Global Naija Info

Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN There was palpable anxiety at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Wednesday over the alleged sack and demotion of not fewer than 22 directors and general managers of the agency. A reliable source disclosed in Lagos that majority of the directors were relieved of their duties while the general managers were demoted. The source said some of the affected general managers, who were not properly placed in their appointments, were demoted from Grade Levels 17 and 16 to levels 10, 12 and 14 respectively. It was gathered that the restructuring was done by the Ministry of Transport following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee chaired by the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita. The Minister of State, Aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika, had said aviation agencies, particularly FAAN and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), were over-bloated The committee, in its report, discovered that FAAN had no few...

Goodie Ibru Goodie Ibru, one of the popular Ibru brothers, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a notice issued on Wednesday, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said Goodie, 74 years old, is wanted in connection with money laundering, conspiracy, theft, capital market fraud and diversion of funds. Ibru’s offence emanated from his chairmanship of Ikeja Hotels, owners of Sheraton Hotel in Abuja and Lagos, Capital Hotel and Federal Palace Hotel. The ownership of the company has been a subject of dispute between Maiden Ibru, publisher of The Guardian newspaper and Goodie Ibru. The EFCC public notice declaring Goodie Ibru wanted Maiden’s late husband, Alex Ibru was a co-director of the company. But when he died, a struggle began for the control of the company. The EFCC in its notice on its website said: “The public is hereby notified that Goodie Minabo Ibru is wanted by the EFCC in connection with a case of conspiracy, capital market fr...

court-of-law The Chief Judge of Adamawa, Justice Ishaya Banu, has ordered the immediate release of nine people including an alleged chicken thief, Musa Ali, awaiting trial at Jimeta Prison. Banu gave the order during a jail delivery in the prison on Wednesday. He ordered that an alleged handset thief, Saidu Mohammed, awaiting trial for several months in the prison should be freed. Also released were Tilo Bamaiyi awaiting trial for insulting “an elder”, Ardo Buba for attempting to steal a sign board, Abubakar Ishaku, Rabo Umar, Buba Manu and Mustapha Mohammed arrested for wondering. The chief judge, however, granted bail to more than 35 suspects. A total of 681 cases are slated to be reviewed at the ongoing open court sitting in Jimeta Prison.

President Muhammadu Buhari As the economy takes a bashing, Nigerians who groan under its weight design positive and negative survival strategies. The situation, however, is not beyond redemption as the government and experts (Henry Boyo, Ayo Teriba, Ifeanyi Uddin, Odia Ofeimun, Tunde Babawale and others) posit BY ADEMOLA ADEGBAMIGBE It is usually the face-me-I-face you tenement where I- better- pass -my-neighbour smoke belching electricity generators whine away in high decibels and compete for space with kitchen cupboards, fowls and goats. Apartment rats here do not respect territorial integrity. Twitching their you-can -do- me nothing whiskers, they dart from room to room, wreaking havoc on cloths, carelessly dropped Naira notes, exposed loaves of bread, biscuits, uncovered amala and, most disastrously, toes of sleeping tenants. Cockroaches, the eternal paratroopers with brown jackets and nauseating exoskeletons, fly from one end to the other as if on war reconnaissance. Worse st...

The suspected kidnappers Kazeem Ugbodaga Officials of the Nigerian Police have arrested five kidnappers who have carried out kidnapping activities at Isheri area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The invigorated Intelligence Response Team (IRT) under the auspices of the office of the Inspector General of Police carried out the massive onslaught on the kidnappers of some residents of an estate in Isheri area of Lagos state and arrested some suspects. A statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah said the onslaught yielded prompt result as the hoodlums were eventually arrested. “This feat was achieved as a result of due diligence and intelligence led policing exhibited by members of the Force and the zeal shown by public spirited citizens to rid our society of crime. “It will be recalled that some residents of an Estate in Isheri area of Lagos state were kidnapped on 27/09/2016 and were subsequently released by their abductors,” the statement said. The suspects are: ...

