Court sentences 2 to life imprisonment for kidnapping senator’s wife

A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced Abel Okoro and Vincent Wilson, for kidnapping the wife of Senator George Thompson-Sekibo and two of her female friends.

Abel Okoro and Vincent Wilson were sentenced to life imprisonment without an option of fine.

The presiding judge, Justice E. Thompson, agreed with the position of the prosecution counsel that the confessional statements by the defendants, which revealed how they conspired to commit the crime, were made voluntarily and not by any form of inducement.

Justice Thompson ruled that the court found the accused guilty of counts three and four, which borders on conspiracy, attempted kidnap and kidnap of Princess Asime Sekibo and Everly Awinika-Osai and thereafter sentenced the two to life imprisonment without an option of fine.


Recall that the wife of the senator, Princess Asime Sekibo and Evely Awinika-Osai were kidnapped on March 22nd, 2012 around Obiri Ikwerre axis of East-West road on their way back from Study at the University of Port Harcourt.

The suspects were first arraigned before a High Court in Port Harcourt on the 21st of September 2012, on nine-count charges of felony, kidnapping, armed robbery and rape.

The convicted persons were reported to have collected the total sum of ten million naira from the family of the victims around Mbiama in Ahoada West before the victims were released.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/court-sentences-2-to-life-imprisonment.html

Probe of Saudi prince urged over Bezos phone hack

UN human rights experts have demanded an immediate investigation into allegations Saudi Arabia's crown prince hacked Amazon boss Jeff Bezos's phone.

They said Mohammed bin Salman should also be investigated for "continuous, direct and personal efforts to target perceived opponents".

A message from a phone number used by the prince has been implicated in a breach of Mr Bezos's data.

The kingdom's US embassy has denied the "absurd" story.


But the independent UN experts - Agnes Callamard, special rapporteur on summary executions and extrajudicial killings, and David Kaye, special rapporteur on freedom of expression - said the crown prince's "possible involvement" had to be investigated.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Mr Bezos - who also owns the Washington Post - worsened after Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government and one of the newspaper's staff, was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

The killing took place months after the alleged cyber-hack took place.

Mr Bezos's phone was hacked after he received a WhatsApp message in May 2018 that was sent from the crown prince's personal account, according to the Guardian newspaper, which broke the story.

An investigation into the data breach reportedly found that the billionaire's phone began secretly sharing huge amounts of data after he received the encrypted video file.




source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/probe-of-saudi-prince-urged-over-bezos.html

Tupac Shakur 'spotted alive' in Belize as new photos of a sighting emerge

A private investigator has claimed that the legendary rapper Tupac Shakur is alive, living in Belize and claims to have unseen footage of the star.

Jimmy Poole, has been investigating the murder of Tupac, exploring the possibility that the rapper is still alive - after Las Vegas Police Department still have the file open, despite the fact he was shot and later died following an altercation on September 13th, 1996.

Speaking to Mirror Online, Jimmy has claimed that new information surrounding Tupac confirms that he is in fact, alive and living in Central America.

He also went on to share a new photograph of the rapper to his YouTube subscribers and is adamant that it is the real deal.

The new photograph allegedly shows the Wanted Dead Or Alive star, who is allegedly in his 40's, posing alongside somebody in a restaurant.

However, dedicated fans of Tupac don't seem convinced that the photo is authentic, claiming that it "looks photoshopped" as the head doesn't "match the neck".

He's also released an audio clip in which viewers can apparently hear Tupac speaking.

Poole claims that Tupac says: "God's great and let me come back in my 40's or whatever.

"Damn man... I'm fine, I ain't got no problems with anybody, I wish peace.

"And happiness, there was nowhere else to go, nobody else wanted to take me."

'Tupac' added: "But all I kept in my mind is one day, I'll be back!"

The private investigator believes that the audio is real and is currently working on finding out the origin of the photo, which allegedly demonstrates Tupac's intentions to let his fans know he is planning a return.

However, filmmaker Mike Dorsey who has worked on shows such as Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac has urged Las Vegas police department to "lay the ghost of Tupac" to rest, in a bid to end the 23-year speculation surrounding him being alive.

