How NDDC Spent N82 Billion On Condolences, COVID19, Others In 5 Months

The House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), on Wednesday, interrogated officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Auditor-General of the Federation over an alleged N82.5bn spent by the NNDC between January and May 2020.

The committee’s chairman, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (APC, Ondo), said the documents submitted by both the CBN and the Auditor-General of the Federation showed that the total amount spent by the NDDC from January to May 2020 was N81.5 billion.



He said the commission claimed to have spent N1.3bn on community relations, N122.9m on condolences, N83m on consultancy and N3.14bn on COVID-19, N486m Duty Travel Allowance, N790.9m as imprest, N1.956bn on Lassa Fever, N900m on Legal Service, N220m on maintenance, N85.6m on foreign travels, N1.121bn on public projects communication, N744m on security, N8.8bn on staffing-related payment. He said the NDDC also spent N248m on stakeholders’ engagement from February 18 to May 31, 2020.

The Auditor-General, Anthony Ayine and the representative of the Accountant-General, Sabo Mohammed, confirmed the N81.5bn transactions being investigated. Ayine said there should be punitive measures to discourage agencies violating the constitution.

The NDDC Interim Management Committee members were not present at the hearing, but wrote a letter to the investigative hearing committee informing it of an invitation to the Federal Executive Council meeting and requested to appear on Thursday.

Woman Contracts Coronavirus After Having Her Two Legs Amputated

A woman who had both her legs amputated, has contracted the dreaded coronavirus just weeks later.

Sophie Richardson, 29, was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary with a leg wound infection following the operation.

She tested positive for coronavirus and was transferred to a COVID19 ward where her condition deteriorated.



Her dedicated mum, Nikki Burton, 51, from the village of Willerby in Yorkshire, is warning people the virus "has not gone away”.

She told Hull Live: “For those who think that Covid has passed and everything is back to normal, it is far from it.

"This virus is still very active and amongst us all acting silently and discreetly.

“Covid does not discriminate. It is not fussy about what colour your skin is, whether you're rich or poor, what race or religion you are or the political views you hold.

"Covid isn't particular and nobody is exempt. This is one thing where everybody is in the same boat.

"The scary thing is Sophie hasn't travelled on public transport or been for a drink in the local pub. Neither has she been shopping, out for lunch or cuddled up to anyone.

"In fact she hasn't ventured out in public at all and has been totally isolating from the outside world. Whilst rehabilitating at home after her double leg amputations, she has been shielding with carers who have been wearing face masks.

"They have been thorough with hygiene and hand sanitising but this virus has still managed to strike another victim. Sophie is now in a room on her own on a Covid ward in hospital whilst the nurses and doctors work extremely hard to try and win this new battle we face."

Sophie's health problems began when she was 22 and studying for a PhD in Counter-Terrorism at the University of Hull.

She began to suffer with back problems which led to surgery in 2014.

Initially, Sophie was able to start physio – but six months later began having seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy.

She would often drop to the floor as if her legs had been kicked out from beneath her and her knees would constantly dislocate, causing excruciating pain.

In January this year, Sophie decided she could not live with the pain of the dislocations – resulting in the double amputation.

The operation was cancelled eight times due to coronavirus and finally performed in March.

Sophie was afterwards able to sit up for the first time in years.

Describing her coronavirus diagnosis, Sophie’s mum added: "That’s what's scary, that's what's knocked me for six, it's more contagious than you think.

"Sophie hasn’t mixed with anyone. No one except for me and her same team of carers has been to see her because she’s isolating, she was shielding until the middle of July.

"I’ve been in but been a good more than two-meter distance away. I’ve had a mask on and have socially distanced. It's probably more airborne than what people are realising.

"Please keep vigilant, social distance, wear masks when required and keep washing your hands. Keep those barriers up. Covid-19 has not been eradicated."

Mrs Burton, who tested negative, said Sophie is putting up her best fight.

She continued: "Her temperature has reached a high of 39.4, she is on and off four litres of oxygen and said it feels like somebody is sat on her chest cracking her ribs.

