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Scott Morrison laughs off the discovery of a poorly doctored portrait on his website.

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A World Anti-Doping Agency team will access the Russian Anti-Doping Agency laboratory nine days after an initial deadline.

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A woman who fled her Saudi family and refused to leave a Bangkok hotel given refugee status by UN, Australia says

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Authorities are investigating the discoveries at foreign consulates in Canberra and Melbourne.

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The annual procession sees huge crowds try to get close to the historic statue of Jesus Christ.

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Jeanne Augier's death brings to a close an era of glitz and glamour on the French Riviera.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has postponed ruling on a suit filed by the African Action Congress (AAC) and its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, against the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and Mr. John Momoh, Chairman of BON, challenging the party's exclusion from the presidential election debate organised by the respondents.

Justice Danlami Senchi of the Abuja High Court recused himself from the suit.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday in Abuja, the judge said his role as vacation judge had ended, and he would therefore refer the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment, hearing and determination.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Inibehe Effiong, had approached the court to withdraw and discontinue the action against the thirrd defendant, John Momoh on the ground that he could not be reached for service. He said the matter could go on without the thirrd defendant, adding that the first and second defendants were duly served.

While quoting order 24, rules 1 and 2 of the court, which allows the plaintiff/claimant to withdraw an action in part or whole against the defendant since the service has not been effected, counsel to the third defendant, Onyekachi Omah, submitted that he did not oppose the application for discontinuation of action but demanded N1million as cost of action against the plaintiff. He claimed that the third defendant was only served last Friday, noting that the service was defective.

Omah noted that they were filing a counter-affidavit opposing the interlocutory injunction and originating summon of the plaintiff, but could not be served on parties in the matter due to the  logistics that bordered on the distance between Maitama and Jabi court, where the matter is taking place. He told the court that his client had incurred costs while taking steps to defend the suit.

The presiding judge interjected the defence counsel, saying he had no moral right to demand for cost of action on behalf of the third defendant who was conspicuously absent in the court .

In his response, Effiong said the defence counsel had not submitted any evidence or proof before the court to justify the cost he demanded for. He, therefore, asked the court to disregard the request, adding that the court could not disbelieve the officer of the court and believe the counsel.

The judge, therefore, ruled that the sum of N5,300 be paid as cost to the defendant.

Sowore had sued NEDG) and BON for excluding the party in the 2019 presidential and vice presidential election debates.

On the matter in court today, a statement by Rachel Onamusi-Kpiasi, Director, PR, Media and Communications of the Sowore2019 Campaign/African Action Congress, noted that the case was postponed to "settle some legal technicalities".

Omoyele Sowore, the AAC presidential candidate and his running mate, Dr. Rabiu Ahmed Rufai, appeared in court for the hearing.

"After an intense day consisting two court sessions where the defendants tried every trick in the book to delay and postpone the case, the judge finally ruled for the case to be postponed to settle some legal technicalities," Onamusi-Kpiasi said.

"The case will be assigned to a different judge and the new date will be announced shortly after full legal procedures have been met. The AAC has always demanded to know why we were excluded from this debate. It is inconceivable that a debate stage will hold five presidential candidates and the most persuasive voice of the nation, the AAC, is not included."

Onamusi-Kpiasi also noted that "several phone calls to Eddie Emesiri, the NEDG executive secretary, has not yielded a conclusive response, choosing instead to hurl insults and allegations at the party and its founder".

"We have never thought the road to freedom would be easy. We are well aware that those who have gained from the rot and decay of Nigeria would not take lightly to our demands for freedom,: she said. "But the revolution has begun and Nigeria MUST progress. We will see the NEDG/BON in court."

Elections Legal Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2TwNYye

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has postponed ruling on a suit filed by the African Action Congress (AAC) and its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, against the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and Mr. John Momoh, Chairman of BON, challenging the party's exclusion from the presidential election debate organised by the respondents.

Justice Danlami Senchi of the Abuja High Court recused himself from the suit.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday in Abuja, the judge said his role as vacation judge had ended, and he would therefore refer the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment, hearing and determination.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Inibehe Effiong, had approached the court to withdraw and discontinue the action against the thirrd defendant, John Momoh on the ground that he could not be reached for service. He said the matter could go on without the thirrd defendant, adding that the first and second defendants were duly served.

While quoting order 24, rules 1 and 2 of the court, which allows the plaintiff/claimant to withdraw an action in part or whole against the defendant since the service has not been effected, counsel to the third defendant, Onyekachi Omah, submitted that he did not oppose the application for discontinuation of action but demanded N1million as cost of action against the plaintiff. He claimed that the third defendant was only served last Friday, noting that the service was defective.

Omah noted that they were filing a counter-affidavit opposing the interlocutory injunction and originating summon of the plaintiff, but could not be served on parties in the matter due to the  logistics that bordered on the distance between Maitama and Jabi court, where the matter is taking place. He told the court that his client had incurred costs while taking steps to defend the suit.

