Alakija and Dangote are the biggest spenders in the UK

Nigeria’s super rich have emerged the biggest spenders among Africans on the booming British property market, spending an estimated £250million on London homes in the last three years.

The Mail Online reported today that Wealthy African buyers are spending almost £4million on London property every week as they look to snap up exclusive investments in the UK.

The Mail mentioned Aliko Dangote, a Nigerian business magnate who, with a £16 billion fortune, is Africa’s wealthiest man.

Folorunsho Alakija, a billionaire oil tycoon, fashion designer and philanthropist from Lagos,was also mentioned among the big investors in the London property market.

Alakija was reported to have recently bought four apartments in One Hyde Park, described as the super-exclusive development in Knightsbridge.

Mail Online said altogether, Africa’s Super-rich oligarchs are taking their vast resources and investing them in the safe haven of London property – with more than £600million spent in the capital in the past three years.

Gary Hersham, managing director of Beauchamp Estates, revealed he has had three super-rich Nigerians enquiring about homes in the past week alone. This is despite the average person in Nigeria earning just £850 per year.

He said: “I’ve had an upturn in African buyers over the last few months. The situation in West Africa at present is pushing rich African buyers back into Central London at a significantly higher level than is normally experienced.

“While war, disease and terrorism in West Africa grab media headlines, actually for super-rich Africans its domestic wealth, cultural ties to London, general safety and education for their children that are the key attractions for buying a home in central London”.

Mr Hersham said these super-rich look to buy property in the ‘platinum triangle’ which is made up of Mayfair, Belgravia and Knightsbridge.
Around 80 per cent spend between £15million to £25million on a residential property, with ten per cent spending more than £30million.

If they are not buying, they are renting luxury homes for up to £15,000-per-week and staying for between six weeks and three months per year.

“Nigerians have been long standing property purchasers in the central London market, going back to the early 1980s, said Hersham

Iranian woman hanged for killing 'man who tried to rape her'

27 year old Reyhaney Jabbari (pictured above), was executed today October 25th by hanging in Iran 7 years after she killed a man that she claimed had attempted to rape her. Reyhaney was sentenced to death in 2009 for the stabbing death of Morteza Abdolali Sarbandi, a former intelligence officer.

A court ruled that she killed Morteza on purpose because she had bought the knife two days before she stabbed him in the back with it. In her defence, Reyhaney said she'd stabbed the man out of self defence. The court overruled her claims and sentenced her to death, a ruling which was upheld by Iran's Supreme court.

The execution was carried out today after the victim's family refused to pardon Reyhaney or accept money from her family. Many human rights bodies including Amnesty International had over the years called on Iran's judiciary to halt the execution but they went ahead with it. Her mother confirmed it, saying Reyhaney was hanged in a Tehran prison very early this morning.

Photo: Wife kills husband in Ebonyi state

25 year old Blessing Onyibe Nwogbagami, (pictured above) has been arrested by men of the Ebonyi state Police command for killing her husband, Mr Onwe Nwogbagami, near their home at Ojegbe Amike Ugbodo, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The mother of one attacked her husband with a cutlass while he was sleeping at an uncompleted building on October 13th. Explaining why she killed her husband, Blessing told Sunday Sun
"My hus­band was fond of chasing me with cutlass whenever we have misunderstanding. Whenever he brings out his cutlass, I will run out of the house for him. On that particular day, October 13, I had a misunderstanding with him and immediately he picked up his cutlass and chased me out of the house. Later he went to an uncompleted building to sleep. Then I said to myself before my husband will kill me, let me kill him first. While he was asleep I went to where he kept his cutlass and killed him. Then I ran to my husband’s village and told the kins­men that I killed my husband.” she said
The Assis­tant Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Mrs. Justina Ogbodo, said Blessing will be charged to court while the baby will be handed to the state welfare board.

Boko Haram kills four Nigerian refugees in Cameroon

Four Nigerians taking refuge in a village in the far north of Cameroon have been killed by members of Boko Haram in an attack that took place on Friday October 24th.

According to a statement made available today to AFP, the Cameroonian Ministry of Defence said the sect members attacked "the village of Glawi,  killing four Nigerian refugees and wounding one Camerounian, before being pushed back by defence forces which pursued them”.

The ministry also said two groups of Boko Haram members had also tried to enter another border village with Nigeria but they were “immediately intercepted and neutralised by our defence forces who destroyed three 4×4 vehicles equipped with machine guns, killing 27 assailants,”.

39 members of the sect were confirmed dead after the various attacks

Fayose stuns Ekiti, swears in Judge who headed his impeachment panel

Ekiti State Gover-nor, Mr Ayo Fayose yesterday stunned the people of the state when he swore in as a judge of the state the man who in 2006 headed his impeachment panel.

Fayose equally announced the promotion of an official of the state Ministry of Justice,Mr Lawrence Ojo who signed his warrant of arrest papers at Ikoyi Prisons during his murder case to position of Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry.

Speaking during the official swearing in ceremony of Justice Bamidele Omotoso, the governor said he went against some of his supporters who felt he should take his pound of flesh.

Omotoso,an Ado Ekiti based legal practitioner, was cleared by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to be made a judge in the state but was refused to be sworn in by the regime of Dr. Kayode Fayemi led government.

Fayose said the inauguration of Omotosho as a judge after two years of being cleared for the post by the National Judicial Council, was a demonstration of a forgiving spirit.

“Few days after my inauguration, some people came to me and reminded me of the role played by Omotoso during my impeachment saga. They said I should not swear him in as a judge of the state High Court

“I am not here to revenge,vengeance belongs to God.

“If you want to report anybody to me bring the person here,otherwise I will invite the two of you.”
At the ceremony which was attended by the state Chief Judge,Justice Ayodeji Daramola and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly,Fayose stretched hands of friendship to the legislator and judiciary.

