A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today turned down the application brought before it by the leader of the Shi’ites Islamic group in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, asking the court to order the Department of State Services, DSS, to release him from detention immediately.
The Islamic leader has been in detention since December last year after some of his members clashed with the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna state.
Ruling on his application, Justice Abang said that Zakzaky ought to have obtained the leave of court for the matter to be heard during vacation.
The Judge held that the leader of the Shi’ites Movement failed to serve the DSS, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, who are respondents in the matter.
Justice Abang, who is sitting as a vacation Judge held that El-Zakzay’s application was not competent and he struck it out. El-Zakzaky has been charged with criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbances.
Controversial founder of the International God's Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim was escorted in handcuffs and transferred to the Accra Police Headquarters after he reported himself to Tema Regional police station earlier today.
The 'Angel of God' had responded to invitation following complaints made to the police after he publicly flogged two teenage members of his church for alleged fornication and attempted abortion.
The police had given him 24 hour ultimatum to honour their invitation or they will be forced to take action against him.
A video of the man of God flogging the two with a belt went viral on social media recently, drawing widespread criticism but the Bishop defended the action insisting they deserved it for engaging in fornication and attempting an abortion.
However, there is a twist...according to Ghana media, the controversial Preacher is also being interrogated over a GH¢11.6 million fraud case. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) PRO, ASP Joseph Darkwa, said a complainant came to the Tema Police some few weeks ago to report that he gave an amount of GH¢780,000 to Okomfo Gyapata of Mampong Nkwanta near Koforidua in the Eastern Region to do a spiritual ritual to bless the money.
"According to the complainant, after some time, he realised that the Okomfo was not able to help him neither was he able to give him back his money, so he came to Bishop Obinim to report the matter so the Bishop would help him retrieve the money and do the rituals to bless the money for him," he said.
ASP Darkwa said it was based on that that Bishop Obinim asked him to bring the rest of the gold money which amounted to GH¢11.6 million belonging to the family.
The complaint told the police since he gave the money to the Bishop, he has not been able to do what he was expected to do neither was he given his money.
The complainant said he gave the money to Okomfo Gyapata on November 28, 2015, but the money he gave to Bishop Obinim was in June this year.
The CID PRO told Joy News' Dzifa Bampoh on Newsnite that the complainant has not lodged a complaint against Okomfo Gyapata as yet but if it becomes necessary that they have to involve him they would do so.
"We have just commerce investigation into this issue, when we finish we will hand him over to Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) to investigate the domestic violence issue," ASP Darkwa said.
The congression waiting for him to lead service at the Tema Community 9 branch were disappointed as the junior pastors throng the police station and they registered their disappointment upon seeing him handcuffed into a police car to be transferred to Accra, Joy News reports.
Police in Uganda on Thursday, August 18th, raided a notorious abortion clinic and arrested the doctor, Moses Kaweesa. The police officers (disguised in plain clothes) raided Miriam Medical Centre in Bwaise and rescued secondary school girls who were being prepared to undergo abortion.
Drama ensued when one woman identified as Joan began to cry and plead for leniency because she was about to get married.
"Please do not arrest or expose me. I am going to get married soon but the husband-to-be is not the one responsible for the pregnancy,” Joan pleaded. "The wedding is due next Saturday" she sobbed.
One of the girls was bleeding and was immediately rushed to Mulago Hospital. Another 15-year-old, found in school uniform, is currently in police custody at Kawempe Police Station.
The doctor, who carries out the abortions, Moses Kaweesa, said, “If you arrest me, my life will be done. I get a living by helping girls abort."
A total of seven people were arrested on the afternoon. Attempts by Moses Kaweesa to offer a bribe to the arresting police officers were futile.
The police worked along with officials from KCCA, Remnant Uganda (an NGO) and Reproductive Health Uganda to carry out the operation. Abortion in Uganda is illegal and carries a sentence of up to 14 years. Prior to the raid, Kampala Sun had published a story about choking the country's capital.(pictured above is the front page)
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has barred nine commercial banks from participating in all foreign exchange transactions and operations. According to the apex bank, the commercial banks were barred following their failure to remit into the Treasury Single Account the sum of $2.12 billion belonging to the nation’s oil corporation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The nine banks comprise of three tier-one lenders and another six tier-two deposit money banks. All the banks remain barred from foreign exchange operations until they fully remit the NNPC funds into government coffers via the Treasury Single Account.
