A couple has been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being convicted of human trafficking and operating a brothel.

The 34-year-old Nigerian national, Jude Ikenna Ijegulu, and his 29-year-old partner, Elizabeth Botes, from Centurion in Pretoria, received their sentences in the Pretoria High Court.

In addition, Ijegulu was sentenced to two life terms for two counts of rape and an additional two years for being in the country illegally.

This was according to South Africa Broadcasting Corporation.

SABC news on Saturday reported that the court ordered that his name be added to the National Register of Sexual Offenders.

National Prosecuting Authority’s Gauteng spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana says they welcome the sentences.

He said, “From November 2016 to September 2017 the two ran a brothel in Centurion where they kept two women. The man raped the two women, supplied them with drugs as well as physically and sexually assaulting them.

The couple would also instruct the two victims to render sexual services to clients. The Judge found that the two violated the Human Trafficking Act. The man enslaved the two victims and fed them drugs.”

Says N40,000 in 2015 now equivalent to N500,000

A former member of the National Assembly, Dr Farah Dagogo, has lamented the value of the Nigerian currency saying, “the value of ₦40, 000 in 2015 is equivalent to over ₦500, 000 in today’s Nigeria.”

He also charged the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, to come up with workable economic policies that will ameliorate the sufferings and hardships the majority of Nigerians are experiencing.

Dagogo described the current living standards and situations in the country as ‘grim’, raising concerns that all indicators point to ‘ further pains for the citizenry’

Dagogo who represented Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives while in office.

In a special Eid-ul-Adha message to Muslims faithful across the country, the former Federal Lawmaker wondered why the people would continue to languish and wallow in so much misery amid the country’s abundant natural resources.

He said this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday morning by his media aide, Ibrahim Lawal, and sent to newsmen.

The statement reads, “Today, yesterday and especially in the past year, the people’s purchasing powers have reduced drastically. Never has this country witnessed this level of hyperinflation in its history, not even during our civil war. It is a grim reality.

“The value of ₦40, 000 in 2015 is equivalent to over ₦500, 000 in today’s Nigeria in 2024. Crisss-cross the costs of goods and services during this period and vis-a-vis the reality of today and we all will come to that sad realisation. That was why labour was justifiably demanding for a living wage.

“The inconsolable unavoidable truth is that the value of the money most people are getting or earning in 2024 is not too different from that of 2015, but the purchasing powers have practically gone out the window.”

He added, “Anti-people and inhuman economic policies have helped put the people in a terrible state. Money that could comfortably procure over 10 50kg bags of rice in 2015 can only buy one now, yet no improvement in the real money in the hands of the people.

“Something has to give way, this cannot continue. These sufferings and hardships have to be remedied. Unfortunately, optics point to further pains for the citizenry.”

While taking a cue from the central message of Eid-ul-Adha, which also means festival of sacrifice, Dr Dagogo salutes Nigerians for their sacrifices and resilience over these difficult periods, especially in the past one year.

The ex-federal legislator, however, challenged the government to be above board and “walk the talk of renewing the citizenry’s hope.

“The government promises, pledges and policies, as of now, are mere cosmetics without any corresponding positivities on the majority of Nigerians. 

“It behooves this government to walk the talk of renewing the citizenry’s hope. The much-touted renewed hope should reflect its literary meaning and not renew hardships and suffering as being experienced all across the country, ” Dagogo added.

The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Socio-cultural Association and the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, have disagreed on the bill on ranching, which just passed the second reading in the National Assembly.

The Senate, on Thursday, passed for a Second Reading ‘A Bill for an Act to Establish National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation, and Control of Ranches throughout Nigeria; and for Connected Purposes, 2024’.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Titus Zam, generated contentious debates among the lawmakers.

Zam argued that the bill when passed, would help resolve the farmer-herder crisis across the country. Some lawmakers also argued that the farmer-herder crisis was responsible for food scarcity across the nation.