The presiding judge interjected the defence counsel, saying he had no moral right to demand for cost of action on behalf of the third defendant who was conspicuously absent in the court .

In his response, Effiong said the defence counsel had not submitted any evidence or proof before the court to justify the cost he demanded for. He, therefore, asked the court to disregard the request, adding that the court could not disbelieve the officer of the court and believe the counsel.

The judge, therefore, ruled that the sum of N5,300 be paid as cost to the defendant.

Sowore had sued NEDG) and BON for excluding the party in the 2019 presidential and vice presidential election debates.

On the matter in court today, a statement by Rachel Onamusi-Kpiasi, Director, PR, Media and Communications of the Sowore2019 Campaign/African Action Congress, noted that the case was postponed to "settle some legal technicalities".

Omoyele Sowore, the AAC presidential candidate and his running mate, Dr. Rabiu Ahmed Rufai, appeared in court for the hearing.

"After an intense day consisting two court sessions where the defendants tried every trick in the book to delay and postpone the case, the judge finally ruled for the case to be postponed to settle some legal technicalities," Onamusi-Kpiasi said.

"The case will be assigned to a different judge and the new date will be announced shortly after full legal procedures have been met. The AAC has always demanded to know why we were excluded from this debate. It is inconceivable that a debate stage will hold five presidential candidates and the most persuasive voice of the nation, the AAC, is not included."

Onamusi-Kpiasi also noted that "several phone calls to Eddie Emesiri, the NEDG executive secretary, has not yielded a conclusive response, choosing instead to hurl insults and allegations at the party and its founder".

"We have never thought the road to freedom would be easy. We are well aware that those who have gained from the rot and decay of Nigeria would not take lightly to our demands for freedom,: she said. "But the revolution has begun and Nigeria MUST progress. We will see the NEDG/BON in court."

Elections Legal Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2TwNYye

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has postponed ruling on a suit filed by the African Action Congress (AAC) and its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, against the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and Mr. John Momoh, Chairman of BON, challenging the party's exclusion from the presidential election debate organised by the respondents.

Justice Danlami Senchi of the Abuja High Court recused himself from the suit.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday in Abuja, the judge said his role as vacation judge had ended, and he would therefore refer the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment, hearing and determination.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Inibehe Effiong, had approached the court to withdraw and discontinue the action against the thirrd defendant, John Momoh on the ground that he could not be reached for service. He said the matter could go on without the thirrd defendant, adding that the first and second defendants were duly served.

While quoting order 24, rules 1 and 2 of the court, which allows the plaintiff/claimant to withdraw an action in part or whole against the defendant since the service has not been effected, counsel to the third defendant, Onyekachi Omah, submitted that he did not oppose the application for discontinuation of action but demanded N1million as cost of action against the plaintiff. He claimed that the third defendant was only served last Friday, noting that the service was defective.

Omah noted that they were filing a counter-affidavit opposing the interlocutory injunction and originating summon of the plaintiff, but could not be served on parties in the matter due to the  logistics that bordered on the distance between Maitama and Jabi court, where the matter is taking place. He told the court that his client had incurred costs while taking steps to defend the suit.

The presiding judge interjected the defence counsel, saying he had no moral right to demand for cost of action on behalf of the third defendant who was conspicuously absent in the court .

In his response, Effiong said the defence counsel had not submitted any evidence or proof before the court to justify the cost he demanded for. He, therefore, asked the court to disregard the request, adding that the court could not disbelieve the officer of the court and believe the counsel.

The judge, therefore, ruled that the sum of N5,300 be paid as cost to the defendant.

Sowore had sued NEDG) and BON for excluding the party in the 2019 presidential and vice presidential election debates.

On the matter in court today, a statement by Rachel Onamusi-Kpiasi, Director, PR, Media and Communications of the Sowore2019 Campaign/African Action Congress, noted that the case was postponed to "settle some legal technicalities".

Omoyele Sowore, the AAC presidential candidate and his running mate, Dr. Rabiu Ahmed Rufai, appeared in court for the hearing.

"After an intense day consisting two court sessions where the defendants tried every trick in the book to delay and postpone the case, the judge finally ruled for the case to be postponed to settle some legal technicalities," Onamusi-Kpiasi said.

"The case will be assigned to a different judge and the new date will be announced shortly after full legal procedures have been met. The AAC has always demanded to know why we were excluded from this debate. It is inconceivable that a debate stage will hold five presidential candidates and the most persuasive voice of the nation, the AAC, is not included."

Onamusi-Kpiasi also noted that "several phone calls to Eddie Emesiri, the NEDG executive secretary, has not yielded a conclusive response, choosing instead to hurl insults and allegations at the party and its founder".

"We have never thought the road to freedom would be easy. We are well aware that those who have gained from the rot and decay of Nigeria would not take lightly to our demands for freedom,: she said. "But the revolution has begun and Nigeria MUST progress. We will see the NEDG/BON in court."

