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The Hayabusa-2 is thought to have detonated an explosive charge on the asteroid it is exploring.

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South Korea and the US turned on 5G services that promise ultra-fast speeds and new applications.

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AfD party member Markus Frohnmaier says documents suggesting this and seen by the BBC are fake.

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US and China have been in talks to try to end a trade war since agreeing a truce in December 2018.

In recent times, Zamfara state in northern Nigeria has been plagued by incessant attacks and killings. Fulani herdsmen have reportedly carried out vicious attacks against local farmers. These attacks have led to heavy loss of lives and the displacement of persons. Efforts by state and federal governments to contain these security challenges have proved ineffective.

However, some solution may be around the corner. The government of Zamfara has proposed to employ local charmers. Yes, local charmers! The government wants to deploy traditional magicians against bandits and criminals in the state. According to a state official, the government would recruit 1,700 charmers to join a task force in addressing the security challenges in the state.

The Zamfara state commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy, Alhaji Bello Dankande, said in Gusau, the state capital: “In each of the 17 emirates, we are going to recruit 100 local charmers in addition to the 500 recruited per emirate earlier”. So the local charmers would for part of the Zamfara state security apparatus along with the vigilante group, and the state security operatives in addressing these challenges.

Unfortunately, the statement by the commissioner fell short of explaining how the recruitment will be done, the connection between charms and insecurity or how the magical materials are going to help enhance security in the state.

This move by Zamfara is quite interesting because it highlights the ambiguity in the Nigerian Islamic religious practice. Zamfara is a muslim majority state. In fact Zamfara was the first state to enforce the islamic law and prides itself as the home of sharia. Thus the impression is that the state has nothing to do with traditional charms. Right? Moreover, the protection by Allah was a key element in the narrative that was used to justify the imposition of sharia law in Zamfara. So what is a sharia implementing state officially doing with charms and charmers? I mean, how is the use of charms in addressing insecurities compatible with the sharia law? What happened to the supposed protection and security that Allah should be providing the Ummah in Zamfara?

In addition, the belief in the potency of charms has no basis in reason, science or in reality. It is superstition. There is no evidence that charms are effective in combating insecurities or that a charm can enable the arrest of criminals or the killing of bandits. Such propositions are absurd, mistaken and misguided. Zamfara should not waste state funds by procuring charms or by employing local charmers. Rather it should adopt evidence-based measures, enhanced policing and intelligence gathering, in addressing the security challenges in the state.

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Leo Igwe Disable advertisements : 
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Niyi Osundare

These, no doubt, are seasons of painful farewells and sudden departures. The news of Professor Tunde Oduleye's passing reached me this morning and threw me into a welter of memories and reminiscences.  Calling that news shocking would be a gross understatement.

Tunde was bright and bold, firm and fair, resilient and dependable in a country and in an era in which these virtues count for little.. A professional scientist by training, he possessed more savvy - and wisdom – about the science of  politics  than many "experts" who study that subject and (mis)teach its  principles either out of  self- interest or unpardonable  ignorance, Oduleye brought to labour unionism a perception and commitment that were tremendously inspirational to those of us in the  ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) family. Calm, controlled, and re-assuring  even under the most severe pressure, he pacified stormy moments with a disarming sense of humour and bonhomie.   This was why he became  some kind of  'Moses'  for the now legendary Ilorin 49, that group of patriotic and  intrepid women and men "purged" from their academic positions at the University of Ilorin in 2001  through the diabolic machinations of  the university's Vice Chancellor at that time  and the sadistic connivance of the Obasanjo government.

Their crime? Fighting for a university system that is wholesome, meaningful, purposeful, and functional; a system that understands the real meaning and importance of  EDUCATION and the globally acceptable ways of disseminating it. It took many years of joblessness,  hunger, demonization, and other afflictions before legal justice came, at last. But, alas, not for everyone, as the case of one of the ranking leaders of the 49 is still snailing its way through the Nigerian judicial system today, while his rightful,  long overdue  professional elevation hangs in a needlessly  agonizing balance. And, as is commonly known in every decent society, justice partially done is often worse than justice never done at all.

Throughout those nearly 10 years in the wilderness, Ilorin 49 stood firm, the present within their grasp, the future before their gaze. Today, they have become the symbol of steadfast courage and beacon of hope in a country where rank opportunism trumps principled resistance, and genuine fighters for the public good are roundly mischaracterized as trouble- makers and “undue radicals”.  Today, the  Ilorin 49 stalwarts wear the laurels as our long-distance runners. Tunde Oduleye was one of the runners of that race.  His feet were  firm on the track, his eyes set on the prize.

