Give amnesty to Boko Haram, Yayale tells Jonathan

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmad, said yesterday that the Federal Government should grant general amnesty to the members of the Boko Haram sect if they meet the conditions that gave rise to pardoning Niger Delta militants in 2009.

Ahmad, however, expressed doubts whe-ther the sect members would ever come out and establish real contacts with the government with a view to facilitating genuine dialogue.

Ahmad, who was part of late President Yar’Adua’s team that midwifed the Niger Delta amnesty package in 2009, pointed out that unlike the Niger Delta militants who had a clear and definite demand, the sect's agenda was unclear and confusing.

The former defence minister pointed out that the way Boko Haram members were operating had also made it difficult to establish contact with its leadership for any meaningful dialogue.

The former Head of Service of the Federation said: “In the case of the Niger Delta, it was possible for the government to establish contacts with their leaders, who were not in the creeks. They had a definite demand and territory, which made it easy for us to know that they wanted.

“But in the case of Boko Haram, they say they are in the Northeast but they are invisible. They are so invisible that you can hardly trace them even though they may be in your household.

“Secondly, the Boko Haram demand is not economically-based or a call for economic emancipation. Their demand is a religious one, which even the constituency of Boko Haram actors, Islam, is uncomfortable with.

The former SGF, who described the current security challenge in the nation as a dilemma, pointed out that it would be very difficult for the Federal Government to acquiesce to the demands of Boko Haram since the constitution does not authorise it to dabble into the religion of any Nigerian.

On how to stem to spate of insurgency across the country, Ahmad called on government at all levels to give more attention to gathering for the people instead of promoting personal interest at the expense of the majority of the citizens.

“The government must do more to cater for the youths in order to entice them to keep off evil ways and embrace what is right for the society. The only way to do that is through job creation, poverty alleviation and massive education of the people,” the former government scribe said.

On how President Jonathan can succeed and move the nation forward, Ahmad said that the President should learn to be a statesman and a father to the nation by being bold enough to look critically at his team and get advisers who can advise him patriotically.

Vandals kill two Policemen, abduct two others in Ogun

Pandemonium broke out, yesterday, at the Arepo pipeline on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun State after suspected vandals reportedly shot dead two  policemen and abducted two others  during a gun battle.

It was gathered that the vandals were scooping fuel in the area after an explosion earlier, prompting a team of policemen to race to the scene.
It was learnt that firefighters and rescue personnel were still battling to put out the fire from the pipeline explosion at press time.
Attempt to confirm the incident from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, was unsuccessful.

But a security source who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the suspected vandals clashed with policemen at Arepo, yesterday morning.
She said an illicit operation was ongoing at the area when fight erupted between the vandals and some policemen.

“Vandals, who normally operate in the Arepo area, shot some policemen. Two policemen were kidnapped but I can’t say whether the policemen have been rescued or not."
Meanwhile, four articulated vehicles, including a petrol-laden tanker, were burnt in a multiple accident which occurred on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Saturday night.

Teacher nabbed for defiling 3 pupils in Ibadan

 A teacher, identified as Olayinka Folarin, has been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for allegedly defiling three under-aged primary school girls, including two orphans, who live in an orphanage, His Heritage Home.

The incident happened at a private school in Oluyole Estate, Ibadan. The victims whose ages were put between 10 and 11 years were said to have been serially abused by the teacher.
According to one of the rape victims, the teacher, who has four children, had been having sex with them since 2013 on a weekly basis.
The girls, it was gathered, were being abused inside the school toilet without the knowledge of the school management.

Though, the suspect had allegedly threatened to kill any of the girls who spoke out, but his shady deal was exposed when one of the girls was seen crying after another round of illicit sex with the teacher.
The wailing of the girl prompted some male students to ask what happened to her.  She then confided in them that Folarin had just finished raping her.

In a bid to get him red-handed, the boys reportedly told her to let them know when next their teacher wanted to take advantage of them.
The boys advised the girls to tell their guardian, Mrs Temilolu Morounkeji, who runs the home for orphans and vulnerable children after school hours.
It was the woman and one Pastor Marcus Williams, a member of the Child Protection Network, Vanguard gathered, that informed the Police, who later arrested the teacher.

A medical check was carried out on the victims at the Adeoyo state hospital by one Dr Ariwoola and his report read: “Semen was seen around the victims vulva. Hymen was not intact.”
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Olabisi Ilobanafor, described the act as “pathetic.”

“This was happening in a school and it has been happening for months undetected. The teacher has been sleeping with the victims in the school toilet. He has been sleeping with the girls every week since last year. When the matter was reported to us, the Police went into the matter and our investigation revealed that he has a gel used in lubricating the girls. The gel has been recovered from where he kept it in the school premises. He has been arrested and he will be charged to court.”

She explained further that the police will also investigate if there were other girls who had the same experience, saying: ”He even threatened to kill them and one of the girls said she was afraid of what the suspect would use in killing her whether physical or spiritual.”

