Abdul's Blog: January 2018

Wednesday 31 January 2018

Fani-Kayode has heart disease, lawyer tells court

The trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, for an alleged fraud of N4.9bn was stalled on Wednesday due to his absence from the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Counsel for the ex-minister, Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), told the court that his client was unable to make it to court as he had been hospitalised for a heart disease.

Arsenal have completed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for £55 million plus £5m in further add-ons.

The 28-year-old joined from Borussia Dortmund on a long-term contract for a club-record fee.

Mesut Ozil has ended speculation over his future by signing a new three-year deal with Arsenal, a source close to the player has told ESPN FC.

Ozil, 29, was due to be out of contract at the end of the season but will now be tied to the club until the summer of 2021.

Emirates Airline on Wednesday explained why a 71- year old passenger, David Ukesone, was restrained on a flight between Dubai and Chicago.

The airline said Ukesone was unruly on board the flight and forced his way into another passenger’s seat.

The police in Adamawa State have confirmed the death of a sergeant from gunshot by a corporal, allegedly following a feud over a girl.

The spokesperson of the police in the state, Othman Abubakar, confirmed the death of the officer “over a minor disagreement.”

Police in Jigawa have held a security summit for farmers and herdsmen in a bid to find solutions to the security challenges in the region.

The state police command in collaboration with eight local government councils in Jigawa North-east and Hadejia Emirate councils organised the summit.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will flag off the registration of the Coalition for Nigeria in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Thursday.

Kehinde Akinyemi, spokesman of the ex-president, disclosed this to TheCable on Wednesday.

According to the father of one of R. Kelly’s girlfriends, R. Kelly is getting away with his alleged sex cult because America doesn’t care about underage black girls being victimized.

Angelo Clary told TMZ he’s incredulous Kelly isn’t facing the same fate as Harvey Weinstein or Bill Cosby and believes race is the only difference.

Former Italy national coach Azeglio Vicini, who led the Azzurri to third place at the 1990 World Cup on home soil, has died at the age of 84.

Vicini managed the national side from 1986 to 1991, leading them to the semi-finals of the 1988 European Championships and also the 1990 World Cup.

The Senate at the plenary on Wednesday resolved to investigate former registrars of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board over low remittances during their administration of the board.

The probe will also be extended to the National Examinations Council and the West African Examination Council.

Olivier Giroud has completed his transfer to Chelsea for £18million.

Giroud leaves Arsenal having played in their 3-1 defeat to Swansea on Tuesday night, coming off the bench in the latter stages of the game.

The French striker has now signed an 18-month contract at Stamford Bridge, where he will provide much-needed competition for the struggling Alvaro Morata.

Isaac Success is leaving Watford for Malaga on loan after an unsuccessful spell at the EPL club.

The forward is returning to La Liga to join Malaga on loan for the rest of the season.

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday in Abuja, tasked the Nigerian Police Force on the need to do more in tackling crime in order to restore confidence in all Nigerians.

Saraki made this remark when a delegation from the Police Service Commission visited him at the National Assembly Complex.

A suspected conman, Eruagah ThankGod has been arrested after he duped his bosom friend, Vitalis Darlinton to the tune of N2.4m and set him up at the computer village in Lagos.

The incident happened in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where both the suspect and the victim resided. But the suspect tricked the victim to Lagos and set him up at the computer village in Ikeja, Lagos.

The officials of Nigeria Customs have reportedly raid Lagos home of real estate billionaire, Olu Okeowo, seize his Rolls Royce cars over unpaid import duties.

Usain Bolt parties with gold-plated Champagne in South Africa

Usain Bolt was locked and loaded in Cape Town this past weekend, partying with the help of a gold-plated champagne super soaker.

Bolt rolled through local hot spot Grand Cafe & Beach with a small entourage -- poppin' bottles, smokin' cigars, TMZ reports.

Harvey Weinstein has said that actress Kadian Noble is way off base with her allegation he engaged in sex trafficking when she met him in his Cannes hotel room.

Weinstein is responding to Noble's lawsuit, and insists there was no exchange of money or movie roles for sex during the alleged 2014 incident.

The body of a 28-year-old Nigerian student has been recovered at the Çanakkale Pond near Famagusta area of Cyprus after he was reportedly kidnapped and killed.

According to Kibrisgercek News, the Nigerian identified as Kennedy Toomwabwa Dede was assaulted by 8 people, yesterday, kidnapped from his car, taken to the Çanakkale Pond, seriously beaten and killed there.

