Global Naija Info

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the nomination of 46 non-career Ambassadors-Designate. This information is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. The statement recalled that the President had earlier approved the nomination of 47 Career Ambassadors-Designate. According to the statement, this second batch completes the list of the President’s nominees, reflecting character and gender consideration. The second batch list did not contain nomination of non career ambassadors from Imo and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The list, however, has two career ambassadors from Imo and one career ambassador from the FCT. They are Ngozi Ukaeje and K.C. Nwachukwu from Imo and Adamu Onoze Shuaibu from the FCT. Abia has Dr Uzoma Ememke (non-career) and Obinna C Agbugba (Career); Adamawa has Dr Clifford Zirra (non career), Salisu Umaru and I.A. Paragalda (career) From A...

Mr Rotimi Amaechi, accused of trying to influence judges Minister of Transport and former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, is in the news again for the wrong reason. Another Justice of the Supreme Court being investigated by the Department of State Service (DSS) for corruption, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, has detailed how Amaechi and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, tried to force him to deliver judgments in favour of candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in governorship election cases involving Ekiti, Rivers and Ebonyi states. He said Amaechi begged him to facilitate the removal of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State. In a letter he sent to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Mahmud Mohammed and the National Judicial Council (NJC) on 18 October, 2016, Justice Ngwuta whose home was raided by DSS operatives, said he was a victim of the APC and Amaechi for refusing to help the party claim victory in Rivers, Abia, Ekiti and Ebonyi states. H...

Abuja popular social media reporter, Alexreports was yesterday received at the Nation’s seat of power by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and publicity, Mr Femi Adesina. The reporter who recently bagged an award at th Nigeria Customer service Award held in Lagos was honoured alongside Dana Airline, Julius Berger, KIA Motors, Total Nigeria, Smile Communication and other where decorated as Abuja’s Entertainment Reporter of the Year. Alex Nwankwo who doubles as the Chief Editor of Alexreports and CEO of Amity Global Network was the only Abuja based company that was honoured in Lagos in an event powered by Bank of Industry. Mr Femi Adesina who spoke on several n‎ational issues congratulated AlexReports on his recent award. He also identified with Amity Global Network, as on Abuja’s and fast emerging Media power house in the country. It could be recalled that the Nairalander has collected over 15 over awards in less in three years and he is been listed for other ma...

Donald Trump Republican candidate Donald Trump on Thursday said he will accept the results of the U.S. presidential election if he wins. “I would like to promise and pledge to all of my voters, supporters and the people of the United States that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election. “If I win,’’ he said at a rally in Ohio, pausing before he added the second statement. He clarified minutes later that he wanted to maintain the right to file a legal challenge if the contest is questionable or close. He pointed to the 2000 election that ended with a recount in Florida and handed the presidency to George W Bush. “I would accept a clear election result, but would also reserve my right to file a contest or legal challenge in the case of a questionable result’’, Trump said. In the debate on Wednesday, Trump refused to say he would concede the U.S. election if he loses to Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. “I will tell you at the time, I ...

Scene of murder cordoned off by German police A man in Southern Germany was beaten to death by four men after he publicly urinated near a church, police said on Thursday. Police are searching for the four men who hurled insults and attacked the 51-year-old man recently after he was seen urinating close to a church in Freiburg, a city in Germany’s traditionally Catholic south. According to police, the man told his son about the attack before succumbing to his injuries later that day. However an autopsy confirmed that he died as a result of the attack. Report says public urination on Church buildings has become an issue of public concern in Germany, corroding the buildings’ sandstone foundations and leading authorities to institute hefty fines.

Amb. Denis Guaer, Ambassador of France to Nigeria. The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, says that Airbus Group, the largest aircraft manufacturers and leasers in the world will open an operational office in Nigeria. In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Gauer said that the decision on the office was a mark of confidence in the Federal Government’s agenda for the aviation industry. The statement signed by Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, said that Gauer made disclosure when he visited the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, in Abuja. The ambassador said that they were in the ministry to identify with the government’s vision and plans for aviation sector as presented by the minister to various industry stakeholders. Vice President, Airbus Group for Africa, Vincent Larnicol, who was in company with Gauer, told Sirika that Airbus’ desire to get closer to its customers informed its decision to establish its ...

