time, the Kano State Government had left needed Infrastructure of University to the attention of the TETFund.
Similarly, the Union cautioned that there were desperate attempt by the university authority to hike registration fees for undergraduate students, “whereas the fund generated earlier on, could not properly be accounted for.
” We are equally aware that financial reports of the university had not been presented before the Council within the last few years in violation of University law and services rendered were unjustifiable.”
ASUU warned that if things continued the way they were, they would have no option but embark on an industrial action.

Tailor who sponsored girlfriend’s education finds out she is pregnant for course mate

A Nigerian man identified as Eka has taken to twitter to narrate how his cousin got betrayed by his girlfriend after she cheated on him with another man in school.

The young man explained that his cousin, who has been sponsoring his girlfriend’s education in the university, was left heartbroken.

Eka revealed that his cousin is a fashion designer and he has been using profits gained from his tailoring business to pay for her school and other education-related stuff.

According to Eka, he just found out that the lady got pregnant for a man in her school, stating that the owner of the pregnancy is even her coursemate.

Sanwo-Olu hands over 492 homes, promises affordable mass housing

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos on Friday said that his administration would collaborate with professionals and mortgage institutions to deliver affordable mass housing to residents of the state.
Sanwo-Olu, who gave the assurance while handing over keys to allottees of Alhaji Lateef Jakande Gardens Estate, Igando, said that government was addressing both problems of affordability, accessibility and availability.
“Shelter is a critical need for stability in all spheres of life. We are currently holding discussions with stakeholders to increase the number of houses with low cost,” he said.
The governor explained that governance was about making impact and his administration would show commitment toward delivery of houses befitting a 21st century city to residents.
He said that due to limited land landmass of Lagos being a coastal state, government was building more high rise estates in order to give more people shelter.
He said that government was also working seriously on the social housing delivery, adding that, it is working on achieving single digit interest rates on mortgages.
Sanwo-Olu, however, advised agencies charged with loan responsibilities in the state to work together towards achieving the goals.
“As we try to push down cost of buildings, we would also provide mortgage solutions,” he said.
He assured the state civil servants that 10 per cent of all estates would be reserved for them while assuring the public of speedy completion of all ongoing estates before the end of the year.
Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that his administration was planning to locate future estates along the railway corridor to speed up development.
He congratulated the new allottees and charged them to live in harmony and take care of facilities in the estate.
The Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said government was working on delivery of affordable houses to low income earners in the state through a new monthly rent-to-own payment plan.
He added that government was committed to bridging the housing deficit in the state through modern technology.
“Under this plan, applicants must be able to make the five per cent commitment fee payment and the balance is spread monthly at a fixed rent over a period of 10 years.
” It is a scheme targeted at generating first time home owners with the objective that more Lagosians will become home owners within the next few years of this administration, ” he said.
He revealed that in line with Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s directive to speed up housing delivery, the Igbogbo housing scheme of 360 homes will be handed over to allottees in a few weeks while listing various estates to be delivered before end of 2020.
He added that government was adopting innovative technologies which was making construction faster, cheaper and safer.
The commissioner explained that the Alhaji Lateef Jakande Gardens Estate, Igando has 492 homes comprising one, two and three bedrooms apartments with adequate space and several modern facilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some allottees, including a widow, a former one day governor and a civil servant who enjoyed the magnanimity of government to be given the houses gave their testimonies.
A widow, Mrs Fatima Kosoko, said she became homeless after the death of her husband who was a civil servant.
She thanked the governor for giving her a three-bedroom flat free because her husband’s bond could not pay the bill.
Mr Abiodun Akinbusoye, a retired civil servant, said that he had applied 10 years before his retirement but the governor stepped in to pay for the three bedrooms for him.
Also, 21-year-old, Sonaiki Ifeoluwa, a one-time one-day governor in Lagos and an undergraduate, expressed his appreciation to the governor for making him a young landlord.
He said that the gift would be a great relief to his 65-year-old father who currently found it difficult to pay his rent

Restriction on Motorcycle operations: Lagos State records first voluntary compliance

Indications have emerged that the Lagos State government may well be on the path of success with its recent decision restricting commercial motorcycles and tricycles from operating within certain local governments across the State as it has recorded its first voluntary compliance by O’Ride, one of the major motor bike hailing operators. According to a terse statement released in Lagos on Friday by the company less than 24hours to the enforcement, it stated that O’Ride will not be operating in all the local government areas where the state government has restricted motor cycles and tricycles from plying.

