Nigerian Eye

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The club announced the jersey number on its website on Friday. 
 
Iwobi joined Everton from Arsenal for £34m on Thursday on a five-year deal with the move seeing him become the most expensive Nigerian player in history. 
 
“New signing Alex Iwobi will wear number 17, the same number he wore at Arsenal, while Richarlison moves to seven, Michael Keane to five and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to number nine,” Everton said on its website. 
 
The Everton No. 17 jersey was worn last season by Senegalese, Idrissa Gueye, who moved to PSG for £29m last month. 
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Romelu Lukaku also wore the number when he was on loan at Everton from Chelsea. 
 
Other players who have worn the number are Muhamed Besic, Tim Cahill, Scot Gemmill, Francis Jeffers, Gareth Farrelly.

Latest-News Everton hand Iwobi No. 17 jersey

The club announced the jersey number on its website on Friday. Iwobi joined Everton from Arsenal for £34m on Thursday on a five-year dea...

APC threatens boycott as Bayelsa holds LG election

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Local Government elections are expected to hold on Saturday in the Eight Local Government Council area of the Bayelsa State. 
 
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission led by its chairman, Mr. Remember Ogbe, announced that about 44 political parties would be participating in the election, including the Peoples Democratic Party. 
 
The All Progressive Congress has, however, threatened to boycott the elections, citing lack of confidence in the composition of the State Independent Electoral Commission. 
 
The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC, urged all Bayelsa people with their Permanent Voter Cards to file out in their numbers to their various polling units and vote for their preferred candidates come Aug. 10, 2019 
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The chairman said that there would be restriction of movements on August 10, 2019, between the hours of 8am and 2pm. 
 
He said the action would enable the commission to conduct free, fair and credible local government elections. 
 
According to the Chairman, voters are to come out to their respective polling units at 8:00am for accreditation and voting which will be done simultaneously. 
 
He called on the electorate to maintain orderliness while the BYSIEC field workers carried out their duties to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and credible process. 
 
Also, the State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police, Mr Uche ANokia, has deployed personnel to the various local councils. 
 
The command urged officers and Personnel drafted from neighboring states to complement the efforts of the state command to be professional during and after the local government polls in the state. 
 
CP Anozia reminded them that the conduct of violence free, fair and credible election was anchored on their neutrality. 
 
He warned against any act that would question the integrity of the Nigeria Police force and urged them to remain good ambassadors in their places of assignment, to the police force, the state and the country at large. 
 
The Command’s helmsman advised politician, the contestants and their supporters to abide by the electoral rules and regulation. 
 
According to him, anyone found wanting will be sanctioned in accordance with the constitution. 
 
CP Anozia further cautioned those with intent of snatching ballot paper/box, thuggery and other electoral violence during and after the election to steer clear of the polling units as the command was prepared to ensure rancour-free elections. 
 
The State Commissioner of Police while assuring the electorate of their safety urged them to come out in their numbers to perform their civic duties without fear of intimidation.

Latest-News APC threatens boycott as Bayelsa holds LG election

Local Government elections are expected to hold on Saturday in the Eight Local Government Council area of the Bayelsa State. News Agency...

"Nigeria will disintegrate if Buhari fails to address national issues"

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Latest-News "Nigeria will disintegrate if Buhari fails to address national issues"

Nigeria doesn’t need a revolution -Okorocha’s son-in-law

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Latest-News Nigeria doesn’t need a revolution -Okorocha’s son-in-law

DHQ sets up panel to probe killing of police officers

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Latest-News DHQ sets up panel to probe killing of police officers

2baba fine, out of hospital – Close relative

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During the week, social media went wild when it was revealed that popular singer, Innocent Idibia, aka 2baba, who attended an event organised by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, came from the hospital where he was critically ill. The musician known for his unique vocals and stage performance has won the hearts of Nigerians and they were sad to know that their icon was in the hospital. Their concerns were expressed through many comments on social media. 
 
The singer’s wife, Annie Idibia, had written on her Instagram page, “Incredible human. So, baba has been so ill and on drips and plenty medications. Doctor was by his side for 48 hours. We all didn’t think he could make it to this big event that was all about him and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Even with his voice constantly shaking and his body shaking, the man got up and told the doctor he had to go. He (eventually) made it back to his meds. Get well soon baby.” 
 
However, when our source spoke with a close family source, our correspondent was informed that 2baba was now feeling better. The source said, “He is perfectly fine. He is out of the hospital and doing okay. All concerned fans should relax and know that the star is doing well now.” 
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The Nigerian Stock Exchange, had, on Tuesday, appointed 2baba as a ‘Good Cause Ambassador’, a role he’ll be playing under the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Oscar Onyema. 
 
Recall that 2baba recently celebrated his 20th anniversary on stage and many Nigerian celebrities were on hand to celebrate the occasion with him. Among these stars were Waje andTimi Dakolo.

Latest-News 2baba fine, out of hospital – Close relative

During the week, social media went wild when it was revealed that popular singer, Innocent Idibia, aka 2baba, who attended an event organis...

Revenue formula: Govs to demand 42% of federal allocation

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Ahead of the review of the revenue sharing formula scheduled to start on Thursday, there are strong indications that state governors may demand 42 per cent of the federal allocation as against the 26.72 per cent they currently get. 
 
The governors are also asking that the share of the Federal Government be slashed from the current 52.68 per cent to 37 per cent, while requesting that the share of local governments be increased from the current 20.60 per cent to 23 per cent in the new formula. 
 
The Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mr Elias Mbam, had on Tuesday revealed that the commission would set up a committee in the coming week to review the revenue sharing formula for federal, states and local governments due to the current economic realities. 
 
The current revenue sharing formula was designed during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who ruled between 1999 and 2007. 
 
But, ahead of the inauguration of the review committee on Thursday, a highly placed source privy to the pre-meeting discussions among governors told one of our correspondents on Thursday that the governors might adopt the recommendation of a report earlier submitted by a sub-committee set up by the forum to review the formula. 
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The source, who asked not to be named, said, “A committee was set up by the forum and that is the position of the forum on the matter of the revenue formula. The sub-committee met as far back as 2011 and it was made up of six governors, headed by the then governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola. 
 
“The members were Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State; Sullivan Chime of Enugu State; Babangida Aliyu of Niger State; Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State. 
 
Everton hand Iwobi No. 17 jersey 
“From the report they submitted to the forum, they recommended that the Federal Government should now get 35 per cent; states should get 42 per cent  and local government should get 23 per cent. That was the recommendation and that is what we have continued to push for.” 
 
When asked what the governors based their proposal on, the source said they looked at their quest to be able to pay the minimum wage; the need for more resources to fight insecurity and the decaying infrastructure in their domain, which, according to him, the states do not have the funds to address. 
 
He said, “The governors noted that managing states today is becoming very expensive and they mentioned the issue of security. Even though there is a central police system, the responsibility is falling on state governments to inject funds to help the agencies and so they have been involved in one way or the other. 
 
“The cost of securing the states has simply become more expensive and the burden is now heavy on the states. The population has also increased over time and these people are in the respective states. 
 
“So, when the governors said they needed some adjustments done with the revenue formula in order to defray the increase in the minimum wage, the new formula I mentioned to you was the formula they were referring to. The report was adopted and it was sent to the Federal Government but nothing was done about it. 
 
“During the negotiation for this minimum wage, the governors again presented their position. They were initially reluctant to agree to the N30,000 but eventually, that was why they said if it (minimum wage) must be implemented with ease, there must be an adjustment, and so the report was again sent to the Federal Government but nothing was done about it.” 
 
When asked if the NGF would stick to the 2011 recommendation, he said, “I’m tempted to say yes, because there had been no cause to reconstitute another committee to review it, so even though it’s relatively old, as far as we are concerned, that is the official position.” 
 
“Yes, we know there has been this talk about states boosting their IGR and that they should be able to use that to take care of their recurrent expenditure, but the infrastructure for making that happen is not there. 
 
“If there is no security and the states are not safe,  how do businesses make money and how do you generate revenue from them? The management of the power sector is still substantially controlled at the centre and so if you can do something as a state to address the power problem, it could change a number of things. 
 
“On one hand, they are called the chief security officers of their states but on the other hand, the resources they need to make it happen are inadequate. So, we looked at all of these to arrive at that formula and that is our position.” 
 
State governors had at the National Economic Council meeting on January 18, 2019, renewed their call for a review of the nation’s revenue sharing formula, saying it was necessary for them to be able to pay the N30,000 new National Minimum Wage. 
 