Shettima's wife cancels Children’s Day celebration in Borno

The office of the wife of the Executive Governor of Borno State Hajiya Nana  Shettima in collaboration with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social  Development has cancelled this year’s Children’s Day Celebration

A release from the office of the press secretary to the wife of the governor Hajiya  Aishatu Muhammad Hassan indicates that the cancellation is to serve as a mark of  respect to Victims of various insurgency attacks and offer special prayers for the  safe and quick release of the abducted schoolgirls as well as for peace to prevail in  the state and the country at large.

The wife of the Governor Hajiya Nana Shettima and the Women Affairs Hajiya  Inna Galadima enjoined women and children to offer special prayers on that day  because God accepts their prayers quickly in view of their love and compassion for humanity.

We lost over 500 members to insurgency in N-East —Catholic Church

The Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri has said that it has so far lost more than 500 members and property worth over N400 million due to the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.

The Diocesan Secretary,Very Rev. Father John Bakeni Bogna, made this known at a news conference in Maiduguri, yesterday.

He said: “We have records right from 2006 and we have met with the government and we are still discussing the issue of compensation in collaboration with other Christian brethren.”

Also giving details of the loss from 2009 to date, the Diocesan Director, Rev. Fr. Gideon Obasogie, said more than 500, including 170 children of their members were killed, while over 50 churches were burnt and 90,000 people displaced, with about 300 women made to become widows.

According to the church, 1,500 orphans had also been recorded within the period while 34 parishes were completely destroyed in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

On education and health sectors, the Project Manager of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Bature Joseph, said: ”33 schools, including 23 primary and 10 secondary were destroyed with three completely burnt down.”

He said nine schools were also closed down in Madagali, Michika, Shuwa and Mubi, stressing that the massive exodus of teachers was affecting the stability of education in the diocese.

Joseph further said health facilities owned by the church in Pulka, Bazza, Shuwa, Potiskum and Mubi were vandalised.

He urged everybody to pray for the sustenance of unity schools because their existence was one of the things binding the country together.

On the abducted Chibok girls, the Rev. Father said the church had never been silent as it was constantly praying for their release to re-unite with their families.

Suswam accuses APC of making mockery of democracy

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has accused the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, of making mockery of democracy in the country.

Suswam said that the APC was being run by a cabal from their bed rooms, thereby deriding democratic tenets.

He spoke in Makurdi, the state capital, yesterday in an interview with newsmen yesterday, shortly after receiving the interim report of the General Lawrence Onoja (rtd.)- led Benue South Senatorial Zone, Peace and Reconciliation Committee on the Benue farmers/Fulani herdsmen crisis.

His words, “what you see happening in the APC is outright deceit and a mockery of democratic tenets; that is why you see the mass decamping ceremony across Benue state.

”The truth is that APC is a party that is owned by one person which accounts for why a single individual will sit in his bedroom and manufacture names that ought to have emanated from a properly conducted congress.

”Our people are now wiser, we have very many prominent sons and daughters who saw deceit and have all decided to come back to the PDP where everyone is an equal joiner and also has a say.”

”They are decamping to the PDP across the state in large numbers, because every discerning mind, including the young ones know that the PDP has kept faith with the Nigerian Project.’’

Jonathan to visit Chibok, troops today

 President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to visit Borno State today to assess the security situation and possibly visit troops deployed there.

The President is expected to leave Maiduguri for France, where he is expected to attend a regional security summit that involves France, Chad and Niger.

There were reports that the President may also visit Chibok, where the abduction of over 200 girls from a secondary school sparked international condemnation and outrage.

The incidence has attracted multinational support from USA, Britain, France, Israel and China to assist Nigeria’s rescue efforts.

A statement by Dr Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said President Jonathan will be joined at the summit by heads of state and government of Benin Republic, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

The statement added that Britain, the United States of America and the European Union will be represented at the talks which will give special attention to the coordination and intensification of efforts to curtail the destabilising activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

It said: “President Jonathan, who will be accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Lt Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd.); National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and other principal aides and advisers, will return to Abuja at the conclusion of the summit on Saturday.”

#BringBackOurGirls: FG must speak with one voice – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the federal government to immediately stop the discordant tunes emanating from the highest echelons of government and speak with one voice on issues concerning the ongoing efforts to find and rescue the schools girls abducted by Boko Haram.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the conflicting statements credited to top government officials over the conditions given by Boko Haram for releasing the girls were totally unwarranted and could send the wrong signal to the insurgents and hinder the efforts to ensure the safe return of the girls.
It said the government must designate a spokesman, be it the Minister of Information or whoever the government deems fit, to be responsible for daily relaying to the public any relevant information concerning the search for the missing girls, instead of allowing a cacophony of voices on the issue.

”Information management is key if the government itself is not to jeopardize ongoing international efforts to find and rescue the girls, and the government must move fast to keep the nation informed through an established channel, in line with global best practices under such circumstances,” APC said.

The party said while Interior Minister Abba Moro and Senate President David Mark have said the government would not negotiate the release of the girls, Information Minister Labaran Maku, Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mike Omeri and Special Duties Minister Taminu Turaki have hinted that the FG will do whatever it takes to free the girls, meaning that all options are on the table.

To compound matters, President Goodluck Jonathan was widely quoted in the local newspapers Thursday as saying the government would not release the incarcerated Boko Haram members in exchange for the girls.

