Judge's absence halts Fayose's fraud trial

The money laundering trial of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, was on Monday, stalled before a Federal High Court in Lagos as the trial court did not sit.

The trial, which was fixed for continuation on Monday, could not proceed as the trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, was said to be attending a conference.

A new date will now be agreed on by the parties in due course.

Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering charges.

He was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd., on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on October 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.

The defendant was, however, subsequently, re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following the EFCC’s petition.

He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted, while the case was adjourned for trial.

The commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke and is still leading witnesses in evidence.

In December 2021, the EFCC had called its 11th witness, one Mrs Joanne Tolulope, who had narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Fayose, bought properties worth several millions of naira.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that during the trial before Justice Olatoregun, the prosecution had called witnesses, from several commercial banks, as well as a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.

He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million, which sum, he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Limited and Still Earth Limited to retain the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Besides, the defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

He was also alleged to have used N200 million to acquire a property in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, in the name of a family member.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

Source: NAN

2023: Kwankwaso rules out possibility of LP winning election

The presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, has said that the Labour Party, LP, cannot win any election given the present realities in Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, a former Kano State Governor, totally ruled out the possibility of the LP winning the presidential election in 2023. 

The NNPP presidential candidate, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, and monitored by Primerosenews, Kwankwaso said, “I believe it is in the interest of the Labour Party and the NNPP, and even in the interest of this country, because LP, as it stands today, certainly cannot win an election.

Yes! It cannot win an election. 

“Because mainly, the support is mainly in a particular zone and not spread, and the figures there cannot earn anybody a presidential seat in this country,” Kwankwaso submitted.

REMINISCENCE: How Obasanjo removed me as PDP chairman - Ogbeh

Because I challenged President Olusegun Obasanjo on some of his policies, all of a sudden, he rushed down to my house unannounced, requested for pounded yam. 

He came with all the fully armed security agents you can think of. My family was in serious panicking mood. 

After the meal, he washed his hands and brought out a letter asking me to read and sign. 

As I was reading, I saw it was my Resignation Letter as the PDP Chairman written by Obasanjo himself, a drop of water fell from my eyes, as I looked up, the security guards moved closer, I requested to go inside and get a pen, Obasanjo instantly brought out a pen from his pocket, 'this is pen sign it immediately". 

I signed and he told me 'Chairman, you know that for what you said today, you shouldn't be my Chairman again..."

I remained dumb until he left. 

Thirty minutes after, he came again, I thought they wanted to kill me, I went to meet him outside, he brought out the letter and said 'you didn't put date there, oya write today's date below your signature'. I did and he left. 

It was a traumatic night for me and my family."

- Audu Ogbe

Courtesy of African History

Man burns wife to death in Ogun

A man identified as Ponle Adebanjo has allegedly burnt his estranged wife to death after she left him over domestic violence.

The victim identified as Lateefat was reportedly burnt to death on Saturday in the Otun-Akute area of Ogun State by her estranged husband.

Confirming the incident to newsmen on Sunday, the Police Public Relation Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi noted that the husband had been arrested since Saturday after the neighbours of the victim reported the incident. 

The statement read, “The suspect was arrested on Saturday after concerned neighbours reported the incident to the police at the Otun-Akute division.

“The estranged husband, Ponle, was reported to have told many people in the area that the wife had no right to live alone and vowed that no other man would be with her, after she left him due to physical abuse.

“The couple was  married for three years and resided in Otun-’Akute, until the woman, Lateefat, decided to leave him when she could no longer cope with the abuse.

“Mr Ponle was said to have gone to the residence of his ex-wife and threatened to kill her if she did not return to his house.

“Their neighbours explained that the man was fond of beating the woman, at times almost to a point of death. Their fights were said to have become a community matter as the woman was hospitalised on many occasions until she decided to pack out of his house, a month ago when she rented an apartment on the same street.

“Mr Ponle was said to have stalked the deceased’s movement to carry out his assault despite her avoiding him on many occasions and on Thursday last week, he went to her house and threatened to burn her alive but she managed to run away.

“Mr. Ponle went back to the victim’s house on Saturday night and met her praying. He poured petrol on her in the room and set her ablaze but the woman managed to grab him to ensure they burned together until people intervened. They were rushed to a nearby hospital where the woman was confirmed dead.”

The PPRO further said the suspect had confessed and would be charged to court.

“The suspect was handed over to the police and has confessed to the crime. He will be charged to court once he has recovered from his wounds.”

