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The state politician's office is the subject of an investigation by police and intelligence officials.

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The men, who visited three bars in 45 minutes, have been banned from working in Singapore.

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The White House has threatened to veto the measure, which Senate Republicans reject as an overreach.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested a man accused of raping a three-month-old baby in Adogi Village in Nasarawa State.

He was arrested on Tuesday, the NSCDC announced via its Twitter handle.

The para-military security outfit said its operatives arrested the man after thorough investigations. 

"After a thorough intelligence gathering and investigation, the Nasarawa State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps arrested a man Tuesday accused of raping a three-month-old baby in Adogi Village of Nasarawa State," the security outfit tweeted. 

The incident happened on May 27 when the mother woke up at night and discovered that her baby and mobile phone were missing. 

“The incident occurred on Wednesday 27 of last month when suddenly I woke up around 3am and found that my baby was missing. I checked my phone which was also close to me before I slept, but it was also missing,” the mother narrated.

She explained that both men and women of the village went out in search of the baby on foot and motorcycles, and eventually found the child in an uncompleted building bleeding.

“She was found lying in the building with her pants kept aside. Everywhere across her private part was blood and then we rushed her to the hospital," she said.

The baby received surgical treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital as a result of the incident.

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A group of armed bandits have attacked Karare Village in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State and kidnapped two women and carted away cows and food items.

A resident of the area, Mustapha Ruma, who spoke with our correspondent, said the attackers invaded the area on Tuesday with dangerous weapons.

He said the bandits numbering about 20, stormed the village on motorbikes valuables. 

He said the bandits attacked many residents including the district head, Ciroma Ahmadu Karare, and abducted his 20-year-old daughter.

Ruma disclosed that the assailants collected the mobile phone of the district head and handed over a new Subscriber Identity Module card to him to enable them contact him for ransom negitiation.

Our correspondent also gathered that a 23-year-old woman with a little child was also abducted during the attack.

Ruma lamented the incessant attacks on Batsari LGA despite the deployment of soldiers to the area.

He said the situation had forced many residents to move out of the community to safer areas.

See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Nigerian Soldier Arrested After Making Video Saying Buratai, Service Chiefs Have Failed Nigerians 0 Comments 8 Hours Ago

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The Nigerian Government has said that Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, had spoken with President Muhammadu Buhari to apologise for the demolition of a building in the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.

On Monday Geoffrey Onyeama, Foreign Affairs Minister, had summoned Iva Denoo, the Ghanian Chargé d' Affaires in Nigeria to explain how yet to be identified person demolished a Nigerian diplomatic building in Ghana last Friday.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Garba Shehu, spokesperson for President Buhari, said Ghana's President had apologised for the incident and ordered an investigation into the incident.  Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and President Buhari

It reads, "President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana Tuesday spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari, expressing his sincere apology for demolition of a building on the premises of Nigerian High Commission in Accra, Ghana.

"In a telephone call, the Ghanaian leader told President Buhari that he has directed full investigation into the incident.

"Earlier in the day, it further emerged that some suspects had been arrested and will be arraigned in court."

 

See Also Ghana There Must Be No Reprisal, Ghanaian Lawmakers Call For Calm Over Demolition Of Nigeria Building In Ghana 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

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The Black Lives Matter has helped draw the attention of the world to police brutality and racial injustice against African Americans. They have used the canon of life to highlight the place and predicament of blacks in American society. As seen in the protests that followed the brutal murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, the movement has underscored institutional and structural inequities that underly the mistreatment of blacks in western countries. However, a category of unmattered black lives has so far been ignored- the lives of persons, of black persons-of African persons who do not believe in God (Allah). As a matter of faith, persons who openly and publicly criticize islamic religion or belief in Islamic God have been accorded little or no value. To be specific, the lives of atheists in Islamic Nigeria, in Islamic Africa and the Islamic world have been deemed expendable by those who claim to be on Allah’s side.

Shortly after the gruesome killing of George Floyd, the life of another black person, Mubarak Bala, has been on the line, not due to racism or white police brutality, but due to religion. Bala’s life is in peril, not in America or in Europe but in Africa, to be specific in Northern Nigeria. Bala’s life has been in danger not for being black in a dominantly white society, but for being an atheist in a predominantly Muslim section of the country. Bala’s life has been at risk due to institutionalized oppression and persecution of persons who are open about their atheism in Muslim communities. Bala’s case has highlighted the inability of atheists and persons who hold views that are critical of Allah or the prophet of Islam to ‘breathe’ in Muslim majority societies.

