North America-based Nigerian lecturer ‘in trouble’ over sexual allegations by OAU graduate

Francis Fakoya, a Nigerian lecturer at St. George’s University (SGU), a private institution in Grenada, West Indies, might land in trouble if indicted in the ongoing investigation of sexual misconduct.

Fakoya was a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state.

Earlier in the week, one Funke Dezarn, a former student of OAU, accused Fakoya of sexual misconduct.

She spoke after listening to Oprah Winfrey’s speech at the Golden Globe Award. Winfrey had inspired women to speak up.

Dezarn alleged that Fakoya was her lecturer in the anatomy department at OAU, and had failed students, including her, that “refused his sexual advances”.

She claimed Fakoya was in the habit of targeting female students who turned him down. Some of Deazrn’s colleagues also said negative things about the lecturer while commenting on her post.

Fakoya’s present employer got wind of the allegation and decided to respond.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the university promised to look into the issue and take appropriate action.

The statement reads: “St. George’s University (SGU) has been made aware of allegations against a member of its faculty, while previously employed by a university in Nigeria.

“At SGU, we take all allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously.In light of these allegations, a thorough investigation into this matter has been initiated and appropriate action will be taken.”

Deazrn’s post is reproduced below:

Oprah’s speech on Golden Globe tonight inspired me to post this.

Dr. Francis Andy Fakoya of Anatomy Department OAU Ife-Ife, Nigeria, you destroyed many young lives through your sexual harassments.

As that was not enough, you used your power as a teacher to Medical Students, to fail any student that refused you.

Some of the student victims repeated the class, some like me were lucky to have just a resit, while some were thrown out of Medical school.

I chose to say NO to you and you failed me in Anatomy 2 times (Part 2 and Part 3), which are the only failures I have on my transcript!!! I remember your words to me both times, a day before both exams,

Agree to sleep with me or you fail and resit the exam”.

Wherever you are tonight, for all the lives you affected negatively,TIME’S UP!!!#metoo #Goldenglobe #Timesup #Oprahthankyou.

Pls share this post as many times as can until this message gets to him! He destroyed too many lives. - Cable Nigeria

Nigerian-owned guest houses burnt in South Africa

The Nigerian Union in South Africa on Thursday said that six guest houses owned by its members were burnt during renewed attacks against Nigerians in Rustenburg, North West Province of South Africa.

Mr Paul Nwanedo, chairman of the union in the Province, added that the attackers beat a woman and her child.

“These attacks began on Sunday. Four Nigerians are in critical condition in the hospital.

We also received a report that the Taxi drivers also beat a Nigerian woman and her child.

“We can also confirm that six guest houses belonging to our people were burnt by the drivers.

“We have not recorded any incident today. We have advised our people to remain indoors and ensure their safety.

“As we speak, stakeholders comprising the police, taxi drivers and senior government officials are still in a meeting.

“The union was not allowed to be part of the meeting,” Nwanedo told NAN.

The chairman said that the union was still taking stock of losses by Nigerians and would communicate to appropriate Federal government representatives in South Africa.

The taxi drivers went on the rampage following allegations that Nigerians sold drugs to a gang that attacked their members.

They also alleged that a Nigerian abducted and raped a 16-year-old South African girl.

Nwando said the allegations were false and spurious.

“Our investigation so far showed that these allegations are false. No Nigerian has been arrested for alleged abduction or rape.

“The allegation of drugs selling to the gang is also untrue,” he said. - Daily Post

Transfer update : Man United reportedly close to agreeing terms with Sanchez

United are reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez.

According to Sky Italia journalist Mario Giunta on Twitter, United are edging ever closer to reaching an ‘economic agreement’ with the Chilean, as he aims to leave the Emirates this month.

It was thought that Manchester City would land Sanchez in the January transfer window, with the player himself also keen on the move. However, despite both parties vying for the transfer to go through, City do not want to pay over the odds for Sanchez in January.

Jose Mourinho is a huge admirer of Sanchez’s talents and it seems a move to United is now a possibility for the experienced attacker. 

Arsenal reportedly want £35m from the sale of the former Barcelona man despite his contract expiring in the summer. If the Gunners refuse the sale of Sanchez this month, he will walk away for free at the end of the season. -

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Historic racism : Chelsea vow to support investigation into allegations

Chelsea have vowed to support investigations into allegations of racism and bullying made against two former coaches at the club.

Graham Rix and Gwyn Williams - former members of the backroom staff at Stamford Bridge - are each alleged to have made a host of offensive comments to black players. Rix is also accused of physical assault.

According to an exclusive report in the Guardian on Friday, three former youth-team players have launched legal claims against Chelsea.

