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Senator representing Kogi West in the Senate, Mr. Dino Melaye, who is challenging moves to recall him by his constituency, is in fresh trouble: the Police said they have filed a case in a Lokoja court accusing him and three other persons of illegal possession of firearms.
Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, announced the move today in a statement.
The police took the action, following the confession of two alleged thugs who claimed to be working for Melaye.
One of the persons arrested was identified as 31-year-old Kabiru Saidu, a.k.a Osama. The other was Nuhu Salisu, who is 25 years old. The third person charged to court was identified as Muhammed Audu, a politician, who is said to currently be at large.“The men were arrested on January 19 at Ogojueje in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State after a shootout with the Police; and have confessed to being hired by Melayeto cause mayhem in the state,” Moshood said.
The police said they seized from the thugs and their gang members two AK-47 rifles, five pump action guns, two locally made pistols and heaps of charms.
According to the police, the men not only confessed to have been involved in several kidnappings in the state and environs, they also claimed to be hired thugs for politicians.
“According to the gang leader, Osama, he has been working as a political thug for one Alhaji Mohammed Audu, a politician in the state.
“He said Alhaji Mohammed Audu invited him to Abuja and introduced him to Senator Dino Melaye and they met on Airport Road, Abuja, inside Senator Dino Melaye’s car in the month of December, 2017.
“The suspect further confessed that Senator Dino Melaye told him that they should start working for the Senator as his political thugs and they should recruit and train more other (sic) thugs to work for him in preparation toward 2019 general election to enable him (Sen. Dino Melaye ) challenge his political opponents and disorganise Kogi State,” Moshood added.
The police said Osama further confessed that Melaye handed over a bag containing one AK-47 rifle, two pump action guns and N430,000.00 to share with his boys.
“A case of Criminal Conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms have therefore been filed by the Nigeria Police Force at Federal High Court Lokoja on 16th March, 2018 against the two suspects mentioned above, Senator Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu who is also a suspect in the matter and is now on the run.“Consequent upon the indictments and criminal confessions against Senator Dino Melaye by the principal suspect, Kabiru Saidu a.k.a Osama, “31 years,” Nigeria Police Force wrote a letter dated 2nd of March, 2018 addressed to the Senate President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, informing and requesting him to release Senator Dino Melaye to report to Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command on the 7th March, 2018 to answer to criminal offences leveled against him, to enable the Police carry out a discreet investigation into the confessions of the principal suspect against Senator Dino Melaye. But Senator Dino Melaye have refused to honour the Police invitation till date.
Viewers of the ongoing BBNaija ‘Double Wahala’ reality show, have taken to various social media platform to oppose the return of disqualified housemates.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, host of the show announced on eviction night on Sunday that organisers of the show were giving Nigerians the opportunity to vote back two preferred evicted housemates, including those disqualified.
It should be recalled that Khloe and KBrule, the duo known as K-square earned three strikes as a pair, for flouting the rules of the house and were subsequently disqualified.
They perceive the move as ‘unfair’ and urge the organisers to cancel the strikes given to CeeC, Lolu, and Tobi if disqualified housemates are allowed to return.However, in this new twist introduced in the show, the disqualified housemates stand as much chance as others who were `honourably’ evicted through viewers’ votes, to return to the house.
@Adunimckinson tweeted, “I don’t have a problem with them bringing past housemates, but why bring back disqualified housemates? If Kbrule and Khloe are coming back to play for 45 million Naira, then revoke the strikes you gave CeeC and Lolu.”
@Chiradine wrote, “It will be unfair to bring back disqualified housemates without removing the strikes of other housemates. Please let’s play fair. Disqualified housemates should not be allowed to come back. ”
@Boo_berry3 tweeted, “If Big Brother can bring back disqualified housemates, and then he should take away Tobi, CeeC and Lolu’s strikes.”
However, some viewers are kicking against the entire idea of bringing evicted housemates back on the show, arguing that they have already been exposed to the game plan.
They added that evicted housemates will have upper hand as they already know what the viewers want, being outside the house.
Don Jazzy, popular Nigerian music producer, and owner of Mavin records wrote @DonJazzy, “Dear Big Brother, I don’t think this is a fair move.”
