Abdul's Blog: February 2018

Wednesday 28 February 2018

Customs Arrests Three Fake Job Syndicates

The Calabar Free Trade Zone in Cross River and Akwa Ibom Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested three suspected job syndicates.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of Calabar Free Trade Zone and Akwa Ibom Area Command, Mrs. Patience Burromvyat, said the suspects were arrested this month in Calabar.

A divorce seeking wife has accused her husband of employing an Islamic preacher to have sex with her for money-making ritual purposes.

The woman, Musilimotu Olashuyi, 48, claimed that she introduced her husband, Gbenga Olashuyi, 55, to the unnamed Alfa because she used to frequent his mosque for prayers.

Akon's learning the hard way that giving the cold shoulder never pays, especially when it comes to lawsuits, cause now he's gotta cough up tons of dough.

Akon's been ordered to pay $164,786.99 to a company that leased him some space on the 66th floor of the Empire State Building for his fashion line, Aliaune Milano, this according to legal docs obtained by TMZ.

A Federal High Court on Wednesday in Lagos ordered final forfeiture of two penthouses linked to a former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

On December 5, 2017, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun ordered an interim forfeiture of the properties after an ex parte (without notice) application was argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Wales boss Ryan Giggs wants Aaron Ramsey to decide his future as soon as possible, amid protracted talks over a new Arsenal contract.

The 27-year-old’s deal expires at the end of next season but discussions over an extension have seemingly stalled.

There are reports Ramsey is keen for a pay rise that would put him in the same bracket as Arsenal’s highest earners, including Mesut Ozil and January signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has restrained the House of Representatives from conducting a planned public hearing on the hijab controversy between the Nigerian Law School and Ms Firdrusa Abdulsalam.

Justice Anwuli Chikere gave the order on Wednesday in her ruling on an application filed by a coalition of legal practitioners seeking to stop the public hearing.

A bridegroom in New Delhi has been killed by a stray bullet after a member of his wedding party opened fire to celebrate the occasion, police said Wednesday.

Deepak Kumar, 21, was shot while leading the party to his bride’s home in the Indian capital on Tuesday evening.

In a bid to bring accountability and transparency to economic management of resources, the Ghanaian government has vowed to account for every single bar of gold leaving the country.

It also promised to end smuggling by tightening controls, and ensure that 50% of total gold output is locally refined in the next five years.

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says he has passed the stage where he can be intimidated.

In a chat with The Interview, Yakubu vowed not to bow to pressure.

He said this in light of concerns about voter registration and accusations by politicians that INEC could not be trusted to conduct free and fair elections.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, arraigned Nanle Miracle Dariye, son of former Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye, on a 6-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N1.5billion before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Dariye was arraigned alongside Apartment le Paradis, a hotel where he was a director.

The nationals of 61 countries travelling to Angola will be granted visas on arrival, state-owned media confirmed Tuesday.

Rádio Nacional de Angola (RNA) said the visitors will only need to submit their accommodation and subsistence means to get the tourism visa in Luanda.

A police sergeant attached to Zone D Command in Mushin, Ihuoma Njoku was battered while she went to a popular hotel to perform her lawful duty and attempted to arrest a sex worker in Lagos. It was gathered that Ihuoma was attacked by a sex worker, a 25-year old Cherish John who tore her uniform and bathed her with a glass of beer she was drinking during the scuffle.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 convicted one Moghalu Maduakonam on one-count charge of money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Maduakonam, a business man, was arrested sometime in February 2013 by operatives of the EFCC for transporting in cash in the sum of $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), about 72 million naira, while boarding an Ethiopian Airline from Nigeria to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The money is above the threshold of $10,000 allowed by law for an individual.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Tuesday, February 28, 2018, arraigned the duo of Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick and Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.

The defendants were arraigned following a petition submitted to the Commission by a complainant, alleging that they masterminded the infamous dollar scheme to entrap her.

No one knew it was going to be a sad day at school. The blackboard, facing the empty class in ‘Tech 3A’, still bore, in the teacher’s handwriting, 19/2/18. The topic, ‘Weathering’, which they learnt in geography class that day has not yet been erased from the board. And so is their memory of the attack.

At about 5.30pm that Monday, the whistle for the dinner blew. According to the similar accounts of seven girls who spoke to TheCable, the students rushed to the dining to have their meal. The food on the menu was maize and baobab soup.

The national executive committee of Nigeria’s ruling party has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari to seek a second term in an election next year, two senior party sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

Buhari, who took office in May 2015, has not yet said whether he intends to seek re-election. The 75-year-old leader spent five months on medical leave in Britain last year for an unspecified ailment, raising questions about his ability to run Africa’s most populous nation.

