Drama At The Code of Conduct Tribunal As Saraki's Lawyer Provokes A Shouting Match

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKMAR 21, 2017

There was a mild drama today at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja as Paul Erokoro, counsel to Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Rotimi Jacobs, representing the federal government, engaged in a shouting match over a self-confessed attempt by the defense counsel to mislead the prosecution witness during cross-examination.                                

It began when Mr. Erokoro asked the witness, Samuel Madojemu, to specify when he visited the property located at No 15 and 15B MacDonald Street, in Ikoyi, Lagos, which is alleged to belong to Mr. Saraki.             

The lawyer subsequently reframed and twisted the question, apparently in an attempt to confuse the witness, who said he could not remember.  

Unsatisfied with that answer, and seeking to elicit a particular response, Mr. Irokoro again attempted to twist the same question, to which Mr. Jacobs objected, affirming that the defense was trying to confuse his witness and praying the court to protect him from harassment and intimidation by the defense.                                                            

Erokoro, in response, screamed at Mr. Jacobs.   "I am entitled to confuse and mislead the witness,” he asserted.  “That is why I am here and to show the court that the witness is not truthful."  

He accused the witness of having visited the property after he had submitted his evidence-in-chief, saying that it amounted to giving anticipatory evidence.              

The situation was brought under control when the Chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar, appealed to both parties and urged the prosecution to allow the defense to cross-examine the witness.  He noted that the prosecution also had the right to re-examine his witness.

Earlier, as the trial resumed, the prosecution had accused the tribunal of giving the defendant two representations by allowing the two counsel to ask questions, saying that was unfair to his witness. 

Bukola Saraki at the CCT todaySahara Reporters Media

Busted! Senate President Lied Over Ownership Of Bulletproof Range Rover Car With Fake Papers

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKMAR 21, 2017

A document retrieved from a driver who was driving an armored Range Rover car said to be worth N298million, has categorically clarified that the car belongs to Senate President Olusola Saraki.

The car was seized by officers of the Nigerian Customs, according to regulations, kicking off a frenzied war led by Saraki against Hameed Ali, the Director General of Customs, with the Upper House demanding that Mr. Ali appear in uniform before it.  

The car, with chassis number “SALGV3TF3EA190243, was seized on January 11, 2017.   With a value of N298 million, our Customs sources said the duty on the car ought to be N74 million.

But speaking through spokesperson Yusuf Olaniyonu earlier today, Mr. Saraki tried to distance himself from the scandal.SEE ALSOSenate On Vengeance After Nigerian Customs Seized Senator Saraki’s Bulletproof Range Rover Over Fake Documents354 Comments3 Days Ago

He described as “outright falsehood” the allegation raised earlier by Senator Ali Ndume linking Mr. Saraki with the importation of the vehicle.  That forced the Senate, in Saraki’s absence, to refer the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for investigation.  It is unclear what would have happened had Mr. Saraki been present and wielding the gavel.

It is noteworthy that the Senate President was absent because of his trial by the Code of Conduct Bureau on a slew of assets declaration charges.  

Sources told SaharaReporters that a document in the car, signed by a member of the staff of the Senate Liaison Office in Lagos, clearly shows that the vehicle was being driven to Abuja for the Senate President.

SaharaReporters further learned that following the seizure of the vehicle by Customs officials, it was discovered that its paperwork had been forged to avoid paying duty on the car.  In addition, the vehicle had no end-user certificate, which is required of all armored vehicles imported into Nigeria.

Document showing Saraki owns confiscated SUV with fake customs papersSahara Reporters MediaImpounded Senate Range RoverSahara Reporters Media

See below Saraki's denial:

Saraki Has Nothing to Do With Importation of Vehicle, Says Aide

Special Adviser to Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu has stated that the allegation raised today by Senator Ali Ndume linking Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to the importation of vehicle lacks basis as it was outright falsehood.

In a press statement, Olaniyonu said from the facts and documents about the seized vehicle, it is obvious that the Senate President has nothing to do with the importation of any vehicle.

"A supplier was engaged by the Senate to supply a vehicle. While transferring the vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was impounded by the Customs. We believe that is an issue between the supplier and the Customs because the Senate has not taken delivery. So, why is somebody trying to drag in the name of Saraki into the issue.

"The documents on the vehicle are there for the general public to view and make their conclusions. Now, that the matter has been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the facts will be out", Olaniyonu stated.

