Judge who ordered arrest of Diezani is dead

A High Court judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Valentine Ashi, who ordered security agencies to arrest and produce the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, within 72 hours, is dead.

It was gathered that the judge died on Thursday in an Abuja hospital from an udisclosed ailment.

Authorities of the FCT High Court also confirmed the development but assured a formal statement will be issued on Monday, with the authority of the Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, The Nation reports.

“Some members the late Justice Ashi’s family has visited the court’s management to inform the court about the unfortunate incident.

“I can confirm that they said he died on Thursday in the course of an illness. But, the court will issue a formal statement on Monday,” a senior official of the court said.

Ashi had on 4 December, 2018, upon an ex-parte motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ordered the agency, Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSSS) and all other security agencies to arrest Alison-Madueke and produce her in court within 72 hours.

The EFCC said it investigated the former minister with a businessman and Chairman, Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, Jide Omokore in relation to a petition by a group, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), dated October 2, 2013, which contained allegations of money laundering and official corruption
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EFCC added that its investigation showed that Diezani, as supervising minister of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, allegedly engaged in illicit and monumental fraudulent dealings in oil transactions, which she entered into on behalf of the Federal Government.

- PM NEWS

You must invite Fatoyinbo, lawyers tell police

The Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates (COPA) has asked the police to invite Biodun Fatoyimbo, pastor of CommonWealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), over the allegation of rape levelled against him.

Busola Dakolo, celebrity photographer, had accused Fatoyimbo of raping her when she was 16.

In a statement on Friday, Pelumi Olajengbesi, COPA convener, said the police ought to probe the allegation, given that rape is a criminal offence.

“By a community reading or Sections 4 & 24 of the Police Act, the Nigeria Police Force must urgently invite Pastor Biodun Fatoyimbo to appear before it to out to rest all sundry matters related thereto this matter. This is a demand,” the statement read.

“Regardless, the force must begin a thorough independent investigation of the allegations against Pastor Fatoyimbo given that rape is a criminal matter squarely within their purview and mandate as the law enforcement arm of the people.

“The Nigeria Police Force are to whereupon make its findings public and proceed to prosecute the culprit, without delay, where it’s investigations turn up sufficient material for a case of rape.

“Twenty-Four Public Interests Lawyers and Advocates have volunteer and are poised with alacrity to undertake at no cost the cause of Mrs. Busola Dakolo in this matter even as progressive efforts are underway to facilitate and sustain a channel of communication between us and the Dakolo family in such a truly trying time.”

Olajengbensi added that the matter must be treated “with the urgency it deserves and not swept under the carpet as has regrettably been the habit.

THECABLE

Female fraudster bags 8-month imprisonment

A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, Friday convicted Isaac Christiana Nkemdirim to eight months imprisonment for obtaining by false pretence.

Nkemdirim was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal Office.

EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

Further, Orilade said Nkemdirim was convicted on a one count charge of obtaining by false pretence contrary to Section 15(2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2002 as amended and punishable under 15(3) of the same Act.

The charge reads: “That you, Isaac Christiana Nkemdirim (alias Ama Christiana, Isaac Christian and one Favour Chinonso (alias Steve Obinna (at large), on or about 23rd of August, 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conceal or disguises the origin of the sum of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) which you transferred to our Account 0775064177 domiciled in Access Bank PLC , which you knew or reasonably ought to have known that the said amount forms part of the proceeds of unlawful Act to wit: obtaining money by false pretenses and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.

It was gathered that upon her arraignment, Nkemdirim pleaded guilty to the charge.

On this basis, the prosecution counsel, Fredrick O. Dibang, it was learnt prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

But the defence counsel reportedly prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as his client was a first time offender and a youth who has promise never to go back to the crime.

In his ruling, presiding Justice M.G. Umar, convicted and sentenced the defendant to eight months imprisonment without an option of fine.

- DAILY POST

Real Madrid star to sign two-year deal with Sociedad

Real Madrid star, Martin Odegaard, is set for a two-season loan spell at Real Sociedad, after the Bernabeu decided to renew the Norwegian’s contract until 2023.

The young midfielder spent last season on loan with Vitesse in Holland, and is now set to return to Spain to continue gaining valuable top-flight experience at Sociedad.