Now consumers can continue to enjoy their “king of the road real apple drink” as all malicious rumour on La Casera Apple Drink has been laid to rest as NAFDAC, SON and MAN hit their gavel on the wholesomeness of Nigeria’s 1st Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) in PET bottle- La Casera. This bold declaration was made yesterday while officials from these agencies and the media visited the ultra modern multi billion naira production facility of the La Casera Company, which no doubt dispelled all negative insinuations, and restated emphatically that La Casera is good for consumption.
Director General of NAFDAC who was duly represented by her Special Assistant, Mr. William Effiok, expressed great delight at the company’s level of compliance and strict adherence to modern food and beverage production guidelines, he also stated his satisfaction with the firm’s seamless production process flow which eliminated human interference to the highest degree right from its ingredient mixing unit down to product stacking and storage in its warehouse.
“Food handling and contact is the major cause of product contamination in food processing, and with a system such as this in place, it is remarkably obvious that La Casera apple drink is manufactured under the strictest hygiene condition, and with its NAFDAC certification earned over the years, we hereby restate that La Casera drink is wholesome and fit for consumption by the general public” stated William.
On his part, the Director, Product Certification, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Bayo Adigun, also commended the management of La Casera for its doggedness and stand even in times of national economic challenges such as this.
“La Casera’ approval by SON is not in question in any way, and what we have witnessed here today further buttresses why La Casera remains a trusted brand in the Nigeria Beverage industry” said Adigun.”
Acting DG, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir in his remark said The La Casera Company which has been in Nigeria since the year 2000 is an example of a visionary company, and cannot be compared to several ‘flight’ companies which in the face of slight provocation, throw in the towel, close shop and jet out of the country. He therefore informed Nigerians to dismiss any unfounded rumour about the products from the La Casera Company, as it is endorsed by NAFDAC and SON.
In closing, the Managing Director of the La Casera Company, Mr. Roland Ebelt reiterated La Casera’s commitment to producing high quality products to its consumers, even as its production line from start to finish is free of human contact.
The Ogun State Police Command has rearrested Joe Chinakwe, the man who named his pet dog Buhari (read here). He would be arraigned in court on Monday. According to the state’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, Chinakwe, who was earlier released a few days ago, was picked up again based on the belief that the suspect’s action was capable of provoking an ethnic religious crisis. He said,
“The man is here with us. He is at the Criminal Investigation Department. The charge will be prepared here and he will be arraigned at Sango Magistrate Court on Monday.
He is going to court on Monday because what he did was highly provocative. It can cause an ethnic and religious crisis. We have to be proactive, we cannot fold our arms and allow the state to be plunged into crisis. In fact, the arrest was made to save the suspect’s life because the complainant and his group have threatened to kill him if he comes back and this may trigger violence.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said he has bid goodnight to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he was a founding member. Speaking to newsmen after accessing some projects in Taraba state, Obasanjo discredited claims that he was planning to return to the party.
“In the part of the country where I come from, there is a saying that you cannot say ‘good night’ and come back to say ‘good evening’ in the same place. So for me, it is good night for the Peoples Democratic Party and that’s all” he said. On February 16th last year, the former president supervised the tearing of his PDP membership card.
A traumatized Nigerian @FizzyThatcher took to Twitter to narrate how she was attacked and robbed along Lekki-Epe Expressway, right in the middle of traffic, and a short distance from the police and LASTMA points. The young woman also said it was the third time she had been attacked since she moved to Lagos barely a year ago. See her tweets after the cut.
Article sent in by AbsuLawclinic - a non-profit unit in the Faculty of Law Abia State University, Uturu, that render probono legal services to people who can't afford lawyers. Read the article below..
The story you are about to read discloses one of the pathetic yet interesting cases that ABSU Law Clinic, through its services to the community is handling.
It is pitiable to see that in a world where it is loudly proclaimed that children are the leaders of tomorrow, a 14 years old boy, lavishes behind bars for roughly 2 years for a crime he has not been convicted of.
Even as an orphan, his potentials has made him a cynosure at Umuahia prisons, Afara, where he has been remanded all this while. His name is Chima Chimaroke and this is his story; Chima Chimaroke was born in January 2001 into the family of the Chimas, from Umuekwuele in Afugiri, Umuahia, Abia State. Unfortunately for him he lost his parents and only twin brother at a very tender age.
Despite these challenges Chimaroke exhibited swift learning abilities that led him to acquire skills in phones and other electronics devices repair. He further harnessed his swift learning abilities at Umuahia prisons where he is a barber and the sole shoe maker.
Just as a man on a swing sways in whatever direction the wind blows, Chimaroke was soon swallowed up in social vices as he lacked the attention, love and direction he would have gotten from his late parents. As a boisterous young man, he began to fend for himself by hawking Lacasera and Gala on the streets as the family he found himself in had no eye for him.