Gunmen shot two, abduct village head's wife in Plateau state

It was a horror Sunday as no fewer than two persons including Baba Yarima Jabi, the village head of Angwn Baraya in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, shot dead when gunmen attacked the community in the early hours of Sunday .

It was learnt that while the village head was rushed to a nearby hospital in the council area, his son ,Chamsan, who was also shot by the gunmen during the attack died on the spot .

A resident of the village, Ilya Samson, who confirmed the attack to The PUNCH in Jos on Sunday said that after shooting the victims, the gunmen abducted the wife of the village head and fled into the bush.

Samson said “Our community in Pyam chiefdom, Mangu LGA, has once again been hit with another tragedy as heavily armed killer bandits last night attacked the residence of Elder statesman and leader of Angwan Baraya village, Jannaret Ward, Gindiri District, Baba Yarima Jabil.

“The gunmen opened a barrage of gunfire at his residence around midnight and shot the community leader.

“After the attackers finished their operations unchallenged, he was rushed to a hospital in the locality but his son, Chamsan, who was in his late 30’s wasn’t lucky enough to survive the bullets that hit him as he died instantly.

“The bandits also took away two women including the wife of the community leader and there has been no trace of her whereabouts at the moment.

“As I’m talking to you , we are on our way to bury the son who was killed during the attack which has thrown the community into mourning.

“Some security men came to the village after the gunmen had left and I’m sure this kind of thing would not be happening if we have a government that cares and that is why as a community ,we are calling on other Nigerians to consider the current insecurity in many parts of the country and ensure that they elect the right leaders in government during the 2023 elections.”

The spokesman for the Plateau state Police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached when contacted on the attack as his mobile phone was switched off as at the time of filing this report.

2023: Fayose throws weight behind Southern Presidency, receives Ekiti governor-elect

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, former Governor of Ekiti State and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayodele Fayose, has insisted that power must return to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure next year.

Fayose disclosed this on Wednesday through his verified Twitter handle @GovAyoFayose, accused the leadership of his party of jettisoning the PDP constitution on zoning with the emergence of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

He added  that he would do everything possible to ensure that southern president is emerged in 2023.

According to him, “The PDP Constitution provides for a rotational Presidency. Section 3(c) provides that the Party shall pursue its aims and objectives by “adhering to the policy of the rotation and zoning of Party and Public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness.

“The current President of Nigeria is a two-term Northern Presidency, thus implying that it MUST be a Southern Presidency in 2023 or NOTHING. Awa ‘South’ lo kan’. Nigerians should await details soon,” he stated.

The former governor's remarks came few days after meeting in Port Harcourt with Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, who he reportedly backed during the PDP’S presidential primary.

It was gathered from a reliable source that Fayose who had in the past denied any form of alliance with the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, might eventually work for the former Lagos governor during next year’s poll.

The source said, “It is obvious there is a crisis in the PDP, especially after the presidential nominations and it appears that these leaders especially from the South are having a new plan outside the PDP. So, what is happening like a rumour over the years is likely to become reality as it relates with Fayose and Tinubu. Let me stop here as events unfold in the coming weeks.”

Meanwhile, barely eleven days after he was declared winner of the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos residence of the former governor of the State.

The media assistant to Oyebanji, Raheem Akingbolu, in a statement said the visit was sequel to the congratulatory messages sent to Oyebanji by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the June 18 election, Chief Bisi Kolawole, Ekiti State chapter of PDP and Ex-Governor Fayose respectively, hailing the outcome of the election, won by the APC candidate.

Oyebanji said the visit was to extend courtesies to Fayose as a former governor of the state, who, according to him, demonstrated statesmanship by congratulating him shortly after he was declared winner of the June 18 election.

Former Governor Fayose, while receiving the Governor-elect, urged him to be magnanimous in victory and to see himself as the Governor of Ekiti State and leader of the people regardless of their political affiliation.

He promised to support Oyebanji’s administration in whatever area his support would be needed, adding that, “the development of Ekiti State is a collective effort.”

Mixed reactions trail Yoruba actors' endorsement of Tinubu

Knocks, praises have trailed Wednesday open endorsement of former Lagos state governor and presidential aspirant of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Nigerian social media users were divided following the open endorsement of All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, by the Yoruba Nollywood actors.

While some backed the choice of the actors, others claimed that the same set of thespians was among those who allegedly foist the President Muhammadu Buhari and attendant maladministration on Nigeria in 2015 and 2019.