“I plead with the other two arms of government that Ekiti should come first. You may not like my face and I may not like yours, but Ekiti should be number one.”

“I am ready to work with the Assembly. I am a man of uncommon history, coming back to office after eight years is divine. I have a stern warning from God, do not avenge.
There is nothing personal I have against the judiciary.

People would want to be where you are and life is about struggles. We need more judges and we will help in making them comfortable in the discharge of their duties.

There is need for fair hearing. I want the other arms of government to give my administration a fair hearing and the chance to perform,” he said.

Omotosho, in his remarks, promised to abide by his oath of office and thanked the governor for the appointment.

Photos: See what those dogs did to little Omonigho Abraham

This is the little boy that was attacked by two dogs at his home in Igando, Lagos on September 25th the dogs literally ate his scalp. The police say they are waiting for court order before euthanizing the dogs. God give his parents strength

Court nullifies NFF election, sacks chairman and his executives

A Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau state today October 23rd nullified the September 30th general election of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, which saw Mr Amaju Pinnick elected as the President of the NFF. 

 

Delivering his judgement in the case brought against the NFF leadership by some unhappy members of the association, Justice Ambrose Allagoa insisted that his court ruling must be obeyed by the affected parties. He stated that an order he gave earlier on September 19th where he restrained the members from holding the election congress was disobeyed, that this one must be respected

"I have set aside all the proceedings and decisions of the Warri Extra Ordinary meeting of the 20th September and the Elective Congress of 30th September which were direct contravention of the orders of this court as granted on the 19th September. Nobody should foist on the court a complete case of hopelessness so that the principles of law and justice can be upheld. Its not enough to say that the order of court was wrongly made, no matter how unorthodox, its subsisting orders, unless set aside, remains law and must be respected" he said.

Meanwhile the NFF leadership say they will appeal the judgement.

Pastor Adeboye Defends Ayo Oritsejafor Over $9.3m Arms Scandal

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A Adeboye has reacted to the $9.3m arms scandal that recently hit the leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

Airing his opinion on RCCG’s Facebook walls hours ago, Pastor Adeboye who is not known to react to controversial issues, wrote “One Anointed can not attack another Anointed. A Pastor can not attack another Pastor. Touch not MY Anointed is what God said.”

”Pastor Ayodele Joseph Oritsejafor is a man of GOD I trust and I can personally vouch for him. I believe on the issue of his aircraft being chartered and the purpose it was used for, that he had no prior knowledge. I’m sure God will continue to build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail in JESUS name.” he stated.

UN contacts Nigeria to learn how Ebola was contained

The UN, on Monday, said it was in touch with Nigerian authorities, through the World Health Organisation on how it contained the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease.

The spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane DuJarric, said this while briefing UN correspondents in New York.

The briefing followed the WHO official declaration of Nigeria as Ebola-free after 42 days with no new cases.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the WHO representative, Rui Vaz, who spoke in Abuja, said it was a “spectacular success story.”

He said, “Nigeria won the praise for its swift response after a Liberian brought the disease to Lagos in July.’’

NAN reports that the WHO also officially declared Senegal Ebola-free on Friday.

At the Monday briefing, Dujarric said Nigeria’s success story could be copied to successfully contain the disease in West Africa.

He added, “Nigeria’s success story means that Ebola can be stopped with functional health service and commitment.’’

NAN recalls that in September, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, had commended President Goodluck Jonathan for Nigeria’s efforts at containing the spread of the virus in the country.

Ban gave the commendation at a meeting he held with Jonathan on the sideline of the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly.

In a related development, Ban’s spokesman, DuJarric, said the trust fund set up by the Secretary-General now had $8.8m in deposits and $5m in commitments.

He said in total, $43.5m was pledged.

He added that the UN secretary would continue to urge countries to redeem their pledges as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, DuJarric said a UN female staff in Sierra Leone had passed away at the weekend from EVD.

(NAN)

Stomach infrastructure, an insult to Ekiti people — Fayemi fires back

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has defended his performance in office, saying he made life better for the people of the state.

The ex-governor said he could not indulge in the distribution of rice and money to woo voters, an act which is now commonly referred to as “stomach infrastructure.” He described the act as an insult to the people and a mockery of governance.

Fayemi spoke during a programme on Channels Television titled, “Politics Today” on Monday.

He said during his tenure, teachers in the state became the highest paid in the country, adding that he ensured that civil servants’ salaries were increased thrice during his administration.

He, therefore, wondered why the new Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and his supporters had been criticising him.

He said, “What they mean by stomach infrastructure abhors me and many people know that I am not going to partake in it. I am not going to go out on the streets and start distributing N200 to the people because I want people to hail me.

“I don’t come from that school of politics because it does not add value to my people; it diminishes their self-esteem, it diminishes their sense of self-worth, it really denigrates what politics ought to be about, even as despicable as it has become in our clime.

“I don’t subscribe to that. It is very easy for me, out of the N3bn average income that accrues to the state, to go out there, distribute N500,000 among street urchins and then everybody says, ‘what a good governor.’ But when someone throws N500, 000 to you and pockets N2bn of state funds and put it in a private account, is that what really people want?”

Speaker Tambuwal reacts to his reported defection from PDP to APC

There were reports earlier this evening that the Speaker of the House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal had defected from the PDP to the APC. The speaker has reacted to the report through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Imam Imam. Find the statement below

Due to various media inquiry about the purported defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, we wish to state the following:
1. That today, Monday, 20/10/2014, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, led other members of the party on a reconciliation meeting in Sokoto but the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a member of the NEC of the PDP, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR, was not invited to the meeting.