You may ask: what was Mr. Bala’s crime? He made comments on Facebook that implied that the prophet of Islam was a terrorist and a pedophile. That was all. Nothing more. And for that reason, some Muslims want him prosecuted and jailed. Others have threatened to kill him. They said he blasphemed, that he insulted the prophet of Islam. And for that reason, his life no longer mattered to them. His life worth nothing to them. Bala must die. Yes, some Muslims are saying that Bala must be killed. Bala has been arrested and held incommunicado for almost two months. Meanwhile, in the same region, violent jihadists are on the rampage, killing, raping, maiming and kidnapping with impunity daily.  Leo Igwe

The death sentence which some Muslims have passed on Bala is not unusual. This kind of mistreatment is not new. It is not new to Kano state. It is not new to Nigeria. The reactions of some Muslims are not alien to Islam in Nigeria and the world. The persecution of Bala is not new to the religious enterprise. Religion has been at war with the other; theism with atheism since human beings created the various gods. Religions especially Islam and Christianity have a history of using violence, intimidation and threats of violence against atheists, nonbelievers, and disbelievers. While Islamic religion is critical of other religions, it expressly prohibits the criticism of its claims and teachings. Inspired by the verses in the Qur’an and the Hadith, those who believe in the Islamic God(Allah) have waged a physical and structural battle against those who do not believe or those who espouse views and expressions that object to or challenge Islamic theistic viewpoints and prophetic ideas. In Muslim dominated societies, entrenched hostility towards criticism has been more pronounced and has created a situation where the lives of atheists and apostates do not matter. For instance in Nigeria’s sharia implementing states, Islam is the state religion. And Islamic theism is a state policy. Atheism is outlawed. Being an atheist is socially a dishonor to Muslim families and the Ummah.  Killing or eliminating an atheist a way of restoring the family and community honor. It is a form of religious duty, for which Allah would reward in the hereafter. Apostasy is a crime and the punishment for apostasy is death. Thus those who are born into Muslim faith must remain Muslims or they leave Islam and risk being executed. They renounce Islam and lose their human worth; their human life. They lose what makes them matter to Muslims. Even as an apostate or an atheist, one is not allowed to express views that are critical of Islam because the person risks being accused of blasphemy as in the case of Mubarak Bala. And to blaspheme against Islam, Allah and the prophet, not other religions, other Gods and prophets is an offense that attracts the death penalty. Thus in Muslim dominated communities, there is no worthwhile space for an atheist. There is no place to live a dignified life as an infidel.
Simply put, in Muslim majority communities, the lives of atheists do not matter. It is only the lives of those who profess Islam and belief in Allah and Muhammad his messenger that count. It is only the lives of those who express views and beliefs that are compatible with Islam that have value. It is only the lives of Muslims that matter. The lives of non-Muslims and ex-Muslims do not count and do not matter. 

But this unfortunate situation must change.

As in the case of the Black Lives Matter, the little or no regard for the lives of atheists is linked to unjust structures and atheophobic facilities that exist and operate in Muslim communities. The Islamic establishment has allowed these iniquitous structures to fester and proliferate over the years. These institutions need to be reformed or dismantled. Quranic indoctrination and Madrassa school programs should be abolished or overhauled including Muslim clericalism because these are structures that orient Muslims at very early stages in life to accord no value to the lives of atheists and apostates. Islamic narratives and Quranic texts that vilify atheists and designate atheistic and Islam-critical views as contemptible should be critically examined. Passages in the Quran that sanction death for unbelievers or incite violence against atheists and critics of Islam need to be reviewed, revised or expunged. There is an urgent need to end the killing, persecution, and oppression of real or imagined atheists in Muslim communities. 
People who criticize Islam or the life and teaching of the prophet should be treated with dignity and respect. Criticism of Islam should not be a death sentence. Views that fault the life and legacy of the prophet should be met with civil, not violent reactions. Muslims should learn to tolerate dissenting opinions. They should learn to value the lives of those who renounce Islam, or those who question Islamic doctrines and beliefs. Muslims should realize that if they are to debate and dialogue with atheists; if they are to convince or eventually convert atheists, atheists must first be alive.