Signed

Yusuph Olaniyonu
Special Adviser (Media and Publicity)

Governor's Son Arrested Over Death Of Student

BY NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA (NAN)MAR 21, 2017

Mr. Khaleel Umar Al-Makura, the son of Nasarawa state governor Umar Al-Makura, has been arrested over the killing of a student of Government Secondary School, Lafia.

The killing of a Ovye Amos in a road accident on Monday night had sparked a protest in the school.

The students took to the streets on Tuesday carrying placards with various inscriptions demanding justice for the killing Amos, a Junior Secondary School two student.

The police, officers of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps, teachers and government officials intervened to calm the students.

The governor’s son was reported to have hit the deceased with a car, Channels TV reported.

Addressing the students at the school parade ground, the Nasarawa state Commissioner for Education, Aliyu Tijjani, said that government had taken measures to ensuring that the person that perpetrated this killing was brought to book.

“He has already been arrested.

“I want to express my profound dismay and sadness over what happened here yesterday. It is unfortunate, very very unfortunate.’’

The school Head Boy, Goodluck Agwu, had explained that Amos was hit by the car driven by Khaleed when he went out to buy batteries for his flashlight at 8:00pm.

The students who were not satisfied with the explanation of the commissioner continued their protest, but the police were deployed to calm them.

The police explained that they were investigating the case.

The area commander of Lafia area office, Mr. Maikudi Shehu, assured the students that they would be briefed on the development.

“It is a painful thing, we sympathise and empathise with you and we assure you that investigation is ongoing and that particular culprit as we are speaking now is under detention in our custody”

“We will keep you informed of developments as they unfold,” he said.

Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-MakuraNAN

Update! Police recovers more body parts as man caught with a woman's decapitated head and hands takes them to his slaughtering ground (Graphic Photos)

Suspected ritualist, Toafeek Hassan, took policemen to his slaughtering ground where he killed an unidentified woman, whom he claimed was seeking 'spiritual cleansing.'

At the slaughtering ground, they discovered other dismembered parts of her body.

Hassan, a 60-year-old landlord was on Sunday caught with the woman's decapitated head and hands at Ikoga Community in Badagry area of Lagos on Sunday.

Warning!! The photos below are extremely graphic.

See Zambian Minister kneel down before President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (photo)

Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Michael Katambo (left) is pictured kneeling before President Edga Chagwa Lungu (right) during a discussion after attending Mass at Mary Immaculate in Lusaka on Sunday, March 19th. 

Photo credit: Zambia Reports

Update! Stephanie Otobo Charged With Blackmail

Stephanie Otobo, the 23 year-old lady who claimed that Apostle Johnson Suleman had a romantic affair with her, was docked on Monday in Lagos.

She was docked at a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court, and accused of conspiracy, blackmail, threat to life and an intent to steal.

She was charged along with a 43 year-old, man identified as Wisdom Godstime.


The prosecutor, M. A Animashaun, informed the court that the defendants and others at large committed the alleged offence on February 14, 2017, at about 10:30am, at Police College, Ikeja Lagos.

Punch

Update! Man who was caught with a woman's decapitated head and hands

Yesterday, we broke the tragic story of a man who was caught with a woman's decapitated head and hands at Ikoga Community in Badagry area of Lagos on Sunday. The alleged murderer has been identified as Toafeek Hassan, a 60-year-old landlord.

It was learned that he was on his way to hand over the fresh body parts to a cleric when he was caught with a female head, two wrists in a sack, Vanguard reports.

While confessing before police arrived the scene, Hassan disclosed that it was his second time of killing clients for the unnamed cleric for ritual purpose.

'She was not my direct client. A herbalist, Baba Ronke, brought her to me on Sunday. One Alfa from Sango-Otta took her to him.' he said He continues confessing that, 'The Alfa from Otta uses human beings for rituals. He deceived the woman to Badagry, saying he was bringing her to a senior colleague, who would perform some cleansing by the river side on her. 'Immediately they dropped the woman by the riverside they left, with a promise to wait for her at the bus stop. While she was waiting, I came and did my part of the job,' he said

Asked how he killed her, Hassan did not state clearly how he committed the act. He only replied that

'I began by asking her where she came from; she said she was from Ojodu Berger. I felt pity for her, but I could not help the situation. I was on my way to deliver the needed parts to the Alfa at Sango-Otta when I was arrested. This is my second time of working for Baba Ronke and Alfa,' he added.

However, his accomplices are believed to have fled when news of Hassan’s arrest went round. When Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Cole-Famous, was contacted he confirmed the incident, saying they have started investigating the gruesome act.