2. That Rt. Hon Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was later invited by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to attend the meeting of their political family to discuss the political future of Sokoto State.
3. That the Speaker, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, duly obliged and attended the meeting.
4. That the meeting had in attendance prominent Sokoto citizens many of who have no known political affiliation. The most notable been the Sardauna of Sokoto and former Minister of Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji.
5. That consultations on the Speaker's political future continues and the outcome will be made public at the appropriate time.

Signed
Malam Imam Imam @imamdimam
Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs

Cardinal Onaiyekan Charges Governor Wada on Ogidi Road

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has charged the Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, to take urgent steps to reconstruct the 18 kilometer Kabba-Ogidi-Ayere-Ondo State Boundary road.

Such a step, he said, would relieve the people of the affected communities of the great pains associated with commuting from one point to the other.

Onaiyekan, spoke at the funeral mass for the late Olujumu of Ijumu, Oba Jerome Ojo Sumanu held at the St Thomas Catholic Church, Ogidi-Ijumu, Kogi State at the weekend.

The road, built in the late 1950s by the colonial administration was part of the Trunk A Owo-Kabba road. It was contracted out for reconstruction by the administration of former Governor Ibrahim Idris but the contractor abandoned the project after collecting most of the contract sum from the state government.

While work on the first contract was still pending, the state government announced the re-award of the job for the sum of N200 million to another contractor who never showed up on the site.

As a result on the non-completion of the job, the road has been washed away by rains causing much agony to commuters who now spend an average of one hour on the road instead of the normal 15 minutes.

Cardinal Onaiyekan told the state Deputy Governor, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi who represented Governor Wada on the occasion that he believed Awoniyi must have felt the same pains he felt on the road.

He appealed for compassion on the part of the state governor to ameliorate the plight of the people of the affected communities.

Onaiyekan reminded the Governor that the state government kept its promise of rehabilitating a road in Kabba named after the Cardinal when he took up his new office and appealed to him to keep faith by rehabilitating the Kabba-Ogidi-Ayere-Ondo State Boundary road.

In his tribute, Wada praised the late Oba Jerome Sumanu for his patriotism, and courageous leadership.

He described the departed monarch as a humble man who led his people with utmost sense of responsibility and in the fear of God.

The President, Ogidi Development Union, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho in his tribute described the late Oba Jerome Sumanu as a man with a rare passion for Ogidi-Ijumu, his place of birth.

He said the late monarch was sent by Ogidi to Iyara, the local government headquarters to ascend the rotational first class Olujumu throne at a most challenging time.

Ipinmisho said Ogidi-Ijumu was proud that Sumanu reigned as a good ambassador of Ogidi and that by his activities at Iyara; he brought great honour and glory to his home town.

He prayed that God would comfort the Sumanu family and Ijumuland as a whole.

EXCLUSIVE Photo: Fayose Prostrates Flat at Deeper Life Church; says “I Will Sin No More"

Fayose Prostrates Flat on the Floor at Deeper Life Church; says “I Will Sin No More” ~~~~~~ hope he change but his utterances since assumption few days ago shows someone who have not learnt his lesson, anyway time will tell….. He is sounding more comedian to me but it is not for me to judge him sha

Photo: Actress Ini Edo buys brand new 2014 G-Wagon for N38m

Newly single actress Ini Edo just acquired a brand new 2014 Mercedes Benz G65 G-Wagon worth a whooping N38million

Ibinabo re-elected AGN president

Fiberesima Ibinabo, the incumbent President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, has been re-elected for a second term.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that she emerged unopposed on Thursday in Abuja at a special convention by delegates from across the country.

She was immediately sworn in along with other officials of the guild.

She promised to justify the confidence reposed in her, saying, “my victory did not come as a surprise because of my numerous contributions to the AGN.”

Ibinabo, who is a mother of five, was a one time Senior Special Adviser to the president.

She was also a former beauty queen, actress and producer.

She is the President and National Director, Miss Earth Nigeria Beauty Pageant.

Jonathan to perform pilgrimage to Jerusalem - NCPC

President Goodluck Jonathan will join other Christian pilgrims this year to perform the holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem, says the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, John Kennedy Okpara.

Cameroon soldiers kill 107 Boko Haram fighters

Cameroon said Friday its army killed 107 Boko Haram fighters in ferocious fighting this week in its north, in a claimed success against the Nigeria-based Islamist guerrilla group.

The news of the fighting coincided with the announcement that the Federal Government and the sect had agreed to a ceasefire, www.firstpost.com reported.

It was learnt that the clashes between the troops and the sect in Cameroon’s Northern region began after the militants crossed the border between the towns of Amchide and Limani on Wednesday and continued on Thursday, the Cameroonian Defence Minister, Edgar Ngo’o said in a statement.

It was also reported that eight Cameroonian soldiers were killed and seven wounded in the fighting, adding that a Boko Haram vehicle packed with ammunition and explosives was destroyed and that the Cameroonian troops now controlled the area.

The sect had stepped up cross-border attacks into Cameroon, including the seizure of 27 hostages in recent times.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government through the Chief of Defence Staff, Alex badeh, had said on Friday that Boko Haram had agreed to free more than 200 schoolgirls it abducted in April

How I escaped from kidnapper’s den in a forest Ogun State - Victim

A middle-aged woman, Mrs. Patience Igho, recently narrated how she escaped from kidnapper’s den in Agbara forests at the outskirts of Ogun State.

The traumatized Igho said she could not believe what she saw inside the forest after she was drugged inside a commercial bus on her way to Boundary Market in Ajegunle, Lagos.

The distraught woman, who sells frozen fish told Crime Guard that she saw no fewer than 200 victims, who were held hostage.

Consequently, she called on the relevant security agencies to quickly intervene and rescue the helpless people.