He was introduced into the world of crime by his co-hawkers who compelled him to stand as a lookout while they carried out their devious plans. As a fresh man in the world of crime, he was the only one arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery whilst the ringleaders are graciously at large.
Through the joint efforts of the ABSU LAW CLINIC and the office of the Chief Judge of Abia state, Chimaroke was granted bail during the jail delivery that took place on the 4th of May, 2016. But we are faced with a problem, thus; Chimaroke is an orphan with no immediate relatives except for his stepmother and step brothers. The stepmother has refused to have anything to do with him and has gone on to prevent her children from helping out. Saying that China is an "abandoned government property". It was a herculean task for ABSU LAW CLINIC to locate, communicate with and convince one of his step brothers to sign Chimarokes bail bond. Although by Gods intervention he agreed to sign but on the condition that Chimaroke is not welcomed in their home as their mother would not allow it. He said he could only sign it if we could provide accommodation or a place to rehabilitate Chimaraoke. The problem now is DO WE RELEASE CHIMARAOKE TO A FAMILY THAT SEES HIM AS AN ABANDONED GOVERNMENT PROPERTY OR DO WE RELEASE HIM BACK TO A WORLD OF CRIME?
Chimaroke needs to be taught love where he has seen hate, peace where he has seen chaos, a home where he has been left on the streets. Chimaroke need YOU to harness his talent where his talent has been left dormant. His stay in the prison has done more harm than good to him and the society at large, as he would be molded from the things he learns now. Chimaroke is susceptible to change and only needs the right hands to lead him aright.
The ABSU LAW CLINIC calls on non-governmental organizations, individuals to help provide a home and a means of livelihood for Chimaroke. We see a lot of potentials and possibilities in Chima and we want you to join in his progress. As it stands, we are the only ones the little boy has. His only hope It is one of our duties to the community.
The ABSU LAW CLINIC.
AbsuLawclinic is a non for profit unit in the Faculty of Law Abia State University, Uturu. We are collaborating with Network of University Legal Aid Institution (NULAI) to render probono legal services to indigent members of the society.
Fellow Nigerians, you must be wondering what this title is all about. Please, calm down, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one of Nigeria’s iconic politicians, is not about to dump his party, APC, for PDP, the party he fought hard with others to sack from power just last year.
The reason for bringing PDP into this article which largely concerns the Tinubu conundrum is very simple and straight-forward. PDP has suffered calamities upon catastrophes since General Muhammadu Buhari sacked President Goodluck Jonathan from office. It is hard to imagine, or believe, that a party that held Nigeria by the jugular for 16 solid years could attain meltdown so soon and almost disappear into oblivion.
One would have expected PDP, despite its electoral misfortune, to provide a formidable opposition to APC and keep President Buhari on his toes but that has not been the case. APC has wasted no time in sending PDP to an early grave by throwing poisonous darts at it from every angle.
The war against corruption has been a most veritable weapon with stupendous impact used by APC to scatter most of the PDP apparatchik to the winds. The strategy was to weaken them by showcasing the humongous corruption that was perpetrated and perpetuated during their reign. The PDP brand was thus obliterated in a jiffy. Many of their bigwigs confessed to nefarious and horrendous crimes of looting and brigandage. They coughed up or vomited incredible sums of cash.
All entreaties and shouts of a vengeful witch-hunt against President Buhari fell on deaf ears. The more they screamed the more they were horse-whipped into submission and made to weep bitterly. As if that was not bad enough, PDP engaged itself in a war of attrition and became a house divided against itself. It was only a matter of time before it crumbled like the proverbial cookie does. Today, PDP has become its own worst enemy with the brickbats being thrown at one another by members of what used to be touted as the biggest political party in Africa. How are the mighty fallen!
The aim of my piece this week is to attempt what I did in 2014 when I wrote a permutative article titled ‘In Search of Mathematicians’. That was how I predicted a win for Buhari when many pundits still doubted such possibility. I intend to do so again in this column by painting a picture of what to expect in 2019. If you think that year is still far away, perish the thought.
The battle for the next Nigerian Presidential election started as soon as the last one was lost and won. The hurly-burly of the elections had not yet settled down when the potential gladiators picked up their gauntlets in readiness for the next combat.
The ruling party APC has suffered its own casualties as a result of its self-immolating wars of anticipation. What do I mean? The new men of power are already thinking ahead and wondering who may be too ambitious within their own fold. Any of such recalcitrant and ambitious rebels must be cut down to size, no matter his or her contribution to past victory and glory. Without mincing words, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is the first victim and he has suffered massive collateral damage on account of suspicion. APC itself has suffered almost fatally in the process. The only thing holding it together for now is the fact that it is the party in power and thus presumably has limitless opportunities to distribute largesse to the army of party operatives and their cronies.