"Chest X-rays have found she has a touch of pneumonia. But as always Sophie is being her usual upbeat self and determined to get better fighting all the way. "
***

Source: Daily Star UK

Gov Wike Rescues Ex-NDDC MD, Joi Nunieh From House Arrest

Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike has “rescued” embattled former NDDC Managing Director, Joy Nunieh from police detention at a residence in Port Harcourt.

This comes hours after police officers cordoned off her house preventing any entry and exit.

Governor Wike’s convoy had earlier driven past the street to Joy Nunieh’s residence before eventually forcing entry into her residence and ordering the police officers out.



Moments later she emerged from the building and was driven off in the same vehicle as the Governor.

Journalists were earlier denied access into the Port Harcourt residence of Joy Nunieh by stern-looking mobile policemen some of whom were armed with tear gas canisters

According to them, there was no directive to allow any media presence near or within the residence.

When asked the reason for the police presence, one of the police officers who spoke on condition of anonymity simply asked TVC crew to call Abuja for more information.

Joi Nunieh is having a running battle with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio over alleged financial misappropriation and sexual harassment.

Sexual Harassment: Akpabio Replies Joy Nunieh

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has denied all the allegations made against him by a former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh, saying there is no iota of truth in them.

Nunieh had in a recent interview accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her, corruption and abuse of office, among other allegations.



But the minister, in a statement by his spokesman, Aniete Ekong, described the allegations as “false, malicious and libellous.”

The statement read, “Let it be known that there is no scintilla of truth in all the allegations peddled around by Ms. Nunieh. They are simply false!

“The Honourable Minister did not at any time, place or circumstance make any form of sexual advances to Ms. Nunieh, not even to put himself in a position or posture suggestive of sexual advances towards Ms. Nunieh, or any female staff of his ministry or the NDDC."

Bitcoin Scam: How Barack Obama, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates & Others’ Twitter Accounts Were Hacked

On Wednesday, 15th of July, 2020, Twitter faced a hacking spree that could be described as the most significant security attack in Twitter history.

The hacked accounts belonged to high profile figures such as President Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Kanye West, Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, Mike Bloomberg and Apple.

All the accounts posted similar tweets soliciting donations via Bitcoin to promote a bitcoin scam. “Everyone is asking me to give back, and now is the time,” the tweets said, promising to double all payments to a Bitcoin address for the next 30 minutes.

To address the issue, Twitter’s support account responded: “We are aware of a security incident impacting accounts on Twitter. We are investigating and taking steps to fix it. We will update everyone shortly.”

Soon, Twitter prevented holders of verified accounts from tweeting while non-verified accounts could still tweet. Twitter also deactivated the reset password feature and limited some other account functionalities.

About three hours later, the social media giant said the majority of accounts had been restored to full functionality. It stated that they were working to get things back to normal and though accounts could tweet again, the functionality could come and go.

The hack was not exactly unprecedented as just last year, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s account was hacked. The compromise of the apex account on Twitter raised concerns about whether any account on the platform can genuinely avoid being compromised. This new development appears to answer the question that any account can indeed be hacked.

Spokespersons for the victims involved where all put into a frenzy; dismissing allegations and denying responsibility for the tweets. Although President Trump’s account was not hacked, the White House refused to comment on the security of his twitter account.

According to Tim Cotten, a Bitcoin researcher, the first Bitcoin wallet featured in some of the tweets only became active on Wednesday. Soon after the wallet’s identification number was posted to Twitter, it received more than $100,000 worth of Bitcoins through hundreds of transactions. Some of that Bitcoin was then transferred to other wallets.

The FBI has weighed in on the matter, warning the public not to fall victims of the bitcoin scam.

Nelson Mandela's daughter, Zindzi tested positive for covid-19 before she died

Zindzi Mandela, the daughter of South African anti-apartheid leaders Nelson and Winnie Mandela, tested positive for coronavirus the day she died.

