Hours after President Muhammodu Buhari ordered an investigation into the burning to death of Mrs Salome Abuh, People’s Democratic Party, PDP Women Leader in Ochadamu, Ofu Local Government Area Kogi state, on November 18, the State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of six suspects culpable in the arson.
The spokesman for the command, Deputy Superintendent of Police William Aya disclosed this in Kogi on Monday.
Aya said that the suspects were brought in on Friday.
Abuh, a former Councillor and Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party was set ablaze on November 18 in her husband’s house at Ochadamu, by hoodlums.
Aya said the police had started interrogating the suspects to ascertain their level of culpability in the death of the woman.
He said that the outcome of the investigation would be made public as soon as it was completed.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Sunday directed the police to arrest the killers of Abuh with a view to bringing them to justice.
The Lagos State Government says it plans to restrict the movement of heavy duty trucks during the day, so as to ease traffic on the roads.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known on Monday at the Lagos House, Ikeja, when a team from the Nigerian Breweries Plc paid him a courtesy visit.
Sanwo-Olu said that the government had been pushing the trailers off that whole corridor of Iganmu area to ensure that the journey towards Apapa continued to remain free.
”New policies are going to come out in the coming days, on some regulations around movement of heavy duty trucks, just so that we can manage what time of the day they all get to come in on the roads.
”We cannot begin to imagine 30 to 50 trucks competing during work hours, and so we need to plan out the logistics around it, what time of the day they need to move.
”It is more around how do we resolve traffic movement and traffic flow in all of the places and some very hard decision will be taken.
”The issue is not building more roads, the issue is managing the ones that we currently have, and all of us using them efficiently and effectively.
”The things that don’t need to move during the daytime, we can restrict them to night movement, so that they can free up traffic all around the places,” the governor said.
Justice Muslim S. Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos today, November 25, 2019 adjourned the arraignment of Kolade Phillip and Hamza Koudeih to November, 28, 2019.
When the matter was called today, the 2nd defendant’s counsel, Abdulhamid Mohammed told the court that he was only informed of the arraignment earlier in the day and does not have a copy of the charge.
He pleaded with the court for a short adjournment to enable him study the charge and prepare his client before the plea is taken.
“I am not adequately prepared for the plea to be taken in respect of the 2nd defendant and I humbly urge the court to adjourn this matter to the earliest possible date”.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo opposed the application, arguing that the plea relevant to jurisdiction of court was not that of the counsel.
Rotimi relying on S271(2&3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act, stated that the defendant had been served with the charge and he knows what to do with it.
He therefore urged the court to discountenance the prayers of the defence and allow his plea to be taken.
Justice Hassan however adjourned the matter until Thursday November 28 for arraignment.
Phillip and Hamza, both accomplice of Ismaila Mustapha (aka Mompha) will be tried on a 24- count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.
Prince William is 'not a huge fan' of his uncle Prince Andrew and even helped him get 'sacked' from his royal role, it has been claimed.
The Duke of York has been accused of 'hoodwinking' the Queen by not warning her he was about to discuss the scandal at length in a car crash BBC interview which aired last weekend.
Days after the disastrous interview was aired Prince Andrew, 59, said he was stepping back from his royal duties.
His performance in the interview has been heavily criticized and massively overshadowed Prince Charles' trip to New Zealand.
The Duke of Cambridge was unhappy with his uncle's behaviour and decided his removal from public life was 'the right thing to do', a source is reported to have told The Sunday Times.
Another said the dad-of-three and second in line to the throne had spoken to the Queen and Prince Charles about Andrew's future, adding: "William is becoming more and more involved in decisions about the institution [monarchy] and he's not a huge fan of his uncle Andrew."
The sponsor of the Hate Speech Bill at the Senate, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, has bowed to public criticism of the bill and expressed his readiness to expunge the clause that provided for death by hanging as the ultimate penalty for violators of the bill.
The 26-page bill which scaled first reading at Senate plenary early this month stipulates various jail terms including death by hanging by violators of the provisions of the bill cited as Independent National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speeches (Est,etc) Bill 2019.
Senator Abdullahi, who is the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, in a statement on Sunday, said be was ready to canvass for the amendment of the death penalty penalty proposed for anyone found culpable of hate speech that leads to the death of another, when the bill is subjected to legislative input by the upper legislative chamber.
