IYANDA'SBLOG

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Rose Byrne plays a political shark and a feminist icon in two new productions about to hit the small screen.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
India's capital now has the country's highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases.

At least 10 Nigerian soldiers were killed on Saturday evening when Boko Haram terrorists struck in Damboa community in Borno State on Saturday evening.

The soldiers were on patrol when they were attacked and killed some metres from Damboa town.  Lt Malgwi

According to a resident of the community, who spoke with SaharaReporters, Lt Malgwi and nine of his soldiers were killed during the attack by the terrorists.

The incident has since sent panic across the area with residents said to be fleeing the community for fear of another attack by the insurgents.

Boko Haram Insurgency Military Terrorism Breaking News News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3eGQjBR

SaharaReporters has uncovered how police cells in Kaduna State are terribly congested with more than 300 suspects crammed into a single cell.

It was gathered that this was due to the inability of courts to sit following the Coronavirus outbreak.

Top security sources told SaharaReporters that the deplorable situation of police cells in the state had led to the deaths of many suspects in custody.  File Photo

It was also gathered that the overcrowding was as a result of police refusal to grant bail to suspects after the courts were shut by government.

Findings showed that some of the suspects were transferred from the Criminal Investigation Department while others were dumped into police cells after correctional centers refused to accept them over COVID-19 fears.

SaharaReporters gathered that some of the suspects are sick and in dire need of medical attention.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, said most suspects granted bail were sent back to police stations rather than correctional centres.

He narrated the miserable condition of the suspects in custody and how they were malnourished. 

The source also disclosed that the police had secretly buried many suspects, who died custody.

Saharareporters gathered that some concerned citizens have written to the Chief Registrar and Chief Judge of Kaduna State high court, Murtala Zubairu, to notify them about the pitiable situation of the suspects but they had refused to take any action on the matter.

Spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige, who spoke to our correspondent, confirmed the congestion of the police cells in the state.

He explained that most of the offences committed by the suspects were not bailable ones.

He added that the command was worried over the development and that something would be done to address the situation next week.

He said, " All the suspects there cannot be released. So, we charged them to court and the correctional centres are no longer accepting convicts into their facility. 

"The courts were left with the option to send the suspects back to police custody." 
 

Police PUBLIC HEALTH News Reports AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Vse3SF

The last few weeks will no doubt go down as some of the toughest in the political career of a former Lagos State governor and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Apart from watching the current crisis rocking the party swallow some of his henchmen and loyalists, the situation has also threatened his relevance in Nigeria's topmost political circle and also his purported plan to run for the country's presidency in 2023.

Even though he has continued to deny it, his desire to succeed Muhammadu Buhari as president three years from now when the former's uninspiring eight-year reign would have come to a halt, is very clear to many discerning minds.

In what can be regarded as a 'killer' punch to his political structure and 2023 presidential ambition, President Buhari and other APC leaders in a meeting on Thursday sacked the National Working Committee of the party previously headed by the now suspended ex-National Chairman of the group, Adams Oshiomhole.  Bola Tinubu

The former Edo State governor belongs to the Tinubu camp and with him and his NWC out of the way, the chances of the ex-Lagos governor succeeding Buhari became ever slimmer.

Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, was appointed by the APC leadership to head a Caretaker Committee that will oversee things and organise a convention later in the year to select new executives for the party.

With the reality of the latest development fully hitting him like a fiery tornado, Tinubu in order to save face and his acclaimed reputation as Nigeria's top political strategist on Saturday penned a letter to the entire APC 'family', calling for calm and most importantly distancing himself from the seat of the President in 2023 once again.

In the lengthy letter where he touched on many different issues, Tinubu said, "I wish to begin my remarks by commending members of the National Working Committee. Under their collective stewardship, the party earned great and important victories, not least the vital second mandate handed to President Buhari. 