Her son Zondwa Mandela today revealed his mother did have the disease - but it may not be what caused her death aged 59 in Johannesburg on Monday.

Zindzi is the world’s highest profile victim of coronavirus, which has killed more than 4,400 people in South Africa alone.

Her son Zondwa Mandela told state broadcaster SABC: 'My mother did in fact test positive for Covid-19 on the day of her passing.


'Although, this doesn't therefore mean that she died of Covid-related complications, but simply that she tested positive for it.

He added: 'Simply by the virtue that there was a positive test, we are therefore obligated to function and work within the framework of the existing regulation related to such cases.'

Zindzi Mandela, the daughter of South African anti-apartheid leaders Nelson and Winnie Mandela, died on Monday morning in hospital. 

Zindzi rose to international prominence when she read out Nelson Mandela's rejection of then-president P.W. Botha's offer for freedom in 1985.

The white minority government offered to release Nelson Mandela from prison if he denounced violence perpetrated by his movement, the Africa National Congress, against apartheid.

She read his letter rejecting the offer at a packed public meeting which was broadcast around the world.

The 59-year-old was serving as South Africa's ambassador to Denmark.

Zindizi and her father, Nelson Mandela on her wedding day. [Both are late now]

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/nelson-mandelas-daughter-zindzi-tested.html

Nigeria’s Covid-19 cases hit 34,259 with 643 new infections

Nigeria recorded 643 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, bringing total cases to 34,259.

Announcing via its website, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said six more coronavirus-associated deaths were reported in the country on Wednesday, bringing total confirmed fatalities to 760.

It added that 13, 999 coronavirus patients have been discharged upon treatment and recovery from the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and 35 states.

The NCDC gave the state-by-state distribution of cases recorded on Wednesday as, “The 643 new cases are reported from 19 states – Lagos (230), Oyo (69), FCT (51), Edo (43), Osun (35), Rivers (30), Ebonyi (30), Kaduna (28), Ogun (27), Ondo (23), Plateau (20), Benue (17), Enugu (16), Imo (10), Delta (6), Kano (4), Nasarawa (2), Kebbi (1), and Ekiti (1).

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/nigerias-covid-19-cases-hit-34259-with.html

8 Lagos cops detained for extorting social media influencer

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested eight police personnel for their alleged involvement in the assault and extortion of a social media influencer, Olumide Bakare.

Confirming the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said the errant cops would be subjected to the orderly room trial after the conclusion of investigation into the matter.

He said, “The officers are with us at the provost department at the headquarters. The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered that the case be transferred to the headquarters and they were all brought to the headquarters. The victim said three officers were directly involved in the incident, but eight of them were arrested because they are members of a team.

“We arrested every team member to investigate the role that each of them played. Investigation is ongoing and those involved will undergo orderly room trial and if found guilty, they will be dealt with in line with our extant laws.”

It was gathered that Bakare was assaulted and extorted on Monday by some police personnel attached to the Ogudu Police Division.

Bakare was returning from Ikeja when seven cops accosted the Taxify vehicle he was in around the Abiola Gardens area of the state.

Bakare said three policemen jumped into the vehicle and led him and the driver to the station.

He stated, “When we got to the station, they took us to one corner with two wooden rooms. They collected my phones, my AirPods and ID card.

“Even as I explained that I’m an influencer and work for several brands, they kept on searching my email, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp, and after asking questions, which I gave proper answers to, they saw a text about homosexuals in a group that I belonged to and they labelled me a gay.

“The officer searching my phone alleged that I was gay and I laughed, because it was ridiculous to me and the next thing I knew was that he asked me to take off my shirt and he started beating me with a pipe. They forced me to write a statement saying I had male clients, who pay me to have casual s3x with them and even listed some names for me.

“They told me to add amounts in front of the names and recorded me ‘confessing’ at gunpoint. When they saw my account balance, they demanded N1m, which I told them that I could not give; so, they reduced it to N500,000, saying that they would send the video they made to the brands I work for, post it online and lock me up for days so that I would not be able to counter it.

