FEATURES
The nine newly sworn-in Rivers State Commissioners have said they did not signify interest in returning to Governor Siminlalayi Fubara’s cabinet.
Recall that the re-nominated commissioners were officially sworn in on Friday during a ceremony held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The swearing-in ceremony was conducted efficiently, with the commissioners taking the oaths of allegiance and office simultaneously.
This event marks a significant reconstitution of the state’s executive council following a period of political tension.
The commissioners, who had previously resigned to demonstrate their allegiance to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a recent dispute with the governor, have now been reinstated.
Their resignation had been seen as a move to show solidarity with Wike amid the political rift.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the newly sworn-in Commissioner for Special Projects, Emeka Woke, said they didn’t return to Fubara’s cabinet of their own volition.
The former Chief of Staff to Wike stated that they were recalled to work with the governor based on a presidential proclamation, adding that they are men of pedigree.
According to Woke, the commissioners decided to work with Governor Fubara in the interest of sacrifice and peace of Rivers State and the country in general.
Watch the video below.
Media
Some members of the iReign Christian Ministry, Lagos, on Friday, expressed shock as the church’s founder and senior pastor, Bishop Oluwafeyiropo (Feyi) Daniels, was sentenced to life imprisonment by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for raping a church member.
The members of the church, which is located at 1a Gbolade Adebanjo Crescent, Opebi, Ikeja, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, said the pastor was being victimised and that his imprisonment would not stop the work of God.
The court on Friday sentenced Daniels to life imprisonment for raping his 23-year-old assistant (name withheld).
Justice Rahman Oshodi, who delivered the 324-page judgment, also sentenced the embattled bishop to three years’ imprisonment for sexually assaulting another member of the church, aged 19.
He held that the prosecution had established the ingredients of rape and sexual assault, which were counts one and three, against Daniels beyond reasonable doubt.
He further held that the pastor should spend the rest of his life at the Kirikiri Custodial Facility, Lagos.
According to him, the evidence of the first prosecution witness was corroborated by that of the third witness.
The judge, however, discharged and acquitted him of rape (count two) of another survivor (name withheld) on the ground that there was an element of consent.
Justice Oshodi also discharged and acquitted Daniels of attempted rape (count four) of another member of his church, also 19.
According to him, the convict did not have regard for the truth and committed the offences using his dominant character and position as a pastor.
Justice Oshodi said, “Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, I have convicted you of sexually violating two women, who were members of your church.
“The first one, you raped ferociously and caused her so much pain. The second, you sexually assaulted using your dominant character and position as a clergy.
“These offences are grievous and rape attracts life imprisonment, while sexual assault is punishable with three years’ imprisonment.”
The judge also said though the defence counsel, Adebayo Adegbite, urged the court to use its discretion in sentencing, the Lagos State law, however, prescribed a mandatory sentence for rape.
“Due to the seriousness and the ferocity of the attack on his victims, accordingly, I sentence you as follows: on count one, I sentence you to life imprisonment; on count three, I sentence you to three years imprisonment and you shall also serve your term in the maximum security custodial centre where you are currently being held,” he added.
Oshodi said the sentencing should run concurrently and the convict’s name be registered in the Lagos State Sex Offender Registry.
The convict remained silent when the court asked him whether he had anything to say following his conviction.
The defence counsel, in his allocutus (plea for mercy), prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.
Adegbite told the court that the convict was a first-time offender with no previous conviction.
He also said the convict was the breadwinner of his family and urged the judge to use his discretion in sentencing him.
The state prosecution team led by Babajide Boye, however, urged the court to convict the bishop as charged.
The prosecution called five witnesses, while the defence also called five witnesses during the trial through whom various documents were tendered in evidence.
Boye submitted that the convict raped his assistant pastor in her home in Ikota Villa Estate, sometime in June 2020.
He also said that the convict sexually assaulted one of his church members by forcefully sucking and touching her breasts without her consent sometime in April 2021 at the church’s office in Ikeja.
Daniels was charged with four revised counts of attempted rape, rape, and sexual assault.
On April 17, 2023, and May 9, 2023, Daniels entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment and re-arraignment, respectively.
Sections 260 (2) and 263 of the Lagos State 2015 Criminal Law, according to the prosecution, were broken by the offences.
‘Our bishop framed’
However, while reacting to Bishop Daniels conviction, some church members said he had been unfairly treated because of his political affiliation.
A woman, who claimed to be a leader in the evangelism and welfare unit of the church, and gave her name as Mrs Peace, said, “I know my pastor. He will overcome.
“He has been a staunch attacker of this government and they are victimising him. Our God is not asleep. In this month of our fasting, we will not stop praying for him even while in captivity.”
Peace posted on X after the judgment, “All because he gave a prophecy that did not go down well in the eyes of the Tinubu APC govt (sic). Make una continue.”
Another X user, Ikokwu Chidozie Ikemba, through his handle, @IkeokwuChidozie, wrote, “There is a war against the church and it’s coming from the inside.”
Another member of the church, who gave her name only as Mrs Omopariola, said, “Pastor cannot do that kind of thing. I have worshipped in that church for five years. Where is the evidence?