It would be recalled that the Lagos State government had on the 27th of January, 2020 announced a restriction on the operation of motorcycles popularly called Okada and tricycles popularly known as Keke across the state.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, had in a statement said the decision was taken after a “robust assessment” between the government and the state security council.The assessment focused on the safety of using motorcycles and tricycles as a means of transportation. The statement said the casualty figures arising from their use are “scary.”

The restriction, according to the statement, will be enforced in 15 local governments and local council development areas across the state. They are Apapa LGA and Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LGA and Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA and Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LGA and Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LGA and Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, and Lagos island LGA and Lagos island East LCDA.


Full Statement

“According to the latest traffic policy by the Lagos State Government, effective from February 1, 2020, ORide Riders will not be operating in the following areas: Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, Eti-Osa and Apapa.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this might cause, as we remain committed to providing the best riding experience.

Thank you for riding with us.”

The Lagos State Government has however emphasized that the new policy is set in stone and enforcement across the state will begin tomorrow the 1st of February, as scheduled.




Friday 31 January 2020

I Killed My Girlfriend Because She Dumped Me For A Rich Man – Suspect

A 31-year-old man, Munda Bala has been arrested and paraded by the Taraba State Police Command after he confessed to killing his girlfriend, Imbajuri Ambisi.
The suspect reportedly conspired with two of his friends to kill his girlfriend. They then proceeded to burn her corpse to ashes.
The state police command paraded him alongside some ashes and bones of the deceased.
He told newsmen;  “I fell in love with Imbajuri Ambisi. She became my girlfriend; I got her pregnant and she delivered a baby boy and killed him after seven months.
“This got me angry and I couldn’t tell anyone. My money got finished and she ran away to some wealthy guys who engage in the selling of rosewoods to foreigners.
“This got me jealous and I met two of my friends who advised me that if I really want my heart to be at rest, I have to kill her, hence our decision to eliminate her.”
Taraba State Police Spokesperson, David Misal said a manhunt has already been launched to arrest the other suspects.

Buhari appoints Adeniran as Surveyor-General of the Federation

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has appointed Samuel Adeniran as the Surveyor-General of the Federation.
This was conveyed in a letter with reference FMPW & H/42935/S.1/T2/86, dated January 29, 2020, and signed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.
The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing supervises the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation.
Fashola, according to a statement issued by the OSGF in Abuja on Friday, was quoted to have said in the letter that “I am pleased to inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved your appointment as the Surveyor-General of the Federation.
“This is in accordance with the powers conferred on him (President) by Section 171 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
According to the letter, the appointment which took effect from January 10, 2020, was for a term of four years in the first instance and was also renewable upon satisfactory performance.
Adeniran until his recent appointment was overseeing the affairs of OSGOF since October 8, 2019, following the retirement of Muhammadu Kurfi, the then Director of Photogrammetry and Remote-Sensing.
Kurfi had superintended in the absence of a substantive surveyor-general between September 10, 2019 to October 7, 2019.
The OSGF said its new boss, Adeniran, was Director of International Boundary and had served in different ministries, departments and agencies of government, manning offices and units that were responsible for surveying activities.
“He has written several award-winning papers. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Using Geospatial Data is one of such,” the OSGF stated.

Arsene Wenger launches FIFA talent development programme

FIFA has announced the launch of what it has called a "groundbreaking talent development programme" with the aim of reducing the gap between the world's leading football nations and the rest.

The programme was launched by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is now working as the head of global development at world football's governing body.

"We are launching the FIFA Talent Development Programme to ensure that every talent gets a chance," said Wenger in Doha, where he has been attending a five-day FIFA-run workshop.

"The difference in the level of play between Europe and the rest of the world has become bigger," added the Frenchman.



"In many countries, the focus of the association is mainly on the senior national team, but this national team is always the consequence of football development across the country.

"We need more youth competitions to identify talent, offer them a pathway and develop coaching."

The FIFA programme will allow all 211 member associations "to benefit from a FIFA assessment of the various areas of their high-performance ecosystem in both men's and women's football, including all national teams, domestic leagues, scouting projects and academies".

FIFA says its programme will help develop home-grown coaches, technical directors and provide specialised courses for goalkeeping coaches, futsal and beach soccer.

PDP protest at US, UK embassies, postpones protest at EU

The leadership and members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the National Assembly, on Friday, protested at the embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom in Abuja.
They, however, postponed that of the European Union.
The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, said their presence was to also present protest papers to the embassies.
He alleged that the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has lost control of the security of the nation and so should resign.
He also alleged that the judiciary and the NASS have been caged.
He lamented the January 14 Supreme Court judgement which sacked Chief Emeka Ihedioha as the Governor of Imo State, adding that it should be reviewed.

