Global Naija Info

The gavel of justice Paul Iyoghojie: The police at the Maroko Division of the Lagos State Command, Lekki, Lagos, western Nigeria have arrested a 26-year old househelp, Anna Payaro, for allegedly breaking and entering her employer’s apartment to steal his properties valued at N2.5m after her employer left her at home for work. The incident, according to the police, occurred at Goshen Estate, Lekki, Lagos where the suspect resides with her employer, Olatunji Adepoju. After investigation by Sergeant Ofem Bassey and his team, the suspect was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on a three-count charge of felony, to wit, stealing. Police prosecutor, Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji told the court that the accused broke and entered inside her employer’s living room to steal the sum of N300,000, $1,000 and £500 pounds all valued at N2.5m, property of Olatunji Adepoju and escaped before she was arrested at a hideout. Osuji said the offences committed are punishable under section

Dr. John Odigie-Oyegun On Saturday, June 11, 2016, the University of Ibadan Alumni Association will confer the 2015 Alumnus of the Year Award- the Association’s highest honour, on one of the institution’s outstanding graduates, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and first Executive Governor of Edo State. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, CON, is the first to be honoured by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association. He is a 1963 graduate of the University of Ibadan, where he studied Economics, graduating in flying colours. The Luncheon and Award ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Bishop Richard Finn Auditorium (Catholic Centre), University of Ibadan, Ibadan-Oyo State. Former Vice President and Turakin Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, is Chairman of the occasion. Former Minister of External Affairs and former Nigeria Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR, is Special Gues

Sambo Dasuki, embattled National Security Adviser to Goodluck Jonathan Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, told off the counsel to a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), J.B. Daudu, SAN, over his attempt to further stall the trial of Dasuki and four others. Dasuki( first defendant) alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the National Security Adviser; Aminu Babakusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13, 570,000, 000. Daudu, who was represented by Adeola Adedipe at the last adjourned date, May 23, 2016, had urged the court to adjourn the trial of his client sine die on the

Joshua Dariye, former Plateau State governor: Has a pending case in UK The trial of a former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, continued on Monday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting its tenth witness, as it closed its case against him. Dariye is being prosecuted by the EFCC on charges bordering on money laundering and diversion of funds before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Gudu, Abuja. He is alleged to have siphoned the state’s ecological fund to the tune of N1.16 billion. The witness, Kawu Mohammed, an operative at the EFCC’s Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section, told the court that the unit, which was created in 2009, had the task of executing court orders of interim forfeiture of assets owned by individuals being prosecuted by the EFCC. “Among the court orders we received was that of Joshua Chibi Dariye, which was an interim forfeiture order pending the determination of the charges against

Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and GMD of NNPC The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will reduce the impact of its oil exploration and exploitation on the environment as a means of preserving and conserving wildlife resources to demonstrate its support for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on best environmental management practices. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, made this commitment during the 2016 World Environment Day (WED) with the theme: “Illegal Trade in Wildlife” and NNPC adopted the slogan “Let’s Go Wild for Life” at the NNPC Towers in Abuja. Represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Services, Mr. Isa Inuwa, Dr. Kachikwu noted that as part of the Corporation’s determination to conserve wildlife, it has set up the Lekki Conservation Center with the support of Chevron Nigeria Limited and Finima Nature Park in Bonny with the support of th

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Monday disqualified himself from presiding over the trial of Gabriel Suswan, former Governor of Benue State and his finance commissioner, Okolobia Okpanachi. Suswan and his co-accused are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before the judge on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of state funds to the tune N3.1 billion. At the resumed trial today, Justice Mohammed drew the court’s attention to an online publication purportedly on “Sahara Reporters” last week to the effect that the first defendant (Suswan) entered a financial agreement with him in order for judgment to be delivered in his favour. Reacting, counsel on both sides condemned the publication describing it as unfortunate. Counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, expressed confidence in the court to conduct the case. He invited the court to

