Senators can’t confront Buhari on killings because they want to be re-elected - Shehu Sani

Shehu Sani, senator representing Kaduna central, says some of his colleagues can’t confront President Muhammadu Buhari on the killings across the country because they want to be re-elected in 2019.

Sani said this on Tuesday on the floor of the senate while debating a report of an ad hoc committee on security.

He said instead of saying the truth about the spate of violence in the country, some of the senators were massaging egos.

The senator said it had gotten to a point where Nigerians have lost hope in the government.

“It has reached a point today that people have lost hope in the government – we are here trying to massage the ego than tell the truth. We don’t want to confront the presidency and the president because people want to come back to the 9th senate,” Sani said.

“They do not want to lose their ticket and people are killed in this country. I am very sorry.”

The senator said this is a time when the president should provide leadership to a country which is “in national emergency”.

He said: “Something I like with the presidency, when it comes to the issue of directing attack to the national assembly, they don’t in anyway curtail, reduce or suppress any of the missiles. When it comes to our turn, they point their finger to where the problem is.

“You see some form of cowardice, escapism, and people try to water down the truth. In the report that was represented before us, federal government was mentioned about seven and we are all part of the federal government. The security of country is under the control of the commander in chief. Why are you shying away? We are calling on the president to wake up and stand up and protect this country.”

The senator also faulted the visit of Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, and other leaders of the state, to the presidential villa over killings.

“Some few days ago, I saw the leaders and elders from Benue in the villa. You are bereaved and your people are killed. The villa should go to Benue not Benue going to villa.

“Governors that are supposed to be chief executive of the states are every day and every week leaving their post to the villa to go and endorse the president. I think we should tell ourselves the truth. Things are not going right in this country. We are failing, people are dying in their thousands.”

Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, and Sam Anyanwu, senator representing Imo east, also commented on the matter.

The senate further directed Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), to arrest perpetrators of the Benue killings in 14 days. - Cable Nigeria

My wife bears children like rats – Man tells court

An Igando Customary Court, in Lagos, has dissolved a nine-year-old marriage between one Mr Michael Ayinde, and his wife, Glory Ayinde.

The 39-year-old man had taken his wife to court over her penchant for unbridled procreation.

Mr Michael Ayinde had earlier told the court that his wife, Glory, enjoyed “giving births at will’’ without consideration for the prevailing economic situation.

According to him, Glory has had six children within the nine-year duration of their marriage.

“Before I married Glory, I warned her that I needed only two kids irrespective of their gender so that I can afford their upkeep. She agreed only for her to discard the agreement after marriage.

“My Lord, my wife wants to kill me with children. She is giving birth to children like rats. In nine years, she was been delivered of six babies.

“She was sacked from her workplace just because she gets pregnant immediately after she resumed from maternity leave,’’ Ayinde said.

He said that he had sold his cars and some of his property to cater for the children.

“After she had the fourth baby, I begged her to go for family planning, she refused.

“I had to force her to the hospital for a family planning device but she went secretly to remove it without my consent.

“Some months later, she went to her parent’s place and sent me text message that she was pregnant.

“She did not return home until after delivery and also did the naming of the baby in her parent’s place.”

He said, on Dec. 24, 2016, Glory left home again for her parent’s place where she called again that she was pregnant and that she would be back after birth.

“Last month, she called me that she had delivered and named the baby, David.’’

The father of six also alleged that his wife was not washing his clothes and her children’s clothes.

Ayinde, however, pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage so that the estranged wife would not continue to have more children.

The President of Igando Customary Court, Mr Akin Akinniyi, said that it was obvious from available testimony and the respondent’s refusal to appear in court that the marriage had hit the rocks.

Akinniyi said “Throughout the duration of this case, the respondent (Glory) refused to honour court processes.

“Therefore, the court has no choice than to dissolve the marriage; the court hereby pronounce the marriage between Mr Michael Ayinde and Mrs Glory Ayinde dissolved.”

Akinniyi ruled that “Both parties henceforth cease to be husband and wife and are free to go their separate ways without any hindrance or molestation.” - Daily Post

Enugu state : Butcher allegedly stabs colleague to death

Michael Kingsley, a butcher, has allegedly stabbed a colleague, Ifeanyi Egwuagu to death.