"Yet, we must acknowledge that something important has gone off track. For some months we have experienced growing disagreement within the leadership of the party. This unfortunate competition had grown so intense as to impair the performance of the NWC, thus undermining the internal cohesion and discipline vital to success.

"Those most intimately involved in founding the party remain faithful to this benign, timely assignment. Sadly, many members have lost their balance. Their personal ambition apparently came to greatly outweigh the obvious national imperatives.

"The National Working Committee, itself, became riven by unnecessary conflict. Those who disagreed with one another stopped trying to find common ground. Attempts were made to use the power of executive authority to bury each other. I must be blunt here. This is the behaviour of a fight club not the culture of a progressive political party.

"Some members went against their chairman in a bid to forcefully oust him. In hindsight, his fence-mending attempts were perhaps too little too late. I believed and continue to believe that Comrade Oshiomhole tried his best. Mistakes were made and he must own them. Yet, we must remember also that he was an able and enthusiastic campaigner during the 2019 election. He is a man of considerable ability as are the rest of you who constituted the NWC.  

"President Buhari is much more than a mere beneficiary of the party. He is one of its founding fathers. The APC does not exist in its current form without his singular contributions. That is not opinion; it is undisputed fact.

"Given these antecedents, he cares about the condition of the party as any parent would care for its offspring. President Buhari has done what any parent in his position and with his authority would do. 

"The President has spoken and his decision has been accepted. 

"To those who have been actively bleating how the President’s actions and the NEC meeting have ended my purported 2023 ambitions, I seek your pity. I am but a mere mortal who does not enjoy the length of foresight or political wisdom you profess to have. Already, you have assigned colourful epitaphs to the 2023 death of an alleged political ambition that is not yet even born.

"At this extenuating moment with COVID-19, I have made no decision regarding 2023 for the concerns of this hour are momentous enough.

"Those who seek to cast themselves as political Nostradamus’ are free to so engage their energies. I trust the discerning public will give the views of such eager seers the scant weight such divinations warrant.

"Personally, I find greater merit trying to help in the present by offering policy ideas, both privately and publicly, where I think they might help. I will continue in this same mode for the immediate future. 2023 will answer its own questions in due time."

On Wednesday, SaharaReporters had reported how Tinubu's ambition to become Nigeria's President had practically crashed to the ground after President Buhari rejected Oshiomhole in favour of Victor Giadom.

Tinubu had strategically imposed his loyalist, Oshiomhole, a former labour movement leader in Nigeria, as APC Chairman hoping that he will pave the way for him to obtain the party's ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu had also convinced himself that by surrendering his loyalty to President Buhari and the Aso Villa cabal, he would be able to curry the favour of the Northern parts of Nigeria for his presidential ambition. 

SaharaReporters sources revealed that Plateau State governor, Simon Lalung, Governor of Jigawa State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State as well as Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, all belong to a common bloc that has sworn to embarrass and ridicule Tinubu's presidential ambition and bury it permanently. 

These politicians have teamed up with the Northern elite, who have the support of Buhari and control state resources and every other things needed to make things happen in favour of anyone. See Also Exclusive EXCLUSIVE: APC Leader, Bola Tinubu's Presidential Ambition Crumbles, Unable To Visit Aso Villa As President Buhari Recognises Victor Giadom As Party's Acting National Chairman 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

Sources further disclosed that the development of recent days and Tinubu's inability to secure audience with President Buhari have combined with many other imparatives to threaten the political relevance of the ex-Lagos governor and push him out of reckoning even before 2023.

See Also Exclusive EXCLUSIVE: Bola Tinubu's Son, Alakija's Children, Belo-Osagie’s Daughter, Late Akhigbe's Family And Other Erring Nigerians Who Defied COVID-19 Lockdown Order To Travel Abroad 0 Comments 3 Days Ago

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2T5LlUW

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has confirmed that another member of his cabinet has tested positive for COVID-19.