Elections Legal Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2TwNYye

The Nigerian government says it will spend at least N80,217,035,252 to complete some ongoing railway and maritime projects in 2019.

In the 2019 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly last December, the President said that the sum serves as its own counterpart funding for various projects in the railway and maritime sector.

The breakdown of the N80.2billion budget proposal to the National Assembly indicated that the sum would be committed to at least five railway projects.

Of the five projects, one is being initiated by the government, while the other four are ongoing.

The projects, according to the 2019 budget proposal, include the ongoing construction of Lagos-Kano, Calabar-Lagos, Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Aladja (Warri) and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail lines, while Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi in Niger Republic rail line was newly initiated.

Two projects in the maritime sector under the N80.2bn fund were Abuja-Itakpe and Aladja (Warri)-Warri Port and refinery, including Warri New Harbour, while Bonny deep sea port and Port Harcourt also appeared on the list.

Also mentioned in the 2019 budget proposal was the provision of electricity, water supply, construction of protective fences along the corridor in Abraka, Oria, Oruwhorum, for Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Aladja railway at the sum of N2.1billion.

In the submission to the National Assembly, the project was listed as ongoing.

Besides, the government proposed that it would expend the sum of N105million for the engagement of a transactional advisor to drive concession of the construction of Abuja-Baro-Itakpe and the segment of Aladja-Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Barrow-Abuja railway line and Kano-Kazaure-Katsina-Jibiya railway line.

The government further set aside the sum of N200million as consultancy fee for the complete integrated system of signaling and telecommunications equipment for Itakpe -Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Warri railway line projects.

According to the government, it intends to spend additional N141.3million as feasibility studies for the new standard gauge rail line in Kano-Dayi-Katsina-Jibiya rail line, including the realignment of Dambata-Kazaure-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradin in Niger Republic.

The sum would also expend on feasibility studies on Ilela-Sokoto-Jega-Yauri-Makera-Minna, with a branch line to Kotangora. Others are Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Lafia-Karu-Bauchi, Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri, Calabar-Ikom-Obudu-Ogoja-Wukari-Yola-Maiduguri and Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Ibiono-Itu-Odukpani-Calabar rail lines.

Apart from this, the government proposed that it would expend N12,588,800 on engineering research and development of rail and marine infrastructure, which it said was ongoing.

Another N15million was proposed to be spent on feasibility study and design of Illorin-Okeyi-Paligi-Baro-Giri/Airport Road Abuja Rail.

Economy News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2CXOTlM

The Nigerian government says it will spend at least N80,217,035,252 to complete some ongoing railway and maritime projects in 2019.

In the 2019 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly last December, the President said that the sum serves as its own counterpart funding for various projects in the railway and maritime sector.

The breakdown of the N80.2billion budget proposal to the National Assembly indicated that the sum would be committed to at least five railway projects.

Of the five projects, one is being initiated by the government, while the other four are ongoing.

The projects, according to the 2019 budget proposal, include the ongoing construction of Lagos-Kano, Calabar-Lagos, Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Aladja (Warri) and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail lines, while Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi in Niger Republic rail line was newly initiated.

Two projects in the maritime sector under the N80.2bn fund were Abuja-Itakpe and Aladja (Warri)-Warri Port and refinery, including Warri New Harbour, while Bonny deep sea port and Port Harcourt also appeared on the list.

Also mentioned in the 2019 budget proposal was the provision of electricity, water supply, construction of protective fences along the corridor in Abraka, Oria, Oruwhorum, for Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Aladja railway at the sum of N2.1billion.

In the submission to the National Assembly, the project was listed as ongoing.

Besides, the government proposed that it would expend the sum of N105million for the engagement of a transactional advisor to drive concession of the construction of Abuja-Baro-Itakpe and the segment of Aladja-Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Barrow-Abuja railway line and Kano-Kazaure-Katsina-Jibiya railway line.

The government further set aside the sum of N200million as consultancy fee for the complete integrated system of signaling and telecommunications equipment for Itakpe -Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Warri railway line projects.

According to the government, it intends to spend additional N141.3million as feasibility studies for the new standard gauge rail line in Kano-Dayi-Katsina-Jibiya rail line, including the realignment of Dambata-Kazaure-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradin in Niger Republic.

The sum would also expend on feasibility studies on Ilela-Sokoto-Jega-Yauri-Makera-Minna, with a branch line to Kotangora. Others are Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Lafia-Karu-Bauchi, Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri, Calabar-Ikom-Obudu-Ogoja-Wukari-Yola-Maiduguri and Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Ibiono-Itu-Odukpani-Calabar rail lines.

Apart from this, the government proposed that it would expend N12,588,800 on engineering research and development of rail and marine infrastructure, which it said was ongoing.

Another N15million was proposed to be spent on feasibility study and design of Illorin-Okeyi-Paligi-Baro-Giri/Airport Road Abuja Rail.

