Five under age students raped by school director in Ogun

Isaac Oluwole Newton-Wusu, Director of the Stephen Centre International School, Abeokuta, was on Wednesday tried before an Ogun High Court over alleged rape and indecent assault on five female students of the school.

The police arraigned Newton-Wusu on a five-count charge, but he pleaded not guilty, NAN reports.

According to the police, the director indecently assaulted and raped two students aged 12 years and 14 years in 2008 and 2010 in his office.

The police also said that Newton-Wusu indecently assaulted three other female students by squeezing and fondling their breasts in 2007 and 2008, in contravention of Sections 358, 359 and 360 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2016.

Justice Solomon Olugbemi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two surties in like sum.

Olugbemi ordered that the surties must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and have building plan approval.

He also ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment to Ogun Government.

He adjourned the case until April 4, for mention.

- DAILY POST

Guardiola speaks on winning Champions League after Man City’s 3-2 win over Schalke

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, believes they are still not ready to compete for the Champions League, despite taking a big step towards the quarter-finals with a 3-2 away win over Schalke.

City gave away two penalties and were reduced to 10 men after Nicolas Otamendi’s second yellow card, but they fought back to win in the final five minutes, with a Leroy Sane free-kick and Raheem Sterling winner.

However, Guardiola was frustrated to concede two goals, insisting they have to make fewer mistakes if they are to compete in Europe.

“It was a great result but we gave away the first penalty, we gave away the second penalty, we gave away the red card, in this competition that is not good, too many things.

“We are still not ready to fight for the latter stages, that is the reality, but the result is really good.

“We played good but we lost some easy balls, which you are not allowed to do in this competition,” he told BT Sport.

- DAILY POST

2019 :INEC reveals timeframe for announcing winner of presidential election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the timeframe for result declaration of the 2019 Presidential Election.

The commission assured that the results would not take longer than the 2015 elections, in spite of the number of presidential candidates, size of the result sheets and increased voter population.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said this on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the state of preparedness of the commission for the polls.

Yakubu said the commission was working to ensure that it does not keep Nigerians waiting for days without declaring the results.

He said the time limit would not exceed what obtained in 2015.

Recall that in 2015, while the Presidential Election held on a Saturday, a winner was not declared until the following Wednesday.

Mahmood said: “Even though this time around we have more presidential candidates than in 2015, we have more registered voters than we had in 2015, the size of the result sheet is bigger than we had in 2015, but we are committed to concluding the process for the Presidential elections roughly about the same time that we concluded the 2015 general elections.”

“We will do whatever we can to ensure that we speedily conclude the process but we won’t sacrifice accuracy for speed”, he declared.

-DAILY POST

FG approves Visa fee waiver for accredited election observers

The Federal Government has approved visa fee waiver for accredited observers and monitors of the nation’s upcoming general elections.

Comptroller-General Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Muhammad Babandede, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said that the waiver was sequel to the re-scheduling of the general elections to Saturday for Presidential and National Assembly, from Feb. 16, and March 9 for Governorship and House of Assembly, from March 2.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave logistics and operational problems as reasons for postponing the polls.

Babandede said that waiver was in consideration of the plight of accredited observers and monitors who were caught-up by the re-scheduled elections.

He urged all affected individuals and organisations wishing to extend their stay or travel back to their countries and return for the next elections to visit NIS Visa Desk at INEC Headquarters.

“The desk officers will attend to those requiring extension of their visas issued Gratis (No Fee Charge).

“This provision became necessary to afford those affected, the opportunity to travel out or return without violating the immigration provisions that relates to entry and exit with valid visa and document.”

- PM NEWS

Federal Govt declares Friday public holiday

Nigeria’s Federal Government has declared Friday, 22 February as a public holiday, to enable citizens prepare for Saturday’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

Bankers and those offering essential services across the nation, are excluded, according to a statement by the Ministry of Interior.

“The work-free day is to enable citizens return to their polling units for the reschedule Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Security agencies have been directed to ensure safety of lives and property before, during and after the general election,” the ministry said.

- PM NEWS

Court docks 39-year-old sales rep for allegedly stealing employer’s N723, 000

A 39-year-old sales representative, Kolade Timothy, who allegedly stole his employer’s N723, 000 was on Wednesday arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The defendant, who resides at No. 25 Aluko St., Aboru in Iyana-ipaja, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences from March 2017 to December 2018, at Smart B. Ocean Company Ltd, Meiran, Lagos.