Meanwhile, the affected housemates are already intensifying their campaign for votes to return back to the BBNaija house including the disqualified duo of Khloe and KBrule.@Terrific tweeted, “Let me understand Biggie’s strategy. To bring back evicted housemates who have an idea of what the viewers want already? To compete alongside housemates without a clue? Highly unfair.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that one of the evicted contestants, Ifuennada has launched a hashtag #BringBackIfuEnnada #BringBackIfu to solicits votes from fans and viewers.
She wrote on her social media platforms @ ifuennada “Thanks for always supporting me. Now that Big Brother has given me an opportunity to return, I know you’d go all out for me. Much love!
“Guys we can do this please and please I take God beg una. Biko abeg I take God beg una, nothing like pride me I need that money,’’ Ifuennada stated.
The remaining nine housemates, CeeC, Lolu, Miracle, Tobi, Nina, BamBam, Teddy A, Alex and Rico Swavey continue to battle for prices worth 45 million Naira.
It was mixed reactions among candidates that sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, last week, when the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, partly released results of the examination.
While many candidates whose results were released are rejoicing, other candidates who were denied registration described the JAMB Registrar’s action as harsh.
Vanguard, while monitoring the UTME observed that unlike previous years where candidates’ results were released immediately they left the examination hall, in this case, the results were released three days after.
JAMB candidates
Our source disclosed that the decision of JAMB not to release the results immediately was to enable Board go through its CCTV and identify those involved in examination malpractice.
Meanwhile, a visit by Vanguard to Sururele and Lawanson approved JAMB Computer-Based Test, CBT centres in Lagos State, showed students expressing delight as they trooped out from examination halls.
Better than 2017
According to Chioma Igwe who wrote her examination at Knowledge Ware Technology Limited, one of the approved CBT centres in Lawanson, this year’s UTME was better in all ramifications compared to last year’s, owing to the fact that the servers were functional. For her, the questions were much easier and the officials were more coordinated.
Her words: “If JAMB last year was close to this year’s examination in terms of functionality of the servers; the questions set and the conducive environment, I wouldn’t have failed.
“ This year’s JAMB is a huge success as my centre started on time and all the servers were working and the environment conducive. I even finished my questions before the stop time,“ said an elated Igwe.
Corroborating Igwe’s claim of the exam being hitch-free, 17- year-old Joshua Abayomi also of the same centre said: “ I was more at peace writing today’s JAMB as everything was on point, despite the calculations I did as a science student.
According to him, from the questions, to the conducive environment, all was great. I want to believe that if JAMB had always been conducted this way, we would have no complaints provided we, the candidates, prepare adequately,” he stressed.
Also, at Reliance S&T Limited, one of the registered approved JAMB CBT centres at Surulere, it was a success story.
Mrs Adebambo who brought her daughter to the centre said her daughter came out happy as she was able to complete her exam without disruption of the server compared to last year’s.
“You can see my daughter, she is very happy to do this JAMB as this server worked well and the questions very easy,” added the joyous mother.
Reacting to the acclaimed success of this year’s JAMB, Mr James Owolabi, one of the coordinators at KnowledgeWare centre said success of the examination was due to the over all coordination of the JAMB authorities and the obedience to laid down rules and regulations by the centres.
Concerned parents
However, concerned parents whose children were denied the 2018 UTME registration because JAMB shut their portal early, lamented their wards’ denial to sit for the exams, adding that it would cost them another year.
Admission Analysis
Statistics show that in the 2017 UTME, a total of approximately 1,700,000 candidates took the exam, out of the 1,700,000 candidates, the combined admission capacity of all higher institutions in Nigeria could only admit approximately 700,000 candidates.
The above data implies that 1,000,000 candidates for the 2017 UTME were not admitted eventually.
Most of those candidates who scored above the JAMB stipulated admission cut-off of 120 were still hopeful of securing admission into one institution or the other up till January 25, when JAMB ordered all institutions to draw the curtain on their admission processes. Some institutions even went beyond that date, keeping some candidates hopeful beyond January 25.