At the meeting, which comprised state governors and some key Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government and chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, an official privy to the NEC meeting, said, “The governors are asking for a review of the revenue sharing formula and government is looking at that. The Minimum Wage Technical Advisory Committee that was inaugurated recently is also looking into the revenue sharing formula.” 
 
Over time, the formula has generated controversies and remained a key factor in the clamour for true federalism or restructuring. 
 
Meanwhile, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum have said they are ready to share their perspectives on how to have a new revenue formula with the revenue commission if invited. 
 
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, told one of our correspondents that the NGF had yet to take a common position on the issue. 
 
“No decision on this yet, but if the RMAFC approaches us, we will share our perspective with them,” he said. 
 
However, a governor who spoke to newemen on strict condition of anonymity, said members of the NGF would soon meet on the matter. 
 
He said even though a report on the issue by the NGF was being studied and would be reviewed before presentation to the revenue commission, he said the governors would demand between 40 per cent and 45 per cent of the nation’s revenue. 
 
He said, “We already have a template. The template is that we want between 40 and 45 per cent. This demand is based on realistic responsibilities that have been put on our neck by the constitution. Apart from this, there are instances whereby the Federal Government has abdicated its responsibilities to the states. 
 
“For example, states have taken over the funding of police. Apart from the payment of salaries and uniform for the policemen, it is the states that are almost solely responsible for their operations. 
 
“We are doing half of that for other security agencies. Look at the roads, states have been responsible for the maintenance and even reconstruction of federal roads in our states as well. Even federal hospitals have been abandoned to us.” 
 
Meanwhile, in response to enquiries by the newemen, the spokesperson for the RMAFC, Ibrahim Mohammed, confirmed to one of our correspondents that a review committee would be inaugurated on Thursday. 
 
Even though he did not disclose the time to be given to the committee to conclude the assignment, Mohammed explained that the committee was a “standing committee” whose work was constitutional. 
 
Our correspondent also learnt that the three tiers of government and other bodies would be expected to make presentations and submit proposals to the committee. 
 
“We (RMAFC) will invite memoranda from not just the states, but also from civil society organisations and even the media,” he added. 
 
He explained that at the conclusion of its work, the committee would forward its report to the President. 
 
Mohammed added, “When we collate the data, we will subject it to subjective and objective analyses and then forward it to the President. Subjectively, we talk to some people, and objectively, we look at the economy and economic indicators.” 
 
The RMAFC spokesperson was, however, silent on whether the commission had any projected take-off date for the revenue sharing formula that would be adopted. Rather, he said, “We are starting with the committee first – when the committee is properly constituted, that will set the ball rolling and it is then that we can start talking of timelines.” 
 
Meanwhile, efforts to get the position of the local governments on the review were unsuccessful as the National President, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Mr Alabi David, declined comment on the matter, while the National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, did not answer several calls to his phone.

Latest-News Revenue formula: Govs to demand 42% of federal allocation

Ahead of the review of the revenue sharing formula scheduled to start on Thursday, there are strong indications that state governors may...

Eid-el-Kabir: Police restrict vehicular movement in Maiduguri

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The Borno Police Command has announced restriction of vehicular movement on Sallah day in Maiduguri metropolis, to ensure a hitch-free and peaceful celebration. 
 
Mr Usman Usmobik, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri on Friday. 
 
Usmobik said that the measure was part of comprehensive security arrangements put in place to maintain law and order as well as protect lives and property during the festive season. 
 
“There will be restriction of vehicular movement between 7:00 am and 12:15 pm on Aug. 11. The restriction; though regretted, will include use of motor vehicles, tricycles, bicycles and animals except those on essential duties. 
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“In furtherance of the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the command wishes to reiterate its commitments to ensuring a crime-free Sallah celebration. 
 
“The command made adequate security deployments of officers and men across the state, to ensure effective security coverage throughout the celebrations,” he said. 
 
He said that the command would deploy its men to prayer grounds, malls and recreational centers where large number of people are expected to gather. 
 
He added that the command had intensified high visibility patrols, stop and search, intelligence and information gathering, while Safer Highway Patrol teams were also deployed to major highways, to ensure security of travelers and commuters. 
 
Usmobik called on Muslim faithful to pray at prayer grounds close to their homes and arrive the venues early for security screening. 
 
“Parents who go to prayer grounds with their wards are equally advised to take proper care of them, so as to avert incidences of missing children,” he said. 
 
While wishing the faithful of a peaceful celebration, he warned youths who carry knives and dangerous weapons to prayer grounds or recreational centers to desist from the acts. 
 
He further called on the people to report suspicious movement and activities in their communities.

Latest-News Eid-el-Kabir: Police restrict vehicular movement in Maiduguri

The Borno Police Command has announced restriction of vehicular movement on Sallah day in Maiduguri metropolis, to ensure a hitch-free and...

BBNaija 2019: Tacha’s burnt knuckles and knees sets internet on fire

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A photo of the most controversial Big Brother Naija housemate, Tacha with black burnt knuckles and knees seemingly from using bleaching products has caused a stir on the internet. 
 
This has caused serious debate on social media platforms. 
 
There have been speculations that the housemate, who gained her fame from posting raunchy photos and videos of herself on Instagram, whitened her skin as some nosy Nigerians fished out some of her ‘night to day’ photos. 
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However, some of her die-hard fans, have risen up to defend the bold and daring housemate with claims the image was edited and they love her like that.

Latest-News BBNaija 2019: Tacha’s burnt knuckles and knees sets internet on fire

A photo of the most controversial Big Brother Naija housemate, Tacha with black burnt knuckles and knees seemingly from using bleaching pr...

El-Rufai wants zoning dropped for competence – Presidency

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Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has made a case for the abandonment of zoning arrangements for political offices as currently obtainable in the country. 
 
He said the arrangements needed to be de-emphasised and ultimately abandoned in favour of competence. 
 
Some key political offices at the federal and state levels, particularly governorship and Presidency, are rotated among the various ethnic groups or zones. 
 
Although an informal arrangement, the position of the President currently rotates between the North and the South. 
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With President Muhammadu Buhari from the North serving his second and his last term as allowed by the constitution, there are already talks about the South producing the next President in 2023. 
 
But El-Rufai said Nigeria could not afford to continue on the same path of zoning positions based on regions of origin. 
 
The governor made his position known in a prologue titled, ‘Defeating a Determined Incumbent – The Nigerian Experience’, which he contributed to a book –Power of Possibilities and Politics of Change in Nigeria – written by the Director-General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Salihu Lukman. 
 
He described the zoning of political offices as a barrier to political equality. 
 
The governor, who highlighted the factors he said contributed to electoral success of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 presidential election, also proposed a new funding model for parties as a major way of curtailing the excesses of political godfathers. 
 
He argued that the present method of funding parties was “opaque”. 
 
He said, “Even with our success in the 2015 elections, there is room for improvement. Barriers to political equality, such as our seemingly entrenched though informal rule for zoning candidacies according to regions of origin, need to be de-emphasised and ultimately abandoned in favour of an emphasis on qualification, competence and character. 
 
“The financing of parties, candidates and campaigns remains opaque. 
 
“Many African countries are marked by savage inequalities, and a handful of individuals have the wherewithal to hold the process hostage. 
 
“We must work towards funding  parties via capped and fully disclosed donations and annual dues payable by every registered party member.” 
 
The governor also made a case for improved judicial processes and promotion of the rule of law. 
 
These, he said, were imperative for politicians to stop resorting to self-help by instigating violence and engaging in “ethnic and religious mobilisation”. 
 
El-Rufai said the experience of the APC in 2015 showed that it was possible to defeat a determined and well-resourced incumbent under certain conditions. 
 
He said while the personalities of the contestants and the character of the political parties matter, the 2015 experience further showed that four conditions were the irreducible minimums for creating a stronger and more accountable democratic order. 
 
He listed the conditions to include, “A unified opposition preferably merged into a single and well-structured political party well ahead of the next election cycle, and with transparent processes and progressive policies. 
 
“A presidential candidate widely seen as credible and reformist to provide a sharp contrast to incumbents usually fattened by years of lazy, incompetent and corrupt rule. 
 
“Honest elections that guarantee that votes count, using a mixture of competent electoral commission leadership and, crucially, deploying technologies for voter verification that drastically reduces electoral fraud. 
 
“Credible elections are enemies of voter apathy. They enhance democratic legitimacy and citizen participation. 
 
“Continuous engagement of the international community, particularly in  the leading stable democracies as well as in multilateral institutions, to supply a crucial external fillip to the electoral process.” 
 
In the foreword he wrote for the same book, President Muhammadu Buhari said he and his party had the popular support of Nigerians. 
 