“After begging them, they agreed to collect N260,000 from me and called a Point of Sale operator to come to the station and the money was withdrawn from my account.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/eight-lagos-cops-detained-for-extorting.html

Magu Speaks: "The Allegation Against Me Is Nonsense"

Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has described the allegations levelled against him as “nonsense”.

Speaking hours after he was released from police custody, Magu said he was shocked when he read the allegations designed to tarnish his image.



Recall that he was arrested last week and whisked to the presidential villa in Abuja, where he appeared before a panel President Muhammadu Buhari set up to probe the EFCC under him.

The panel is headed by Ayo Salami, retired president of the appeal court.

“They are nonsense. They are mere trump up allegations to tarnish my image and that of the EFCC. I did not steal or divert or convert funds to private use. I read the allegations and I was shocked,” Magu was quoted by The Nation to have said.

“What I have gone through is a case of dog eats dog but I see it as one of those risks of the job… we must not give up in any way.”

Magu, who vowed to fight corruption till the end, thanked those who stood by him when he was in detention.

He asked Nigerians not to give up on the fight against corruption, saying: “Corruption kills a nation faster than any other thing.”

“I thank Nigerians for their support, they should not be discouraged. I am happy to be back, I believe the war against corruption is winnable,” he said.

“Whether I am EFCC Chairman or not, the anti-corruption war must continue.”

Magu’s travails followed a memo by Malami accusing him of grave malfeasance. He was alleged to have mishandled the recovered loot and sold seized assets to his associates.

Magu, a commissioner of Police, denied all the allegations.

Kano seeks castration for r3pists as El-Rufai’s wife meets Gbajabiamila over same issue

The Kano State House of Assembly has begun a process to review the State’s Penal Code amendment (No.12), law of 2014, to provide for castration as punishment for r3pists in the state.

The House took the decision following a motion presented on Wednesday by a member representing Rano State Constituency, Nuraddeen Alhassan, seeking for the review of the law.

Plenary was presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Abdulazeez Gafasa, and the Assembly men were unanimous in the decision.

Alhassan, who called for the review of the law to further reflect a harsher punishment for rapists in the state, said the present 14-year jail term was not enough as punishment.


“I am calling on the House to recall the law and amend it, to provide castration as punishment for rapists. I believe this is the only measure to be taken to end the rampant cases of rape in our society, as it is so worrisome.

 “I also want to appeal to the House to look into the security issues, so as to strengthen their efforts in tackling the r3pe cases in the state,” he said.

 The Speaker said if parents could stop sending their children for hawking, it would go a long way in reducing the menace in their communities.

Meanwhile, gender activists under the auspices of the Movement Against R3pe and S3xual Violence visited the House of Representatives on Wednesday to seek action against r3pe and other sexual crimes.

Wife to the Governor of Kaduna State, Hajiya Aisha el-Rufai, led the team that visited the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, at his office.

Gbajabiamila said r3pe and sexual violence had become worrisome in Nigeria. He stated that both the leaders and the people of Nigeria must rise against rape.

He said, “This is a fight not just for women; this is a fight for all. Let a subliminal message be sent that even though over 95 per cent of the victims are women; let it be that it is we, the men, that are championing your cause.

“The issue of r3pe should be treated the way coronavirus is treated. How do we treat a pandemic? There has to be a frontal onslaught. The media has a role to play. It should be in the frontline. There is a lot of work to be done from different angles. In a pandemic, you look for cure. No sane man would have sexual intercourse with a three-month old baby. The idea alone is sickening.”

Earlier, Hajiya El-Rufai drew the Speaker’s attention to the rising cases of r3pe in the country, saying it is becoming alarming and that urgent action needs to be taken.

Hajiya El-Rufai said she was at the House to seek help, ask questions, seek justice and challenge the status quo. She noted that statistics had shown that 717 reported r3pe cases and 7,170 unreported ones occurred in Nigeria within five months.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/kano-seeks-castration-for-r3pists-as-el.html

UK varsity appoints Nigerian professor as Vice Chancellor

A Nigerian Professor, Charles Egbu, has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University.

