Global Naija Info

Gambia’s President Adama Barrow Gambia’s President Adama Barrow is due to return to Gambia on Thursday, a senior aide Amie Bojang said on Wednesday. Barrow who was inaugurated in neighbouring Senegal as mediators sought an exit deal for his predecessor Yahya Jammeh, on January 19. “He is leaving tomorrow and will arrive in Banjul at around 4 pm,” said Bojang. It would be recalled that the ECOWAS Commission said its coalition force in The Gambia would remain for the next six months, as requested by Barrow. Mr. Marcel de Souza said this while briefing members of the diplomatic corps and partner organisations on the political situation in The Gambia on Tuesday. De Souza, however, said that retaining troops in that country would be decided by the Chiefs of Army Staff. The 7,000 Combat troops from Senegal, Nigeria, Mali, Ghana and other West African countries are already stationed at the border to jointly enter the country by air and by land in an operation to thwart any hostilitie

Nigeria-police The Nigeria Police Force in Abuja on Wednesday says it has demoted a police sergeant serving in the FCT Command to the rank of corporal for extortion. A statement by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP. Abayomi Shogunle, Head of the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit, said the action followed a report to the complaint response unit. Shogunle said that eight other officers also received varying degree of sanctions for professional misconduct. He said the unit successfully resolved 636 cases out of the 822 complaints it received during the fourth quarter of 2016 from across the country. He said that Lagos State Command topped the chart with 153 cases representing 18.62 per cent, while Kebbi Command recorded no single case since inception of the unit. Shogunle added that the FCT and Rivers Commands followed Lagos with 130 and 116 cases, respectively. “Kebbi and Jigawa Commands remained at the bottom with no case reported against them, while Taraba and Katsina s

Wounded Somalians after the attack Ten people have died and more than 50 are wounded after a car bomb and gun attack at a hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, a senior minister has said. The attack took place at the Dayah hotel, where some members of parliament were thought to be staying, police said on Wednesday. Somali security minister Abdirizak Omar Mohamed said the four attackers had been killed by security forces. The Islamist militant group al-Shabab has said it carried out the attack. Eyewitnesses said the attackers had used a vehicle laden with explosives to blast their way into the hotel and once inside they started shooting. Shortly after the first blast, another vehicle exploded, killing and wounding more people who had gathered in the area. Police officer Colonel Abdiqadir Hussein told Reuters that security forces had later managed to secure the building. “We have rescued the people and concluded the operation at Dayah hotel,” he said. “The security forces a

federal-high-court A Kado Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, sentenced a 37-year-old commercial driver, Ikechukwu Egbeji, to 29 months in prison for criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, cheating and mischief. The judge, Alhaji Mohammed Ado, however gave Egbeji an option to pay N17,000 fine for three-count charge, but said he must serve the last punishment of 10 months in prison. Ado, who warned Egbeji to desist from committing crimes, ordered the convict to pay N400,000 to the nominal complainant. The convict, who resides at Jabi village, Abuja, was convicted for the four-count charge levelled against him. Egbeji prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, saying it was the devil that pushed him into committing crime, and he promised to be of good behaviour. Earlier, the prosecutor, Judith Obatomi, told the court that an information was received by a team of police officers led by Sgt. Titus Jigah attached to Mabushi police station in Abuja about a Golf 3 car w

Broken marriage Mr Sunday Olaosebikan on Wednesday, approached an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to end his seven-year-old marriage to his wife, Mutiatu, for allegedly demanding for money before sex. He told the court, “My wife always refuses me sex until she collects N500. ‘’This, I am sure, is why she has not conceived after the birth of our only child, who is six-year old now. “I am tired of paying N500 per round before having sex with my wife, please dissolve the union. He further told the court said that Mutiatu always threatens to kill him. “My wife is after my life, she stabs me with dangerous weapons whenever we have misunderstanding. “She once stabbed me with a broken bottle on my head and I bled heavily which landed me in the hospital. “Mutiatu used our kitchen knife as pillow, when I queried her; she said her pastor instructed her to use it against bad dreams. “Many a times when I request for sex or during argument, she brings the knife out threatening to stab me.

