Amibo News: June 2015

Friday, 5 June 2015

Former Speaker urges newly inaugurated house to support Fayose

The immediate past Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Dele Olugbemi, on Friday urged the newly inaugurated legislators to support the administration of Gov. Ayo Fayose to bring about meaningful development.

Olugbemi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti.

He urged the legislators to cooperate with the Executive to ensure the delivery of more dividends of democracy to the people.

Unemployed man docked in Badagry over alleged theft of coke valued at N1,000

Badagry (Lagos State), June 5, 2015 (NAN) A 22-year-old unemployed, Stanley Amoebi, was on Friday charged before a Badagry Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos State for allegedly stealing a pack of coke valued at N1,000.

The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a charge of stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 1 at about 6.00 p.m. at Ajara Shopping Complex in Badagry.
Uko noted that the accused stole a pack of coke from the complainant, Mrs Senami Hungbo, at her shop.

INTERPOL issues Red Notices for former FIFA officials, corporate executives

International police organisation INTERPOL has issued Red Notices, or international wanted persons.

The alert is for two former officials of world soccer's governing body, FIFA, and four corporate executives for charges including racketeering conspiracy and corruption.

According to an INTERPOL statement made available to PANA on Thursday in Lyon, France, the alerts were issued at the request of the U.S., authorities.

Those involved include Jack Warner, a Trinidad & Tobago national, former FIFA vice-president and executive committee member and President of the Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)

Father sells son for N650,000 in Owerri

A father has sold his two-year-old son for N650,000 to a woman in desperate need of a male child. Kanayo Awurum; the woman, Cecilia Nwatu and two others are being held by the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over the sale of Chukwunonyelum. Nwatu said she changed the boy’s name to Tochukwu after buying him.

Gov El-Rufa’i to establish Peace and Reconciliation Commission

Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, on Thursday, said plans were underway to establish a peace and reconciliation commission in the state.

El-Rufa’i said this when the Northern Christian Elders paid him a courtesy visit at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna.

He said the move was to further improve peaceful co-existence in the state.

The governor said his administration would take serious disciplinary measures against anyone or group found attacking one another on the basis of religion or ethnic differences.

He added that ``we all serve one God but in different ways, therefore there is no need to fight each other over what you don't have control of.’’

Congo arrests 32 suspected rebels for attacking airport

Congolese police on Thursday said they have arrested 32 people on charges of attacking the international airport in Goma, capital of north-eastern North Kivu province.

Fighters belonging to a new rebel group headed by a former regional politician, Celestin Malonga, were pushed back on Monday by the army and members of the presidential guard who were based at the airport.

However, one rebel and four members of the presidential guard were killed.

3 die in Patigi as herdsmen, villagers clash -- Police

The police command in Kwara on Thursday confirmed that three villagers were killed in Matokun village, Patigi Local Government in a clash between Fulani herdsmen and dwellers of the village.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

He said the command had dispatched some policemen to Patigi to maintain the peace.

Cleric advises gay persons to seek medical, spiritual intervention

Lagos, June 5, 2015 (NAN) Msgr. Francis Ogunmodede, the Episcopal Vicar/Dean, Lekki Region of the Catholic Arch Diocese of Lagos, has advised gay persons in Nigeria to seek spiritual and medical help against their condition.

Ogunmodede gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

The said that being gay was a combination of psychological and medical abnormality that needed treatment because God destroyed gay nations in the Holy Bible.

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Nigeria, Chad renew commitment to collaborate against Boko Haram

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chadian counterpart, President Idriss Deby, on Thursday in N’Djamena, Chad, reaffirmed the commitment of their countries to greater cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram.

This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of President Buhari's one-day official visit to Chad.

In it, both leaders agreed on the need to quickly make the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) fully operational, to effectively combat terrorism in the North-East, Nigeria and "everywhere" that Boko Haram operates.

Amnesty report aims to blackmail Nigerian Military - Olukolade.

Abuja, June 3, 2015 (NAN) The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja said the report by Amnesty International that accused some senior Nigerian military officers, serving and retired, of war crimes, was intended to blackmail the Nigerian Military.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade.