The producer said: "Tupac is dead. Let's get that straight. All the conspiracy theories are wrong and this ongoing conjecture can simply be ended by the Metro Police finally acknowledging all the evidence that is there.

"Contrary to popular belief, we know exactly who killed Tupac and so does the Metro Police."

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/tupac-shakur-spotted-alive-in-belize-as.html

NSCDC arrests two men for selling 2020 UTME forms above prescribed fees

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), has arrested Mr Ambrose Okogwa, 55, and Mr Fidelis Imafido, 65, for allegedly selling the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), registration form above the prescribed fees.

The duo, from Esan Central in Edo, were arrested in Agbor, Delta State, on Jan. 20, and brought to the headquarters of the corp in Abuja on Tuesday, during an interactive session with stakeholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the suspects were arrested following an intelligence report by officials of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

According to Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of JAMB, the duo, who were agents of Unity Bank, were caught selling the form for N5,500 at the Ambi Bookshop/Cafe in Agbor, instead of N4,000.

Oloyede, however, said the board had withdrawn licences of 11 centres for charging candidates exorbitant amounts for the examinations.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/nscdc-arrests-two-men-for-selling-2020.html

Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala's kiss that sent the internet into meltdown

Girl, 15, bullied at school for looking much older gets an INCREDIBLE new face (photos)

A Chinese girl who was bullied for suffering from a rare condition that made her face look decades older has had surgery in a bid to live a normal life.

The teen, known by the alias Xiao Feng, was mercilessly taunted by schoolmates over her condition, which causes her face to sag and wrinkle.

But, her life took a dramatic turn for the better when fundraisers raised an estimated £20,000 to cover medical and surgical treatment.

The operation at Shenyang Sunline Plastic Surgery Hospital is understood to have taken place last month and lasted seven hours, according to the 10 surgeons who carried out the operation.


Doctors believe the teen suffers from Progeria , which causes people’s skin and internal organs to age prematurely.

According to the Mayo Clinic, said there is no cure for the condition and that many sufferers have a much shorter life expectancy than an average person.

The 10 surgeons then reshaped Xiao’s nose, eyebrows and mouth during the marathon session.

Following the successful surgery, the team presented Xiao to the public at a press conference in the city of Shenyang.

Xiao’s dad Wang Hongde said he hoped her daughter would be able to live a normal life in the future.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/girl-15-bullied-at-school-for-looking.html

UK has refused to extradite Diezani – Magu

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has decried the refusal of the United Kingdom (UK), to extradite former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke, to face trial for alleged money laundering in Nigeria.

Magu stated this on Monday, January 20, 2020, while receiving the “Institution of the Decade” award on behalf of the EFCC at the awards ceremony organised by Thisday Newspaper to mark its 25th anniversary at the Eko Hotels and Suits, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The EFCC boss disclosed that the Commission had sufficient evidence to prosecute Allison-Madueke for the alleged financial malfeasance she committed while in office.

The looted funds, traced to Allison-Madueke and others, he noted, could be used to keep the wheel of the nation’s economy rolling if recovered.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/uk-has-refused-to-extradite-diezani-magu.html

Terrorists will pay ‘a heavy price’ for killing CAN chairman – President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of Reverend Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram terrorists.

In a series of tweets on Tuesday, the President described the murder of the clergyman as inhuman and vowed to ensure the insurgents pay dearly for their actions.

He said, “The terrorist killing of Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika, Adamawa State is cruel, inhuman and deliberately provocative.

“This barbarism is condemnable. We will ensure that these terrorists pay a heavy price for their evil actions.”


Reverend Andimi, who was abducted by Boko Haram terrorists in early January, was the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

He was murdered by his captors on Monday, despite calls for his release by various groups, including the national leadership of the Christian body.

In his reaction, President Buhari decried the killing of the clergyman amid indications that the insurgents were going to release him.

He, however, condoled with the family of the slain reverend, the Christian community across the country, as well as the government and people of Adamawa State.

“I am greatly saddened by the fact that the terrorists went on to kill him even while giving signals of a willingness to set him free by releasing him to third parties.