By this time next year, as this government enters its third year in power, reality would begin to set in and President Buhari will begin to discover and see original animals in human skin. I foresee and predict a re-alignment of political forces from 2017. President Buhari will be encouraged and persuaded to run a second term by those who are currently profiting from his government. It is only normal and it is their legitimate right. Nothing stops the President from seeking a re-election within our Constitution. The only snag is that many politicians are going to gang up against him because they see him as an outsider in politics who has benefitted from their massive support but in return has been messing things up for them.
If the President remains stoically stubborn and refuses to play ball with politicians, he would have to fight dirty to win his ticket. It seems to me that he would have to do everything to retain the loyalty of one man by all means, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is almost impossible for any candidate to become President of Nigeria without the overwhelming support of the Yoruba and their current generalissimo, Tinubu, in particular.
Tinubu derives his stranglehold on power from his iron grip on Lagos. Lagos is a microcosm of Nigeria. Whoever controls Lagos owns the commercial nerve-centre of Nigeria, just like the California of America. Tinubu has been very lucky in that his anointed candidates, Babatunde Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, have been very cerebrally successful. The current Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, is already set, after just one year in office, to surpass all expectations.
According to impeccable sources, Buhari may therefore be forced to risk and pick Tinubu as his running-mate if push comes to shove. Tinubu’s protégé, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is the current Vice President, who comes with intimidating credentials but may not have enough political muscle to deliver enough votes to the kitty. The dilemma for Buhari is whether he should buck the trend set by his predecessors, starting from Shehu Shagari, and jettison his Vice President, especially when a cordial and mutually respectful relationship exists between them. In addition, Osinbajo has been doing exceedingly well and he is seen as one of the few shining lights of this Administration.
There is also the fact that Prof Osinbajo is a highly regarded and esteemed senior Christian figure and the President has needed him to silence those detractors that consider him an Islamic fundamentalist. However, I believe that the controversy that could ensue from a potentially volatile Muslim/Muslim ticket may have been fixed substantially. Firstly, there is a precedent set by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola the acclaimed winner of the 1993 elections who picked a fellow Muslim, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, as his running-mate and still won in Nigeria’s freest and fairest election to date. Secondly, though Tinubu is a devout Muslim, his beloved wife is a hard-core Christian and a top-notch member of the same Redeemed Christian Church of God as the Vice President. Thirdly, there is the fact that Tinubu supported a Christian, Akinwunmi Ambode, as his anointed candidate for Governor of Lagos State, a deft move calculated to pacify those who may wish to foment religious crisis and conflagration then and in the future.
Tinubu is believed by many to have served Nigeria meritoriously and selflessly by suppressing his own personal ambition for that of others and it is believed that the kingmaker deserves a chunky reward the next time around if he so desires. He is acknowledged as being one of the most knowledgeable leaders in Nigeria today and a lot of people feel that his background in business and politics could bail Nigeria out of the economic quagmire of the moment. He is known to be a practical politician who knows how to make the world better for most people.
If the hawks succeed in getting Buhari to snub Tinubu because of his perceived threat to the President himself, the APC may split like PDP did before the collapse of the Jonathan Presidency. One potential candidate is hovering in the wings and that is the Turaki of Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who has never hidden the fact that he wants the Presidency by all means. My next permutation is that the former Vice President and Tinubu who are two of the three most powerful and influential politicians in APC today (the third is Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki with his firm control of the Senate) may combine forces to thwart a Buhari re-election bid. They have been old allies since the time of Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. If they join forces, it may therefore spell doom for those seeking the re-election of President Buhari.
After the seeming lull in the Buhari-Tinubu love, it seems the recent appointments given to some of Tinubu’s acolytes appear designed to assuage his feeling. But would this be sufficient to bury the combustive ambition of a man who believes he still has so much to give to his country? The third option which also involves Tinubu in the mix is one on which for a variety of reasons Buhari chooses not to run again. Without doubt, there are several other forces contending for power in case Buhari decides not to seek re-election. In this category, Tinubu’s name still features prominently. No one can deny the ability of Tinubu to transform Nigeria the way he did in Lagos. It is presumed that Buhari may generously want to pay Tinubu back for the support he gave him. He may also want to leave a lasting legacy and shed the toga of an ethnic jingoist by handing over to a Southerner. If this happens, I foresee the visionary Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, a core Buhari loyalist, becoming Tinubu’s running-mate, notwithstanding that this is another Muslim/Muslim ticket. Many APC loyalists believe this combination may fly.
