Cole and Essien face jail for breaking Indonesian immigration laws

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Former Chelsea players Michael Essien and Carlton Cole could face a jail sentence in Indonesia after being accused of breaking immigration laws as their club fielded them  without obtaining  correct immigration paperwork.

Both men are among the biggest stars in the Indonesian top flight, with hundreds of fans flocking to training to see them in action.

"As of Tuesday, April 18 2017, Persib Bandung have not applied for a permanent residency permit, the visitor's permit is for a limited time," immigration chief Maulia Purnamawati explained in a statement.

A spokesman further asserted: “They are professionals so they must hold a permit to perform activities in Indonesia."

Under Indonesian law, flouting migrant law carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail.

Persib manager Umuh Muctar criticised the ruling, affirming that Indonesia should be proud of having players of Essien's calibre in the local league.
“That they are here is a joy for us, they want to raise up Indonesia’s name in the world," he told reporters.

“Everybody knows that Essien is a world-class player, not an illegal immigrant.”

Suspended NIA DG Barred from Aso Rock, Allegedly Weeps

Ambassador Ayodele Oke, the suspended Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), wept as he made frantic efforts to enter the Presidential Villa, Abuja, The Punch reports.

The NIA boss made attempts to seek an audience with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo shortly after his suspension was announced but was turned back.

In the process, of avoiding journalists, Oke was driven towards the Service Chiefs’ Gate from where he was turned back. He has since left the premises. 

Photos news : SGF Lawal Leaving Aso Rock After Suspension

Woman wanted her ex-husband to die with a happy thought; she told him Trump had been impeached

Before Michael Elliott died, the last voice he heard was that of his ex-wife, his best friend.

During a short conversation before Elliott took his last breath, she told him what he wanted to hear.

“I told him that everything's going to be all right,” Teresa Elliott told The Washington Post. “And Donald Trump has been impeached.”

Michael Elliott died “peacefully,” surrounded by friends and neighbors in his home in a suburb outside of Portland, Ore., according to an obituary published in the Oregonian.

In his obituary, the 75-year-old was described as a “Porsche enthusiast” who owned a dozen of the German cars throughout his life. But there's nothing he loved more than golf, the obituary said, becoming a founding member of a golf club in Oregon.

Michael Elliott was a longtime Democrat and was very interested in politics; a “CNN junkie” appalled by the current political climate. He found President Trump to be a “loathsome individual,” Teresa Elliott said. Asked what, specifically, her ex-husband had said about Trump, she said, “Nothing that you could print.”

The woman said she gave her ex-husband the false news because she wanted him to die with a happy thought.

'Guns and drugs' found at home of TOWIE star Ferne McCann's boyfriend as police probe London nightclub acid attack

The Police allegedly found drugs and guns when they searched the home of TOWIE star Ferne McCann's boyfriend.

Arthur Collins, 25, is wanted for questioning after 20 people were left with burns in a nightclub acid attack over Easter weekend.

A Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman said: "Police conducting an arrest warrant at an address on White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, at 7.50pm on Monday, April 17, discovered cannabis plants and cultivation equipment.

"A 54-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis. Officers seized several plants and illegal firearms at the address.

"The two people arrested are still being investigated."

© fernemccann/Instagram Ferne and Collins recently posed for OK magazine 

In a statement last night, Ferne urged Collins to "attend a police station immediately".
Police say Collins should not be approached and anyone who sees him should call 999 immediately.


© Facebook/@WeAreLoveJuiceOfficial The acide incident unfolded in the Mangle nightclub 

Two clubbers, aged 24 and 29, were seriously hurt in the nightclub acid attack at the Mangle bar in Dalston, east London - and another 18 suffered burn injuries.

A representative for the TOWIE star said: “Ferne is aware that the police wish to speak to Arthur Collins and the nature of the accusations against him.

"As much as anybody she wants to know the truth and urges Arthur to co-operate fully with the police and attend a police station immediately."

© PA A CCTV image of Collins released by police

Police say a corrosive liquid was sprayed over clubbers during an argument between two groups in the nightclub.

A total of 20 people were left with burn injuries, the force added.

A Met Police statement said: "Arthur Collins, 25, of Hertfordshire, is wanted for questioning by police.

"Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact with investigators.
"He should not be approached by members of the public. If seen the public are advised to call 999 immediately."


There has been no arrests at this stage and enquiries are continuing.

Detective Inspector Lee McCullough, from Hackney CID, who is leading the investigation, said: "We now have 20 people suffering from the effects of an acidic substance being sprayed in a confined space in a busy nightclub.

"All have burn-related injuries. The noxious substance used has not yet been confirmed but samples retrieved from the scene have been sent for analysis.

"If you were there and saw anyone involved inside or leaving the nightclub, please get in touch."

Father Of Quintuplet Seeks Support From Govt, Nigerians

Mr Imudia Uduehi, a father of quintuplet has appealed to government, well-meaning Nigerians and philanthropists  to support the family in raising the children.

Uduehi, also an unemployed graduate, from Ekpoma in Esan West LGA in Edo, made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the quintuplet was delivered at the National Hospital Abuja on April 12, adding that all the five babies and the mother were in good health.

“”I am delighted and I thank God to have blessed us with these healthy children, I know it is a huge responsibility because it is not easy to raise even one child.

“”I am, however, appealing to the government, well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to come and support my family in raising the children.

“”I want everyone to see these children not just as a blessing to us but also a blessing to the entire nation,’’ Uduehi said.

In the same vein, Mrs Oluwakemi Uduehi, mother of the quintuplets, who is a civil servant, expressed joy for safe delivery adding that she conceived naturally and delivered five healthy baby girls.

Uduehi, who also appealed to Nigerians to support her family,stated that they were presently residing in a one bedroom apartment at Lugbe on Airport road.

““My husband is presently searching for a job and I am a civil servant with Nigerian Population Commission in Abuja.

“”We both live in one bedroom apartment in Lugbe because that is what we can afford.

“”But now that God has blessed us with five children, we will definitely need a bigger apartment and money to meet their needs, especially buying baby food and cloths,’’ she said.


NAN 

Federal High Court Orders Forfeiture Of N449m Found In BDC Shop

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the temporary forfeiture of the sum of N449,750,000 found in an abandoned Bureau de Change shop in Victoria Island by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The forfeiture order was made by Justice Rilawan Aikawa following an ex parte application taken before him by the anti-graft agency.

An investigator with the EFCC, Moses Awolusi, said in the affidavit filed before the judge that the shop numbered LS64, located on at Legico Shopping Plaza, at Victoria island, Lagos had not been opened for two years.

Awolusi said the money was found on April 7, 2017 in several “Ghana Must Go” sacks, adding that the EFCC recovered the money after investigating intelligence information received on one Mohammed Tauheed.

According to the investigator, Tauheed allegedly conspired with the owner of the abandoned shop to launder the money.

Awolusi said Tauheed had earlier been brought to the EFCC office by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Legico shopping Plaza, Mr. Sulaiman Daba and Alhaji Ishaq Ayandiran , respectively.

He said during the visit, Tauheed told the anti-graft agency that he received the money in cash from a serving government official, whose name was not disclosed for security reasons.

He said Tauheed, in the presence of his lawyer, later agreed to return the money to the Federal Government, which is the rightful owner of the funds strongly suspected to the proceeds of criminal activities of the unnamed serving government official.

The EFCC said it would be in the interest of justice for the court to order the temporary forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

After entertaining the application on Wednesday, Justice Aikawa ordered that the N449,750,000 should be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.

He ordered the EFCC to advertise the order in a national newspaper and gave 14 days for any interested party to appear in court to give reasons why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge adjourned the matter till May 19, 2017. - Punch

34 Year Old Man Allegedly Rapes Neighbour’s 13-Year-Old Daughter

 

A 34-year-old man, Kolawole Haruna, who allegedly raped his neighbour’s 13-year-old daughter was on Wednesday arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The defendant, an unemployed, who resides at No.19, Ayobode St., Oke Ira, Ogba, a suburb of Lagos is facing  two counts bordering on rape.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny, told the court that the offences were committed on March 19 at the accused residence. Donny said that the accused called the 13-year-old girl into his room on the pretext of sending her on an errand.


“The accused shut the door and raped her, “he said.