Economy News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2CXOTlM

The campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that was held at Skypower Ground Ikeja, Lagos, ended on a bloody note as thugs stormed the campaign ground with guns, shooting into the air.

Party supporters scampered for safety as thugs, suspected to be members of National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW), gained entry into the campaign ground.

Several people sustained injuries, just as journalists were not spared in the melee.

'MC Oluomo' Stabbed, Dozens Injured As Lagos APC Rally Turns Violent 'MC Oluomo' Stabbed, Dozens Injured As Lagos APC Rally Turns Violent...

A video by Ovation TV showed hoodlums disrupting the venue as people ran for safety. All this while, Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, was heard giving his speech.

MC Oluomo, a strong member of NURTW and supporter of the party, was also said to have been stabbed.

Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos APC governorship candidate, and other high-profile politicians affiliated to APC were escorted out of the venue.

CRIME Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2GXMoUG

The campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that was held at Skypower Ground Ikeja, Lagos, ended on a bloody note as thugs stormed the campaign ground with guns, shooting into the air.

Party supporters scampered for safety as thugs, suspected to be members of National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW), gained entry into the campaign ground.

Several people sustained injuries, just as journalists were not spared in the melee.

'MC Oluomo' Stabbed, Dozens Injured As Lagos APC Rally Turns Violent 'MC Oluomo' Stabbed, Dozens Injured As Lagos APC Rally Turns Violent...

A video by Ovation TV showed hoodlums disrupting the venue as people ran for safety. All this while, Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, was heard giving his speech.

MC Oluomo, a strong member of NURTW and supporter of the party, was also said to have been stabbed.

Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos APC governorship candidate, and other high-profile politicians affiliated to APC were escorted out of the venue.

CRIME Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2GXMoUG

The campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that was held at Skypower Ground Ikeja, Lagos, ended on a bloody note as thugs stormed the campaign ground with guns, shooting into the air.

Party supporters scampered for safety as thugs, suspected to be members of National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW), gained entry into the campaign ground.

Several people sustained injuries, just as journalists were not spared in the melee.

'MC Oluomo' Stabbed, Dozens Injured As Lagos APC Rally Turns Violent 'MC Oluomo' Stabbed, Dozens Injured As Lagos APC Rally Turns Violent...

A video by Ovation TV showed hoodlums disrupting the venue as people ran for safety. All this while, Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, was heard giving his speech.

MC Oluomo, a strong member of NURTW and supporter of the party, was also said to have been stabbed.

Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos APC governorship candidate, and other high-profile politicians affiliated to APC were escorted out of the venue.

CRIME Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2GXMoUG

Discreet investigations by SaharaReporters have revealed top-level clandestine moves to compromise the judicial arm of the government with respect to the multitude of pre-election matters arising from the turbulent primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the various stages of the federation. 

Disillusioned with President Muhammadu Buhari’s democratic stance of insisting on the rights of the aggrieved aspirants to turn to the law courts, the leadership of APC, under a well-scripted arrangement to bribe the judicial officers handling the cases, has recruited the services of some notable retired judges and the current Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdu Kafarati, to prevail on the various judges of the Federal High Court to dismiss the pre-election cases pending against the party.

While it is glaring that in most states of the Federation, the APC did not conduct free and fair primaries — anointed candidates of the party leaders were merely imposed — and having seen the judicial handwriting on the wall as shown in Zamfara, Rivers and, lately, Kwara states, the leadership of the party under the financial muscle of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has deployed all resources to compromise the outcomes of the remaining cases yet to be decided.

A disturbing reference is the decision of Justice B M Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of December 21 in Suit No. FHC/ ABJ/CS/1167/2018 - Atinuke Balogun v. APC & INEC in which the judge delivered a most intriguing judgment striking out a case due to non-joinder of necessary parties and commencement of the suit by way of originating summons when facts were in dispute. 

Rather than directing the plaintiff to file a Writ of Summons and join necessary parties, the judge struck out the suit knowing full well that by the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, the plaintiff could no longer re-commence the action as it would be statute-barred. The judge must equally have been aware that by the time the matter travels to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the 180 days allotted for the determination of every pre-election matter by the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution would have expired and no court can grant an extension of time in such a case as judicial precedents have shown in cases such as Steve Ugba v. Gabriel Suswam in 2012. 

The fate of the plaintiff, in that case, is sealed by the judicial misdemeanour of Justice Nyako, who is the wife of Murtala Nyako, the former Governor of Adamawa State and a best friend of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. It is on record that while the election petition of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) was being prosecuted against Nyako in 2012, Tinubu played a dirty anti-party role in securing judgment for Nyako to spite Boni Haruna and others who disagreed with his choice of politics in the party. It is obvious that by the recent decision of the court, it is payback time from the Nyakos to the Tinubus.

Right now, huge cash is in circulation at the Federal High Court for the purchase of the consciences of the men in black robes. What happens to the fates of the cheated aspirants of APC would be seen very soon as the conscience of the judiciary seems to have been purchased.