He said, “There is no doubt that we have the popular support of Nigerians. 
 
“I have seen this myself when I went around the 36 states and the FCT during the campaigns. 
 
“The turnout of people and messages of goodwill across the country were what no individual, party or government could organise or buy. 
 
“They were purely demonstrations of confidence in our administration and its political platform, the All Progressives Congress, the product of the merger. 
 
“The multitude that trooped out to see me and hear me were reassuring that Nigeria, despite its cultural diversities, is united on the imperative of change. 
 
“Our duty as leaders is to ensure that we keep this nation united, build a better future for the citizens and the coming generation.” 
 
Reiterating how previous administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party allegedly squandered the nation’s resources and opportunities, Buhari said his administration had been able to reverse the downward slide in a short period of time under more challenging circumstances. 
 
He added, “I feel that without coming together, we would not have been able to achieve this feat and Nigeria will be the worse for it. 
 
“We remain the only hope of the country in terms of charting a politically stable and economically prosperous future for our people. 
 
“I will, therefore, encourage us to continue leading this country effectively, now that Nigerians have entrusted us with a mandate once again to chart the course for the future of our beloved nation.” 
 
A member of Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, disagrees with el-Rufai, saying although zoning was not part of the constitution, it was not safe for it to be dropped now. 
 
He said the tradition which was established during the time of the defunct National Party of Nigeria was meant to ensure no part of the country was alienated. He added that competence should be placed higher than zoning but stressed that Nigeria still needed to adhere to zoning now because of the important role it was still playing in the nation’s affair. 
 
Oyedokun said, “If we could find a way of strictly implementing zoning in the true spirit of it, I will say I want it. But do we sincerely implement it?  If you zone a position to a particular area, people from other areas are not supposed to come out to contest but that is not the case. 
 
“To me, the kind of country we have, being heterogeneous in nature, in term of religious and ethnicity, I think for now, we should adhere strictly to zoning. What he said is right under normal circumstances but as it is now, Nigeria cannot afford to jettison zoning now.”

Latest-News El-Rufai wants zoning dropped for competence – Presidency

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has made a case for the abandonment of zoning arrangements for political offices as currently obtaina...

The mysterious disappearance of female Corps member ‘ Cynthia Amarachi’

06:53 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="700" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFzc4lKwl5LMzqnhk5ZsTMwbTxbM2RLg9zuNWKt80Ez390ciGxbVgzXN5UC0uBZ74c8sH2OwBVGq4jEcM1N-1ux2FfUWGbOtnJm6NEwgVog4tfHMCpCFIQGhLy8mHhW8gDdQ67dXSjcxE/s400/Cynthia-Amarachi.jpg" width="400" /></div>
 
 
Sorrow and anguish has continued to prevail, palpably, at the home of the Nwawuikes in Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos state following the mysterious disappearance of their daughter, Cynthia Amarachi, 25, after she boarded a vehicle from Ibadan to Lagos to spend weekend with her parents on March 15, 2019. 
 
The political science graduate of University of Lagos who was undergoing her National Youth Service in Akure, Ondo state was said to have boarded a commercial vehicle at Iwo road, the penultimate day, and even exchanged pleasantries with her friends in Akure before the vehicle took off. 
 
However, her expectant friends who looked forward to hearing from her after arriving her parent’s home in Ikorodu, Lagos, safely, were astounded when consistent calls to her telephone did not elicit any response. 
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Parents traced 
 
Her deeply worried colleagues resorted to facebook to trace her parents and, luckily,, they succeeded. Similarly, the shocking news of her disappearance from her friends triggered off serious tension in the family of six that spent all their savings to train her in school. 
 
Her mother, Mrs. Constance Nwawike, a primary school teacher who spoke about the anguish the family is going through narrated her story in tears. “On the fateful day, 15th of March, 2019, I called my daughter’s number but it was switched off. I thought it was network. I didn’t call again. On Monday, I called the number again but no response. I continued for three days without response. I then alerted my husband. It brought tension on everybody in the family. 
 
NYSC reacts 
 
The entire household were in tears and even my younger daughter expressed surprise that her senior sister, Cynthia, did not wish her well on her birthday which took place that weekend. Suddenly, somebody called from her service centre and said that they were looking for her. 
 
Before I got the news, it was on a Friday, a week after that 15th. The state Coordinator also called and reported that they didn’t see her after she travelled home. Shocked at the unfolding drama, I also informed them that she did not return to our home at Ikorodu. I made further enquiry, the Coordinator said her friend, also a corp member told them that she travelled to meet us in Lagos and since then, she has been calling her number without reply. 
 
I asked the man to give me the lady’s number. I talked to the lady and she said that she has been trying to reach me. In fact, that Saturday, I wasn’t myself. I went to Ikorodu police station and reported the case. They said that I should go to Ibadan because the lady made it known that she took Ibadan -Iwo road and when she got a vehicle going to Ikorodu straight, that they had conversation. She told her that she has boarded a bus going to Ikorodu and her friend said she wished her safe trip. Since then, she hasn’t seen her and she hasn’t heard from her. 
 
Trip to Osun 
 
I went to Osun where she is serving. The head teacher there told me the same story. I know my daughter. What actually happened was that my daughter called her to say that she had boarded bus coming to Ikorodu straight and she asked her about the fare which she said N1,200 and since then, she has been trying her number because she agreed calling her when she gets home . 
 
Since then my daughter has not called her and she has been calling too but she didn’t get her. Since then I have been trying my possible best, even we have gone as far as consulting anti kidnapping squad and they told us that they have tracked her number at Kano. Anti kidnapping unit told me later that they made arrest and I asked how far but the policemen there kept on posting me. Last week, I called them but they said that they will call me back but they didn’t call me back. 
 
I also reported the case in Osun state police command. They later invited me for interview but when I got there, they said I should connect them with the anti kidnapping unit investigating the matter in Lagos which I did only for the police in Osun to say that they have been trying the telephone number of their colleagues in anti kidnapping unit, Lagos without success. 
 
All my pleas to them to intensify efforts and locate my missing daughter fell on deaf ears. In fact, at a stage, the police in Osun told me point blank that their counterparts in Lagos do not want to relate with them over the case. 
 
 
Tears flow freely 
 
(In tears, she continued) I kept on asking my missing daughter’s friend called Yetunde if there was any quarrel, does anybody visit them, she said no. I have tried every possible thing I can do up till now since 15th of March this year, I have not seen my daughter. She is 25 years. How would you describe your daughter? “She is very cool , she is not a wayward type, she doesn’t go out unless I tell her to go out.” Aside the police, did you make any other effort? 
 
 
Trip to churches 
 
“I went to churches, all the churches I have visited, they will be telling me that she is alive.” What are you suspecting? “Actually, I don’t know because when she was coming, she didn’t call me. The state coordinator also told me that it is not in their character to restrict any child going home on weekend, if it is during the day that she would have filled form, now it was during the weekend. So, they don’t know what to say but I don’t suspect anybody because since she went to Osun, she had visited us at least twice. I don’t see her with any friend.” Any boyfriend? “No, she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Because she schooled in UNILAG and most times, she comes to my school near her school, most times she comes home and stay at home.” 
 
 
My plea 
 
What do you think should be done now? “I am asking for help, to just look for her. I called the line on the 4th of June last month and the line went through but the person did not answer. I sent a message. The message was, ‘ please anybody, if you know that you are a child of God and you are in possession of my daughter, please, release the child for the sake of God.” 
 
 
Uncle reacts 
 
In his comment, factional Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress and uncle to the missing Corp member, Chief Joe Ajaero lamented that he had spent fortunes trying to trace her whereabouts without success. 
 
 
Confusion, sorrow envelopes family 
 
“The entire family have been in confusion and sorrow after my nephew, Cynthia, disappeared mysteriously. After we received the sad news, her mother went round all the motor parks; we went to hospitals, mortuaries without any trace. So, the matter continued and we decided to take it up with the police. We took it to the Anti-kidnap squad in Lagos. 
 
When they went for operation in some areas, they got some link based on the people who are still using her lines, they went there and made some arrests, about 2 or 3 suspects were arrested. They arrested them in one of the forests in Ogun state. They took them to their office, I wouldn’t know what happened between them and higher authorities and they were released. Then, her second number, the person did not remove her SIM card, the person was still making calls with her number and it was traced to Kano. We got across the anti kidnapping squad in Kano and after some efforts, the details they gave us was not encouraging at all. 
 