The offences contravened Sections 257 and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Davies Abegunde, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Abegunde adjourned the case till May 15, for Director of Public Prosecution’s advice.

NAN

NYSC Member Killed In Delta

A National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member, Mr. Toritseju Lodge, was, on Monday, killed by gunmen at Oghara in Delta State, in front of his rented apartment.

The NYSC member, a graduate from one of the universities in Oghara, Delta State, and serving in Imo State, was said to have returned to the house he was staying in Oghara to celebrate the Easter with friends, when the masked gunmen shot him.

According to a family source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Toritseju’s parents stay in Sapele, but he has a rented apartment in Oghara.  So when he came for the Easter celebration from where he was serving in Imo State, he chose to stay there.


“He was standing outside that night with a teenager at about 11p.m., checking his phone when the gunmen suddenly emerged and shot him thrice.

 “They took his mobile phone, removed the SIM and memory cards before destroying the phone and disappearing into the night.”

The teenager, who was with him at the time, hid underneath a car parked close by.

All efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, were futile as calls to his phone were not going through.

However, a police source confirmed the story in Oghara and added that “his parents reported the case to us and Toju’s body has been deposited in the morgue.”

"I Wrote Orente For Simi"- Adekunle Gold

Adekunle Gold revealed the source of inspiration for his breakout single Orente. The musician was responding to several inquiries after singer Simi revealed his full name.

Simi wrote on her birthday today, “Happy birthday Simisola Bolatito Adeola Opeyemi Oreoluwa Ogunleye.

I thank God for so much. A few special people asked me these past few days “Simi what do you want for your birthday?” I thought and I pondered and I thought some more – before I could think of anything, it took me quite a bit. It hit me then how much God has blessed me. I don’t have everything, but I have soooo much to be thankful for”

Photo News : Wizkid Babymama Sola Ogudugu Celebrates 26th Birthday

Happy birthday girl !

Serena Williams reveals she's 20 weeks pregnant

 Twenty-three-time grand slam champion Serena Williams has revealed she is 20 weeks pregnant.

She took to Snapchat to reveal her news to the world.

The American, who is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is currently ranked No.2 in the world.

The 35-year-old won the Australian Open in January and is widely considered to be the greatest women to play the game.

And her announcement will cast doubt over whether she will ever return to the sport.

© Provided by Trinity Mirror Plc Credits: @JarettSays/Twitter

"I really haven't thought about it too much," she admitted. "I just keep saying, 'February, I'll start looking at the bigger picture of my life.' But right now, I'm just so focused.
"He's [her fiance] incredibly... a really nice person. I think he definitely treats everyone the same, which is really cool to see. Really, really nice to see."

President Buhari Orders Suspension Of SGF Babachir Lawal And The DG Of NIA, Oke

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into the allegations of violations of law and due process made against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr David Babachir Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).
 
The President has also directed the suspension of the SGF from office pending the outcome of the investigations.
 
In a related development, the President has ordered a full-scale investigation into the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, over which the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has made a claim.
 
The investigation is also to enquire into the circumstances in which the NIA came into possession of the funds, how and by whose or which authority the funds were made available to the NIA, and to establish whether or not there has been a breach of the law or security procedure in obtaining custody and use of the funds.
 
The President has also directed the suspension of the Director General of the NIA, Ambassador Ayo Oke, pending the outcome of the investigation.
 
A three-man Committee comprising the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the National Security Adviser, headed by the Vice President, is to conduct both investigations.
 
The Committee is to submit its report to the President within 14 days.
 
The most senior Permanent Secretary in the SGF's office, and the most senior officer in the NIA, are to act, respectively, during the period of investigation.
 Secretary to the Government of Federation Mr. Lawal BabachirpolitiscopeAmbassador Ayodele Oke
 
FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President

Britain 'gave millions in foreign aid' to North Korean regime now threatening nuclear war

The communist country, North Korea has received more than £4 million in foreign aid from the UK in just six years despite the country’s status as an international pariah, according to reports.

Tensions with the communist regime ruled by dictator Kim Jong-un have escalated after it said it would conduct weekly missile tests and warned that “all-out war” would result from US military action.