”This kind of utter confusion is a window deep into the inner workings of the federal government as far as this critical issue of finding and freeing the girls is concerned, and it is unfortunate.

Jonathan should negotiate with Boko Haram- Shettima

Governor Kassim Shettima of Borno State has said that if negotiating with the Boko Haram sect would bring back the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, the Federal Government should not ignore the option.
Shettima in tears

He also regretted that it took President Goodluck Jonathan three weeks to reach out to him on the matter.

Shettima, who said this in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour yesterday, decried the decision of President Jonathan not to go into negotiation with the insurgents, noting that the nation had no option.

He said: “Do we have any other option? If I have to talk to the devil to secure the release of the girls, I will do so. President Jonathan did not act on time and did not talk to me over the kidnappings until 19 days after.’’

The governor, who belongs to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, described Boko Haram militants as a “bunch of lunatics.”

Power supply: Nigeria to get $6 billion nuclear plant in 2022 – NAEC

The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, NAEC disclosed yesterday that plans have been concluded to procure a $6 billion nuclear plant in 2022 to ensure stable power supply in the country for a period of 60 years.

In its presentation before the Rashidi Ladoja-led Committee on Energy at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, Director, Human Resources of the commission, Prof Simon Mallam, urged the Federal Government to explore and develop all sources of energy available in the country, adding  that the best thing to do if we must have sustainable energy is to develop all the available energy sources including nuclear, gas, hydro, coal and solar.

He though the country wasted a little time in the nuclear arena, the commission would be able to deliver nuclear power by 2022 if the enabling environment and support were  given, adding that nuclear power may be expensive, but can endure for a very long time even if it starts with a small plant.

Professor Mallam, who noted that all the available sources can exist side by side, said that what will be generated from nuclear energy can be used to feed into others and it becomes a basic supply.  While dismissing its expensive nature, he explained that the country can embrace the principle of “Build and operate” option where private individuals with the skill and finance can develop and manage it for some time and recoup their money and then hand over to the government.

He explained that the option gives room for a country to provide the enabling environment and other frameworks needed and the partner will be concerned with the development and operation which leaves the two bodies with a win-win situation.

He said: “I believe that although we wasted time, but we are not arriving late on the scene. All the administrations right from Chief Obasanjo have given their commitments in this regard. We also hope that subsequent administrations will key into it, there is no reason they will not key in.

We want to be sure of what we are doing as far as the technology, safety and environment is concerned. That is why we are taking our time and collaborating with the international community; we will meet our target with the support we are getting.”

Police nab member of 6-man robbery gang in Lagos

A member of the six‑man armed robbery gang said to be terrorising Ajangbadi, Shibiri, a Lagos suburb and its environs, has been nabbed by security operatives.
The suspect was arrested following a tip‑off by residents, when the gang operated along Imude road, Shibiri.

Although five members of the gang escaped, four locally‑made shotguns and cartridges were recovered from the arrested suspect, simply identified as Kabiru.

It was gathered that the gang began operation at 9 p.m., robbing residents and shop owners in the area, including one Alhaja Musura Haziz.

However, when the gang retired to share loot at an uncompleted building close to Kabiru’s mother’s house, a resident (names withheld) alerted Neighbourhood Watch members who were on routine patrol.

Kabiru was arrested while the others escaped. He was handed over to Policemen at Ilemba Hausa police station.
It was learnt that the suspect has been transferred from Ilemba Hausa police station to the Special Anti‑Robbery Squad, Ikeja.

Channel your grievances to Confab, delegates tell Boko Haram

Delegates representing National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, have asked the members of dreaded Boko Haram Islamist sect, to forward their grievances to relevant committees of the Conference.

This is just as they condemned in totality the abduction of some female students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok by members of the dreaded sect.

The NANS delegates, in a statement yesterday, in Abuja, signed by Comrade Clifford Abur, called on Nigerians to join hands in taking part to secure lives and property through what they called “the neighbourhood watch.”
NANS also advocated the establishment of vigilante club in all universities and other schools to report issues on security to appropriate agencies.

Reduction of 13% derivation, call for war —N-Delta youth leaders

Niger Delta youth leaders, yesterday, described the recent call by a Northern leader, Mr. Junaid Muhammed, for a reduction of the current 13 per cent derivation to five per cent, scrapping of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and Ministry of Niger Delta, as an invitation to war.

The youth leaders, Austin Ozobo, National President of Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI; Musa Biayeibo,  President of Niger Delta Youths For Positive Change, NDYPC; Ebi Wayas,  President,  National Association of Izon-Ebe Law Students, NAILS, and Jude Asiayei, President, Coastal Heritage and Economic Watch, CHEW,  spoke to newsmen in Warri, Delta State.

According to Ozobo, “Except the demand for resource control is approved, there is going to be another oil crisis in the Niger Delta region.
“The Niger Delta will not accept or tolerate such abuses from the North any longer because our region has been feeding the North for a very long time, and the North should be grateful to the people of Niger Delta.

“No level of intimidation from the North will deter the region from its stand on the issues of resource control and creation of more states in Niger Delta region.