Some of the guys in Lagos again had to go to Kano to join them. After some days, the man was still using the SIM to call and up till now, the man didn’t show up and the authorities have not gone beyond this up to this moment. It is a case that kept the family disorganized because we don’t know whether she is dead or alive. And the issue now is why the police could not take this matter serious that is my problem although some of the police chaps who are working on the IT side were able to actually trail the areas where the people using those lines are but beyond that, nothing has happened. We have prayed and we have done everything humanly possible without success. 
 
Cynthia was posted to Taraba state but she redeployed because of insecurity and that was how it ended A very friendly, very honourable, I have never seen a lovely chap as that chap , you cannot say she has any disagreement with anybody that’s why up to this moment, everybody is still praying that she should be found.” 
 
 
Police efforts 
 
Investigations carried out by Crime Guard unearthed details of efforts made by the police to trace the missing corp member. Police sources at the anti-Kidnapping Unit, in Surulere, Lagos intimated that after the report was made, they worked on two telephone numbers belonging to the victim and three suspects were arrested inside a thick forest hugely inhabited by Fulani herders in Ogumakin, a boundary between Ogun and Oyo states. According to sources, the three suspects who are soft targets were the father of the main target, his wife and sister. They were brought back to Lagos for further investigation. They were later granted bail to reliable shortees because they are not their main target. 
 
 
Trip to Kano 
Sources said that when the detectives came back to Lagos to work on the victim’s second number which was earlier not accessible, they discovered that it was going through and they tracked it to a town called Rijazaki in Kano state where a girl suspected to be the girlfriend to the main target was arrested. The girl reportedly interacted with the main target who claimed to be in Kastina state on phone in the presence of detectives and he told her to meet him at a nearby town called Rijaremi in Kastina state. Unfortunately, when they all got there, they could not arrest the target as he failed to show up as expected. While they were still with the female suspect, a human right group quickly intervened insisting that police cannot continue to detain her by proxy. Based on that, the detectives now handed the female suspect over to the leader of the town they call Mai Angwa after making a video recording of their activities with the suspect on the condition that he should produce her anytime her attention was needed by the police. 
 
Video copy 
 
It was learned that they handed over a copy of the video recording to the missing corp member’s uncle and kept one for their use. Sources further said that the detectives laid ambush in the town for days expecting to arrest the main target without success prompting their return back to Lagos. Before returning home, they also contacted Police Tactical Squad in Kano and after briefing them, the unit assured that they will continue to monitor the target. Unfortunately, more than five months after, detectives in all the formations involved in the search have been unable to locate the whereabouts of the corp member, dead or alive. 
 Culled from Vanguard

Latest-News The mysterious disappearance of female Corps member ‘ Cynthia Amarachi’

Sorrow and anguish has continued to prevail, palpably, at the home of the Nwawuikes in Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos state following the mys...

Slaughtering of rams for Sallah is not ‘do or die’ for muslims

06:28 Unknown 0

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As the Eid-el-Kabir celebration draws near, some Nigerians are having sleepless nights, battling to purchase that massive ram for Sallah celebrations. 
 
However, slaughtering of rams for Sallah is not ‘do or die’ for Muslims who cannot afford it but it is compulsory for those who are financially capable. 
 
This festival is to mark the conclusion of the important worship of Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah. At the end of the Hajj, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid Al Adha, meaning the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’. 
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During the celebration of Eid Al Adha, Muslims commemorate Abraham’s trials, by slaughtering Rams or other animal includes camel, cow or goat. 
 
Sallah reminds Muslims the Prophet Ibrahimor Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son when ordered to by Allah. 
 
Ibrahim in the Quran faces the command of God (Allah) to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah’s will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his “sacrifice” had already been fulfilled. 
 
So, the essence of ram slaughtering by Muslims on Sallah day is to spread love to people most especially the less-privileged, so that they can also be happy during and after the celebration. 
 
Going extra miles or dubious ways just to slaughter a ram for Sallah make no sense except you have other intentions, but Allah (S.A.W) frowned at it. 
 
What you should do instead is to focus on the spiritual significance of the celebration. Offer fasting on Arafat day (Saturday 10th of this month) and be prayerful throughout the celebration. 
 
If you cannot afford to buy rams this year, don’t be ashamed of yourself, someone else we share with you and I pray in the coming year, you’ll be financially capable to travel for Hajj.

Latest-News Slaughtering of rams for Sallah is not ‘do or die’ for muslims

As the Eid-el-Kabir celebration draws near, some Nigerians are having sleepless nights, battling to purchase that massive ram for Sallah c...

Weather Forecast: NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Saturday

06:28 Unknown 0

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted prospect of thunderstorms and rains over the Northern and Central cities with moderate rains over Southern cities on Saturday. 
 
NiMet’s weather outlook on Friday in Abuja predicted thunderstorms over Maiduguri and Potiskum axis of Northern States during the morning hours. 
 
It further predicted better chances of thunderstorms over the region during the afternoon/evening with day and night temperatures of 29 to 32 degree Celsius 
and 20 to 23 degree Celsius respectively. 
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“For Central States, moderate rains are expected in the morning over Yola, Jalingo and Bauchi axis with chances of light showers over Abuja. 
 
“Later in the day, there are chances of thunderstorms over the high ground areas during the afternoon/evening period. 
 
“Day and Night temperature values are expected to be 25 to 33 degree Celsius and 17 to 24 degree Celsius. 
 
According to the agency, cloudy conditions are expected over the Southern States except over Eket and Calabar axis where there are slight chances of early morning rains. 
 
NiMet forecast moderate rains over most parts of the region with day and night temperature of 28 to 30 and 22 to 24 degree Celsius respectively. 
 
NAN

Latest-News Weather Forecast: NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Saturday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted prospect of thunderstorms and rains over the Northern and Central cities with mo...

You can’t get federal projects without lobbying – Nigerian Senator

06:28 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4N-rKM2Mw9UFEJNqf1YcrEYuJmuiUg-rxhgMeCbHCONp6TN-3A_Jq5dqtk6lDnkY58CDQcv2rWtebBldFltV3XvvqSoI4J8_jV5Vb6nUvKOVnYJ2RSk7-yUU4hm8FXJ2VDr41IJFflcc/s1600/Ignatius-Datong-Longjan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="449" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4N-rKM2Mw9UFEJNqf1YcrEYuJmuiUg-rxhgMeCbHCONp6TN-3A_Jq5dqtk6lDnkY58CDQcv2rWtebBldFltV3XvvqSoI4J8_jV5Vb6nUvKOVnYJ2RSk7-yUU4hm8FXJ2VDr41IJFflcc/s320/Ignatius-Datong-Longjan.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
 
The representative of Plateau South in the Senate, Ambassador Ignatius Longjan, has said constituents should blame their representatives for lack of federal projects in their areas, because they failed to lobby for them. 
 
The former Deputy Governor of Plateau State spoke with journalists in Jos after his meeting with All Progressives Congress leaders from the six councils in his zone. 
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Longjan said, “I have called a meeting to discuss with my people and appreciate them for their sacrifices during the election and also to get their input into what is to be done in the constituency. From my experience in the past few months in the National Assembly, I have come to realise that you can’t get anything done in your state in terms of federal projects without lobbying for them.” 
 
The lawmaker said, “It is true that Governor Simon Lalong has been very loyal to the head of the Federal Government and a lot of things have been requested. The governor has been asking for the reconstruction of the federal road from Jos to Abuja through Akwanga because the road is completely dead. He has also made efforts to get the attention of the Federal Government on the Manchok Road, Saminaka-Kaduna road, upgrade of Jos airport, among others.

Latest-News You can’t get federal projects without lobbying – Nigerian Senator

The representative of Plateau South in the Senate, Ambassador Ignatius Longjan, has said constituents should blame their representatives ...

Sowore files 19-ground application to challenge detention order

06:28 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="412" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoxLnj6Cn1hwiinl_g1PkUDJ74yiBbWBfigS1XUgPYPF4QsJy5WoN-gAYnnkheyRpZ2u2fQEUhXpxqVcjxMomKC8CZrzZW8rFCO38ucrgFjRLZDjRFVjvlbDzph5ryXanGksSiUt54nTo/s400/omoyele+sowore-pics.gif" width="400" /></div>
 
The Convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to set aside its order permitting the Department of State Services to detain him for 45 days. 
 
Sowore, through his lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), contended in his 19-ground application that the ex parte order issued by the court breached his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights. 
 
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress for the February 23 election added that the order amounted to legalising the illegality of his detention for about four days prior to the issuance of the order on Thursday. 
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Filed along with his application on Friday was an affidavit of urgency seeking an urgent hearing of the suit his lawyers said “is one of fundamental importance that affects salient fundamental rights of the applicant herein”. 
 