United States Denies Bishop Oyedepo Visa

Thursday 30 January 2020

EPL: Klopp speaks on having problem with Liverpool players, setting point’s record

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp says he has a problem with motivating his players following their Premier League 2-0 victory over West Ham United on Wednesday night.
He also said that Liverpool doesn’t need to set the Premier League point’s record this season.
Klopp’s side defeated West Ham United, thanks to two goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mohamed Salah.
They are now 19 points clear of champions Manchester City in second position.
“I am not sure I have to because I was never in that situation, to be honest. I didn’t do it so far,” Klopp was quoted by Liverpool’s official website as saying after the Reds’ win over West Ham.
“Last year we had 97 points and I am not sure if we could have had 100 – 98 would have been possible if we had got a point at [Manchester] City.
“No, I didn’t do it so far and in the moment I see I have a problem with motivating the boys, then I would have to use different things – but so far it is not necessary.
“We are Liverpool and we have a proper history, everybody knows what we have to do and the motivation is to reach that and not any point records. If that would happen as a side-effect, we would take it, but we are not overly concerned about it.

Fulani community leaders arrested, taken to Abuja over Plateau killings

Fulani and community leaders from Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State have been arrested by Plateau State Police Command and taken to Abuja for further interrogation as a result of the crisis that took place in parts of Bokkos local government area of the state.

Recall that governor Simon Lalong ordered the State Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyede to arrest the Fulani and community leaders of the affected communities following the killings and destruction of properties around Kwatas and nearby communities of Bokkos local government area.
It is understood that a slight disagreement had stalled the arrest on Tuesday when only the Fulani Ardos stood up for the arrest, claiming that the governor’s instructions was not directed at them.

CP Akinmoyede had ordered the leaders to reconvene at the Police headquarters the following day.
Report had it that the headquarters that on their arrival, they were asked to make individual statements in which some of them were released.
Report also had it that at about 4:00am on Thursday, the Ardos from Riyam, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu as well as the chairmen of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Nigeria and some community and youth leaders were bundled into vehicles and taken to the Criminal Investigations Department, CID, at the Police headquarters in Abuja.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ubah Gabriel confirmed the development and said, “For every Ardo that was moved to Abuja, an equivalent of the community leader from that area was equally picked and taken to Abuja

BMW shuts three factories in China amid coronavirus outbreak



BMW, on Thursday, said it was closing three of its factories in the Chinese city of Shenyang, where it employs around 18,000 people and manufactures half a million vehicles every year, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to a BMW spokesman in Munich, the one-week holiday for Chinese New Year has been extended by another week until Feb. 9.

The spokesman added that only office workers in Shenyang would return to work from Monday, though they would be working from home.

“We cannot say exactly what will happen beyond Feb. 9,’’ the spokesman said.

Lekan Abdul, others charged to court by EFCC over 350M fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arraigned a businessman, one Olalekan Abdul the former Managing Director of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Ltd and a former Executive Director of the Punch Newspaper, Azubike Ishekwene over an alleged N350m fraud.





The duo was charged alongside one Morakinyo Bolanle (now at large) before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos

Abdul and Ishekwene were both charged with forgery, use of false document and making documents without authority, while Abdul and Morakinyo, are facing charges of forgery and making documents without authority.

Abdul solely faced charges of forgery, use of false document, obtaining money by false pretences and falsification of books and account documents.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to Mr Mohammed Idris, the Prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdul, Ishekwene,Adewole and Bolanle Morakinyo (now at large) conspired to commit forgery on April 6, 2018.

“The defendants sometimes in 2018 knowingly forged a document titled: ‘Account Opening Document’ dated April 9, 2018, which they purported that it was issued by Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Ltd.

“Abdul and Ishekwene on April 6, 2018, knowingly forged a document titled ‘Board Resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Ltd’ dated April 6, 2018 which they purported was issued by the company.

On April 6, 2018 Abdul and Ishekwene fraudulently presented the forged Board Resolution to Stanbic IBTC Bank as genuine. Abdul and Morakinyo had also on April 6, 2018 forged the Board Resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Ltd.

According to the EFCC prosecutor, on Dec. 14, 2010, Abdul forged the Board Resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Ltd. and presented it to Wema Bank Plc as genuine.

“Armed with the false documents, Abdul had on Dec. 14, 2010 obtained a credit facility of N350 million from Wema Bank Plc by falsely representing to them that the Board Resolution was genuine,” Idris said.