“Remediation for Niger Delta environment that has been despoiled by oil exploration and exploitation can only come through resource control since the government at all levels have failed the region. The North should, therefore, sheath its sword over its stand on resource control to avoid war and disintegration in the country.”

Man, 51, arrested with 3.870kg drug at MMIA

Attempt by a 51-year-old man to smuggle 3.870kg of suspected Methamphetamine to Nairobi, Kenya has been foiled following his arrest by operatives of the  National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

During investigation, Ayodeji disclosed that he expected to realise N2.4 million had he succeeded in the illicit deal, adding that he attempted to carry the drug to generate money to clear his debts.

He further stated that his inability to cater for his family forced one of his wives to leave for her parents’ home.
According to the Osun State-born suspect, “I am owing people. I couldn’t sleep because of debts.  I have two wives. But the first one left to live with her parents because of  my condition.

” I would have made a profit of $15,000 (N2.4 million)  had I succeeded in selling the drug in Nairobi. I intended paying my debts and start a business with the  money realised.”

Explaining how he was arrested, the agency’s Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, stated that the drug was found inside the luggage of the suspect.
He said: “The drug was packed in a white transparent polythene and hidden inside his bag containing soup ingredients like pepper, melon and crayfish.

“Methamphetamine often called ice or meth is a crystal-like powdered substance that sometimes comes in large rock-like chunks. It is odourless, bitter and dissolves easily in water or alcohol.”

INEC data machine on sale in markets, Niger Republic – Confab Delegate

A member of the Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters, Mallam Dani Zoro, said yesterday that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Direct Data Capture Machines, DDCM, are currently on sale in the open market in the country and neighbouring Niger Republic.

Zoro, former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, raised the alarm when the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega appeared before the committee.

The delegate, who shocked the INEC chairman when he brought out a battery of the DDCM with INEC logo on it, told committee members which has former Senate Presidents Iyorchia Ayu and Ken Nnamani as co- chairmen that he bought the battery in the open market and that the seller assured him that he will get him as many quantities as he wants if he was ready to pay for them.

According to Zoro, besides Nigerian markets, the INEC machines were also sold in the open market in the neighbouring Niger republic.

#BringBackOurGirls: 30 days after, parents identify 77 girls in video

Seventy-seven of the more than 200 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists, a month ago, have been identified from the video released Monday by the sect.

This came as the United States disclosed that it is flying manned surveillance missions over Nigeria in an effort to pinpoint the location of the abducted schoolgirls.

Following release of the video by sect leader, Mallam Abubakar Shekau showing scores of the girls wearing hijabs and reciting the Holy Q’uran, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima ordered mass production of the video to be shown to the parents of the abducted girls for identification.

After the identification exercises, which Governor Shettima said, yesterday, was on-going, he confirmed that 77 of the girls have been identified in the video. Addressing the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners at the Borno State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where he released the names of the girls, he announced that he would not relent in the efforts to rescue the girls until they were all safely re-united with their respective families.

According to him, the process of identification was still on-going and, therefore, expressed optimism that more of the abducted students could be identified.

Chibok: Don’t turn it into religion issue, FG warns CAN, JNI

Federal Government, yesterday, warned religious bodies to desist from turning the recent abduction of female students in Chibok, Borno State, into religious matter.

The Coordinator of National Information Center on the abduction of Chibok’s abducted girls, Mr Mike Omeri gave the warning, while briefing newsmen on the update on the rescue efforts in Abuja.

Omeri, who is also the Director General of National Orientation Agency, called on the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and the Jama’atul Nasril Islam, JNI, to ask their members, to stop making inflamtory statements capable of aggravating the situation on ground.

“The federal government appeals to religious bodies, especially the leadership of both JNI and CAN, to restrain their members from being misled by unscrupulous person into reducing the current situation into a religious conflict,” he said.

Nyako fault Jonathan’s request for extension of emergency rule in N-East

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has again opposed the move by President Goodluck Jonathan to further extend the state of emergency currently in force in his state and two others in the North-East.

Nyako’s opposition followed Jonathan’s request to the National Assembly to grant him power to further elongate emergency rule for six more months. Jonathan’s request, dated May 2, 2014, was read to members yesterday.

Reacting to the request, Nyako described the action as ill-advised and a wrong step in quelling rising insurgency in the North-East.

According to the governor, who made his position known through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Ahmed Sajoh, there is no need for the imposition of emergency rule in the state, as it has not mitigated the level of attacks by terrorists.

The governor pointed out that there had been even more attacks in the state since the declaration of emergency rule by President Jonathan last year than when there was no emergency in the area.

He said: “We still hold our position that there was no need to declare a state of emergency in Adamawa in the first place, because the level of attacks in the state has even increased with the imposition of emergency rule.

Grandmother saved from lynching over false kidnap alarm

A 50-year-old grandmother escaped death by the whiskers yesterday, in the densely populated Ajegunle area of Lagos, after she was attacked by a mob that thought she stole a day-old baby.

The woman, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, was reportedly seen cuddling the day-old-baby whom she wrapped in a cloth.
Some curious persons were said to have raised alarm that she kidnapped the baby which made the mob surround her.