The accused Akin Kuponiyi Skye Bank Complaint Officer, Mr. Mojeed Olatunji, on Thursday narrated the roles he played in the alleged N22.8 billion fraud perpetrated by former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga. Mojeed who is the first witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), told the Federal High Court, Lagos he received an enquiry from the anti-graft agency on January 30, 2916, demanding for the Nigerian Air Force operational account, which the bank in return, furnished the Commission with the account opening package that includes signatories to the account, mandate, statement of account, and customer’s instructions with some transaction in the account. The Certified True Copy (CTC) of these documents were tendered and admitted as exhibits. The witness also disclosed that on September 11, 2014, there were debit of N2409,367,700 billion, while on September 15, 2016, the su...

Babatunde Adejare, Commissioner for the Environment Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare has emphasised the importance of the environment, saying no nation can prosper in a distressed and degraded environment. He stated this during the launch of Ikeja Clean-up Exercise and purpose-built tricycles for waste disposal by Ikeja Local Government, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Thursday in furtherance of the policy of the state government to rid the environment of all infractions and nuisances. Adejare commended the efforts of the Administrator of Ikeja Local Government, Engr. Abiodun Taiwo, for subscribing to the vision of the administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on the environment and urged other Administrators to emulate this feat. He said that the achievement of functional and sustainable environment was everybody’s business. According to him, “when we put environment first, development endures because we cannot lay claim to economic prosperity in the f...

HIV/AIDS No fewer than 94,141 pregnant women are said to be HIV/AIDS positive in Zamfara. A United States Agency for International Aids (USAID) funded programme disclosed this through Management Services for Health Organisation the USAID Prevention and Organisational Systems-AIDS Care and Treatment (PRO-ACT). The team leader of the organisation, Mr Aminu Sarki, spoke at the end of a seven-year treatment and support rolling plan for those living with HIV in the state in Gusau on Thursday. Sarki said more than 500 women living with HIV received anti-retroviral drugs in the state during the period. He said 4,436 persons living with HIV in the state were cared for by his organisation. He explained that the project was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the country’s public, private and community sectors for sustainable HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis prevention, control, care and treatment within the health system. He said his organisation had succeeded in providing services at four ...

Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode Details have emerged why Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State sacked three of his commissioners on Wednesday. Ambode had on Wednesday sacked the Commissioners for Tourism, Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker; Finance- Dr Mustapha Akinkunmi and Transportation, Dr Ekundayo Mobereola. PM News investigations revealed that Ambode showed the commissioners the way out of his government for various reasons ranging from insubordination, incompetence,high-handedness and disloyalty. A top government source told our reporter authoritatively on Thursday that Folarin-Coker was sacked because of outright disloyalty to the governor as he does not respect him because of his affiliation with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Folarin-Coker was said to have even boasted openly that he is at par with Ambode and thus undermined his authority as governor, even when it was Ambode who tried to shield him when he was named in the scandalous Panama papers. In the Panama papers, Folarin-Cok...

The ancient city of Benin City, capital of Edo state took the centre stage on Thursday, when the high and mighty in the Nigeria, converged in the city for a double celebration, namely, the birthday and the coronation of the 40th Oba of Benin, Ewuare II. Leading dignitaries at the event was Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, several governors and prominent traditional rulers from all nook and crannies who came to celebrate the new entrant into the fold of royal fathers in the country. Among the state governors were Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo). The list of traditional rulers included the Olu of Warri, Ogiamien Ikemwoli, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnayelugo Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Sultan of Sokoto, HRM Saad Abubakar III, Emir Of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Dein of Agbor, Dr Benjamin Ikechuku Keagborekuzi I, and many representatives of prominent traditi...

Nigeria Customs officers Kazeem Ugbodaga The Nigeria Customs Service has sacked 29 senior officers over various acts of gross misconduct. The dismissed officers are among forty-four (44) senior officers who were punished for actions capable of compromising national economy and security, says Custom’s spokesperson, Wale Adeniyi in a statement. “Ten (10) other officers were retired from Service, while the appointment of one (1) was terminated. Four officers were given written warnings to be of better conduct while another 4 officers who were investigated and tried for some offences were exonerated. Four (4) of the officers who got the hammer were of the rank of Deputy-Comptroller of Customs, while five (5) were Assistant-Comptroller. Others were seven (7) Chief Superintendents of Customs and four (4) Superintendents, among others. “Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd) had made it clear upon his assumption of duties that the Service will not compromise on corruption...