By Jibrin Ibrahim On May 31st, my good friend Chido Onumah made a public presentation of his book, We Are All Biafrans. The book is a passionate plea to all Nigerians to work together to ensure that we stop “sleepwalking to disaster”. The discussions on the book in the media were completely overshadowed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s support for the political restructuring of the country, expressed in the same event. Chido makes the case that we need to renegotiate but it should not be done “solely on the basis of ethnic, religious or cultural affinity”. Biafra, he argues, is not an “Igbo problem” but a Nigerian one and the way forward is to build our federalism along civic lines and on the basis of “justice and equal opportunities for all”. I completely agree with the argument. Nonetheless, the discourse of marginalisation has permeated Igbo consciousness, just as it is the case for other Nigerians and the issue of unpacking ethnic narratives is extremely important. I tri

Pastor William Kumuyi, General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, has advocated for dialogue to resolve the crisis in the Niger Delta region. He made the call on Monday while speaking with newsmen in Warri. The clergyman, who visited Warri for a one-day programme tagged, “Following a Life Transforming Example,” said the situation in the volatile oil-rich region should not be a “win-win affairs.” During the programme which was organised by the Deeper Life Bible Church at the Warri township stadium, Kumuyi said: “the solution to the crisis in the Niger Delta is dialogue. “Stakeholders should reason together and see a way forward instead of accusing each other. “What we are interested in is how to solve the problem; what are the expectations of both sides so that we can move forward,’’ he said. He also pointed out that the administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari had not done badly, adding that one year in office was not enough to evaluate the success of any govern

Dr-Osagie-Ehanire, Minister of State for Health The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Monday said poor environment and lack of modern equipment scare people away from the nation’s public health institutions. Ehanire said this in Lagos at the inauguration of three projects at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos. The projects are Administrative Block, Amenity (Executive) Clinic and NHIS Clinic. He said that with good environment and modern facilities, people would be willing to seek medical intervention in the country instead of travelling abroad. “In Nigeria, we have well-trained medical personnel. “If we have modern equipment in place and good service delivery, we will not need to go abroad for medical treatment,’’ the minister said. Ehanire also said that strike was not the best option for medical workers to resolve their grievances. “One of the major challenges is unrest in the health sector where the health personnel always go on strike to pre

Nollywood actress and the wife of top Nollywood actor, Prince Jide Kosoko, Henrietta Kosoko has passed on today. Henrietta and Jide kosoko The 53-year-old actress passed away a couple of hours ago after she slumped and was rushed to the hospital. After she slumped and was rushed to the hospital, the doctors confirmed she her dead. The actress celebrated her 53rd birthday last week, and according to reports have been battling with diabetes for a while before she died on Monday morning at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos state. An inside source who preferred anonymousity said, ‘She was in coma and eventually gave up the ghost, she’s actually been battling diabetics for a while now cause her sugar level keeps fluctuating’. Tributes have started pouring in by her colleagues in the industry as the likes of Toyin Aimakhu, Odunlade Adekola, Saheed Balogun and many others have started mourning the talented actress Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. RIP Henriett

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress The All Progressives Congress (APC) says 2,304 delegates will be electing a gubernatorial candidate for the party in Edo on June 18. Twelve delegates from 192 wards in 18 local government areas will converge on Benin to choose a candidate out of the 12 aspirants angling for the top job in the state. Of the 12 aspirants, 11 bought their expression of interest and nomination forms for N5.5 million each while one, a woman, got hers for free. Some of the aspirants confirmed the allegation that some fellows were buying up Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) ahead of the Sept. 10 election in the state. An aspirant, Mr Charles Airhiavbere, told newsmen at the APC secretariat that such acts were fraudulent, despicable and shameful. “That information is correct. Delegates have reported some elements buying up PVCs for N5,000. “This is a gross abuse of human rights. It’s a challenge a leader has to face in the future. I

One of the last haunting photographs of Muhammad Ali taken in March by a British photographer The remains of late boxing legend Muhammad Ali arrived at his hometown in the U.S. city of Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, the city’s mayor, Greg Fischer, said. Fischer said “Ali is now home. The burial will take place on Friday after a memorial procession through the city that will be covered live on the Internet.” “The route will pass locations that were meaningful in the career of the three-time world heavyweight champion.” Ali died on Friday at the age of 74 at a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, after a 32-year fight against Parkinson’s disease.