“Was there a hidden camera? This year is our year of abundance and this month is our month of answered prayers. I know this is not the end. God will intervene.”
An X user, @Nosafk, wrote, “The day your prophecy doesn’t favour them, they will come and arrest you for one thing or the other. Every opportunity is good to silence those who will call them out to be accountable.”
Another X user, @CheezyCharles, said, “Life imprisonment ke? What’s the proof? Abeg, he should go and appeal this nonsense!”
However, several other Nigerians lauded the judgment, saying that it would serve as a deterrent to religious leaders who use their positions to oppress and sexually exploit their members.
A social commentator on X, Oke Matarazi, through his handle, @OMatarazi, wrote, “The reported case of a Lagos pastor, Feyi Daniels, receiving a life imprisonment sentence for raping a church member is a deeply troubling and unfortunate incident. Such acts of misconduct, especially within a place of worship where trust and moral guidance are expected, are reprehensible.
“Religious institutions in Nigeria need to prioritise the safety and well-being of their members, fostering an environment of trust, support, and accountability.
“The Lagos legal system’s response to such cases sends a strong message about the consequences of such heinous actions and I hope they learn.”
One of our correspondents, who on Friday joined a Facebook prayer group belonging to the embattled cleric, Bishop Feyi Daniels Prayer Group, observed that the members were offering prayers for him.
Members, numbering over 40 were saying, “May God vindicate him”, “Our pastor is innocent”, “This is wickedness”, and “The body of Christ is under attack.”
A member, Doyin Okediran, told our correspondent on Facebook, “Our pastor is innocent. He did not do these things. I am sure God is in heaven watching and he will not allow his servant to suffer.”
Another member, Ifeyinwa Mgbe, said, “I know this man of God. I worshipped under his unction. If I travel, I still join him online. I am still in shock.”
NGOs, lawyers react
Meanwhile, a human rights advocacy group, Tonia Bruised But Not Broken Foundation, has lauded the jailing of the pastor.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Anthonia Ojenagbon, told journalists in Lagos on Friday that the judgment was a landmark one and commended the judge for not leaving any stone unturned during the proceedings.
She said, “The judgment will serve as a deterrent to everyone who manipulates vulnerable girls and women.
“I thank the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ekiti State branch, to which the case was first reported to in 2020.
“This judgment shows beaming hope that survivors will get justice and perpetrators of this evil act will, one day, find themselves in a place where they will not be able to escape.
“I want to say that this is a victory for every survivor of sexual violence and rape case in Nigeria.”
She also thanked the survivors for coming out to testify against the cleric, while praising the Lagos State Government for having zero tolerance for any form of sexual and gender-based violence.
The founder of Stop the Abuse Against Children and Women Foundation, MrsToyin Taiwo-Ojo, said the judgment would restore faith in the church and the entire society.
Taiwo-Ojo, who is the lead counsel to the victims, said the judgment showed that morality was protected by the judiciary.
The Lagos-based lawyer said, “This is another win for sexual violence and rape survivors.
“We have seen men of God committing this crime over and over again.”
Another lawyer, Ikechukwu Onu, laud the judgment and said sexual offences should not be treated with kid’s gloves.
“I am glad that my lord, Justice Rahman Oshodi, did the right thing. I followed this case keenly and I am glad. Truly, the judiciary is the hope of the common man. As for other religious leaders jumping from one skirt to another, the arms of the law are wide enough to grab them,” he stated.
On social media, netizens have continued to express joy over the judgment, saying that the Justice did a thorough job.
A Facebook user, Olumuji Olaoluwa Oluseyi, “Very sad indeed but it is nevertheless a superb judgment. With great power comes great responsibility.
“The problem is that many of these so-called ‘pastors’ are scammers. They have tarnished the image of others and have ridiculed the pulpit and the altar. Once again, I say, superb judgment.”
Another Facebook user, Balogun Tobi, said, “Na wa o. It is highly disheartening but I think the judgment is right. This is the end time. I am happy justice has prevailed.”
Another Facebook user, Ifeanyichukwu Abraham, posted, “I thought they said he’s been sentenced today? I wish the government could go for more of such molesters in the body of Christ.
“Every pastor or so-called man of god molesting and abusing minors and vulnerable people is actually molesting and abusing the gospel he purports to represent. God’s hand is not in the matter at all.”
[Punch]
An alleged child trafficking syndicate arrested by the police in Gombe State the victims sold baby to buyers with the connivance of government officials
I have boys as children; I only wanted to have a girl-child,” was the excuse given by Mrs Tina Raphael, a 60-year-old woman from Anambra State who was arrested by the Gombe State Police Command over her involvement in a case of suspected child trafficking.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Raphael said she adopted the baby from a suspected trafficker she identified as Khadijah for N400,000, adding that she was introduced to the ailing child who was dying from malnutrition.
“I had been wanting to adopt a baby girl since January 1, 2024, and was told that one was available by Khadijah. The baby is one year old and she was not walking and was sick, so I asked her (Khadijah) to bring the baby to me to see what I could do to help her.
