57-year-old man allegedly rapes 16-year-old daughter to death

A 57-year-old man, ‎Daramola Kehinde has been remanded in prison by an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter death.

Kehinde, of no fixed address, is facing a count charge of rape.

The prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Okunade, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on Aug. 10, at Iyin-Ekiti.

Okunade said that the accused raped his 16-year-old daughter, which led to her death.

According to the Prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of Section 31 (2) of Child Rights Law and Section 214 of the Criminal Code, Law of Ekiti State, 2012.

The prosecutor, therefore, urged the court to remand the accused in prison, pending legal advice from the office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

However, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Adesoji Adegboye denied the plea of the accused.

Magistrate Adegboye then ordered that the accused be remanded and adjourned the case until Nov. 2, for mention. - DAILY POST

'CONFUSED RULERS' !! Sirika: Take-off date of Nigeria Air to be announced soon

Hadi Sirika, minister of state for aviation, says the embargo placed on Nigeria Air, the national carrier, will be lifted as soon as possible.

According to James Daudu, the ministry’s deputy director of media and public affairs, Sirika said this while receiving Fahad Al Taffaq, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to Nigeria, in Abuja on Monday.

He quoted the minister as saying the new dates for take-off of the airline would be announced soon.

“The suspended national carrier would be activated as soon as possible, although the December 24th earlier given for its take-off is no longer feasible,” the statement quoted him to have said.

In September, the minister announced the suspension of the national carrier which was to be launched in December, saying it was a “tough decision” taken by the federal executive council.

Subsequently, Lai Mohammed, minister of information said the national carrier project was suspended due to investor apathy.

But Sirika said that was untrue as the “national carrier project has an avalanche of well-grounded and ready investors.”

Critics of the current administration had described the project as an avenue to siphon funds - THECABLE

Looters’ list not a violation of your rights, court tells Dokpesi

The federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Abuja has declared that the looters’ list released by Lai Mohammed, minister of information, is not a violation of the rights of those named.

In a ruling on Tuesday, Olukayode Adeniyi, the presiding judge, said the suit filed by Raymond Dokpesi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lacked merit.

Dokpesi had filed a suit against the federal government for abusing his fundamental human rights with the inclusion of his name in the looters’ list where he was accused to have illegally received N2.1billion from the treasury.

The media mogul, in a pre-litigation letter dated April 4, 2018, had demanded public apology and a payment of N500 million from Mohammed for defaming him.

The judge said the disclosure of the alleged looters’ list by the minister on behalf of the federal government does not carry any force of law as the minister is neither the judge or the prosecutor in the criminal case pending before the federal high court against Dokpesi.

Adeniyi advised Dokpesi to rather seek a remedy through a libel/slander suit if he feels injured by the action of the minister.

The judge adjourned the libel suit filed by Dokpesi against the minister till November 9. -THECABLE

Retired police officers protest over pension as Osinbajo visits Bauchi

Retired police officers’ association in Bauchi State has staged a protest demanding their immediate exclusion from the police pension scheme like other security organisations.

The protest is coming even as the Vice President Yemi Osibanjo is expected to visit the state Tuesday.

Chairman of the police retirees, Abdullahi Bakeri, while briefing journalists at NUJ Secretariat on Tuesday, claimed that the police pension scheme is a fraud, and an attempt to deprive the retirees.

“It’s unfortunate that police retirees have been abandoned to the dustbin compared to what other security retirees enjoyed monthly as pension yet FG has failed to exclude police retirees from such scheme that is fraudulent,” he said.

Bakeri lamented that police retirees’ children are now street urchins since their parents cannot pay school fees with a take-home of N20,000 monthly pension.

He added that many of their members have died due to diseases they cannot cure, while their pension contributions are lying with pension managers.

The association demanded justice, and called for the intervention of the Federal Government, as well as national and state legislatures.

“We have severally pleaded with the NASS intervention yet nothing is done to address our grievances, where did FG want us to take our plea since we cannot afford three square meal,” Bakeri said.

The protest, according to the chairman, was staged to coincide with the Vice President’s visit to Bauchi to inform the Federal Government of their demands for justice over their plights after failed attempts at getting solutions.