Unah said the defendant stole the money from the complainant, Mrs Ajose Titilayo.

He said the defendant, who also doubled as a driver to the complainant, admitted he stole the money to eat and take care of his sick wife.

“All attempts to recover the money from the defendant proved abortive,” the prosecutor said.

The offences violate Sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, (Revised).

.Section 287 stipulates a seven-year jail term for stealing from one’s employer, while Section 314 prescribes a 15-year jail term for fraud.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr A. A. Fashola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned until Feb. 27 for mention.

- PM NEWS

‘Ogun will kill anyone forcing me to help Baba Suwe’ – Actress Liz Anjorin

Nollywood top actress, Liz Anjorin, has slammed those reportedly ‘forcing’ her to help ailing actor and producer, Babatunde Omidina, better known as Baba Suwe.

According to her, “Ogun will kill” them if they want to make it compulsory for her to help anyone in the movie industry.

DAILY POST reports that many Nollywood celebrities have been mobilising funds for Baba Suwe’s medical treatment for an undisclosed illness in the United States of America.

Consequently, a fan called Liz’s attention to it as well on Instagram.

She reacted in a manner that portrays anger, saying no celebrity came to her aide when her mother was down with stroke for years before she finally passed on.

The actress wrote: “You came to my page to be insulting and cursing me because of INDUSTRY issue?

“My mother deserve my kindness but the hate in the INDUSTRY and others sent her to early grave. They did not allow her to eat the fruit of her labour.

“My mother battled stroke for good four years; I was in the court with a thief that stole my car all alone at this same time. What did my colleagues do to help me?

“They helped to spread bad rumours. If you come to my page to drop any hate speech, I pray this same thing happen to you and you will never come out of it.

“How many of them (colleagues) featured me in their movie or adopted me? Despite my generosity.

“When my beloved mother died none of the artiste came except Lepa Shandy and Madam Asewo Toremecca. The headline written by a journalist “COLLEAGUES SHUN LIZ ANJORIN MOTHER’S BURIAL” still linger in my brain.

“Remember I can laugh with you but I will never betray my mother to mingle with some of you.
How many of my event do they attend to support me as a family? Not just family. Ask them all how humble and generous is Liz Anjorin?

“Do you all remember 2017? ‘Owo Nairabet” premiere is a good example when Saidi Balogun and others ganged against me.

“If you come to my page to tell me who to assist Ogun will kill you and you die just like my mother.”

- DAILY POST

Customs detains four officers over death of man in Ogun

Following the alleged killing of one Godwin Onoja by an operative of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) A, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Sunday in Ogun State, the service has detained four of its officers over the incident.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, DC Joseph Attah, in a statement said the service was in touch with the bereaved family of the deceased.

According to Attah, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has set up a panel, led by the Zonal Coordinator, A, to investigate the killing and vowed that any officer caught on the wrong side would be punished accordingly.

Reports said a Customs officer, ASCI Destiny Onebamho, on Sunday, shot dead a “Customs friend” during an argument with commuters in a passenger bus in an attempt to intercept bales of used clothing.

Attah, the Customs spokesman, said: “Following the unfortunate incident on Sunday, February 17, 2019, at Sagamu interchange involving operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, which led to the death of a fellow citizen, Mr. Godwin Agada Onoja, the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to maintain close contact with the bereaved family.

“We are pained by this sad development and share the grief of losing a fellow compatriot in a seemingly avoidable circumstance. We are and will continue to take every necessary step that will cushion the pain associated with losing a dear one. Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), has directed a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident, with the view to ensuring that justice is served.”

The PRO promised that the outcome of the probe would be made public for all Nigerians, adding that the officer whose rifle discharged would also face the panel as soon as he is fit.

“In line with this directive, the investigation panel, headed by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie, has interrogated and detained four members of the patrol team.

“The panel could not immediately conclude the investigation because the actual officer (ASCI Destiny Onebamho) whose rifle discharged is presently receiving medical attention as a result of the attack following the unfortunate incident. He will face the panel as soon as he is fit to do so, to enable the panel conclude investigation and recommend appropriate action(s).

“NCS is a reputable organisation known for integrity and responsibility. In line with our corporate values, we will not shield any operative found wanting in this ongoing investigation. The service appreciates the public concern and strong emotions drawn from the viral video, with narratives that created various opinions.”

- DAILY POST

‘Tell us where you kept bodies of our slain members’ – IPOB tells Police

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has pleaded with the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Dazuki Galadanchi, to disclose the location of the bodies of its members said to have been killed in a recent clash with security forces in the state.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday, counsel to IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, claimed that the police had killed five of their members during the clash and arrested about 15 of them.