According to a statement on the UK Varsity website, he will take over from Margaret House, who will be stepping down after seven years.

Mr Egbu will return to Leeds, a city in which he studied and taught, to begin his new role on November 1, 2020.

Reacting to his appointment, Mr Egbu was quoted as saying: “I am honoured to be joining Leeds Trinity; a University who’s values and ethos around widening participation, offering a personalised approach and encouraging all students to achieve their best, align with my own.

The University has an impressive track record in learning, teaching and employability, and I am looking forward to building on the strong foundations established under the leadership of Professor House.

“I have already been impressed by the sense of community at Leeds Trinity and I am looking forward to engaging with students, colleagues and alumni as we shape the future strategy of the institution. I am also looking forward to returning to Leeds; the city in which I spent much of my early academic life.”

With more than 25 years’ experience in higher education, he was previously Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Experience at the University of East London.

He is also a member of various external bodies, including the Advance HE Pro Vice-Chancellor Network and QAA Panel of Experts.

Prior to this, he was Dean of the School of Built Environment and Architecture at London South Bank University and Head of the School of Built Environment at the University of Salford. He held academic posts at University College London, Glasgow Caledonian University and Leeds Beckett University (formerly Leeds Metropolitan).

Mr Egbu’s research interests focus on project management, construction management and sustainable development.

He has written 12 books and contributed to more than 350 publications in various international journals and conferences. He has strong links with industry, professional bodies and policy makers, and has managed several large multi-disciplinary research projects.

Meanwhile, Jamie Hanley, Chair Designate of the Board of Governors at Leeds Trinity University, said, “Professor Egbu brings with him a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge of the higher education sector. His energy and vision stood out throughout a very competitive recruitment process, and it is clear that he recognises Leeds Trinity’s strengths and values, as well as bringing with him a detailed understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced from across the higher education sector. I very much look forward to welcoming him to Leeds Trinity University.”

Mrs House will continue in her role as Vice-Chancellor until the end of October, when Mr Egbu will join the university.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/uk-varsity-appoints-nigerian-professor.html

Akpabio denies s3xually harassing ex-NDDC managing director

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has denied all the allegations made against him by a former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Joi Nunieh, saying there is no iota of truth in them.

Nunieh had in a recent interview accused Akpabio of s3xually harassing her, corruption and abuse of office, among other allegations.

But the minister, in a statement by his spokesman, Aniete Ekong, described the allegations as “false, malicious and libellous.”

The statement read, “Let it be known that there is no scintilla of truth in all the allegations peddled around by Ms. Nunieh. They are simply false!


“The Honourable Minister did not at any time, place or circumstance make any form of sexual advances to Ms. Nunieh, not even to put himself in a position or posture suggestive of sexual advances towards Ms. Nunieh, or any female staff of his ministry or the NDDC.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/akpabio-denies-s3xually-harassing-ex.html

Senate wants age limits scrapped for job seekers

The Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari, to direct the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to set up a committee to review the age limits for job seekers in the country to allow competent applicants to be employed.

The resolution followed the consideration of a motion by Senator Ibrahim Gobir.

Gobir cited Orders 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, and noted that requirement of Ministries Departments and Agencies and other private bodies, which set age barriers, “inadvertently excludes and marginalises skilful and competent prospective applicants from participating in such exercises.”

He said, “Many individuals resort to falsifying their age all in a bid to fall within the required age limit for them to be gainfully employed.


“This development, where a person believes he is unemployable, can lead them to embracing criminal activities and further increase the growing crime rate and insecurity in the country.”

In his contribution, Senator Bala Na’Allah drew the attention of the upper chamber to the Federal Government’s embargo on employment over 13 years ago.

He said the embargo period must be factored into the review of age limits by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity for prospective job seekers in the country.

“I think in the review, that has to be taken into account, and therefore, the age limit can now be raised in addition to the established age. That should be the legal verdict for the review,” Na’Allah said.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, condemned the discrimination against job seekers as a result of the barrier imposed by the prescribed age limit.