AS.com reports that Odeegard, who returned to Madrid to sign a two-season extension to his current deal at the Bernabéu, will head north to begin the pre-season with the Sociedad on a two-year loan.

However, several details need to be ironed out between the two clubs regarding Odeegard’s loan agreement, one of them being whether the player will be excluded from playing for Sociedad against Real Madrid in LaLiga and cup competitions during his stay at the Anoeta Stadium.

The 20-year-old loanee playmaker had an impressive experience with Vitesse last season, during which he played 39 games, scoring 11 goals and 12 assists.

- DAILY POST

Harry, Meghan difficult to work with – Royal Photographer

A veteran royal photographer has shared a glimpse behind the scenes of Meghan and Harry’s contentious royal presence, and it looks like our suspicions may be confirmed.

Royal watchers might be thrilled with the prospect of getting a proper introduction to the royal bub on the couple’s upcoming tour of South Africa, but this royal insider is markedly unimpressed.

Photographer Arthur Edwards has snapped the world’s poshest family for The Sun for 40 years and is repeatedly referred to as the closest photographer to the royal clan.

When Kate and Wills introduced Louis to the world, Arthur was singled out by the Prince in his speech, he’s often photographed interacting with members of the family, and was once on the receiving end of one of Harry’s pranks.

Now, however, he has published a personal account of the reality of working with Meghan and Harry, and the pair don’t come off in the most favourable light.

The reality behind the cameras
While rumours have swirled for months around the Meghan’s difficult behaviour, Edwards described the pair as both projecting a poor attitude to their royal duties.

He says recently, Harry has ‘sulked’ almost incessantly, and he no longer recognises the sweet young royal he watched grow up.

“The old Harry is no longer there, and he seems to have forgotten that being a royal is a two-way street,” he writes.

He also slammed Meghan’s absence from the state dinner with President Trump, saying he ‘couldn’t believe’ her decision to stay away.

“Harry seemed to sulk all the time he was with the Trumps and it was Meghan’s duty as an American member of our Royal Family to support the Queen and welcome her President,” he says.

However, let’s not forget that Meghan is still on maternity leave, and was only four weeks into motherhood when the Trumps came to town.

Royal snub
The photographer also weighed in on the confusion surrounding Archie’s birth, saying he was so personally offended by the couple’s decision to allow only one press photographer, that he deliberately sat it out.

The long-time snapper described that he chose to follow Charles’ trip to Germany in order to photograph royals who ‘wanted me to photograph them’.

This is all the more significant given Arthur has photographed eight royal births according to his Twitter bio, one of which was Harry’s own.

He’s previously spoken out about the couple’s decision to skip the traditional photo opportunity outside the hospital, criticising them for bucking over 40 years of tradition.

Others meanwhile, praised the decision as it meant Meghan did not have to bring in hair and makeup teams and squeeze into a dress and heels just hours after giving birth.

New perspective
It’s no smear campaign from Arthur however, the trusted photographer was previously enthusiastic about Meghan, giving her the benefit of the doubt by putting any issues down to ‘nerves’.

“I think she’s absolutely lovely, I’ve covered almost all the engagements she’s done,” he told a Foreign Press briefing earlier this year.

- PM NEWS

Jimmy Carter: Trump is an illegitimate president

Former President Jimmy Carter said Friday morning that Donald Trump is an illegitimate president due to Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Carter, 94, was speaking at a Carter Center event on human rights in Leesburg, Va., when he was asked how he would deal with Russian meddling in the last presidential election.

“The president himself should condemn it, admit that it happened, which I think 16 intelligence agencies have already agreed to say,” said Carter. “And there’s no doubt that the Russians did interfere in the election, and I think the interference although not yet quantified, if fully investigated would show that Trump didn’t actually win the election in 2016. He lost the election, and he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf.”

Moderator Jon Meacham then asked if Carter thought Trump was an illegitimate president. Carter paused before replying as the audience laughed.

“Based on what I just said, which I can’t retract,” said Carter smiling, “I would say yes.”

At the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on Friday, Trump joked with Russian President Vladimir Putin, wagging his finger and saying, “Don’t meddle in the election, please,” to which Putin smirked. Although a number of U.S. intelligence agencies and special counsel Robert Mueller found that Russia had systemically interfered in the 2016 election, Putin called it “mythical interference” earlier this week.  