She reportedly tried in vain to explain that the baby was her grand-child and that the mother was still recuperating in the hospital, as the mob descended on her.
An eyewitness, who identified herself as Ubani Amara, said: “When they asked her at first where she got the baby from, she ignored the question.

“That gave room for suspicion that she could have kidnapped the baby because of the spate of kidnappings in Lagos. Again, she looked  too old to give birth.
“A man among the crowd was the first to hit her, followed by slaps. That was when she said the baby belongs to her daughter. Nobody believed the claim because they expected to see the mother with her.

“The mob even tried to take the baby from her but the woman held tight to him, causing the baby to start bleeding from the cord.”
The swift  arrival of policemen from Ajegunle division saved the woman from being lynched.

Preliminary investigation, according to sources at the division, revealed that the child was indeed the woman’s grandchild.
Sources disclosed that the medical  doctor at an undisclosed private hospital around Aiyetoro where the grandmother claimed her child was, was  invited to ascertain the claim.

According to the source, “when the doctor arrived, he confirmed  that  the biological mother was still in the hospital, explaining she developed some complications after birth.  The doctor said she also could not breast feed the baby and advised  the grandmother  to take the baby home in order to give him proper bath and water, while the mother was being treated.

“The doctor said the baby was delivered around 8.45 a.m. and that any attempt by his mother to breast feed him could lead to her death because she has lost so much blood and was weak and pale.”

Chibok Girls:Obasanjo blasts Jonathan

Former Nigeria’s President, Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, condemned the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State.

Obasanjo spoke in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the state government on the adoption of a junior secondary school and a primary school in Kudai, Dutse.

Obasanjo, however, faulted Federal Government for its lackadaisical attitude towards saving the lives of the abducted students.

Speaking shortly after the signing of MoU between Jigawa State government and Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, at Government House, Dutse, Chief Obasanjo said the delay by the government over the matter led to their being moved away from the school, adding that if urgent rescue action was taken, the girls could have been saved from their current hardship.

“The Federal Government could have acted quickly when the news broke so as to save the innocent girls, but nothing was done,” he lamented.
Obasanjo described the abduction of the girls as unfortunate and pathetic, considering the future of their lives.

“Their future is significant as such everything possible must be done to rescue them,” he  said.
He, howeverm said that, “whatever might have been the grievances of the group of people behind the adoption of these girls, whatever might have been their anger or objectives, it was uncalled for, considering the importance of these girls.”

He said his foundation has established itself in four countries in Africa among which Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana are beneficiaries.
Governor Sule Lamido thanked the former president for his wisdom in establishing of his foundation.

Oil bribe: Farouk has a case to answer-Court

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, yesterday, declined to quash the criminal charge preferred against the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel subsidy probe, Farouk Lawan, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

In its ruling, yesterday, the appellate court, held that there was enough prima-facie to warrant the trial of both Farouk and the erstwhile Secretary of the probe committee, Boniface Emenalo.
Consequently, the two lawmakers were ordered to return to the lower court and defend themselves over the allegation that they demanded and collected $3 million bribe to pervert the course of an investigation that was instituted by the House of Representatives.

The duo were specifically accused of demanding and collecting bribe from the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Femi Otedola, as an inducement to remove the name of his company from the report of the Ad-hoc committee on monitoring of fuel subsidy regime.

ICPC alleged that they demanded an aggregate sum of $3 million, with a view to ensuring that the company escaped prosecution even though the probe committee had ab-initio found it culpable in the fuel subsidy fraud.
Farouk was said to have pocketed  $620,000 which was part payment for the illegal deal.

The anti-graft agency further alleged that Emenalo, while being a public officer, an Assistant Director and Clerk of the Committee on Education of the House of Representives, sometime in April 2012, while acting as the Secretary of the Committee, was offered gratification by Otedola, but failed to report the offer to any officer of the ICPC or any police officer.

The offence, according to ICPC is contrary to Sections 17 (1) (a);  8(1) (a) (b) (ii), and 23 (i) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Sections 8 (1) 17 (1) and 23(3) of the same Act.
Meantime, the appellate court has ordered an accelerated hearing of the charge against them

I have information on abducted girls – Borno governor

The governor of Borno State, Kashim Sheetima, said he has information on the whereabouts of about 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect.

Shettima, according to the BBC, said he had passed reports on the sightings of the girls to the military for verification.

The governor added that he did not think the girls had been taken across the border to Chad or Cameroon.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan said an Israeli counter-terrorism team would arrive in Nigeria to help in searching for the schoolgirls, who were abducted last month in Borno State.

Both the United States and United Kingdom distanced themselves from suggestions that they would send soldiers to take part in the military operation in the northern part of the country.

“There’s no intention at this point to be putting any American boots on the ground” said U.S Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel on Sunday.

UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, said it was unlikely Nigeria would ask for British troops to help, but he added: “I said to President Jonathan where we can help, please ask, and we will see what we can do.”

Chibok: We are still reviewing video content – FG

The Federal Government on Monday said it is still reviewing the content of the video released by the Boko Haram sect on Monday.

At a briefing in Abuja on the released video, the Director -General of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, ruled out the option of negotiation with the sect for now.

He debunked the rumours being peddled in some parts of the media that the federal government has started negotiation with the sect.