The DSS on August 3 arrested Sowore over his call for a revolution ahead of the #RevolutionNow protests which held in some parts of the country on August 5. 
 
Ruling on an ex parte application by the DSS to detain the Sahara Reporters publisher for 90 days to investigate him for treason-related allegations, Justice Taiwo Taiwo on Thursday granted the DSS permission to hold the activist for only 45 days. 
 
The judge cited section 27(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act 2013, and the facts alluded to by the DSS in its ex parte application in issuing the detention order. 
 
The judge noted the 45 days period, starting from Thursday, would end on September 21, the date he also fixed for the next hearing session. 
 
He, however, added that the order of detention for 45 could be renewed for further days upon an application by the security agency, in the event that its investigation could not be concluded within the first 45 days. 
 
Sowore on Friday prayed for the court’s order “setting aside, discharging and/or vacating the ex parte order of this honourable court for the detention of the respondent/applicant for a period of 45 days made on August 8, 2019”. 
 
Some of the 19 grounds on which his lawyers based his prayer on were that, “The said order of the honourable court breached the fundamental rights provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). 
 
“The detention of the respondent/applicant for an initial four days period before the grant of the ex-parte order is illegal by virtue of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). 
 
“The order ex parte brought pursuant to Section 27(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2013 was obtained by the applicant/respondent to legalise an illegal detention by the applicant/respondent. 
 
“The applicant/respondent dumped the video evidence in support of its application on the honourable court whilst the learned trial judge watched same in his chambers and not in the open court. 
 
“The respondent/applicant was arrested on August 3, 2019 before the planned protest that took place August 5, 2019 while he was already under the custody of the applicant/respondent.” 
 
They added, “The persons who participated in the protests of August 5, 2019 have been charged with unlawful assembly at the magistrates’ courts at Ebute Meta, Lagos State and Calabar, Lagos State. 
 
“The applicant/respondent had concluded investigation of this case and announced its findings.’’ 
 
“The respondent/applicant had also volunteered statement to the applicant/respondent. 
 
“At the time of the hearing of the motion ex parte, the respondent/applicant was in custody of the applicant/respondent at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court.” 
 
Falana argued that his client’s detention “has exceeded the maximum period a court of law can allow in line with the provisions of Section 35 (4)(a) of the Nigerian Constitution”, which he said only permitted detention for “a maximum period of two months from the date of their arrest”. 
 
He added that the court order made August 8 “was based on a wrong presumption and mistake that the complaint against the respondent therein relates to terrorism”. 
 
He added, “That by virtue of Section 293 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, an application for the remand of any suspect is to be made before a magistrates’ court.”

Latest-News Sowore files 19-ground application to challenge detention order

The Convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to set aside its order permitting...

My relationship with Teddy A started as a game – BamBam

06:28 Unknown 0

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Former Big Brother Nigeria housemates, Teddy A and BamBam, recently took to social media to share the news of their engagement. Many commented that the engagement was a publicity stunt while others predicted that the union would not last. 
 
Speaking with Saturday Beats, Bambam said, “It (engagement) is real. Just like every other thing, you would see it happen. I can’t start giving (wedding) dates”. 
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BamBam also advised intending couples to be best friends with their partners so they can know each other’s limits and boundaries. She stated, “If you cannot make a best friend out of your intending partner, where you know their limits and their boundaries, then you are messed up really. I am blessed that Teddy is mature, not careless, and as public figures, we know how to manage situations that seem beyond our control.” 
 
Describing her union with Teddy in the Big Brother house as fate, she said, “Fate happened to us. I can’t say it was pre-planned. He had a serious relationship that was one-year-old before I met him. He had a girlfriend he was serious with, so we did not plan to fall in love with each other. We did not know we would last this long. We had a very rare connection in the house. We both knew it but we kept telling ourselves ‘it’s just for the game’ but it was no game. So, I can’t predict what fate has designed. So, people should not go in there hoping to be a Teddy A and BamBam. I went to the house for a different purpose, but ended up getting Teddy as a bonus.” 
 
Speaking on her challenges running a business in Nigeria, she said the irregularity of power supply was a major issue. She added, “Since I have had my own factory, electricity has been a major challenge. I have to always run generators which are not cost-effective and affect profits. However, these issues have not dissuaded me from furthering the business. I am capitalising on my strong survival mentality as a Nigerian.”

Latest-News My relationship with Teddy A started as a game – BamBam

Former Big Brother Nigeria housemates, Teddy A and BamBam, recently took to social media to share the news of their engagement. Many comme...

Police arrest fraudster paying N897,000 with fake alert

06:28 Unknown 0

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A suspected fraudster, Ismaila Adamu, got more than he bargained for recently when he was arrested by the police for buying $2,500 from a bureau-de-change operator at Alaba International Market, Lagos. 
 
City Round learnt that 23-year-old Adamu, who lives in the Iyana Ipaja area of the state, had gone to buy the hard currency from one Abdulkareem Goje on Thursday, July 25, 2019. 
 
After agreeing to get the $2,500 for N897,000, he reportedly collected Goje’s account number and sent it to his accomplice, who is still at large. 
 
Some minutes afterwards, Goje received a credit alert of N897,000 on his mobile as payment for the $2,500. 
 
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It was gathered that as Goje was arranging the money, Adamu hurried him up and he (Goje) became suspicious. 
 
He was said to have insisted on verifying the payment at a nearest bank – a move that did not go down well with Adamu. 
 
A trader at the market, Godwin Chukwu, who witnessed the incident, told City Round that Adamu attempted to run away when he realised that his game was up. 
 
Chukwu said, “A man, who later identified himself as Ismaila Adamu, came to buy dollars that day from a bureau-de-change operator called Goje, close to my shop. He sent N897,000 into the Goje’s account through somebody and he was in a hurry to collect the dollars and leave. Goje noticed his countenance and became suspicious. He asked Adamu to allow him to check his account balance at a nearest bank before he could release the dollar. 
 
“Adamu was not comfortable with the request and tried to assure Goje that the money was in his account, but he insisted on checking his account balance. At that point, Adamu wanted to run away, but people held him back. Goje quickly went to the bank and discovered that his account was not credited. Adamu started begging. He said it was his boss at Ikeja who sent him to carry out the fraud. We alerted the police at the Ojo division and handed him over to them.” 
 
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed Adamu’s arrest to City Round. 
 
Elkana said Adamu confessed to have defrauded some people in connivance with his boss, one Sani, who operates at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja. 
 
He said, “The suspect went to buy $2,500 and claimed that he could not transfer the N897,000 equivalent at once. He made a phone call to his boss to transfer the money to the complainant’s account. 
 
“Subsequently, the complainant received an alert of N897,000 and the suspect started pressuring him to release the dollar equivalent. But the complainant insisted on making a confirmation from his bank. The bank confirmed that it was a fake alert and that no money was transferred into the account. The suspect was arrested immediately.” 
 
Elkana stated that Adamu had been charged with fraud, adding that the police had launched a manhunt for the suspect’s accomplice.

Latest-News Police arrest fraudster paying N897,000 with fake alert

A suspected fraudster, Ismaila Adamu, got more than he bargained for recently when he was arrested by the police for buying $2,500 from a...

Drivers block Kaduna-Abuja highway

11:13 Unknown 0

Latest-News Drivers block Kaduna-Abuja highway

Gundogan signs contract extension with Manchester City

10:43 Unknown 0

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Ilkay Gundogan, Pep Guardiola’s first signing as Manchester City manager in 2016, signed a three-year contract extension with the Premier League champions on Friday the club announced. 
 
The 28-year-old German international midfielder — who was entering the final year of his present contract and will now be tied to the club to 2023 — played a pivotal role in City landing a domestic treble last term having also impressed in their 2018 title-winning campaign. 
 
“Ilkay’s new deal is more excellent news for our Club,” City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain told the club website. 
 
“He has shown how important he is to the team and has played a huge part in everything that we have achieved so far. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
“We are thrilled he has committed his long-term future to Manchester City.” 
 
Gundogan, who cost City around £20 million when they signed him from Borussia Dortmund, said he was looking forward to more success with City. 
 
“I have hugely enjoyed the last three years here at City and everyone at the Club has helped make me feel at home from my very first day,” he said. 
 
“I think we have played some great football over the past few seasons and have enjoyed a lot of success. 
 
“It’s a pleasure to be a part of the Club and I’m really excited about what we can go on to achieve in the next few seasons.”

Latest-News Gundogan signs contract extension with Manchester City

Ilkay Gundogan, Pep Guardiola’s first signing as Manchester City manager in 2016, signed a three-year contract extension with the Premier ...