“After looking at the baby, I noticed that she was suffering from malnutrition and needed medical assistance; that’s why I asked her to bring the child after which I asked her how I could get legal papers for the custody of the baby since she works with social welfare (in the Ministry of Women Affairs) because she told me she works there.”
Narrating further, the 60-year-old woman disclosed that she was charged an amount for the documentation of the baby’s ownership and denied buying the baby.
“She (Khadijah) told me to bring N400,000 which I did. This happened on January 1, 2024, and I was hoping that she would come on Friday and hand over the papers to me, only for me to see her with police in my house and (the police) arrested me without the papers; that was how I got involved.
“I didn’t buy the baby with the money I gave her because she said she would hand over papers to me and that was what I had been waiting for,” Raphael added.
When our correspondent asked her whether she knew who the little girl’s mother was, she said she was told that the baby’s mother had died.
“The baby’s mother is dead and nobody is there to take care of her. She is sick and cannot walk and my husband welcomed the idea too because I have only male children,” she added.
Like Raphael, another resident of Gombe also from Anambra State, Ukamaka Ugo, who was also arrested for baby racketeering, claimed she was innocent.
Ugo said Khadijah had promised to ‘give’ her baby for a fee when they met in a market.
“There was a day I went to the market and met Khadijah carrying a baby girl on her back. We exchanged greetings and I told her that the baby she had on her back was beautiful and that I wished she could let me have her since I did not have any.
“She said she would not give me this one (the baby) but that she was a worker in the hospital with the social welfare department. She said any time she got a baby she would let me know,” she said.
Ugo told Saturday PUNCH that in April 2023, Khadijah informed her about a woman who recently had a baby but did not have money for the child’s well-being.
“Khadijah called in April 2023 that there was a girl and the mother was in the hospital, that she gave birth but didn’t have the resources to take care of the baby. When I heard what she said, I told her that I was interested.
She told me to buy some baby items and take them to the mother of the girl at the hospital so she (the baby’s mother) would hand the baby over to me. I gave her N50,000 to process everything,” she said.
While arguing that the child wasn’t sold, Ugo noted that the N50,000 included the child’s medication and other needs. She, however, admitted that the baby was later handed over to her to keep as hers.
“She (Khadijah) told me that she would not hand the baby over to me until she had processed everything at the social welfare office. She called me after a week on the phone and told me that she was through with the social welfare processes.
“When they came to carry the baby, she said the paper was not yet out from the social welfare office and that anytime that the paper was ready, she would hand it over to me.”
“After a week, I started training the baby like mine, that’s all I know. I didn’t steal any child; I thought I was dealing with the right person and from the right source because she told me she worked with the social welfare office,” she told our correspondent.
Ugo disclosed that the parents of the child had signed an undertaking to hand over the child to her.
“The mother of the baby, the grandmother, the baby’s father, and his brother all went to the social welfare (office) and signed that they had handed the baby over to me; that was why I agreed to take care of the baby. The N50,000 was for the delivery (hospital bill).”
But the family of the baby denied selling their child to the suspect. The father of the baby, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Saturday PUNCH that they chose to involve the police when Khadijah’s movement and actions became suspicious.
“We didn’t sell our daughter’s child, though we received some money from Khadijah. We were prevented from seeing the child, so we alerted the police because that was not what they (Khadijah) told us,” he added.
Babies not taken without parents’ consent – Khadijah
However, the prime suspect debunked the allegations of child theft and trafficking. Khadijah said she didn’t commit any crime. She told our correspondent that while she collaborated with some social welfare workers, none of the children were forcefully taken away from their families.
“I’m not a trafficker. I only linked the person who saw the baby with me to the social welfare (office).
“I didn’t sell any child but the person I linked them up with was given N400,000 and I gave the office N200,000 and got the other (half). I have never sold any baby before nor have I bought from anyone.
“None of the children were stolen; they unfortunately had poor parents who couldn’t take care of them or their mothers died. So, in such a case, the baby needed to be given ample support and care to survive,” she claimed.
Child abduction is fast becoming a major problem in Nigeria, with several cases reported in Gombe and other parts of the North.
In September 2020, the police in Gombe disclosed that they uncovered a human trafficking ring and rescued 12 children
The then-Commissioner of Police, Shehu Maikudi, while parading four human traffickers, said the arrest of the syndicate was done by the police with support from parents.
“Some parents complained that their children were abducted. One of the suspects was arrested last week. Investigation took police to Anambra where they recovered two children,”
“The suspect we have in our custody today took to her heels since 2017; she has been on the run, changing locations, and in her custody, we found 12 children from various locations.
“We can’t comfortably say they are all from Gombe. This breakthrough was done painstakingly by the combined team of the police and parents in conjunction with the state government because they provided all the logistics.”
In December, 2023, the police in Anambra State said they arrested a couple trafficking a one-month-old baby from Lagos. According to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the interception was made at the River Niger Bridgehead in Onitsha on December 17.
In June 2023, five children were rescued from two suspected child traffickers in Auchi, Edo State. The children, all girls, aged between seven and nine, who travelled unaccompanied, were said to have arrived at Auchi in the evening from Kaduna and were trying to establish contact with the two suspected female traffickers to take them to Onitsha before they were rescued.