Olukolade said the Defence Headquarters had noted with dismay the gruesome allegations made by the Amnesty International against some senior military officers, serving and retired, of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He said it was unfortunate that all efforts made in the allegation were geared toward continuation of blackmail against the military hierarchy.

Man commits suicide in Umuahia after stabbing own mother

A 27-year-old man, Tobechukwu Ogbonna, on Tuesday night set himself ablaze after reportedly stabbing his mother severally at their family house located at No 12 Bonny St.in Umuahia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learned that the incident happened at about 11 p.m. following an argument that ensued between Tobechukwu and his mother, Mrs Linda Ogbonna.

Eye-witness account said that the argument started when the woman refused to oblige Tobechukwu's request for money.

‘’His mother might have refused to give him money because he would end up using it to take drugs,’’ a tenant alleged on the condition of anonymity.

The tenant said that Tobechukwu, who was notorious for drugs-taking, might have acted under its influence.

22-year-old man remanded over alleged armed robbery in Ogun

Sango-Ota (Ogun), June 3, 2015 (NAN) An Ota Magistrates' Court in Ogun on Wednesday remanded a 22-year-old man, Dipo Jimoh, in prison custody over alleged armed robbery.

The accused, whose address is unknown, is being tried for a two–count charge of armed robbery and conspiracy.

The Magistrate, Miss Temitope Adebutu, ordered that the accused should be remanded in Oba Prisons in Abeokuta pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Suspected bandits snatch 40 commercial motorcycles in Jigawa in 5 months -- Union official

Dutse, June 3, 2015 (NAN) Suspected bandits snatched no fewer than 40 commercial motorcycles from their owners in Dutse, the Jigawa capital, between January and May 2015, according to union chairman.

Malam Rabiu Ali, the Chairman of the Commercial Motorcyclists Association, Dutse Local Government, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Dutse.

He said the motorcycles were snatched from different commercial motorcyclists by persons suspected to be bandits operating in the area.

He added that the suspected bandits applied various tricks to snatch the motorcycles from their unsuspecting victims.

Abuja, June 3, 2015 (NAN) Senate President, David Mark, in Abuja on Wednesday, said he joined politics in order to serve God and humanity.

Mark said this at a thanksgiving service organised in his honour by Christian Legislators Fellowship International, National Assembly.

He added that through the prayers of the people, God saw him through the years and ascribed his achievements from the military era to the present dispensation to God’s grace.

He recalled that the Senate had five presidents between 1999 and 2007 but he remained president for a period of eight years, from 2007 to 2015.

He said ``I joined politics to serve not only humanity but to serve God; I chose to be a team player in order to carry the senators along and I call each of the senators my boss.

Sepp Blatter: Resignation speech

I have been reflecting deeply about my presidency and about the forty years in which my life has been inextricably bound to FIFA and the great sport of football. I cherish FIFA more than anything and I want to do only what is best for FIFA and for football. I felt compelled to stand for re-election, as I believed that this was the best thing for the organisation.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter's 2011 remarks on racism in football -- that on-pitch abuse can be solved with a handshake -- were just one of a series of controversial quotes to be attributed to the head of world soccer.

That election is over but FIFA’s challenges are not. FIFA needs a profound overhaul. While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football – the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA. Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective Congress.

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has disclosed that he inherited an empty treasury from the administration of Gabriel Suswam.

Ortom made this disclosure on Tuesday in Makurdi while swearing-in the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Head of Service (HOS), Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Media and Information Communication and Technology.
They are Targuma Takema SSG, Terwase Orbunde, Chief of Staff, Adaikwu Inwata as HOS and Mr Tahav Agerzua, Special Adviser, Media and Information Communication Technology.
He said that he inherited an empty treasurer but was yet to ascertain the debt profile of the state considering the huge salary arrears, allowances, pensions, retirement benefits, bonds as well as other obligations to contractors.
"As I said during my inaugural speech, I will carefully study the handover notes and cross check it with the true situation on ground and inform the public accordingly.
"As we speak, the state treasury is empty, there is nothing in the treasury; I am not witch hunting anybody but the truth must be told.

Cairo, June 2, 2015, (Reuters/NAN) An Egyptian court postponed on Tuesday issuing a final ruling over a death sentence recommendation for former Islamist President, Mohamed Morsi, and other top Muslim Brotherhood leaders.

