Jungle republic !!! Civil servants now lose their jobs for criticising politicians - Atiku

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says civil servants now lose their jobs for criticising politicians in position of power.

Abubakar said this in a statement to mark the 25th anniversary of June 12.

He was apparently citing the case of Bolouere Opukiri, an official of the media unit of the Presidential amnesty office who lost her job after criticising Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the wife of the president.

She had described then acting president as “a novice” for travelling out of the country at a time President Muhammadu Buhari was receiving medical treatment in London, and criticised Aisha Buhari for saying “hyenas and jackals” had taken over her husband’s government.

She was fired seven days later.

Abubakar said the foundation of a democratic society is the guarantee of fundamental human rights that gives the citizenry the freedom of speech.

He noted that it is the exclusive responsibility of the state through the various security organisations to see to the protection of these fundamental rights of the people.

He added that there is a growing culture of arbitrariness in some of the institutions of government at all levels that is “contradictory to the notion of inclusiveness and fairness that a democratic society guarantees”.

“Today, across our major cities and even in the hinterlands, citizens, especially the youth, can hardly walk freely in open avenues without the police stopping them to search through the content of their mobile handsets,” he said.

“Civil servants now lose their jobs just because they choose to criticize politicians in government positions; there are even suggestions in some quarters that civil servants should be barred from signing to social media networks.

“Opposition politicians are regularly being hounded on wanton criminal and civil prosecutions.

“All of these narratives have become a consistent pattern of behavior that is antithetical to an open and democratic society.

“In many of the states across the country, there is a reign of fascism with governors who have suddenly become overlords dealing ruthlessly with anyone who dares to challenge their ruthless foothold of intimidation and oppression.

“Perhaps at this point, we need to remind ourselves that the democracy which we enjoy today did not come cheap price; It came at the cost of supreme price paid by persons that included Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Maj-Gen Shehu Yar’Adua, Chief Alfred Rewane and Bagauda Kaltho, among thousands of other patriots.”

Abubakar reminded the people that democracy is not merely a mechanism of appointing a government, saying “its beauty is in the inherent safeguard to the citizenry to live and prosper as free people under the law”.

He called on all political actors to let June 12 and all that it embodies, inspire them to promote democratic principles, especially as Nigeria is about to go to the polls again. - Cable Nigeria

Shocking !!! Four men allegedly kill their brother, remove his heart for ritual

A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday ordered four men to be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons for allegedly killing their brother and removing his heart for ritual.

The accused are: Daniel Luka, 24, Audu Isaiah, 24, Wavi David, 20 and Ayuba Musa, 24.

They are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye, told the court that the men committed the offences on May 22 at Alasia along Oke-Ira road in Ajah, near Lagos.

Olaluwoye alleged that the accused had been patronising a ritualist, who asked them to provide a human heart in exchange for wealth.

She said that the accused had lured their 21-year-old brother, James Isaiah, into the bush, where they killed him with a knife and cut off his heart.

“The police were able to trace them to their house where they had admitted killing their brother for ritual purposes.

“The ritualist is however, still at large,” Olaluwoye said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 223, 233 and 165 (a) (b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

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

Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere ordered that the case file should be sent to the Lagos State director of public prosecutions for advice.

She, however, adjourned the case until August 15. - Daily Post

21-year-old Nigerian lady in court for allegedly killing her South African boyfriend

A Nigerian lady, Gift Mike, was on Monday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly killing her 48-year-old South African boyfriend, Daniel Grant.

The accused, a cosmetologist, was arraigned on one-count charge of murder.

The Prosecutor, CSP Effiong Asuquo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 5, at Room 201, Emerald Cove Hotel, No. 18B, Sinari Daranijo St., Victoria Island.

Asuquo alleged that the accused killed the South African at about 1.30 a.m. on the said date.

He added that the offence contravened Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 223 prescribes a death sentence for convicts.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr A.O. Komolafe, however, admitted the accused to a bail of N100, 000 with two responsible and gainfully employed sureties each in like sum.

Komolafe then referred the case to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

However, the court adjourned the matter until July 11.

Nwosu hails Buhari for recognizing June 12 Democracy Day

The Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and for honouring the memory of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 election.

This was contained in a letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Professor Nwosu, who presided over the polls later annulled by the military junta, said the conferment of national honours on Chief Abiola and his running mate, Amb. Babagana Kingibe “will rekindle the national consciousness of all Nigerians for a better nation.”

The letter reads: “I thank His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria for recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day and also honouring the winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

“Indeed, June 12, 1993 marked a turning point in Nigeria’s tortuous journey towards a democratic polity. It is an honour to the very hard-working men and women of the defunct National Electoral Commission under my leadership at this long awaited recognition. I humbly commend this action by the President.