The bill sponsor stated: “We have followed closely arguments for and against the hate speech bill, and seen the reason why some kicked against it.
“Given the high respect which we have for Nigerians, we will make amendment to the death penalty aspect that most Nigerians objected to, so that a bill that meets their expectations is passed into law.
“Clearly from the conversations, Nigerians agree that we have a problem in the society today as a result of hate speech which has fueled so many killings and violence, and is responsible for cases of depression and suicides.”
According to him, the bill will undergo some fine-tuning to ensure that the clauses contained in its provisions to be passed into law reflect the views of Nigerians.
He added that the Senate welcomes contributions and inputs by critics and supporters of the bill, as these would go a long way towards giving Nigerians the much awaited law to address the disturbing trend of hate speech.
One of the UK's first gay dads is planning to have twin girls with a man who once dated his daughter, according to a report.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow recently split from his husband Tony, 55, after falling in love with 25-year-old Scott Hutchinson.
The 50-year-old now wants to have daughters with his new partner through a surrogate mother.
Mr Hutchinson was previously in a relationship with Mr Drewitt-Barlow's 19-year-old daughter Saffron.
In a bizarre twist, the Drewitt-Barlows and Mr Hutchinson all currently live under the same roof.
Mr Drewitt-Barlow said the set-up was 'unorthodox', however, he insisted it worked for his family.
He told Mail Online : "I don't want there to be any secrets and I want to get any negativity out of the way before our babies arrive."
"Yes, it is unorthodox, but we are a loving family and our priority is to have a stable home for our kids and what is now an extended family.
"It works for us – and if people are shocked, well that's their problem not ours."
Mr Drewitt-Barlow and Tony were registered as parents in 1999 and lived in luxury in Florida, US, after making millions through their surrogate business.
He has been in a platonic relationship with Tony since his cancer diagnosis in 2006.
The businessman developed feelings for his assistant Mr Hutchinson when his husband was going through treatment.
The youngster became a 'shoulder to cry on' as Tony, who is in remission, battled cancer.
Mr Drewitt-Barlow now hopes to have twin daughters with his new partner, choosing their sex through IVF.
Tony fully supports their plans and is set to become the children's godfather, Mail Online reports.
Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has indicted some lecturers for rigging elections for politicians.
Jonathan, who spoke at the convocation ceremony of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, also lamented that some of the nation’s universities had become breeding grounds for cultism which constitute a major obstacle to national development, civilization and social transformation.
He said: “Over time, the place of the academia in our democratic process has become more pronounced, with more members taking the centre stage in election administration in the country. In recent times, successive chairmen of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have come from the ivory tower.
“The involvement of the academia in our electoral process is premised on the assumption that academics are people of proven integrity who cannot be compromised. Many of them have actually been at the forefront of the campaign for transparency in elections and sustainability of democracy on the continent.
“The involvement of the academia in the management of elections is, therefore, a good idea. However, our scholars should know that they bear the responsibility of justifying the trust placed on them by other members of the society in the management of elections. “Any member of the academia who compromises what he stands for, by getting involved in the manipulation of elections, betrays that trust.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has entered the race to become the next US president.
Mr Bloomberg is officially entering as a candidate for the Democratic party.
The 77-year-old billionaire announced the news on Twitter on Sunday afternnoon.
He tweeted: "I’m running for president to defeat Donald Trump and rebuild America. I believe my unique set of experiences in business, government, and philanthropy will enable me to win and lead."
The news is a turnaround after the three-term Mayor said in March that he would not make a 2020 run for the White House.
In a full statement published on his website he explained why he changed his mind.
He said: "We cannot afford four more years of President Trump’s reckless and unethical actions.
"He represents an existential threat to our country and our values. If he wins another term in office, we may never recover from the damage.
"The stakes could not be higher. We must win this election. And we must begin rebuilding America.
"I believe my unique set of experiences in business, government, and philanthropy will enable me to win and lead.
"As a candidate, I’ll rally a broad and diverse coalition of Americans to win. And as president, I have the skills to fix what is broken in our great nation. And there is a lot broken."
More than 60 doctors wrote an open letter published Monday saying they feared Julian Assange’s health was so bad that the WikiLeaks founder could die inside a top-security British jail.
The 48-year-old Australian is still fighting a US bid to extradite him from Britain on charges filed under the Espionage Act that could see him given a sentence of up to 175 years in a US prison.