 But despite the country’s status as a rogue state official statistics cited by the Daily Mail show that £740,000 was sent to North Korea by the UK to fund aid projects in 2015 with the Foreign Office reportedly committed to continuing the handouts.

The UK sent £32,000 of aid to North Korea in 2009 but spending increased under the coalition government, peaking at just over £1 million in 2013.

The cash has reportedly been spent on things like providing English lessons for regime officials and physiotherapy equipment.

The Foreign Office told the Daily Mail that aid spending is not given directly to the North Korean regime and argued that the cash can be used to improve relations.

A spokesman said: “The projects we carry out in North Korea are part of our policy of critical engagement, and are used to promote British values and demonstrate to the North Korean people that engaging with the UK and the outside world is an opportunity rather than a threat.”

South African hunter ‘eaten by crocodiles’ in Zimbabwe

© Provided by Independent Print Limited

Crocodiles are thought to have eaten a South African hunter after human remains were found inside two animals.

Scott van Zyl disappeared last week after he went on a hunting safari in Zimbabwe.

Accompanied by a pack of dogs and a Zimbabwean tracker, the professional hunter who organises trips for foreign clients is thought to have been eaten by crocodiles on the bank of the Limpopo River.

It is believed Mr van Zyl and his tracker left their truck and walked in different directions into the bush. The dogs later returned to the camp without Mr van Zyl, whose belongings were found inside the vehicle.

Rescue teams were sent to search for the hunter and helicopters, trackers and divers all scoured the region.

His tracks were later spotted leading to the banks of the river and his backpack was located nearby.
Sakkie Louwrens, a member of one of the search teams, said police suspected two Nile crocodiles may have eaten Mr Van Zyl.

“We found what could possibly be human remains in them,” he told The Telegraph. Forensic experts are currently testing whether the remains belong to Mr van Zyl.

A number of people have been killed by crocodiles in Southern Zimbabwe, including a There have been previous incidents in southern Zimbabwe of people beating killed by crocodiles.

Last year, a 13-year-old boy was killed as he fished to pay for his school fees - The Independent

EFCC chair: Buhari sticks with Magu

There were indications yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari will insist on Mr. Ibrahim Magu becoming the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the Senate has twice turned down his confirmation.

The President appears set to overrule the Department of State Services (DSS) whose report had said that Magu was not fit for the seat.

The President, it was learnt, will soon make his position on the embattled acting EFCC boss known.

A Presidency source who spoke with our correspondent in confidence yesterday said the President has a soft spot for Magu

The source, an insider in power politics in the Presidency, said: “Personally, the President prefers Magu and he is standing by him. As at this week, the position of the President has not changed.

“There is no doubt that the President’s advisers have recommended the retention of Magu and he is likely to heed their advice.

Chairman of Chanchangi Airlines Is Dead

Chairman of Chanchangi Airlines, Amadu Chanchangi, is dead. The Taraba-born billionaire died along Kaduna-Abuja road while on the way to a hospital in Abuja on Wednesday morning.

'He died along the road while we were rushing him to hospital in Abuja, after a protractive illness.'

 The Kaduna based businessman is believed to be survived by three wives and about 33 children, among whom is Rufai Chanchangi, a member of the House of representative.

“He will be buried by 2pm today (Wednesday) according to Islamic right at the Bashama road cemetery,” another family source told PT.

Among early sympathisers at the Chachangi home was Bala Ibn Na’Allah, deputy Senate leader and Mohammed Ali, a former member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

Photo News : Beautiful Pics of Juliet, Footballer Ahmed Musa's New Wife

Dangote sells noodles firm to Indomie maker, Dufil

Dangote Flour Mills has exited the noodles business and sold its assets to Dufil Prima Foods, who are the makers of Indomie noodles, saying it no longer consider it as strategic.

The noodles business was part of the DFM, which the Dangote Group recently reacquired from Tiger Brands.

Dangote Flour Mills, which made the announcement on Tuesday, said in order to smoothen the transition, it had offered Dufil the use of some of its facilities on an interim basis.

The GMD, Dangote Flour Mills, Thabo Mabo, said the divestment is part of strategies of focusing on core areas of flour and pasta production, where the company has substantial market share.