Harrison Ford A production company behind the latest Star Wars movie has been fined £1.6m after Harrison Ford broke his leg on set. The actor was injured in June 2014 at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire as he reprised his role as Han Solo. He was struck by a metal door on the set of the Millennium Falcon spaceship. Foodles Production (UK) Ltd, owned by Disney, pleaded guilty earlier this year to two charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Following the incident filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Mr Ford was airlifted to hospital for surgery. -BBC from Entertainment – P.M. NEWS Nigeria http://ift.tt/2e66E8B via IFTTT

Hilary Clinton Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta, has said the FBI is investigating whether Russia was behind a hack on his private email. Mr Podesta also suggested Republican nominee Donald Trump’s campaign was given advance notice of the breach. His remarks come after WikiLeaks published a trove of his hacked emails. The top adviser to Mrs Clinton said the enquiry was part of a wider probe into hacks on the Democratic Party by groups with Russian ties. “I’ve been involved in politics for nearly five decades,” Mr Podesta told reporters aboard the Clinton campaign plane. “This definitely is the first campaign that I’ve been involved with in which I’ve had to tangle with Russian intelligence agencies, who seem to be doing everything they can on behalf of our opponent.” The longtime aide to Mrs Clinton pointed to a tweet by Mr Trump’s adviser Roger Stone in August that said Mr Podesta’s “time in the barrel” was coming. However, the tweet was posted shortly after ...

Harrison Ford A production company behind the latest Star Wars movie has been fined £1.6m after Harrison Ford broke his leg on set. The actor was injured in June 2014 at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire as he reprised his role as Han Solo. He was struck by a metal door on the set of the Millennium Falcon spaceship. Foodles Production (UK) Ltd, owned by Disney, pleaded guilty earlier this year to two charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Following the incident filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Mr Ford was airlifted to hospital for surgery. -BBC

Tinubu and Oyegun The Lagos State House of Assembly has questioned the presidency’s silence in the wake of the recent rift between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. Speaking at the House’s plenary, Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Tunde Braimoh, drummed up support for Tinubu, putting into consideration the years of sacrifice and financial commitments he gave to the emergence of the party. The lawmaker and his colleagues said that nobody can whittle down the political power and influence of the National Leader of the APC. They noted that an insult to the personality of Tinubu was synonymous to insulting the entire Yoruba race, especially given the leadership role he (Tinubu) has played in the unification of the Yoruba nation. “The situation does not speak well for the internal democracy of our party and efforts must be made by stakeholders to arrive at a quick resolution. “To achieve this...

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (2nd left), with the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries – Mrs. Toyin Idowu Awoseyi as PS, Civil Service Commission (right) and Mrs. Amudat Elizabeth Adekanye as PS/Tutor General, Education District V (left) during the Swearing-in of the Two Permanent Secretaries at the EXCO Chamber, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday swore-in two new Permanent Secretaries into the State Public Service, with a charge on the appointees to add positive values and uphold the tradition of excellence which the State is known for. Ambode, who performed the swearing-in ceremony at the Executive Council Chambers at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said the successes recorded so far by his administration in the last 16 months could be largely attributed to the vibrant public service in the State, and counseled the appointees to continually adhere strictly to the ...

Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Information in Lagos State Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Government on Wednesday confirmed the release of the four pupils and teachers of the Lagos State Model College (Senior and Junior) Igbonla in Epe who were kidnapped by suspected ex-Ijaw militants on October 6, 2016, assuring that the Government would spare nothing until it rids the State of criminal elements. The Government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the children have undergone medical check-up after which they were reunited with their families. “The Lagos State Government today welcomed the release of the school pupils, Vice-Principal and Head teacher of Igbonla Model College, Epe, who were kidnapped by suspected Ijaw militants on Thursday October 6, 2016. “The children are doing well; they have been taken through medical checkup and have been safely reunited with their families.” Ayorinde, while restating government’...

Abubakar Ibrahim Kazeem Ugbodaga A Nigerian journalist, Abubakar Ibrahim has emerged the winner of the 2016 Nigeria Prize for Literature as he won a cash prize of $100,000. In the award put together by the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, Ibrahim was announced winner on Wednesday after his novel, “Season of Crimson Blossom,” was adjured the best. Prof. Ayo Banjo, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the prize, announced Ibrahim winner at a World Press Conference held the Sheraton Hotels, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. According to the organizer of the event, 173 authors participated in this year’s competition in which three finalists emerged. The finalists were Elnathan John, who authored the book, “Born On A Tuesday”; Chika Unigwe, who authored “Night Dancer” and the winner, Abubakar Ibrahim. Renowned Professor of Literature and literary, Prof. Dan Izevbaye was the head of the panel. Prof. Banjo praised Ibrahim for doing a thorough job which earned him a place in history as the w...

air-france The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday said 650 athletes would participate in the 8th NAF games scheduled to hold from Oct. 24 to Oct. 29 in Katsina State. Air Commodore Charles Oghomwen, Chairman, NAF Games 2016, told newsmen at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja, that the objective of the games was to promote participation in sporting activities toward personnel fitness. The event is tagged: “Katsina 2016’’ with the theme:“Sports: A Vital Tool for Professionalism in NAF’’. Oghomwen also said that the essence of the games was to foster `esprit-de-corps’(friendliness) amongst the personnel. He said that the games were also to serve as an avenue to select athletes that would represent NAF in future championships. He said further that the games were a symbol of harmony that bonded the competing teams together. “It creates an awareness drive for both the competing teams and the general public. “It projects the service image and endears it into the hearts of the general pu...