Elections Politics Exclusive News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2RBZqLD

Discreet investigations by SaharaReporters have revealed top-level clandestine moves to compromise the judicial arm of the government with respect to the multitude of pre-election matters arising from the turbulent primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the various stages of the federation. 

Disillusioned with President Muhammadu Buhari’s democratic stance of insisting on the rights of the aggrieved aspirants to turn to the law courts, the leadership of APC, under a well-scripted arrangement to bribe the judicial officers handling the cases, has recruited the services of some notable retired judges and the current Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdu Kafarati, to prevail on the various judges of the Federal High Court to dismiss the pre-election cases pending against the party.

While it is glaring that in most states of the Federation, the APC did not conduct free and fair primaries — anointed candidates of the party leaders were merely imposed — and having seen the judicial handwriting on the wall as shown in Zamfara, Rivers and, lately, Kwara states, the leadership of the party under the financial muscle of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has deployed all resources to compromise the outcomes of the remaining cases yet to be decided.

A disturbing reference is the decision of Justice B M Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of December 21 in Suit No. FHC/ ABJ/CS/1167/2018 - Atinuke Balogun v. APC & INEC in which the judge delivered a most intriguing judgment striking out a case due to non-joinder of necessary parties and commencement of the suit by way of originating summons when facts were in dispute. 

Rather than directing the plaintiff to file a Writ of Summons and join necessary parties, the judge struck out the suit knowing full well that by the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, the plaintiff could no longer re-commence the action as it would be statute-barred. The judge must equally have been aware that by the time the matter travels to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the 180 days allotted for the determination of every pre-election matter by the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution would have expired and no court can grant an extension of time in such a case as judicial precedents have shown in cases such as Steve Ugba v. Gabriel Suswam in 2012. 

The fate of the plaintiff, in that case, is sealed by the judicial misdemeanour of Justice Nyako, who is the wife of Murtala Nyako, the former Governor of Adamawa State and a best friend of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. It is on record that while the election petition of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) was being prosecuted against Nyako in 2012, Tinubu played a dirty anti-party role in securing judgment for Nyako to spite Boni Haruna and others who disagreed with his choice of politics in the party. It is obvious that by the recent decision of the court, it is payback time from the Nyakos to the Tinubus.

Right now, huge cash is in circulation at the Federal High Court for the purchase of the consciences of the men in black robes. What happens to the fates of the cheated aspirants of APC would be seen very soon as the conscience of the judiciary seems to have been purchased.

Elections Politics Exclusive News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2RBZqLD

Discreet investigations by SaharaReporters have revealed top-level clandestine moves to compromise the judicial arm of the government with respect to the multitude of pre-election matters arising from the turbulent primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the various stages of the federation. 

Disillusioned with President Muhammadu Buhari’s democratic stance of insisting on the rights of the aggrieved aspirants to turn to the law courts, the leadership of APC, under a well-scripted arrangement to bribe the judicial officers handling the cases, has recruited the services of some notable retired judges and the current Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdu Kafarati, to prevail on the various judges of the Federal High Court to dismiss the pre-election cases pending against the party.

While it is glaring that in most states of the Federation, the APC did not conduct free and fair primaries — anointed candidates of the party leaders were merely imposed — and having seen the judicial handwriting on the wall as shown in Zamfara, Rivers and, lately, Kwara states, the leadership of the party under the financial muscle of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has deployed all resources to compromise the outcomes of the remaining cases yet to be decided.

A disturbing reference is the decision of Justice B M Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of December 21 in Suit No. FHC/ ABJ/CS/1167/2018 - Atinuke Balogun v. APC & INEC in which the judge delivered a most intriguing judgment striking out a case due to non-joinder of necessary parties and commencement of the suit by way of originating summons when facts were in dispute. 

Rather than directing the plaintiff to file a Writ of Summons and join necessary parties, the judge struck out the suit knowing full well that by the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, the plaintiff could no longer re-commence the action as it would be statute-barred. The judge must equally have been aware that by the time the matter travels to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the 180 days allotted for the determination of every pre-election matter by the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution would have expired and no court can grant an extension of time in such a case as judicial precedents have shown in cases such as Steve Ugba v. Gabriel Suswam in 2012. 

The fate of the plaintiff, in that case, is sealed by the judicial misdemeanour of Justice Nyako, who is the wife of Murtala Nyako, the former Governor of Adamawa State and a best friend of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. It is on record that while the election petition of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) was being prosecuted against Nyako in 2012, Tinubu played a dirty anti-party role in securing judgment for Nyako to spite Boni Haruna and others who disagreed with his choice of politics in the party. It is obvious that by the recent decision of the court, it is payback time from the Nyakos to the Tinubus.

Right now, huge cash is in circulation at the Federal High Court for the purchase of the consciences of the men in black robes. What happens to the fates of the cheated aspirants of APC would be seen very soon as the conscience of the judiciary seems to have been purchased.