Sleep well, then, worthy  Comrade. Sleep well. Tell Gentleman Adegbija the struggle is anything but over. Let Festus Iyayi know  Nigeria’s criminals are still there, Awaiting Court Martial. Let your spirit be our shield as we strive to bring the universe back to Nigeria’s  eviscerated  university system.

Niyi Osundare.

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A private jet belonging to ANAP Jets, owned by entrepreneur Atedo Peterside, has been vandalised by robbers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

According to a source at the airport, some unidentified persons opened the cargo hold of an arrival private jet and stole a bag.

After the aircraft landed, ATC Avition Services asked the aircraft to hold for traffic reasons. However, while the aircraft was holding, some thieves popped out from the bush and opened the cargo hold door, stealing a bag.

According to airport standard procedure, there should be an escort van to tail all arriving and departing aircraft prior take-off or entry into the ramp. But there were no vehicles to escort this aircraft.

This is not the first time in recent years that an aircraft will be robbed at the airport. In February 2018, burglars attacked an Air Peace aircraft at the airport while it was taxiing for takeoff to Abuja. 

The aircraft, a Boeing 737, was attacked at about 7:35 pm by unknown bandits on the domestic runway of the airport. The forced opening of the cargo of the aircraft led to delay in the departure of the aircraft for close to two hours, as security operatives attached to the airport searched the airplane before allowing it depart the airport.

In December 2017, a private jet conveying two top Nigerian musical artistes, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, better known as Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, was robbed at the airport while taxiing on the runway.

The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 605 jet with Registration Number T7-A00, arrived Lagos at about 8:33pm and was slowly taxiing to the arrival hangar when the cargo compartment was burgled.

Two weeks earlier, a business jet from Istanbul that arrived the Lagos airport to pick a passenger was also attacked on the same taxiway.

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A private jet belonging to ANAP Jets, owned by entrepreneur Atedo Peterside, has been vandalised by robbers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

According to a source at the airport, some unidentified persons opened the cargo hold of an arrival private jet and stole a bag.

After the aircraft landed, ATC Avition Services asked the aircraft to hold for traffic reasons. However, while the aircraft was holding, some thieves popped out from the bush and opened the cargo hold door, stealing a bag.

According to airport standard procedure, there should be an escort van to tail all arriving and departing aircraft prior take-off or entry into the ramp. But there were no vehicles to escort this aircraft.

This is not the first time in recent years that an aircraft will be robbed at the airport. In February 2018, burglars attacked an Air Peace aircraft at the airport while it was taxiing for takeoff to Abuja. 

The aircraft, a Boeing 737, was attacked at about 7:35 pm by unknown bandits on the domestic runway of the airport. The forced opening of the cargo of the aircraft led to delay in the departure of the aircraft for close to two hours, as security operatives attached to the airport searched the airplane before allowing it depart the airport.

In December 2017, a private jet conveying two top Nigerian musical artistes, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, better known as Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, was robbed at the airport while taxiing on the runway.

The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 605 jet with Registration Number T7-A00, arrived Lagos at about 8:33pm and was slowly taxiing to the arrival hangar when the cargo compartment was burgled.

Two weeks earlier, a business jet from Istanbul that arrived the Lagos airport to pick a passenger was also attacked on the same taxiway.

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This is thought be a response to an ICC probe into possible war crimes by US troops in Afghanistan.

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Rainforest nations have opposed the creation of a new .amazon internet domain name. Why?

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Former chief of the Israeli military Benny Gantz believes he can unseat PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

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For centuries, our lunar neighbour has been a source of fascination and inspiration for poets and artists.

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Researchers believe the four-metre-long mammal, found in Peru, was able to swim and walk on land.

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Anne-Marie watched as her neighbour killed two of her children in the Rwandan genocide 25 years ago.

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Chancellor Sebastian Kurz condemns reports that Martin Sellner put a swastika on a synagogue in 2006.

The National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, on Thursday ordered the striking staff unions of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) to eschew violence and maintain peace.

The order will subsist, pending the determination of the motion on notice. The parties to the suit are the unions, the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General of Lagos State and LASPOTECH. The dispute is over the implementation of the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS 15). See Also Breaking News BREAKING: NASU Shuts Down LASPOTECH After 'Most Fraudulent Examination In The history Of The School' 0 Comments 1 Week Ago

The suit was filed by the local chapters of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP).

Justice E. A. Oji said the unionists must maintain peace since they have brought the matter to court for adjudication.