The thespians noted that their support for the APC national leader had become imperative following his support for the movie industry, practitioners, and the ex-governor’s influence across the country.

The actors made their position known in a video clip shared by a veteran actor, Yinka Quadri, where some of his colleagues took turns to endorse Tinubu’s candidacy.

Those featured in the video clip include Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Fausat Balogun, Taiwo Hassan, Femi Adebayo, Shola Kosoko, Faithia Williams, Saheed Balogun, Murphy Afolabi, and Eniola Ajao among others.

But reacting to the endorsement, Nigerians on Twitter expressed concern over the Yoruba actors’ support for Tinubu at a time when the country allegedly needed a fresh hand with ideas as a leader.

@Theabiolasteven wrote, “The persons’ morality and integrity are to be questioned in the first place. Nollywood Yoruba as always been a hall of shame since time beyond, hungry sets of men and women. If the women are not Mc Oluomo short time knacks then the men are stomach infrastructure wobiyas.”

@Ifeadigoh also wrote, “Tinubu supporters have a tribalistic strategy that focuses on provoking the people from South East. They do this to get a reaction from the South Easterners which they would use to prove that South Easterners don’t like Yoruba. Divide and Conquer!”

@_Samcleave said, “You cannot watch Nollywood Yoruba, see how 95% of their products are senseless, and still think those that own that industry has any cognition to influence your electoral choices.”

@Letter_to_Jack wrote, “The only place canceling can get to Yoruba actors is IG Live and no one who’s dedicated to watching live videos of celebrities fanning vawulence will ever cancel them for any reason. They are out of reach on this one.

@PoojaMedia tweeted, “Okey Bakassi/Psquare endorse Peter Obi = They know the right it, it’s their right. Yoruba actors endorse Tinubu = They are canceled, why only Yoruba, tribal people. Focus on your candidate cos there will still be endorsements from your fav celebrities for their candidates.”

@ManLikeIcey wrote, “Psquare are free to support Peter Obi, it’s their right. Yoruba actors/actresses are free to support Tinubu, it’s their right. You’re equally allowed to support your preferred candidate, it’s your right. Don’t bully people for their constitutional right.

@AsiwajuOladimej said, “P Square campaigned for Obi. Obidients: Yes, this is good. They are Patriots. They are Democrats blah blah blah. Yoruba Actors campaigned for BAT. Obidients: They are bigots. They are tribalistic. They’ve been paid. Hypocrisy 101!”

@Taiwoalabiho2 – “A group of Yoruba actors made a jingle for BAT and you started ranting. Psquare, Phyno, Flavour and a number of South-South & South-Eastern celebrities are rallying support for Peter Obi, so what’s the problem? We cannot move forward with these double standards.”

@Wizarab10 – “Why are you insulting them? You don’t know what BAT has done for them or the Yoruba movie industry. Many of you don’t watch Yoruba movies anyway. Support your own, let them support their own. It is not affecting you.”

@IsoloShoemaker – “P-Square and others can support Peter Obi, but it becomes a sin when Yoruba actors campaign for Tinubu. Look at yourself and say to yourself “I am stupid”.”

@ThisIsAdemuyiwa – “What kinda campaign is this for goodness sake? You have attacked muslims cos Tinubu is a Muslim. You are now attacking Yorubas as if blackmailing and insults are the only available strategies. Sad to see the supposedly educated Nigerians UNLOOKING. It will be LABOUR IN VAIN!”

@lollylarry1 – “Why are u people angry about Yoruba Nollywood actors declaring support 4 Tinubu? You are claiming they got paid, so tell me, how much was Psquare paid 4 endorsing & campaigning 4 Peter Obi? You ppl hav not seen anything, by d time Ohaneze declare support 4 Tinubu, you’ll be shocked.”

@Ifeadigoh – “Tinubu supporters have been attacking Psquare for supporting Peter Obi, it didn’t work, they resort to blackmailing some Yoruba artistes with “Igbo artistes are supporting their own” How do you expect them to support a corrupt, selfish and thief like Tinubu? They get sense ni!”

29TH JUNE IN NIGERIAN HISTORY: Negotiations resumes between Lagos State Government and striking workers over minimum wage

In year 2000, many state governments refused to pay the Federal government recommended minimum wage leading to many industrial actions. 