Elections Politics Exclusive News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
http://bit.ly/2RBZqLD

Sequel to the adjournment of the meeting with the Nigerian government on Friday January 4, 2019, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other civil society organisations have held a series of protests to press home their demand for the implementation of the agreed N30,000 minimum wage.

At the Lagos version of the protest on Tuesday, the labour unions and the CSOs maintained that non-implementation of the new minimum wage could lead to an indefinite strike action in the country.

Speaking on why they embarked on the strike, Comrade Adedoyin Adesina, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Lagos State, said: "The reason for the protest is not far-fetched, as there was an initial agreement to pay the N30,000 minimum wage, but there has been failure to transmit the agreement to the National Assembly to legislate it into law. On the other hand, there have been complaints from some state governors that they cannot afford the N30,000 minimum wage".

He added that the wage should be shared responsibilities and government should "cut down on flagrant spending" for the welfare of the workers.

Speaking on the need for the protest, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo, Chairman of the United Labour Congress (Lagos State chapter), urged President Muhammadu Buhari to send the bill to the Senate for implementation.

He, however, stressed that state chapter of labour unions would ensure that each state governor complies with the minimum wage through several civil actions.

On his part, the Lagos NLC Chairman, Comrade Idowu Adelakun, also affirmed that workers would further embark on indefinite strike if the Nigerian government do not implement the new minimum wage.

After over five hours of protest, the labour group submitted a letter to the state government stating reason the new wage should be implemented.

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Sequel to the adjournment of the meeting with the Nigerian government on Friday January 4, 2019, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other civil society organisations have held a series of protests to press home their demand for the implementation of the agreed N30,000 minimum wage.

At the Lagos version of the protest on Tuesday, the labour unions and the CSOs maintained that non-implementation of the new minimum wage could lead to an indefinite strike action in the country.

Speaking on why they embarked on the strike, Comrade Adedoyin Adesina, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Lagos State, said: "The reason for the protest is not far-fetched, as there was an initial agreement to pay the N30,000 minimum wage, but there has been failure to transmit the agreement to the National Assembly to legislate it into law. On the other hand, there have been complaints from some state governors that they cannot afford the N30,000 minimum wage".

He added that the wage should be shared responsibilities and government should "cut down on flagrant spending" for the welfare of the workers.

Speaking on the need for the protest, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo, Chairman of the United Labour Congress (Lagos State chapter), urged President Muhammadu Buhari to send the bill to the Senate for implementation.

He, however, stressed that state chapter of labour unions would ensure that each state governor complies with the minimum wage through several civil actions.

On his part, the Lagos NLC Chairman, Comrade Idowu Adelakun, also affirmed that workers would further embark on indefinite strike if the Nigerian government do not implement the new minimum wage.

After over five hours of protest, the labour group submitted a letter to the state government stating reason the new wage should be implemented.

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Uthman Abubakar. the Maiduguri Bureau Chief of Daily Trust newspaper, has been released by the military authorities.

He was arrested on Sunday, when officers of the Nigerian Army conducted a series of raids on some Daily Trust offices across the nation. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Soldiers Shut Down Daily Trust Office In Borno... Arrest Editor, Reporter 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

Editor-in-Chief of Daily Trust, Mannir Dan-Ali, announced the release shortly after speaking to the editor, who was brought back to the Maiduguri office by an unnamed Major who handed him over to a security officer at the office.

The released editor maintains that he was courteously treated, but said his mobile phones and laptop are still with the military.

According to Abubakar, the Army told him that they need time to finish the forensic checks they are carrying out on the equipment.

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At least three civilians, including an Islamic cleric, have been killed, while hundreds are fleeing their communities after multiple attacks by Boko Haram in Borno State.

The insurgents attacked three villages — Auno, Sajeri and Dala Lawanti — in Konduga Local Government Area, near Maiduguri, between the hours of 6pm and 9:30pm on Monday, burning down scores of houses in the process.

Bukar Babagana, a resident of Sajeri, told SaharaReporters that the villagers fled their homes when the insurgents began shooting sporadically.

"They came around 9:20pm, shooting sporadically, so we ran into bush. When we returned this morning, our houses had been looted and set ablaze, and food items carted away,” he said.

"Three persons were killed. One Islamic cleric, Mallam Ali, was shot in the head, while two others were attacked with machetes.”

Another resident, Mohammad Abu, said "hundreds of people have fled to Ngomari airport area of Maiduguri to take refuge”.

A security source said the attack on Auno was repelled by with troops with the support of local hunters after a two-hour exchange of fire power on both sides.

Auno village is a community along the Maiduguri-Kano Highway, some 24 kilometres away from the epicentre of the insurgency.

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At least three civilians, including an Islamic cleric, have been killed, while hundreds are fleeing their communities after multiple attacks by Boko Haram in Borno State.

The insurgents attacked three villages — Auno, Sajeri and Dala Lawanti — in Konduga Local Government Area, near Maiduguri, between the hours of 6pm and 9:30pm on Monday, burning down scores of houses in the process.