“The counter-claimants (the three unions) must maintain peace and respect the fact that they have brought their dispute to court.

“It is now ordered as follows: The counter-claimants are to maintain the peace and not to engage in actions that will obstruct the official activities of the third defendant (LASPOTECH) to the counter-claim pending the determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction."

The motion will be heard on June 18.

Meanwhile, the polytechnic has apologised to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the molestation of two of the board’s officials by some non-teaching workers.

In a statement, the polytechnic’s Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Olanrewaju Kuye, said the matter was being handled by the Police, adding that culprits would be punished.

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The National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, on Thursday ordered the striking staff unions of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) to eschew violence and maintain peace.

The order will subsist, pending the determination of the motion on notice. The parties to the suit are the unions, the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General of Lagos State and LASPOTECH. The dispute is over the implementation of the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS 15). See Also Breaking News BREAKING: NASU Shuts Down LASPOTECH After 'Most Fraudulent Examination In The history Of The School' 0 Comments 1 Week Ago

The suit was filed by the local chapters of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP).

Justice E. A. Oji said the unionists must maintain peace since they have brought the matter to court for adjudication.

“The counter-claimants (the three unions) must maintain peace and respect the fact that they have brought their dispute to court.

“It is now ordered as follows: The counter-claimants are to maintain the peace and not to engage in actions that will obstruct the official activities of the third defendant (LASPOTECH) to the counter-claim pending the determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction."

The motion will be heard on June 18.

Meanwhile, the polytechnic has apologised to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the molestation of two of the board’s officials by some non-teaching workers.

In a statement, the polytechnic’s Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Olanrewaju Kuye, said the matter was being handled by the Police, adding that culprits would be punished.

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The Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese has suggested that bank officials had a hand in the shooting of the church bursar on Thursday.

Gabriel Abiodun, the church bursar murdered in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday, was due for retirement in 2020.

This was disclosed by Right Reverend Simeon Oluwole Borokini, the Lord Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, who also called on security agents in Ondo State to fish out Abiodun's killers.

Abiodun, the 60-year-old Bursar of the Akure Anglican Diocese, was killed on Thursday morning by men suspected to be robbers, shortly after cashing a sum of N500,000 at a new-generation bank.

SaharaReporters had reported how the bursar was trailed to the diocesan office of the Akure Anglican Communion in Alagbaka axis of the state capital, where the money was collected.

Borokini, who described the killing of Abiodun as “saddening and unfortunate”, said the Police should see to the prosecution of the perpetrators.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, the Bishop said Abiodun was a very hardworking man who lived all his life in service to the church.

He said: "It is sad and very unfortunate that we lost the Diocesan Bursar and we both reported to the office this morning around 8am.

"There are some funds that needed to be paid in cash and we didn't want to use cheques for the payment. So, he had to visit the bank to cash it. It was after cashing the money that they trailed him from the bank to the office, and he was killed here. The man was dutiful and committed to his duty. He was planning to retire next year. Sadly, his death is a big loss to the diocese:. 

He expressed gratitude to the response team, mostly the security men who came on time, but lamented that the bandits had already escaped before they arrived.

"I do hope the security agencies will try their best to track these bandits, because it seems they have formed themselves into a gang. The security men should intensify efforts to arrest the perpetrators, and also make sure their network is effective around the banks, because the robbers hang around the bank.”

Noting that the diocese had once witnessed a similar robbery attack, he advised the Police to investigate the officials of the bank.

"Don't forget that a few months ago, one of our priests went to collect money from the bank and he was trailed to the school and the money was stolen from him. We suspect some of the people who work in these banks, and we think there is a form of networking between them. These bank officials should be warned."

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The Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese has suggested that bank officials had a hand in the shooting of the church bursar on Thursday.

Gabriel Abiodun, the church bursar murdered in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday, was due for retirement in 2020.

This was disclosed by Right Reverend Simeon Oluwole Borokini, the Lord Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, who also called on security agents in Ondo State to fish out Abiodun's killers.

Abiodun, the 60-year-old Bursar of the Akure Anglican Diocese, was killed on Thursday morning by men suspected to be robbers, shortly after cashing a sum of N500,000 at a new-generation bank.

SaharaReporters had reported how the bursar was trailed to the diocesan office of the Akure Anglican Communion in Alagbaka axis of the state capital, where the money was collected.

Borokini, who described the killing of Abiodun as “saddening and unfortunate”, said the Police should see to the prosecution of the perpetrators.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, the Bishop said Abiodun was a very hardworking man who lived all his life in service to the church.