The gavel of justice A 40-year-old man, Yusuf Afolabi, has appeared before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly failing to exorcise evil spirits tormenting one Emenaka Anayo. Afolabi, who claimed to be a herbalist allegedly collected N70, 000 from Anayo to do the job. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge bordering on fraud, stealing and possession of fake currency before Magistrate A. Oshodi-Makanju. The prosecutor, Sgt. Kemi Adeniran, told the court that the offence was committed between November and December 2016, at No. 12, Oba Oyefusi St., Ikorodu, Lagos. She said Afolabi fraudulently collected over N70, 000 from Anayo on the pretext that he would exorcise the evil spirits tormenting him. Adeniran averred that the accused knew that the representation of himself as someone who could cure his victim of evil spirits was false. “He did not exercise Anayo of the evil spirits after collecting over N70,000 from him, the accused therefore stole

Jigawa-gov The National League of Referees and Referees Assessors had approved the elevation of 11 candidates from Jigawa who passed the 2016/2017 seminar and physical fitness test. Alhaji Aliyu Baita, Chairman, Jigawa Referees Council, said on Wednesday in Dutse that the candidates comprised of seven referees and four assessors. The exercise was held in Kano between Jan. 15 and 19. He explained that the successful referees would be officiating in the forthcoming 2017 national and nationwide league matches. The chairman added that the successful referee assessors would be assessing the performance of the appointed referees in 2017. He listed the promoted referees as Emmanuel Okoson, Adamu Zakar, Isa Aliyu, Yunusa AbdulAziz, Jamilu Abdu, Musa Isyaku, Buhari Muhammad and Rabi’u Dodo. The successful referees’ assessors were Solomon Oladukun, Zaka Aluwong, Lawan Isyaku and Alfa Idris, Baita said. “I was also promoted to assess referees in the forthcoming premier league after pass

Emergency officials evacuating the corpses at the scene of the explosion Barely two weeks after twin suicide attacks claimed the lives of a professor of medicine and four others in University of Maiduguri mosque, two suicide bombers on Wednesday again, hit Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Three suicide bombers and a member of the civilian JTF vigilante group were reportedly killed in the multiple attacks. A witness said that the first blast occurred around 2am, while the second did not come till about 5:30am, Leadership newspaper reports The first suicide bomber was said to have targeted the home of a youth vigilante, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), who is known to do routine checks at major roads in the town. The second suicide bomber detonated the explosive at the central Mosque in Kaleri, when Muslims faithful were observing the early morning prayers. “The second bomber who attempted to ram into the Central Mosque in Kaleri also did not succeed as the suic

Magistrate-court An Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin on Wednesday ordered the remand in prison of two men, Paul Frank, 31, and Christian Ejimofor, 22, over alleged homosexuality and stealing. Frank and Ejimofor, whose addresses are unknown, allegedly committed the crime between Dec. 14 and Dec. 16, 2016 at Embassy Hotel, off Boundary Road, in Benin. The prosecution told the court that the accused allegedly romanced and had carnal knowledge of each other. The prosecution said further that the accused also attempted to have carnal knowledge of one Solomon Shaibu after stealing his Techno Y6 phone, valued at N25, 000. It said the offence contravened Sections 214(3), 217 (3) and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. II of the defunct Bendel State. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.C. Ojobo, ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison and adjourned the matter indefinitely.