“We blame the police authorities for all our challenges. We blamed them for the poor and paltry monthly pension we receive. We want Federal Government’s intervention,” the chairman said. - DAILY POST

Security agencies frustrating our effort to tackle quackery in medical profession – NMA cries out

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has on Tuesday cried out that security agencies are the ones frustrating the efforts of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), NMA and other associations in a bid to rid the medical profession of quackery in Nigeria.

NMA Chairman in Oyo State, Dr. Akin Sodipo who made this disclosure while addressing journalists at a press conference heralding the 2018 Physician’s Week in Ibadan, the State capital, added that failure of the federal government to constitute the MDCN board was another reason why it is still difficult to tackle quackery in the medical profession in the country.

He said that, it was unfortunate that the security agencies that were saddled with the responsibilities to prosecute quacks have not been helping matters.

Sodipo while speaking said, “Relevant sections of the Medical and Dental Act prohibits quackery in whatever form. It is also on record that previous efforts by the MDCN to prosecute suspects have been frustrated by security agencies that are saddled with such responsibilities. We also have cases where some of our state branches have raised alarm on the activities of suspected quacks and impersonators but the state security apparatus has not helped matters.

“Another reason for the inability of the MDCN to tackle medical quackery-related practices is the failure of the federal government to constitute the council. It is worthy of note that the act of setting up the MDCN reiterated that “The council shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession”, as clearly stated in the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act Cap M8.

“Despite efforts at eliminating or at least reduce quackery in the medical profession in particular and the health sector in general, the perpetrators of this illicit and dangerous act have continued to proliferate with its attendant consequences on the health of Nigerians. This informed the choice of the 2nd sub-theme, “Medical Quackery, Professional Regulation and the Doctor’s Stamp.”

Sodipo urged the federal government to as a matter of urgency constitute the MDCN and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria boards in the interest of Nigerians.

He said, “We hereby once again call on the Federal government to urgently constitute the council of MDCN and its sister profession, the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria.

“NMA as the custodian of the people’s health believes that a sector that is not well regulated is prone to quackery and this have debilitating effects on the health care of our citizens.

Sodipo while speaking further added that the NMA introduced Doctor’s stamp in 2017 as one of the strategies in riding the medical profession of quackery.

He maintained that, “The NMA in line with best practices introduced Doctor’s stamp in 2017 to help check the proliferation of quackery and related practices. We, therefore, enjoined all medical and dental practitioners to key into this strategic anti-quackery measure in order to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

“We also appeal to government at all levels to join hands with the association in this regard.” - DAILY POST

NITDA exposes ‘strategies’ cybercriminals use in transferring money from victim’s bank accounts

The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has exposed how cybercriminals are using social media to defraud Nigerians.

NITDA disclosed that cybercriminals use, “social engineering, phishing mails” among others to defraud Nigerians.

In a statement issued by its Director General, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, NITDA disclosed that the criminals now carry out, “SIM Swap”

NITDA explained that SIM Swap was a situation where a victim’s SIM card was swapped; “an operation that makes the victim’s phone inaccessible while funds are transferred.”

The body also disclosed that cybercriminals also send “text messages pretending to be sent from banks, requesting for PIN or revalidation of BVN numbers.”

The statement reads partly: “There has been a tremendous increase in the number of incidences where Nigerians have lost money and data through vulnerabilities arising from lack of knowledge on how to manage their online presence and personal details. The cybercriminals use social engineering, phishing mails, and probably specific to Nigeria, the use of text messages pretending to be sent from banks, requesting for PIN or revalidation of BVN numbers.

“To the unaware, such are the sources where vital information needed for making unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts occur. A more worrisome and recent trend is the SIM Swap cases, where the victim’s SIM card is swapped; an operation that makes the victim’s phone inaccessible while funds are transferred.

“Knowing that everyone that uses ICT devices is vulnerable, these workshops target executives of registered associations and groups, with the ultimate aim to reach their members. We have also deployed effective conventional channels and social media in conveying the stay-safe message.