He said: "It is sad and very unfortunate that we lost the Diocesan Bursar and we both reported to the office this morning around 8am.

"There are some funds that needed to be paid in cash and we didn't want to use cheques for the payment. So, he had to visit the bank to cash it. It was after cashing the money that they trailed him from the bank to the office, and he was killed here. The man was dutiful and committed to his duty. He was planning to retire next year. Sadly, his death is a big loss to the diocese:. 

He expressed gratitude to the response team, mostly the security men who came on time, but lamented that the bandits had already escaped before they arrived.

"I do hope the security agencies will try their best to track these bandits, because it seems they have formed themselves into a gang. The security men should intensify efforts to arrest the perpetrators, and also make sure their network is effective around the banks, because the robbers hang around the bank.”

Noting that the diocese had once witnessed a similar robbery attack, he advised the Police to investigate the officials of the bank.

"Don't forget that a few months ago, one of our priests went to collect money from the bank and he was trailed to the school and the money was stolen from him. We suspect some of the people who work in these banks, and we think there is a form of networking between them. These bank officials should be warned."

CRIME Police News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Lagos State Police Command has announced the dismissal of Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan, the policeman who allegedly shot and killed Kolade Johnson on Sunday.

He has also been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, for prosecution in conventional Court.

According to Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and Public Relations Officer of the Police in Lagos, the decision to dismiss Olalekan was reached after a four-day orderly trial that began on Monday and ended on Thursday.

“The two police officers alleged to have been involved in the shooting of Kolade Johnson on 31/03/2019 were apprehended and subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings, known as Orderly Room Trial by the Command,” he said.

“The Orderly Room trial commenced on Monday 01/04/2019 and ended on Thursday 04/04/2019. They were tried on three-count charges: (1) Discreditable Conduct (2) Unlawful and Unnecessary Exercise of Authority and (3) Damage to Clothing or Other Articles contrary to Paragraph E (iii), Q (ii) and D (i) First Schedule, Police Act and Regulations, Cap 370 LFN 1990. The trial started with the reading of charges and taking of plea. Five witnesses testified. 

“At the conclusion of the trial, the first defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan, was found guilty of discreditable conduct by acting in a manner prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of members of the force by shooting and killing Kolade Johnson; Unlawful and Unnecessary exercise of authority by using unnecessary violence, by using AK 47 rifle on the deceased in total neglect to the provisions of Force Order 237 on the use of Firearms.”

Elkana also said the Adjudicating Officer, CSP Indyar Apev, awarded the punishment of dismissal from service and prosecution to the first defaulter.

“There was no evidence linking the second defaulter, Sergeant Godwin Orji, to the shooting; he was therefore found not guilty and discharged and acquitted,” he said.

“The first defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan is handed over to Criminal Investigation Department, Panti for prosecution in conventional Court.”

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The Lagos State Police Command has announced the dismissal of Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan, the policeman who allegedly shot and killed Kolade Johnson on Sunday.

He has also been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, for prosecution in conventional Court.

According to Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and Public Relations Officer of the Police in Lagos, the decision to dismiss Olalekan was reached after a four-day orderly trial that began on Monday and ended on Thursday.

“The two police officers alleged to have been involved in the shooting of Kolade Johnson on 31/03/2019 were apprehended and subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings, known as Orderly Room Trial by the Command,” he said.

“The Orderly Room trial commenced on Monday 01/04/2019 and ended on Thursday 04/04/2019. They were tried on three-count charges: (1) Discreditable Conduct (2) Unlawful and Unnecessary Exercise of Authority and (3) Damage to Clothing or Other Articles contrary to Paragraph E (iii), Q (ii) and D (i) First Schedule, Police Act and Regulations, Cap 370 LFN 1990. The trial started with the reading of charges and taking of plea. Five witnesses testified. 

“At the conclusion of the trial, the first defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan, was found guilty of discreditable conduct by acting in a manner prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of members of the force by shooting and killing Kolade Johnson; Unlawful and Unnecessary exercise of authority by using unnecessary violence, by using AK 47 rifle on the deceased in total neglect to the provisions of Force Order 237 on the use of Firearms.”

Elkana also said the Adjudicating Officer, CSP Indyar Apev, awarded the punishment of dismissal from service and prosecution to the first defaulter.

“There was no evidence linking the second defaulter, Sergeant Godwin Orji, to the shooting; he was therefore found not guilty and discharged and acquitted,” he said.