A statement from the solicitors who represent both men said Rix and Williams "deny all and any allegations of racial or other abuse", while the Metropolitan Police Service previously decided there was not sufficient evidence to take action after conducting an investigation.

The Guardian report the Football Association's safeguarding team are continuing to probe the matter and have spoken to two of the three players involved.

At the end of Antonio Conte's news conference on Friday, Chelsea's head of communications and public affairs, Steve Atkins, told reporters: "What we have consistently said on allegations of this nature is that we take them extremely seriously.

"We are absolutely determined to do the right thing, to fully support those affected, and we will assist the authorities and support their investigations."

In a statement provided to Omnisport, Lawrence Stephens Solicitors made it clear Rix and Williams deny all the allegations against them.

The statement read: "Our clients deny all and any allegations of racial or other abuse. These allegations were the subject of a thorough investigation by specialist officers of the Metropolitan Police Service. The MPS did not consider there was sufficient evidence even to report it to the CPS. Our clients cooperated with that investigation.

"The allegations in the Guardian newspaper are contained, as we understand it, within correspondence sent to Chelsea Football Club. That correspondence has not been seen by our clients or by us. No correspondence has been sent to our clients or us by these individuals or those representing them.

"We will of course deal with any allegations if made directly to our clients. Our clients are cooperating fully with the FA in this matter." - Goal

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"We will of course deal with any allegations if made directly to our clients. Our clients are cooperating fully with the FA in this matter.'' - Goal

FLASHBACK: Lam Adesina’s aide recalls how Buhari stormed Ibadan to protest killing of herdsmen in 2000

Kehinde Olaosebikan, former chief press secretary to Lam Adesina, an ex-governor of Oyo state, has recounted how President Muhammadu Buhari led a delegation to Oyo to protest the killing of herdsmen, in 2000.

In an article published by Vanguard, Olaosebikan said Buhari, who was accompanied by Buba Marwa, a former military administrator of Lagos state, informed the late Adesina that he was leading a team to his office.

The writer said Buhari and those in his team made it clear to the people who received them that they were unhappy.

“They all wore long faces. In fact, the anger in them was palpable as all pleasantries extended to them were ignored. ‘This is trouble’ was the expression on the faces of all of us in the governor’s office,” Olaosebikan wrote.

The writer said apart from those who followed Buhari, secretariat of the government house was taken over by people of northern extraction.

He said Buhari “emitted fire” while accusing the government of Oyo state of complicity in the killing of over 68 Fulani people in the Oke Ogun area of the state.

Below is the article:

I will transmit a story of how he disciplined a former military Head of State and prevented what could have led to the Nigerian second civil war.

It was on 13 October 2000, when words went round that General Muhammadu Buhari was leading the Arewa team to the governor’s office to confront the state over alleged killings of Fulani cattle rearers in Saki, Oke Ogun Area of the state. Buhari did actually telephone the governor that he was leading a team to his office.

In less than 30 minutes after the general informed the governor of his visit, we noticed that the entire secretariat was already filled with lorry loads of our brothers from the North. This created some tension but we kept our calm. At about 2 p.m., Buhari arrived in a long convoy at the governor’s office in company of the former governor of Lagos State, General Buba Marwa, Alhaji Aliko Muhammed, Alhaji Abdulrazak and Alhaji Hassan. They all wore long faces. In fact, the anger in them was palpable as all pleasantries extended to them were ignored. “This is trouble” was the expression on the faces of all of us in the governor’s office.

Shortly afterwards, the state Director of State Security Service (SSS) and Commissioner of Police arrived. But their presence did not change anything particular on the fears that had already gripped majority of us. The two security chiefs did not come with any operatives, they came almost alone.

The meeting was called to order after Lam walked into the Executive Chambers. Introductions over, Buhari spoke on their mission to the governor’s office. Emitting fire, the general accused Lam and the government of Oyo State of complicity in the killing of over 68 Fulani people in Oke Ogun area and perversion of justice.

His words: “Your Excellency, our visit here is to discuss with you and your government our displeasure about the incident of clashes between two peoples… the Fulani cattle rearers and merchants are today being harassed , attacked and killed like in Saki. In the month of May, 2000, 68 bodies of Fulani cattle rearers were recovered and buried under the supervision and protection from a team of Mobile Police from Oyo State Command.

“ That some arrests were made by Oyo State Police Command in the massacre with their immediate release without court trial. This was said to have been ordered by Oyo State authorities and they were so released to their amazement. The release of the arrested suspects gave the clear impression that the authorities are backing and protecting them to continue the unjust and illegal killings of Fulani cattle rearers…”

According to the general, they therefore wanted immediate stoppage of the killings, justice and compensation to the Fulanis.