Solomon Arase, Inspector General of Police Enugu State Police Command said persons with tattoo on their bodies would be disqualified in the ongoing nationwide recruitment into the force. The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed in Enugu on Monday that the measure was part of the rules for the recruitment. Amaraizu said that procedures for the screening had been put in place by the police authorities and that those that were shortlisted for the interview had been communicated through their email addresses. “The present recruitment is for degree holders and will last for three weeks and after that, the selected ones will proceed for the written interview. “Over aged people, tattooed persons, falsified results, statement of results over five years and people with some physical impediments will be disqualified from the exercise,” he said. On the number of applicants shortlisted in Enugu, Amaraizu said that would be determined after the exercise. “Al

Chief Maugbe Tudonu Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta: Magistrate Y.O. Aje-Atunwa of the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court Ikeja, Lagos State has ordered that Chief Maugbe Babatunde Tudonu, 44, Baale of Farasinmi community in Badagry West Local Council Development Area of Lagos State be remanded in Kirikiri prison custody until he is able to perfect conditions attached to his bail. He was remanded alongside his Secretary, Reverend Samuel Boyon,40. They were charged with a five-count charge ranging from breach of peace, stealing, possession of arms, causing grievous harm, among others. In charge number MIK/A/142/2016, the two accused persons were granted bail in the sum of N250,000 each sum but were unable to meet the bail conditions last Friday. Police investigation revealed that the crisis has to do with a tussle for the Baale of Farasinmi community in Badagry West LCDA, Lagos State. The police arraigned the accused in court at the conclusion of investigation into the crisis. Police investigati

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said in the commission’s daily bulletin issued on Monday in Abuja that it had reinstated 20 members of staff, who were unduly retired or dismissed or whose appointments were terminated by it. The statement stated that the affected officers were reinstated in compliance with the order of the Industrial Court, regular courts or the Court of Appeal, respectively. The reinstated officers, according to the publication, were Michael Nwankwo, Chineye Amakiri, Benjamin Nwajagu, James Ukaba, Dennis Ogbu, Henry Mbonu, Obinna Nwosu and Friday Mgbere. Others were Dayan Moore, Cordelia Modeme, Asuquo Affia, Ifeyinwa Umeadi, Osunlola Akinyinka, Emmanuel Owette, Alex Ejesieme and Chukwujekwu Okeke. Also reinstated by the commission were Mr Emmanuel Bassey, Akao James, Oni Babajide and Gbenga Ajayi. According the statement, the commission had approved the dismissal of Agudosi Maryann from its service for absenteeism “in line with INEC Staff and

Sambo Dasuki arriving the court premises Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, June 6, 2016 told off the counsel to former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dazuki (retd.), J.B. Daudu, SAN, over his attempt to further stall the trial of Dasuki and four others. Dasuki (first defendant) alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the National Security Adviser; Aminu Babakusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13, 570,000, 000.00 (Thirteen Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy Million Naira). Daudu, who was represented by Adeola Adedipe at the last adjourned date, May 23, 2016, had urged the court to adjo

Dr Karo Ogbinaka, Deputy Dean I, Students’ Affairs, University of Lagos. Dr Karo Ogbinaka, the Deputy Dean I, Students’ Affairs, University of Lagos, on Monday assured students of the institution that their accommodation problems would soon be over.   Ogbinaka, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, spoke against the backdrop of the acute shortage of accommodation facing students of the university. He said that the university management was taking necessary steps to ensure the comfort and improvement in the welfare of the students. Ogbinaka, also a senior lecturer, Department of Philosophy, said that the renovation and reconstruction works of the halls awarded in 2015 had reached an advanced stage and would be completed soon. He said that the El-Kanemi Hall was undergoing a total reconstruction as it was being converted from wooden bungalow structures to concrete ensuite type. According to him, the ongoing renovation and reconstruction of projects invo

The gavel of justice A motorcycle thief, 31-year old Gideon Olonade, is to spend the next four years in prison, an Osun court ruled on Monday. A Chief Magistrates’ Court, Modakeke in Ife North-East of Osun gave the verdict after Olonade pleaded guilty to the charge. Olonade, whose address is unknown, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Bose Awosan on June 6 on a charge of stealing. The magistrate said the sentence was without an option of fine to serve as a deterrent to others. She ordered that the convict should be taken to the Ile-Ife Prisons to serve his jail term. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sergeant Ona Glory told the court that Olonade committed the offence on May 14 at Oke-Owu compound in Modakeke. The accused had stolen a motorcycle with registration No. (Ogun) MEK 866 QB, valued at N70,000, property of a man, Abiodun Olaposi. The offence contravened Sections 383 (2) and 390 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun.