In September 2021, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Makurdi Zonal Command, said it arrested two suspects in connection with the sale of babies in the state.
The Zonal Commander, Mrs Gloria Bai, who disclosed this in Makurdi, the state capital, said two young victims were taken from Gboko and sold out in Lagos.
The Gombe State Police command explained that Khadija colluded with 15 others, including staff of Gombe Local Government Area, involved in the sale of babies, stressing that they were arrested following an intelligence report received from the Barunde community.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mahid Abubakar, said, “The community claimed that sometime within last year, one Khadija Shehu-Manzo and 15 others were involved in selling young babies to people in need.
“Upon receipt of the report, detectives attached to Low-Cost Division swung into action where a full-blown investigation was carried out and the said Khadija was arrested.”
While Khadijah strongly denied her involvement in the crime, the police spokesman said, “The remaining suspects arrested confirmed that Shehu-Manzo allegedly sold two babies to Ukamaka Ugo on different occasions.
“Shehu-Manzo sold one child (for) N400,000 (and) out of the money (that came) from Tina Raphael, she gave N200,000 to one Haruna Abubakar, who is working with the social welfare (office in) Gombe in that he was going to make relevant documentation available for proper handing over of the child.
“Yahaya Sulaiman was the person who received the money on Abubakar’s behalf.
“Ukamaka Ugo bought two children; they are presently in Lagos and Anambra. We are working to see how to recover them as well,” he added.
But Abubakar, the Head of the Education and Social Development Department responsible for legitimising child adoption process in the Gombe Local Government Area, said the N200,000 he received from Khadijah was a gift and not a proceeds of crime.
The 50-year-old, “I work with the Gombe Local Government in the Education, Social Development Department. I was involved in a case through Hadisah (Khadijah) who came to our office to tell me that her sister was given a child for adoption and that they sent them to come to our office for us to document everything.”
“I told them since the mother of the child had passed away (died), she should invite the grandfather to come so that I can interview him. When he came, he said the same thing. So Hadisah (Khadijah) said she needed paper (documentation), but I objected saying there were procedures to getting a paper as there was a need to write applications for fostering, which included giving the paper to the ward head of their area to sign,
“It also included the passport of the woman who needed the child and the husband before one can proceed and it must be addressed to the Chairman of the Gombe Local Government Area then we can process the document to give you paper.”
On the alleged sum received, Abubakar added, “I told her to apply for the letter as we couldn’t give her the paper without proof. The money she gave I used N20,000 out of the money to give to the grandfather, and the rest (was) for us to share.
“She didn’t bring the application. I didn’t charge her N200,000; she decided to give me the money, I didn’t charge her anything as we don’t charge to process documents.”
When contacted by our correspondent, the state coordinator of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Aminu Shira, declined comment.
He said, “After completing the investigation, we will call the media for a briefing. Anything I tell you will tamper with it (the investigation).”
However, the Human Rights Commission taking custody of a child without following the process back by law was tantamount to human trafficking.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Public Relations Officer of the Gombe officer of the NHC, Alola Alfinti, said, “You can’t just pick someone from the street or just take a child and adopt them. There are laid down procedures, and legal processes up to a court.
“You can have legal custody of a child if you follow the process but there are gatekeepers in the state when it comes to this, including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development which has a registry. If you go there, they would give you the child but you would have to complete the court processes.”
Alfinti, explained that a child adoption process could take many years to complete.
“I remember there was a time when one child was adopted in Gombe. It took about 10 years and they (foster parents) wanted to fly him abroad.
“They were caught at the airport (with the child) but they had to come back to Gombe to find out whether they followed laid down processes. Fortunately, when they came, documents were backing the child’s adoption. If you follow the processes, there wouldn’t be problems,” he added.
Pandemonium erupted at Araromi Ilogbo Secondary School in Oko Afo, Lagos, as pupils of the school protested the demise of one of their colleagues who was allegedly flogged to death by a teacher.
The incident was said to have occurred on Thursday when the deceased, identified as David Babadipo, was allegedly flogged by the teacher whose name was given as Oluwale.
It was gathered that the 16-year-old who had been ill for some days was rushed to a hospital after he was flogged where he was confirmed dead.
In a video seen by our correspondent on Friday, many pupils of the school could be seen running helter-skelter within the school compound and outside its premises.
A voice in the background could be heard narrating that the deceased pupil wanted to go out to purchase something when he was allegedly flogged by a teacher leading to his demise.
Commenting on the video, an X user, Mama Sassy D, wrote, “This is my vicinity. They have started rioting already. The said teacher might not survive this period.”
However, a Facebook user, Esther Wusu, refuted the claim that the pupil was flogged to death, adding the name of the teacher given was that of the school’s vice principal.
“First and foremost, Mr Oluwale is a Vice Principal and he didn’t beat him for not paying attention in class because he doesn’t teach, he didn’t even beat him at all.
“That child has (sic) been sick since Tuesday and the parent didn’t take him to the hospital. It got worse yesterday afternoon after the break and they called his parent to come to pick him up,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, another Facebook user, Bangose Jide, in a post wrote, “Teacher beat (sic) David Babadipo, 16-year-old to death at Araromi-Ilogbo Senior Secondary School, Oko-Afo.