Though there has been no evidence that Russia interfered with vote tallies, it did reach out to the Trump campaign, hack Democratic email accounts and flood social media.

The number of U.S. intelligence organizations that stated Russia interfered with the 2016 election include the CIA, FBI, Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and both the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.

Trump himself nevertheless repeatedly cast doubt on that conclusion.

“They said they think it’s Russia,” Trump said in July 2018. “I have President Putin, he just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be.”

When pressed the following day, Trump attempted to clarify, saying, “I accept our intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election took place. It could be other people also. There’s a lot of people out there.”

- PM NEWS

Face of shame: Onyeanwusi Nigerian arrested in Bangladesh for meth

Nigerian Ajah Anayochukwa Onyeanwusi, who sells garments in Dhaka Bangladesh has been arrested, after authorities found that his real business is dealing in methamphetamine, with street name as ICE or crystal meth. And he was coordinating an international network.

Dhaka Tribune reported today that Onyeanwusi came to Bangladesh as a student and was admitted to ASA University in Shyamoli of Dhaka. After getting his bachelor’s degree from the Department of Pharmacy, Onyeanwusi started his own garments business.

However, while making small profits from his legitimate business, Ajah was making huge profits from another, illegitimate business he was running behind the scenes ­– dealing in methamphetamine, or “crystal meth.” It is also known by its street name, “ice.”

Onyeanwusi joined the drug trade in Bangladesh through Darknet, but his trade is not limited to the country. He also frequently travels to: Thailand, Malaysia, India, Uganda, Kenya and Singapore – mostly under the guise of a businessman – to buy ice from there, which he later trades in Bangladesh.

This information was provided during the press conference held by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) at its headquarters, held on Friday afternoon, after Onyeanwusi’s capture from the Airport Road area in Khilkhet, Dhaka on Thursday evening.

Mosaddeque Hossain Reza, additional director (intelligence) of the department, said acting a on a tip-off, they arrested Onyeanwusi with 50g of ice during a drug drive in that area. Later, upon further interrogation, they recovered 472g of ice from Ajah’s residence in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area.

 According to Reza, after primary interrogation, Ajah admitted to being a dealer—and also a supplier—of crystal meth, in seven to eight countries other than Bangladesh.

“Ice, or crystal meth, is a stronger substance than yaba,” Reza said. “One gram of meth is as strong as 10 yaba pills. A single gram of crystal meth is sold at around 15,000 Malaysian ringgit($3,629), or Tk5,000-6,000.(1 Malaysian ringgit=20.46 Taka)

“This drug is still very new to the country,” he continued. “So, to promote it, Ajah was selling it at a price lower than Tk5,000.”

During his interrogation, Ajah also told the police that the last shipment of crystal meth came five to six days earlier, through DHL courier service, from Uganda.

Ajah was trying to leave the country to visit his parents, as his mother had recently died– which is why he was trying to sell the latest shipment of meth as fast as possible, to finance his journey, the DNC additional director said.

“We are currently investigating the situation,” Reza added. “A case has been filed against him at Khilkhet police station.”

Crystal Meth, or Crystal Methamphetamine, is a strong and highly addictive drug that affects the central nervous system.

- PM NEWS

Fulani Herdsmen: I’m a warrior, I can still roll out one million Yorubas for battle – Gani Adams

The Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams has warned Fulani herdsmen that he is a warrior and can still roll out one million Yoruba people for battle.

Adams was speaking in Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday at the convergence of Yoruba leaders to honour the memory and legacies of late Obafemi Awolowo at the book presentation of the Yoruba translation of his autobiography, titled:  ‘Awo’ by Alaroye.

Lamenting the insecurity in the land, Adams said no Governor in South West should allocate any portion of land for cattle ranching or colony, saying Yoruba history would not forget and forgive anyone of them who did so.

“Our land is not available for Miyetti Allah, so they should find other place or other means of rearing their cattle. I am a warrior and I am not afraid and the Yorubas are not afraid of any tribes who are giving us problems.

“I am only waiting for approval from my Kings because they have the final say on this issue. I am not limiting this struggle to the South West only but to the States like Kogi and Kwara States where we have Yoruba society. We won’t allow insecurity to overwhelm us.

“We will not allow it to distract us from pursuing restructuring agenda. We should do whatever we have to do to deliver ourselves. I can still roll out one million Yoruba people.” he said.