“The workshops use presentations and interactive demonstration of trending concepts like SMS, SIM swap, malware, phishing, social engineering and its manifestations, to disseminate the stay-safe tips. To further ensure that attendees assimilate the message succinctly, the contents are translated into the most predominant language of the zone.” - DAILY POST

Pastor kills 2 daughters, commits suicide

A 36-year-old senior Pastor has killed himself after poisoning his 11-year-old daughter, Shalom and Panashe, (7).

It was gathered that Pastor Precocious Mpofu of the Eagle Life Assembly, who hailed from Nkulumane, Zimbabwe poisoned his two daughters before killing himself in their home in Yeoville Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Chronicle reports that they were buried at Luveve cemetery in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Saturday, the same day their bodies were found in their home.

The pastor reportedly forced his two daughters to drink a drainage cleaning chemical before also taking it, citing marital problems.

The deceased and his wife Ms Chido Chipangura, had recently separated but she was still living in South Africa.

Chipangura family members said they were yet to come to terms with the death of the children.

“As a family we are very sad. We have lost two children and we are still in mourning. We thank the family, friends and neighbours for their support at this time,” said a family representative who spoke to The Chronicle.

The late Pastor Mpofu allegedly left a suicide note in which he stated that he was facing a lot of problems, most of them in his marriage.

He also allegedly said there were some people who were stalking him and mentioned four people together with their contact details.

Pastor Mpofu however, did not give reasons the individuals were stalking him.

The now deceased also sent a lot of messages to his family on the fateful day although he did not mention his intentions to kill his children and commit suicide.
He however, gave a hint when he directed how his property should be shared.

The family members told The Chronicle at their family home in Nkulumane suburb last Friday that from the information they received, the tragedy could have happened on Monday, October 15, between 2PM and 4PM after Pastor Mpofu had just returned from collecting his children from school. The deceased’s father, Mr Sipho Mpofu, said:

“I am reliably informed residents at his apartment saw him carrying each of the daughters on his shoulders into their flat at around 2PM.

“At 2:40PM he sent his sister here in Bulawayo a WhatsApp message saying one of his daughters, Shalom, had died. Exactly 10 minutes later, he sent another message saying his second daughter had also passed on.

“This puzzled his sister who was trying to call him to understand what exactly he was trying to say.”

He said when she tried to text him back, messages were no longer being delivered and the sister phoned Ms Chipangura telling her to go and check on her husband as he was texting strange messages.

“Ms Chipangura dashed to the flat only to find three bodies. The kids’ bodies were neatly laid in bed between blankets while Precocious’ body was on the floor,” he said. - DAILY POST

Is this a COUNTRY ?? Abuja rail can’t run faster than 90km/h because we don’t want to kill cows, says Amaechi

Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says the Abuja-Kaduna rail line cannot run faster than 90 kilometres per hour because the ministry does not want locomotives killing cows.

The minister highlighted the complications the federal government has had to deal with in making rail concessions, stating that the concession with General Electric (GE) fell apart after the company was sold its rail business.

Amaechi, who spoke about local problems being faced by the rail system said Nigeria has more than enough to transport via rail, before stating restrictions caused by cows.

“The reason why we want to go back to narrow gauge is because between Lagos and Kano, we have 30 million tonnes of cargo. Even if you do three rail lines, it cannot be enough,” Amaechi said.

“It took us 14 days to move coaches from Lagos to Abuja; everyday we go and ask, how far, they say we are near Ogun state…  14 days.

“But if it were rail, the same day, it will get to Abuja. The kind of construction we are doing is 120 kilometres per hour (Km/h), it is a speed train.

“We are doing 90km/h with Abuja to Kaduna, the reason we are doing 90km/h is because there are cows everywhere, and we don’t want to kill cows. The other day they tried 100 and they killed how many cows, and they said ‘you people should replace the cows you killed.

“From that day, I have said let us maintain the 90km/h; at 120km/h you get to Kaduna in one hour. You can work in Kaduna and live in Abuja. It was initially one, but now, we have done four locomotives with 14 coaches.”

FG SUBSIDISING RAIL TRANSPORT

The minister also revealed that the federal government is paying as much as N40million in subsidies every month.

“We are still under pressure to have more locomotives and more coaches beacuse more people are now using the rail. But you know typical Nigerians, they like free things,” he added.