“The teacher is named Mr Olawale, (a) vice principal. The case has been reported to the Morogbo Police Station at Badagry Expressway, Lagos State. David Babadipo was a native of Ipoti Ekiti State.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had yet to confirm whether the case was reported at the station as a text message sent to enquire from him had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to also get the school to comment on the matter were futile as calls made to the contact phone number failed to go through and a text sent to it by our correspondent was not replied to.
Drama Unfolds In Court As Counsel Objects, Judge Adjourns Suspended UNICAL Professor’s Bail Plea
AdminThere was a mild drama at a Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday after Justice James Omotosho adjourned the hearing of a bail application of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), until January 31.
The adjournment followed counsel for the prosecution, Osuobeni Akponimisingha’s objection that he was just being served with Ndifon’s further affidavit and would need time to study the process in the interest of fair hearing.
The development did not go down well with Solomon Umoh, SAN, who appeared for Ndifon, and Sunny Anyanwu, the co-defendant.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is prosecuting Ndifon and Anyanwu (1st and 2nd defendants) on allegations bordering on sexual harassment and threatening the star witness in the case.
Anyanwu, who is one of the lawyers in the defence, was joined in the amended charge filed on January 22 by the ICPC on allegation that he called one of the prosecution witnesses on her mobile telephone during the pendency of the charge against Ndifon to threaten her.
Justice Omotosho had, on Thursday, ordered the two defendants to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications.
The judge, who adjourned the matter until yesterday, held that the bail request would be taken after the trial.
When the matter was called yesterday for continuation of trial, Umoh prayed the court to allow the hearing of his clients’ bail applications before the trial but Akponimisingha opposed it, saying based on the previous day’s directive of the court, the trial should be taken first.
The ICPC lawyer argued further that he was just being served with the latest application filed on Thursday by Umoh and that he would need time to study it and know whether to respond or not.
But Umoh told the court that Akponimisingha was being economical with the truth because he was aware of the medical report attached to the application already, adding that the instant application was just an adjunct.
He said when the judge admitted Ndifon to temporary bail on January 10 to enable him go for a glaucoma surgery slated for January 11, it took them about a week to perfect the bail before the professor could proceed.
He said the latest documents attached to the bail application had been verified by the ICPC in Exhibit PF3
“So why will the counsel seek for an adjournment?” he asked.
Besides, Umoh argued that Akponimisingha had no right to file any other process after the one he filed “because this is the final process.”
He insisted that bail is a constitutional right which should not be taken away from his clients, even though they had been subjected to media trial.
“We are talking of a constitutional right of a professor of Law to liberty,” he said.
The senior lawyer urged the court to overrule Akponimisingha and proceed to hear the bail plea.
Umoh said in the event that his application was not granted, “we ask that the interim bail be extended because he (Ndifon) has an imminent irreversible eye defect.”
But the anti-graft commission’s lawyer disagreed with Umoh.
He argued that the exhibit (Exhibit PF3) that the learner silk cited that they verified was in response to the medical report dated December 29, 2023, and not the one dated January 19.
He said contrary to Umoh’s claim, the commission had not verified the latest exhibit (Exhibit A).
“We have not verified the instant exhibit dated 19th day of January, 2024. He just served me about three minutes ago.
“I am just seeing this document for the first time. Fair hearing demands that I be allowed to see it, whether to respond to it or not.
“That is my reserved right which cannot be taken away from me. That is why I sought an adjournment to enable me look into it,” he said.
Ruling, Justice Omotosho said in view of the fact that the further affidavit filed on January 25 by Umoh was served on Akponimisingha in the courtroom, “it is fair hearing that the lawyer be given time to respond.”
He said since accelerated hearing had been granted in the matter, the court would give a short adjournment.
The judge consequently adjourned the matter until January 31 for hearing of the bail applications.
But shortly after the adjournment, Umoh stood up to address the court.
The senior lawyer, who insisted that bail is a constitutional matter, said the application he brought was in line with the constitution.
He reminded that Ndifon did not flout the interim bail granted by the court, hence the need to admit him to bail or extend the earlier one granted him.
“I beg in the name of God that he should be granted the bail in the terms granted him earlier,” he said.
Responding, Justice Omotosho said the earlier bail granted was granted on the premise that there were facts before the court that Ndifon was going for a medical surgery on a scheduled date.
He said even though they were unable to conclude on the bail application, the defendant was allowed to go on bail but did not undergo the surgery in the long run.
He said the facts about the present application were not before the court.
“You filed a process on January 25 and you served the prosecution counsel today.
“That process has a medical report that was not before the court and the prosecution said he needs to respond.
“I have looked at my diary and there are many cases on Monday and Tuesday.
“Even on Wednesday, January 31, I have about 19 cases but I conceded to ensure that the bail application is taken,” the judge explained politely.
Umoh then prayed the court to take Anyanwu’s bail, saying “the bail of the 2nd defendant is independent of the 1st defendant. I will always thank you.”