Some northern senators, including the Deputy Senate President, argued that the bill would infringe on the rights of certain individuals, making it unconstitutional.

Responding to the survival of the bill, the Senate spokesperson said that no single senator or group of senators could unilaterally ensure that a bill was passed or not.

He said, “Every bill in the Senate is passed through a vote after it has been thoroughly considered and debated based on its merits and demerits.

“The ‘Bill for an Act to Establish the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation, and Control of Ranches throughout Nigeria; and for Connected Purposes, 2024’ is no exception to this legislative process.

“The passage of a bill involves multiple stages and the participation of various individuals and bodies, ensuring a democratic and thorough evaluation. No single senator can unilaterally decide the success of a bill due to the structured and collaborative nature of this process.”

Adaramodu added, “This particular bill has already passed through the second reading and has been referred to the committees on agriculture, trade and investment, and judiciary and legal matters.

“These committees will examine its details thoroughly, potentially holding public hearings and inviting experts, stakeholders, and the public to provide input. All those interest groups will come and make their presentations. The committee will, thereafter, adopt all the contributions.”

The Senate spokesperson explained further that the committee could propose amendments to the bill, considering each clause and making necessary modifications.

He stated, “After its examination, the committee reports to the Senate with its findings and recommendations. The Senate will then consider the committee’s report. If there are proposed amendments, they will be debated, and members may accept, reject, or further amend them.

“During the third reading, the bill will be debated for the last time. This discussion is usually brief and focuses on the final content of the bill. A vote is then taken on the bill in its entirety. If it passes, it moves to concurrence, and is transmitted for the President’s assent, after which it becomes law.”

“As you can see, no aspect of this process is left in the hands of a few individuals. The passage of law involves the collaborative effort of all 109 senators,” Adaramodu noted.

‘Herders will resist bill’

Miyetti Allah said its members would resist the bill to abolish open grazing and promote ranching.

Its National Secretary-General, Saleh Alhassan, speaking to our correspondent, said the bill, if passed into law, may lead to rebellion from herders.

He said, “Laws are meant to promote love, peace, harmony and development. The law will not work. No one will respect such a law because you can’t come overnight and destroy our economy through a pronouncement.

“How many laws have they enacted, and how many are working in this country? They want to create a crisis. They want to push us, herders, into rebellion, and we are saying they will fail.”

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Meanwhile, the Northern Elders Forum has asked the Federal Government to initiate policies and programmes that will successfully transition open grazing into ranching in a way that will safeguard the interests of the herdsmen and address security challenges associated with their activities.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, NEF spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said the forum wants the Federal Government to identify suitable lands across the country and create grazing reserves and cattle routes for pastoral activities.

He said, “NEF had declared an earlier position on the ongoing debate in the National Assembly over the proposed law to end open grazing in the country and establish ranching agencies, which has brought to light differing views among legislators.

“NEF recognises the importance of addressing the challenges posed by open grazing and the need for a more sustainable and modern approach to livestock management. However, the forum is aware of the concerns raised by some northern senators regarding the potential impact of the proposed law on the livelihoods of pastoralists in the region.”

Afenifere supports bill

The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, said Afenifere strongly advocates modernising cattle rearing practices across the country, noting the obsolescence of open grazing.

He said, “Afenifere’s position is that in the modern-day, livestock do not graze in the open, roam on the streets, or go to people’s farms to destroy crops.

“Today, open grazing has become anachronistic and obsolete. Ranching is the vehicle whereby whoever wants to go into cattle rearing, just like a person who wants to rear fowls would build a poultry.

“The same thing should be done for those who want to rear cattle. There must be ranching, which will be maintained in a manner that will not be detrimental or create problems for other people. That’s how we feel.”

Renowned Nigerian pastor and philanthropist, Pastor Ademola Amusan, known as Agbala Gabriel, has finally broken his silence to address the swirling reports that the family of the recently deceased actor, Sule Suebebe, refused to accept his corpse from him.