2019 BBNaija: Housemates stage epic fashion show

10:38 Unknown 0

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Housemates in the ongoing BBNaija season four staged an epic fashion show as part of their runway task on Thursday night. 
 
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Runway Task Presentation required that Housemates create a coordinated Neon Gradient-themed fashion line that reflected the 3D colour gradient of Oppo phones. 
 
In line with the theme, the ‘Pepper Dem’ gang stepped on the runway showcasing a colourful display of stylish neon couture designs, with fancy accessories as they owned the stage. 
 
Opening the fashion show, Gedoni’s team delivered a spectacular show with Esther making the first walk in style and grace. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
She led the rest of the team which consisted of Omashola, Diane, Omashola and Joe behind the camera. 
 
Gedoni described their style as bold, daring and dangerous with an infusion of beautiful and colourful designs. 
 
Although the preparation for Frodd’s team was almost marred by arguments, the team rose from petty squabbles to putting up a mind-blowing fashion exhibition. 
 
Venita described their outfits as colourful as they wanted to make a statement on the runway. 
 
The team went for sexy, playful and not the everyday outfit. According to fans, the group’s strongest point was the bare-chested Mike draped with a chain like jewellery over his shoulder. 
 
Tacha led her team with Seyi, Khafi and Sir Dee as group members to present attires described as a fusion of the old and the new. 
 
The team sought to bring the best of both worlds in order to unleash a dazzling level of creativity. 
 
Their attires also had an obvious influence of an indigenous concept and they brought the heat to the stage. 
 
Biggie acknowledged the creativity of the housemates and congratulated them at the end of the show. 
 
Housemates hosted to an after-party after the show wrapped with DJ Bee Jordan spinning the wheels. Results for the challenge will be announced on Sunday.

Latest-News 2019 BBNaija: Housemates stage epic fashion show

Housemates in the ongoing BBNaija season four staged an epic fashion show as part of their runway task on Thursday night. News Agency of...

EFCC hands over another Alex Badeh’s asset to North-East Development Commission

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Latest-News EFCC hands over another Alex Badeh’s asset to North-East Development Commission

Wike declares ‘Bobrisky’ wanted

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Latest-News Wike declares ‘Bobrisky’ wanted

Bauchi governor describes Oshiomhole as a danger to political stability

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Latest-News Bauchi governor describes Oshiomhole as a danger to political stability

Saving lives is my hobby, says imam who hid Christians during Plateau killings

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Latest-News Saving lives is my hobby, says imam who hid Christians during Plateau killings

Fani-Kayode reveals two greatest moments that embarrassed him in history

09:44 Unknown 0

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<div style="text-align: justify;">Former Minister of Aviation and critic, Femi Fani-Kayode has revealed the two greatest moments that embarrassed him in history as a Yoruba man.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">He revealed that the first was in 1966 when Yoruba leaders and traditional rulers went to the north after the massacre of 100,000 Igbo civilians to “thank” northern leaders for not allowing the mob to kill Yoruba as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">The second, he said,  was in 2019 when, two weeks after the daughter of the leader of Afenifere was murdered on the streets of the Southwest by Fulani herdsmen, Yoruba traditional rulers went to the north to pledge their loyalty and support to President Muhammadu Buhari and thank him for “a job well done”.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">“These two events were moments of shame. You do not pay homage to and thank tigers for eating your neighbour and not eating you for breakfast: you oppose and resist them! Again you do not thank tyrants for not doing their duty and protecting the lives and property of your people: you call them to account, you hold them responsible and you keep them on their toes!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"></div>
<a name='more' id="more"></a>“These two moments were not good examples of the courage, decency, fairness and good judgement that the Yoruba are known for. They represent a dark and inexplicable chapter in our history which most of us conveniently overlook and refuse to talk about. I feel a deep sense of shame and guilt whenever I consider them,” he said. 
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">According to him, “In 1966, before the outbreak of the civil war, 100,000 Igbo civilians were massacred in three months in the north and we the Yoruba did nothing to help them. Instead we crawled to the north to thank those that slaughtered them after it was all over.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">“43 years later in 2019, Baba Reuben Fasoranti’s daughter was murdered in cold blood (together with thousands of other Yoruba sons and daughters over the last few months), by Fulani terrorists in the streets of the Southwest and we have done absolutely nothing about it or made any concrete plans or efforts to defend our people. Instead of doing so we crawled to the north to “thank” a President who is meant to protect us from the Fulani terrorists and guarantee our safety but who has refused and failed to do so.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Fani-Kayode said what made it even worse was that, that same President had put every single military, security and intelligence agency, except for the Navy, in the hands of northern Muslims and that he had pointedly refused to declare the Fulani herdsmen as terrorists simply because he had a soft spot for them and they come from the same place.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">He said it was time for the Yoruba nation to wake up, smell the coffee and take a new approach to these matters, while the crawling had to stop.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">“We are not cowards, beggars and crawlers: we are bigger and better than that. We are a nation within a nation. We are 60 million strong and we are spread throughout the world. We are a strong, proud, rich, honorable, humble, wise and noble people who are excellent in all our ways, who hate injustice and who have a kind, loving, accommodating, forgiving and liberal disposition.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">“Humility, charity, long-suffering and the ability to stomach all manner of insults, provocation and impudence from those far below us for long periods of time comes naturally to us but cowardice, stupidity, weakness and capitulation before those that physically attack our people is alien to us and is not in our genes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">“We never and we have never bowed to our invaders. We have always resisted them and we have always done so ruthlessly and successfully. Once we decide to rise and stand firm, we are unbeatable. History proves that. We are slow to anger but irresistible in battle. It is because of this that I daresay that we deserve a far better quality of leadership than what we are presently witnessing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">“It is time for us to get real and accept the fact that the threat we are facing is existential. History and posterity will not be kind to those of us that betray our people or that align with the aliens and unbelievers that desire to wipe us out and turn us into slaves,” he stated on his Facebook page.</div>

Latest-News Fani-Kayode reveals two greatest moments that embarrassed him in history

Former Minister of Aviation and critic, Femi Fani-Kayode has revealed the two greatest moments that embarrassed him in history as a Yoruba...

Falana vows to challenge Sowore’s detention order

09:44 Unknown 0

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<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Lawyer to the detained leader of RevolutionNow, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), has vowed to file an application challenging the order by a Federal High Court in Abuja which granted the Department of State Security Services permission to detain his client, Omoyele Sowore.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">The court had on Thursday ordered the DSS to detain Sowore for the next 45 days.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">The PUNCH reported Falana as saying Sowore had envisaged the Thursday’s ruling and had instructed him to challenge it, adding that the lawyer was unwilling to divulge further details.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div>
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
<div style="text-align: justify;">“I saw him yesterday (Wednesday) when he had already envisaged that the order for his detention would be granted. So he had already given us the instruction to challenge it”, the lawyer was quoted.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Sowore, along with others, had organised protest to declare revolution in Nigeria.</div>

Latest-News Falana vows to challenge Sowore’s detention order

Lawyer to the detained leader of RevolutionNow, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), has vowed to file an application challenging the order by a Federal ...

Living Faith is set to have an army of trillionaires – Bishop Oyedepo

09:44 Unknown 0

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Presiding Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo has said that soon his church would have an army of trillionaires. 
 
He said the church had built universities, but that very soon, his church would be building cities. 
 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
The bishop said despite the fact that his church had few billionaires, they were not yet there. 
 
Popularly Facebook Church platform, Church Gist, quoted Oyedepo as saying that “This church has few billionaires, but we are not there yet; we are set to have an army of trillionaires. 
 
“Now, we are building universities, very soon we will be building Cities.”

Latest-News Living Faith is set to have an army of trillionaires – Bishop Oyedepo

Presiding Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo has said that soon his church would have an army of trillionaires. He sai...

PDP fingers DSS in abduction of its New Media personality

09:38 Unknown 0

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Department of Security Services (DSS) to speak out and take urgent steps to secure the release of a Social Activist, Abubakar Idris. 
 
The party made the call in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan on Thursday in Abuja. 
 
Ologbondiyan said there had been reports alleging that DSS operatives were involved in the abduction of  Idris, popularly known as Abu Dadiyata, since last Friday. 
 
He said that Idris, who was PDP new media personality was known for his fierce criticism of anti-people policies. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
He added that there were already public insinuations that Idris’s abduction to an unknown destination was not unconnected with plan to intimidate, suppress and silence public opinion and free speech in Nigeria. 
 
He said“The PDP, therefore, demands the DSS high command to speak out as well as take urgent steps to secure the release of Idris from his abductors before it is too late. 
 