He said that with the divestment, Dangote Flour would now focus on its strengths in flour and pasta and become more profitable by improving in areas of quality, distribution and marketing.

The transaction, which became effective last Monday, according to him, is a win-win situation for Dangote Flour Mills, Dufil Prima Foods and workers of Dangote Noodles, as Dangote Flour stands to have more market presence through robust marketing.

Mabo described the sale and transfer of assets as one of the most perfect divestments, with Dufil Prima Foods taking possession and kicking off production immediately.

Rashidi Yekini’s mother wins N2m on TV show

Rashidi Yekini’s mum, inset late Rashidi Yekini

Alhaja Sikirat Yekini, mother of the late Super Eagles legendary goal scorer, Rashidi Yekini has won N2 million.

The octogenarian won the money on popular TV quiz game shown “Who wants to be a Millionaire”.

She was assisted by veteran actor, Dejumo Lewis and Binta Ayo Mogaji-Oduleye during the game show’s recent annual special edition tagged “Who Deserves to Be a Millionaire?”

In August 2016, after it was revealed that Yekini’s mother was living in penury despite the heroic feats performed by her son before his demise, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, hired a maid and a nurse to take care of the octogenarian.

He also donated a tricycle to Yekini’s younger brother, Hakeem.

Saraki said that he had financed the sinking of a borehole and renovated the residence of Alhaja Sikirat Yekini and upgraded her shop to a mini mart.

He had explained that the aim was to make the family not to feel neglected or abandoned.

The Senate President also announced an annual football competition for U-13 boys “so another Rasheed Yekini can be discovered among the youth from Ijagbo, Ira and Offa.”

He had said that the competition will be sponsored yearly by him and would be tagged Rasheed Yekini U-13 football competition.

The Senate President also challenged well to do Nigerians to remember the Yekini family always.

He also donated balls, jerseys and trophy for the Rasheed Yekini U-13 football competition. - Punch

Three Lecturers In AAU Nabbed For Alleged Cultism

The Edo State Police Command said it arrested some lecturers of the Ambrose Ali University, for allegedly engaging in cult-related activities.

The Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin on Tuesday, added that firearms were recovered from the arrested tutors.

Gwandu said among those arrested was a professor, from whom a double-barrel gun, single-barrel gun and one pump action gun were allegedly recovered.

The police commissioner said, “The professor was arrested. He was granted bail. The case is under investigation.”

Gwandu’s statement came less than a week after the command refuted reports that its operatives allegedly brutalised the Dean of the Faculty of Law of the university, Prof. Sunday Edeko.

The commissioner expressed displeasure over the high rate of cultism around the institution located in Esan West Local Government Area, which he said had claimed many lives.

He said there had been distress calls from members of the university community that cult groups were unleashing mayhem in the area.

“It was a distress call from the community; the university community made a call that cult groups were killing and they killed so many.

“And at the time when they (policemen) went to inspect a site, they discovered more than 14 beheaded students at that particular time,” he said

He, however, vowed that the police would ensure that the leaders and members of cult groups in the area are arrested and charged to court.

Gwandu said, “We have a lot of issues with that particular university. There are some senior lecturers that were apprehended with firearms.

California Professor Who Says Trump Must Hang Self To Save American Democracy Goes On Leave

Fresno State University in California says an American history professor who tweeted that President Donald Trump 'must hang' will be on paid leave for the rest of the semester.

The university says in a statement Tuesday that professor Lars Maischak has taken a voluntary leave of absence for the remainder of the spring semester.

Last week, Maischak apologized for tweeting: 'To save American democracy, Trump must hang. The sooner and the higher, the better.'

The university declined to say if Maischak would be back to teach in the fall, saying it was continuing to review the case.


Maischak said last week he has temporarily left Fresno while the university is on spring break, after receiving death threats and hundreds of hate emails.

'I regret making these tweets,' Maischak said. 'I wrote them to an audience of 28 followers on Twitter under the assumption they would be read by people I know.'

Maischak said he sent the tweet in February to voice personal despair over comments by Trump and actions by the current US government and was not trying to incite violence.

The tweet said: 'To save American democracy, Trump must hang. The sooner and the higher, the better. #TheResistance #DeathToFascism.'