Arsene Wenger on Wednesday refused to confirm whether he will be in charge at Arsenal next season as he prepares for a match against Manchester City just days after their League Cup humiliation against Pep Guardiola’s team.

The Frenchman has come under fire from Gunners fans since an abject display in Sunday’s 3-0 hammering at Wembley.

The United States government has imposed new sanctions on the terror group, Boko Haram, and its factional leader, Mus’ab al-Barnawi.

The new sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department targets the Islamic State and its affiliate networks around the world.

A mathematics teacher in a secondary school in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chiadikobi Ezeibekwe, has married his 17-year-old sister, claiming that God told him to do so.

Speaking with our correspondent on Saturday, Ezeibekwe said he had a revelation where God told him to marry his sibling.

No fewer than five people including a policeman are feared killed in cult-related violence on Monday and yesterday.

Two traders were killed inside Ladipo International Market on Monday evening by suspected cultists. A policeman, a hoodlum and a pupil died during a clash at Idi-Oro. It was gathered that the policemen was stabbed to death.

A businessman, Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) yesterday explained why a suspect, Adeola Williams, (aka Ade Lawyer) wanted to implicate him in some killings in Lagos.

Ade Lawyer was arrested with former Lagos State council of the National Union Road of Transport Workers (NURTW) chairman, Alhaji Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa for allegedly killing Ganiyu Ayinla, aide to NURTW Chairman in Idumota, Azeez Lawal (aka Kunle Poly).

I rob because many people in government steal — Suspect lailasnews

Two suspected armed robbers have been arrested by the Niger State Police Command. The suspects claimed they decided to go into robbery because the country is in recession and that people in the government also steal.

The suspects identified as Shehu Bida and Bello Mallam, were arrested in Talba Estate, Bida town in the Bida Local Government Area of the state. And according to them the “government did not provide any job for people.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed all ministers to inaugurate the boards of various parastatals under their supervision.

The president issued this directive on Monday through a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Egypt’s popular Singer, Sherine jailed 6 months over her comment on Nile River

An Egyptian court has sentenced one of the country’s top singers to six months in prison over a comment she made about the River Nile.

The singer Sherine was not in court and can appeal the sentence.

Nigeria’s ambassadors to the just concluded 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeonchang, South Korea, have arrived back to the country.

The quartet of Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, Omeoga Akuoma and Simidele Adeagbo arrived on Tuesday night and as expected were treated to a rousing welcome.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) and China Development Bank (CDB), the world’s largest development finance institution, has announced the signing of a $100 million seven-year loan agreement to finance the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa.

The $100 million loan will enhance UBA’s capacity to provide access to finance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the 19 African countries where UBA currently operates.

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Austin Iwar, said on Tuesday 18 suspects have been arrested and 12 people confirmed dead in the three- hour crisis that engulfed Kasuwan Magani town, Kajuru local government area of the state on Monday.

Addressing journalists after a fact- finding and assessment visit to the area, the police commissioner vowed that no stone would be left unturned in unraveling the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.

The Weinstein Company has been left with 'no choice' but to file for bankruptcy following the alleged Hollywood sex scandal surrounding film producer Harvey Weinstein.

According to reports, last-ditch efforts to sell the company have ended in failure.

A 17-year-old girl from Kakamega county facing charges of assault and causing grievous harm has told the court the victim pushed her to action through continuous mockery over her HIV status.

The girl who is a form one student at a school in Likuyani Sub-County is accused of attacking and hurting her 14-year-old classmate on February 5, 2018 before disappearing.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to show true “leadership by visiting troubled Dapchi, Yobe state.”

PDP urged Buhari to “halt the feasting with the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Aso Villa” and visit the area to get first hand information on the “circumstances surrounding the abduction of the 110 school girls under his watch.”

Buhari noted that security concerns and financial burden of funding the organisation are his reasons for his action.

He stated this in a letter he sent to the House of Representatives which was read during plenary on Tuesday (27/02/2018) by the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara.

Two Men To Pay N1m For Blocking Governor Yahaya Bello's Convoy

Two men, Ahmed Abdullahi, and Nura Musa were on Tuesday arraigned in a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly blocking the convoy of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

Abdullahi, 37, and Musa, 23, both of Asokoro, Abuja, are facing a count of public nuisance.

Manchester United board members met with rival Premier League executives last week and privately confessed to regretting signing Alexis Sanchez, according to Metro UK report.