“This is especially because the polity is already overheated’’ he added that any delay in the release of Idris would not be at the interest of the country.”

Latest-News PDP fingers DSS in abduction of its New Media personality

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Department of Security Services (DSS) to speak out and take urgent steps to secure the re...

Insecurity: Miyetti Allah reveals those behind Killings, kidnappings

09:38 Unknown 0

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The South-East Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Siddiki Gidado, has claimed that bandits are responsible for most killings and kidnappings in the geo-political zone. 
 
Gidado stated that although there might be few bad eggs among the Fulani, most of the kidnappings and killings could also be attributed to other cattle rearers. 
 
He said these groups include Shua Arabs, Kanuri, Igbo, Tiv and Jukun, who he noted, normally dress like Fulani and commit such offences. 
 
“In every tribe, you have bad eggs and when some evil acts are carried out, the entire tribe is made to take the blame. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
“Most killings are attributed to Fulani when they are not the culprits,” Gidado told Guardian. 
 
The MACBAN leader also appreciated the robust, cordial relationship between the group and South-East Governors.

Latest-News Insecurity: Miyetti Allah reveals those behind Killings, kidnappings

The South-East Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Siddiki Gidado, has claimed that band...

Dangote shifts completion of Lagos refinery till 2020

09:33 Unknown 0

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Africa’s largest oil refinery will not be finished until the end of 2020 due to problems importing steel and other equipment, executives at Dangote, which is building the facility in Lagos said. 
 
“We will be able to complete the (refinery) project by the end of next year – mechanical completion,” said Dangote Group Executive Director Devakumar Edwin, who oversees the project. 
 
The company expects fuel production within two months of completion of the refinery, which could transform Africa’s biggest crude producer from a fuel importer into a net exporter, upending global trade patterns. 
 
Billionaire Aliko Dangote, who built his fortune on cement, first announced a smaller refinery in 2013, to be finished in 2016. Dangote then moved the site to Lekki, in Lagos, upgraded the size and said production would start in early 2020. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Nigeria imports virtually all its fuel due to underutilised refineries, and even the state oil company is looking to the 650,000 barrel per day (bpd) Dangote refinery to help address this. 
 
Price caps force NNPC to import nearly all its gasoline at a significant cost and periodic fuel shortages are common. 
 
Despite the delays at the congested Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, a Dangote executive said the company could start using the refinery’s tank farms as a depot to warm up operations. 
 
Edwin also said during an interview at his office in Lagos that Dangote is setting up its own trading desk, with a senior team of three people and a staff of roughly 30 who will monitor international commodity prices. 
 
“We are setting up a complete trading desk here with us. In the next three months the full desk will be set up,” he said. 
 
Giuseppe Surace, the refinery’s chief operations officer, said the refinery’s tank farms will be finished this year and could be used as a warm-up for operations. 
 
The tanks will be connected to five “single point mooring buoys” (SPMs), which will allow the refinery complex to pump crude straight into tanks from large ships at sea and pump products back out onto boats of any size. 
 
The SPMs will be the primary method of supplying oil products from the refinery, Surace said, adding that the team were considering using the tanks as training or as a depot before the refinery’s production starts. 
 
“We might do that. We will be ready to do that,” he said, though he added that no decision had been taken yet. 
 
The team is in talks with NNPC, two other international oil companies and two large oil traders, all of whom are interested in supplying crude and buying products, Edwin said. 
 
Edwin said the crude unit for the refinery, which set sail from China last month, would arrive by the end of October. 
 
The trains at a fertilizer plant on the same site will start up by the end of this year, the executives said.

Latest-News Dangote shifts completion of Lagos refinery till 2020

Africa’s largest oil refinery will not be finished until the end of 2020 due to problems importing steel and other equipment, executives a...

Insecurity: Soyinka calls for state of emergency in South West

09:28 Unknown 0

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Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka Soyinka, has called for declaration of state of emergency due to the security challenges in the South West Zone. 
 
Soyinka made the call on Thursday in Akure on the sidelines of the D.O Fagunwa Study Group International Conference held to celebrate his 85th birthday. 
 
The conference had as theme: ” Wole Soyinka,DO Fagunwa and the Yoruba Artistic Heritage.” 
 
The literary giant said that the most appropriate measure to take in view of the insecurity that had pervaded the whole of the South West was to declare a state of emergency across the region. 
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“As regards the insecurity in the South West, there is an emergency. There should be a declaration of security emergency through out the land and measures taken accordingly. 
 
“There are many directions of security lapses, you know it here, especially in Ondo State, it is a calamity through out the whole nation. There is an emergency,” he said. 
 
The first African Nobel Laureate said the governors, especially those in the South West geo-political zone, must work assiduously toward tackling the menace of insecurity. 
 
Soyinka, however, expressed gratitude to Ondo State Government for celebrating his 85th birthday and the completion of the ‘Dome’ which was meant to celebrate art and culture. 
 
Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said the nation had allowed unreasonable competition, ethnicism, tribalism, corruption, political and economic ownership of the nation to slow down the pace of self-realisation. 
 
According to Akeredolu, in Africa, the challenge has moved largely from the legitimacy of governance institutions to its responsiveness to the need for a coordinated plan for cultural integration, economic development and general human capital development. 
 
The governor was, however, excited at the 85th birthday celebration of Soyinka, whom he described as his mentor and supporter. 
 
Akeredolu described Soyinka as a first class academic, playwright, poet, novelist, and great human condition activist. 
 
He said that Soyinka’s life was a lesson for public office holders because he had elevated the art of partisan living as the biggest ideal of social reclamation. 
 
“I join other well meaning Nigerians and the world at large to wish you, our great emblem of decency and justice, a happy 85th birthday! 
 
“I am fully convinced that your gathering here is another of those creative moments of rethinking our journey as a nation and our health as a society in search of its own civilisation. 
 
“I have read a bit of the book of proceeding of your last conference and I am convinced of the vigour, depth and clear headedness with which your Study Group addresses the myriad of challenges that the human mind faces in its quest for self reinvention and reclamation. 
 
“For all that we know, humanity is passing through some of its trying periods. Globally, definition of peace, progress, liberty and prosperity is interrogating the best of our civilisation today. 
 
“From leadership crisis which torments the sanest of public organisations to the fearful response of a traumatised followership, the narrative is clear: we must check and recheck the path on which we tread,” Akeredolu said.

Latest-News Insecurity: Soyinka calls for state of emergency in South West

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka Soyinka, has called for declaration of state of emergency due to the security challenges in the South W...

Obaseki won’t get automatic ticket in PDP — Party

08:48 Unknown 0

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The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has said there is no automatic ticket for incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki, of the All Progressive Congress, APC if he decides to join the party. 
 
In an internal memo signed by its Publicity Secretary Mr Chris Nehikhare, after a stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, the party Chairman, Mr Dan Orbih, said if Obaseki’s plan was to cross over to the PDP, there would be no provision for automatic ticket in PDP. 
 
The memo, which was made available to journalists read in part, “On the rumours concerning Governor Obaseki – one issue that keeps coming up in the build-up to next year governorship election is whether Obaseki is coming to join us? My answer is I don’t know. 
 
Will you receive him if he wants to join us? My answer is Yes; our party membership is open to all Nigerians who wants to join. Are we going to give automatic ticket to him? There is no provision in our party constitution that guarantees automatic ticket for anyone contesting governorship ticket. Our Governorship candidate will be chosen in compliance with the provisions of our party’s constitution,” he said. 
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The meeting was held at the residence of its leader, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, The Esama of Benin Kingdom. 
 
The meeting that was called at the instance of the state chairman had in attendance leaders of the party from the 18 local government areas, as well as all the members of the state executive.

Latest-News Obaseki won’t get automatic ticket in PDP — Party

The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has said there is no automatic ticket for incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki, of the All Progress...

14-yr-old girl commits suicide in Delta over boyfriend

07:38 Unknown 0

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A 14-year-old Senior Secondary School, SSS, I student of Kess College in Ekredjebor area of Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, has committed suicide over a failed relationship with her boyfriend. 
 
gathered that the deceased, identified as Favour, was home alone when she carried out the act, and was said to have left a suicide note, stating reasons for her action. 
 
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The lifeless body of the girl (Favour) was discovered by one of her friends, who had visited Favour to make her hair. Giving details of the incident, a source in the area disclosed that the victim, an only child of her parents, had hung herself from a ceiling fan in their residence. 
 
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “It was one of the girl’s friends that raised an alarm when she saw her body dangling from a ceiling fan. “When people came into the house, they also saw a note she had written, stating that she decided to take her life owing to a failed relationship with a male from the same school she attended.” 
 