The incident happened around Artisan Quarters,Ogui in Enugu.

The deceased was allegedly stabbed with a broken bottle while trying to resolve a fight between Mr. Kingsley and another colleague identified as Ogidi.

Police spokesman in the state, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed that the incident happened on Sunday night.

Amariazu said the suspect engaged in a fight with his colleague after he allegedly refused to buy him more drinks at a bar.

“On that fateful day at about 10:30 p.m, information had gotten to the Police that a butcher identified as one Ifeanyi Egwuagu of Artisan Quarters Ogui in Enugu state has been allegedly stabbed by his butcher friend identified as one Michael Kingsley of the same Artisan Quarters in Ogui Enugu,

“Following the information,the operatives of the Ogui Division of the Nigeria Police headed to the scene where they met the victim lying down and immediately rushed him to Eastern Nigeria Medical Centre Enugu where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

“The body has been deposited at the same hospital mortuary for autopsy.

“The police arrested the suspect who hails from Ubaho in Nkanu East local Government Area of Enugu state, but resides at Artisan Quarters in Ogui axis of Enugu

“Following his prompt arrest, the suspect revealed that the deceased is his ‘bosom friend’ and that they are co butchers at Artisan quarters.

“He told the police that on that he had gone out with another butcher friend whom he gave his name as one Ogidi and they drank and later came back in the evening.

“He( Kingsley) alleged further that when they came back that the said Ogidi had allegedly compelled him to buy more drinks and that he refused and that following his alleged refusal, Ogidi engaged him in a fight which later attracted the attention of Ifeanyi who promptly rushed to separate them.

“But he was allegedly stabbed twice with a broken bottle by the rib side and at the lower abdomen by Kingsley who thereafter fled the scene as he noticed that the victim was gasping for breath and life,” Amaraizu said.

Terrorism !!! Benue killings: Buhari protecting Fulani herdsmen – Igede people

The Igede people of Benue State in Anambra and Delta states have berated the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly shielding Fulani herdsmen from facing the wrath of the law over obvious terrorist activities.

The ethnic group also faulted the government over its lack of interest and inability to take commensurate action against the incessant killing of people by herdsmen.

A patron of Ominy Igede Anambra /Delta States and immediate past President General of the association, Chief Patrick Akobo, in a statement in Onitsha, described the latest killing of over 73 people in Benue State by the herdsmen as a “killing beyond pardon and an affront to an average Benue man and woman.”

Chief Akobo urged President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a special Police squad to control the menace of the Fulani herdsmen who have repeatedly attacked and killed en-mass, the people of Benue in their homes and farms.

“The popular view is that, Mr. President being a Fulani himself, is turning a blind eye to an obvious act of terrorism and well planned criminal activity with a hidden agenda and shielding of his fellow kinsmen from facing the full wrath of the law.

“Mr. President sir, it is nothing to be happy about that you have been able to control to some extent the Boko Haram insurgency, only for the herdsmen to take over from them to cause more havoc, but be informed that from the look of things, if nothing is urgently done, the attack will only increase and cause tension in the country, and reprisal and counter attacks will be the order of the day, thereby sounding the drum of war.

“We are hereby imploring the Federal Government to stop handling the Fulani herdsmen menace with kid gloves, but to urgently take action to save the lives of innocent Nigerians. Nobody has monopoly of violence. There is elastic limit to what Benue people will take from the hands of the Fulani herdsmen,” he said. - Daily Post

Proceed of corruption !!! Patience Jonathan’s property demolished in Abuja

A property allegedly belonging to the former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan was on Tuesday demolished by the FCT Development Control Department.

The building, which is inside A. Aruera – Reachout Foundation/Women For Change and Development Initiative, is situated on Shehu Yar’Adua Way along Mabushi–Kado–Life Camp Expressway, Abuja.

Mr Emmanuel Anene, a Lawyer with E.A. Ezugwu and Associates told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the issue of the building is still pending before the Federal High Courts in Lagos and Abuja.