University President Joseph Castro said he appreciated Maischak's apology, calling it 'a first good step' in calming critics.

The university was committed to free speech and was taking the matter seriously, Castro said.

Abducted Ondo Traditional Ruler Regains Freedom

The Oniyani of Iyani Akoko, Oba Joel Daodu, who was abducted recently by gunmen along Owo/Ikare- Akoko highway in Ondo State, has been released.

Confirming the release, spokesman for the Ondo State Police Command, Mr Femi Joseph, said the monarch was seen walking by the roadside in Ayede-Ogbese, a small town along the Akure-Owo highway.

He noted that the traditional ruler has been taken to the police station in his town, adding that investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances around his abduction and apprehend his kidnappers.

Mr Joseph, however, told Channels Television that Oba Daodu did not inform the Police that any payment was made before he was released.

The abductors were said to have demanded for five million Naira as ransom to secure his release, a sum which was reportedly reduced to three million Naira.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Ondo State Governor, Segun Ajiboye, also confirmed the release of the traditional ruler to Channels Television.

US Gunman Kills Three 'In Race Attack'

Three white men were killed and another wounded when a black gunman opened fire in Fresno, California, in a suspected race attack, police have said.

Kori Ali Muhammad shot 16 rounds in 90 seconds in the shooting spree on Tuesday, said Police Chief Jerry Dyer.

He shouted "God is great" in Arabic as police arrested him but this was a hate crime not terrorism, Mr Dyer believed.

Mr Muhammad, 39, was also wanted for the murder of a security guard outside a motel in the city last week.


The suspect had indicated on social media that he hated white people and expressed anti-government views, police said.

All four victims were white men, and one of them was shot sitting in a car.

"He wanted to kill as many people as he could and that's what he set out to do," said Mr Dyer.

"This was a random act of violence. These were unprovoked attacks by an individual who was intent on carrying out homicides today."

Mr Dyer added that Tuesday's attack "has nothing to do with terrorism in spite of the statements that he [Kori Ali Muhammad] made".

"He did clarify that the reason he had made that statement was that in the event that anything did happen to him that he was in fact pledging his allegiance to God for protection."

Delta State Police Gun Down Armed Robber 'Tompolo'

The Delta police command on Monday said its operatives had killed a notorious suspected armed robber simply known as “Tompolo” .

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed the death of the suspected robber, however, added that three of his accomplices escaped with bullet wounds.

Aniamaka said police detectives from Enerhen division in Uvwie local government area near Warri, foiled a robbery attack following a distress call and in the ensuing gun duel, killed Tompolo, on April 9.

He said, “I got a distress call that one suspect has been gunned down by men of the Enerhen police division, with the assistance of the local vigilantes, after a gun duel.

“Item recovered from the suspect included a cut to size locally made pistol and some rounds of ammunition,” he said.

He noted that the incident happened after the deceased  alongside others had successfully robbed a female victim of a huge sum of money at about 5:00 am around Dugbo Estate.

“Tompolo and his boys robbed a woman of her handbag containing huge sums of money she was going to the market with.

“Tompolo and his gang members had been terrorizing neighborhoods around here for so long,” he said.

NPF officers

 NAN

Lagos Land Grabbers Demolish Buildings Of Septuagenarian

A 70-year-old landlord, Olu Bakare, says he is in distress after the two houses he built on a plot of land were demolished by suspected land grabbers.

The 16-room buildings were located on Ishola Street, Makoka, Yaba, Lagos State. Bakare said he was disappointed that appeals to the Lagos State Government since July 2016, to prevail on the hoodlums had yet to yield any fruit, adding that the land had been sold to some people.

He told Punch Metro that he had written petitions to the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, demanding justice. He stated that the buyers had started building on the land, calling on the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to come to his rescue.

Our correspondent learnt that some hoodlums, led by one Abule, had stormed Bakare’s property sometime in May 2016, demolishing the two buildings – one of which had earlier been gutted by fire.

Bakare said, “I bought the land for my father, Lasisi Bakare, in 1985 and I have every valid document to that effect. Two buildings comprising 16 rooms were built on the land. I took possession of the property and exercised the right of ownership before my father died in July 1992.