The gavel of justice The police on Thursday arraigned three men on a six-count charge bordering on impersonation and advanced fee fraud popularly called 419. Stanley Onwuka, Henry Ushi and Moshood Stephen allegedly impersonated Donald Onwuma, a Police Public Relations Officer attached to the peacekeeping unit and duped unsuspecting civilians and policemen. They allegedly collected various sums of money electronically from civilians and police officers with a promise to send them to police foreign mission in Sudan. They all pleaded not guilty to the offence. The Counsel to the first defendant, Mr Benjamin Nwanokenye, urged the court to admit the defendant to bail because the offence was bailable. But, the prosecuting counsel, Mr David Igbodo, opposed the bail, citing public interest. He said that there was cause to believe that if granted bail the defendants would commit another offence. “Their statement of account before the court shows their antecedent as that account was op...

In the file: Senate Chamber during a plenary session The Senate on Thursday warned of imminent plane crashes in the country if the aviation industry was not fixed immediately. The alert followed a motion tagged “Disturbing Development in the Nigerian Aviation Industry” by Sen. Dino Melaye. Contributing to the motion, the Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said that the fear of plane crashes was real as airlines could no longer access foreign exchange to service their aircrafts. He said that some operators may resort to cutting corners as a result of their inability to access foreign exchange, thereby endangering the lives of air travellers. Akpabio added that many airlines in the country were bankrupt “and dead’’, stressing that other operators had either withdrawn or relocated to neighbouring countries. “These problems are caused by policies of government. Monetary policies of government have not allowed the airlines to operate. “Section 14(2) of the 1999 Constitution as...

Sen. Joshua Dariye The absence of the defence witness on Thursday stalled trial a former Governor of Plateau, Joshua Dariye, before an FCT High Court. Defence Counsel, Mr Nantok Dashuwl, holding brief for Mr Garba Pwul (SAN), told the Court that the witness slated for Thursday travelled and had yet to return. He said that some other defence witnesses were also being expected to testify in the matter. Dashuwl consequently applied for an adjournment of the case. However, Prosecution Counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said that the defence had notified the court that it would provide three witnesses in court on Thursday. “On the last adjourned date, he said he had three witnesses and your lordship said that he must present all his witnesses today,’’ Jacobs noted. He submitted that he would oppose any other application by defence for adjournment and file an application for it to close its case. Justice Adebukola Banjoko cautioned the defence against incessant applications for adjou...

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai The joint military operation tagged: ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ has reduced incidents of kidnapping, militancy and armed robbery in Cross River. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, stated this on Thursday at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Nigerian Army Post Housing Scheme at Adiabo community in the state. NAN reports that the project that is located in Odukpani Local Government Area of the state, is a collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the state Ministry of New Cities Development. Buratai said that the Nigerian Army was committed to reducing all forms of illegality through its determination to smoke out criminals from their hideouts. “It is my happiness that the launch of the operation crocodile smile has reduced cases of kidnapping, militancy, oil theft, armed robbery and others. “I urge you all to support the Army by providing useful and timely information that would lead to the arrest of ...

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) says it has commenced door-to-door mobilization of the electorate at the grassroots for the victory of its candidate, Mr. Francis Aloa, in the forthcoming Nov. 26 Governorship election in Ondo State. The National Director of Publicity of APGA, Mr. Ifeanacho Oguejiofor, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday. He said that the party had met all the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the election, including the primaries to select its flag-bearer for the election. Oguejiofor described Aloa as a tested man, adding that he would carry the people of Ondo along if elected as the governor. The director of publicity assured the people of the state of good governance if the party’s candidate becomes governor of the state. “All candidates of the party are law-abiding. They have been tested by the people and have the qualities the electorate want,” he said.

Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja felicitated with Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, on her 80th birthday. The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, described the Otunba Ayora as a distinguished businesswoman, banker, economist and accountant. Buhari recalled the former minister’s decades of distinguished career in the private and public sectors of national life and noted that Otunba Kuforiji Olubi’s contributions would remain inspiring to the younger generation. “It is not surprising that she is a proud and well-deserved recipient of the National honour, fellowships, awards and honorary degrees from within and outside the country,’’ he said. He particularly expressed delight that Kuforiji-Olubi had remained “a pace-setter and leader in banking, manufacturing and entrepreneurship not only in Nigeria but also in Sub-Saharan Africa.’’ While noting that God has been kind to Otunba Kuforiji-Olubi, Pre...