The Army said it had arrested a native doctor, Tordue Gber (Tiv Swem), who allegedly acted as spiritual counselor to the wanted armed criminal militia, Akwazar Terwase (alias Gana), in Benue.

A statement by Brig.-Gen Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations, on Tuesday, said the suspect was picked up in Tor-Dunga town in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state during a raid on his shrine.

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the safety and freedom of the media professionals are not compromised in any way.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the reassurance on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day training workshop for the media and stakeholders on: “Conflict-Sensitive Reporting and Safety of Journalists.”

In a swift reaction to Fulani herdsmen's attack on staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), at Tse Torkula area of Benue State, former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri, on Wednesday, attacked the presidency.

The former aide to ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan, said the herdsmen had “graduated” from attacking and killing farmers to NNPC staff because President Muhammadu Buhari had treated their situation with “kid glove.”

Manchester United striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is on the verge of joining LA Galaxy in the Major Soccer League.

According to L’Equipe, Ibrahimovic has already signed a contract with the California club.

The 36-year-old has never made any secret of his desire to play in the US and is now set to end his spell at Old Trafford.

An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 shook the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday, with the effect felt as far as Delhi, the Indian capital.

There were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties, according to the Times of India.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday confirmed that three persons died of Lassa fever in Taraba State.

A WHO Surveillance Officer, Dr. Bello Ahmed, disclosed this at a sensitisation workshop on Lassa fever in Jalingo, the state capital. The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Health.

The police in Anambra State on Tuesday arrested two suspects who allegedly used abducted children for alms begging in Onitsha.

The suspects, the police said, made N25,000 daily from the act.

The suspects were identified as Friday Edet and Ezekiel Ubong, both from Akwa Ibom State.

Osula Daniel Enahoro, an aggrieved Delsu student (Delta State University), has taken to Facebook to recount all that he faced in the school, that led to his expulsion.

Daniel recounted his bitter ordeal in the hands of a lecturer and the HOD (Head of Department) of Civil and Environmental Engineering department he was admitted to, started after he refused paying his way through his project.

Commissioner Slumps At Inter-Ministerial Briefing

The Bayelsa Commissioner for Special Projects, Fred Obua, today slumped and was rushed out of the venue of the ongoing inter-ministerial briefing to mark six years of Governor Seriake Dickson in office.

The governor was sworn into office for the second term on Feb. 14, 2016.

The entrenchment of national security has been identified as the the top priority of President Muhammadu Buhari’s adminstration, as he puts in place measures to ensure that threats to peace and security are dealt with, noting that socio-economic initiatives of his government could only be achieved through adequate security.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhamed made the disclosure in Ibadan Tuesday, at the opening of a two-day national conference on “Culture, Peace & National Security: The Role of Traditional Rulers,” held at the Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, UCH, Ibadan, organised by the National Institute of Cultural Orientation in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

EFCC Arraigns Fake University Lecturer for Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today February 30, 2018 arraigned one Mahmoud A. Sadiq before Justice Lawan Wada of the Kano State High Court on a one count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.

The accused person allegedly obtained the sum of N410,000 (Four Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira Only) from the complainant under the pretext that the said money was to secure him a job at the Umar Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina.

Super Eagles forward, Ahmed Musa has returned to Russian club CSKA Moscow, on loan from Leicester City after failing to impress at the English Club

The 25-year-old winger who signed for Leicester for a club-record fee of £16 million in July 2016, made 21 appearances for the club and scored only two goals.

Thomas Lemar will not be joining Liverpool or Arsenal in January, Monaco’s vice president has said.

Vadim Vasilyev told Sky Sports in October last year that Monaco would wait until at least the end of the 2017-18 season before allowing Lemar to leave.

Saudi Arabia has banned the kingdom’s expatriates from working in 12 occupational domains, making them available to Saudi nationals only.

The decision by Minister of Labour Ali bin Nasser al-Ghafis will take effect starting September 2018, SPA news agency reported on Sunday.

Barely a week after former President Olusegun Obasanjo advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019, campaign posters of ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, yesterday flooded the cities of Abuja and Lagos.

A federal high court in Abuja has struck out the human rights abuse suit which Patience Jonathan, former first lady, filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC).

Jonathan had filed a N2 billion suit against the commission on the grounds that the freezing of her accounts violated her fundamental rights.