The anti-graft agency said that Abdul had also forged the Board Resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Ltd. on Sept. 27, 2010 in Lagos and had used the document to open an account with Keystone Bank (formerly Bank PHB).

“Abdul had sometime in 2015, being a Director of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Ltd. falsified the Annual Report and Financial Statement of the company and presented it to the Corporate Affairs Commission as genuine.

On Nov. 19, 2011 in Lagos, Abdul forged a document titled ‘Extract of Board Resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Ltd’ which he purported was issued by the company,” the EFCC prosecutor said.

NAN reports that the offences contravened Sections 335(2), 363, 364, 365, 370 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Following the arraignment of the defendants, Idris requesting for a trial date, asked the court to remand the defendants in the correctional facility.

Responding, the defence counsel to Abdul and Yinka Adewole, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), requested that Abdul be granted bail by the court.

Olumide-Fusika said that the third defendant,Yinka Adewole, was not on the run as asserted by the EFCC, but was rather, out of the country.

The first defendant (Abdul) has been on administrative bail of the EFCC since 2018, and anytime he was invited to their office and never failed to honour their invitation.

“The interest at this stage is to ensure that the defendant comes for trial.

“We plea that he drops his international passport, and if we can have a trial date for Friday, we will bring him to court. I undertake to also bring Yinka Adewole to court,” he pleaded.

Also, Mr Muiz Banire (SAN), Defence Counsel to Ishekwene in his submission, asked the court to grant the former Executive Director of Punch Newspapers bail because the correctional facilities are congested.

“The maximum capacity of the prison is 800 as at today it is 3000,” Banire said.Acceding to the requests of the defence counsel, Justice Mojisola Dada, granted bail to the defendants.

“Due to the personal plea of the defence counsel on their attendance in court and the forfeiture of their international passports, temporary bail has been granted therein for the hearing of the bail application.

“The case is adjourned to Friday Jan. 31,” the judge ruled.

Insecurity: Calls For Service Chiefs Sack Misplaced - Olowu

...Says Nigerian Security Situation Calls For Holistic Appraisal




Olowu of Kuta, Osun State, His Royal majesty Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, Tegbosin 11, has counseled the National Assembly and Nigerians calling for the sack of the service chiefs to have a rethink.

The monarch says the Nigerian security situation call for holistic appraisal instead of quick fix which we have embarked on to tackle the Insurgency.

Oluwu in a statement issued by his Media Office on Thursday said the call seemed to be hasty and transferred aggression to the service chiefs who have sacrificed a lot to defend the territorial integrity and the internal security of the country.

The revered monarch who maintained that though the security of the country needs to be overhauled for optimum performance, he said people should know that the military alone is not to be blamed for the lapses, how far have we pursued Political options.

He, however, advised that stampeding the service chiefs out will not be the best way to appreciate their efforts.

Oba Makama said; “ The Senate and House of Representatives motions that the service chiefs should resign or be sacked is not the best way to appreciate their efforts. The danger inherent in such motions is that it will not only demoralized the officers and men who would feel let down by such decision, those coming to take over from them may be reluctant since it is the same military considering the monumental impact the present military leadership has made towards professionalism in the Army that we're not talking of, I think when dealing with the issue of security, we should be circumspect so as not to jeopardize the success we have achieved bearing in mind that fighting insurgents is not a conventional warfare. Again, what’s the budget of the defense this year? How will a military fighting insurgents, fighting armed banditry, kidnapping and other several operations within the country cope with such meager budget? What’s the role of the DSS, NSDC, Police, Immigration, Customs in a situation like this?” are they equipped to compliment the military gains in the war fronts,He asked.

Olowu said it is crystal clear that our military is overstretch and to support the military in fighting the insurgents vis a vis Political options Should be our Collective responsibility.

He also counseled that once a military clears an area and rid it of Boko Haram elements, the onus is on the police and NSDC and other security agents to occupy the area to secure it.

He is also of the opinion that the Sambisa Forest ought to have been developed and used for extended mechanized farming once the military clears it instead of leaving it fallow for the insurgents to return and occupy the place, our De- Radicalisation policy should be Reviewed.

“ I think we need to do a critical appraisal of the insurgents with the view of proffering lasting solution that will be in the interest of all and sundry. Like the Borno Governor remarked two days ago that many of the elected public officials do not want to hear the truth. I think we need to tell ourselves the blunt truth, instead of resorting to fire brigade approach of treating the symptoms, instead of holistic treatment of the issues “ . He added.