“The first defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan is handed over to Criminal Investigation Department, Panti for prosecution in conventional Court.”

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On Thursday,  Walter Onnoghen, the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), defended himself a petition filed before the National Judicial Council (NJC), at its sitting on Wednesday, containing allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), that he received money in his account in 2015, allegedly paid to influence the cases before the Supreme Court at a time Onnoghen was on the Supreme Court panel.

In a written address submitted by his counsel, which was scheduled for service on Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, Onnoghen said the money constituted gifts for his daughter’s wedding, in line with custom.

He aslo defended himself against alleged linkage of the gifts to cases before the Supreme Court, allegations of receiving estacodes in US dollars, allegations of converting public funds under guise of estacodes for the wife of the CJN, appearance of Joe Agi (SAN) in Suit No. sc/3/2010 and alleged receipt of Mercedes Benz GL 450 valued N7million from Joe Agi (SAN).

Here's his response in full.

 

WRITTEN-ADDRESS-SUBMITTED-BY-THE-COUNSEL-TO-THE-RESPONDENT.pdf Onnoghen's Defence

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On Thursday,  Walter Onnoghen, the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), defended himself a petition filed before the National Judicial Council (NJC), at its sitting on Wednesday, containing allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), that he received money in his account in 2015, allegedly paid to influence the cases before the Supreme Court at a time Onnoghen was on the Supreme Court panel.

In a written address submitted by his counsel, which was scheduled for service on Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, Onnoghen said the money constituted gifts for his daughter’s wedding, in line with custom.

He aslo defended himself against alleged linkage of the gifts to cases before the Supreme Court, allegations of receiving estacodes in US dollars, allegations of converting public funds under guise of estacodes for the wife of the CJN, appearance of Joe Agi (SAN) in Suit No. sc/3/2010 and alleged receipt of Mercedes Benz GL 450 valued N7million from Joe Agi (SAN).

Here's his response in full.

 

WRITTEN-ADDRESS-SUBMITTED-BY-THE-COUNSEL-TO-THE-RESPONDENT.pdf Onnoghen's Defence

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Australian Brenton Tarrant is accused of killing 50 people in March attacks on Christchurch mosques.

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The decision comes after the Supreme Court said Texas cannot ban a Buddhist monk from an execution.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has nullified the candidature of Great Ogboru as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the primary election conducted by the party in the state. 

In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1085/ 2018, Victor Ochei, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, and APC governorship aspirant, had challenged the declaration of Ogboru as the governorship candidate of the party in the September 2018 primary held in the state.

Ochei, through Ahmed Rahi (SAN), his counsel, prayed the court to declare that the APC governorship primary election that held on September 30, 2018, was illegal on the grounds that unknown delegates were used for the exercise.

Ochei urged the court to, among other things, invalidate the results of the APC primaries, arguing that the list of delegates used at the primaries was not that envisaged by the consent judgment. He held that aspirants did not get any advanced list of delegates prior to the APC primaries.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Dimgba ordered the cancellation of the APC governorship primaries that produced Great Ogboru, and granted four of the five reliefs sought by the plaintiff. The Judge, however, refused to grant relief four.

"All the reliefs sought in this suit are similar with those for which Justice Tosin Adegoke pronounced judgement on, so reliefs 1, 2, 3, 5 are granted, but relief 4 is refused, because the governorship election is over and the relief is spent,” the Judge said.

Dimgba said the Federal High Court has one jurisdiction and, as such, cannot be seen giving discordant judgement, adding that "having considered the decisions reached by the Federal High Court in the case of Cyril Ogodo, which has similar reliefs, and the fact that some of the defendants in this suit are the same, the court has decided to follow the decisions arrived at in the Ogodo case”.

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Dan Robbins' idea for DIY pictures inspired a generation of American hobbyists.

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Ex-US presidential hopeful Ralph Nader is taking Boeing to court over the Ethiopia Airlines crash, which killed his great-niece.

Sixteen people have been reported killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed in a fierce warfare between Tiv and Jukun tribes in Kente village of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. 

Adi Daniel, Executive Chairman of Wukari Local Government Council, confirmed the tribal clash and noted that he himself escaped death by the whiskers.

He said 16 people had been killed in the crisis and over five hundred others displaced.

"There're still people that have not been accounted for," Daniel said.

"They attacked my convoy when I visited the area, they burnt three cars in my convoy and went killing people and mounting roadblocks in the bush killing people."

Narrating the incident to SaharaReporters, he said trouble started on Monday when Tiv youth ordered their women not to patronise markets within the Jukun communities on the borderline between Benue and Taraba states.