“Undoubtedly, the democratic system of governance is the best especially for the multi ethnic nation like ours. I thank you for building on the foundation which my team and I labored strenuously to establish and actualize on June 12, 1993. It is our hope that expanding the frontiers of democracy of which all the people of Nigeria, regardless of ethnic group, will provide economic, social and developmental benefits that will certainly make Nigeria a great nation not only in Africa but across the world.

“Certainly, the scheduled event on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 will rekindle the national consciousness of all Nigerians for a better Nation. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control I will not be present at the investiture ceremony as I am outside the country,” he wrote. - The Nation

Zidane admits it was “important” for him to leave Real Madrid

Former Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has said he feels good after leaving the club.

Zidane stepped down 11 days ago as coach of the LaLiga side, five days after winning a third consecutive Champions League title.

“I’m taking a break and I don’t know what I’m going to do. The most important thing is the decision that I made; now we’ll see what happens after,” Zidane said at the inauguration event for an Adidas playground in Saint-Denis, near Paris on Monday.

At the event, Zidane was joined by fellow World Cup winners Laurent Blanc, Youri Djorkaeff, Fabien Barthez, Christian Karembeu and Robert Pires, one day ahead of a charity match between the 1998 World Cup champions and a selection of international players to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the title. 

Speaking about the French national team’s chances at the 2018 World Cup, he said: “This team has real potential. I hope they go as far as possible, and, why not, won the World Cup.” - Daily Post

One killed as Major General John Malu escapes death in Benue

The Commander of the Nigerian Army Engineering Corp, Maj. Gen. John Malu, on Monday narrowly escaped death after unknown armed men dressed in Military fatigue attacked him at his country home in Tse Adoor, Tiir Ward, Tongov in Katsina/Ala local government area of Benue State.

It was that gathered that Gen. Malu had gone home to visit his family over the weekend when the armed gang who rode on over 30 motorbikes stormed his residence at about 6am shooting sporadically.

A source said “when the armed men got to the entrance of his house, they enquired of his whereabout, unfortunately, they saw a young man who was an assistant to the driver of a truck, they shot and killed him.

“After that they made attempt to gain entrance into the house of Gen, Malu but were resisted by the military personnel on guard in the house.

“The gunmen got hold of somebody in the house who they shot on the arm and asked him to take them to where Gen. Malu was.

“It was at that point that a gun battle ensued between the armed gang and the military personnel in the house and this lasted for close to an hour.

“Though a reinforcement was called from Katsina/Ala. It was like a war situation, there was pandemonium, people started fleeing from the village, but luckily the military personnel overpowered the armed gang.

“While the gun battle lasted, one of the armed men was shot but his group members bundled him on one of the bikes and fled with him though they left behind a gun and one of their bikes

“As we speak, Gen. Malu has returned to Makurdi but a search for the gang members is currently ongoing.”

Confirming the incident, Gen. Malu said he was safe.

According to him, “I was in my village when armed militia gang attacked my compound. I was there to see my family. I slept and woke up this morning (Monday morning) only to see that they had attacked my compound shooting everywhere but luckily I had traveled with my escort, so the soldiers were able to repel them.

“The shooting lasted over 30 minutes before they were overpowered and they fled leaving behind a pistol and a motorcycle which we recovered.

“Unfortunately, while the exchange lasted, a fuel tanker driver saw what was happening and stopped his vehicle but his assistant who got scared jumped out of the truck and he was caught up in the crossfire and he died instantly.”

The Commander of the 72 Special Forces Battalion in Makurdi, Lt. Col. Suleman Muhammad, who confirmed the development, said his personnel had taken over the area in search of the masterminds of the attack. - Daily Post

England players should make a stand against Russia at World Cup by wearing black armbands - Labour MP

England's players should make a political stand against Russia by wearing black armbands during the World Cup, Labour MP Stephen Kinnock has said.

Mr Kinnock advocated stripping Russia of the tournament and postponing it for a year during a parliamentary debate in March, held following the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter on the streets of Salisbury.

But with the tournament set to proceed as planned he believes the onus now falls on the Three Lions to protest against the policies of the Vladimir Putin regime.

Mr Kinnock knows the country well, having lived and worked there as director of the British Council between 2005 and 2008, and is concerned about how England's silent participation in the event would be perceived.

“Maybe we should seriously consider wearing a black armband in our first match, or in all of our matches, to mark the death of Alexander Litvinenko, the attack on Mr Skripal and his daughter on British territory and the vicious injury to a member of our police force,” he said.