“In May 2016, before I could repair the burnt building, Abule and his cohorts demolished the buildings and sold the land to some persons. My lawyer wrote to the National Human Rights Commission and I sent a petition to the Lagos State Task Force on Land Grabbers.

“Action on the petition was delayed. I later got the Director of Citizens Rights in the Ministry of Justice, one Mrs. Ibirogba, to intervene. Through her intervention, the Chairman of the task force, Mr. Bakare Akinjide, directed me to a police inspector called Ojugbele.”

The landlord explained that Ojugbele arrested some relatives of Abule on October 8, 2016, adding that they were released after they allegedly promised to bring Abule or the persons who bought the land in a week’s time before the secretary of the agency.

“After one week, they came and told the secretary that they could not find Abule. They also did not come with the persons whom they claimed he sold the land to. Thereafter, Inspector Ojugbele invited me to four different meetings with Abule’s family in his office. The family promised to give me another land in Makoko, which I rejected.

“They asked for what to pay in damages for the demolition and I requested N30m. They said they would go and hold a meeting and promised to get back to me. When I did not hear from them, I went back to the secretary and told her that there was no positive development. She assured me that Ojugbele would see the matter through,” he added.

The victim said he went to the chambers of a human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, in December 2016, to seek legal assistance on the matter, adding that Falana assigned a lawyer to look into it.

He said the lawyer wrote a letter, a copy of which was obtained by Punch Metro, to the task force chairman on December 2, 2016 and its receipt was acknowledged by the agency on December 6, 2016.

The petition demanded the arrest and prosecution of Abule and his accomplices.

Bakare said when the task force failed to reply to the letter, a reminder was sent by another lawyer from Falana’s chambers.

The reminder read in part, “As a follow-up to our earlier letter, dated December 2, 2016, to the chairman of the Lagos State Task Force on Land Grabbers, we write this letter to reiterate our story as well as our demands in the said letter.

“This follow-up became necessary as there was no reply to our earlier letter and no action was taken on same. In the light of the foregoing, we urge you to use your good offices to look into the issues raised herein as well as in our earlier letter, with a view to restoring our client to his land.”

Bakare said Falana directed him to the chairman on February 27, 2017, adding that Akinjide called Inspector Ojugbele in his presence to bring the arrested suspects and the case file to his (Akinjide’s) office.

“The chairman only told me to come back. Up till now, nothing has been done about the matter. That is why I am imploring the governor and Nigerians to come to my aid,” he said.

The chairman, Akinjide, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone, said Bakare needed to visit the agency to follow up on the petitions.

He said, “If he wants to follow up on the petitions, he should come to our office. I won’t call him except there is a development that needs verification. He needs to come to the office; I can’t attend to everybody. I have workers that will attend to him.”

Update : University Of Lagos Authorities Reinstate Rusticated Visually-Impaired Student And One Other

Lawrence Success

Authorities of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have reinstated two rusticated students, one of them visually-impaired, arising from a 2015 protest over official neglect of the halls of residence.

The management had come under wide condemnation since the decision to rusticated the visually-impaired student, Lawrence Unezinwa Success and his colleague, Ochuba Chichebe Polycarp, who already obtained his certificate upon his graduation.

Some student activists protested the university’s action, but the Vice Chancellor, Professor Rahman Bello, using Lagos Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, framed those students and had them arrested and arraigned before a mobile magistrate court that was supposed to be dealing with traffic and similar matters. 

The activists were hauled off to prison by the kangaroo court, but released following intense public pressure and protests of that awkward order.

In its letter notifying Mr. Ochuba of the new development, the university said in a letter dated April 10 that in response to pleas for leniency from the students, the recommendation of the Students Disciplinary Board and the penalty of rustication for two semesters was reviewed.

“Your studentship is hereby reinstated,” it said in the letter, signed by Dr. Taiwo F. Ipaye, the Registrar and & Secretary to the Council.  “By a copy of this letter, your Parents/Sponsor and relevant organs of the university are being informed of your reinstatement.”

Our correspondent called Lawrence, who confirmed he has been informed of a letter waiting for him at the department, and that he was sure it has the same content as that of his colleague, which announced the reversal of the rustication order. - SR