The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) on the strikes by labour and actions of State Governors in 2000 reports that the country was gripped by a strike wave over the level at which a new minimum wage should be set. 

The action began with a strike by civil servants in Lagos state, and quickly spread throughout the country, in which Forty-seven thousand public sector workers were on strike for two weeks in Lagos, with refuse dumps not cleared, water taps running dry and health services collapsing. 

Civil servants in at least 12 states also joined the indefinite strikes before it was called off in July, 2000.

 

29TH JUNE IN NIGERIAN HISTORY: Obasanjo abolished Petroleum Trust Fund on 29 June, 1999

Following elections and transfer of power to democratically elected government in 1999, the then administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo focused on ensuring political stability, strengthening democratic practices, and tackling corruption.

On 29th June, 1999, exactly one month of assuming office, President Obasanjo abolished the Petroleum Trust Fund, a body which had been tasked with allocating the revenue from oil production.

29TH JUNE IN NIGERIAN HISTORY: Boko Haram killed 51 in Chibok and Biu Local Government Areas of Borno State on 29th June, 2014

On this day in 2014, Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram Islamic sect, attacked some communities in Chibok and Biu local government areas of Borno State, killing no fewer than 51 people.

Those killed were mostly Christian worshippers. Five churches including Cocin, EYN and Deeper Life Bible Church in Kwada village, about 10 kilometres from Chibok were also burnt down when the gunmen laid ambush on them during church service. The attacks were carried out on a day the then Jonathan’s administration, said the previous week’s bomb attack on Abuja was meant to intimidate the government and that it is a struggle for power.

It would be recalled that Boko Haram had two weeks earlier written to Chibok communities threatening to carry out further attacks. The attackers, according to report from locals in Chibok, made good their threat at a time the people were all in Church for the Sunday worship.

A resident of one of the affected communities, Amos Bulus who spoke with newsmen disclosed that, “the attackers killed and burnt houses after attacking worshippers in five churches in Kwada, before moving to Kautikari less than 8 kilometres to Chibok town, killing and burning down people’s houses and property. The security operatives were not on ground to defend us. In fact, those who ran into the bush were pursued and killed by the murderers.”

Presidential Committee on Football concludes Masterplan assignment

By Daniel Oluwole

The 16-member Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2021 to chart innovative directions that would emphasise governance, grassroots, infrastructure, professionalism and more roles for the private sector in  the development of football, said it has concluded its assignment.

The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima said this in Abuja on Tuesday in a statement made available to journalists.

Galadima, who is also a former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association stated that the document was ready and awaiting formal presentation to the Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Sunday Dare who was unavailable due to other official engagements.

Galadima said, “The Presidential Committee on the 10-Year Football Development Masterplan have finished the assignment, we are waiting to submit the report.

“There were speculations whether the Committee was still working or when it would conclude its assignment. We have conclude the assignment,” he stressed.

Galadima who refused to give details of the report said, the report is detailed, grounded on practical solutions to issues across football and its sustained development.

He disclosed that government was in the best position to tell the public details of the reports, saying being a masterplan, its focus is not only in the immediate.

Katsina CP meets council chairmen behind closed-door over insecurity

The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Idris Dabban, on Tuesday, held a closed-door meeting with chairmen and community leaders from four Local Government Areas in the state over the security challenges they face.

The councils are Jibia, Batsari, Batagarawa, and Kurfi.

The meeting took place in Katsina, the state capital, and lasted over three hours.

Although he did not elaborate it, Dabban disclosed to journalists shortly before the meeting commenced at about 11am that it (the meeting) was about security generally.

The Command’s Spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, however, explained after the meeting that new strategies to combat crime were discussed.

He added that the CP assured of the Command’s determination to ensure “maximum security of lives and property” in the state.

“Today Tuesday, 28, June 2022, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Idrisu Dabban Dauda, psct+, fdc, held a town hall meeting with stakeholders from Jibia, Batsari, Batagarawa, and Kurfi LGAs and discussed areas of security challenges affecting the communities.

“Those in attendance include Local Government Chairmen, Districts Heads, Ward Heads, Religious Leaders, retired Senior Police officers among others,” Isah explained further

“The Commissioner of Police in his keynote address affirmed that the Police in partnership with other security agencies are scaling up measures aimed at decimating terrorism in the state.

“He assured the stakeholders of the readiness and commitment of the police and indeed other security agencies to nip in the bud any threat to life and property of citizens in the state.