Makinde, who made the announcement via his verified Twitter account, added that 169 patients have also been discharged.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that three members of the state cabinet including the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Seun Fakorede, tested positive for the virus. 

“169 confirmed COVID-19 cases received their second negative test results and have been discharged. This brings the number of discharged cases in Oyo State to 508.

“Also, the COVID-19 confirmation tests for seventy-six suspected cases came back positive. The cases are from Ibadan South-West (35), Oluyole (12), Ibadan North (12), Egbeda (4), Ibadan North-West (3), Lagelu (2), Ibadan South-East (2), Ibadan North East (2), Akinyele (1), Saki West (1), Ona Ara (1) and Ido (1) local government areas. So, the total number of confirmed cases in Oyo State today is 1264.

“Of the two inconclusive results for members of the Oyo State Executive Council, one retest came back positive.”

 

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3aVkMdA

Peter Okoye better known by his music name Mr P, has revealed that he and his family members tested positive for Coronavirus.

The Nigerian musician confirmed this in a series of videos posted via his verified Twitter page on Saturday.

He added that two of his domestic staff also contracted the virus.
He said, “For the past three weeks, I have been ill and most people didn’t even know what was wrong with me. I kept it to myself. It has been three weeks of hell for me and my family. 

“I had COVID-19 for about three weeks and it happened to me. I was sick and I tested positive.

“It’s been hell for this family in this house. Not just me. Even two of my domestic staff.

“After a week, my daughter caught the virus as well. It was sad that when she caught it, the doctor insisted that she has to be self-isolated in her own room but my wife did something very courageous. She said no.

“I was sick and I was being self-isolated in my guest room. I couldn’t even see my sick daughter and I was feeling so bad. I felt so bad because I felt that I am the one who actually brought the virus to the house. It was so bad that I had to be calling her on video, checking on her.

“The next day, my wife did something very courageous. She picked our daughter from her room, held her and took her to the master bedroom and she called me and she started crying. I asked her what happened and she said I cannot live this girl alone. I would rather be infected and be with her.”
Peter urged all his fans to stay safe and adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.
 

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2NxNDun

Pastor Abraham Daniel, a former member of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has revealed how Pastor Paul Eneche, founder and Senior Pastor of the church, falsely accused him and had him imprisoned on trumped up charges.

Daniel said Eneche and other pastors were angry at him for leaving the church while also claiming that he (Daniel) publicly criticised Eneche in his Facebook posts that revealed the activities of the church.

Revealing his ordeal to SaharaReporters, Daniel said while he was in prison he lost his business while his wife also moved away with their five children on the influence of the church.  Pastor Paul Eneche,

According to Daniel, after resigning from his position as a pastor, he was accused of embezzling the church's funds through a post sponsored by the church on Nairaland, a micro-blogging site and other news platform.

He was thereafter accused of posting about Eneche on Facebook, which led to his detention for three weeks at the Suleja Prison, Abuja.

He said, "I was ordained as a pastor in 2010. In 2014, I was posted to New Karu as the residence pastor.

"While I was there, we started a school. I wanted a school that would be almost free for church members but an instruction came from the headquarters that I should not run the school freely, so I had to stop the whole plan.

"I wrote on my Facebook post telling churches in Nigeria to encourage members' development and also help members. 

"I also wrote that Christians now celebrate pastors instead of focusing on Jesus and the teachings of the Bible.

"I later lost interest in the church, wrote a letter of resignation, it was accepted and I left.

"The pastor (Eneche) called me and was insulting me because I left the church. He sent his pastors to start calling my wife to pester me to return to the church.

"This put my family in disarray as my wife pestered me until I closed the ministry and ensured I returned to Dunamis Church.

"I left again then suddenly things went rogue.

"A number called me that he needed my Uber service and we met unknowingly to me that they were police.

"They took me to Karu Police Station saying that they arrested me because of what I wrote against Pastor Eneche."

He added that he was moved to another police station in Abuja and the church insisted that he must be taken to court.