The implication is that almost one million (1,000000) candidates only realised their hope of admission had been dashed by the last week in January.
This further implies that almost one million (1,000000) candidates who are still interested in tertiary education started rushing to get registered for the 2018 UTME by early February.
Barrister Moronfolu Adetunji, Mrs Adebowale Rukayat, Dr. Josephine Robert and Chief Emmanuel Eromosele in their reactions took a swipe at JAMB for closing its registration portal for the UTME 2018 on the 11th of February.
Adetunji said: ”Logically, about one million candidates had only 14 days to register for the examination. It would be the 8th or 9th wonder of the modern world if this can be achieved in Nigeria where UTME registration is restricted to only JAMB handpicked CBT centers that could not register 700,000 candidates in two months.
“It is then reasonable to say that so many aspiring candidates were denied the opportunity of registering as at the stipulated deadline. Their only sin is that they are Nigerians and they are therefore subjected to the whims and caprices of JAMB and its all-knowing and all-powerful registrar.
More pathetic is the case of those unfortunate candidates who by stroke of luck, were able to register before the deadline and were asked to get ready to take the exam by March 9, barely a month after realising they wouldn’t be admitted in the 2017 admission process. It is really a hell to be a Nigerian.
“Would they have been preparing to write another UTME in 2018 while still hoping to secure admission in the 2017 process? Is it then fair to subject them to another round of failure after collecting N6,200 from their impoverished parents?”
Reacting to the JAMB Registrar’s excuse, Dr Josephine Robert said: “Let us examine the excuse given by JAMB why it cannot postpone the exam:
They want admission processes to be concluded by August.
The question is “Is three months after UTME (June, July and August) not enough for the institutions to conclude admission processes, assuming UTME is written in May?
“Which other country of the world apart from Nigeria would candidates go blindly into the admission procedure? Why can’t institutions disclose their admission criteria even before registration for UTME in a given year so that candidates would know ab-initio whether to choose a particular school/course or not? Do we even know the institutions that would conduct post-UTME this year and those that wouldn’t? Why is it so difficult for JAMB to compel the schools to disclose their admission policies openly? Is it because JAMB is in cahoots with the tertiary institutions in fleecing the hapless candidates and their poor parents of their hard earned money? I pity the Nigerian candidates.
“Which other examination body forces candidates to pay heavily for every mistake made during registration, even before the deadline?
Why is JAMB alongside its registrar, bent on killing Nigerians financially on the altar of making money for government? Is JAMB now Nigerian Custom Service or Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)?
The Buhari administration is trying hard to put food on people’s table while JAMB is hell bent on taking the food away. It’s a shame that we can be this inconsiderate in this country.
“If we decide to stay silent on this mind-numbing issue simply because it doesn’t affect us today, who would cry for us and with us if it affects us tomorrow?”
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has said it will release no fewer than 1.3 million results of candidates that sat for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Monday (today) after they had gone through security checks and found to be without malpractice.
The JAMB Head of Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, who stated this on Sunday in an interview, added that the UTME results of Computer-Based Test centres where the CCTV showed malpractices had been cancelled.
The board said the CCTV showed “strange things” such as CBT centre owners collecting money from candidates to engage in malpractices and also threatening JAMB officials at the centres.
The JAMB spokesman said, “We are presently viewing the CCTV to ensure that results are not released in several batches. On Monday, we will release over 1.3 million results. These are the results of the CBT centres that have been screened. We cannot say how many cases of malpractice we have yet, because we are still viewing the CCTV to discover more cases.
“Some strange findings that the CCTV has showed us include a situation where the CBT owners were collecting money from UTME candidates and seeing to how they could assist them. Our officials at the centres raised the alarm but they were also afraid so that their lives would not be endangered.
“What the JAMB officials did was to silently play along with them, but we were watching everything on the CCTV. We later sent operatives to the centres and caught them. Such UTME results were completely cancelled. We knew that there were some innocent candidates in such centres and we have asked them to go to other CBT centres and rewrite immediately.”
Benjamin said candidates whose fingers could not be captured during the biometric verification before the examination, would not be allowed to retake the examination, as the biometric verification had already disqualified them.