Ship laden with petroleum products Twenty seven ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos from Oct. 18 to Nov. 5. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stated this in its publication – `Shipping Position’, – a copy of which was made available on Thursday in Lagos. The expected ships contained buck wheat, bulk sugar, general cargoes, slug, empty container, base oil, containers and petrol. The document noted that a ship had arrived the ports, waiting to berth with bulk fertiliser. NAN reports that 19 other ships are at the ports discharging general cargoes, bulk wheat, containers, empty containers, frozen fish, steel products, bulk sugar, bulk charcoal, butane and petrol.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun A Nigerian oil firm, Petrolex Group says it has entered into a consortium with Wema Bank and the government of Ogun to build the second largest refinery in Odogbolu area of the state. According to a statement by the oil firm on Thursday in Lagos, the Chairman of the group, Mr Segun Adebutu, said that other members of the consortium are Hyundai and Ajayi Legal Partner. Adebutu said that the consortium would also build a petroleum product depot in the area. He said that the depot would be the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. Adebutu said the two projects would generate about 2,000 jobs and boost the socio-economic condition of the host state. Mr Henry Alakhume, Head of Corporate Banking at Wema Bank, said the bank was delighted to support the deal. “Wema Bank is proud to support Petrolex Group in the refinery and petroleum depot projects. “We believe this will significantly boost Nigeria’s economy and create much needed jobs,” he said. Gov. Ibikunle Amos...

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Thursday inaugurated a N37 million Middle and High School in Egbedore Local Government Area of the state. Aregbesola said at the inauguration that the newly built ultra-modern school was part of his government’s resolve to bring quality education to the residents of the state especially rural dwellers.‎ The governor said that N37 million was expended to complete the construction and renovation of the Ojo/Aro Community Government Middle and High School. He said that the education policy of his administration had erased the superiority complex between private and public schools, adding that sanity had been restored to public education system. The governor said that his administration prioritised education because it identified it as the only mechanism to development. Aregbesola said that his administration had positively impacted on the citizens’ lives through provision of functional and quality education acro...

Simi One of the nation’s upcoming entertainers, Simisola Ogunleye, popularly known as “Simi”, says that criticism from fans has made her to improve on her career as a musician. Simi, who made her mark with hit tracks like “Love don’t care’’ and “JAMB Question’’ told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that she even thrived under negative criticisms. “Some people go out of their way to be cruel, they don’t even know you; they just feel the need to be mean because it’s their constitutional right. “I’ve been feeling quite grumpy and a bit moody all evening. But I just saw this message a fan wrote and it made me to feel so much better. “This is why I wake up every day, eager to write another song, make another record. And this is why I don’t go to bed until 3 a.m. most nights. “I have learnt to grow and be better. This is why I still drag myself to the studio even when I’m ill. “It’s because of the beautiful souls out there who can feel what I’m trying to tell th...

EFCC-Operatives The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it recovered more than N196 million on financial crimes during various operations in Borno between November 2015 till date. Ibrahim Bappa, the EFCC Head of Operation in the state, disclosed this in a statement. He said the commission also recovered N2.8 million for victims as a result of petitions received and acted upon in the zone. “As part of efforts to cleanse our country of economic and financial crimes, the commission has made reasonable monetary recoveries to the Federal Government and still has many cases undergoing investigation. “The commission is hereby putting on notice to all businessmen and women who indulge in economic and financial crimes to desist from such unwholesome acts or face the wrath of the law. “The EFCC is urging the general public to report any public official suspected to have used his or her position to enrich him or herself or any individual living above his means. “We encou...

Crown Prince (Amb.) Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken of Uselu. Public and private offices, including banks and schools in Benin, were shut on Thursday as workers observed the public holiday declared by Edo government for the coronation of new Oba of Benin. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Edo government on Wednesday declared Thursday as public holiday for the coronation of Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the new monarch of the ancient kingdom. NAN reports that commercial and other activities in the city were also paralyzed as major roads and streets were condoned off to allow for easy movement of guests and visitors. Vehicular movement on roads and streets leading to Oba palace and Uruokpota, venue of the coronation, was also restricted. Commuters in the city faced hardship as they trekked long distances to get to “free” areas to board buses and cabs to their destinations. Officials of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), including special marshals, controlled traf...