"About three days ago, Tiv people from Benue State came and said their women should not bring their wares to markets where our people (Jukun) are living on allegation that Jukuns are backing Fulani people to attack them.

"One woman who defied their order and brought yams to the market for sale was molested by Tiv youth; the action sparked reprisal from Jukun youth because they were against the action of the Tiv youth. 

"But I have since reached out to the Chairman of Ukum Local Government in the neighbouring Benue State and the Security Adviser to the Benue State Governor, and we are making efforts to stop the escalation of the crisis.  I have visited the area where the crisis started with the Chairman and we have all agreed to talk to our people to give peace a chance."

He however, noted that security personnel have been drafted to keep peace in the area.

"We have enough security; everywhere is peaceful now, except for the gorilla attacks being employed by the Tiv militia."

David Misal, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the incident, saying: "The situation has been brought under control, no more tension at the moment."

He however could not comment on fatality figures and the degree of damage done.

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Sixteen people have been reported killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed in a fierce warfare between Tiv and Jukun tribes in Kente village of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. 

Adi Daniel, Executive Chairman of Wukari Local Government Council, confirmed the tribal clash and noted that he himself escaped death by the whiskers.

He said 16 people had been killed in the crisis and over five hundred others displaced.

"There're still people that have not been accounted for," Daniel said.

"They attacked my convoy when I visited the area, they burnt three cars in my convoy and went killing people and mounting roadblocks in the bush killing people."

Narrating the incident to SaharaReporters, he said trouble started on Monday when Tiv youth ordered their women not to patronise markets within the Jukun communities on the borderline between Benue and Taraba states.

"About three days ago, Tiv people from Benue State came and said their women should not bring their wares to markets where our people (Jukun) are living on allegation that Jukuns are backing Fulani people to attack them.

"One woman who defied their order and brought yams to the market for sale was molested by Tiv youth; the action sparked reprisal from Jukun youth because they were against the action of the Tiv youth. 

"But I have since reached out to the Chairman of Ukum Local Government in the neighbouring Benue State and the Security Adviser to the Benue State Governor, and we are making efforts to stop the escalation of the crisis.  I have visited the area where the crisis started with the Chairman and we have all agreed to talk to our people to give peace a chance."

He however, noted that security personnel have been drafted to keep peace in the area.

"We have enough security; everywhere is peaceful now, except for the gorilla attacks being employed by the Tiv militia."

David Misal, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the incident, saying: "The situation has been brought under control, no more tension at the moment."

He however could not comment on fatality figures and the degree of damage done.

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WHO

The general public has been alerted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the circulation of fake meningitis vaccine circulating in Niger Republic.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Professor Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director General, said health authorities in Niger raised the alert on fake vaccine after it was discovered during routine inspection of pharmacies in Niamey in March.

The statement read: “The fake MencevaxTM ACWY vaccine has a manufacturing date of December 2016 and an expiring date of November 2021. Genuine MencevaxTM ACW and MencevaxTM ACWY vaccines are used to control outbreak of meningococcal infection.

“The genuine vaccines were registered by NAFDAC in favour of Glaxo SmithKline Beecham (GSK). Pfizer acquired the vaccines from GSK in 2015. NAFDAC implores all importers, wholesalers, and retailers not to illegally import, distribute and sell the fake Mencevax vaccines.

“Pfizer Specialties Limited, 21 Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi Lagos discontinued commercialization of Mencevax Vaccines in Nigeria in June 2018. As a result of the discontinuation of commercialization of the vaccines, Pfizer specialties Limited no longer import the vaccines into Nigeria.

“Surveillance has been strengthened by NAFDAC at all ports of entry to prevent importation of the fake vaccines from Niger Republic, and to prevent the distribution and sale of the fake vaccine.”

Professor Adeyeye warned importers and retailers of pharmaceutical products not to import or sell the fake vaccine, while urging the general public to report adverse events related to the use of vaccines to the nearest NAFDAC office via NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE for all Network) or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

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WHO

The general public has been alerted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the circulation of fake meningitis vaccine circulating in Niger Republic.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Professor Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director General, said health authorities in Niger raised the alert on fake vaccine after it was discovered during routine inspection of pharmacies in Niamey in March.

The statement read: “The fake MencevaxTM ACWY vaccine has a manufacturing date of December 2016 and an expiring date of November 2021. Genuine MencevaxTM ACW and MencevaxTM ACWY vaccines are used to control outbreak of meningococcal infection.