“We have also concluded all arrangements to do the UTME for blind candidates. The examination is taking place in five centres. These are Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Benin and Enugu. The candidates are writing on Monday (today),” he added.
The management of the University of Calabar on Monday said it has deployed security around and within the institution over the killing of two students by gunmen in a suspected renewed wave of cult clashes on campus.
Following the development, 11 suspected cultists have been arrested and handed over to the anti-cultism and kidnap unit of the Cross River State Police Command in Calabar.
The vice-chancellor further directed random stop-and-search of persons and vehicles at vulnerable points.Vice-Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Zana Akpagu, in a statement issued through the Registrar, Mr. Moses Abang, said police patrol teams have been stationed at the main gate of the institution, while the internal security team is stationed at other strategic parts of the campus.
Akpagu said, “The patrol exercise has paid off with the arrest of 11 suspected cultists who have been handed over to the anti-cultism and kidnapping unit of the Nigeria Police, Cross River State Command, for further interrogation.
“On March 16, 2018, gunmen launched attacks on one Oko Sylvester, also known as Davido, a final year student of the Department of Theatre, Film and Carnival Studies; and Wilson Ebina, a second year student of the Department of Education Science (Chemistry Education) in a violent manner that resulted in their deaths.
“Investigation revealed that prior to his death, Oko Sylvester, who was shot in the stomach, has been on suspension for his involvement in various acts of cultism and robbery; while Wilson Ebina was shot dead at a building under construction opposite the Faculty of Education Twin Theatre Hall.
“Both are said to belong to the Vikings Confraternity.”
Meanwhile, the statement noted that a final year student in the Faculty of Law and resident of Hall Four, Augustine Nkanu, also known as Abacha; and Joseph Obimbua, alias Obe, also a final year student of the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences are on the run after dangerous weapons were allegedly discovered in Nkanu’s room by the school security operatives.
Items recovered from the room include one locally made pistol, one small axe, one face mask, live and expended cartridges, military camouflage, military sweater, one long dagger, one machete, assorted bottles of concoctions, charms and rings, among others.
The items have been handed over to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the state Police Command for further investigation.
An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ovie Akpoyibo, on Monday lamented the agency’s inability to locate a former cashier at the Abia State Government House, Michael Udoh.
Akpoyibo, who is attached to the Calabar, Cross River State office of the EFCC, lamented before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday that all efforts to track Udoh down and bring him before the court had yielded no result.
But the anti-graft agency said the former Abia State Government House cashier had been evasive.The EFCC had listed Udoh as one of the witnesses it lined up to testify against a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, who was charged with an alleged fraud of N2.9bn.
Akpoyibo, who himself appeared as a witness in the case on Monday, told Justice Mohammed Idris that Udoh had absconded.
While being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Akpoyibo said, “In respect of M. A. Udoh, On January 15, 2018, I was instructed to go to Umuahia to locate his residence and if possible arrest him. When I got to Umuahia, I linked up with the state’s Attorney General and he called the Accountant-General who took me to Udoh’s apartment.
“Operatives gained access into the property the next day. At the place, we met Udoh’s wife and daughter and we were told that the man has travelled to Calabar. I later asked for his phone number but I could not connect with him. I then left my phone number with the wife so that he can call me anytime he is around.”
Akpoyibo said efforts to serve a court summons on Udoh had also failed as he could not be contacted.
A judge on Monday ordered the South African government to pay $100,000 to each of the families of 144 psychiatric patients who died of neglect, as he detailed a “terrible tale of death and torture”.
Many of the deaths occurred due to pneumonia, dehydration and diarrhoea after patients were hurriedly transferred from a private hospital to 27 poorly-prepared facilities as a cost-cutting measure.
More than 1,700 patients were moved out of Johannesburg’s Life Healthcare Esidimeni hospital in a decision that Justice Dikgang Moseneke criticised as “irrational”.
The hearings gathered evidence of horrific abuse as families told of how their loved ones were taken from the hospital, badly mistreated at unlicensed health facilities and then died.It led to a “carnage” of patients and a “total disrespect of dignity”, Moseneke said in his damning ruling after weeks of arbitration hearings.