Recall that on Wednesday that Sule Suebebe died in the early hours of June 12th at an undisclosed hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The announcement of his death came from Ibadan-based cleric who had been tending to the actor during his prolonged illness.

Just hours after the tragic news broke, a social media user stirred up a storm by claiming that the actor’s family had refused to accept his corpse from the clergyman.

“Breaking news: We hear that Baba Suebebe’s family refused to take his corpse from Agbala Gabriel; they rejected his corpse. So what is going to happen now?”.

SEE POST BELOW 

This shocking revelation set the internet abuzz, leading to a flurry of heated debates and rampant speculation about the circumstances surrounding the family’s decision.

In response to these allegations, Pastor Agbala firmly denied that any such event took place, asserting that the rumors of the late actor’s family rejecting his corpse are unfounded and malicious attempts to damage his reputation.

He explained that after Sule Suebebe’s death, he immediately notified the actor’s family, who then arrived without delay.

Pastor Agbala further disclosed that, upon conversing with the family, he discovered that their lack of contact during Suebebe’s illness was due to the actor’s explicit request for them to stay away while he was alive.

The cleric expressed his happiness that the late actor repented and drew closer to God during his final days. He conveyed his confidence that Sule Suebebe is now resting in the bosom of the Lord.

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, on Saturday, said he is not worried about the possibility of another governor removing him.

Naija News recalls that the former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, dethroned Sanusi in 2020.

While Sanusi was reinstated by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir, is contesting his dethronement in the court.

In an interview with Saturday Sun, Sanusi said only God knows how long he will stay on the throne.

He said: “For me, even now that I am here, only God knows how long I will be here. I can die tomorrow. Another governor can come tomorrow and say that he has removed me, it doesn’t matter.

“But I am happy if he does not touch the emirate. I am happy that I will not leave a history that it was during my time that these 1000 years of history was destroyed.

“So, I am grateful to this government, grateful to this Assembly that they have corrected that, that we have the emirate restored to what it was and Insha’Allah that when I die or when I leave, the person who inherits will inherit what we had. It’s about the system, not about me or about any individual.”

Regarding the lessons you learned while away from the throne in the last four years, the Emir said: “Life is always a continuous process of learning and relearning. And for me, I had always believed, as they say, that we should not waste a crisis. So, anytime I have a crisis, it’s an opportunity to do something else.

“In the last four years I’ve not been idle. In fact, I had just completed writing a PhD Thesis in the University of London, a week before I returned to Kano. I will be going back next month to conclude some things, because I will be graduating in September.”

Super Eagles and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has fired back at former Super Eagles manager, Finidi George, and individuals doubting his commitment to the Super Eagles.

Osimhen was ruled out of the Super Eagles games against South Africa and Benin Republic.

However, in a live Instagram video on Saturday, Osimhen reacted angrily to some comments attributed to Finidi, stating that he wanted to stay with the players in camp.

He said, “I knew things like these would happen and that’s why I have the videos and screenshots of when I called Finidi while I was with the doctor in Germany.

“I got injured in our (Napoli’s) last game against Lecce and I went to the MRI scan. And I called Finidi there for him to listen to the doctor too.

“I asked Finidi George to allow me stay with the players in the camp, but Finidi asked me not to bother that I should stay with my family.

“I’m not addressing anything, everybody knows I play my heart out whenever I’m playing for the club or national team. I’ll share the screenshot and videos of my conversation with Finidi for the sake of those believing what Finidi said.

“I’ve lost respect for that man because before I disrespect anybody, I always respect them.

“Now after two bad games, everybody is now blaming me.

“I know how many injuries I’ve played with for Nigeria and I played my heart out but after two bad games, everybody is attacking me.”

Kidnappers have abducted the Managing Director of Fouani Company, which represents LG and Hisense, along with three Lebanese while travelling by boat in Lagos.