Shiites in Kaduna Eleven have been reportedly killed across Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto states, when Shiites members and youths clashed during their procession. Breakdown of the killings revealed that in Katsina State five were killed, in Kaduna four and in Sokoto State 2 died, while several vehicles were burnt during the incident. LEADERSHIP newspaper reports that in Tudun Wada community of Kaduna South Local Government Area, irate youth attacked and killed four suspected members of the Shi’a sect, and torched the residence of their group’s leader Wednesday, witnesses said. The mob also demolished the Shiite’s Islamic school in the area. The incident occurred a day after a clampdown by Nigerian security forces prevented the Shiites from embarking on their planned annual procession. “It’s the police that ordered the youths to attack us and to destroy our buildings,” one Shiite leader. “We shall address a press conference to give account of our encounter later,” he said. It was l...

National Youth Service Corp members Residents and leaders of Elekahia community in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers, on Wednesday commended the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD). NYSC flagged-off the 2016 HIRD program in Elekahia community on Oct. 11. Mr Temple Aholu, an elder in the community and Chairman, Council of Owhor title holders, said in Port Harcourt that the initiative was laudable. “I thank NYSC for bringing the program to my community. This is the first time, ever since I was born that I am seen a selfless service like this in my community. “God bless the management of NYSC for thinking out a program that communities will have direct benefit from,’’ he said. Aholu said that the HIRD had educated had equipped them better on how to go about their health. Chief Priscilla Akorolo, wife of the paramount ruler of the community, said that elders, women and youths were going to benefit from the free healthca...

Governors Since the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria began in 1999, opinions have been divided on its desirability, given the cost of running the system. While many Nigerians have called for a review of the system to ascertain its suitability on the ground that it is expensive, some, especially political office holders, have continued to defend it. The proponents of the system argue that it is the best for the country and that the cost of governance inherent is inevitable. A major known source of huge expenditure in a democratic governance, the type adopted in Nigeria, is the retinue of aides often appointed by the president, state governors and lawmakers at all levels. Prompted by these concerns, a survey conducted revealed that governors in each state of the federation have an average of 100 political appointees, including commissioners. In the North-Central zone, it was discovered that the governor of Niger, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, has 317 aides, aside from 14 commi...

united-nations The UN World Food Program (WFP) Kenya Country Director, Annalisa Conte, on Wednesday said it planned to feed 600,000 school children in Kenya in 2016. Conte told newsmen in Nairobi that her organisation had been conducting the school feeding program for the past 30 years. Since 2009, Kenya has also been complementing WFP efforts to fund the school feeding program. Conte said Kenya’s economy is rapidly expanding and so it has the capacity to fund the program using domestic resources. According to the WFP, it costs between 0.1 to 0.12 cents to feed each pupil per day. The government is currently funding 1 million school children under the Home Grown School Meals Program (HGSMP). The program is conducted mainly in arid and semi-arid sub-counties in order to improve access to education in the areas. Conte said the school feeding program is an investment for Kenya’s future. “We have seen that the school meals program has increased the school attendance level partic...

broken marriage A mother of six, Titilayo Abdul-Hammed, has lost her 17-year-old marriage for making her husband a laughing stock in the neighborhood. An Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Wednesday granted the request of her estranged husband, Minkail Abdul-Hammed. Abdul-Hammed, a cleric, 57, had approached the court seeking to end his 17-year-old marriage with Titilayo, because her nakedness was seen by spectators free of charge. The Court President, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, in his judgment said that it was obvious from available testimony and the respondent’s refusal to appear in court that the marriage had “hit the rock”. “Throughout the duration of this case, the respondent refused to honor court processes.Therefore, the court has no other choice than to dissolve the marriage. “The marriage between, Minkail Abdul-Hammed and Titilayo Abdul-Hammed is hereby dissolved. “Both parties are no longer husband and wife; they are free to marry any partner of their choice without any ...