He was eventually charged to court and remanded in prison pending his bail application.

He also said that the church made false allegations while testifying in court, which made the judge send him to prison before he was granted another bail.

He added, "I was detained from Friday until Monday and when they noticed that the DPO of New Karu Police Station was not cooperating with them, they took me from there to Kubwa Area Command.

"They pressed the DPO to charge me to court, was remanded at Suleja Prison and after I was bailed, I went to beg him to withdraw the matter.

"Again, at another court hearing, they lied to the judge that I was still writing about the church and the judge ordered that I should be returned to prison. I spent three weeks at Suleja Prison before I was eventually released.

"While I was in prison, I lost my job and my family, and was released during the Coronavirus lockdown with nothing to fend for myself."

He stated that the church was bent on having him sentenced by the court for daring to leave Dunamis Centre and starting his own church.

He urged the court to strike out the case, saying it was baseless and premised on false allegations against his person.

The church refused to comment on the matter when contacted by SaharaReporters.

Head of Administrative (Central), Mr Victor Stephen, said the church would not make any comment unless an handwritten letter was sent to its headquarters in Abuja.

Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3eQW2EY

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.

CRIME Sex News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Zv5BpL

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

Insurgency News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2HFQ7nX

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

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Z1DF9U

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.

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2CH9Kdl

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.”

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3dhzVX1

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.

Corruption Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/37TWqQF

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 : 
https://ift.tt/37X25Wg

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."

Money PUBLIC HEALTH Travel News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2VfukdA

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.

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/31bOCIC

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
US reports say a Russian intelligence unit offered rewards for killing US and allied troops.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
The president's campaign could face legal action if it ignores "cease and desist directives".

Governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party has responded to a claim by Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, that 10 of them were preparing to decamp to the All Progressives Congress.

In a statement by Director-General of PDP Governors Forum, C.I.D. Maduabum, on Saturday, the state executives cautioned Bello to concentrate on delivering good governance to the people of Kogi.

The PDP governors said, “This statement does not merit any response but for the fact that it may demoralise PDP members and Nigerians who are not aware of the facts. 

“It is obvious that this is a diversionary tactic to shore up the sagging morale of APC members who are mourning the loss of yet another state governor, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to the PDP, as a result of the chaos and anarchy currently existing in the APC, following the mismanagement of their affairs as acknowledged even by Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

“The PDP governors are very focused on delivering good governance and the benefits of democracy to their respective states and working tirelessly to strengthen and reposition the party.

“There is no attraction whatsoever for any PDP member not to talk of a PDP governor to join the APC, a party bedeviled by crises, without even an elected leadership as envisaged by Section 223 of the 1999 constitution that specifically requires the executive committee of every political party in Nigeria to be democratically elected."

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3bT5DsY

Some traders at Gowon Estate in Lagos State are still counting their loses following a fierce fire that razed 11 shops on 401 Road in the early hours of Saturday.

Although no life was lost, the fire destroyed goods and other properties worth millions of naira. 

It was gathered that officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, LASEMA Response Fire and Rescue Unit (LRU Fire) and the Federal Fire Service battled to put out the fire and prevented it from spreading to other shops. 

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained as at the time of this report.

Markets News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2YBCw9S

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Florida and Texas reverse moves to reopen business as total cases across the US are set to hit 2.5m.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Yemen's humanitarian crisis is worsening as coronavirus compounds the impact of the conflict.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Some of the stories you may have missed this week.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
As cases soar in India's capital, its chief minister warns of health care shortages and more deaths.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Narriearra station is the largest purchase of private land for conservation in New South Wales history.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Just three other well-preserved vessels from the period have been discovered in the Scandinavian country.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Milton Glaser also created a famous poster of Bob Dylan and co-founded New York magazine.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
The two men died after allegedly being tortured in police custody, raising calls for justice.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Should I stay or should I go is the top question for many Polish people in the UK, says one charity.