“This incident has further strengthened our resolve as a government, and the resolve of our gallant Armed Forces, to comprehensively defeat all terrorist groups sowing death, violence, and destruction in our country and across West Africa,” the President said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/terrorists-will-pay-heavy-price-for.html

Days after Supreme Court judgement, nine Imo lawmakers defect to APC

Nine lawmakers in the Imo House of Assembly, including its minority leader, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) days after the ruling party clinched the governorship position via a Supreme Court ruling.

The Deputy Speaker of the assembly, Okey Onyekamma (Mbaitoli, PDP) also, on Tuesday, resigned his position as a principal officer of the Assembly.

The minority leader, Ekene Nnodumele (Orlu, APGA) first resigned his position, then defected to the APC.

The speaker of the Assembly, Collins Chiji (Isiala Mbano, PDP) Tuesday announced the developments on Tuesday.






source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/days-after-supreme-court-judgement-nine.html

Trump administration plans to add Nigeria to travel ban list

The Trump administration is planning to add seven countries - Nigeria, Belarus, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Sudan and Tanzania - to its travel ban list, U.S. media reports said on Tuesday.

Some countries will face bans only on some visa categories, the Wall Street Journal reported. The list of countries was not final and could yet change, website Politico said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Journal that he was considering adding countries to the travel ban, but declined to state which ones. Politico said an announcement was expected as early as Monday.

The move is likely to sour ties between the United States and the countries affected under the expanded ban.

Nigeria, for example, Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, is a U.S. anti-terrorism partner and has a large diaspora residing in the United States.

A senior Trump administration official said that countries that failed to comply with security requirements, including biometrics, information-sharing and counter-terrorism measures, faced the risk of limitations on U.S. immigration.

Under the current version of the ban, citizens of Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, as well as some Venezuelan officials and their relatives are blocked from obtaining a large range of U.S. immigrant and non-immigrant visas.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/trump-administration-plans-to-add.html

Justin Timberlake and wife seen for first time since drunk hand-holding incident

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel have been snapped out together for the first time since he was spotted holding hands with his co-star Alisha Wainwright.

The chart topping singer, 38, became embroiled in a scandal last November after he was caught getting cosy to his Palmer colleague during a boozy night out in New Orleans.

Jessica, 37, now appears to have put her marriage woes behind her and is attempting to move on from the drunken PDA as she joined her hunky hubby for a stroll in New York City on Sunday.

The Rock Your Body hitmaker proudly held his wife on his arm as they happily walked along while chatting and flashing glimpses at their dazzling smiles.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/justin-timberlake-and-jessica-biel-seen.html

Edo men face life imprisonment, caning for r.a.p.e

Two men, Jimoh Imade and Matthew Chigozie, risk being committed to life imprisonment, with or without caning, if found guilty of felony, for alleged defilement and r.a.p.e.

In the first incident, Imade who is currently being reminded in Oko Correctional Center, in Benin, Edo State, was accused of having unlawful carnal knowledge of 11-year-old girl (name withheld).

Chief Magistrate Dorothy Adamaigbo, of a Benin City family court, who ordered that Imade be remanded in prison custody on Tuesday, adjourned the case until May 30, for hearing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel Ifidon, told the court that the accused committed the offence on November 6, 2019, at Egba community, in Uhumwode local government area of Edo State.


He said the accused did unlawfully defiled the 11-years-old girl and was arrested by the police on the same date.

According to the prosecution, the offence contravened section 218 of the Criminal Code , Cap 48,Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria 1976 as applicable in Edo.

The accused person however pleaded not guilty to the one charge of defilement.

The police prosecutor objected to bail application on the grounds that the offence was not a bailable offence.

\
In a related incident, 30-year-old Matthew Chigozie, was also remanded in Oko Correctional Centre by Chief Magistrate Dorothy Adamaigbo, for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl.

Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Ifidon Daniel, told the court that the accused person committed the offence on January 6, 2020, at Okey Golden Hotel, at Nomayo street, upper Sakponba road, Benin.

He said that the offence contravened section 357 and punishable under section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 48, volume II, laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria 1976, as applicable in Edo.

According to him, “the accused on the same date, did unlawfully had canal knowledge of a teenager, aged 17.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

Chief Magistrate, Dorothy Adamaigbo, who ordered that the accused be remanded in prison, adjourned the case to March 25, for hearing.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/edo-men-face-life-imprisonment-caning.html

Jennifer Lopez shows off impossibly toned abs

Jennifer Lopez, 50, showed off her incredible figure after a workout at a gym in Miami.