Umoh consistently addressed the court using the word, “You,” and the judge corrected him, saying “learner silk, you are 13 years as senior advocate. You don’t address the court using ‘you’.”
“Don’t judge me with this because I am on my weakest point today,” Umoh responded.
A 37-year-old woman, Bilikisu Kazeem, was killed while some others were kidnapped during an attack along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Friday.
The incident reportedly occurred at the Bamboo area, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway inward Lagos.
Among those kidnapped was the chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Philip Aivoji, and some other party chieftains.
It was also learnt that the abductors are demanding N200 million for the release of the party leaders.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the governorship candidate of Lagos PDP in the 2023 general elections, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, said Aivoji was “taken” by the hoodlums.
He added, “They went to Ibadan yesterday (Thursday) for a South-West stakeholders meeting but on their way back to Lagos, it happened.”
The PDP in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, called on the security agencies to move swiftly to secure the release of its chairman and other victims.
It read in part, “The Lagos State chapter of the PDP urgently calls upon security agencies and government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly and secure the release of our chairman, Mr Philip Aivoji.
“It is disheartening that kidnapping has become a prevalent issue in our country, and the government’s inability to address this menace is deeply concerning.
“The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace. Aivoji’s abduction was a violent incident, and his current whereabouts or any communication from the abductors remains unknown.”
Reacting, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, stated that they were yet to ascertain the identity and numbers of the kidnapped victims.
She noted that the victims, including the Chief Security Officer of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, Mr Adeyinka Matthew, were rushed to the hospital after they sustained bullet wounds while Kazeem succumbed to her injuries.
“On January 25th, around 5 pm, we received information that some certain kidnappers whose numbers are yet to be ascertained. They suddenly emerged from the bush at the Bamboo area, inward Lagos, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“They blocked the highway and fired gunshots sporadically confusing oncoming vehicles. It was at the sight of the incident that we were alerted. The police and army patrol came to the scene.
“Occupants of one white Mazda bus, sustained leg injuries as they were escaping from the hoodlum. There was a man called Adeyinka Matthew, the CSO of Gateway Poly Sapade, who was coming from a medical checkup at UCH Ibadan in his Toyota Corolla car, he sustained a bullet injury but all of them are responding to treatment. But one Bilikisu Kazeem (f), age 37 years, sustained a bullet injury but later died before getting to the hospital,” Odutola said.
When asked if the PDP chairman was among the victims, she added, “There is no mention of PDP or APC in my confirmation. The attack doesn’t know political affiliation what the police are interested in is the protection of lives and property.”
She, however, disclosed that security operatives chased the kidnappers inside the forest up to a village after Ogun, but were waiting for further assistance from the villagers, adding that “the CP is in contact with the tactical units deployed for a rescue mission. No tension, no panic, all effort is calculated to ensure the victims are rescued I scratched.”
Meanwhile, the PDP, Labour Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to address the issue of insecurity.
The PDP Deputy National Publicity, Ibrahim Abdullahi, in an interview with our correspondent, said, “The situation is terrible. Nigerians are suffering and they are also afraid because the country is no longer safe.
“As a party, we suggest that President Tinubu should overhaul the security architecture. And he should address all the economic challenges because the economy correlates with insecurity. If the economic challenges are addressed, then the security situation will improve. If not, then the problem may continue,” he stated.
Also, the spokesman for the LP 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, questioned the type of training and information security personnel receive, saying, “President Tinubu needs to look into the military formation. What is it that we are doing that is wrong? What is it that we are doing to the lower-ranking officers? What type of information are they getting? And how are we motivating them for them to be able to take on the insecurity head-on.”
On his part, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Yakubu Shemdam, urged the President to overhaul the security system and examine the recruitment process of all security agencies.
PDP calls for prayers
Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP has called on Nigerians, particularly in the South-West, to pray for the safe release of its abducted chairman, Mr Philip Aivoji.
The PDP State Secretary, Mr Soji Orioye, made this plea in a statement, on Friday, noting that the abducted chairman was elderly and frail.
According to Orioye, the party believes the abduction of Aivoji will not be treated with levity by the relevant authorities.
He said, “Honourable Philip Olabode Aivoji is an elderly man of age and frail, to this end, we are using this opportunity to solicit your prayers and intervention in any way to facilitate his safe release from his abductors for a healthy reunion with his family.’
COMEDIAN AY Makun has weighed in on the mass emigration of Nigerians from Nigeria, aka, the ‘JAPA syndrome.’
AY Makun shared his thoughts on the JAPA syndrome via his X account. He acknowledged the current reality of more Nigerians seeking what they believe to be greener pastures abroad.
In his post, AY expressed understanding for those looking to leave the country, citing the challenging circumstances and abject poverty that many face. He noted that while “Japa” might not have been the solution year ago, the current wave reflects the deep frustration and weariness of people who feel compelled to seek better opportunities elsewhere.
He said: “More people are still looking for that opportunity to leave Nigeria to seek greener pastures. It is what it is at the moment. Though it’s also a SAD REALITY to blame the system. In those good old days, Japa was never the solution.”
The comic highlighted the role of the failing system and acknowledged the sad reality of the situation. He emphasised that the JAPA syndrome is likely to persist until collective efforts are made to address and fix the challenges Nigerians face.