“The Commissioner of Police urged participants to go back home and sensitize members of their communities to the need to partner and cooperate with the police and other security agencies by providing useful information on terrorists and their informants which will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

“At the end of the meeting, a communiqué was issued, proffering solutions to the identified problems and action plans towards dealing with the security challenges bedevilling the communities.”

Aregbesola blames congestion in correctional centers on slow dispensation of justice

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has blamed the congestion of prisons across correctional centers in Nigeria on the slow dispensation of justice, saying it’s having a toll on the custodian centers and the available resources for the service. 

Aregbesola who lamented the surge inmate population, proposed that from the arrest of suspects to the conclusion of their cases in court, the period should not go beyond a year. 

He expressed confidence that this was possible, adding that it took him 42 months to reclaim his mandate in Osun State but now took less than a year to conclude election tribunal cases. 

Aregbesola who stated this on day two of the Nigerian Correctional Service retreat for senior officers in Sokoto on Tuesday, canvassed for a strong advocacy for rapid dispensation of justice. 

He said, “When I went to court to get my mandate that was stolen in Osun the process lasted 42 months. It was precisely six months to the expiration of the tenure that my mandate was returned. 

“It was that experience that forced the judiciary to say every litigation on governorship election must not last more than a year and since then they have kept to it. To reduce the number of inmates awaiting trial we must ensure that the time from arrest to conviction must not go beyond a year. 

“If this is done, we will reduce the large percentage of inmates in our correctional centers. We will also be able to reduce the humongous cost of feeding them and the lack of not having enough resources. 

“If we can reduce the number of awaiting trial inmates by cutting short the period of trial to a maximum of 12 months the amount we are going to save from feeding them will be enough to revamp the service and our centers.”

Aregbesola also lamented what he described as unbefitting status of some of the correctional facilities across the country, urging the personnel to mobilise community efforts to change the facial appearance of the facilities.

Soldiers allegedly gun down 27-year-old in Delta state

Palpable tension has gripped the Ogulagha community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State as soldiers attached to Forcados Terminal have reportedly shot dead a youth in the community, Endurance Kalaepele.

Report by The PUNCH narrated that the 27-year-old man was allegedly shot twice by the military men while picking snails with his team of snail hunters around 11:00 p.m on Monday.

Consequently, angry youths of the community have gone on rampages, destroying company vehicles and property just as they also took over the major roads in the community to express their anger.

Commenting on the incident, the youth president of the Ogulagha community, ThankGod Iyaragba, told journalists that the deceased was with six others hunting snails late Monday night when he was allegedly shot dead by soldiers.

The youth president said, “Around 10:00p.m yesterday (Monday), six of the community boys went to the bush behind Forcadoes Terminal, the Pipeline bush, for snail picking, but were intercepted on their way back by the military men.

“One of the boys, Endurance, tried to run out of fear but was shot twice at close range.

“This infuriated youths of the community who went on the rampage destroying company vehicles and property.

“They have also taken over the major roads in the community to express their anger”.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe said he was yet to get details of the incident as of the time of filing this report.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Political Matters, Comrade Ozobo Austin, described the killing of the 27-year-old youth by suspected soldiers in the Forcados terminal as “unprofessional, provocative, barbaric” which could incite unrest in the community.

In a statement personally signed by the governor’s aide and made available to newsmen in Warri on Tuesday afternoon, Austin sympathised with the entire Ogulagha community and the bereaved family.

He appealed to the aggrieved youths to calm their frayed nerves, and assured them that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will investigate the incident and bring to book every soldier that is involved in the dastardly act.

According to Ozobo, the unlawful killing of the young youth in the Ogulagha community should be outrightly condemned by every well-meaning citizen of the State insisting that it was wrong that the military has always been going for soft targets in the Niger Delta region.

Such attitudes, he said, displayed deep parallel lines between the citizens and the security agents just as he advised security authorities to always educate their men to remain civil when dealing with law-abiding citizens in the country.

Portuguese President invites Buhari for National Honour, to participate UN Ocean Conference

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday, depart Abuja on a State Visit to Portugal at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Tuesday, the President will be conferred with the country’s National Honour and decorated with the ‘Great Collar of the Order of Prince Henry’.

The statement titled ‘President Buhari to pay a visit to Portugal; participate in UN Ocean Conference’, Garba Shehu disclosed that, “The two Presidents are expected to chair an enlarged bilateral meeting and witness the signing of some agreements bordering on issues of mutual concern.