The Hustlers actress wore stylish shades and hoop earrings as she marched out of the fitness centre where she tones her famous abs.

She sported leopard print leggings with a tiny black sports bra, teamed with black trainers - her hair scraped back in a tight bun.

J Lo is working on her fitness ahead of her appearance at the Super Bowl in Florida next month, where she will perform alongside Shakira at the half time show.




source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/jennifer-lopez-shows-off-impossibly.html

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle threaten legal action over paparazzi photos of her hiking with Archie

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new life is getting off to a bumpy start.

On Tuesday, paparazzi photos taken of Markle hiking with their infant son, Archie, and two dogs on Vancouver Island appeared on the cover of the U.K.’s The Sun as well as on other outlets, including The Daily Mail.

A legal representative for the couple — who stepped down as senior members of the royal family — sent a warning letter to British news outlets saying “action will be taken” if the photos are published or purchased.


According to NBC News, the law firm Schillings Partners said that a paparazzo hid in the bushes and spied on Markle to get the photos, which were taken Monday.

 And while the former actress has a grin on her face in the published pictures, she did not agree to have her picture taken, deeming it “harassment.”

 It also said that paparazzi have been camped outside where the couple is staying in Canada (Harry joined his family on Tuesday after finalizing “Megxit” plans) and taking photos with telephoto lenses.

The letter said, “There are serious safety concerns about how the paparazzi are driving and the risk to life they pose.” Of course, Princess Diana — Harry’s mother — died in a 1997 car crash while trying to escape paparazzi.





source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-threaten.html

NIJ sacks lecturer over sexual assault

The management of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) has sacked one of its part-time lecturers, Tene John, who was accused by one of his students Ms Anjola Ogunyemi, of sexually assaulting her.

The victim, a National Diploma student of the institution had taken to social media a few days ago that she was sexually assaulted while alone with Mr Tene in his office. Ogunyemi said the randy lecturer who tried to forcefully have sexual intercourse with her, freed her after she promised to allow him to have his way next time.

The female student narrated the incident as follows; “Today is literally the worst day of my life. I had a problem in school with a lecturer that molested me, dragged up my dress and even put his filthy tongue on my vagina while holding me down real tight to the wall, trying to get his way around. A day before this had happened, rumors had it that he was very ill and a number of students had gone to visit him and wish him a safe recovery.

“On the day of this event, I was in school very early, it was about 7:20am. I had classes for 8am and this same lecturer that assaulted me was the one teaching the course. We bumped into each other at the entrance of the corridor leading to my class then he said, he has not been seeing me and then asked me to come with him to the office.

“I walked right behind him till we got to the office. I sat opposite him while we had several discussions. When I was about to leave he ran so quickly and blocked the door. Keep in mind that it was 7:20am in the morning and not so
many people were in school.

“I was extremely earth. He started trying to kiss me but I didn’t give him the chance. He tried a lot of time and then held my neck so tight that was almost out of breath.

“Afraid and confused. I didn’t know what next to do. He took a grip of one of my arms held me so tight to the wall, dropped to his knees and tried to take up my dress. After so much struggling: he succeeded and somehow he was able to move my panties to the side. That was how he was able to lick me down. I was so irritated I gathered strength and pushed him but still he didn’t stop. At that moment knew I Had to or say something.

“Then I said to him, Mr Tene stop! But that’s what I’ve been screaming the whole time and he didn’t listen but this time to my surprise he actually did. Then I said to him, let’s make a deal, if you let me go now and you promise to help me out with what we’ve discussed(about switching to part-time as I had just gotten a job offer that will literally take all my time, weekdays), I’ll do.

“Yes that’s what I said. I had to make him stop. Obviously pushing and hitting him didn’t make him stop. Something had to work. That statement made had saved me. He stopped and stood up. Looked at me and let me go.

“I went out of his office, so devastated, run upstairs to check it anyone was around that I could talk to. No lecturers, just Martins, a student like me. I was shaking. Days later was called to the panel, explained my experience with Tene and I was dismissed. I didn’t know what happened after then till I was told by the same people in the panel. We waited so long, hoping something will happen. But nothing. I’m so disgusted, he left me traumatized.