In the letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel, Britain’s interior minister, the doctors call for Assange to be moved from Belmarsh prison in southeast London to a university teaching hospital.
They based their assessment on “harrowing eyewitness accounts” of his October 21 court appearance in London and a November 1 report by Nils Melzer, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture.
The independent UN rights expert said Assange’s “continued exposure to arbitrariness and abuse may soon end up costing his life”.
Assange used WikiLeaks to publish classified military and diplomatic files in 2010 about US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq that proved highly embarrassing to the US government.
“We write this open letter, as medical doctors, to express our serious concerns about the physical and mental health of Julian Assange,” the doctors said in their 16-page open letter.
– ‘Medical situation urgent’ –
They said they had “concerns about Mr Assange’s fitness” to go through the full extradition hearing, which is set for February.
“Mr Assange requires urgent expert medical assessment of both his physical and psychological state of health,” the wrote.
“Any medical treatment indicated should be administered in a properly equipped and expertly staffed university teaching hospital (tertiary care).
“Were such urgent assessment and treatment not to take place, we have real concerns, on the evidence currently available, that Mr Assange could die in prison. The medical situation is thereby urgent. There is no time to lose.”
The doctors are from the United States, Australia, Britain, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Poland.
At his first appearance in public for six months, in a court hearing last month, Assange seemed frail.
He also appeared confused whenever he was asked to talk at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.
He seemed to have difficulties recalling his birth date, and at the end of the hearing told District Judge Vanessa Baraitser that he had not understood what had happened in court.
He also complained about the conditions in which he was being kept in Belmarsh.
It was his first public appearance since being dramatically dragged from Ecuador’s embassy in April.
Swedish prosecutors said last Tuesday they had dropped their investigation into a 2010 rape allegation, even though they found the plaintiff’s claim “credible”.
This is very sad! A taxify driver has allegedly met his untimely death after answering to a call by some guys who wanted him to pick them up. According to a friend who shared the sad news and photos online, his name is Gabriel Wisdom and was murdered by the men who ordered for a ride from him. His car was stolen after the murder.
This happened on Friday, November 22nd and his body was found on Saturday at Abijo around Ajah axis in Lagos state. Too sad!
Hon Femi Gbajabiamila has flown down to Lagos to visit his the Surulere super plaza which was recently gutted by fire. Surulere is Mr Gbajabiamila's constituency.
Sharing photos on social media and disclosing what he will do, he wrote;
''Spent time in the constituency and visited the Surulere mall gutted by fire. Will work with the state government and Wemabod estate to make sure the property is restored.''
Michelle Obama has visited late Dora Akunyili's daughter at work. The former US first lady visited Nigerian born Njideka Akunyili Crosby.
Njideka, a visual artist sold a 2017 botanical painting -- Bush Babies for $3.4m and evr since then, she has been rated among the best in America.
The visit was announced on Instagram by are also famous sister, Chidiogo Akunyili Parr.
Sharing a photo of the former first lady and her sister, she wrote; "So this just happened! Casual Saturday in the Akunyili Crosby family. When the Michelle Obama pays a visit to your studio! Me to my sister, “if it could come up, make sure to tell her about the book.”
Johanna Sjoberg could provide the FBI with key evidence over Prince Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein as agents step up their probe into the US paedophile.
The 39-year-old is prepared to talk to them about her allegations the royal groped her in the late billionaire’s New York home when she was 21.
Johanna picture for the first time in more than 10 years since she blew the lid on the scandal, is one of only two women claiming to have had sexual contact with Andrew, 59.
A source said: “As a victim of Epstein, Sjoberg’s testimony over how she was recruited and abused is vital to the FBI.
Despite Epstein’s suicide, they are determined all those who enabled his crimes will face justice. It is a promise they made to the victims.
“Andrew has had serious allegations made against him and agents are determined that a person’s standing in life does not make them immune from being questioned.”
Johanna had claimed Andrew groped her breast while he sat her on his knee at Epstein’s home.
Her allegations in 2007 are understood to have given Virginia Giuffre, born Roberts, the courage to make her claims that Andrew had sex with her when she was 17.
The FBI is thought to be looking at ways to interview the prince in the UK.