He said, “It is not through a fault of theirs that people are discriminated against. They’ll tell you only 30 years’ limit; meanwhile, someone graduated 10 years ago.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/senate-wants-age-limits-scrapped-for.html

"You Can't Sack Me" - National Assembly Clerk refuses to go

The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the National Assembly management are set on a collision course over the retirement age of staff members.

The commission had asked the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori and 150 other management staff to proceed on retirement having reached the retirement period of 35 years of service.

But Sani-Omolori said the National Assembly Service Commission lacks the powers to set aside the Revised Conditions of Service as passed by the 8th National Assembly.



Sani-Omolori, who joined the National Assembly Service in 1985, is due for retirement. But he remains in service following the alteration of retirement age and length of service for staff members.

The 8th National Assembly had, through a resolution, amended the conditions of service, raising the retirement period for staff from 35 to 40 years in service while retirement age was upgraded from 60 to 65 years.

‘Only N/Assembly can review amendment’
Sani-Omolori, in a statement on Wednesday, said only the National Assembly has the power to review any proposed amendment to the Conditions of Service by the Commission.

He said the Resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the Conditions of Service of Staff had not been rescinded nor abdicated by the National Assembly.

According to him, the commission lacked the powers to reverse the resolution.

Sani-Omolori said, “The Management of the National Assembly wishes to inform all staff and the general public that the extant regulation as contained in our Revised Conditions of Service duly passed by both Chambers of the 8th National Assembly puts the retirement age of staff at 40 years of service and 65 years of age whichever comes first.

“The Resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the Conditions of Service of Staff has not been rescinded nor abdicated by the National Assembly, who under the authentic National Assembly Service Act 2014 as passed is empowered to review any proposed amendment to the Conditions of Service by the Commission.

“Therefore, the National Assembly Service Commission does NOT have the powers to set aside the Revised Conditions of Service as passed by the 8th National Assembly.

“The Management had maintained a studied silence in deference to the leadership of the 9th National Assembly who is looking into the position being canvassed by the Commission.

“It is therefore intriguing that the National Assembly Service Commission has unilaterally gone ahead to take a ‘decision’.

“Management urges all staff to disregard the press release by the Commission and go about their lawful duties.”

Commission Insists On Retirement
In a statement signed by the NASC Executive Chairman, Ahmed Kadi Amshi, the commission approved the retirement age of the staff of the National Assembly Service as 35 years of service or 60 years of age whichever comes first.

The report reads, “Pursuant to its mandate as provided in the National Assembly Service Act 2014 (as amended), the National Assembly Service Commission at its 497th meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2020 has approved the retirement age of the staff of the National Assembly Service as 35 years of service or 60 years of age whichever comes first.

“To this effect the Commission has approved the immediate retirement of staff of the National Assembly Service who have already attained the retirement age of 35 years of service or 60 years of age.

“Retirement letters would be issued to the affected staff accordingly.”

Missing Lagos Nurse Found Chilling In A Hotel

A nurse, Ayomide Alao, who went missing in the Bariga area of Lagos State, has been found allegedly relaxing in a hotel in the Ipetumodu-Okoku area of Osun State.

While in the hotel, it was learnt that Ayomide allegedly refused to respond to calls and messages requesting to know her whereabouts.



It was gathered that the 28-year-old left the house for her workplace in Lagos on June 14, but did not return home, as calls to her phone rang out.

Worried by the development, it was learnt that the family conducted a search for her, which was futile.

Ayomide’s brother, Olabunmi, was said to have reported a case of missing person to the Bariga Police Division, where investigation into her disappearance commenced.

During the investigation, detectives traced her to Osun State, where she was found in a hotel.

When asked what she was doing in the hotel, a source revealed to The Punch that Ayomide said she did not know how she got there.

“She didn’t give a concrete reason as to why she left home; she just said she went out and all of a sudden found herself there without any explanation as to how she got to the hotel. She also refused to pick her calls while in the hotel,” the source said.