Mr Litvinenko worked for both the Russian and British security services and was assassinated in London 10 years ago.

Russia has denied involvement in the poisoning of the Skripals and Mr Litvineko.

Mr Kinnock lived and worked in Russia as director of the British Council there between 2005 and 2008. He thinks that the England football team could “send a really big political signal.”

“We are using the beautiful game to launder the reputation of a dangerous authoritarian regime and that poses some major questions. We should think creatively about what we might be able to do to send a message,” he said.

"I suspect every single member of the English football team has more Twitter followers than any politician we have so they can send a really big political signal. They are role models to our young people and I do think this is an issue of our morals, our values and our ethics.

He added: "It would great if they were able to say 'we're here in Russia now, but what's happened on the streets of the United Kingdom raises concerns for all of us. An attack on one is an attack on all'."

Any stand by England would be in contravention of FIFA's rules against players wearing political, religious or commercial symbols.

Mr Kinnock said: "It would need to be supported by the FA and they would probably be sanctioned by FIFA, who don't like any symbolism, but at some point we've got to make a decision about the role and responsibility of football in the world," he said.

However Mr Kinnock’s words are unlikely to be matched by actions on the field with manager Gareth Southgate declaring in March he held “little interest” in foreign secretary Boris Johnson’s thoughts on the world cup. - Evening Standard

End estimated billing now, Fashola tells DISCOs

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola on Monday told Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to work towards ending the estimated billing system, which he said is subjective and prone to abuse.

To this end, the Minister urged the electricity distribution companies to access the Federal Government N37 billion fund under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) to achieve an end to the estimated billing regime.

Fashola made the call at the 28th edition of the Monthly Power Sector Operators meeting hosted by the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) in Kaduna.

According to him, the Executive arm of Government, had responded by taking advantage of the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulations to deploy a fund of N37bn towards supplying meters through private sector.

“Let me be clear that every DISCO is affected, and every DISCO needs to respond by providing meters quickly and seeking to end estimated billing, which is subjective, discretionary, and prone to abuse.

“I therefore urge all DISCOs who have not taken benefit of this opportunity to quickly do so, or make their own funding arrangements to contract their own meter providers to supply and install meters.

“On the Legislative side of Government, there is a clear intention to intervene by Legislation. The Executive and Legislative response show that Government is committed to addressing this issue of meters,” he said.

Fashola said, meter supply had become the big issue of the moment that consumers want the stakeholders to resolve, adding that, “as a government, we hear them loudly and clearly, and as service providers, we hope that you can hear them too.

“As power supply continues to increase in Generation, Transmission and Distribution, the demand for meters will increase because more power supply and consumption will likely result in increased bills.

“Estimated billings in this circumstance will become a major cause of distrust and conflict between consumers and DISCOs and meters are the easiest way to build the bridge of trust,” he said.

He also urged the Operators, GENCOs, Transmission Company and DISCOs, who are the points of public interface on the need to pay more attention to service delivery, repairs, and maintenance of equipment.

“My focus in this meeting will not be different. We are beginning a different weather season that will see more rainfall, thunderstorms, lightening and windstorms. All of these will affect regular supply one way or another. Trees will fall and disrupt lines, poles and lines may be damaged, and service will be disrupted.

“In all these situations, we must prepare our staff to anticipate, plan, and respond. Most importantly, we must inform the public about the problems and what we are doing to restore service whenever there are disruptions.

“As a consumer myself, nothing gives me more comfort than when my service provider shares information about service disruptions. It tells me quickly that at least somebody knows that there is a problem, and gives me hope that something is being done about it,” said the Minister.

The Minister who had earlier commissioned three power substations with 60MVA Transformer that added to the Zaria 132 KV substation to increase the transformer capacity from 140 MVA to 200 MVA however expressed the Federal Government’s commitment for better service delivery by improving infrastructure.

He said the transformers will improve service to customers of Kaduna DISCO in places like Zaria City, Sabon Gari, Samaru, Giwa, Yakawada, Tudun Wada and Markafi among others.

The Minister also inaugurated the Power House 132/33KV Transmission Sub-station in Kakuri, Kaduna city, where the 2 X 60 MVA Transformers that had been upgraded from 190 MVA to 240 MVA as well as commissioned the 150MVA, 330/132KV transformer at the Mando Station.

He said the upgraded sub-stations would improve service of Kaduna DISCO to customers in places like Kaduna Township, Rigasa, Kakuri, Rigachukwu, Chikun, Sabon Tasha, among other communities.

He said upgrade projects were going on in more than 280 injection stations and sub-stations as being carried by the TCN and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) across the country. - The Nation