The names of the kidnapped victims have not been ascertained.

Vanguard gathered that the victims were abducted around Falomo Bridge while traveling from Apapa to Victoria Island.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has confirmed the development.

“Yes, it is true. We got the report and we are looking into it. Please, I’m not obliged to state more than that,” Hundeyin told journalists.

The Police PRO could not disclose the identities of the abducted persons.

When asked further, Hundeyin said, “I’m not obliged to state the names, when, where and how it happened for now but we are looking into it.”

Ex-Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has died aged 54, his former clubs Arsenal and Everton announced on Saturday.

Campbell, who died after a short illness, holds the record for most Premier League goals, 83, by a player never to win an international cap.

“Everyone at Arsenal Football is devastated to hear of the death of our much-loved former player Kevin Campbell,” said Arsenal.

Campbell joined the Gunners as a schoolboy in 1985, making his first-team debut in 1988. He went on to play 228 times for Arsenal scoring 59 goals and winning a league title, an FA Cup, a European Cup Winners Cup and a League Cup.

“To actually play for the team I supported was a dream come true,” he said.

In 164 games for Everton he scored 51 goals, including nine in five games which saved them from relegation in 1999.

“Everyone at Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the Club’s most popular and much-loved former strikers, Kevin Campbell,” they said on their website.

Campbell, who also played for Leicester, Leyton Orient, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff, said one of his favourite memories in football was scoring the winner in the 2000 Merseyside derby, Everton’s last victory at Anfield for 22 years

“It was at the Kop End and my view, which will live with me until the day I die, is the Blues in the Kop going crazy,” he said.

In January 2001, manager Walter Smith made Campbell Everton’s first black captain.

“He made me the first black captain of Everton, which is something that I’m so proud of,” Campbell said.

Campbell moved to West Brom in January 2005 and was part of their “great escape”, as they became the first club bottom of the Premier League at Christmas to survive.

His son, Tyrese Campbell, is a striker who has just been released by Championship side Stoke City after seven seasons at the club.

As Eid-el-Kabir approaches, the rising cost of food items has put a damper on the festivities with many Muslim faithful struggling to make last-minute purchases.

Despite their best efforts to save money and prepare for the holiday, inflation and economic instability have left many families unable to afford traditional dishes and gifts, as the harsh economic reality threatens to overshadow the joy of the occasion.

In markets across the city, the already high prices of essential holiday items such as rams, rice, and other foodstuffs continued to climb, straining the budgets of even the most financially secure households.

The hike in food prices was not just a nuisance but a sobering reminder of the ongoing economic crisis that has gripped Nigeria.

With inflation surging and salaries failing to keep up with the rising cost of living, many families found themselves forced to make difficult choices when it came to their celebrations.

As the sun set on the eve of Eid-el-Kabir, a sense of unease permeated the atmosphere. The air was filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety as Muslim faithful weighed their options, torn between upholding the traditions of their faith and the harsh realities of their economic circumstances.

Despite the challenges, the holiday spirit remained resilient. For some, the determination to make the most of the occasion was too strong to be quashed by financial worries.

In the crowded markets, the hustle and bustle continued, as people rushed to secure the last of the supplies they needed. Some shopped with friends and family, while others navigated the crowds alone, single-minded in their pursuit of the perfect ingredients for their holiday meals.

The mood was a reflection of the human spirit’s ability to find joy in the face of adversity, even as uncertainty loomed over the city like a dark cloud.

In the popular Bodija Market in Ibadan, this reporter spoke with several Muslim faithful and vendors, each with their own unique stories and perspectives on the festivities.

Mallam Tunde, a rams seller, expressed his disappointment at the lack of sales this year, saying: “Usually, my stall is bustling with customers by now, but this year is different. Many cannot afford to buy even one ram.”

Khadija, a young mother, shared her struggles to prepare for Eid-el-Kabir. She explained that she had been saving for months, but inflation had wiped out much of her budget.