The judge said the case, which was related to a 2011 jail break, was postponed to June 16.

The court last month sought the death penalty for Morsi after he and his fellow defendants, including top Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie, were convicted for killing and kidnapping policemen.

EFCC withdraws N2bn fraud case against ex-Gov Sylva

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has withdrawn withdrew the six-count charge of fraud against former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva.
According to the EFCC, the withdrawal which was done on Monday is to allow the commission merge the charges against the former governor, pending before two Federal High Courts in Abuja.

Businessman re-arraigned for allegedly importing fake drugs

A businessman, Emeka Obi, who allegedly concealed fake drugs in an imported 40-ft container, was on Tuesday re-arraigned at a Federal High Court, Lagos.

Obi is standing trial on a four-count amended charge bordering on importation of fake drugs.

Obi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

But the Prosecutor, Mr Umar Shamaki, said that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 1, 2014 at D55 Oyo Plaza, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.

Shamaki said the accused concealed some imported fake drugs in a container.

`` The fake drugs were unregistered and the products had no label or name and address of manufacturer,’’ he said.

He told the court that the container came into the country through SDV/SCOA Terminal in Lagos.

Impeachment threat: Fayose supporters resort to prayers, keep vigil

The impeachment threat against Gov Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State by the 19 APC lawmakers took a new dimension on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some supporters of the governor ignored the early morning downpour in Ado-Ekiti and positioned themselves at strategic locations leading to the premises of the state House of Assembly complex in a bid to protect their mandate.

Police arraign 5 suspected cult members over alleged public disorder

The police in Lagos on Tuesday docked five men at the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly belonging to a secret cult and causing mayhem in public.

The accused: Ibrahim Lateef, 25; Adebiyi Dauda, 30; Samuel Johnson,33; Deji Ayola,25 and Femi Olagoke,26, are each facing charges bordering on the breach of the peace and belonging to a secret cult.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Benedict Aigbokhim, said that the accused committed the offences on May 26 at about 12:20 a.m., at Ogunoluwa Street in Bariga area of Lagos State.

Aigbokhim said that the accused were also suspected members of a cult popularly known as ``O-Strong``.

Power supply: Safety engineers urge FG to engage certified professionals

The American Society of Safety Engineers, Nigeria Chapter (ASSE-NC), on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to ensure only certified professionals were engaged in the power sector.

The association’s President, Mr Kamildeen Abiodun, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that quacks could also cause the epileptic power supply currently experienced in the country.

Abiodun said there should be holistic overhaul of the sector if the President's plan to improve power supply within a while was realistic.

Abiodun said there were associated risks inherent in providing steady power supply if substandard technicians and electrical fittings were installed in a plant.

40-yr-old farmer docked for alleged rape in Katsina

Katsina, June 2, 2015 (NAN) A 40-year-old farmer, Adamu Musa, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Katsina for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl.

Musa, who resides at Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina, appeared before Senior Magistrate Nafisa Bagiwa on a one-count charge of rape.

The police First Information Report (FIR) said that the accused committed the offence on May 5 at about 4.30 p.m.

U.S. woman on trial over fortune-telling

Harrisburg (U.S.) , June 2, 2015 (Reuters/NAN) A Pennsylvania woman went on trial on Monday for the rarely prosecuted offence of fortune-telling.

She was accused of persuading a client she could lift a cloud of "spells and curses" in exchange for payments that likely reached thousands of dollars.

April Uwanawich, 38, of Philadelphia faces 55 counts of fortune telling, theft by unlawful taking and theft by deception in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
According to police complaint she was accused of approaching Jennifer Gardiner in 2009 at a convenience store, where she identified herself as a fortune teller saying she could rid Gardiner of her "dark cloud,"

Agbeja then appealed to the president to work closely with the Federal Executive Council, the National Assembly and the Judiciary, to strengthen the anti-graft war in the nation.

Mr Francis Agbeja, the Director, Daffresh Freight Services Limited in the UK has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle insurgency and corruption to sustain peace in Nigeria.

The director, who gave the advice during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also called on the new administration to strive to defend the country’s integrity.
He said that ``according to a recent World Bank statistics, youth unemployment rate is 38 per cent; realistically however, at least 80 per cent of Nigerian youths are unemployed.