Bukar Babagana, a resident of Sajeri, told SaharaReporters that the villagers fled their homes when the insurgents began shooting sporadically.

"They came around 9:20pm, shooting sporadically, so we ran into bush. When we returned this morning, our houses had been looted and set ablaze, and food items carted away,” he said.

"Three persons were killed. One Islamic cleric, Mallam Ali, was shot in the head, while two others were attacked with machetes.”

Another resident, Mohammad Abu, said "hundreds of people have fled to Ngomari airport area of Maiduguri to take refuge”.

A security source said the attack on Auno was repelled by with troops with the support of local hunters after a two-hour exchange of fire power on both sides.

Auno village is a community along the Maiduguri-Kano Highway, some 24 kilometres away from the epicentre of the insurgency.

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As the saying goes, “if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Ordinarily, I would not have bothered about Jennifer Atiku, a con artist who per the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs report helped Atiku Abubakar “bring over $40 million in suspect funds into the United States.”But the fact that she has shown up in the kitchen, campaigning for her husband Atiku Abubakar to lead Nigeria means that she is ready for the heat. 

Ndigbo has a saying that not asking questions before eating causes death without illness and that a child who asks questions does not go astray. Those of us that have cared to question the credibility of people aspiring to lead our great nation have asked questions about the Atikus and we have plenty of answers to characterize them as con artists.  

So, permit me to introduce to you Jennifer Iwenjiora Douglas Abubakar, the 4thwife of Atiku Abubakar. Originally an indigene of Onitsha, Anambra State and an NTA News correspondent in the 1980s who later moved to and became a citizen of the United States. It was while in the US that the Atikus got involved in illicit financial transactions that are now haunting them. 

Per an investigation report by the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, “From2000 to 2008, Jennifer Douglas, a U.S. citizen and the fourth wife of Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and former candidate for President of Nigeria, helped her husband bring over $40 million in suspect funds into the United States through wire transfers sent by offshore corporations to U.S. bank accounts.”

The transferred money made Atiku an “employer of labor” and a proud owner of American University of Nigeria (AUN), a school, whose tuition fees more than 99% of Nigerian students cannot afford. Atiku established the AUN at a time when public universities were collapsing under him and Obasanjo. Jennifer Atiku helped her husband establish the American University of Nigeria at a point poor Nigerian students were languishing at home due to strike action by university lectures over poor funding. 

When interviewed, “Ms. [Atiku] Douglas indicated that all of the funds [used to set up AUN] came from her husband and professed little familiarity with the offshore corporations actually sending her money.” Mind you, she is a lawyer and a Ph.D. holder for that matter. 

While Nigerians are insisting that Atiku is unfit to hold public office for the illicit transfer of millions of Dollars used to acquire the license for American University of Nigeria (AUN), his wifeJennifer Douglas Atiku who helped in the transfer sneaked in Edo State and told us that the “PDP Govt will ensure uninterrupted education calendar.” What an insult on our intelligence. 

For attempting to trick Nigerians this election season by persuading us to believe that her husband and the PDP will wave their magic wand and save the education sector, Jennifer Douglas Atiku is a con artist. 

Here is another damaging report from the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, “In a 2008 civil complaint, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that Ms. Douglas received over $2 million in bribe payments in 2001 and 2002, from Siemens AG, a major German corporation. While Ms. Douglas denies wrongdoing, Siemens has already pled guilty to U.S. criminal charges and settled civil charges related to bribery and told the Subcommittee that it sent the payments to one of her U.S. accounts.”

So, Jennifer Douglas Atiku cannot be trusted when she said that a “PDP government would create an environment for business to thrive with a view to ensuring that the citizens were lifted above poverty.” Jennifer Douglas Atiku is deceiving Nigerians when she said that “there is an urgent need to get every sector of the country working again to enable citizens to enjoy a better life.” But when the United States became too hot for her and Atiku, they sold their house in Maryland, United States and resettled in Dubai.

You see, the truth is that you don't look for something in the pocket of people that are looking for something. A spider’s cobweb isn’t only its sleeping spring but also its food trap. Nigerians should not allow themselves to be caught in the cobweb of the con artists, Atikus. 

As an old joke says if you want to know if a politician is lying, see if their lips are moving. The sweet mouth of the Atikus appears to be the trap they used to deceive Nigerians in the past and what they are attempting to use again today. 

The fact that Jennifer Atiku could boldly be campaigning for her husband based on improving education standard in Nigeria as she did over the weekend in Edo state knowing fully well her involvement in that illicit transfer shows that character of Atikus.

What Nigerian would want Jennifer Atiku to know is that no matter how beautiful and well-crafted a coffin might look; it will not make anyone wish for death. We will not die on February 16th, 2019. 

Everyone knows history is written by the victors, clearly, the slogan “get Nigeria working again” is a con promoted by a con artist or as my good friend Andy will put it, it is bullshit recounted by the bullshitters. 