Mogadishu Attack At least 18 people were killed when two vehicles loaded with explosives exploded near the entrance of a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, security officials and police said. The death toll included six attackers, one of whom blew himself up inside a vehicle and five of whom were killed by security forces. The first explosion came from a truck directly in front of the hotel, while a second blast came from a bomb placed inside a car parked near the hotel, police officer Mohamed Dahir said. Dahir added that after the blasts, fighters belonging to Islamist terrorist group al-Shabaab stormed the Dayah Hotel, which is popular among entrepreneurs and government officials. Gunfire could be heard in the area. “The toll is expected to grow because some people may be trapped inside the three-story hotel,’’ said security official Mohamed Hassan. The fatalities included government soldiers, private hotel guards and civilians. Up to 35 people were wounded

President Trump Donald Trump has said a “big day” is planned on national security, including an announcement to build a wall on the border between the US and Mexico. The new US president is expected to sign several executive orders regarding immigration and border security over the next few days. They are likely to include the “extreme vetting” of people coming from seven predominantly Muslim countries in the Middle East and Africa. This would restrict refugee access. Mr Trump tweeted: “Big day planned on national security tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!” Building a 2,000-mile wall along the Mexican border was one of his key proposals during the presidential election campaign. There will also be measures that force so-called sanctuary cities in the US to co-operate with the authorities on deporting illegal immigrants. “Sanctuary cities” are places that don’t arrest or detain immigrants living in the country illegally. Later this week, Mr Trump is ex

Kuwait executes royal family member Seven people, among them a member of the ruling al-Sabah family, were hanged on Wednesday in Kuwait’s first executions in almost four years, according to agency report. Three women, from Kuwait, the Philippines and Ethiopia, were among those put to death. All had been convicted of murder. Sheikh Faisal Abdullah al-Jaber al-Sabah and two Egyptian men were hanged after being convicted of murder in three separate cases. A Bangladeshi man was also executed for kidnapping, rape and theft. The executions are the first since March 2013, when three men, a Saudi, a Pakistani, and a Kuwaiti without citizenship were hanged for murder.

Rape Two teenagers were on Wednesday arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s’ Court for allegedly gang-raping a 19-year-old girl. The defendants- Daniel Harrison,18, an apprentice, and Uche Osakwe, 19 , a fashion designer, are being tried for conspiracy and rape. The prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Inuoha, told the court that the offences were committed on Jan. 17 at No. 4, Wahab Larinde St. , Oshodi, Lagos. Inuoha said that Harrison invited the victim to his house for a chat. “On getting there, Harrison shut the door at her while Osakwe who was already in the room, pushed her to the bed. “They gang-raped her and pushed her outside, ” he said. According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 259(1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The duo entered a “not guilty” plea. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. O. Osunsanmi granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N300,000 each with two sureties each in like sum. She adjourned the case till April 13 for conti

Bridge Some FCT Residents on Wednesday expressed mixed feelings over the poor usage of pedestrian bridges provided in some parts of the city. Many residents prefer to cross the road by simply sprinting across rather than use the bridges. Some of the bridges have been turned to mini-markets by some people who hawk their wares at the foot and on top of the bridges instead of allowing them to be used solely for its purpose. Some of the residents said the locations of most of the bridges were often too far from their bus-stops. A resident of Lugbe, Mrs Victoria Duru, said that she preferred to cross the road by ‘making a dash’ instead of using the bridge, adding that her bus stop was too far from the bridge. She said that she was aware of the dangers associated with crossing the busy express road but still prefer it instead of trekking to the pedestrian bridge. “I know the danger associated with crossing the expressway, especially during the busy period, but I still prefer to cros