During the investigation, the managers of the two hotels where she lodged during the period, said she was not accompanied by anybody when she visited their facilities.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said Ayomide went missing for 14 days, adding that the case had been transferred to the Area H command for further investigation.

He said, “A case of missing person was reported at the charge room on June 16, 2020, around 10.40am by one Olabunmi Alao, of No 3, Amudat Abeke Street, Ajenipa, Ladi-Lak, Bariga, Lagos State, that his sister, Ayomide Alao, 28, of same address, dark in complexion about 5ft-4inch in height, who speaks English and Yoruba language, left home on June 14, 2020, around 8.30pm and did not return home.

“All efforts to trace her by the family proved abortive. During investigation, the missing nurse was located by detectives on July 3, 2020, at the Jolade Hotel in Ipetumodu-Okoko in Osun State.

“The managers of the Anis Hotel and the Jolade Hotel, where she stayed for 14 days while at Ipetumodu-Okoko town in Osun State, were also brought in with a view to establishing their level of culpability or otherwise. The case was transferred to the Area H Command Headquarters for further investigation.”

Governor of Oklahoma, where Trump held rally, tests positive for COVID-19

The governor of Oklahoma announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus, weeks after he attended US President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in the state.

Cases have surged in Oklahoma, and local health officials have said that Trump’s indoor rally and large public protests in June “more than likely” contributed to the spike in new infections.

Governor Kevin Stitt said he believes he is the first US governor to be diagnosed with coronavirus, but that it was unlikely he contracted it at Trump’s June 20 rally because the event occurred too long ago.

“I got tested yesterday for COVID-19, and the results came back positive,” Stitt told an online press conference.

He said he was “a little bit achy” on Tuesday but otherwise felt “fine.”

The 47-year-old Republican said he immediately placed himself in quarantine away from his family and will work from home until he is free of the virus.

Stitt has often declined to wear a mask at meetings and did not wear one at the Trump rally, but he is urging residents to take precautions.

“We know it’s here in Oklahoma, it’s not going away,” Stitt said.

“We need to take this virus seriously” and Oklahomans should “continue to get tested,” he added.

Trump faced major blowback for insisting on holding a crowded indoor rally in the heat of a pandemic.

His campaign handed out masks at the Tulsa event, but few of the supporters who attended wore them and social distancing guidelines were largely ignored.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/governor-of-oklahoma-where-trump-held.html

I spoke with Tolulope at 1pm but at 5pm, I was told she was in mortuary – Father of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot

Akintunde Arotile, the father of the first Nigerian female combat pilot, Tolulope, in this interview with GBENGA ODOGUN, says Tolulope from childhood planned to be a pilot

Tell us briefly about yourself.

I am Engineer Akintude Arotile. I worked with the Transmission Company of Nigeria. I retired last year as a power engineer.

You must have been devastated by the loss of your daughter.

(Cuts in) That is an understatement. From day one, she had not just been brilliant, but also wonderful. I was in Kaduna. She had all her education at the Air Force Base and the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

 One day, when she was very small, she pointed to one small aircraft, parked on a field and said, “Dad, one day I am going to fly that aircraft” and I said amen. So from that day, she started working towards that.

 She got admission to the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna. She had a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. She became an Air force cadet. She was sent on several courses abroad and became a pilot. I just thank God that she was able to achieve her dreams as a baby before her death.

What was her position in the family?

She was number four.

She has been described as an award-winning pilot and in fact the first in the country to become a female combat pilot.

Right from day one, she had been very intelligent. Sometimes, I wondered what type of IQ she had. She also combined intelligence with hard work.

In fact, if you had been here when her bosses from Enugu came, you would think she was their daughter; the way they were eulogising her. They were proud of her achievements.

When was your last encounter with her?

Just yesterday, at about 1pm, I called her because she just came back from an operation against the bandits in Katsina. They gave them one week to rest and so she was sleeping and she told me she was in bed resting.