Narrating her ugly experience, she said:“The incident happened in the early hours of the day. I left my house with N130, 000 to be deposited in the bank. I boarded a commercial bus with four women and two men already seated.

I cannot rightly recall the registration number. I later found myself in Agbara forest. It was after I regained consciousness that I found myself with over 200 people. One of them told me that I was at Agbara forest.

The person told me that some of them have been there for over seven months.

Threats
“While I was still trying to ascertain where I was, our captors came and asked us to drink water from one dirty container which I refused. They threatened to kill me if I insisted but I vehemently refused prompting them to vow that I must be the first to be sacrificed.

Fortunately after the threats, they left me for another victim stating that nothing will stop them from sacrificing me. Later, they stripped all of us naked and shaved our hairs after which they placed them inside a pot.

“They also brought another set of victims into the forest at about 9:00am. I was able to know the time from a big wall clock that was placed before us. These new set included a young lady and a man and their hairs were already shaved. They later shaved also our private part and armpit in preparation for their ritual.’’

Another victim’s experience

“ Few hours later, I was surprised to see another victim, a woman, who said she had spent over months in captivity. She boldly commended me for not taking the water they offered me saying that if I had taken it, I would have been unconscious and accept every of their demands ,adding that she is a mother of four.

She said she was captured with her four children on their way to church on a Sunday morning. Three of her children, she said, had been slaughtered.’’

“What followed later was that they brought the boiling pot where our hairs were thrown into and tried to force us to recite some incantations.

Earlier before that, I had seen a young lady who was brought before the pot to recite such words bearing a tattoo of scorpion on her right arms but she screamed Jesus! When the man that was performing the incantation saw the tattoo on her body, he refused to perform the rites on her, saying her blood was contaminated already.

At this stage, we noticed that there were different buckets for sensitive parts like head, ears, private parts, etc. they were placed on top of a slab which butchers use in killing animals. The bold woman told us that politicians and ritualists thronged to the place to buy those parts.

My Freedom

“While all these were going on, I did not know that one of the ritualists was watching me. At some point when I refused to recite those words, the man who looked like their leader ordered that I should be beaten up which they did. While they were at it, I shouted severally, Jesus!

And I even called many names ascribed to God. Fortunately, on hearing my strident voice calling on the creator, their leader rushed out and ordered the boys to dispose me at the nearest Bus-Stop.’’
“The gang members threw me inside the bus and dropped me at the back of Agbara market. Still in shock, I trekked from that market to Federal Government College, Ijanikin to beg for money from my relatives who stay in that area.

It was like a nightmare but I experienced it and survived by the special grace of God. I will not wish my worst enemy to go through what I passed through because it was so traumatizing .

That is why I am passionately calling on security agencies to move into action and raid all those hide outs because some people are still there helplessly waiting to be rescued.”

Culled from Vanguard

Nigerian Defence HQ confirms Boko Haram ceasefire, releases statement

Found this on the Nigerian Defence Headquarters website...
While closing the coordinating conference between Nigeria and Cameroon on trans-border military operations, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh informed the delegates that without any prejudice to the outcome of the three days interactions and the conclusions of the forum, a cease fire agreement had been concluded between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Ahlul Sunna Li Daawa Wal Jihad. Accordingly, he directed the Service Chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.
At the meeting was the Cameroonian Chief of Defence Staff, GCA Meka Rene Claude leading his country’s military delegation. Service Chiefs and senior military officers also attended the event.

Source: kiakianews

First Lady Michelle Obama remembers Chibok girls 6 months later

Labaran Maku, Wike, Obanikoro, four others resign as Ministers

Seven serving ministers in President Jonathan’s cabinet today October 15th resigned their positions.

Those who resigned are: the Ministers of Information, Labaran Maku; Minister of Trade and Industry, Samuel Ortom; Minsiter of Health Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of State for Defence Dairus Ishaku, Minsiter of Labor, Emeka Wogu, Minister of State for Defence, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro and Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike.

All the ministers resigned to pursue their gubernatorial ambitions in their various states

US tracking 132 air passengers who traveled on same flight with 2nd Ebola patient

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention is currently trying to track down 132 air passengers who flew from Cleveland to Dallas on Monday October 13th after they found out that the second Ebola patient from the Texas Presbyterian Hospital flew on the same flight that day. The unidentified healthcare worker didn't show any sign of having the virus until late yesterday. So everyone she's had close contact with has been exposed. Ebola is officially in the US.

Photo and name of second US Ebola patient revealed

Texas Presbyterian Hospital healthcare worker, Amber Vinson, has been revealed as the 2nd Ebola patient who flew from Cleveland to Dallas on Monday. She was one of those who attended to Liberian Thomas Eric Duncan at the US hospital. Her photo was just released but they have since said anyone who was in the plane or came into contact with her should not be worried because she had no fever, and wasn't vomiting. Pic credit: WEWS NewsChannel5

At least 21 dead in Libya clashes

At least 21 people were killed and more than 60 wounded in tribal clashes west of the Libyan capital over the weekend, hospital sources said on Sunday.

Witnesses said nationalist militia from the hilltown of Zintan, southwest of Tripoli, attacked the neighbouring town of Kekla which supports their Islamist-led Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) rivals.

The clashes on Saturday and Sunday left 21 people dead and more than 60 wounded, officials at a local hospital said.

Texas health care worker tests positive for Ebola

A Texas health care worker who treated a man who later died of Ebola has tested positive for the disease in a preliminary test, doctors said Sunday, the second person to be diagnosed with the illness on US soil.

“We knew a second case could be a reality, and we’ve been preparing for this possibility,” said Dr David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“We are broadening our team in Dallas and working with extreme diligence to prevent further spread.”