Thus there is no reason for the arrest and incarceration of Mubarak Bala for expressing an opinion about the prophet of Islam. There is no justification to kill or to threaten to murder him for making a Facebook post. Muslims who are unhappy with the posts should make counter posts on Facebook or Twitter. They should not issue death threats or ask that he be arrested and prosecuted for insulting religion. This intolerant, hateful, anti-life, and anti-atheist strand of Islam needs to discarded and abandoned. As a matter of urgency, Islam’s bloodletting machinery needs to be dismantled and disabled.

Muslim societies are long overdue for a reformation that guarantees equal rights for all persons including the rights to life and freedom of expression for all Muslims and non-Muslims, Muslims and ex-Muslims, Muslims, and atheists. The Ummah needs to embrace the idea that the lives of Muslims matter.  Lives need not be wasted in the quest to redress any real or imagined insult on Islam or the prophet. More importantly those who profess Islamic faith need to realize that the lives of atheists and ex-Muslims matter.

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A Federal High Court in Ekpoma, Edo State, has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party from excluding Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, from participating in its gubernatorial primary election.

After a suit filed by Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a PDP aspirant, a Federal High Court in Rivers State had restrained Obaseki from contesting Thurdays's primary on the grounds that he did not purchase the form within the stipulated time on the party's time table. 

However, in another suit brought before the high court in Edo, one Felix Irioh asked that Obaseki be allowed to contest the primary on the grounds that the PDP granted him a waiver, The Cable reports.

See Also Elections Court Stops Obaseki From Participating In Edo PDP Governorship Primary 0 Comments 22 Hours Ago

In his ruling, J. O. Okeaya-Inneh, the judge, said, "I find in my humble view that the applicants have satisfied the guidelines for the grant of the orders sought as enjoined in the celebrated landmark case of Kotoye v CBN (1989), 1 NWLR PT. 98, 419 at 441.

“The balance of convenience is in favour of the 1st and 2nd applicants and there is no undue delay in bringing this application. It is in that light that I find merit in this application.”

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Umar Tahir, aide to former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja how an ex-Minister of Labour, Taminu Turaki, released N200m out of N359m for a series of town hall meetings on security across the country in 2014.

Tahir, who was a Senior Special Assistant on Islamic Affairs, made the allegation before Justice Inyang Ekwo while testifying as the first prosecution witness in Turaki’s trial on money laundering charges involving about N854m.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on May 4 arraigned the former minister alongside his former Special Assistant, Sampson Okpetu, and two firms; Samtee Essentials Limited and Pasco Investment Limited, on 16 counts of money laundering charges. 

The EFCC alleged that the defendants used the companies to launder funds totaling about N845m stolen from the two ministries when the minister held sway under the then administration.

However, Turaki and Okpetu pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Testifying on Tuesday, Tahir disclosed that due to the shortage in the funds released, the programme that was planned to be organised in each of the 19 Northern states and six geo-political zones of the country could only be executed in the North-West zone, South-South zone, Abuja, Kaduna and Kano states, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

He told the court how he was invited by the former President on June 23, 2014, to discuss the security challenges posed by Boko Haram, fake speeches, amongst others in the country.  See Also Corruption EFCC Arraigns Former Minister, Tanimu Turaki, Aide, For Alleged N714.6m Fraud 0 Comments 1 Month Ago

The witness, who was led in evidence by EFCC’s counsel, Mohammed Abubakar, said part of the advice he offered Jonathan was to let his office organise “a sensitisation town hall meetings across the 19 states and the six geo-political zones which the Vice President and top members of the government would attend.”

He said he raised a memo on June 30, 2014, in which he enumerated how he planned the programme and indicated the need for funds to be released to organise it.

“But as a Senior Special Assistant to the President, I did not have ministerial accounts.

“So, I was asked to liaise with the Minister of Special Duties so that the money would be sent to him and he would then send it to me.

“The President in his minute on my memo gave his approval through the Vice President and my office.

“Therefore, on July 7, 2014, the approval was conveyed to my office and that of the Vice President,” he narrated.

Tahir said he subsequently held meetings with Turaki after, which he sent a budget of N359m for the programme to the minister on September 2, 2014.

“In January 2015, the President granted the approval that the Minister of Finance should release N359m for the programme,” he said.

The witness however, alleged that out of the N359m approved by the President, only N200m was released to him.

According to him, of the N200m, the sum of N150m was paid to me in three tranches of N50m each in January 2015 via an account he submitted to the minister.

He said he collected the balance of N50m in cash from the ex-minister’s aide.