Yahaya Bello sworn in as Kogi governor The Kogi State governorship election tribunal has ruled that the failure of Mr James Faleke to join INEC in his petition against the election of Governor Yahaya Bello is a major defect to his petition and therefore dismissed it. The tribunal ruled that James Faleke lacks the locus standi to challenge the substitution of Late Audu Abubakar having not participated in the APC primaries that produced Audu Abubakar. The Tribunal further held that the constitution does not recognize independent candidates as political parties are the ones vested with the power to nominate and sponsor a candidate for any election. The Tribunal added that the APC was legally right to substitute its candidate due to force majeur as the November 21 election was declared inconclusive. ”It is parties that win and lose an election and APC was duly invited by INEC to present a new candidate following the death of Prince Audu Abubakar. Records before the court showed that

The South-South chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of sponsoring the new militant group bombing oil and gas installations in the country, the Niger Delta Avengers. The party made the allegation at the end of a meeting held in Benin City, Edo State. APC described the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta region as a ploy to frustrate and derail President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. “The zone is cocksure that the nefarious and ruinous activities of the ‘Avengers’ are not driven by any patriotic and altruistic impulse”, the APC said in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting. “We have compelling reasons to strongly assert that these activities are sponsored and instigated by the opposition PDP to derail and frustrate the APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari because of its determination to fight against corruption, stabilise and put our country on the path of sustainable development”. The c

The haunting last pictures of The Greatest Muhammad Ali These are some of the last photographs taken of Muhammad Ali before his death in the early hours of last Saturday. It was taken by British photographer Zenon Texeira for Daily Mail of London.

Oil prices pushed higher Monday thanks to a softer dollar after last week’s disappointing US jobs report, but gains were limited as producers increased their rig count. The US Labor Department said Friday that just 38,000 new jobs were created last month, a quarter of what was expected. With a US interest rate rise not now seen before September at the earliest, the dollar tumbled — making oil cheaper for anyone buying it with other currencies. At about 0640 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up 42 cents, or 0.86 percent, at $49.04, while Brent gained 36 cents, or 0.73 percent, to $50.00. Oil is up about 85 percent from the near 13-year lows touched at the start of the year, and key producer Abu Dhabi said the supply glut that had hammered prices was easing quicker than expected. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, also predicted prices could rise to as much as $60 this year. However, analysts said gains would meet resistance

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos As Muslims in Nigeria join their counterparts across the world to commence the annual Ramadan, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode sent his heartfelt greetings to all Muslim faithfuls in the State just as he called on them to see the period as a time to promote culture of tolerance and peaceful co-existence. In a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, the Governor said the commencement of Ramadan as a Holy month should be seen as an opportunity to learn self restraint, sacrifice, piety and love. He said this was in line with the admonition of the Holy Quran, Chapter 2 Verse 183, which says, “Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you can learn self restraint (Piety)”. The Governor therefore urged Muslims in the State to take the opportunity of this Holy month to promote a culture of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among people of diverse ethnicity.

NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry swapped jerseys with Brazilian football star Neymar on Sunday after Curry helped the Golden State Warriors rout Cleveland 110-77 in the NBA Finals. NBA scoring champion Curry made the exchange shortly after the defending NBA champions seized a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series, which resumes Wednesday in Cleveland. Curry’s Brazilian teammates, Leandro Barbosa and Anderson Varejao, also received autographed jerseys from the 24-year-old Brazilian striker, a spectator for the blowout of LeBron James and company. “It’s the first time we’ve met,” Curry said. “L.B. and Varejao talk about him all the time. But obviously a star in the soccer world, and such skill and kind of grace when he’s out there on the field, so he’s fun to watch.” Neymar had been in the Rose Bowl on Saturday along such Hollywood celebrities as Justin Bieber and Jamie Foxx to watch Brazil play Ecuador to a goal-less draw in Copa America Centenario, the special 100