- PM NEWS

Falana to governors: You can’t pay N30k minimum wage if you’re chartering flights

Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, says the money spent on chartered air by state governors will make it hard for them to afford to pay the N30,000 minimum wage. 

Falana made this known on Thursday while speaking at the opening of the triennial national delegates conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja.

According to him, all the state governors would be able to pay the new minimum wage if priorities are reordered.

Falana lauded the federal government for increasing the minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000, even though the new amount “is not a living wage” considering the provision of the constitution.

He called on the federal government to partner with the labour congress in order to ensure that “the wealth of our country is not dissipated”.

“All our governors now fly chartered air. You can’t pay minimum wage if you have to charter air. Therefore, I’m calling on the federal government to collaborate with the labour congress,” Falana said.

“It, therefore, goes to say that the national wealth shall be deployed by the government to promote national security, national prosperity and the welfare of our people.

‘‘In fact, Section 14 specifically says that the welfare and security of the Nigerian people shall be the primary purpose of government, therefore, knowing that the ruling class will not allow the government to promote security and welfare, the Nigerian Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and others have forced the ruling class to concede certain laws to promote the welfare of workers.’

‘‘The Federal Government must sit down with labour to ensure that the wealth of our country is not dissipated.

‘‘That is why I am going to call on Nigerian workers to collaborate with the Federal Government to fight corruption to a standstill because you are the greatest victims of corruption.’’

Falana had earlier called on workers to fight any governor who fails to pay the new minimum wage.

“Labour should unite to fight any governor who may not want to pay the N30,000 minimum wage. States should cut their expenses and engage in income generating ventures,” he had said.

- THECABLE

TRANSFER NEWS : Redknapp reveals number of players Man United need to sign

Former Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, has said that Manchester United are ‘miles away’ from challenging for the Premier League title.

He said the Red Devils could need six additional signings after the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have already signed Daniel James in an £18 million deal from Swansea City and are on the verge of announcing the acquisition of Wan-Bissaka for £50m from Crystal Palace.

“But Redknapp has warned Solskjaer that an overhaul of his squad is still needed and believes United could slip out of the top six in the Premier League next season,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.

“I think next season we might see one of the big six dropping out.

“I’m not sure how strong Arsenal are defensively and, unless they bring some players in, I don’t see where they’re going to be next year.

“I honestly think Manchester United are the same.

“Wan-Bissaka has a big future, but I think they need four, five, maybe even six players. I think they’re miles away.

“Man United need to bring in good players to give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the chance to be successful and, looking at it at the moment, I wouldn’t see them making the top four.

“They need to restructure that team, there’s an awful lot of work that needs to be done there to get them challenging for the title again.

“Someone might creep into that top six next year, it would make a good change, wouldn’t it?

“I think maybe Everton, they finished strongly last year, and West Ham will be closer this year.

“West Ham have made a couple of good signings and they could be a team that could certainly get closer.

“Even Wolves, they had a great season, they’ve got some fantastic players and they could be one of the teams getting in there.”

- DAILY POST

Why Nigeria must stop using Bible, Quran to swear in public officers – Bishop Isong

Bishop Emma Gospel Isong, co-coordinator of Interfaith Anti-corruption Network of Nigeria (IANN), has decried the use of Bible and Quran to swear in public office holders who continually loot the nation’s treasury.

Speaking to DAILY POST on the use of holy books to swear in public officers in Nigeria, he lamented the use of Bible and Quran to swear in public office holders was not achieving results. Isong spoke shortly after a one-day symposium on combating corruption through interfaith platforms in Nigeria project 2018-2020, sponsored by MacArthur Foundation.

He said, “We have discussed here that in using Bible and Quran to swear in public office holders, maybe the intention was for them to have the fear of God and Allah but it is not working, lifting Bible and Quran in your hands, has not served as any deterrent to any public officer, the more Bible and Quran they use the more money are disappearing.

“We suggest that we use the Constitution to swear in public office holders. If somebody must use Bible or Quran, he must adhered to what the Bible or Quran says. Bible is against corruption and you have an Imam here, they also told us that Quran is against corruption;

“So in using the faith-based organisation, we are able to pass our message through the pulpit because we are people that have the control of the minds and heart of the people, so it is easier to influence their action through our messages.”