He said it was when he was invited by the EFCC to shed light into the transactions that he was told that the total sum of N359m was released to the minister.

“I gave EFCC copies of the cheques I issued for the disbursement of the money released to me.

“I said it was only N200m that was released to me. They said the complete N359m was released to the minister but he only gave me N200m,” he added.

Justice Ekwo then adjourned until September 21 for the cross-examination of the witness.

Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Ekwo ordered the EFCC to produce its investigation reports in respect of the case and the statements of four of its proposed witnesses and have them served on the second defendant.

The judge gave the order following an application by the second defendant’s lawyer, A.K Ajibade, SAN. 
Abubakar did not oppose the application.

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A soldier of the Nigerian Army, Lance Corporal Martins, has been arrested after making a video blasting the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, and other security chiefs in the country.

The soldier was arrested on the orders of Buratai, sources revealed to SaharaReporters.

According to the source, the soldier was picked by senior military officers, who said they were acting based on an "order from above".  Lance Corporal Martins berated the security chiefs of Nigeria for deliberately not acting to stop the incessant killings of Nigerians by terrorists and armed bandits.

In the 12-minute video, the soldier expressed his anger at the security chiefs especially Buratai, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, for not being committed to end the incessant killings of Nigerians by terrorists and armed bandits. 

He revealed how the military ordered the illegal detention of some soldiers, who demanded better weapons and ammunition to combat Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country.

He stated that though he might be arrested and probably killed for the video, he is ready to sacrifice himself for the country.

Lance Corporal Blasts Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai, Over Incessant Killings In Nigeria WATCH FULL VIDEO: Lance Corporal Blasts Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai, Over Incessant Killings In Nigeria Free Speech Military Breaking News News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Nigerians stranded in South Africa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions are set to be evacuated back home at the cost of between $840 to $1350.

The cost of evacuation is despite the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation announcing on May 19 to use N1bn raised to pay for the evacuation of about 4,000 Nigerians abroad, who have indicated interest in returning home.

After coming under intense fire for cost of evacuation at the time, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said, “I got in touch with the Governor of the CBN and the GMD NNPC.  The CBN Governor very generously agreed.  The amount that I was talking about over a billion naira is needed because we have over 4, 000 Nigerians out there and even if 3,000 of them come back, the cost of accommodation, feeding and everything we don’t have it. So, the CBN and NNPC agreed to share the cost."

Despite this promise, the Nigerian Government has continued to charge citizens willing to be evacuated home.

200 Nigerians are expected to be evacuated from South Africa on Thursday aboard an Airpeace Airline flight, The Nation reports.  See Also PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19: Nigerian Government Bows To Pressure, To Pay Cost Of Citizens Evacuation —Foreign Affairs Ministry 0 Comments 1 Month Ago

Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Kabiru Bala, confirmed the evacuation, saying payments were being made by evacuees at the moment.

He said, “We are working towards the evacuation on Thursday. A max of 200. Payments are being made by the evacuees. There are outstanding logistics. We are however hopeful all arrangements will be on the uptick."

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The Victor Giadom-led National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress seems to have concluded plans to hold a National Executive Council meeting where the crisis rocking the party will be addressed.

SaharaReporters gathered that the meeting may be virtual and anchored from the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that governors elected under the platform of the party and relevant officer in the Presidency are consulting with the Giadom-led NWC towards a quick resolution of the problems confronting the party.  APC

Though the specific day the NEC meeting will hold could not be ascertained at the time of this report.

A group of protesters had on Monday stormed the secretariat of the party to demand the sack of current members of National Working Committee of the APC.

 

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Respected labour leader and activist, Ayodele Akele, is dead.

A close associate of the former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State wing, confirmed to SaharaReporters that Akele died on Tuesday morning after succumbing to an undisclosed illness.

The late Akele was a former Secretary-General of the National Conscience Party founded by late legal luminary, Gani Fawehinmi.

 

Rodents Invasion: Nigerian Government Can Lie Till Eternity - Ayodele Akele Rodents Invasion: Nigerian Government Can Lie Till Eternity - Ayodele Akele

 

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The flat where the revolutionary icon tired out his first steps is in Argentina's city of Rosario.

Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions without kicking a ball on Thursday as Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Manchester City ended the Reds’ 30-year wait to win the English title, a report by AFP said.

Jurgen Klopp’s men sealed a 19th league title for the club with a record seven games left to play after second placed City’s defeat left them 23 points adrift.