As the saying goes, you must attend to your business with the vendor in the market, and not to the noise of the market. In the noisy atmosphere leading to the 2019 elections, it is my duty to attend to the important business of providing facts to Nigerians.

Birds sing not because they have answers but because they have songs. While I may not have the answers to the Nigerian problems, I have some songs that will ensure that Nigeria is not returned to Babylon on May 29th, 2019.

 

Happy New Year Nigerians!

Together, we can. 

You can email Churchill at Churchill.okonkwo@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @churchillnnobi

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The five officers of the Nigerian Air Force who died in the helicopter crash that occurred last Wednesday during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State have been buried.

The crew members were on board the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mi-35M Helicopter which crashed while providing air support to troops of 145 Battalion, Damasak in Borno State. See Also Boko Haram BREAKING: Air Force Releases Names Of Five Officers Killed In Borno Helicopter Crash 0 Comments 5 Days Ago

The officers were buried at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Tuesday.

The officers are: Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob - Pilot in Command (aged 332; Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Paul Kilyofas - Co-Pilot (aged 29); Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim - Flight Technician (aged 31); Lance Corporal Adamu Nura - Gunner (aged 27), and Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael - Gunner (aged 25).

Service chiefs, serving and retired officers, as well as friends and family members were on ground to pay their last respects to the officers as they were buried.

They were buried with full military honours.

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Netflix

It was always sure to come to this, this generation has gone against 100-year-old conventions and she is still going to do it again. We still don't quite understand the effect of a time when information is so easy to transmit; when media is so easy to access and the channels they are aplenty.

Have you heard? Aunt Genny's movie premiered on Netflix; a whole Genevieve Nnaji. I was already thinking about the N2,000 I'd have to pay to watch it at the cinema, or if we'd be showing it in school and just like that, I saw it on my Instagram, that it's available on Netflix. Whattt!!?

I sharparly buzzed my people in the abroad, got password, logged in and I watched. On an 11dollars per month subscription, six of us watched 'Lionheart', the week it came out. LIONHEART!!! She now came the following week to say it's available in cinemas. You say wah? Apparently, major distributor didn't want to collect it, but as per Aunt Genny naa, we can't be mad at her for 24 hours.

It was surreal, but it didn't seem right. 2018 was the year four out of the top six grossing Nollywood movies of all time were released. Nigerians spent 600m in December at the cinemas. 'Chief Daddy' grossed 250m in 20 days. It has begun. The cinema culture is in full effect and the millions have started rolling in for the 'Kings of Boys' and the 'Merry Men'. Even 'The Vendors' are having a field day. And then a whole Queen Genny came out of the bottle with a lion's heart and it was so easy to watch. Kai, it's not right. This could start a plague that could damage Woods.

True, we don't know the numbers involved in the deal with Netflix, and it's a global market of unprecedented audience, but I'm pretty sure for the company to stay profitable maintaining such a humongous library on 11dollars per month subscriptions, the numbers can probably not organise one 'Wedding Party', talk less of 2.

What many may not realise is that this is a global war something, low key. Last year, at the Cannes, the cool kids of Hollywood and other film industries didn't want to have lunch with Netflix; they vehemently kicked against its films getting into the festival. Same thing with the Oscars. They feel threatened by the new kid trying to run their friends (the cinemas) out of business. 

The movie industry as a whole EARNED 36.4billion dollars in 2018, thanks to the cinemas who make sure the movies are not available elsewhere at least for 90 days. Netflix alone is valued at about $138 billion, about $500million more than Disney, but it earned $178m in 2018, while Disney earned $54.73billion.

Tech companies like Netflix have these outrageous valuations because of the potential of their distribution channel, the Internet. Plot twist, Disney is launching its own streaming platform in 2019. We die here. Meaning, they'll no longer supply Netflix movies. AT&T is moving into the space too, Amazon is already in the ring. This kind of moves are the reasons why 2019 is going to be a defining moment in the movie and movie distribution industry. It's not like we don't love Netflix and Co., but they have their own place in this chain. Three months after the cinemas, it's obvious how they are trying to hasten a reduction of this window.

Aunt Genny already picked a side in 2018. She went with Netflix, a potential 200m gone from the cinemas' pockets.

God forbid that Kemi Adetiba's next one would premiere on Amazon Prime or something. She should kuku kill us first. Mo Abudu? she's with Sony, no shaking. Kunle Afolayan is a gentleman, he'll not deny us our popcorn. AY please be carevul, taink you.

The point is, yeah it's cool to Netflix and chill, but not to movies like 'Lionheart'. These kind of movies should come out in 2018 and some people should be looking for it till December 2020, all while it's getting sold out at cinemas and movie fests worldwide. This is the beauty of the whole industry.

The movie is a total heartwarmer BTW, make sure you watch it.......... at the cinemas :).

Oluwatunmise Kareem is CEO, Openhouse Media Africa/Openhouse Cinemas

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