“The genuine vaccines were registered by NAFDAC in favour of Glaxo SmithKline Beecham (GSK). Pfizer acquired the vaccines from GSK in 2015. NAFDAC implores all importers, wholesalers, and retailers not to illegally import, distribute and sell the fake Mencevax vaccines.

“Pfizer Specialties Limited, 21 Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi Lagos discontinued commercialization of Mencevax Vaccines in Nigeria in June 2018. As a result of the discontinuation of commercialization of the vaccines, Pfizer specialties Limited no longer import the vaccines into Nigeria.

“Surveillance has been strengthened by NAFDAC at all ports of entry to prevent importation of the fake vaccines from Niger Republic, and to prevent the distribution and sale of the fake vaccine.”

Professor Adeyeye warned importers and retailers of pharmaceutical products not to import or sell the fake vaccine, while urging the general public to report adverse events related to the use of vaccines to the nearest NAFDAC office via NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE for all Network) or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

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Judges say judicial corporal punishment of those under the age of 18 is inhuman and degrading.

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has agreed to debate rival candidate Volodymyr Zelensky in the country's top sports venue.

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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who is in Tripoli, urges an end to the escalation.

Biokpomabo Awara, governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers State, says his party will reclaim the “stolen mandate”, referring to his loss in the election.

He alleged gross irregularities in the resumed collation of the state governorship election result that saw Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reelected as Governor of the state.

Wike won the election after polling 886,264 votes to beat Awara, who polled 173,859 votes. The margin was 712,405 votes.

However, Awara said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) connived with Wike to rig him out of winning the election.

Speaking after the announcement of the result, Awara alleged that Lawrence Chuku, his party agent, was denied access to the collation centre.

Awara said: “Nenye Kocha is not the collation agent of AAC in INEC office, Port Harcourt. Dr. Chuku is the duly-nominated collation agent of AAC, but he was prevented by security personnel at the gate of INEC’s office in Port Harcourt from moving to the collation centre.

“I have the unit by unit results of the March 9, 2019 elections in Rivers State. When they observed that I was leading and they saw the danger coming, they quickly moved on March 10 to save Wike, by suspending the collation of the results, which they resumed on April 1. As at the time the collation was suspended, I had 281,000 votes, as against Wike’s 79,000 votes. So, they (INEC officials) quickly came to his rescue.

“We have written a petition on the electoral fraud in Rivers State to the INEC chairman, stating the actual results, but Professor Yakubu will not take action.”

He urged his supporters to remain calm stating that the result would be challenged and he would “reclaim the stolen mandate”.

“I want Rivers people to be calm. We are going to reclaim the stolen mandate. We should not be troubled and we should never opt for violence.

“I want Rivers people, especially my teeming supporters, who are being pained by what they are seeing, to keep hope alive. Victory is certain. We are going to bring back the stolen mandate,” Awara said.

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President Trump is expected to veto the resolution rejecting his support for a Saudi-led coalition.

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Chinese-Swedish actor Zhao Lixin is criticised for appearing to defend the Japanese invasion of China.

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Reports say a teacher at a nursery near Johannesburg, South Africa, when the video was filmed.

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The Canadian couple were able to claim the prize from the forgotten ticket days before the deadline.

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Activists urge Russia to free nearly 100 orca and beluga whales kept in small, icy pens.

At first, I thought it was fake news. But I read it to the end and later noticed that it had also been shared on a number of other serious platforms by serious people. And it was signed by the Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo Asaju.

The right reverend gentleman wore his misery on his sleeves. In an unusual WhatsApp conversation with parents, he laid out eight major reasons why most of the parents are their own children’s worst enemies. He also painted a scary picture of the danger that these students might turn out to be for society as a whole.

I share the vice chancellor’s concern, but his anger is misplaced. Asaju is a professor of Christian Studies and vice chancellor of a university; not the headmaster of a village primary school. If the University postponed its resumption by two weeks and students – who are all supposed be adults – are turning up later than the resumption date, the way to go is not to lock them out. 

Why, when there are other less dramatic and far more effective options? The school could impose a late registration fine and/or ask lecturers not to register the late returnees for courses that they might have been eligible for that semester. They’ll have to carry over the course, if they have chosen to resume well past the deadline, and that’s it.

And except if the process in ACU is still far behind, I expect that the whole business of course registration is mostly done online and, in some cases, ahead of school resumption. 

If the vice chancellor still needs to stand at the school gate, with a fat register in hand and a long line of students peering in from outside the school gate and grumbling parents behind them, then there’s a problem. And it’s not a problem with the students or their parents. It’s squarely a problem with the nanny vice chancellor and his administrators who apparently prefer drama to substance.