Liverpool had moved within two points of the title with a 4-0 demolition of Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday.

Their 28th win in 31 league games this season prompted Liverpool star Mohamed Salah to declare “now is our time to win the league” and 24 hours later his wish was granted.  Liverpool FC

Liverpool got the favour they wanted from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Willian’s 78th minute penalty, awarded for a handball by Fernandinho, ended City’s two-year reign as champions after Kevin De Bruyne had cancelled out Christian Pulisic’s opener.

Liverpool have clinched the title earlier than any other Premier League champions, breaking the previous record of five games left shared by City and Manchester United.

It has been an agonising wait for Liverpool fans across the world, with the coronavirus hiatus forcing them to put the champagne on ice after the Premier League was suspended in March with Klopp’s team two wins from the title.

The three-month delay was a final obstacle on Liverpool’s long road back to the pinnacle of English football.

Liverpool spent years in the shadow of arch-rivals Manchester United during the Alex Ferguson era before being left behind by the massive spending of Manchester City and Chelsea.

Then managed by Brendan Rodgers, they infamously squandered a golden opportunity to win the title in 2014 when Reds captain Steven Gerrard made his costly slip in a late-season defeat against Chelsea.

But Klopp’s team are deserved champions after an incredible campaign that could end in record-breaking style.

Liverpool, who are now one title behind Manchester United’s English record haul of 20, are on course to beat Manchester City’s record points total of 100 set in 2017/18.

Klopp’s men could smash the record for the biggest winning margin, set by City when they finished 19 points clear at the top in that same season.

They are also within touching distance of the most victories in a Premier League season — 32 by City in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

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Nigerian music star, Dapo Oyebanjo also known as D'Banj, was on Thursday interrogated by the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of rape leveled against him by Seyitan Babatayo.

According to a report by PUNCH, D’Banj was grilled by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adaku Anya, at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Garki, Abuja.

A statement was also taken from the musician, who insisted that he never raped his accuser.

A top police source said, “D’Banj has been questioned twice at the FCID, Abuja. He was questioned last week and also this week. We will leave no stone unturned as we investigate the matter.” 

It was learnt that Seyitan was also invited to write a statement but she stated that she had no means of travelling to Abuja and opted to visit a police unit in Lagos.

“Seyitan appealed with us that she had no means of travelling down to Abuja. So, she has been given the option of reporting at the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi,” the officer added.

Babatayo had revealed earlier in June that she was raped by the music star back in 2018.

D’Banj in his defense denied raping Babatayo and even demanded a public apology and N100m compensation.

The matter took another turn on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, when Babatayo was reportedly arrested by policemen from Sodipo Command, Ikeja.

Babatayo released a press statement on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, where she narrated all that transpired during her arrest.

In the statement, she revealed that she has officially filed a criminal complaint against the music star.

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The Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress has notified the Independent National Electoral Commission of its intention to hold a primary election to pick its governorship candidate for Ondo State.

In the first letter dated June 25 and addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the committee informed the commission of the dissolution of the APC National Working Committee and the composition of a National Caretaker Committee.

The letter was signed by Governor Mai Mala Buni and Secretary of the Committee, Senator John J. Akpanudoedehe.  APC National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Governor Buni.

Other members of the caretaker committee introduced to the commission are Isiaka Oyetola, governor of Osun from South-west, Ken Nnamani from South-east, Stella Okorete, representing women, Niger State governor, Sani Bello, from North-central, Dr James Lalu representing persons with special needs, Senator Abubakar Yusuf representing Senate, Akinyemi Olaide representing House of Representatives, David Lyon representing South-south, Abba Ari representing North-West, Prof Tahir Mamman representing North-East and Ismail Ahmed representing the youth.

“Please be informed that we have scheduled to hold our party’s primary election in respect of Ondo state on 20th July, 2020.  See Also Breaking News BREAKING: New APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Buni, Promises To Carry All Aggrieved Members Along 0 Comments 9 Hours Ago

“Kindly arrange the monitoring of the exercise accordingly. Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.”

In the heat of the party’s leadership crisis, the electoral commission had written the ruling party that its earlier communique informing it about its primary election in Ondo was invalid because it was written by only Waziri Bulama, former APC National Secretary.
 

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Prophet Alfa Babatunde, founder of Sotitobire Miracle Centre in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday said that he had 20 witnesses to testify for him in court over the case of a one year old boy named Gold Eniola Kolawole, who was declared missing in his church.