“We spend N56million per locomotive, and we get N16millon. If we increase it, you will start abusing us, ‘we won’t vote for this people’. But you see, it is subsidised, so you big men, government is subsidising you, that is why you should vote for us, because you are sharing the money.

“At the end of the day, we lose every month N40million, in fact it was worse initially, because it was N600 per passenger and nearly N1,000 for business class.

“I was grateful because it was the passengers — both poor and rich — who said increase the price, increase the cost, but whatever it is, we have not been able to break even.”

He says maybe the next minister of transportation will be able to raise the prices for the rail service to break even. - THECABLE

Cristiano Ronaldo defiant on Old Trafford return

Cristiano Ronaldo said on Monday he is a “happy man” and claimed “the truth comes first” as he answered questions in Manchester about the allegation of rape against him.

Ronaldo is expected to play for Juventus against his former club Manchester United in the Champions League match at Old Trafford on Tuesday. He is the subject of a criminal investigation by Las Vegas police and a separate civil action after the allegation of rape by Kathryn Mayorga, which she says happened in the summer of 2009. Ronaldo strenuously denies the allegation.

Ronaldo said: “I know I am an example. I know, 100%. On the pitch and outside the pitch. So I am always smiling, I am happy man, I’m blessed that I play in a fantastic club. I have a fantastic family, I have four kids, I am healthy. I have everything. So the rest, it doesn’t interfere on me. I’m very, very well.”

Pressed again, he said: “You didn’t listen to what I say. I am a happy man. We did the statement two weeks ago, if I’m not wrong. I am glad [about how it progresses]. Of course, I’m not going to lie in this situation, I’m very happy. My lawyers, they are confident and of course I am, too. The most important is I enjoy the football, I enjoy my life. The rest, I have people who take care of my life. Of course, the truth is always coming in the first position [eventually]. So, I’m good.”

Mayorga, now 34, alleges he assaulted her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009, then used “fixers” to stop her pursuing criminal charges – including paying her $375,000 “hush money”. Police confirmed the original case was closed in 2009 due to Mayorga not disclosing details but it was reopened in September after she went public, inspired, she said, by the #MeToo movement.

For Ronaldo, the match on Tuesday night resumes a Champions League campaign that has so far extended only to 29 minutes, after he was sent off during a 2-0 win at Valencia, which drew a one-match ban.

He said: “The Champions League started two games ago, even if I’m returning now, it doesn’t matter that I was sent off and then didn’t play. We are in a great position and a win tomorrow will go a long way.”

Juventus have a maximum six points, with José Mourinho’s side in second place, two behind.

“It’s going to be a tough match,” Ronaldo said. “Manchester United are strong but, if we play the way the coach wants, we have a good chance to win the game. However, we can’t underestimate our opponents.”

Mourinho’s side have made a stuttering start to the season. Ronaldo said: “Manchester – they are good team, and they play at home, so it will be tough for us. We have our weapons. We are Juve, we know it will be tough but I think we have chance. If we play in a good way, the way the coach wants, we have a good chance to win. We have to respect Manchester United – they are a fantastic team, with an experienced coach, but I expect and look forward that Juve will win the game.”

Ronaldo moved to Juventus from Real Madrid in a £100m transfer during the summer. Of his time at the club so far, he said: “I’m happy to be at such a great team like Juventus. It’s a new chapter in my life after Manchester United and Real Madrid.”

Ronaldo spent six years at Old Trafford, claiming three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League. He first returned to face his former team in March 2013, for Real, scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Ronaldo said. “It is special for me to return to Manchester. Here I have many memories of victories and affection, and in particular with Sir Alex Ferguson, to whom I send a big hug. He is a person who helped me so much.

“I’m very good at Juve. I’m still getting used to things but everyone from teammates to people at the club have helped me to settle in, and I’m really enjoying the experience.

“I don’t want to compare Real and Juve. They are both fantastic clubs. I’m happy to be at such a great team like Juventus and it’s a new chapter in my life after Manchester United and Real Madrid. The last two months at Juve have been amazing. I enjoy a lot to play there. Everything goes well, the team is fantastic.”