MAPOLY logo The Bill to upgrade Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) to a state University of Technology, on Wednesday scaled second reading at the Ogun House of Assembly. The bill is titled : A bill for a law to provide for the establishment of Moshood Abiola University of Technology and for matters of administration and discipline of students connected therewith. The Majority Leader, Mr Adeyinka Mafe, who moved the motion for the second reading of the bill, described it as historic, adding that it would encourage more students to study science and technology courses. “We have come to a stage whereby the nation is trying to diversify; it is very important to encourage our people in terms of research. ” We need to encourage our people to go into science and technology so that we have entrepreneurs like they do in other advanced countries. “In Ogun State we have so many secondary schools, if we have this University of Technology, it will give an opportunity for indigenes of the st

ginger Experts at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) Ibadan, have enumerated the economic and health values of ginger and turmeric crops. The experts, who also listed the commercial values of the crops, said on Wednesday in Ibadan that they could be marketed at national, regional and international markets. Dr Iyabo Adeoye, an Agric Economist, said ginger is an important commercial crop widely used for various culinary purposes. She said it could be used in gingerbread, biscuits, sauces and for preparing ginger ale and wine. She added that the crop is also used in pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries. “Ginger is an important export crop in Nigeria. “The major market destinations of the crop are the the UK, Japan, Canada, etc. “Nigerian ginger is valued in international markets for its aroma, pungency and high oil, oleoresin content. “It is a good source of income, a favourite crop that improves the economic status and quality of life of the grower

Cooking with firewood Some landlords and tenants in Anambra are at war over the use of charcoal and firewood for cooking following the high price of kerosene in the state. The landlords said in Awka on Wednesday that tenants were constituting nuisance with the use of charcoal as alternative fuel for cooking. A landlord in Awka, Mr Christian Izunagu, said that it was becoming nuisance as over four of his tenants now use charcoal. “I painted my compound last year but go there now you will see the evidence of charcoal usage on the wall and I have warned them repeatedly. “I have told them that they will repaint the walls for me for peace to reign,” he said. Another landlord, Mr Chika Udeogu, described the use of charcoal as irritating, adding that “I leave in the same compound with them and I am considering evicting those that use charcoal. “I want a decent environment since the compound is cemented all over,” he said. Mr Ikechukwu Idika, a trader, said that he had no alternative

NSCDC Operatives The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kano State Command, said it arrested nine suspects for allegedly vandalising and stealing electricity armour cables in the state. The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Ibrahim Idris, disclosed this in Kano on Wednesday. He said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday, Jan. 19, following a tip off. He said two of the suspects who specialised in stealing transformer black oil, were arrested in Sabon Gari area, while the remaining seven were nabbed in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state. “The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) recently set up a task force to curb incessant vandalism of its facilities. “The task force comprises representatives of the NSCDC, SSS, Police, Vigilante and Hisba,”he said. Idris said the command had since arraigned the two suspected thieves of transformer black oil, while investigation was still ongoing on the other seven suspects who stole the armour

Ndigbo Unity Forum The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), a social cultural organisation, has appealed to governors and other stakeholders to promote the study of Igbo language. President of the forum, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, who spoke on Wednesday in Enugu, stressed that Igbo language should be saved from gradual extinction. Chukwudum said that it was disturbing that Igbo textbooks and literature were fast disappearing from libraries and bookshops. He said that most authors of Igbo textbooks and literature had diminished or had fully converted to be English authors. “I appeal to governors in the South-East and South-South regions to formulate policies that will revive Igbo culture especially our gradually dying language. “Stakeholders in Igbo leadership as well as groups should come to the rescue of our language before we lose it while pursuing westernised culture. “Everybody should encourage everything that promotes speaking and writing of Igbo language in order for us to retain our

Victim of kerosene explosion Nigeria is back again to the era of kerosene explosion due to the activities of some people who adulterate the product. Since the beginning of the year, there has been a scarcity of the product leading to astronomical increase in its price. Kerosene is now being sold between N300 and N350 per litre wherever it is available. Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom Chapter, on Wednesday confirmed the death of four persons and 16 injured in incessant kerosene explosions in the state. The State Chairman of the association, Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, made the confirmation in an interaction with newsmen in Uyo. Another victim of kerosene explosion Uwah said that the figures were derived from casualties brought to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for treatment in rampant cases of adulterated kerosene explosion in many parts of the state. “At least four have died. I mean I can confirm that four people have died as at my record last week. “The chairma