“Sometime before, people from Development Control came to the site, alleging that there was no approval for the building.

“We met them at their office and showed them the approval, which they accepted. We thought that the matter was over.

“They had earlier gone to court with application for forfeiture of the property to the government which they failed to achieve at the Lagos High Court.

“So we were surprised that a team came in this afternoon without notifying us to remove the structure.

“Also, we were not served with any notice for demolition, they just came in now and started the demolition of the structure,’’ he said.

Responding, Mr Muktar Usman, Director of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), told NAN that the building has no approval and that notice was served for the demolition of the property.

He said the building was not the only one affected by the demolition in the area as there were others that were also demolished.

Muktar alleged that members of staff of the Development Control Department were also assaulted at the premises.

Corruption republic !!! FG asks Supreme Court to restore charges against Saraki

The Federal Government has asked the Supreme Court to restore the charges it brought against Senate President, Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The federal government wants the Supreme Court to set aside part the December 12, 2017 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which struck out 15 of the 18 charges against Saraki.

The government’s request is contained in a cross-appeal it filed, complaining against part of the judgment, particularly where the Appeal Court held that the prosecution did not establish a prima facie case in counts 1, 2, 3, 7 and 18 of the false assets declaration trial.

Saraki was charged before the CCT on charges of corruption and false declaration of assets.

At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, Saraki made a no case submission, which the CCT, in a ruling of June 14, 2017, upheld and discharged and acquitted him on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove its case.

Upon appeal at the Appeal Court by the state, the appellate court, in its December 12, 2017 judgment, held among others that the prosecution was able to establish a prima facie case against Saraki in three of the 18 –count charge brought against the Senate president.

The counts are – 4, 5 and 6.

The Appeal Court ordered that Saraki be made to enter defence in respect of the three charges when trial resumes before the CCT.

Saraki had since approached the Supreme Court for relief and asked the apex court to set aside the aspect of the judgment where he was ordered to enter defence before the CCT.

But, in its 15-ground cross appeal, the prosecution led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), wants the 15 counts voided by the Court of Appeal restored by the Supreme Court to enable Saraki defend himself against all the 18 charges.

The cross appellant faulted the Court of Appeal’s decision that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case in relation to the voided 15 counts.

It argued that by the decision, the appellate court failed to give effect to  paragraphs 11(2), 11(3) and 13 of Part 1, 5th Schedule of the Constitution that placed the burden on the defendant to prove his/her innocence. - The Nation

Face of corruption !!! EFCC arraigns ex- FCT minister for money laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly laundering N650million.

Akinjide was charged alongside Senator Ayo Adeseun, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Olanrewaju Otiti and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was said to be at large.

The defendants are standing trial on a 24-count charge of money laundering before Justice Muslim Hassan.

They were accused of conspiring to obtain the N650million from Mrs. Alison-Madueke, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

According to the EFCC, they reasonably ought to have known “that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.”

Akinjide, who was earlier arraigned for money laundering was granted bail on the same offence on June 22 last year by the Ibadan, Oyo division of the court, but the case was transferred to Lagos at her instance.

At Tuesday’s proceeding, EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the agency had an amended 24-count charge and urged the court to admit same as their charge in the suit. - The Nation

Shocking !!! Parents arrested after 12 children, ages 2-29, found shackled in California home

One Southern California couple is in custody on suspicion of torture and child endangerment after 12 of their children allegedly were found captive in the couple's home, with some of them shackled to beds.

David Turpin, 57, and Louise Turpin, 49, were each being held on $9 million bail, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Monday afternoon.

Authorities said the investigation began after a 17-year-old girl "escaped" from the home in Perris and called 911 early Sunday to report that her 12 brothers and sisters were being held by their parents.

The sheriff's office said investigators initially believed the "slightly emaciated" girl was just 10 years old when they first saw her.

When officers and deputies went to the Turpins' home, they found "several children shackled to their beds with chains and padlocks in dark and foul-smelling surroundings," according to the sheriff's office. The statement added that the parents were "were unable to immediately provide a logical reason why their children were restrained in that manner."