“But a whole lot of people are so tired and messed up to the point where all they need is how to find a way out of this incessant madness that is laced with abject poverty. The Japa syndrome is going to continue until we all collectively find a way to fix Nigeria again,” he concluded.
His post garnered a variety of reactions from social media users, cutting across different points of view. While some agreed with Makun’s standpoint and expressed the will to effect changes in the nation, others did not.
“You can say that again and again. If our musicians, comedians and entertainers can preach it in clear terms, I think their influences and affluence will help in propagating the raw message. Power to the people,” an X user commented in agreement.
One particular user on Instagram expressed her disapproval stating, “Until you meet AY in person, I repeat, until you have a personal encounter with people always saying ‘we’ have to collectively fix Nigeria, only then will you know that it’s just noise they are making. They say it and are never ready to act it.”
[NaijaTimes]
Garba Shehu, a former presidential aide, has urged Nigerians to moderate their expectations regarding the performance of President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders in office.
Shehu, who previously served as President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide, made this statement during the 21st Daily Trust Annual Dialogue organized by Trust Media Group on Thursday in Abuja.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is a victim of crisis of expectations. And I think that the lesson for Nigerians from what I saw during the Buhari period and even Tinubu is, Nigerians should begin to lower their expectations on political leaders.
“This is because these expectations are simply inhuman. Leaders can do a lot of things, but no leader can do everything. During the time of Buhari, travellers to the Eastern Region used to spend about three days on the road, but after massive investment in infrastructure by Buhari, the travel time has reduced to about six hours.
“The government then also banned the importation of rice. After that, our farmers became so productive that production of rice skyrocketed and we were even feeding the whole of West Africa,” Mr Shehu said.
“My wife no longer has time for me and our children, she is always going to church. Sometimes she goes to church on Friday and sleeps there until Sunday evening.
“She does not want to know whether we eat or not,” he said.
The petitioner told the court that his wife had abandoned her duties as a wife because of the church.
He told the court that he tried to stop his wife from going to that church but she refused.
“We were happily living together as husband and wife until the year 2010, when I started noticing some strange behaviours in my wife especially her mode of dressing.
“She stopped wearing earrings and necklaces, claiming that those things belong to the devil.
“That was when I noticed that she had stopped attending our family church, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, NCCN, and was attending another church where she was being brainwashed.
“I told her to stop, but she refused. It is on this account that I wish to divorce her,” he said.
The respondent, Mary who is a cleaner was present in court but denied the allegations.
The presiding judge, Doocivir Yawe, advised the couple to reconcile for the sake of the children and adjourned the matter until January 30 for hearing. (NAN)
The International Court of Justice in The Hague, Friday, has delivered its ruling on the allegations of genocide on Gaza by Israel levelled by South Africa.
Following the attack on October 7, 2023, Israel launched a military campaign against Gaza, killing thousands of civilans
South Africa had dragged Israel before the court, alleging it has stood in violation of the United Nation’s Genocide Convention, signed in 1948 as the world’s response to the Holocaust.
However, the ICJ delivered its ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa, asking Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The court also asked Israel to allow humanitarian aid into the Strip.
The ruling specified that Israel needs to take every measure in its power to prevent things that could lead to genocide.
Before the ruling, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had said he would not feel bound by ICJ order.
“No one will stop us — not The Hague, not the Axis of Evil and no one else,” he said on January 14, referring to the Iran-aligned “axis of resistance” groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
Reacting to Friday’s ruling, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, wrote, “Hague shmague.”
The controversial post on X seem to be a mockery of ICJ ruling.
Israel’s pounding has caught the attention of the world powers, and caused division between the West and the Arabs.
While the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, have thrown their weight behind Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Turkey and other Arabs have shown moral support to the people of Palestine.
[Dailytrust]
More...
A total of 122 students will be graduating with a First-Class Bachelor’s Degree at the 31st Convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, scheduled to be held tomorrow, Saturday.
The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, disclosed this while addressing the media at the Press Conference held in respect of the convocation ceremony.
The VC further disclosed that another set of 1,540 students will be graduating with a Second Class Upper division, while a total of 1,705 others have bagged the Second Class Lower division out of the entire 3,574 graduating students churned out by the university for the 31st Convocation ceremony.
Applauding the University for its academic culture of excellence and expressing passionate commendation for the FUNAAB students for not being “pushovers” in their academic performance, the VC stated that the institution is a leading university not only in academics but also in research and community engagement.
Kehinde recalled that the University was rated the best University of Agriculture in Africa and the 7th in the World by the Times Higher Education World University Ranking.
This feat, the VC attributed to the hard work and resilience of both the staff and students of the university, while urging them to do more towards keeping the institution in its enviable position.
The VC further revealed that in relation to this, the management, through the approval of the University Senate, has decided to expand the academic base by introducing new programmes into the already existing ones.
These new programmes, according to him, would make the University relevant to its immediate community by offering the students a cutting-edge education in areas that are currently making waves in the global market.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that some of the programmes at the College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), specifically in the Department of Computer Science, would be unbundled into more relevant programmes such as System Engineering, Data Science, Cyber Security, Information Technology, and so on.
Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State on Friday visited former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State.
They were both governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and were also members of the PDP G7, seven governors opposed to the second tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
Amaechi being received by Sule Lamido
Amaechi later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) but Lamido remained in the PDP and continued the struggle.
Lamido in a statement on Friday, highlighted:
Mustapha Sule Lamido
@MSLAMID0
“This Afternoon, we hosted the former Governor of Rivers State, H.E Rotimi Amaechi who came on a Private visit. It is always rewarding to engage a veteran political leader like him.”
©Santurakin Dutse
[NationalDaily]
A lecturer at the Department of English, University of Port Harcourt, Mazi Eze, has shared his frustration after being denied a N5 million loan due to his monthly salary of N191,000.
Narrating his experience in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday, Eze recalled his visit to First Bank, Choba, where he sought a loan to enhance his Public Speaking Academy Limited and acquire social media gadgets but was told by his account officer that his salary was not enough for the loan he demanded.
Eze expressed disappointment over the challenges faced by academic staff members at the institution, highlighting the significant salary gap compared to counterparts in other universities who reportedly receive monthly incomes ranging from N230,000 to N250,000..
He wrote, “Yesterday, I got insulted big time! By my UNIPORT salary!
“I went to my bank, First Bank, Choba to borrow N5 million. My account officer, a jolly good lady, said, ‘We cannot give you up to that amount as a loan.’ ‘Why?’ I asked.
“‘Your salary cannot carry it. Wait, let me see.’ She clicked away at her desktop computer and said, ‘Your salary is N191,000. We can only give you 1. Something million repayable within three years.’
“I shook my head and replied, ‘I don’t need 1. Something million. What I need is N5 million. I need to fully equip my Public Speaking Academy Limited. I need to buy some gadgets for my social media engagements.’
“The lady said, ‘Sorry Sir, your salary cannot carry it.’ That day, I went home without getting the loan. I went home sad. Angry. Depressed. I’m 10+ years as a lecturer in UNIPORT. I have a PhD And my take-home pay is N191,000.
“Some of my colleagues who are at my salary scale level in Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Bori Polytechnic, and Rivers State University receive between N230,000 and N250,000 monthly. That’s what they told me. N230,000 to N250,000 monthly is peanuts in this Tinubu’s economy.
“At UNIPORT, a federal university, it’s N191,000 monthly! What’s wrong with UNIPORT? Or is it the same salary scale in other federal universities in Nigeria?
“In the next six to eight years, by God’s grace and through determination and diligence, I’ll become a professor, and my salary will be a miserable N440,000 monthly. Me, I’m tired sef!”
It was all shades of glitz, glamour, and luxury at the 50th birthday party of Aisha Achimugu, the Abuja-based businesswoman, which was held in the Caribbean Island of Grenada last week.
Aisha turned 50 on January 22. To celebrate her golden jubilee, the socialite went all out for a seven-day event, packed with numerous festivities which saw guests alternate between Calivigny Island and Silversand, an intimate and luxury resort which is set on the sands of Grand Anse Beach in Grenada.
The party which kicked off on January 16 was reportedly attended by some of the crème de la crème of the Nigerian entertainment industry and prominent figures — including a governor.
Photo credit: Silversands Resort
On the first day, guests arrived, settled in, and unwinded from their journeys. The second day involved a welcome breakfast, exploration of the resort, and mingling.
Activities like kayaking, swimming, and treasure hunting were all scheduled for the third day while the attendees came out dressed in African attire for the special performances which involved drum dance on day four. There was also a bonfire as guests gathered around a night of warmth and music.
The fifth day saw the attendees enjoy performances from a local band, a wide array of cocktails, and a retro disco party and on the sixth day, the guests went on an excursion around the island.
The seventh day (January 23) was then capped off with an all-white breakfast and a luxurious dinner that was themed ‘glitz and glam’ before the guests said their goodbye to Grenada.
It was reported that Achimugu spent nearly $1 million (more than a N1 billion) to rent the island for an entire week.
The cost of a night at the Silversands Resort begins from the sum of $1,060 (N1,378,000) per person.
Calvigny Island, on the other hand, costs about $30,000 ( over N39 million) per night — for the entire island. The prices for the private island can also vary from $30,000 – $165,000 per night — depending on the time of year.
Photo credit: Wimco Villas
The entrepreneur also created an eponymous website — ‘aishaachimugu50th.com‘ — specifically for the birthday celebration. The website contains details about visa arrangements, standby chauffeurs, travel itineraries, and the closest airport to the event location, among others.
Aisha will also be hosting another birthday party at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on January 26 (6 pm). There will also be a dinner party at the International Conference Centre the following day (from 8:30 pm).
WHO IS AISHA ACHIMUGU?
Aisha is the managing director/ CEO of Felak Concept Group. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Jos, Nigeria.
She was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the Commonwealth University, Belize.
Aisha got married to Sulaiman Akao Achimugu and they have three children.
However, her husband passed away in 2020. Sulaiman was said to have died from COVID-19 complications.
Below are some photos from Aisha’s gallery:
[TheCable]