Omeri, who spoke alongside heads of various security agencies said the government is considering all options to rescue the girls and unite them with their parents.

The DG said the issue of negotiation with the sect is not being considered for now.

“All options are on the table and open, we are interacting with the military and intelligent experts who are already on surveillance in the North Eastern part of the country. We will adopt all available options to get the girls out, but we will not negotiate with the sect.

While speaking on countries that have so far joined in the rescue mission, Omeri said more countries are set to offer help to Nigeria.

“The United States and the United Kingdom have already sent in their security personnel but we will not hesitate to seek help from other countries if there is need for such,” he stated.
On the operational measures, Omeri said the government will not reveal the operational measures as it will amount to giving information to the enemy.

Nyanya blasts: DSS parades five suspects

The Department of State Security (DSS) has paraded five suspects allegedly linked to the April 14 bomb blasts at Nyanya, on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory in which over 75 persons were killed and several others injured.

The DSS has also placed a N25 million reward on two fleeing suspects – Rufai Abubakar Tsiga and

At a joint security briefing, held at the headquarters of the DSS on Monday, the spokesperson of the DSS, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, said Tsiga, assisted by Ogwuche, drove the explosive laden car to the scene of the blasts a day to the incident.

He was said to have left the car at the Nyanya bus station and went back to detonate the explosives in the early morning of April 14.

The DSS said Tsiga used to run a decoy patent medicine kiosk at Utako area of the FCT from where he allegedly recruited other sect members who disguised as his apprentices.

Ogwuche was described as a British born Nigerian from Benue State who was in November 2011, arrested at the Abuja airport on his arrival from the United Kingdom, in connection with terrorism.

Ogar, however, said Ogwuche was released on bail to his retired Colonel father, Agene Ogwuche in October 2012 following intense pressure from the human rights community who alleged violation of his human rights.

The DSS added that the fleeing Ogwuche deserted the Nigerian Army in 2006 after serving in the Intelligence Unit of the Army at the Arakan Barracks, Lagos.

He reportedly absconded when he was posted to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Jaji, Kaduna, in 2006. Ogar gave his service number as SVC 95/104.

He is said to be studying Arabic language at the International University of Africa, Sudan.

The other five suspects paraded by the DSS are- Ahmad Rufai Abubakar, (43); Muhammadu Sani Ishaq, (30); Yau Saidu, (28); Adamu Yusuf, (43); and Anas Isah, (22).

They all confessed to having played different roles in preparations leading to the bombing of the Abuja bus station.

Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche who were alleged to have masterminded the attack.

You can't probe Sanusi — Court

Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday stopped the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) from further investigation of the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Specifically, the court held that the FRCN which had earlier indicted the suspended CBN governor, lacks the powers to investigate him.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed by Sanusi challenging the powers of the FRCN and its Executive Secretary, Mr. Jim Osayande Obase to probe him, Justice Tsoho who upheld all the prayers of Mr. Sanusi, declared that the action taken by the council was biased, malicious, premeditated, frivolous, deliberately skewed, malafide and an abuse of executive power.

Before the judgement, Justice Tsoho had earlier dismissed an application by FRCN that the judge lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, ruling that the matter before him was a fundamental right issue which the court could adjudicate upon.

It would be recalled that Sanusi had approached the court seeking to restrain the FRCN from investigating him. In a suit filed by his counsel, Kola Awodehin (SAN), he prayed the court for a declaration that the FRCN, by constituting itself into an investigating body in the manner expressed in some newspaper publications of March 24, went beyond its powers.

CAN condemns conversion of Chibok girls

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday said the forceful conversion of Christians school girl abducted from Chibok to Islam was a clear indication that the Boko Haram insurgency group was waging a war against Christianity.

The Boko Haram group  claimed in their new video released on Monday that the girls had been converted to Islam.
Reacting to the development, National secretary of CAN, Rev Musa Asake  said the said conversion was unacceptable and called on the government and the international community to act fast to save the situation.

He said that the reported forceful conversion of the girls was a confirmation that the Boko Haram sect has a religious agenda, adding that it was now clear that they are waging a war against Christians and Christianity iin the country.
The Christian umbrella body reject the demand by Boko Haram for the release of their detained members as a condition for freeing the girls.

CAN maintained that the Boko Haram members being detained were criminals who committed heinous crimes against humanity who should face the wrath of the law.
It accused the Nigerian correspondent of the Cable Network News (CNN) of downplaying the fact the majority of the girls kidnapped are Christians.

“We condemned the forceful conversion of abducted Christian girls from Chibok into the Islamic fold by the Boko Haram terrorist group.
“Our Muslim brothers told us that Islam is not by compulsion and we are surprised that our girls who were abducted in school by the terrorists have forcefully converted them to Islam.

“This is a confirmation that the Boko Haram is waging a war is against Christianity.  We are calling on the federal government and the internationally community to know that there is no ambiguity in what the  Boko Haram actually wanted – they are waging a war against Christians and Christianity.

“We also want to urge that the CNN reporter in Nigeria should be called to order because he is down playing the reality of what is going on. Majority of the girls kidnapped are Christians, but he is downplaying this fact and misleading the world. We don’t know whose agenda he is executing but we are calling on him let the world know the truth.