Agents want to question him about what he knew about Epstein, his alleged recruiter Ghislaine Maxwell and anyone else connected with the billionaire.
Andrew’s lawyers are preparing for an approach by the FBI after he said he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations if required”.
Andrew has been stripped of his £249,000 Sovereign Grant “salary” and all duties after his disastrous BBC interview about the allegations made by Virginia, 35.
He will also step down temporarily from his 230 figurehead roles.
A royal source said the prince believes speaking to the FBI will clear him of wrongdoing.
Friends of Johanna say she is “pleased” Andrew is finally addressing the allegations against him.
A source said: “She has testified that Andrew engaged in a ‘sexual act’ upon her in Epstein’s home and believes it is right the FBI questions him about what he knows.
“We are appalled the Duke has for so long been allowed to continue as though nothing ever happened, but he knows what he did to Jo.
"Why has it taken so long to get the day of reckoning he deserves?”
When the Mirror approached Johanna to ask about Andrew she refused to comment further on whether she had already spoken to the FBI or talk about his behaviour, saying her lawyer is handling her case.
Taylor Swift cleaned up at the American Music Awards as she swept up no fewer than six gongs - overtaking icon Michael Jackson.
She is now the most decorated artist in AMA history on a night where she celebrated victory over her former record label who appeared to attempt to block her performing her classic hits.
The megastar now has 29 awards to her name, overtaking MJ's 24-award haul before the night was even half way through.
She claimed not only Artist of the Year and Artist of the Decade, but Favourite Pop/Rock Album for Lover and Favourite Female Artist as well.
The night's big winners:
Artist of the year - Taylor Swift
Artist of the decade - Taylor Swift
New artist of the year - Billie Eilish
Collaboration of the year - Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello (Senorita)
Favourite alternative rock artist - Billie Eilish
Favourite pop/rock song - Halsey (Without Me)
Favourite rap/hip-hop song - Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus (Old Town Road)
Favourite pop/rock album - Taylor Swift (Lover)
Favourite rap/hip-hop album - Post Malone (Hollywood's Bleeding)
Favourite country song - Dan + Shay (Speechless)
Favourite country album - Carrie Underwood (Cry Pretty)
Favourite female artist (country) - Carrie Underwood
Favourite duo or group (country) - Dan + Shay
Favourite duo or group (pop/rock) - BTS
Tour of the year - BTS
Favourite music video - Taylor Swift (You Need to Calm Down)
Favorited social artist - BTS
Favourite male artist (pop/rock) - Khalid
Favourite female artist (pop/rock) - Taylor Swift
Favourite male artist (country) - Kane Brown
Favourite artist (rap/Hip-Hop) - Cardi B
Favourite male artist (soul/R&B) - Bruno Mars
Favourite female artist (soul/R&B) - Beyonce
Favourite album (soul/R&B) - Khalid (Free Spirit)
Favourite song (soul/R&B) - Khalid (Talk)
Favourite artist (adult contemporary) - (Taylor Swift)
Mr Eazi has called out the organizers of Headies awards saying they are yet to give him his car 3 years after winning the ‘Next Rated’. Recall the singer won that category in 2016.
Hiptv was praising Mr Eazi and girlfriend on twitter, when Eazi replied them to give him his car instead of tweeting about couple goals, lol. See how the drama started below....
President Muhammadu Buhari has said he expects security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the “heinous murder” of a Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party Woman Leader, Mrs Achejuh Abuh.
Buhari stated that justice would be served upon conclusion of the investigation, describing the killing as “primitive behaviour” that should not be condoned.
“President Muhammadu Buhari expects scrupulous investigation into the heinous murder of Madam Achejuh Abuh, Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Wada/Aro campaign council, in the just-concluded gubernatorial election in Kogi State.
“The President decries whatever could spur anyone to take the life of another human being, particularly a woman, who was burnt to death in her home in the most gruesome manner.
“President Buhari charges all security agencies involved in the investigation to do a thorough and expeditious job on the matter, so that justice could be served without fear or favour”, a State House statement by his media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, said on Sunday.
Buhari said he shared in the grief of the family of the deceased, giving them the assurance that the law would take its full course.
“We must learn to behave decently, whether during elections or at other times. No life should be taken wantonly under any guise, and the fact that this reprehensible act occurred two days after voting shows primitive behaviour, which should not be accepted in a decent society”, the President was quoted as saying.