Last month Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi broke down as he apologised for what he described as “one of the most painful and horrible events in the history of post-apartheid South Africa”.
Patients were bundled into vans and tied with sheets and distributed “like cattle at an auction,” said the minister.
Some provincial health officials who testified at the hearing apologised and accepted partial responsibility for the disaster.
Moseneke severely reprimanded those involved, saying that some had lied in evidence and “despite all warnings… they obstinately went ahead” with moving the patients.
“The death and torture of those who died stemmed from arrogant and irrational use of public power,” he said.
A criminal probe has been launched and Moseneke said he had “furnished police with all evidence … they must do their work.”
Miracle Ikechukwu has emerged the new head of House on the ongoing Big Brother Naija ‘Double Wahala’, winning the title for the second time.
Miracle beat other housemates when he emerged the first to knock down all the bottles using the tennis ball in the stockings provided.
He chose Nina, to share the luxury room with him.
The powers attached to the title this week will be announced after the nominations on Monday.‘Biggie’ had cancelled automatic immunity and “save and replace’ powers for the Head of House two weeks ago.
Miracle takes over from Nina who led the house last week and led her to victory, as they won their wager.
In his first reign, the housemates won the wager, making him the first Head of House to attain the victory.
On Sunday, Miracle scaled through eviction, gaining the highest vote percentage of 27.98 percent against Teddy A, Alex, CeeC, Tobi, Lolu, BamBam, and Anto.
In this season, tagged ‘Double Wahala’, housemates are competing for prizes worth N45 million.
Citing the security challenges facing the nation, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Monday ordered the withdrawal of all police offices attached to Very Important Persons, including political and public office holders nationwide.
The police boss, who announced this in Abuja during a conference with senior officers, stated that the directive also affected private businessmen, multi-national companies and other corporate organizations who are enjoying special police protection.
Announcing his plans to withdraw the policemen on private guard duty, the IG said, “In view of the current security challenges in the country, it has become expedient for the Nigeria Police Force to streamline the deployment of its personnel attached to political and public office holders, aimed at enhancing effective and efficient policing of the country.To this end, Idris explained that a task force had been constituted at the Force headquarters under the command of ACP Mohammed Dankwara to ensure compliance to the directive while state commissioners of police are to replicate same at their commands.
“To this effect, a memo will be forwarded to the President for approval which will serve as a guideline or template for deployment to VIPs, political and public office holders in the country. Accordingly, a directive for withdrawal of all police officers deployed to VIPs, political and public office holders with immediate effect, is hereby given,” he stated.
Idris, however, explained that businessmen, corporate organisations and individuals who required special police protection and “are found worthy,” would be considered by the Special Protection Unit of the force on application for re-validation through the state Commissioners of Police where they are resident.
“By so doing, I am charging the Commissioners of Police with the responsibility of supervising such official deployment and thereby holding them accountable,” the police chief informed his audience consisting of senior police officers.
The IG bemoaned the abuse of police Supernumerary number plates and the illegal use of siren and covering of vehicle number plates by motorists and warned the culprits to desist.
He directed the holders of the police SPY number plates to return them to the Force Transport Officer and apply for re-validation.
He also asked the state CPs to enforce the directive and arrest violators, adding that the list of task force teams that would ensure compliance to the order should be sent to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, by March 31, 2018.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp has deployed 50 motorcycles to its Taraba Command to enhance patrol of flashpoints in the state.
The State NSCDC Commandant, Kamilu Isah, disclosed this in Jalingo in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said the motorcycles would assist the command in tackling the recurring violence in Takum, Mambilla and Lau areas.“Security equipment, including bullet proof vests, boots, helmets and shock batons were also provided to the command.“Adequate arrangement have been made for fuelling and maintenance of the motorcycles which will encourage my men to tackle criminality in difficult terrains.
“Other gadgets that will not be disclosed for security reasons were also provided by the Commandant-General,’’ he said.
He appreciated the support of the Commandant-General, Abdullahi Muhammadu, to the command and assured that the facilities would be put to very effective use.
Isah also said the NSCDC and other security agencies in the state were like a family.