“President Buhari will also visit the Portuguese Parliament and hold discussions with its President, Dr Augusto Santo Silva, as well as the Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa.

“In the course of the visit, the President is scheduled to address a Forum of Nigerian and Portuguese businessmen and hold separate meetings with select Portuguese Chief Executive Officers and prospective investors to Nigeria.”

President Buhari will also participate in the United Nations Ocean Conference, which began in Lisbon on Monday, June 27, and runs till July 1.

The Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal and supported by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, aims to accelerate the adoption of science-based innovative solutions to challenges facing oceans and the global marine ecosystem.

He is also expected to engage members of the Nigerian community in Portugal on matters affecting them and developments at home.

The President will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo; Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare and Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

Others are National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (retd); Director General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar and Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Honorable Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

The President will return to Abuja on Saturday, July 2.

Former Nazi camp guard bags five years imprisonment for aiding murder

A former Nazi concentration camp guard identified as Josef S has been given a five-year jail term for assisting in the murder of thousands of prisoners at Sachsenhausen near Berlin.

The oldest Nazi criminal ever to stand trial in a German court, had always denied being an SS guard at the camp.

He was found guilty of aiding and abetting the murders of 3,518 people.

He was complicit in the shooting of Soviet prisoners of war and the murder of others with Zyklon B gas.

The defence had called for his acquittal and is set to appeal against the prison sentence.

Tens of thousands of people died at Sachsenhausen during World War Two from starvation, forced labour, medical experiments and murder by the SS. More than 200,000 people were imprisoned there, including political prisoners as well as Jews, Roma and Sinti (Gypsies).

"I don't know why I'm sitting here in the sin bin. I really had nothing to do with it," Josef S said in his closing statement on the eve of the verdict in Brandenburg an der Havel.

Judge Udo Lechtermann told him that despite his claims to the contrary the court had found that he had worked at the concentration camp for around three years from 1942. "You willingly supported this mass extermination through your occupation," he said.

Putting Nazi camp guards on trial only became possible in 2011, when ex-SS guard John Demjanjuk was found guilty. That verdict prompted a search for individuals who were still alive.

Four years later, the so-called "bookkeeper of Auschwitz", Oskar Gröning, was given a jail term. And a 97-year-old former concentration camp secretary is currently on trial in northern Germany.

Josef S is not fully identified in Germany because of privacy conventions. Although his name and birth details were given on the documents of an SS guard, he claimed he had not been at the camp and worked instead as a farm labourer.

He is unlikely to serve any of his sentence as Germany's highest court will first have to rule whether to allow his appeal, and that will take several months.

Source: BBC News.

JUST INN: Lagos CP meets senior officers over security of Lagos residents

The Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, is currently hosting Area Commanders, Squadron Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders and Heads of Department in a meeting at the POWA Hall, Ikeja.

According to the Command's Public Relation Officer, SP. Benjamin Hundeyin on his Twitter handle said, salient issues relating to the safety and security of Lagos residents are being deliberated on.  

There was palpable tension on Monday morning in the Agbo Malu Agemoowo area of Lagos-Badagry expressway as two suspected herdsmen stabbed a commercial bus driver to death.

Two people said to be the herders have been arrested in connection with the incident by the police in the state.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the death to newsmen but could not confirm the identity of the dead person.

A commercial LT bus was said to be on a high speed in the area when it crashed into one of the cows, crossing to the other side of the road.

An argument was said to have ensued between the commercial bus conductor and the herdsman which resulted in the herdsman stabbing the driver to death.

The incident created an instant reaction from residents of the area, who blocked the expressway and threatening to avenge the death of the deceased man.

Details later…

Court grants Reps Dagogo bail after 62 days

A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has granted bail to the embattled lawmaker representing Degema – Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Farah Dagogo.

Dagogo, a Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in the state for the 2023 elections, was granted bail on Tuesday after been incarcerated for 62 days.

Dagogo was granted bail to the tune of N20 million or a surety in like sum with a landed property worth the same amount.

Justice Chiwendu Nworgu granted Dagogo bail after listening to all arguments by his counsel and counsel to the Rivers State government.

Dagogo was arrested by a team of policemen on April 28, 2022, at the venue of the screening exercise for the PDP’s governorship aspirants in Port Harcourt, less than four days after Governor Nyesom Wike had reportedly declared him wanted for allegedly hiring suspected cultists to disrupt a screening exercise at the party secretariat.