The health care worker reported a low grade fever Friday night and was isolated and referred for testing, Texas health services said in a statement. It did not further identify the worker nor detail how exposure to the virus occurred.

The statement added: “Health officials have interviewed the patient and are identifying any contacts or potential exposures. People who had contact with the health care worker after symptoms emerged will be monitored based on the nature of their interactions and the potential they were exposed to the virus.”

The health care worker was from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, the hospital which treated Thomas Eric Duncan, the Liberian man who died on Wednesday.

From Our News Desk

UPDATES: Kwakwanso blasts Jonathan for seized $15m. Lawmaker’s attack: Police detain Edo Speaker, majority leader. Sacked Fintiri to return as Adamawa assembly Speaker. $9.3m scandal: FG must come clean, APC insists. Nigeria’ll soon see end of Boko Haram —IGP.  N’East parents wary of educating female children –Ezekwesili. Protesters against me are miscreants, says Akpabio. Ekiti: Stop assault on judiciary, APC tells Jonathan. Declare funding sources, groups dare TAN. Jonathan rewards Okagbare, Falconets, others. Declare your assets, Sagay advises Jonathan. Police arrest serial killer, fake customs officers. EFCC may recover N40bn debt for Unity Bank. Power firms to refund customers who buy transformers, others. FG to issue title documents to power firms. French writer, Modiano, wins Nobel Prize for Literature. US website removes Jonathan from Africa’s richest list. Ebola facilities excite pupils as new session begins. Mobile banking patronage still low in Nigeria –MD Firstmonie. Ebola Scare: 1,332 Nigerian Soldiers Quarantined In Liberia. Mainstreet Bank: Skye Bank Signs Share Purchase Agreeement. Chibok Community Faults CDS Over Comment On Chibok Girls. 2015: We Won’t Encourage Endorsement For PDP Governors, Aspirants – Akpabio. Noise Pollution Can Be Contained In Nigeria Like Ebola – Fashola. Auto Importers, SON At Loggerheads Over Vehicle Pre-shipment Inspection. Day Flood Ravaged Makurdi Communities, Sent Over 100 Packing. Wike punches opponent at PDP peace meeting. NBA demands re-opening of Ekiti courts. Amaechi blames dwindling state allocations to NNPC looting. APC orders FG to withdraw police from Ekiti courts. UN spokesperson confirms Mission staff in Liberia tests positive for Ebola. Ebola: Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria opposes ban on incoming flights from West Africa. OJ Simpson contracts HIV in prison, has four weeks to live.

Boko Haram beheads 7 in fresh attack

Boko Haram militants killed seven people early on Monday in the remote northeast of Nigeria, residents and an official said, with reports indicating the victims were beheaded in a revenge attack.

The overnight raid targeted the town of Ngamdu in troubled Borno state, the area hardest hit in the Islamists’ five-year uprising.

When locals woke they discovered “seven people had been brutally killed”, said resident Musa Abor.
The gunmen “slit their (victims) throats just the way people slaughter goats”, he added.

Abor and a Borno state official, who asked that his name be withheld, said the bodies had been decapitated, in the latest act of gruesome violence blamed on the Islamists who have killed more than 10,000 people since 2009.

In recent months, Boko Haram insurgents have targeted reprisal attacks at locals who have fought alongside the military as vigilantes.

An army officer in Borno, who also requested anonymity, said 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed in clashes in Ngamdu two weeks ago and the group had vowed revenge against the community.

Those killed on Monday could not immediately be identified as vigilantes and the defence ministry was not available to comment on the attack or the alleged beheadings.

The violence came as Nigerian Muslims marked the Eid al-Adha festival, a public holiday in the religiously divided country. Most Islamic holidays in recent years have been marred by Boko Haram violence.

Nurse infected with Ebola in Spain

A Spanish nurse who treated an Ebola victim in Madrid has contracted the virus herself in the first case of contagion outside Africa, health officials say.

The nurse tested positive for Ebola in two separate tests, according to reports.

She was part of the team that treated Spanish priest Manuel Garcia Viejo, who died of Ebola on September 25.

Some 3,400 people have died in the outbreak – mostly in West Africa.
The priest died in the hospital Carlos III de Madrid after catching Ebola in Sierra Leone.

Another Spanish priest, Miguel Pajares, died in August after contracting the virus in Liberia.
The nurse was admitted to hospital on Monday morning with a high fever, Spanish newspaper El Pais said.

Doctors isolated the emergency treatment room, the report said.

Ebola spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of someone who has the virus and the only way to stop an outbreak is to isolate those who are infected.

There have been nearly 7,500 confirmed infections worldwide, with officials saying the figure is likely to be much higher in reality.

Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been hardest hit.

Celebrations in West Africa for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha are being badly affected by the Ebola outbreak, with many public places deserted this weekend.

South Africa busts another secret Nigeria arms deal, seizes $5.7 million

8South African authorities have confiscated yet another US$5.7 million arms money from Nigeria, nearly three weeks after seizing $9.3 million in cash transported by two Nigerians and an Israeli for arms purchase, South Africa-based City Express reported Monday.
As with the first deal, South Africa’s Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority seized the $5.7 million (about N952 million) for allegedly being the proceeds of illegal transactions, the paper said.