NDLEA operatives The Adamawa Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the arrest of 20 suspects involved in hard drugs. The state commander of the agency, Mr Yakubu Kibo, confirmed the arrest on Thursday in Yola. He explained that 61.465 Kg of hard drugs were recovered from the suspects. Kibo said that the suspects were arrested in a raid at Yola Abattoir and Central Motor parks. He said that the command has commenced raid operations on suspected drug abuse joints in Yola. “The Command arrested 20 suspects during its raid carried out to dislodge popularly known drug joints that include Yola Abattoir and Market, Jambutu Motor Parks, Madam Street and Falujah market. “About 61.456 Kg of assorted hard drugs such as Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol 250mg, Diazepam, Rophnol, Cough syrup with codeine and extol-5 were confiscated,” Kibo said. He called for government, traditional and religious leaders’ support in addressing the menace of drug abuse in the s...

magistrate-court The police on Thursday arraigned, Samuel Patrick, a school principal, in a Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for defrauding the school of N600,000. Patrick the principal of Lukas International School, Jikwoyi , Abuja, is facing a two-count charge of misappropriation and cheating. The Prosecutor, John Simon, told the court that Yunusa Joseph of Nyanya, Abuja, reported the matter at Criminal Intelligence Department (CID), Abuja on Oct. 10. Simon said that the defendant dishonestly misappropriated N600,000 part of school fees for some students in the school between 2015 and 2016. He said that the defendant directed some parents to pay the school fees to his personal account instead of the normal procedures of paying into the school account. Simon added that the defendant diverted the money for his personal use. The prosecutor said that the offence contravened sections 308 and 322 of the Penal Code. Patrick pleaded not guilty to the charge. Senior Mag...

Burnt-Library Six principal officers of the University of Jos (UniJos),are to contribute N1million each for the restocking of the institution’s burnt library complex. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, who announced the contribution on Thursday in Abuja, tagged “Beauty from Ashes,” said that the effort is to “bring back the library to life.’’ Principal officers in a university are the vice-chancellor, registrar, bursar, librarian, among others. It would be recalled that the library complex which housed two faculties with six departments was razed on Oct. 8, 2016. Maimako said that an integrity test has been conducted on the structure by relevant bodies and it has been certified fit for usage. He stated that there was urgent need to renovate the burnt library and restock it for the benefit of the university community. “The six principal officers of the university have agreed to voluntarily contribute N1million each. “This is our desire to lead by example and we urge...

Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai Gov. Nasiru El-Rufaí of Kaduna State Government has earmarked N440 million to service the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in the 2017 budget proposal sent to House of Assembly for approval. A copy of the budget obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicated that the amount will be used for the construction and equipping of three women skills acquisition centres in the three senatorial districts. According to the proposed budget, renovation and re-equipping of Zaria children’s home will consume N80 million. “While N25 million will be spent on the maintenance of Women Multipurpose Centre, renovation and equipping of Kafanchan and Magajin Gari Children’s Home will gulp N80 million,’’ the document said. According the budget breakdown, the renovation of the Gazara Reformatory School will cost N25 million and N80 million for the construction and equipping of kitchen suite for children at Magajin Gari. “Conduct of quarterly monitor...

Police cell A Kano Magistrates’ Court sitting in Rijiyar Zaki on Thursday remanded a 21-year-old man, Mansur Abdullahi, in prison for allegedly stabbing a man on his hand. Senior Magistrate Aminu Fagge remanded the accused after he pleaded guilty, and adjourned the case till Dec. 5. Abdullahi is standing trial on a two-count charge of causing hurt and being in possession of a dangerous weapon. The prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Sale, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 10 in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano. Sale said Gambo Rabiu of Rijiyar Zaki Quarters reported the case to Rijiyar Zaki Police Division, Kano, on Oct. 10. He also said that the accused had a misunderstanding with Rabi and in the process attacked him with a long knife. “The accused stabbed Rabiu on his left hand and some parts of his body. Rabiu sustained injuries on his hand and head as a result of the attack. “The victim was rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano,” Sale said. The pro...