 She said she would later go out to make some photocopies and I told her not to stay long and to return home on time because she was staying with my first daughter in Kaduna. Around 5.30 pm, somebody called me and asked if I had called her and I said yes. Then the person told me to call her which I did, but there no response.

So, I called her colleagues. They were all crying on the phone. I asked what happened, but they were just crying. I called one of her bosses who told me that she was in the mortuary and I said Ha! Somebody I spoke with four hours ago and by 5 pm she was in the mortuary. I had to drive to Lokoja from Abuja to enable me to inform her mother physically because I could not break such news on the phone.

When I got there, she had gone to the prayer mountain. She came back at 8.30pm and I told her what I heard, but had not confirmed.

What had been the reactions of the Air Force authority since the incident happened?

I must say that I am really impressed by the outpouring of sympathy and support. There have been several visits from her bosses from all over the country, including here in Lokoja, Abuja, Kaduna, and Enugu. The support has been overwhelming.

They have even promised to let us choose where to bury her, but her commandant suggested that she should be buried at the National Cemetery, Abuja because of the number of people that will attend the funeral and due to the feat she achieved as the first female combat pilot in Nigeria.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/i-spoke-with-tolulope-at-1pm-but-at-5pm.html

Rivers police nab two notorious kidnappers, recover skull, bones of victim

Police operatives in Rivers State have arrested two notorious kidnappers in connection to the kidnap and murder of one Ereba Gospel Dinabari.

The suspected kidnappers arrested by Police operatives in Rivers State led the police yesterday to a forest where they had tied their victim to a tree till he (victim) died and decomposed.

The suspects, Osundu Uchendu and Amebulem Amos were earlier arrested in Eleme Local Government Area of the state, in connection to the kidnap and murder of one Ereba Gospel Dinabari.

The suspects had kidnapped Dinabari, collected over a million naira ransom, tied him to a tree and allow him to die and decompose.

The police, however, recovered the skull and bones of the victim in the forest at Alesa area of Eleme LGA.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, disclosed that the suspects were arrested by the Anti- Kidnapping Unit while doing a follow up in the Kidnap of one Ereba Gospel Dinabari

“Their confessions led the Operatives to a forest at Alesa in Eleme LGA, where the victim’s decomposing body was found tied to a tree.

The Toyota Spider car belonging to the victim was recovered. The suspects have confessed to having carried out several kidnappings around Woji, Abuloma, Peter Odili Road, and Eleme Communities.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/rivers-police-nab-two-notorious.html

Man pours hot water on nursing wife’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s in Enugu

One Emmanuel Opoku, who allegedly poured hot water on his wife’s two b.r.e.a.s.t s, has been remanded by a magistrate’s court sitting in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The accused was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm on his wife, who is nursing a child at the time of the incident.

According to the charge sheet, No: MES/ 226 c/ 20, Mr. Opoku unlawfully poured hot water on Mrs. Opoku’s two b.r.e.a.s.t.s, which caused her grievous bodily harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 290 of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.

It was gathered that the legal team of Women Aid Collective, WACOL, and other pro bono lawyers, led by WACOL’s Head of Legal Unit, Mrs Ijeoma Ezeude, Onyeonagu and Dr. Nick Agbo, worked in conjunction with the police prosecutor, Inspector Innocent Otibe, to vehemently oppose the bail application.

The magistrate, who refused the bail application on the ground of public interest remanded the man who poured water on his wife’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s person in Enugu police custody.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/07/man-pours-hot-water-on-nursing-wifes.html

643 New Cases Of Coronavirus In Nigeria, Total Now 34,259

In the last 24 hours, 643 new cases of COVID19 were reported in Nigeria;
Lagos-230, Oyo-69, FCT-51, Edo-43, Osun-35, Rivers-30, Ebonyi-30, Kaduna-28, Ogun-27, Ondo-23, Plateau-20, Benue-17, Enugu-16, Imo-10, Delta-6, Kano-4, Nasarawa-2, Kebbi-1, Ekiti-1.

A total of 34,259 confirmed cases in Nigeria. The breakdown;