BREAKING: Court rejects fresh bail application for IPOB leader, case adjourned till November 14

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a fresh application for bail by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The application was filed pending the determination of the treasonable felony charge against him by the Federal Government.

Kanu, who is currently facing a seven-count charge, had in the application he filed through his team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), also challenged the revocation of the bail the court earlier granted to him.

He asked the court to set aside the order it made on March 28, 2019, which not only issued a bench warrant for his arrest, but also gave FG the nod to try him in absentia.

The IPOB leader told the court that contrary to FG’s allegation that he jumped bail, he fled for his life after his home town at Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, was invaded by soldiers, which he said led to the death of 28 persons.

While contending that he was denied a fair hearing before his bail was revoked, Kanu attached eight exhibits that included photographs, as well as an affidavit he deposed from Isreal, after he fled from the country.

Meanwhile, dismissing the bail request on Tuesday, Justice Binta Nyako said she was not satisfied with the reason the IPOB leader gave for his failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.

The trial judge noted that from records of the court, Kanu was represented by his lawyer on the day his bail was revoked, likewise his sureties.

“In fact, he sureties told the court that they did not know the whereabouts of the Defendant and even applied to be discharged from the matter.

“Therefore, Defendant was not denied a fair hearing”.

Justices Nyako also held that though a court could vacate a previous order when confronted with a cogent and verifiable reason, “in the instant case, I have not been given any, neither have I been given any reason to set aside the order.

“The present application amounts to an abuse of court process for attempting to relitigate an issue already decided by the court.

“If the Defendant is dissatisfied, he has the Appeal Court to go to. This application is accordingly dismissed”, Justice Nyako said.

The Judge had earlier on March 18, declined to release the embattled IPOB leader on bail.

The court maintained that Kanu must explain the reason why he breached the previous bail that was given to him, before he could enjoy another favourable discretion from it.

“Until the issue of the absence of the defendant for his trial, with all the bail conditions breached, is determined, the instant application of the defendant for bail will at best be premature and it is refused.

“However, the defendant is at liberty to re-file the application”, Justice Nyako said.

Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned till November 14 for mention, to await the outcome of Kanu’s appeal.

Source: The PUNCH

Parents blame school for negligence as JSS one student dies in Akwa Ibom

There was a mood of gloom and despondency at Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state on Monday, as Rita Emmanuel, a student of JSS One died, which the parents blamed on the negligence by the school management.

It was gathered that Rita died after she had earlier been taken to the school’s Sick Bay, which allegedly lacked facilities and specialists to handle her case. She was later referred to a hospital.

She was said to have been released to the parents, who took her to a referral hospital where medics could not save her from a condition the school management had described as “complicated.”

The parents of Rita who reacted angrily to the death of their daughter on Monday evening, blamed Rita's death on negligence by the school management.

They noted that “the medical facility in the school is completely dysfunctional to take care of some serious cases involving the about 5,000 students of the school.”

A parent, Mayen Ekanem who spoke to the newsmen said, the children, as young as 10 years, are going through lot of pains from poor medication because unavailability of quality drugs with only two nurses, poor feeding, with cooks and teachers always in the habits of carting foods away, leaving the children malnourished and water crises all the time in the school.

 Another parent, Enobong Bassey lamented that, “Rita’s death is a clear case of avoidable death. The school is lacking in everything including discipline and security because young children have traumatic experiences almost every day with the seniors brutalising them, stealing their things and raping some innocent girls.”

“My late brother-in-law’s son by name Emediong Akpan, was admitted into senior school one, and that same term, a senior student hit him on the chest and he started vomiting blood. When my husband tried to arrest the student, the school management promised to handle it. Since that day, Emediong’s life has never been the same until he graduated,” another parent said.

“My son was wounded by his bunk in the dormitory, all they could do at the clinic was to administer ointment, not minding the rust on the bunk,” Mfoniso Essien said.

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the little Rita’s death, the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association of the school, Dr. Itoro Ikoh, appealed for calm after meeting with the school management on the matter.

Her words, “Miss Rita was a JSS one student. I was told she felt pains in her stomach at night. The following morning, while her house mistress was on routine check, she ordered that Rita be taken to the Sick Bay. She was attended to, but on cross examination, she was observed to be in a complicated condition which required referral.

“Umbilical hernia was diagnosed and the attention of Rita’s parents were required. When we spoke to the mother, she told us that she usually gave her vinegar to calm down, but was later taken to the hospital where she died.”