The news came more than two weeks after two Nigerians and an Israeli national were arrested in South Africa after they attempted to smuggle US$9.3 million apparently meant for buying arms for the Nigerian intelligence service.
The men landed at Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg, on September 5 in a private jet from Abuja with the money stashed in three suitcases.
At the time, the South Africa Revenue Service, SARS, said customs officers became suspicious when the passengers’ luggage were unloaded and put through the scanners.
The National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, in South Africa said there was an invoice for helicopters and armaments intended to be used in Nigeria.
US$100,000 in notes, with combination locks, were seized, as well as two pieces of hand luggage also containing US currency, according to City Press.
The Israeli national, Eyal Mesika, had the combination to open the locks.
Under South African laws, a person entering or leaving the country is expected to carry cash not exceeding US$2,300, or the equivalent in foreign currency notes.
The news of the first transaction sparked anger in Nigeria after it emerged the private jet involved belonged to the head of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ayo Ortisejafor.
Mr. Oritsejafor, a close ally of President Goodluck Jonathan, said the plane had been leased to a third party and he could not be blamed for its schedules.
The Nigerian government later admitted it was behind the arms deal, claiming it acted out of desperation for arms to defeat extremist sect, Boko Haram.
An investigation planned by the Senate into the transaction has yet to begin while the House of Representatives threw out a motion seeking a probe.
The South African newspaper, City Press, said documents in its possession show that the first consignment was personally signed off by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who issued the end-user certificate for the transaction.
An entire “shopping list” was supplied with the certificate, which included everything from helicopters to unmanned aircraft, rockets and ammunition, it said.
The latest transaction, according to the paper, was between Cerberus Risk Solutions, an arms broker in Cape Town, and Societe D’Equipments Internationaux, said to be a Nigerian company based in Abuja.

Victory for Nigerian troops in in Michika, over 200 Boko Haram militants killed

There are strong indications that the Nigerian troops have overrun Michika and Gulak in Madagali Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.

The states had in the past one month been in the hands of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.

A source while speaking to our correspondent on phone said following the fierce fighting, the military are at the moment comfortably controlling Michika, which the insurgents seized on September 7, 2014.

The source said, “I can confirm to you authoritatively that the military are advancing towards Madagali.”

The source who spoke from his mountainous hideout in Michika, noted that despite the military bombardment, the insurgents on Sunday night re-grouped at the Government Technical College, Michika with the intention of attacking the soldiers before they were dislodged and chased away.

Reports indicate that about 200 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in the latest offensive, as Nigerian troops take control of the town and have gained an upper hand in the ongoing war.

The source said, “The Nigerian troops have gained entry into Michika and Gulak, and are now fully in control of the towns having dealt a severe blow to the insurgents, as they lost about 200 members, while some escaped with injuries sustained from gun shots.”

Another source from the area said Nigerian troops had earlier met with a stiff resistance from the insurgents as they advanced towards Gulak leading to the prolonged gun duel.

The source added that: “There is a heavy fighting between the insurgents and Nigerian troops as the insurgents are doing everything to frustrate the effort of the Nigerian troops and many people who were trapped in the towns are now sneaking out following intensified fighting.”

He added that the insurgents who were in their thousands came through Uba and attacked the Nigeria troops who had already advanced into Michika, but were repelled back immediately.

Efforts to get the reaction from the Army Public Relations Officer of the 23rd Army Brigade Yola proved abortive as his telephone was not reachable while the police authority refused comment saying it is not within their area of jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has commended the efforts of Nigerian soldiers to liberate the two local government areas initially under the grip of the militants.

From Our News Desk

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I was lured into robbery to raise N25,000 school fees, says undergraduate arrested with girlfriend

Delta Police have arrested an undergraduate of the state-owned university and his lover for their alleged role in armed robbery. Raphael Ekarebe, 22, is a 300 level student of the Department of Political Science at Delta State University, Abraka, while his girlfriend, identified as Endurance Akpore, is a student of Shaka Polytechnic in Edo State.

The duo were paraded along with 14 other suspects in Asaba for alleged crimes ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, trafficking in fake currency notes and rape. Ekarebe, who confessed to participating in the crime, said he was forced into crime due to his inability to raise N25,000 for school fees, adding that his indigent mother could not afford to pay his fees.
His words: ‘’We went to rob a man of his car at Agbarho. I am a member of the gang; it was my first time. I am a student in Delta State University, Abraka, and we are starting our exams soon. I came from the school because we will be starting exams this week and I have a problem with my school fees.
So, I went to meet my girlfriend she promised to give me N5,000, but the money was not enough. So, I went to meet my friend called Makolomi who promised to give me some more money.’’ He said his friend, who promised to give him money, however, lured him into crime, taking advantage of his financial situation. He added that he was not aware that they were going on a robbery operation.
According to him, he participated in the robbery because he was desperate to raise the money to pay his school fees. His words: ‘’I did not know we were going for a robbery operation. When we reached the place, we intercepted a man and showed him a gun; the man ran away leaving his car.
I participated in the robbery because I was in need of money to pay my school fees which is N25, 000. My mother cannot pay my school fees because she has no money.
We are five children.’’ He said he would not return to a life of crime if he is set free, adding that this robbery operation was his first attempt. His lover, 23-year-old Endurance Akpore, who also claimed to be a student, said she met the suspect three months ago and they became friends.
She said she went to the residence of Raphael Ekarebe to remove his belongings, adding that someone else had, however, gone ahead of her to remove them. The Delta Police image-maker, DSP Tina Kalu, said the gang had allegedly terrorised Ughelli and environs in recent times, adding that the Police made a break by acting on a tip-off.

PDP planning attack on Osun tribunal - APC

The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party of planning to cause violence at the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Osogbo.

The APC alleged that the PDP planned to cause violence in order to compel the panel to give judgement in its favour.

The APC Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, made the allegation in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday in Osogbo.

The party, however, urged security agencies to prevent the PDP from “throwing the state into anarchy.”

The statement read, “The APC has alerted the state security agencies to prevent any attempt to cause a breach of the peace in the state.

“The State Election Petition Tribunal is a prime target of the PDP to put it under extreme pressure to decide in its favour.