He accused the police of taking away the bodies of the said members to an unknown destination.

Ejiofor said: “We have a confirmed report that some members of IPOB were killed by the police of the anti-robbery squad in Imo state.

“Also many were arrested on account we cannot explain. We saw it as a serious case of police brutality and violation of the fundamental rights of people who are merely working around.

“There is no reason why they should be arrested talk more of being killed. In the manner they are being killed. We learnt they also took away their corpse. What it means is that after killing them they made away with their corpses.

“The number of injured are many but we will take appropriate action to compel them for their production of the dead bodies. Also, the release of those arrested.”

- DAILY POST 

Theresa May to put new proposals to EU

Theresa May will present the EU with new legal proposals to solve the Irish backstop issue on Wednesday, which Downing Street hopes will be enough to convince Eurosceptics to back her Brexit deal.

The chancellor, Philip Hammond, confirmed late on Tuesday that the government no longer intended to pursue alternative arrangements for the backstop in the withdrawal agreement, which had been championed by cross-factional MPs including Eurosceptic Steve Baker and soft Brexiter Nicky Morgan.

Instead, the prime minister is travelling to Brussels to meet Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, with a plan to secure legal assurances that the backstop would not permanently bind the UK into a customs union.

She was forced to admit to Conservative MPs who met her on Tuesday night that the Irish backstop could not be replaced by the “Malthouse compromise” – proposals for a free trade agreement with as-yet-unknown technology to avoid customs checks on the Irish border.

However, she stressed that this solution would still be examined in future to help solve the issue of customs arrangements at the Irish border.

Hammond confirmed that the Malthouse compromise was no longer a viable option in a speech to the Make UK dinner held by the manufacturers’ association EEF on Tuesday night. He called the plan a “valuable effort” that should be looked at again during the transition period, but said it could not provide a solution now.

“It is clear that the EU will not consider replacing the backstop with such an alternative arrangement now, in order to address our immediate challenge,” he said, adding that the alternative arrangement would “require significant changes to EU legislation and customs practices that would need to be negotiated with the EU member states and others”.

No 10 had been hoping to secure a renegotiated withdrawal agreement and put this to parliament next week, but senior sources acknowledged time was running out. Hammond hinted the vote could still come next week, saying that “over the next few days, Members of Parliament need to think long and hard about the choice before them.”

 The Malthouse compromise was named after the housing minister, Kit Malthouse, who helped draft it as an attempt to find a Brexit deal the warring sides of the Tory party could back.

The most hardline Eurosceptics have repeatedly said they will only support May’s deal if the compromise is written into the EU withdrawal agreement to replace the backstop – the mechanism that would keep the UK in a customs union if there were no solution to the Irish border.

However, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker insisted the Malthouse agreement was “still live and kicking” and said they looked forward to further developments.

No 10 appears to be placing its hopes for breaking the deadlock with the EU on legal assurances that the Irish backstop potentially binding the UK into a customs union would not be permanent.

Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, held talks on Monday with the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier.

He is understood to have warned Barnier that the consequence of the deal not passing would result either in a no-deal or in parliament taking control of events, adding extra uncertainty and difficulty to the UK-EU negotiations.

If May and Juncker can agree a possible way forward on Wednesday night, officials will then start work on the technical and legal practicalities. The goal is for Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, to be able to change his legal advice to the government, which currently states that the backstop could mean a permanent customs union. Cox is expected to give a speech later this week setting out his thinking.

At a press conference in Stuttgart on Tuesday, Juncker played down expectations over his meeting with May. He said: “There isn’t enough movement for me to be able to expect this to be a discussion with a concrete outcome.”

“I don’t know what Mrs May will communicate to me tomorrow,” he said, adding that he was unsure what “our British friends would actually like to have”.

The gap between the expectations in parliament and the reality of the talks in Brussels was made clear on Tuesday by the European commission’s chief spokesman ahead of May’s visit.

Asked about Barnier’s two-hour meeting with Barclay and Cox on Monday, the spokesman said: “We cannot accept a time limit to the backstop or a unilateral exit clause and further talks will be held this week to see whether a way through can be found that could gain the broadest possible support in the UK parliament and respect the guidelines agreed by the European council.”