As weighty and indicting as Buhari’s allegations were, Lam remained unperturbed. He fired back with his own well coordinated arsenals.

Lam identified all the points raised by Buhari and simply asked the heads of the organizations directly involved to respond to the allegations.

First to speak was the Commissioner of Police who debunked all the claims. Instead of the allegation that the natives were killing Fulanis, the commissioner said pointedly that the opposite was the case.

“ The killing of the natives by the Fulanis was duly reported to the police and, of course, we can’t make arrest because, as soon as they kill, they migrate to other areas. Who are you going to arrest? That is the problem”. On the killing of Fulanis, which he said was as result of “piled up anger”, the commissioner disclosed that arrests had been made and the suspects were in police custody.

Next was the Director of SSS, who equally debuked the allegations by Buhari. “The natives don’t have problem with the Fulanis who are resident but those who are coming in, they don’t care about anybody. They just go ahead and when they graze the natives farms, whoever cares to challenge them runs into trouble. You said 68 people were killed , and people driven away. I am not saying there were no killings but they cannot be more than five. The petition is on the harsh side, there is nothing like that.”

Not done yet, Lam called in his Deputy, Barrister Iyiola Oladokun; his SSG, Chief Michael Koleoso, both from Oke Ogun, and the chairman of one of the affected local government areas, Mr Ademola Alalade. They stated the true position of things, corroborating the submissions of the security chiefs. At this point, all the tensions and apprehensions evaporated.

Trust Lam any day, he must rub it in. He spoke for about 20 minutes and the generals were at the edge of their seats for the entire period. They were like chicken that had just been thoroughly beaten by the rain.

Lam said: “Before I thank you for this visit, you have come to tell me something. I also want to tell you something and that something is to make an appeal. General Buhari has been a former Head of State, Brigadier Marwa has governed Lagos for some time and with credibility… so you are national leaders of this country. Even though, by accident of birth, you are from the North, you can be born anywhere; may be next time when I am coming to the world, I will be born in the North or the South-South.

“My appeal will be that effort must be made to unite this country and that will be ïn the best interest of all Nigerians. I am appealing to the Arewa Consultative Forum, under which auspices our distinguished Nigerians are here; in recent times, they have been sending wrong signals to a number of us who believe in the unity and peace of Nigeria; you have been too critical of the efforts of the Federal Government. I am saying this because Nigeria, at this point, cannot afford to break and the words you northern leaders utter are very weighty, at the South here, we normally analyze them critically”.

On all the allegations, he said: “From what they have written in the petition, this government is completely blameless because we don’t interfere either with the judiciary or with the police functions. I always preach peaceful co-existence in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. We are all Nigerians and that is what we have been preaching all along and we shall continue to be Nigerians , no matter the present or immediate problems which will be solved by the grace of Allah.

“I want to say also that we really have to appeal to our people, the itinerant Bororo people, that they should observe less aggression. It is not good , it is not right just coming from somewhere then you just pass through farm lands cultivated may be with the person’s life savings and then over night everything is gone. That is not right, even Allah does not approve of that.

We even wonder when they talk about this people carrying dangerous weapons, I say do they really believe in Allah? When you just take life like that and go away! Are we not forbidden not to take human life? So I think General Buhari, General Marwa, you have to be educating them… It is my pleasure to inform you that at the Presidential Lodge, we have made some arrangements for refreshments so that before you go we can refresh together”.
Buhari and his team did not wait for any refreshments. They came in angry and left bewildered. ADIEU! GREAT LAM!

This piece was first published on November 18, 2012. - Cable Nigeria

Robbers glued 89-year-old woman’s mouth

Two suspects have been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command for using super glue to seal the mouth of an 89 years woman, Imasogbonre Enahoro, to prevent her for shouting for help.

The robbers also glued the mouth of her daughter, Marylyn Ajibola, before stealing valuables and a Toyota Camry car from the victim’s’ residence at Igueben village.

Names of the suspects were given as Kingsley Odion and a third suspect identified as Tosin is said to be on the run.

They were said to have stormed Madam Enahoro residence at Igueben on November 20 and tied occupants in the house down.

When she and her daughter refused to stop talking, they used super glue to seal their mouth.

After searching the house and no money was found, the robbers made away with a Toyota Camry car and took it to Osun State.

Speaking to newsmen at the police headquarters in Benin City, Marylyn identified one of the suspects as the person who slapped her mother and tied their mouth.

She said the incident happened at about 5pm and that it was her husband that came home and freed them.

Kingsley, one of the suspects who claimed to be a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, said it was Tosin that brought the robbery plan.