“Those girls are not Muslims and we are urging the terrorists to return them to their parents, ” Asake stated.

Lamido competent to rule Nigeria – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday said Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, is competent to rule the country in 2015.

The former president made the disclosure while answering questions from journalists during his one- day official visit to the state.

He said Lamido’s background makes him competent to rule the country.

“Going by Lamido’s background, performance and credibility, his competent and exposure, he can stand shoulder to shoulder with anybody in the country,” Obasanjo said.

He continued: “if it is the wish of the people, it is okay. He did not tell me he is vying for the post, but being the wish of the people let’s wait and see.”

“Based on his tracking his record would you say he is not competent?, He is competent, he can stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone in this nation.

“Our hope is to produce future leaders who would grow up with one Nigeria in their mind. I mean those who are committed and patriotic.”

Brazil 2014: Nigeria Supporters Club demand 62 million condoms

The Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters Club (NFSSC) on Monday demanded for the provision of 62 million condoms for fans attending the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Rafiu Ladipo, President-General of NFSSC, who made the demand in Abuja, appealed to the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) to take the demand very seriously.
Ladipo’s appeal came on the heels of assurance by Bilali Camara, UNAIDS Country Director, that two million condoms would be provided for the entire duration of the 2014 World Cup.

He said instead of two million for the entire duration, UNAIDS should provide two million condoms each day for the 31-day tournament.

“Of all football loving fans all around the world, I alone will be taking over 10,000 fans to Brazil, not only from Nigeria.

“You know that Nigeria will be playing their first three matches and there is going to be a match between Nigeria and Argentina.

“By the time we play that match, we will regard it as the match that will also qualify us to play Brazil in Rio de Janeiro during the final.

“If that is achieved, we want to be protected; we must be protected.

`So, I want to urge you (UNAIDS) to provide more condoms,’’ he added.

According to him, it is important for UNAIDS to look into the request to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS during the World Cup.

He said the availability of condoms would help protect football fans who might want to have sex in Brazil after their daily assignment.

Nigeria is drawn in Group F alongside Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Mundial, which kicks off on June 12.

Police offer N50M for information leading to girls’ rescue

A new twist into efforts aimed at rescuing the 200 girls of the Government Girls College, Chibok unfolded Wednesday with the Nigeria Police force announcing a mouth watering cash reward of N50million to anyone who volunteers credible information that will lead to their rescue

Making the disclosure in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations officer, CSP Frank Mba, the Police called on all Nigerians and general public to be part of the solution to the present security challenge.

It assured all citizens that any information given would be treated anonymously and with utmost confidentiality.

The Force urged all patriotic citizens with such useful information to contact the following numbers: 09-2914649, 08081777309, 08055547536, 08032125050, 08034617591 and 08035969731.

#BringBackOurGirls: France, China, Canada join US, UK to rescue girls

The build-up of an international coalition ready to assist Nigeria in locating and rescuing the more than 200 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists three weeks ago got a boost, yesterday, as France and China and Canada joined the United States and the United Kingdom in the search and rescue operation.

Both the US and the UK had earlier given their word to President Goodluck Jonathan to assist Nigeria.

The abduction of the girls had triggered series of protests across Nigeria and in some other countries, with protesters demanding that world leaders should take drastic actions to rescue the girls. The Twitter hash-tag,‘#BringBackOurGirls’, put together to push the rescue of the girls, is trending globally, with prominent world leaders lending their voice and support to the demand for their freedom.

France joins rescue efforts

France, yesterday, offered to send security service agents to Nigeria to help recover the abducted girls. Reuters quoted French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius as telling French lawmakers that “the President has instructed that we put the intelligence services at the disposal of Nigeria and neighbouring countries. This morning he asked us to contact the Nigerian President to tell him that a specialised unit with all the means we have in the region was at the disposal of Nigeria to help find and recover these young girls.”

He added: “In the face of such ignominy, France must react. This crime cannot be left unpunished,” Fabius said.

We ‘ll not accept govt of insurgency, blackmail— Southern peoples assembly

Statesmen, prominent leaders of the three geo-political zones of the Southern part of the country, under the aegis of Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly, SNPA, rose from a meeting yesterday, with a strong condemnation of insurgency in some parts of the country, warning that it would not be ruled by a government that would be a product of insurgency or blackmail against President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the group, no amount of intimidation by the insurgents and their sponsors would force President Jonathan to abdicate the powers given to him or refuse to seek re-election.

The leaders, who called on President  Jonathan to urgently close the borders with neighbouring states, warned: “Let it be known that the people of Southern Nigeria shall not allow themselves to be ruled by any government that is a product of insurgency or blackmail if the sponsors of insurgency in this country think they can brow-beat and pummel the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to abdicate the authority and mandate freely given to him by Nigerians to rule this country.”

The meeting, which took place Tuesday night in Abuja, had former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, and Retired Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Akure Diocese, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, as co- leaders.

Let’s fight terrorism together, Sultan pleads

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday, called on Nigerians to unite and fight the common enemies of the nation, saying it did not include shedding of human blood.