Jamie Vardy has re-iterated he was in no doubt over his decision to snub the advances of Arsenal and stay with Leicester City.

When asked whether the transfer window can be a difficult period for a player, Vardy told Sky Sports News: "I think it was easier for me because I was in a hotel in France anyway.

Nigerian singers Davido, Wizkid and South African comedian Trevor Noah make the list of the most followed Africans on the social networks Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, a report has said.

According to campsbay media, the African Social Media Power Report: Top 50 Footballers and Entertainers was released on January 26.

In what will come across as a really heartbreaking development, a student of the Sultan Tambari Arabic Secondary School Illela, in Sokoto state was burnt to death in a fire incident that occured in his hostel yesterday January 29th.

However, the cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained.

The Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti has ruled that EFCC lacked power to investigate finances of a State.

The court said, in federalism, the FG is not an overseer or supervisor regarding finances of a State.

Manchester City have signed the central defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao.

The Premier League leaders met the 23-year-old’s £57.2m release clause last week in a deal which makes him City’s record signing. They paid £55m for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.

The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olafimihan Adeoye has expressed his satisfaction over the operations of officers and men of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS. The police boss made this known during the parade of four suspected car snatchers who were recently nabbed by FSARS operatives, Osun State Command.

CP Adeoye maintained that FSARS operatives have been working tirelessly in ensuring that the State is a no-go area for Criminals, a stride which was attested to by the recovery of 19 stolen vehicles.

A man simply identified as Mwansa Elexander Muma has fled after allegedly assaulting his wife, breaking her arms, stabbing her in the head and chest. The Lusaka man is believed to be a judiciary accountant who has been abusing his wife, according to reports from Zambia.

Family members of the beaten wife have launched a media campaign to find Mr. Mwansa who is currently in hiding.

Nairobi, Kenya (CNN)Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga, who boycotted the country's disputed election last year, swore himself in as the "people's president" at a mock inauguration ceremony Tuesday in protest against President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Thousands of opposition supporters gathered at Uhuru Park in central Nairobi to attend the "swearing-in" protest event, which was organized by Odinga's National Super Alliance (NASA). Police fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse crowds pulling down signs near the park on Tuesday.

Alexis Sanchez is the next in line of great players to wear and succeed in the iconic Manchester United number seven shirt, David Beckham, who also wore the shirt has assured.

Sanchez set up two goals in United’s 4-0 win at Yeovil Town on Friday on his debut, wearing Beckham’s old number seven shirt.

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned his media aides against “engaging or instigating attacks” against former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his recent statement on the performance of the president.

Mr. Obasanjo last week issued a damning statement accusing Mr. Buhari of incompetence and asked him not to seek re-election in 2019.

France’s move comes after Britain's first "sex doll brothel" opened - where customers are offered a "try before you buy" service. (Photo: AFP)

France recently got its first sex doll brothel in Paris for people who prefer the company of plastic than real women.

The sex club has several rooms and customers are offered services of a silicone model instead of a real prostitute.

A Nigerian lady from Delta state has accused her landlord (also said to be a Nigerian) of throwing her from a 3-storey building in Florence, Italy because she refused to sleep with him.

According to Precious (victim) on that faithful day, when she returned from work her landlord, Mr Daniel came to her room and demand for sex with her which she refused, while attempted to rape her he realised that she had her phone on record.

Twenty four hours after smashing a deadly kidnap syndicate in Imo State, the operatives of Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad of the state Police Command have arrested another suspected “deadly member” of the gang.

The state commissioner of police, Chris Ezike, who addressed journalists on Monday in Owerri about what he called “massive breakthrough” for his command and the state, said the number of exhibits recovered from the suspect was mind-boggling.

There is tension in Taraba State Government House as the Chief of Staff to the governor, Rebo Usman, tendered his resignation letter to Governor Darius Ishaku yesterday. A source told Vanguard that Rebo Usman, in the early hours of yesterday, went to the office of the governor to present the letter. According to the source, “he came in without his usual Police escort; he was calm and steady. He went in silently and came out without discussing with anybody.

A girl and her lover boy who allegedly dumped their three-week-old baby girl by the roadside were on Monday brought before an Upper Area Court 3 in Jos.

Zainab Yakubu, a 15-year-old student, was arraigned with her boyfriend, Abdullahi Ismail, the suspected father of the abandoned child.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the offense punishable under Sections 97 and 237 of the Penal Code.

Wednesday 31 January 2018

Tuesday 30 January 2018