Ronaldo would not be drawn on Real, who are struggling in La Liga. “It’s not up to me to speak about Real.” -THE GUARDIAN UK

Russians will go to heaven if there’s a nuclear attack, says Putin

President Vladimir Putin says should there be a nuclear attack, Russians will go to heaven as martyrs because they would be victims of an “aggression”.

Putin said this on Thursday while speaking at an international policy forum in Sochi, a city in the country.

The Russian president commended the new missiles in the country’s arsenal.

He said Russia would not be the first to initiate an attack but only use its nuclear weapons in retaliatory missile attacks if early warning systems spotted missiles heading toward the country.

“Only when we become convinced that there is an incoming attack on the territory of Russia, and that happens within seconds, only after that we would launch a retaliatory strike,”Putin said.

“It would naturally mean a global catastrophe, but I want to emphasize that we can’t be those who initiate it because we don’t foresee a preventive strike.

“The aggressor will have to understand that retaliation is inevitable, that it will be destroyed and that we, as victims of aggression, as martyrs, will go to heaven.

“They will simply die because they won’t even have time to repent.” -THECABLE

FG to add 4200MW to national grid in 18 months

The federal government is set to add 4200 megawatts of electricity to the national grid in 12 to 18 months.

Bisi Daniels, strategy and communications adviser to Okechukwu Enelamah, minister of industry, trade and investment, said it will be coordinated by the Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council (NIPCAC).

Daniels said the government has commenced moves to deploy underutilised power assets to deliver incremental power to industrial centres and needy communities in the country.

He added that a total of eight power projects have been selected for the intervention. They include; Aba Integrated Power Project, Kainji rehabilitation and expansion, power transmission, captive power projects for industry, Afam IV rehabilitation, Afam V rehabilitation, a Seplat gas facility and Alaoji power plant.

“The end-to-end power delivery project, which is being undertaken through Public-Private Partnership, ensures that generation, transmission and distribution are all aligned and simultaneously executed,” the statement read.

“The beauty of this project, which is a pilot, is the optimization of resources and also that the learning from it is intended to be used to unlock up to 2GW from under utilised NDPHC power plants.”

Daniels said the partners executing the project are the federal government, through The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), GE Power, as well as Enugu Disco. - THECABLE

38-year-old man lured neighbour’s 6-year-old daughter into bush, raped her - Police

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 38-year-old Abiodun Ojo for allegedly raping a six-year-old girl.

It was learnt that Abiodun was arrested at Magbara, a village near Idiroko, a border community in Ipokia Local Government Council Area, in Ogun State.
Confirming the incident, the State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the suspect was a co-tenant with the victim’s parents.

He was said to have lured the girl into a bush path under the pretence of wanting to send her on an errand and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.
“It was the shouting and crying of the girl that attracted the attention of local vigilante operatives who rescued the girl and placed a distress call to Police at Idiroko division.
“The DPO, CSP Aloko Amodu, quickly led his men to the scene and promptly arrested the suspect who had been severely beaten by angry mob”, Oyeyemi stated in a press statement made available to newsmen while parading suspect.

The PPRO further said that both the suspect and the victim were taken to the hospital for medical attention.
According to Abimbola, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu, had ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for further investigation and prosecution of the suspect. - DAILY POST

My greatest surprise as Vice President – Osinbajo

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has revealed his greatest surprise in office.

Osinbajo said that what shocked him most was what he described as “grand corruption.”

The Vice President spoke on Corruption and Rule of Law at the ongoing 24th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja yesterday.

Osinbajo had earlier lamented that whenever he tried dismissing corrupt public officer holders, some religious leaders would always intervene.

“I think, frankly, the biggest surprise for me has been the sheer impact of corruption on development,” he said.

“Whereas what we were more familiar with was corruption in the public procurement process and the like, but what is rare and damaging is directly going to the very source of revenue and taking public resource for private.”

Osinbajo further explained that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had made some significant impact in this area by “holding persons who made away with public funds accountable, taking them to court, seizing their assets both locally and internationally and transferring back to the country proceeds of corruption.”

He lamented that, “Trying to get money from foreign governments or from foreign banks is an obstacle for us. It is laden with all manner of difficulties and it is obvious that there is no enthusiasm about returning money that is already in their custody. It is very, very difficult.” - DAILY POST