Vice Chancellor Asaju complained about a student having sex in the classroom with two other female students. Well, that’s indecent; really, really indecent. If it was rape – and I hope not – then the matter should have been reported straight to the police. Otherwise, if Asaju loosens his pastoral collar a bit, he might agree that sex in classroom is not unheard of. It happens all the time – in offices, in cars in street corners, and yes, in church vestries. It doesn’t make it right but those who want to curtail it cannot hope to succeed by taking the matter to WhatsApp. 

A less dramatic, more serious approach would be to provide more lighting, install CCTV cameras, and perhaps encourage whistleblowers in addition to increasing physical patrols. The school can also encourage student groups to discuss these matters in more open, structured ways, and follow through with consequences where improper conduct is established.

The bulk of the vice chancellor’s complaint was on the thankless efforts by the school to make the students comfortable by going the extra mile to provide electricity, library and generally making the hostels as cozy as possible. That’s a tough call, to be honest; but show me one home, one community or one organisation that does not endure this grief of being a one-stop government in Nigeria today, and I’ll show you an organisation that is determined to fail. 

The vice chancellor said the Anglican Church does not provide any financial support for the school, but he did not say that the school is a charity. If the church is not funding it, and Asaju has accepted the job of being vice chancellor, he has to find a judicious mix of tuition, donations, endowments and professional services that will support the school. That’s his job at this time. 

The whole business of pretending that the school can provide what it cannot afford is not working. If the vice chancellor cannot improvise, the Church cannot provide any funding, and students won’t pay, who is Asaju trying to impress by squeezing water out of stone?

I was amused to read from his message that even after outsourcing all but one of the hostels, the vice chancellor not only thinks it’s the job of the school to collect rent for the owners, but the school also spent about N5million last semester plugging stuff. That might be a good idea in Good Samaritan country, but in the real world, it’s absurd for a school in dire financial straits to still be providing subsidy for students!

And then, the point the vice chancellor made about only 10 students routinely being in class when 1600 students should have been there knocked me flat. That’s one clear evidence that something is fundamentally wrong. The vice chancellor obviously thinks the problem is caused by parents rubbing the heads of the students and feeding them breast milk, while students overdose on social media. 

I think it’s deeper than that. If class attendance is almost routinely nearly zero and the minimum attendance requirement as a basis for taking exams is not working and no survey has been conducted to find out from the students and faculty why attendance is so catastrophically poor, then it’s time to close down the school, convert it to a MOOC centre, or let the church have back its buildings as mega branches of the Anglican Church. 

Asaju may be a well-meaning reverend throwing good money after bad in the hope of preserving the church’s legacy as university owner. He is obviously also a passionate crusader about saving the next generation. But the university is not a nanny shop and clinging onto the vanity that every church must own a university doesn’t make much business sense.

Not in ACU’s current form, structure or profile. Outsourcing the hostels is a good thing. But the school cannot outsource the hostels and at the same time be responsible for rent collection and a slew of purse-draining maintenance every semester. Why not review the contract or find competent property managers to handle the problem?

For some time now, Asaju has had a running battle with the students, perhaps not unconnected with his hands-on approach going back to his days as ASUU chairman at the Lagos State University. About two years ago, ACU students threw trash and water bags at him when he personally intervened in a students’ dispute. And now, helicopter parenting has taken things to a boiling point.

The vice chancellor’s frustration says something about his style of administration as it does about the attitude of the owners of the school, students and faculty and, perhaps too, about the whole process of recruitment/management of faith-based private universities in Nigeria.

Most members of the faculty, especially at the top, are drawn from inside where loyalty and servile obedience are prioritised over competence and capacity. 

These schools need to open up the space and draw talents, even if they’re from Buddhist monks. Some of the best schools in the world have faith-based roots, but they have outgrown that parochial base to become global centres of knowledge and learning, attracting the best in students and faculty and competing for resources. 

Asaju is treating the school like an Anglican missionary, which is fine. But can he face the owners, the Anglican Church, and tell them that if they are not going to provide funding, they must let him emplace an academic model that works, even if it means stepping on big ecclesiastical toes?

Facing the parents and lashing out at the students is just a small part of fixing the problem. The vice chancellor must also have the marbles to look at his employers in the face, tell them what needs to be done to fix the system and be prepared to take a walk if they refuse to listen.

 

Ishiekwene is the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview and member of the board of the Global Editors Network

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