The escaped Gorilla A gorilla that escaped from its enclosure at London Zoo drank five litres of undiluted blackcurrant squash before being returned to his den, a report has found. Kumbuka, a western lowland silverback, made an “opportunistic” exit through unlocked doors, London Zoo added. The zoo said the gorilla got into a secure keepers’ area on discovery of the security flaw. Kumbuka was returned to his den shortly after being tranquilised on 13 October. The 29st “alpha male” was kept calm by a keeper before the keeper managed to remove himself from the area. Armed police were called to the zoo and visitors were evacuated after the ape’s bid for freedom. But in his report on the breakout, Prof David Field described the events as “less dramatic than some would have you believe”. He said: “There were no broken locks, Kumbuka did not smash any windows, he was never ‘on the loose’ and his normal gorilla posturing reported by visitors earlier in the day was unrelated.” The gor...

court A 26-year-old man, Jimoh Yusuf, on Thursday, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing a couple staying in his father’s property. Yusuf, a resident of No. 20, Ishaga Road, Agbelekale, Ikeja, is standing trial on a four-count charge of challenge to a duel fight, assault, disorderly person and attempt to murder. The prosecutor, Insp. Mathew Akhaluode told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 14 at their residence. Akhaluode said that the accused unlawfully assaulted Mayowa Taiwo and his wife Kehinde Taiwo by beating them up and stabbing them with a broken bottle. The prosecutor said that the accused is the landlord’s son. He said: “Taiwo said he was in his room when he heard Yusuf harassing a friend who came to visit them. “The complainant said that when he confronted the accused about what he had done, Yusuf came down from his apartment and smashed a bottle on his head. “Taiwo said that his wife quickly rushed out and dragged...

The gavel of justice Two housewives, who allegedly poured hot water on a hairdresser, Taiwo Aturamu, have appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. The accused — Awawu Raimi, 40, and Temitayo Raimi, 42 — both of No. 9, Jones St., Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and grievous harm. The prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 17 at Igbogila in Ipaja. Unah said the duo battered the complainant (the hairdresser) by pouring hot water on her face, chest and breasts. “The complainant Aturamu, who is a hairdresser in Igbogila, said she was in her shop when one of the accused persons, Raimi, brought her daughter to do her hair. “Aturamu reported that when she finished making the hair, she decided to use hot water to smoothen the tips of the hair.” She said in the process of putting the hair in the water, some water splashed on the girl’s shoulder and she quickly dropped the bowl of wat...

In its bid to empower rural women and make them self-reliant, the Jigawa Government has distributed 600 goats to 200 women in Auyo local government area of the state. Hajia Binta Farindutse, Woman Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), made the disclosure on Thursday in Auyo in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). She said that the animals were distributed under the Goats Breeding Scheme initiated by the government. She said that each of the women received three goats. She said that the gesture was aimed at assisting the women engage in animal husbandry and make them self-reliant. “The gesture is aimed at reducing poverty, empower mothers and encourage livestock production,” she said. Farindutse said the beneficiaries were selected from 10 wards in the local government. According to her, the scheme is aimed at boosting beef and milk production and improve socio-economic well-being of women in the state. One of the beneficiaries, Halima Ahmadu, commended the go...

Some of the migrants from Libya: AP Encouraged by their success in halting a mass influx of refugees by closing Greek borders and cutting a controversial deal with Turkey, EU leaders are getting tough on African migrants too. A Brussels summit on Thursday is expected to endorse pilot projects to pressure African governments, via aid budgets, to slow down the influx– an exodus of people across the Sahara and Mediterranean. It also wants swift results from an EU campaign to deport large numbers who reach Italy. “By the end of the year, we need to see results,” one senior EU diplomat said on condition of anonymity. Arrivals in Italy so far this year are nearly six per cent higher than the same period of 2015. Italy received 154,000 migrants last year and this year’s figure will be similar or slightly higher. Italy is sheltering 165,000 asylum seekers, almost three times as many as in 2014. The buildup has accelerated since Italy’s northern neighbours clamped down on border contr...

kaduna-state-commissioner-of-police The Kaduna State Police Command, on Thursday said it had arraigned 11 hoodlums alleged to have vandalised properties belonging to some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in Kaduna. The Command’s spokesperson, ASP Aliyu Usman said the suspects were arraigned for breach of the peace and breaking into people’s houses. He said that the suspects were arraigned before Daura Road Chief Magistrates’ Court, Kaduna on Oct. 19. According to him, the suspects were arrested in possession of light weapons including cutlasses and sticks, and some accessories allegedly stolen from the houses vandalised by the hoodlums. He said that the command would not allow any group of persons to take the law into their hands. “We assure the good people of Kaduna state that we will trail all the other suspects and make sure they are prosecuted.” Hoodlums had on Oct. 12 attacked residences of suspected members of the IMN in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna, and des...