Handcuffed A 29-year-old printer, Luke Adeyemi who allegedly defiled his neighbour’s 12-year-old daughter, was on Wednesday brought before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The accused, who lives in Ikosi-Ketu area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of defilement and attempted rape. According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, the complainant, the father of the victim, came to Ketu Police Station in company of the little girl to report the incident. He said the complainant reported that the accused,his neighbour, had defiled his daughter by having carnal knowledge of her. Ihiehie said the complainant told the police that his daughter revealed to him that the accused had done it to her twice in his house. “The first time was on Sept. 17 when she went to his house to borrow a phone charger and he dragged her into his room. “The second time was about two weeks ago when she was sent on an errand by her mother to their landlord.” The offences contravened Sections 137 a...

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has praised the executive of the Osun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (OSCAN) after the Christian group paid a courtesy visit to the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola recently. In a statement issued by MURIC Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Muslim group congratulated the new OSCAN executive on its assumption of office while lauding the new executive of OSCAN for its positive and progressive move. “It is highly commendable and we are thrilled to find a new CAN leadership in the State of Osun extending the hand of fellowship to the state government,” MURIC said. During their visit to the governor, OSCAN commended Aregbesola for his commitment to the development and transformation of the state in the face of present economic recession and lauded the state government for being consistent in championing equity, balance and harmony among the adherents of the three major faiths in ...

Mr Fatai Owoseni, Lagos State Commissioner of Police. A 53-year-old man, Ademola Adesoji, appeared in an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly punching a woman on her mouth. Adesoji, who lives at No. 25 Owolabi Str., Iyana-Ilogbo, Ota, is facing a charge of assault. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Tsav Dominic, told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 7 at about 4.30 p.m. at Alagbado Area in Ota. Dominic said that the accused unlawfully assaulted Adeola Adele, by punching her on the mouth, contrary Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. Adesoji pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Adebanjo Alebiosu, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum. Adebanjo said that the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed. She also ordered that the sureties should swear to an affidavit of means and produce evidence of one year tax payment to Ogun Gov...

Polio Immunization The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Agency said on Wednesday that it targets the immunisation of a total of three million children of age 0 to age 5 during the October poliomyelitis immunization exercise in the state. This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Deputy Director, Health Education, Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) Hamza Ikara and the State Coordinator, Journalists Initiative on Immunization Against Polio (JAP) Lawal Dagara. The statement made in Kaduna said the exercise was scheduled for between Oct. 15 and Oct -18. “It will be conducted on the streets, house to house, and markets among others,” the statement said. The agency urged parents and caregivers to ensure that they avail their children for vaccination in the polio immunization exercise. Ikara said in the statement that vaccination would enable children grow healthier as such; parents should try and ensure that they allow the vaccinators to attend...

Mr. Lawal Daura, DSS DG One of the seven judges arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS, has admitted that he took bribes running into millions of naira. A DSS source revealed that the judge on being confronted with the proof of the N500 million bribe he collected prostrated before the DSS boss and begged him not to expose him. He was rolling on the floor and this was captured, the source told The Nation newspaper. The judge had refused to unlock the safe in his house for DSS operatives to have access to its contents. The DSS, however, plans to take possession of the safe to uncover its contents, the source said. It was gathered that the agency has been questioning bank chiefs and directors over links with some of the alleged corrupt judges. Those arrested were two Supreme Court Justices ­– Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro; – the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice A...

NCC The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has approved the transfer of Visafone’s shareholding to MTN Nigeria, and not the licence. Mr Tony Ojobo, NCC’s Public Affairs Director, said in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday that a decision to transfer Visafone licence to MTN has not been taken. Ojobo said that this was contrary to the speculation that NCC had foreclosed the release of the spectrum held by Visafone to MTN. He said that the clarification was to allay the fears in some quarters that the frequency had been withheld by the commission. Ojobo said that specifically, Visafone, with a Universal Access Service Licence (UASL) deploying Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, applied to the NCC for an approval to effect a change in its shareholding structure. According to him, this is by transferring 100 per cent of its shares to MTN Nigeria. ”Having met all the preliminary requirements for granting of approval for change in shareholding structure, the...

court-of-law A housewife, Foluke Adesuyi, on Wednesday told an Akure Customary Court that her in-laws wanted her to be a slave to them. Foluke, who was responding to some allegations from her husband, Adebisi, said that she could not totally align with the domineering principle of her in-laws. She told the court that she had tried several means to pacify her husband and his family, but that they needed a woman who could not voice her wishes and opinion. The respondent appealed to the court to consider her means of livelihood and order the petitioner to give her N500, 000.00 for sustenance. Earlier, Adebisi, 41, and an iron fabricator, asked the court to dissolve his 14-year-old marriage to Foluke for alleged constant fighting. Adebisi told the court that he could no longer cope with the endless curses by his wife, who he said, had no respect for his mother and other family members. According to him, his wife does not care for the children and that she is stubborn. In his ruli...