Bishop Isong regretted the continuous use of Bible or Quran to swear in public office holders who continually abused the contents by indulging in corruption.

“What we are saying about the use of Bible or Quran to swear in public officers who continually misbehave despite what we are saying, the religious leaders should go back and put their houses in order.

“I am a Pastor, I should go back and put my house in order, Imam should go back and put his house in order, why do you swear by the Bible and the Quran and you don’t adhered to it, we must use our platform to appeal to the heart and minds of Nigerians that corruption is killing our country.

“Corruption is a mother of all crimes, mother of kidnapping, corruption is the causative effect that causes crimes, violence and terrorism, if you are pursuing the effect, come back to the root, the root is that corruption is what give birth to all violence crimes in our society,” he stated.

- DAILY POST

Busola Dakolo vs Biodun Fatoyinbo: What COZA must do to pastor over rape allegations – Saraki’s ex-aide, Onemola

Olu Onemola, former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has called on the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, to set up a panel to investigate all the rape allegations against its founder, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.

Onemola said COZA should show concern for the wellbeing of its members by ensuring that the panel of inquiry is unbiased.

He made the call while reacting to the latest allegations by wife of popular musician, Timi Dakolo, Busola against Fatoyinbo.

Busola had alleged that the COZA founder had forcefully raped her when she was young.

The mother-of-three narrated how Pastor Fatoyinbo allegedly forced his way into her when she was just 18 years old. 

Reacting to the scandal, Onemola, in a tweet, wrote: “The allegations by Busola Dakolo against the COZA Pastor are

- DAILY POST

Renewable Energy: EU to invest in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) is set to invest in entrepreneurial ideas that will boost renewable energy in Nigeria.

Amb. Ketil Karlsen, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), made this known in Lagos on Thursday night during the ‘Green Event’ organised by the union.

Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat

Karlsen said the EU would continue to support all efforts toward ensuring that Nigeria meet its target of 30 per cent energy mix by 2030.

The envoy said that the union was enabling communities in Nigeria harness the power of the sun to generate renewable energy.

The EU has set aside 165 million euros (N67.8 billion) for intervention in Nigeria’s energy sector to improve energy access to over 90 million Nigerians and business owners without access to energy.

He said that there was the need to put a spotlight on renewable energy and the need for renewable energies in Nigeria, for a sustainable future.

According to him, already in Nigeria, there is a population of 200 million people, of which at least 80 million people do not have access to clean, affordable and stable energy.

“So already, there is so much to do to have access to energy to provide electricity to hospitals, health facilities, schools and for businesses.

“This is because by the end of the day, without having affordable energy supply, the businesses will not be competitive. They will not be able to compete with other countries.

“We look for investment projects, opportunities to invest in young dynamic entrepreneurs that have the great ideas to boost use of renewable energy.

“So it is about finding the right formula that will allow that development to take place; that will allow that job creation to take place,” Karlsen said.

The ambassador said that ensuring the use of renewable energy should be done in a manner not to undermine the environment.

“It should be done in a manner where we do not add to the already existing climate change in Nigeria and elsewhere.

“So this is the resounding message that we are giving today. Take this matter seriously; listen to the young population; and for everybody to participate in this.

“It is not only for politicians, to show the way.

“It is also for the general population, for each individual, for the families, for the communities and for the businesses to contribute to seeing the provision of clean, affordable, stable energy for Nigerians,” he said.

Karlsen said that the EU would help in developing best practices for renewable energy in the country.

He said that Nigeria had set a quite ambitious target 30 per cent energy mix in 2030, which all must work together to achieve.

According to him, the European Union has also decided that nothing under 32 per cent renewable energy in 2030 is acceptable.

“We are already well on our way. We aim for 20 per cent in 2020 and then we will gradually increase.

“This train has left the station already and those that want to join it; those that want to make business out of the energy sector; they need to keep their eyes open for this,” the envoy said.

According to him, fortunately, we see a lot of creativity, a lot of dynamism here in Nigeria in general and Lagos in particular.

“That is why we wanted to come here today, share notes with all of those vibrant industries and creative people; young people in particular; as this is a matter that we need to continue to take seriously.

“We need to put it on the agenda but we should not just leave it for politicians to solve all the problems for us. We should also contribute,” Karlsen said.

- PM NEWS