“He denied all this today right in front of the panel and even had the guts to lie about so many other things. What can be done to stop all this? I don’t know how I feel or what I feel. I just want him to be put in his rightful place that perv.”

Reacting to the incident, the Registrar of the institution confirmed that the lecturer has been sacked after being subjected to a probe.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/nij-sacks-lecturer-over-sexual-assault.html

Gunmen kidnap ex-Plateau commssioner's daughter

The Spokesman for the  Plateau State Police Command, Mr. Mathias Tyopev, on Tuesday confirmed the abduction of the daughter of a former Commissioner for Tourism in the state, Mr Peter Mwadkon, by gunmen who attacked their family house in Kwata Community, Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

Mathias said, “Yes, we got the report of the gunmen attack in Kwata community. We are working with the family to secure the girl that was taken away during the attack.”

Punch Correspondent gathered on Tuesday that the daughter of the former Commissioner, Miss Christie Peter, was kidnapped by the gunmen at her sister’s house in the Kwata community on Tuesday.


The gunmen who stormed the community around 2am were said to have broken into their house and abducted the 26-year-old graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

A member of the community, Mr Emmanuel Choji, who lamented the incident told Punch correspondent that the abductors had made contact with the family members and demanded N5m as ransom.




source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/gunmen-kidnap-ex-plateau-commssioners.html

Patoranking visits Oba Elegushi (photos)

The musician paid a courtesy visit to the king at his palace. Two more photos below.....

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/patoranking-visits-oba-elegushi-photos.html

Trump impeachment: Senators clash over rules as trial opens

The US Senate has rejected repeated Democratic attempts to secure new evidence in President Donald Trump's impeachment as his trial began.

Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell meanwhile backed off on a plan to fast-track the hearings after coming under pressure from fellow Republicans.

Democrats said this would have been no less than a cover-up.

Mr Trump is charged with abuse of power and obstructing the congressional inquiry. He denies wrongdoing.


At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Mr Trump dismissed the accusations against him as "just a hoax".

Senators have taken oaths to act as impartial jurors, hearing arguments for six hours a day, six days a week in a trial presided over by the US Chief Justice, John Roberts.

It is only the third time in US history that a president is facing an impeachment trial and it is unclear how long it will last.

Mr Trump was impeached last month by the Democratic-led House of Representatives.

But the Senate, which is controlled by his fellow Republicans, is not expected to convict the president and remove him from office.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/trump-impeachment-senators-clash-over.html

LASEMA rescues man who jumped into lagoon

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, on Tuesday, rescued a 36-year-old man, Ikechuckwu Ibeh, who jumped into the lagoon on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.

It was gathered that Ibeh jumped into the lagoon around 4.45pm and was rescued five minutes later by the LASEMA Marine Unit.

Punch Metro learnt that Ibeh took the action due to financial difficulties and depression among other reasons. The victim had been handed over to cops at the Maroko Police Station.

Confirming the incident, the LASEMA Public Affairs Officer, Nosa Okunbor, stated that the launch of the agency’s Marine Unit was timely as it helped to avert the suicide.





source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/lasema-rescues-man-who-jumped-into.html

Hunter shot dead by colleague during hunting expedition

A hunter, identified as Kehinde Edward, was reportedly shot on the head by a colleague, Kehinde Adeleke, while on hunting expedition in a forest in Osun State.

It was also gathered that the hunters in the company of others went on hunting expedition in a forest in Ere Ijesa, a town in Oriade Local Government Area of the state, Saturday evening.

It was gathered that few minutes after the hunters started shooting at animals in the forest, the deceased voice was overheard by fellow hunters, who rushed towards his direction.

On getting to where he was, it was gathered, his lifeless body was found with gun injury on his head.

The hunters, according to a source, developed cold feet and returned to the town to inform community heads of the incident.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Folasade Odoro, said the incident occurred around 4:30 pm on Saturday.

She said the deceased was shot by his colleague while hunting in the bush in Ere Ijesa.

According to her, the body of the deceased has been recovered and deposited in the morgue of Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa.

“The Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, has ordered an investigation into the matter,” she said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/hunter-shot-dead-by-colleague-during.html