Though several efforts to speak with Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, were fruitless as at press time, a Police source at the Ughelli ‘B’ Division Police Station confirmed the incident when contacted.

Latest-News 14-yr-old girl commits suicide in Delta over boyfriend

A 14-year-old Senior Secondary School, SSS, I student of Kess College in Ekredjebor area of Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area o...

'Our mission achieved' - #RevolutionNow Protest organisers

07:18 Unknown 0

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One of the organisers of the #RevolutionNow protest, Seeni Ajayi, has said the coalition was happy it achieved its purpose of kick-starting a revolution in the country. 
 
Ajayi said Monday’s protest was a success because Nigerians started discussing issues that arose from it and more people joined the movement. 
 
The activist stated this in a phone interview while responding to claims that the protest was called off by the organisers. 
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According to him, the organisers only planned the protest for one day to kick-start the movement while the rest of the work was ongoing backstage. 
 
Ajayi said the organisers had also been busy about how to secure the bail of over 65 persons arrested by the police and other state actors across the country. 
 
The activist added that the organisers were also planning for an eventuality. 
 
He said: “It is not correct to say the protest was suspended since we only budgeted for one day protest to start the revolution. We are actually doing other things. 
 
“We actually have to ascertain the casualties of the Nigerian state on Monday. It will be callous on our part not to address the casualties, and it was quite huge. 
 
“Over 65 persons were arrested across the country. There was one gunshot wound in Lagos and in Ogun State. We are still looking at two or three; 40 persons were picked up by the police and state-sponsored thugs. 
 
“The government committed a lot of crimes on that day and we are just getting many people out on bail. We are actually preparing for what will happen tomorrow. 
 
“But what all this has done is that the revolution has begun. People are discussing the issue of change; people are also organising and joining us. That is what victory for us.” 
 
Also, the Ogun State Police Command said the four persons it arrested during the protest had been charged before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court. 
 
Police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said Daniel Abraham, 29, Afofun Festus, 18, Kolawole Seun, 25, and Okoro Romeo, 38, were arraigned on three counts of conspiracy, unlawful assembly and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace. He said the alleged offences are punishable under sections 516, 70 and 249 (D) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State. 
 
“The four suspects pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail while the case was adjourned till August 15,” he said.

Latest-News 'Our mission achieved' - #RevolutionNow Protest organisers

One of the organisers of the #RevolutionNow protest, Seeni Ajayi, has said the coalition was happy it achieved its purpose of kick-starti...

Nigerians blast FG as court sends Sowore to 45-day detention

07:18 Unknown 0

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The Federal Government and the judiciary came under attack on Thursday as a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Department of State Services permission to detain the publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener of the #RevolutionNow protests, Omoyele Sowore, for 45 days. 
 
Operatives of the DSS, had on Saturday, arrested Sowore over his call for revolution ahead of the #RevolutionNow protests which held in some parts of the country on Monday. 
 
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Ruling on an ex parte application by the security agency to detain Sowore for 90 days to investigate him for treason-related allegations, the judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo granted the agency permission to hold the activist for only 45 days. 
 
According to the judge, the 45 days period, starting from Thursday, lapses on September 21,the date he also fixed for the next hearing session in the case. 
 
He, however, said that the order of detention for 45 days was subject to renewal for further days upon an application by the security agency, in the event that its investigation could not be concluded within the first 45 days. 
 
Applying for the detention order earlier on Tuesday, the DSS, through its lawyer, Mr G.O. Abadua, argued the ex parte application which it anchored on the provisions of section 27(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2013. 
 
Ruling on Thursday, the judge said, although the hearing of the application was one-sided as legally allowed under the provisions of section 27(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act, he said he had to act on the facts alluded to by the applicant in the application until the contrary was proved. 
 
He noted that he had watched the video clips attached to the application as exhibits, one of which was said to have shown a conference held by Sowore and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, earlier proscribed by the Federal Government, Mr Nnamdi Kanu. 
 
The other, also a video clip, was said to have shown Sowore saying that members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, the body of Shiites movement recently proscribed by the government, would join forces with him to bring down the Nigerian government. 
 
The judge also said the use of the word, “may”, in section 27(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act, “is directory,” robbing him of discretion to decline to grant the application. 
 
He said, “The word, ‘may’ is not always ‘may.’ Sometimes it is equivalent to ‘shall.’ See the PDP Vs Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. 
 
“I am of the view that the use of the word ‘may’ in section 27(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act 2013 is directory and not mandatory. 
 
“I have looked at the facts presented by the applicant, I will fail in my duties if I do not act on those facts at least until the contrary is proved. 
 
“I shall therefore grant the application only to the extent that the applicant shall detain the respondent for a period of 45 days, in the first instance, which may be renewed upon application by the applicant for further number of days if investigation is not concluded by the applicant within the 45 days granted by the court. 
 
“The return date shall be 45 days from today, August 8, 2019. It therefore means that this suit is adjourned till September 21, 2019.” 
 
A handful of orange-beret-wearing supporters of Sowore were at the court on Thursday. 
 We’ll challenge order – Falana, Sowore’s lawyer 
 
However, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), who is Sowore’s lawyer, indicated on Thursday, that he would file an application to challenge the detention order. 
 
Falana, who was unwilling to give much details, said Sowore had as of Wednesday envisaged the Thursday’s ruling and had instructed that it should be challenged. 
 
The senior lawyer said, “I saw him yesterday (Wednesday) when he had already envisaged that the order for his detention would be granted. So he had already given us the instruction to challenge it.” 
 
Despite this, many organisations including the European Union, Afenifere, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Free Nigeria Movement and senior lawyers including Mike Ozekhome (SAN), faulted the order. 
 
While SERAP said it would petition the United Nations Human Rights Council on the continued detention of Sowore, Afenifere and Ozekhome called for the unconditional release of the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2019 presidential poll. They described the order as unjust.

Latest-News Nigerians blast FG as court sends Sowore to 45-day detention

The Federal Government and the judiciary came under attack on Thursday as a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Department of State Se...

Atiku’s petition starved of evidence – Buhari

07:18 Unknown 0

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Both President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress, have filed their separate final addresses before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, insisting that the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, challenging their victory at the February 23, 2019 poll was doomed to fail. 
 
In their separate final written addresses filed before the Justice Mohammed Garba-led tribunal on Wednesday, they urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition, which they contended was speculative and starved of evidence. 
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“It is to be stated preliminarily that the instant election petition, as constituted from the outset, was doomed to fail as the averments and materials attached to the petition are grossly insufficient to sustain the petition apart from the incompetent grounds on which it was predicated,” APC’s lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) stated in the final address. 
 
Fagbemi urged the tribunal to “dismiss the petition without going into the merits of same as we have urged in the motions on notice filed on May 14 and May 15, 2019.” 
 
Fagbemi added, “One significant flaw with the petition is that the allegations of the petitioners were to a large extent not tied to the units and wards in each local government area of each of the eleven states under challenge in the petition.” 
 
Buhari’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), whose final written address was also seen by The PUNCH on Thursday, maintained that the petition was not only based on conjecture, it was also anchored on “live conflicting and irreconcilable grounds.” 
 
He argued that the petition was “enveloped in confusion,” adding that the grounds of the petition suggested one thing while “the evidence led “both oral and the dumped documentary, suggests something different.”

Latest-News Atiku’s petition starved of evidence – Buhari

Both President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress, have filed their separate final addresses before the Presid...

500 Kaduna Christians kidnapped, N300 million ransom paid — CAN

07:18 Unknown 0

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The Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State said on Thursday that over 500 of its members were kidnapped in the last two years, adding that the body had paid over N300m as ransom. 
 
The State Chairman of CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, who spoke in Kaduna, warned against the activities of bandits, armed robbers and other criminal elements in the state who had turned to kidnappings, saying in one village alone, the church paid N20m. 
 
He lamented that the activities of the criminals had forced inhabitants of 10 villages to flee from their homes to other parts in the state. 
 
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“We have been computing the numbers of Christian population kidnapped in Kaduna State in the last two years, over 500 of them that we know — either in the villages or in town — have been kidnapped. 
 
“The people have moved out of some settlements completely and we have closed down our churches because of the activities of the kidnappers”. 
 
“We are still computing, but at the last count, the church has coughed out over N300m as ransom to kidnappers. In the case of the chief of Kajuru that was killed, it was N8m that the kidnappers took. 
 
“There was a Reverend Father in Kachia, they took about N1.5m. They still killed him. In Dankande, Birnin-Gwari, they collected over N7m before they released those people to us.