Police cell A 20-year-old boy, Abiodun Oyatolu, who had pleaded guilty to trafficking in 9.9 grammes of heroin in Lagos, is to cool his heels in prison for the next 18 months, a Federal High Court ruled on Wednesday. Justice Abdulazeez Anka, who handed down the verdict, said the drug trafficker was guilty as charged. The accused had admitted guilt of the offence of trafficking in hard drug preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The judge, however, sad the sentence should begin from the date of judgment and ordered the exhibits to be destroyed if there was no subsisting appeal. Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, had tendered as evidence before the court a written statement of the accused, a request for scientific aid form, a drug analysis certificate, as well as remnant of the analysed substance which were admitted as exhibits. Shortly before the sentence, the accused had begged the court to temper justice with mercy, saying “it is t...

The gavel of justice An Ibadan-based businessman, Mr Mumini Adegboyega, has dragged his siblings to an Oyo State High Court over a family property, saying it was given to him as a gift by their late father, Alhaji Suberu Adegboyega. According to reports, the respondents are Isiaka Adetunji, Mujidat Adesanya, Lukman Suberu and Khadijat Siyanbola. Adegboyega told the court through his counsel, Mr Segun Popoola, that he was in possession of the necessary documents on the agreement between him and his late father on the property. Popoola said that his client decided to sue his siblings when the intervention moves made by close family friends to settle the matter were not successful. The claimant’s counsel told the court that the defendants went to the property to pull down a fence and also threaten the tenants. But in her response, the counsel to the respondents, Mrs Folake Olaniran, told the court that she was not aware that her clients pulled down the fence of the disputed proper...

The protesting aides Some aides to senators and members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday protested non-payment of their salaries and allowances by the National Assembly. The aides carried green white green Nigerian flag and placards. They accused the lawmakers of owing them several months of entitlements, an action that has made it difficult for them to meet their basic needs. More later.

farmers The Osun Fadama III Additional Funding program, has begun training of 45 agricultural staff who would train farmers across the state to enhance food production. The Coordinator of the program, Dr Ganiyu Adediji, said on Wednesday at Iwo in Osun, that the training involved all units under the program. Adediji said that the training was designed to change farmers attitude to agricultural enterprises, enhance their knowledge on improved farming practices and encourage application of technical knowledge. “The beneficiaries of this training are to step down their knowledge to the level of the local farmers. “We are training our people on group dynamics, which has to do with group formation and management, book-keeping for farmers and contract negotiation, to get good bargain for purchases and sales,” Adediji said. The coordinator said it was important for farmers to know the overview of agricultural production value chain in modern day agribusiness. He said, Osun Government...

hands Dr Mohammed Abdullahi of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), on Wednesday said habitual knuckle cracking impairs the functions of the hand. Abdullahi said in Ilorin that the habit may lead to swelling of the hand, lower grip strength, knuckle pads, and injuries. He however said that it had no link with arthritis, but could lead to dislocation of fingers and overstretched ligaments. The medical expert noted that though some people experience “therapeutic release” upon cracking their knuckles, the potential damage outweigh any psychological benefit. “Habitual knuckle cracking is linked with hand swelling and reduced grip strength, suggesting that repeated act might gradually damage soft tissue in the hand. “In some cases, the desire to crack could be an attempt to ease ligament stress that is already present,” he said. Abdullahi added that the habitual knuckle cracking was also associated with other potentially damaging activities like repeated manual labor....