EU sources expressed frustration that they were having to “re-educate” Cox, who is new to the talks, about the lack of realism in the central demands made by May. Sources said Barnier and his deputy, Sabine Weyand, had been “forensic” in their dismantling of the Malthouse compromise on Monday. Barnier told Barclay that suspending EU law on the border was not a viable solution to the problem. Weyand later privately lamented that the EU was having to repeat arguments to Cox first made in August 2017.

Officials are looking at translating into legal text the previous commitments by Juncker, and his European council counterpart, Donald Tusk, about the temporary nature of the backstop, and their intention to work on a technological solution to supercede the backstop in the future.

But officials are sceptical that such a move would satisfy the Democratic Unionist party or the Tory Brexiters, who had been led to believe the withdrawal agreement would be reopened in order to win their support.

With the negotiations at an impasse, the foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, is expected to appeal to Brussels to help the UK come up with a solution during a visit to Berlin.

Between talks with the German foreign and finance ministers, Heiko Maas and Peter Altmaier, Hunt is expected to warn that failure to ratify the withdrawal agreement will be “deeply damaging, economically and politically”.

“In the vital weeks ahead, standing back and hoping that Brexit solves itself will not be enough”, Hunt will say. “The stakes are just too high: we must all do what we can to ensure such a deal is reached. At this momentous time, a heavy responsibility falls upon all of us. We do not want historians in the future to puzzle over our actions and ask themselves how it was that Europe failed to achieve an amicable change in its relationship with Britain – a country that is not simply a partner but a friend and ally in every possible sense.”

With time running out, cabinet was also updated on the option of a no-deal Brexit if May cannot get her withdrawal agreement approved by parliament. One cabinet source said only Liz Truss, the secretary to the Treasury, spoke up emphatically in favour of keeping no deal as a negotiating option.

“I can’t understand how a No 2 at the Treasury could still countenance keeping that on the table,” the cabinet source said, but added that the general mood in the room had noticeably turned against no deal as a negotiating tactic.

- THE GUARDIAN 

Microsoft discovers hacking targeting democratic institutions in Europe

Microsoft Corp on Wednesday said it had discovered hacking targeting democratic institutions, think tanks and non-profit organisations in Europe.

It, consequently, said it plans to offer a cyber security service to several countries to close the security gaps.

The attacks occurred between September and December 2018, targeting employees of the German Council on Foreign Relations and European offices of The Aspen Institute and The German Marshall Fund, the company said here in a blog post.

Microsoft said the activity, which was found through the company’s Threat Intelligence Centre and Digital Crimes Unit, targeted 104 employee accounts in Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Romania and Serbia.

It said many of the attacks originated from a group called Strontium, which the company has previously associated with the Russian government.

Strontium, one of the world’s oldest cyber espionage groups, has also been called APT 28, Fancy Bear, Sofancy and Pawn Storm by a range of security firms and government officials.

Security firm, CrowdStrike, said the group may be associated with the Russian military intelligence agency GRU.

Microsoft said it will expand its cyber security service AccountGuard to 12 new markets in Europe including Germany, France and Spain to help customers secure their accounts.

The AccountGuard service would also be available in Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovakia.

Ahead of a critical European Parliament election in May, German officials are trying to bolster cyber security after a far-reaching data breach by a 20-year-old student laid bare the vulnerability of Europe’s largest economy.

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company with headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

It develops, manufactures, licenses, supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers and related services.

- PM NEWS 

Atikulated Thief !!!EFCC arrests Atiku’s associate over $4m ‘election money’

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) is reported to have arrested an associate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate,Atiku Abubakar, over alleged laundering of $4 million.

The money is termed “suspicious election cash”, the Nation said.

The arrest followed an intelligence report on a suspicious transaction by a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator.

The Nation had exclusively reported how the PDP reportedly allocated $3million each for “logistics” to its 36 state branches and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Most Bureau De Change operators and banks have, however, refused the “pressure” to convert the hard currency to Naira.

“A BDC operator was intercepted for shipping $2million from Abuja to Lagos for suspected money laundering,’’ Sources in EFCC is reported to have said.

The source said the BDC operator admitted that the suspect paid the Naira equivalent of $4 million into his account in exchange for hard currency.

“We invited the suspect for interrogation on Monday and Tuesday. Our detectives have also conducted a search of his home. Some useful documents were retrieved. Investigation is, however, still in progress.”

“Apart from documents relating to posh properties at home and abroad, a copy of the EFCC Investigation Report on Atiku’s relationship with a jailed U.S. lawmaker, Williams Jefferson, was retrieved.’’

- PM NEWS