“When we got to Mama place, she has no money to give to us. Two of us were outside and Tosin went inside. We only found N7,200 inside the car.

“I did not know that this Mama’s mouth was glued because I waited outside. We have not sold the car. Tosin said he want to be using the car but We told him there is no way we can stay with him in Osun State. I couldn’t stay in his father’s house without doing anything. The car is still in Osun State.”

Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, said the suspects would soon be charged to court. - The Nation

Lagos rakes in N503.7b IGR,

Lagos State government generated N503.7 billion revenue in 2017, the Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said.

Ambode, who spoke at the first quarter Town Hall Meeting yesterday, at De Blue Roof, LTV Complex in Agidingbi, Ikeja, said the achievement came despite    the tough prevailing economic environment.

He said the state was entering the new year with confidence, of being on a solid prosperity footing and interesting prospects for all Lagosians, and commended the residents for supporting his administration to deliver on key projects in various sectors and sections,  “despite the harsh economic climate in the country.”

He said: “As we celebrate entering a new year, we thank you all for your support and cooperation last year. It was your backing that enabled us to achieve the modest successes we recorded last year and commence the transformation of the landscape of our state.

“Despite the harsh economy, our State budget performed at 82 per cent. Total revenue generated was N503.7billion, representing a performance of 78 per cent; Total Recurrent Expenditure was N281.33billion, representing a performance of 92 per cent, while Total Capital Expenditure was N387.60billion or 76 per cent performance.”

Ambode listed some of the key projects delivered last year to include, the new Tafawa Balewa Square Bus Terminal, new Ojota Pedestrian bridge, Aboru – Abesan link Bridge and the adjoining inner roads.

Others are Ojodu Berger Slip Road and Pedestrian Bridge, Jubilee Bridges in Ajah and Abule Egba, Freedom and Admiralty Road in Lekki, new Lands Registry, and newly upgraded Jubilee Chalet in Epe, among others.

He said as at December 2017, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (ETF), had disbursed N4.5billion to 5,500 beneficiaries, who also received training on financial literacy and business management.

He said keys were presented to beneficiaries of the first set of allottees of Lagos State Rent-To-Own Housing Scheme, as well as the creation of Neighbourhood Safety Corps and beautification of the state, with the erection of monuments, parks and gardens.

Ambode said within the  review period, the State Government inaugurated the first State-owned DNA Forensic Centre in Nigeria and West Africa, saying that in the coming weeks, he would sign a contract to upgrade the facility to offer toxicology services, which will make it the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In respect of Lagos State students in tertiary institutions, Ambode said his administration disbursed   N635.5million to 8,419 students across the State.

He said the government acquired healthcare equipment worth N2.5 billion, saying the equipment will strengthen the capacity of “our health facilities to render improved health services and also facilitate the smooth take off of the Lagos State Health Scheme which is designed to enable residents enjoy unfettered access to qualitative healthcare. - The Nation

Shocking !!! Woman stabs rival’s son to death over husband

A woman simply identified as Rukayat Abdulkareem has stabbed her rival’s son to death over a man in Kubwa area of Abuja.

The altercation which led to the unfortunate incident began at about 10:00 p.m., on Thursday when the woman confronted the said rival over her missing husband.

The woman’s daughter was also stabbed during the scuffle.

The victim, Awal Sani, an 18- year- old 200-level student of Statistics at the University of Abuja, was stabbed in the chest while trying to calm Abdulkareem who came to insult his mother.

The deceased was expected back in school on January 15.

The incident took place around the refuse dump site area of Kubwa in Abuja.

The younger brother to the victim’s mother spoke to our correspondent on the incident.

He said: “Between 10:00 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., yesterday (Thursday), I heard someone banging on the door and came outside, I asked her what she wanted and she said she was looking for her husband. I know the woman, they were living close to us here in Pipeline before they packed to Kaduna road. I told her that I would check and see if I can call the husband for her. I went inside, I met my sister and informed her that the man’s wife was outside looking for him, my sister said she was going to meet the woman, I tried to stop her and told her she was not the one the woman came for but she insisted. so I followed her because I didn’t want any problem.

“We met the woman and then I realised that if they start talking, it may result to another thing. So, I asked my sister to go inside and went to pipeline police station. I invited a policeman, he asked the woman what the problem was, she said she was here to see her husband. The policeman asked her to follow him to the station so she can write a statement and they will return to pick her husband. But she said she was not going anywhere so the policeman left.

“I went inside the house and the next thing I heard was that they had stabbed Awal. I rushed out, we did all we could to save him. We rushed him to the hospital and the doctor confirmed him dead and we brought him back home. She had left when I rushed out but the vigilante men caught and brought her later and we kept her till the police arrived.”