“We have been working as brothers and sisters. We share information, we consult one another; we are a family with a common goal,” he said.
Award-winning singer Chidinma Ekile has elected to keep mom on rumours of being in a romantic relationship with Kiss Daniel.
The rumour was kickstarted after a picture showing Chidinma in a bedroom alongside Kiss Daniel was shared by the latter.
When asked about it, the petite songstress said she would rather keep her private life, including who she is with romantically, private.
“I don’t like to speak about my relationship or love life in public. There is nothing to talk about me and Kiss Daniel; people can say anything they want to say. Whether I am in a relationship with him or not, everyone will get to know later.
“I find it weird that I am always linked to one musician or the other. At times, it takes extra effort for me to convince people that certain reports about me are untrue,” she told Punch.
China was the first world power to react Monday to Russian strongman Vladimir Putin’s re-election vowing to push ties to a “higher level”, but Germany questioned the fairness of the vote and warned Moscow would remain “difficult”.
Here’s a roundup of global reaction:
‘Cooperative partnership’
“Currently, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is at the best level in history, which sets an example for building a new type of international relations,” Xi said in a message to Putin, according to the official Xinhua news agency.Just a day after Xi Jinping was unanimously re-appointed President, the Chinese leader said Beijing was willing to work with Moscow.
“China is willing to work with Russia to keep promoting China-Russia relations to a higher level.”
‘Challenges’
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was to congratulate Putin, but the message will also raise “challenges” in relations, her spokesman said.
Berlin and Moscow have “differences in opinion” on issues ranging from Russian politics to the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria.
“Nevertheless, the continuous contact with Russia’s leadership is very important to us.”
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas was more critical, saying: “We certainly cannot talk in all respects about a fair political contest as we know it.”
“In this respect, we assume that Russia will remain a difficult partner.”It was “unacceptable” that the election also took place in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine four years ago in breach of international law, Maas said.
‘Denuclearise North Korea’
Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had congratulated Putin and they agreed to work together for North Korea’s denuclearisation.
“The two leaders confirmed their close cooperation in realising North Korea’s denuclearisation” before an expected summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the ministry said.
Abe and Putin also discussed joint economic activities on disputed islands and “humanitarian measures” for former Japanese islanders, the ministry said.
Referring to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain, Abe told Putin the use of chemical weapons was not acceptable.
‘Develop relations further’
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated Putin on his “decisive victory” and pledged to boost ties.
“I am sure that during your new term, relations between our two countries will develop further,” he said.
Iran and Russia have strengthened ties in recent years, both giving major military and financial backing to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
‘Strategic ties’
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi sent his “warmest congratulations,” according to a statement.
“(Sisi) lauds the strategic relations that the two countries share and their keenness to further enhance them so as to realise the interests of both peoples.”
‘End blackmail and sanctions’
France’s far-right National Front, which has enjoyed close ties with the Kremlin, urged the European Union to reconsider its poor relations with Russia.
Putin’s re-election should above all “bring the European Union to reconsider and put an end to its absurd and counter-productive blackmail, threats and sanctions,” against Moscow, a party statement said
‘Brother countries’
The presidents of leftist regimes in Venezuela and Bolivia effusively congratulated Putin both using the same word, “overwhelming” to describe the victory.
Russia and Venezuela are “brother countries” as both must “face the frequent manoeuvres of imperialism” to “impose doctrines of world supremacy,” said a statement from President Nicolas Maduro.
Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Twitter that Putin’s win “guarantees geopolitical equilibrium and world peace before the onslaught of imperialism”.
‘Health and happiness’
Saudi Arabia’s new strongman, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his father King Salman sent congratulations and wished Putin “constant good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity”.
Nollywood star, Tonto Dikeh is crushing on her new body following her plastic surgery amidst celebrating her latest achievement.
She took to her Instagram page this morning to announce that she is now the brand ambassador for beauty and skincare brand – Pels International, the beauty brand popularly known for making skin brightening/whitening products…more photos below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJK5206uS_M
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has prayed that those people who argue that herdsmen are not Fulanis, will be visited by the “terrorists”.