Riyad Mahrez Arsenal are in talks to complete a double raid on Leicester’s Premier League title-winning team by seeking out winger Riyad Mahrez, 25, in addition to striker Jamie Vardy, 29. (Sun) The Gunners are confident that Vardy will sign for them before the 2016 European Championship starts on Friday. (Telegraph) No decision is imminent on Vardy’s future. He has been offered a £120,000-a-week deal by the Gunners. (Leicester Mercury) The Foxes are targeting Watford striker Troy Deeney, 27, as a replacement for Vardy. (Telegraph) Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, 25, has dampened speculation he could join Paris St-Germain by saying they are not part of his plans and he only wants to leave Stamford Bridge on a high. (Telefoot, via Guardian) PSG are ready to tempt Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante, 25, with a huge five-year deal. (Daily Mirror) New Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been backed to “transform” the club and take it to another level by chairman Khaldoon Al Mu

Jamie Vardy in England colours Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is expected to decide whether to join Arsenal before England fly out to France for Euro 2016 on Monday. England are due to leave Luton airport at around 11:30 BST. Arsenal have reached an agreement with Leicester and offered Vardy a four-year deal with a significantly higher wage. Leicester are reportedly in the process of offering the 29-year-old, who signed a new three-year contract in February, an improved deal of their own. Vardy joined Leicester from Fleetwood for £1m in 2012 and helped the Foxes to the Premier League title last season, scoring 24 goals.

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria By John Adebisi “I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better.” – Georg Christoph Lichtenberg A federation is a country of individual states or regions that have control over their own affairs but give some powers to a central government for national integration and international diplomacy. But when the foundation is faulty what can we do? We may continue to treat the symptoms of an ailment whose root is continuously being nourished by a pool of structural defects. The 1999 Constitution is an offshoot of Nigeria’s problem. A handpicked few drafted the 1999 Constitution to protect “THEY, the ruling elite” to the detriment of “WE, the people.” THEY are bad leaders, past and present. THEY are the same of the same, yesterday and today. THEY are few; WE are many. WE are impoverished citizens held down by ignorance. WE are ordinary Nigerians deeply divided by ethnic and religi

Abdulmajid Ali, Ogun Police Commissioner Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta: The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, has vowed to deal ruthlessly with criminals in the state, especially pipeline vandals. Ali made this vow while addressing officers and men of the command deployed for the special operation to tackle pipeline vandals at Arepo and some other areas of the state, at Ibafo Divisional Police headquarters. The special operation coordinated by the police boss led to the arrest of four leaders of the vandals responsible for killings, damaging PPMC/NNPC pipelines and other criminal acts at Arepo for many years. For the operation, the command deployed men from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Police Mobile Force, MOPOL, Safer Highway and Anti-Crime teams from various sections of the command to attack the hoodlums in the creeks with two armoured personnel carriers, APC. The names of the four suspects arrested during the operation were given as Pere Ugbozuwa, 40, who

Draymond Green starred for Golden State Warriors as they take a two game lead to Cleveland Draymond Green scored 28 points as Golden State beat Cleveland 110-77 to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. Stephen Curry added 18 points and nine rebounds but played just 25 minutes as the defending champions took control of the best-of-seven series. Cleveland’s cause was not helped when Kevin Love was forced to leave the game feeling dizzy after taking a blow to the head in the second quarter. “They beat us pretty good tonight,” said Cavaliers talisman LeBron James. He finished with 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds but did not play in the fourth quarter once the Warriors had opened up a big lead by the end of the third. Golden State beat Cleveland in last year’s Finals and have now beaten the Cavs seven straight times. They won game one 104-89. The series now switches to Cleveland after the first two games took place in Oakland, the home of the Warriors.

James Faleke James Abiodun Faleke, the member of the House of Representatives, who wants the Kogi Governorship Election Tribunal to declare him the governor of the state, will know his fate today. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Halima Mohammed,sitting in Jabi, Abuja, will deliver judgment on Faleke’s petition against the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello. Both of them belong to the All Progressives Congress, APC. The verdict on Faleke’s petition will be followed on Tuesday with that on former Governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party who also wants the Tribunal to declare him the winner of the poll, declared initially inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the same day, the poll winner, Abubakar Audu died, suddenly. Wednesday has been set aside for the judgment on other petitions filed by the other parties. Bello was nominated by the APC to replace its late candidate, Abubakar Audu. Governor Bello: Will he survive? Audu died after it was cle