“I have three children and they’re all excited for Eid-el-Kabir, but I’m worried about disappointing them. We’ll make do with what we have, but it’s not easy.”

Similarly, Aisha, a housewife, said she had resorted to borrowing money to buy her family’s festive essentials.

“I don’t like to rely on loans, but what choice do I have? The prices keep going up, but our wages stay the same.”

As the reporter moved through the market, the sense of frustration and disappointment was palpable.

A vendor selling traditional garments for the holiday, Mallam Kabir, reported that his sales had also been affected.

“People are not buying as much as before. Many say they cannot afford it this year. It’s not just me who’s suffering; the economy is suffering too.”

A young woman, Fatima, shared her concern about the future.

“I worry for the next generation. What will life be like for them if things continue like this?”

As the reporter continued his interviews, a common thread emerged, hope. Despite the struggles, many remained optimistic about the future.

One such person was Alhaji Abdullahi, an elderly man with a kind smile.

“We’ve been through tough times before. We will get through this too. Our faith will sustain us.”

Others echoed his sentiment. Hajiya Zainab, a matronly woman, spoke of the power of community. “We must support one another. When one of us suffers, we all suffer.”

As the news story continued, the voices of ordinary Nigerians echoed the reporter’s concerns.

Aliyu, a young entrepreneur, expressed his frustration with the government’s inaction.

“We pay our taxes, we work hard, but what do we get in return? Inflation, unemployment, and now we can’t even afford to celebrate our holidays. The government needs to do better.”

Amina, a university student, shared her disappointment: “I thought we were making progress as a country, but it seems we’re just going backwards.”

However, residents of Ibadan, united in their struggles and hopes for a better future, made a collective appeal to the government.

“We are tired of empty promises and false assurances. We demand action. We demand solutions. We demand a government that listens and responds to the needs of its people.”

As their voices rose in unison, their message was clear, they would no longer accept the status quo. They deserved better, and they would not stop until they received it.

Four students of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt have been suspended for one academic session for brutalising their colleague identified as Victor Tobins.

A statement issued by the university’s acting Registrar, Mrs I. B. S. Harry, on Saturday morning, stated that the decision was taken after the institution’s management meeting which was held on Friday, June 14, 2024.

The statement noted that the actions of the students who are also officials of the Man ‘O’ War contravened the regulations of the university.

“This is to notify parents and the general public that the Management of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, at its meeting held on Friday 14th June 2024, approved the suspension of the following students:

“Monsi Baridukaka Nwaaelibabari, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Victor Chibuike Daniel, Department of Animal Science, Ezems Ikechukwu Goodluck, Department of Electrical Engineering and Wilson Jacob Ree-Ugani, Department of Marine Engineering.

“The students who are members of the Man O’ War were suspended by the Management of the University, for assaulting and inflicting physical injury on Victor Tobin, a 300-level student of the Department of Sociology, on 12th June 2024 at Hostel F in the University Campus.

“Management saw the actions of the four students as contrary to the regulations of the University, and as such, approved their suspension for one academic session,” it said.

The statement also urged students to live in peace with one another and ensure that they follow the rules and regulations guiding the institutions.

“The Management enjoined the student population to continue to live in peace and harmony and comply scrupulously with all the rules and regulations of the University,” it said.

Recall that the students of the school carried out a peaceful protest on campus over the incident on Thursday.

The protest disrupted a meeting of the University management and the Students’ Union Government over the issue, as the students allegedly threatened to attack the personnel if they don’t leave the campus.

However, the Students Union Government, SUG, President of RSU, Abinye Pepple, who condemned the action of the Man O War, assured the students that the school will investigate the matter and ensure that the right decision is taken.

Also, the Acting Registrar, in a statement on Thursday, stated that the management had convened an emergency meeting with the students’ leadership and the accused personnel to get to the root of the matter.