Fani-Kayode has been involved in a running battle on Twitter with former media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, over a statement by former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, that Fulani herdsmen should not be stigmatized as criminals.
He earlier called Omokri a dishonest and staunch supporter of Atiku Abubakar for calling him out on his opinion piece ‘Fulani Herdsmen from Moon’
Omokri in his reaction, called on Fani-Kayode to apologize for misquoting the Vice President and that he should stop lying.
The former Minister has now taken it a notch further with strong prayers.
“To the slavish fools and useful idiots that say that the Fulani herdsmen are not Fulani. My prayer is that the terrorists visit their homes and as they do “one corner” with their wives and butcher their children, they should ask them in Fufude whether they are Fulani or Chinese,” Fani-Kayode tweeted on Sunday.
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has prayed that those people who argue that herdsmen are not Fulanis, will be visited by the “terrorists”.
Fani-Kayode has been involved in a running battle on Twitter with former media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, over a statement by former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, that Fulani herdsmen should not be stigmatized as criminals.
He earlier called Omokri a dishonest and staunch supporter of Atiku Abubakar for calling him out on his opinion piece ‘Fulani Herdsmen from Moon’
Omokri in his reaction, called on Fani-Kayode to apologize for misquoting the Vice President and that he should stop lying.
The former Minister has now taken it a notch further with strong prayers.
“To the slavish fools and useful idiots that say that the Fulani herdsmen are not Fulani. My prayer is that the terrorists visit their homes and as they do “one corner” with their wives and butcher their children, they should ask them in Fufude whether they are Fulani or Chinese,” Fani-Kayode tweeted on Sunday.
Twelve herdsmen have been arrested by the troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade after they were caught destroying farmlands in Kwata, Benue state.
This is contained in a statement on Sunday by Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, Director Army Public Relations.
The statement narrated that troops on patrol in the general area of Kwata Sule on Saturday encountered the herdsmen.
The suspects were handed over to the police for further action after initial interrogation.
Similarly, troops on patrol in the general area of Chembe, Tse-Gundu, Tse-Iordye and Shaor settlements sighted two herdsmen on a motorcycle along Kwata Shaor river bank.
“Herdsmen abandoned their motorcycle and fled. In search of the general area, one round of 7.62mm special was discovered.
“Troops continue to dominate the general area with patrols,” the statement concluded.
An alleged serial killer, Adeola Williams, otherwise known as Ade Lawyer, has said that he has repented and became a born-again Christian.
Ade Lawyer, who is currently in the custody of police, said this in an interview at the weekend.
In the audio of the interview obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, Ade Lawyer also regretted lying against some top personalities among whom was a popular Lagos socialite and philanthropist, Prince Kazeem Eletu-Odibo.
He said: “Though I didn’t know Prince Kazeem before, I have heard his name very well before and I asked for assistance from him several times through somebody who knows him but he refused to help me, and that was why I mentioned his name too. But now, I am a born-again Christian and I will always say the truth and stand by the truth.”
Prince Kazeem had earlier reacted to the Ade Lawyer’s claim in a press release, where he washed his hands off the allegations, stressing that the suspect has never worked for him.
When contacted on Sunday to react to Ade Lawyer’s latest confession, Prince Kazeem said: “I don’t know him and I am very happy he has come out to say the truth. I am very grateful to God and I will continue to serve humanity irrespective of whatever they write or say about me.”
Vladimir Putin on Sunday stormed to victory in Russia’s presidential election on Sunday, giving him another six years in power as Moscow’s relations with the West plunge to new Cold War lows.
Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, won more than 75 percent of the vote according to preliminary results, but the opposition cried foul.
It reported ballot stuffing and other cases of alleged fraud as the Kremlin pushed for high turnout to give greater legitimacy to Putin’s historic fourth term.
“I see in this (result) the confidence and hope of our people,” Putin said in an address to crowds of supporters on a square next to the Kremlin after exit polls put him on track for a resounding victory.The Russian strongman ran against seven other candidates, but his most vocal critic Alexei Navalny was barred from the ballot for legal reasons and the final outcome was never in doubt.
“Our thoughts will turn to the future of our great country and the future of our children,” said the man who is already Russia’s longest-serving leader since Stalin.