“The election petition tribunal resumes sitting next week in Osogbo and we want security agencies to prevent the PDP from disrupting the peace in the state.”

But the PDP had on Tuesday alleged that the APC was planning to cause violence and blame it on the opposition.

The APC called on security agencies to also investigate the allegation.

The Chairman of the PDP in the state, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, described the APC as “desperate and violent group of people.” He accused the APC of unleashing violence on members of the PDP following the “fake victory in the August 9 governorship election.”

He said, “If they want to carry out their violence against one another, they should just go ahead, and not drag our party into it. What in God’s name would have made APC thugs disguise as PDP members to their members and record same scenario?

I’ll continue as Eagles coach - Keshi

Stephen Keshi insists he is focused on taking charge of Nigeria for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Sudan despite having no contract in place.

The 52-year-old lost his permanent position after the World Cup but was brought back for the Super Eagles’ last two matches.

He has had no word from the newly-elected Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board, but says he will continue in the role.

“I’m still working based on the previous arrangement agreed with the Sports Minister Tamuno Danagogo,” Keshi told BBC Sport.

“I’ve not heard from the new NFF board because elections only happened on Tuesday so it is not a problem.

“My immediate focus is on the important matches against Sudan this month because it is very crucial for us to win both games.”

Keshi, who led Nigeria to their third African title in 2013 and the last 16 in Brazil, must lead his side to a recovery after their poor start to qualifying for next year’s tournament in Morocco.

Following a defeat by Congo and a draw with South Africa, the Super Eagles are third in Group A, with only the top two teams guaranteed a place at the finals.

It places extra pressure on the African champions to win their match away to Sudan, which will take place on 11 October, and the return fixture four days later in Abuja.

“I have named a squad strong enough for these games and the plan is to get the players together early enough to prepare. When you take care of business on the pitch then other things will be secondary.”

From Our News Desk

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Synagogue: Coroner’s inquest to commence Oct.13

The coroner’s inquest into the recent collapse of a building within the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations at Ikotun Egbe, a Lagos suburb, would commence sitting on 13 October.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Mrs Bola Akingbade, spokesperson of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, and made available to journalists on Friday in Ikeja.

The statement said the inquest would take place at the premises of the Ikeja High Court and would be presided over by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe.

At least 86 persons were reportedly killed and 131 others rescued after the multi-storey building collapsed on 12 September.

The inquest was instituted under the Lagos State Coroner’s System Law No. 7 of 2007 for the purpose of establishing the cause and manner of the collapsed building incident.

The statement said those expected to give evidence at the inquest would include Prophet Temitope Joshua, general overseer, The Synagogue Church of All Nations, and the contractors handling the church building.

Others are members of the families of the victims of the incident, some media houses including NAN, Channels TV, Television Continental, Vanguard newspaper, Daily Independent, The Nation and Punch Newspapers.

The statement also stated that some ministries, departments and parastatal agencies (MDAs) of Lagos State, the state police command, security agencies and the Nigerian Red Cross, would testify.

2015: I’ll shun personal, sectional agenda, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday promised that he would jettison personal ambition or sectional agenda in deciding whether or not to seek re-election in 2015.

Jonathan, who has since been endorsed as the sole presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, said his decision on the calls for him to contest in 2015 would be based on greater interests of national harmony and cohesion.

The President made the promise in his Eid-El-Kabir message made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

He urged all other politicians to borrow a leaf from him by rising above selfish personal interests and divisive sectional agenda in the coming national elections.

He said, “I thank the many individuals, stakeholders, groups, associations, non-governmental organisations, unions and political leaders from across the country who have, in recognition and appreciation of our efforts and commitment to repositioning our dear nation for more rapid growth and development, urged me to seek a second term in office.

“In deciding on an appropriate response to such calls, I will place the greater interests of national harmony, cohesion, unity, security, political stability, progress, equity, justice and fairness above any personal ambition or sectional agenda.

“I urge all other political leaders in the country to do the same. Let us all rise above unedifying, unpatriotic and selfish personal interests and divisive sectional agenda in the coming national elections.

“Let us also commit ourselves more to the sustenance of democracy and political stability which are essential prerequisites for the advancement of good governance, inclusive economic growth and rapid development.”

The President urged all political leaders in the country to place the overriding interest of the well-being and progress of the country above all other considerations in the coming campaigns and elections just as the Independent National Electoral Commission has issued a formal notice of the impending general elections.

Jonathan said his administration had done its sincere best in the past four years to implement its agenda for national transformation and move the country forward on several fronts.

He regretted that in spite of the significant progress the nation had made in the past four years, Nigeria continues to face critical challenges in some areas.

Mark, Tinubu hold closed-door meetings with Obasanjo

Senate President David Mark and former governor of Lagos State and a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu, on Friday held separate closed-door meetings with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The meetings were held at the former president’s Hilltop residence in Abeokuta.

Both Mark and Tinubu said the issues discussed bordered on politics and the state of the nation.

Tinubu came ahead of Mark.

Emerging from the venue of the meeting, Tinubu said he discussed with Obasanjo “some of his former boys” who would vie for various elective positions in the 2015 general elections, especially the Presidency.

He said, “We are here to pay homage to our former president and have a number of discussions with him because he has a lot of influence in the political sphere.

“As a good merger, we need to talk. Because the merger will serve various branches. It is a very big tree. So, we need to talk, to find out his thinking about Nigeria and the future.

“We need to seek his observation as some of his former boys are running for presidency in our party. What can he say about them?”

When pressed further, Tinubu refused to expatiate on the crucial meeting which lasted about two hours.

But he later said there was nothing worth celebrating about 54th independence anniversary, since the
country remained “an invalid baby in the incubator.”

Mark, who arrived at the Hilltop residence at 2pm, left around 3.45pm.