Babatunde and his co-defendants are standing trial on a three-count charge including conspiracy to aid and abet kidnapping, kidnapping and destroying evidence.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday at the High Court in Akure, the prophet was allowed to open his defence in the ongoing case in order to prove his innocence over the dissapearance of the boy. 

Olusola Oke, counsel to the defendant, who announced the number of witnesses on behalf of Babatunde, said they were all ready to testify in court for the defendants in the case. 

He explained that three of them (witnness) would go through cross examination on the first day of opening the defence.

Oke called the first witness, who is the prophet's wife, Bisola, before the court. 

During cross examination, the woman said her husband showed concern and also made effort to find the missing boy before he was arrested by the DSS. 

She added that the DSS came to search their home but found nothing incriminating that could link the prophet to the case of the missing boy in his church. 

According to her, one Adamu also sent some message to her husband's phone alleging that two prominent pastors paid him to kidnap the boy.

Bisola also added that she had always put her wards in the children department but the statement of the Head of Children Department, and third defendant, Margaret Oyebola, indicated otherwise. 

She noted that her husband never told her he suspected anybody of complicity in the case but a statement by the prophet tendered as exhibit indicated that he suspected the fourth defendant, Grace Ogunjobi, of a foul play over the dissapearance of the child.

Also, the second witness, a pastor in the same church, Mr Oluwasiji Olaniyi, claimed that they all prayed in the church overnight the day the boy went missing.

Oluwasiji added that the following day, Prophet Babatunde confronted the father of the missing child and accused him of knowing the whereabouts of his own son but his wife got angry.

Lead prosecutor and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Kolawole Olawoye, however, said the prosecution would not tolerate any attempt to waste the time of the court by the defendants with the number of witnesses lined up.

The judge later adjourned the case until next Monday for continuation. 

Prophet Babatunde and other defendants were later returned to the Nigeria Correctional Service Centre at Olokuta. 

 

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President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over the passing of a former governor of the state, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, on Thuraday.

Ajimobi, who has been on a life support machine since last Friday after slipping into coma as a result of Coronavirus complications, finally died on Thursday following weeks of trying to save his life by doctors.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, President Buhari hailed Ajimobi for his contributions to the development of the state and Nigeria in general. 

The statement reads, "The President commiserates with the family of the former governor, who served the country as a senator, 2003, before winning the governorship election in 2011, remaining steadfast and consistent in his progressive views, and working assiduously for the creation of the All Progressives Congress.

"As the party chieftain bows out, President Buhari believes he left the world at a crucial moment when the party and the country needed his counsel to heal and grow, noting that his absence will be sorely felt by all associates, particularly in the APC.

"The President prays that the Almighty God will comfort the family of the former governor and grant him a peaceful rest."

 

See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Ex-Oyo Governor, Ajimobi, Is Dead 0 Comments 7 Hours Ago

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At least 167 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa by the Nigerian Government.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, confirmed this in a series of tweets on Thursday. 

He said, “The evacuees who are returning onboard AirPeace, are to first arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport before proceeding to Lagos.

“45 passengers will disembark in Abuja, and thereafter the plane will leave for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos with 122 passengers.”

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The Transnational Support Initiative for Persons with Disability has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to provide job opportunities for persons living with disabilities in the N-power scheme.

TRANSPED in a statement signed by Timileyin Olonisaye said people living with disabilities in Nigeria have few opportunities and government must make delibrate efforts to address this.

The statement reads, "Majority of persons with disabilities in Nigeria today are deprived of vital human rights and opportunities as they live in abject poverty which has subjected them to lives on the street. A reasonable percentage of these PWD are holders of MSc, BSc and NCE certificate, but in Nigeria, hardly does this matter. 

"This disparaging and denigrating act is as a result of the ignorance by all to the nature and needs of PWDs, as well as how to enhance adequate provision for these needs. It has therefore forced many PWDs to isolate and withdraw themselves from the society while developing a low self-esteem among other socio-emotional problems. These anomalies have discouraged parents, friends and guardians from investing. in the education of young PWDs."

The group said the plan by government to disengage N-power beneficiaries will affect people living with disabilities who are a part of the scheme.

It added, "Now that the Federal Government has decided to disengage all N-power beneficiaries, a shadow has been cast on the survival of the PWDs who will be dis-empowered by their disengagement from the N-power program. Will this not lead them back to abject poverty at a time where jobs are not readily available to PWDs?"
 

Jobs News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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