Scene of the blast No fewer than 18 people have been confirmed killed in a bomb blast which occurred on Wednesday at Muna Motor Park in Maiduguri, Borno State. Members of the civilian JTF said evacuation is currently ongoing. According to a JTF member, “The suspected Boko Haram members were three in number and died in the suicide attack. For quite sometime now, the terrorists have been making frantic effort to attack Maiduguri, but we were always stopping them. “Just about five days ago, another was killed who came through Jiddari polo side, coming from Alidawari village and now the attack today at Muna,” Kabiru Shuibu said. According to him, soldiers and police bomb squad have been detailed to the site of the blast. Hospital sources in Maiduguri said 18 people were killed in the attack while 26 others were injured. The police in Maiduguri confirmed that at about 08:30am today, an IED exploded on-board a Golf 1 motor vehicle with registration No JERE 349 XA, body S/No RTEAN 717...

court-of-law An Evbouriaria Magistrates’ Court in Benin on Wednesday remanded three defendants, Blessing Martins, 20; David Oghenekaro, 20; and Onome Sakpa, 20, in prison for armed robbery. The Prosecutor, Insp. Olatoye Oluwaseun, told the court that the accused persons, with others now at large, committed the offences on Sept. 4, at New Etete Quarters, Benin. Oluwaseun said that the accused persons allegedly robbed, Chibuzor Ogu and Stephen Peter the sum of N8,000 and N9, 000, respectively. The prosecution said that the accused persons were armed with guns at the time of their operations. He said the offence contravened Section 6 (b), 1 (2) (a) of the Firearms and Armed Robbery (Special Provision) Act cap R11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. No plea was taken on a three-count charge, bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery. The Magistrate, Mrs Caroline Oghuma, remanded the accused persons in Oko Prison. Oghuma ordered the prosection to duplicate the case file and se...

Brazillian playmaker, Neymar Junior celebrates after scoring his penalty Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Willian provided a comfortable 2-0 victory for Brazil over Venezuela in CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2018 World Cup at the Estadio Metropolitano de Merida. Entering Tuesday night just one point behind first-place Uruguay in South American qualifying, Brazil was without one of its biggest stars in Neymar, who was suspended after being booked last week against Bolivia. Luckily for the Canarinho, it was playing a Venezuela side that collected just two points from its first nine matches in qualifying with a dismal goal difference of minus-15. Brazil wasted no time getting on the board, taking full advantage of a Venezuelan miscue at the back eight minutes in. Upon getting possession, Venezuela goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez attempted to pass the ball to a defender, but it was intercepted by Jesus, who was alone with the hosts’ last line of defense. With his first touch, the 19-year-old—...

US President Barack Obama President Barack Obama has blasted Donald Trump’s recent remarks about women, saying they would be intolerable even for someone applying for a job at a 7-Eleven convenience store. At a rally supporting Hillary Clinton, Mr Obama also urged senior Republicans to formally withdraw their endorsement of Mr Trump as presidential candidate. Many top Republicans have distanced themselves from Mr Trump over a video in which he boasts of groping women. Mr Trump accused them of disloyalty. He was particularly scathing about House Speaker Paul Ryan whom he described as a “weak and ineffective” leader. Addressing a campaign rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Tuesday evening, Mr Obama referred to Mr Trump’s crude remarks about women, saying: “Now you find a situation in which the guy says stuff that nobody would find tolerable if they were applying for a job at 7-Eleven.” He said: “You don’t have to be a husband or a father to say that’s not right. You just hav...

Dr Oluranti Adebule, Lagos State deputy governor Four students, principals and a teacher of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla who were kidnapped last week by gunmen in their school have been freed by the kidnappers. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Lagos Police Command, Dolapo Badmos told PM News on Wednesday that the students and their teachers were freed between 11pm and 1am last night. She said the students and others had been reunited with their families and that they were in good health condition. Badmos could not say whether ransom was paid to secure the release of the children or not, but the police have not made any arrest. The name of the released students are Abu, Emmanuel Okonkwo, Jeremiah Ruth and Isaac Adebisi. While the Vice Principal, Junior School, AO Oyesola and English teacher, Lukman Oyerinde were also released. The six people were kidnapped last week Thursday 8am at the school premises. The kidnappers who initially demanded N120 million, reviewed ...

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Donald Trump has fallen further behind Hillary Clinton and now trails her by 8 points among likely voters, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll, with 1 in 5 Republicans saying his vulgar comments about groping women disqualify him from the presidency. The national tracking poll was launched after Sunday night’s second presidential debate, where Trump was pressed to explain his comments in a 2005 videotape about grabbing women’s genitalia. He described the remarks, which first surfaced on Friday, as “locker room” banter and apologized to Americans. The poll released on Tuesday showed Clinton, the Democratic nominee, had increased her lead over Trump, the Republican nominee, to 8 percentage points on Monday from 5 points last week. When asked to pick between the two major-party candidates, 45 percent of likely voters said they supported Clinton while 37 percent supported Trump. Another 18 percent said they would not support either candidate....