About 107 million Russians were eligible to cast ballots and the central election commission said turnout was 60 percent three hours before polls closed in Moscow, after the authorities used both the carrot and the stick to boost participation.
Selfie competitions, giveaways, food festivals and children’s entertainers were laid on at polling booths in a bid to create a festive atmosphere around the election.
But employees of state and private companies reported coming under pressure to vote, while students were threatened with problems in their exams or even expulsion if they did not take part, according to the opposition-leaning Novaya Gazeta newspaper.
According to central election commission data with half of votes counted, Putin took 75 percent of the vote, well ahead of his nearest competitor Communist Party candidate Pavel Grudinin at 13.2 percent.
Results for all other candidates, including former reality TV host Ksenia Sobchak and ultra-nationalist firebrand Vladimir Zhirinovsky were forecast to be in single figures.
–The election came with Russia facing increasing isolation on the world stage over a spy poisoning in Britain and a fresh round of US sanctions.
Navalny — who called on his supporters to boycott the “fake” vote and sent over 33,000 observers across the country to see how official turnout figures differed from those of monitors — said there had been “unprecedented violations”.
His lawyer Ivan Zhdanov said the actual national turnout at 1700 GMT, when polls closed in Moscow, was 55 percent, according to data collected by monitors.
Navalny’s opposition movement and the non-governmental election monitor Golos reported ballot stuffing, repeat voting and Putin supporters being bussed into polling stations en masse.
One election commission worker in the republic of Dagestan, which traditionally registers extremely high official turnout figures, told AFP around 50 men entered the station where he was working and physically assaulted an observer before stuffing a ballot box.
But the electoral commission dismissed most concerns, saying monitors sometimes misinterpret what they see.
–Since first being elected president in 2000, Putin has stamped his total authority on the world’s biggest country, muzzling opposition, putting television under state control and reasserting Moscow’s standing abroad.
The 65-year-old former KGB officer used an otherwise lacklustre presidential campaign to emphasise Russia’s role as a major world power, boasting of its “invincible” new nuclear weapons in a pre-election speech.
Most people who spoke to AFP said they voted for Putin, praising him for restoring stability and national pride after the humiliating collapse of the USSR.
“Of course I’m for Putin, he’s a leader,” said Olga Matyunina, a 65-year-old retired economist.
“After he brought Crimea back, he became a hero to me.”
Sunday marked four years since Putin signed a treaty declaring Crimea to be part of Russia in a move that triggered a pro-Kremlin insurgency in east Ukraine, a conflict that has claimed over 10,000 lives.
Ahead of the vote, a new crisis broke out with the West as Britain implicated Putin in the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal with a Soviet-designed nerve agent.
In response, London expelled 23 Russian diplomats, prompting a tit-for-tat move by Moscow. Also this week, Washington hit Russia with sanctions for trying to influence the 2016 US election.
Putin again dismissed claims that Russia was behind the poisoning as “drivel” but said Moscow was ready to cooperate with Britain in the probe.
Putin’s previous Kremlin term was marked by a crackdown on the opposition after huge protests, the Ukraine conflict, military intervention in Syria and the introduction of Western sanctions that contributed to a fall in living standards.
The president has said he will use his fourth term to address a litany of domestic problems including widespread poverty and poor healthcare.
“Another six years of slavery,” said a piece of paper made up to look like a ballot which was spotted on a Moscow street — in an apparent reference to Putin’s next term.
Election officials flew to far-flung regions to collect votes from indigenous herders, while cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov — the only Russian currently aboard the International Space Station — cast his ballot by proxy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has raised alarm about an illegal voter registration center discovered in Offa, Kwara State.
According to the Commission, the culprits of the illegal act were using Corel Draw application to change the particulars in a scanned INEC PVC.
Paul Atser, INEC’s Administrative Secretary said in a statement on Friday that, “It has come to the notice of Independent National Electoral Commission, Kwara State that some unscrupulous persons are carrying out illegal registration of voters in Offa Local Government area,” Atser said.
INEC added that a suspect arrested in connection with the crime is undergoing interrogation by the police.