He also described Obasanjo as the father of the nation with a wealth of experience.

The Senate President told journalists after the meeting that he had come with his team, which included the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Peoples Democratic Party Women Leader, Mrs Josephine Anenih; and Senator Polycarp Nwite, among others to discuss with Obasanjo and raise some basic issues that affect both the PDP and the nation at large.

He said, “They are discussions that would move this nation forward, because his passion for this nation is unquantifiable. So we have really had a good discussion with him.”

Boko Haram’s computer expert arrested, opens up

The Nigerian military has arrested a foreign computer expert who is said to be behind the several video shots sent to online media organization and foreign media houses.

He was said to have been arrested with some sophisticated equipment and copies of some of the videos the terrorists had sent to online media houses on their escapades including that of the abducted Chibok girls, it was learnt.

Military sources disclosed that the computer analyst who is currently being interrogated was responsible for configuring computer images website and internet accesses that enables the group fight media and psychological operations.

Sources said he was arrested after a shootout when a group of the sect members mobilized and attacked Konduga with a view to recovering the body of the impostor for burial in a site they would later earmark as their shrine.

It was also gathered that the foreigner has made shocking confessional statements about the terrorist’s plans and modus operandi as well as their backers that would aid the troop’s fast track the routing of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We have made a very big break through; the computer analyst is opening up and has made very big revelations on the modus operandi of the sect”.

“We also discovered that the ICT expert is the back bone of the signals and communication links of late impersonator, Mohammed Bashir who always poses as Abubakar Shekau, whenever he is talking on “U” tube”.

With the breakthrough, the military is said to be better informed on how the Impostor of Shekau was able to reach out to the world and claim victory over Nigerian troops after several attacks.

While confirming that there is a successor crisis in the camp of the terrorists resulting from the death of most of their commanders by troops in Konduga, NE learnt that some terrorists are yet to be disarmed because they were yet to come to terms that their erstwhile leader, Shakau has been killed.

Ph.D in Theology will deepen my knowledge of God and help me serve him better – Obasanjo

former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who enrolled Tuesday for a Master/PhD in theology at the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, said he took on the course to deepen his knowledge of God and serve Him better and not because he aspired to become a pastor.

Mr. Obasanjo, who was speaking after completing his registration at the university’s main study centre in Lagos, also said that by enrolling for a Ph.D, he was out to prove that one’s position or age should not be a barrier for continuous learning.

“Learning should be a continuous process and if you can do it and learn without the formality of a university, all well and good. But I chose to learn and continue to learn by other means and through the discipline and the formality of the university system,” he said.

Mr. Obasanjo said the other reason he decided to enroll at the institution was to display the opportunity the institution provided for those aspiring to get a higher education but unable to get admission into conventional universities.

“I wanted to throw a bit of limelight on this institution; knowing fully well that this country at no time in the foreseeable future would be able to provide built and walled universities for all the Nigerian students who want to have higher education,” he said.

The former president is perhaps the biggest ambassador of the institution. In 2009, he enrolled for a postgraduate diploma in theology at the university and graduated with “flying colours.”

According to the Dean of School of Arts and Social Sciences, David Otubanjo, the number of students that enrolled at the university quadrupled following the former president’s enrollment in 2009.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Vincent Tenebe, said the number of enrolled students jumped from 32,000 with 16,000 of them being active students in 2010 to 308,000 enrolled students with 16,000 of them being active in 2014. He said its study centres had grown from 32 to 55 in the same period while the institution’s staff strength grew from 820 in 2010 to 25, 000 in 2014.

“Your intervention in educational development in Nigeria by resuscitating the National Open University, ensuring vigorous development of the institution, enrolling as a student and graduating with flying colours and yet today returning for a higher qualification of PHD can never be over emphasised,” said Mr. Tenebe to Mr. Obasanjo.

The former president called on Nigerians aspiring for higher learning to consider the opportunity provided by NOUN. He said the quality of study at the university was not inferior to conventional universities in the country.

Mr Obasanjo, whose real age is a source of controversy, declined to say how old he was but noted that age should not be hindrance to acquiring knowledge.

“I’ve told my children that when I have difficulty I’d tell them to come and teach me. This proves that there should be no shame in learning and any knowledge that you acquire becomes your own, nobody has to take it away from you,” he said.

Three Boko Haram members sentenced to 25 years each

The Federal High Court in Lagos today Tuesday September 30th sentenced 3 Boko Haram members to 25 years imprisonment each, The Nation reports.
However, journalists were not allowed to cover the judgment. Only lawyers in the prosecution and defence teams were allowed in court.
A source, who witnessed the verdict, but craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, told reporters that the fourth defendant was acquitted.
The court, on December 3 last year, barred journalists from covering the trial of 17 suspected members of the sect.
Justice Ibrahim Buba made the order following an application by the Lagos State Attorney-General and prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ade Ipaye.

Men of the Department of Security Services (DSS) had prevented journalists from covering the suspects’ arraignment last November 27.

The accused are – Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, Musa Audu, Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.
The Attorney-General, it was learnt, had entered a nolle prosequi (Latin for “do not prosecute”) in respect of two of the defendants, who were subsequently discharged.
Later, another 11 were also discharged in the course of the trial following another nolle prosequi by the prosecution.

Only four – the first to fourth defendants – went through a full trial.
The suspects were first charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism, illegal possession of firearms, and being members of a proscribed organisation.

They allegedly committed the offences on March 21 last year, at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase I Housing Estate, and at No. 24, Oyegbeni St., Ijora-Oloye, Apapa-Iganmu, Lagos.
They were alleged to have in their possession three packets of explosive construction pipes, 15 detonators, and 11 AK47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunitions.

Source: The Nation