Sultan Abubakar stated this at the first Inter-Faith Health Summit, organised by the Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association in Abuja.
He said though leaders of faith in the country were determined to make their contributions towards improved health of the nation’s population, especially the children, such a dream would only be achieved in a peaceful atmosphere.

The revered leader of the Muslim faith in the country also condemned media reports hyping negative stories about Nigeria, especially as it related  to the World Economic Forum on Africa  which took off in Abuja, yesterday.

He said:  “There are many good things happening that require that the world come together. And, Nigeria is playing the role very well. You can see how we (leaders of faith in Nigeria) relate with one another; we meet personally; we attend functions together.

“If we are at war, we can’t even sit together, you can’t go to church, you can’t go to mosque; you would remain indoor s.

“For the problem of insecurity, what we must do is to come together as one body to fight terrorism at all levels. Terrorism does not know who is a Christian or who is a Muslim. When terror strikes, we all see what happens; Muslims are killed, Christians are killed. Even those who do not possess any religion are killed.

“What we need to do as leaders at all levels is come together to defeat terrorism. We plead with our foreign partners, disperse the message that we need you to come together with us  so that we bring to an end the insecurity issues facing our country.”

Trader arrested with 9.375kg cannabis concealed inside foodstuff

A 38-year-old trader has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for allegedly being in possession of 9.375kg of compressed cannabis hidden inside foodstuffs, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The suspect, identified as Izuchukwu Jude Ekwosimba, was apprehended while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to China where drug trafficking attracts capital punishment.

The operatives reportedly detected the drugs which were concealed inside dried fish, dried bitter leaf, crayfish, melon and other local food spices, when the suspect came to check in his luggage.
During investigation, the father of one told operatives that he was tempted to go into the illicit business in order to pay his house rent.

According to the Anambra State-born, “I sell clothes on Lagos Island and I live at Ikotun with my wife and child. My business was doing well until I was duped of N5 million. Since then, I have been living from hand to mouth. My greatest challenge now is the payment of my house rent and shop.

“I bought the hemp for N104,000 and I learnt that I could sell it for $9,000 in China. I had no other source of getting the needed amount, that was the reason why I decided to smuggle drugs.”

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, however, dismissed the suspect’s claim of financial difficulty as cause for indulging in the illicit business, stressing that someone who could afford a return ticket, buy drug worth N104,000 with basic travel allowance, could have conveniently settled his rent.

He, however, expressed joy over the suspect’s apprehension, explaining that it prevented him from possible death sentence in China.

Twins docked for stabbing colleague

Twin brothers were, yesterday, docked at a magistrate court sitting in Isabo,  Abeokuta for allegedly stabbing a colleague.

The brothers, Taiwo and  Kehinde Bankole,  were accused of inflicting injuries on one Isa  Lamidi, Saturday, at motorcycles park in Odeda village, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to a count charge of assault, claiming that the complainant fought them and they  retaliated.

In his defence, Kehinde said the complainant attacked him and his brother and they defended themselves.
The prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Eigbejiale, said the accused persons committed the offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 315 and 355 of the Criminal Code Volume 1 Laws of Ogun of State of Nigeria , 2006.

Magistrate Martins Akinyemi granted the  accused bail in the sum of N80,000 with one surety in like sum.
The case was adjourned till July 14, 2014.

Aregbesola deputy governor’s brother dumps APC, backs Omisore

The electoral fortune of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in the June 21 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, yesterday received a boost as the elder brother of the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori, Mr. Sunday Laoye, led his supporters to defect to the PDP.

Decamping to the PDP, he called on other progressive minded politicians in the APC to leave the party and join the PDP.

Laoye, who was received into the PDP at the party’s secretariat in Osogbo by its National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, said he laboured for the APC but had nothing to show for his commitment to the party.

Receiving Mr Laoye and his supporters, Professor Oladipo assured him of equal treatment in the party, saying “there is no preferential treatment in the party. We believe every member is important in the party.”

Man, 40, nabbed for defiling 7-yr-old girl

THE Police in Lagos State are quizzing a 40-year-old man, one Hakeem, popularly known as Baba Iwura, for allegedly defiling a seven-year-old girl.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at the residence of the suspect, 3, Third Avenue, Okemoro Street, Magbon, along Badagry expressway, last Sunday.
It was learnt that the Baba Iwura usually takes permission from Mrs Tawio Fathia, the girl's mother to send her on errands every Sunday when his wife and children had gone to church.

But unknown to the victim's mother, the errands were a guise to abuse her daughter. According to reports, the game had been going on for a while without the knowledge of the victim’s parents.
The bubble burst on that fateful day when he asked her to run errand for him as usual which terminated in his having carnal knowledge of the girl.

It was learnt that the little girl innocently told her playmates what Baba Iwura has been doing to her each time he sends her on errand.
In the process, the victim’s elder sister overheard her and immediately alerted their parents who quizzed the victim and she admitted.

Feeling betrayed by Hakeem's action, the parents of the victim, Mr. and Mrs. Tawio Fathia immediately reported the matter at the Area K Police station and the suspect was picked up.
Medical test from Badagry General Hospital confirmed that the suspect actually penetrated her.