There is a fourth option and this is coming from the direction of PDP. The theory here is that PDP can still spring a surprise on Buhari and pay him back in his own coin. The PDP apologists believe the North has lost more under Buhari despite allocating many political appointments to the region. They are of the opinion that former President Jonathan did more for them and gave them access and respect than their own man Buhari who they accuse of being standoffish. This is the reason that many Northerners, apart from his kinsmen in the South South, have become the biggest promoter of PDP. In case you think Jonathan is dead and buried politically, perish the thought! He still holds the biggest ace in PDP. In fact, many in PDP today see him as their best candidate in 2019 because some of his transformation agenda are beginning to come to fruition. They are hoping and banking on Buhari becoming so unpopular that Jonathan would be sorely missed by Nigerians who would practically beg him to come back.
The rising profile and the promotion of Jonathan in the international community is part of that systematic way of re-polishing, repackaging, redefining and preparing him for a return to power. Every attempt to smear him with a tar brush would be rebuffed by his die-hard loyalists who see Buhari as someone trying to kill any future role for Jonathan as Nigerian President. They are totally committed to ensuring that Jonathan is well protected between now and next year when serious politicking would have reached a crescendo again. The hope is that as a former civilian President, he can bounce back to power like President Mathieu Kerekou did in Benin Republic, when he returned in 1996 after quitting in 1991.
When hunger calls, don’t fret, great tasting food is now just a mall away as your favourite homely eatery, The Place, opens another brand new outlet at Maryland Mall in Maryland, Lagos. For those in the Ikeja area – you now have three locations options – Ikeja GRA, Maryland or Alausa. Lucky you.
The Place, which has satisfactorily quenched the hunger of Lagosians over the last 10 years, is excited to announce its latest outlet which would operate in the usual tradition of the restaurant by serving high quality, sumptuous and tasty meals sprinkled with fantastic customer service.
So if what gets you salivating is the brand’s famous smoked and peppered goat meat also known as Asun or its juicy jollof spaghetti garnished with vegetables or maybe it’s the perfectly spiced yamarita; be rest assured that you’ll find these and much more deliciousness at the new outlet located inside Maryland Mall.
This new outlet joins The Place’s chain of successful outlets which include Isaac John in Ikeja GRA, Adeola Odeku in Victoria Island, Admiralty way in Lekki Phase 1, Circle Mall in Jakande Lekki and Alausa opposite Ikeja City Mall. More outlets are already in the pipeline with Ogba and Akowonjo scheduled to be the next stop. For those of us in areas like Surulere and Festac, we are wondering when will it be our turn…..Well , we will be waiting… Thumbs Up to The Place.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed confidence that President Buhari will surmount the present challenges confronting the country. According to him, President Buhari has so far not disappointed Nigerians. The former President said this in Jalingo yesterday August 19th.
“So far Buhari has not disappointed us. I trust him. He will not fail Nigerians. I know he will overcome the challenges the country is currently facing” he said...
Producers of the multi award winning movies Broken and Diary Of The Triplets, High Definition Film Academy, is set to premiere her latest movie “Remarkable” at the National Merit House, Maitama Abuja on Sat. August 27, 2016...
From this Multi Award winning Producer/Director Bright WonderObasi, REMARKABLE is a Romantic Drama about a young couple whose marriage headed for the rocks and their lives almost drowned just because of a little misunderstanding they had but no one seem to be at fault.
The 90 minutes movie stars 2016 African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) and AMAA Awards Best Actor Daniel K Daniel, 2014 AMVCA and AMAA Awards Best Actor Tope Tedela, 2013 HDFA Script to Screen Best Female Actor Titi Joseph, Nita Byack, ApelOrduen, Matilda Lambert, OsasIyamu and a lot more amazing rising stars.
Remarkable is scheduled to premiere on Sat. August 27, 2016 alongside the 5th edition of HDFA Script to Screen Awards which parades a team of Facilitators and Guests including NseIkpeEtim, OcUkeje, Blossom Chukwujekwu, KaluIkeagwu, and a host of others.
Red Carpet: 3pm Viewing: 4pm
TICKETS AVAILABLE@ Silverbird Cinema, Studio 24, WorldMart, Hatlab.
SOCIAL CONNECT: REMARKABLE MOVIE Facebook: @RemarkableMovie Twitter: @RemarkableMovie IG: @RemarkableMovie
HD FILM ACADEMY Fb: fb.com/HDFilmacademy Twitter: @HDFilmacademy IG: Instagram.com/HDFilmacademy