The Chilean moved to Old Trafford in a straight swap with Arsenal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January, and was handed a mammoth contract that makes him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

A report by The Sun UK has shown that a woman has been mauled to death by a lioness. The sad incident happened at a private game lodge in South Africa.

The unnamed victim, 22, was attacked by the big cat at a reserve in Hammanskraal, a small town in Guateng.

The number of billionaires from the shores of Africa has risen to 23 in January 2018, and atop that list sits industrialist Aliko Dangote.

Three Nigerians feature in Forbes’ 23 African Billionaires list, Dangote retaining the throne for the 7th year in a row with $12.2 billion.

Troops of 23 Brigade deployed Wukari on Ex-Ayem Akpatuma and team of Department of State Service from Jalingo during an Operation, arrested 3 suspects in connection to the kidnapping and murdering of Hon. Hosea Ibi, a member of Taraba State House of Assembly and Mr. Chidiebere who was later released after a ransom was paid.

A statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col Ogunsanya said, “The suspects are Jaka Ejukun (24years), Peter Isaga (33years) and Arachukwu Bedforth (21years).

The police on Tuesday arraigned a woman, Esther Nnachi and a man, Moses David, in a Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, over alleged N1.6 million visa fraud.

Nnachi of 22, Kukwaba St., Kubwa and David of 96, New Maitama Juji St., Kubwa, are facing three-count charge of joint act, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

A former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, on Tuesday said he had not backed down on his presidential ambition.

Duke made the statement in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the speculations that he had dumped the aspiration were untrue.

Two Nigerian soldiers were killed and four injured in an ambush by Boko Haram militants in the country’s northeastern state of Borno, the army said on Tuesday.

The attack on Monday happened as soldiers were travelling between the towns of Biu and Damboa.

The President, Nigeria Youth Organisation(NYO), Abdullahi Wali, says he will sue President Muhammadu Buhari if he refuses to contest in the 2019 presidential election.

Wali, in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja, said he was reacting to a statement credited to Buhari during a meeting with APC governors.

The Federal Government has released a new directive on how President Muhammadu Buhari should be addressed at formal functions, henceforth.

The new directive was given by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in a circular sent to ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

It has been widely reported that the wedding of the daughter of the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to the son of the former Inspector General of Police, Jamil Abubakar will hold in March.

And information coming from the family of the bride indicates that the father will not allow the consumption of alcohol at the wedding.

Strong indications have emerged that the ten pro- Muhammadu Buhari Senators who had last week Wednesday, kicked against the new sequence of elections adopted by the apex legislative chamber, following amendment of the 2010 Electoral Act, will be suspended for one year.

According to a source in the Senate, the Senator Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East led Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions is set to meet this week on the matter, just as the source said that the 10 senators who opposed the bill could be placed on one year suspension.

Italy goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon confirmed on Tuesday he is ready to come out of international retirement if he is called up for friendlies against England and Argentina.

Buffon called time on his international career after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, losing a two-legged play-off to Sweden to miss the tournament for the first time in 60 years.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has called on struggling manager Arsene Wenger to step down as reports suggest succession planning at the club has already begun.

The Frenchman, under contract at the Emirates until 2019, is under increasing pressure after his team’s abject display in Sunday’s 3-0 League Cup defeat against Manchester City — their sixth loss in 12 games this year.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, party has extended the tenure of its National Working Committee (NWC) and other executives by one year.

While announcing the extension at the party’s end of the year meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, the APC NEC held that the extension is effective from June this year.

South African organisations continue to report the highest instances of economic crime in the world, with economic crime reaching its highest level over the past decade, according to PwC’s biennial Global Economic Crime Survey released Tuesday (today).

South African organisations that have experienced economic crime are now at a staggering 77 per cent, followed in second place by Kenya (75 per cent), and thirdly France (71 per cent).

Taliban militants whipped a man and a woman for marrying without their family’s approval, and for eloping from Afghanistan’s northern Faryab province, an official said on Tuesday.

“The incident happened in the Bandar area of Kohistanat district, an area under the control of Taliban,” provincial police spokesman Karim Yurish told dpa.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a banker, Nsa Ayi, before Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja for fraudulent and false accounting to the tune of N700m.

He was also said to have altered instructions and falsified signatures of customers to transfer money into various accounts outside the bank.

A Chinese female cyclist, Huang Shuang, who rode from Morocco to Lagos, Nigeria, within five months, says she is convinced that anybody can achieve anything he or she determines to do.

Huang, also known as CICI, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday that she was inspired to embark on ‘`cycling around the world’’ after riding around her country.

Wednesday 28 February 2018

Tuesday 27 February 2018