Authorities initially believed that all the victims they found were children. However, investigators eventually discovered that seven of the victims were over 18.

The sheriff's office said the victims "appeared to be malnourished and very dirty" and were given food and drinks after they "claimed to be starving." They were sent to two local hospitals for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately known.

The Los Angeles Times, citing public records, reported that the Turpin home's address was listed as the location of the Sandcastle Day School, a public K-12 institution that opened in 2011.

Perris is located approximately 60 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

The Turpins had lived at the address since 2010, the Times reported, and had previously lived in Texas. The couple had declared bankruptcy twice.

 - Fox News

Nigerian Student Sentenced To Four Years In Jail for $3.7m Fraud

A Nigerian man was sentenced for his role in what the judges described as “business email compromise” scheme that cost $3.7m in losses to American companies.

The Nigerian, Amechi Colvis Amuegbunam, who is reportedly in America on a student visa was sentenced last August 28 before U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to 46 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $615,555.12 in restitution for his role in what has become known as a “Business Email Compromise” scheme, the U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas has announced.

“Amechi Colvis Amuegbunam, 30, of Lagos, Nigeria, pleaded guilty in March 2017 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He has been in custody since the time of his arrest in August 2015,” the charge sheet released by Justice Department reads.

According to plea documents in the case, from November 2013 through August 2015, Amuegbunam and other individuals sent fraudulent emails to companies in the Northern District of Texas and elsewhere, containing misrepresentations that caused the companies to wire transfer funds as instructed on a PDF document that was attached to the email.

“The investigation of this particular scheme began when two companies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area reported to the FBI Dallas office that they had received targeted spear-phishing emails.

“These emails appeared to be a forwarded message, allegedly from a top executive at the company, sent to an employee in the company’s accounting department who had authority to make financial transfers for the company."

“Although the emails appeared to be coming from a company executive, the messages were actually coming from a false email account fraudulently created to look like a legitimate company email account."

“A fraudulent domain name was used that contained one small difference from the true company’s email address – such as transposed letters."

“After complying with the spear-phishing email instructions to transfer funds, the companies became victims of the BEC scheme."

“The investigation traced the creation of some of the PDFs to Amuegbunam,” the statement reads.

According to the factual resume, the scheme involved at least 10 victims, totaling a loss of approximately $3,700,000. - PunchNG

Terrorism : Armed Fulani Men Attack Taraba Community, Kill Traditional Ruler

Armed Fulani men on Monday evening attacked Karmen community in Ibi local government area of Taraba State and killed a local traditional ruler.

The caretaker chairman of Ibi local government council, Bala Bako, confirmed the attack and killing in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Jalingo.

Bako told our correspondent that the Fulani gunmen struck when the people of the community gathered for a security meeting.

“We have some security challenges in Ibi and we have been making efforts to ensure that ethnic groups in our domain accommodate and live in peace with one another.

“The Chief of Ibi also set up a committee which has been meeting to find a solution to the security challenges, and it was in one of the meetings that the Fulani gunmen attacked and killed the traditional ruler.

“They gathered and were waiting for us for the security meeting when suddenly armed Fulani men emerged and started shooting. The local chief was killed during the attack, using Fulani sticks, by the attackers,” he said.

The Caretaker Chairman who said he mobilised security men who went and evacuated the corpse said, one person was arrested in connection with the killing and investigation into the attack was ongoing.

Speaking on the killing of eight other persons in Gishiri and Dooshima villages and one other at Danwaza village a week ago, Bako said the killers were the Fulani gunmen who attacked the neighbouring Benue State in Logo and Guma local government areas.

“We share a border with Benue and Nasarawa states and most times these Fulanis crossed from Nasarawa, attack and go back, but we are trying to close all the routes they are using to cross and attack us.

“The killing in Dooshima and Gishiri around Sarkin Kudu were done by those people who attacked Benue. On their way back to Nasarawa, they killed anyone they met on the way, ” he said.

It could be recalled that attacks on several communities across Taraba in the past weeks left at least 68 people dead in Lau, 11 in Wukari and 6 in Gassol local government areas of the state. - PunchNG