Nigeria sitting on keg of gunpowder – Anglican Archbishop warns

The Chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), South-South Zone, His Grace, the Most Rev’d Tunde Adeleye has warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder and would soon explode.

Addressing a press conference in Calabar on Monday, Adeleye said, “Today, we have countless jobless graduates roaming the Streets. The generations of our young adults are being wasted.

“This is because of the apparent selfishness of our leaders who do not have the future of the young ones in their minds. Consequently, many of these graduates have entered into various crimes including armed robbery, occultism and kidnapping.

“Unemployment of youths, in a nation as big as Nigeria, is like sitting on a keg of gunpowder, one day it will explode, it is a question of time,” he said

Most. Rev Adeleye, who is the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta (Anglican Commission), said the problem of Nigeria could only be solved by restructuring.

“Nigeria is ripe for restructuring. The present structure is obsolete and cannot carry us far. Restructuring will affect some old structures of Nigeria’s socio-political and economic policy.

“It will involve honest dialogue. There is now injustice, marginalisation, resulting in a failing state. We, therefore, need to redesign Nigeria.

“Government in Nigeria is currently too centralised. This has ridiculed our so-called “Federal” system. We require decentralisation of powers. Many of the items currently on the exclusive list in the constitution should either be shared with the State Government or handed over to the State Government completely. The restructuring should be now,” the Archbishop said.

He said the present unitary system of government camouflaged and styled Federal System is, simply put, falsehood, insisting that each state should be allowed to manage their resources and only pay royalty to the Federal Government.

“The present situation in which all the resources go to the centre and the states go the centre with cap in their hands to beg for money cannot and should not be called a Federal State.

“The centre is too powerful. The States and the Local Government Areas are marginalized. Unless and until we restructure, the suffering will continue. So, it is high time we allowed states to manage their resources and only pay royalty to federal government,” Adeleye stated.

- PM NEWS

19 killed in Kano road crash

At least 19 people were killed while seven others sustained injuries in an accident in Kano state on Sunday.

The accident occurred at Dinyar Madiga in Takai local government area of the state.

Zubair Mato, commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, said out of the 19 who died, 14 were males, while five were females.

He said the accident involved four vehicles with 26 passengers. Mato attributed the accident to over speeding.

Two VW Golf Sharon bus, a Honda Accord, and a bus belonging to Kano Line were involved in the accident.

Mato said the survivors are receiving treatment at Takai General Hospital.

A witness said two of vehicles got burnt.

Commenting on the incident, Datti Shawu, chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), in Takai local government, appealed to authorities to commence the rehabilitation of the road immediately.

He said 62 persons have lost their lives on the road since January.

- THECABLE

Customs officer promotes self to CG, asks Hameed Ali to hand over

Nura Dahiru, an assistant superintendent of customs, on Monday promoted himself to the rank of deputy comptroller-general of Customs (DCG), claiming he was directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to assume the office of comptroller-general (CG). 

Sources at the Customs headquarters in Abuja told TheCable that Dahiru walked in Monday morning wearing the new rank, and went into the office of Hameed Ali, the comptroller general. 

“As he came in, officers were saluting him because he was wearing that rank,” one of the sources said. 

 “Sometime in May, he had posted on Facebook that he had been directed by the president to take over from Hameed Ali, and today when we saw him in the new rank, we thought, indeed, he has been promoted and so directed by the president. He went inside the CG’s office, sat in the waiting room, expecting the CG to handover to him.”

Joseph Attah, spokesman of customs, said Dahiru was not in the right frame of mind when he took the action.

“What happened was that, an assistant superintendent of Customs came to the office wearing the rank of a Deputy Comptroller General,” he said.

“From questions and answers that followed, it was obvious that he was not in the right frame of mind, so a doctor was immediately invited. He is presently undergoing medical examination at the medical unit of the service.”

TheCable understands that Dahiru needed to be promoted at least nine times to rise to the height of comptroller-general.

- THECABLE

Lagos Pastor arrested for allegedly raping, impregnating 15-year-old

The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested a pastor in the state for allegedly raping and impregnating a 15-year-old girl.

The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Bala Elkana, said in a statement on Sunday, that the mother of the victim from Akure, Ondo State brought in the report.

According to him, the mother of the victim reported the alleged crime at Igando Police Station on July 2.

He said that the complainant alleged that sometime in August 2017, her daughter was brought to Lagos to live with the suspect and his wife.

“She stated further that she discovered that the survivor was pregnant sometime in June 2018 and that when she interrogated her, she mentioned the name of the suspect.

“The survivor stated in her statement that it all started in January 2018 when the suspect started having sexual intercourse with her and got her pregnant. She stated further that she gave birth to a baby girl sometime in April, 2019,” he said.

In a similar development, a 35-year-old man has also been arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in an uncompleted building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the suspect was reported at Iba Police Station by one Harrisson on July 2.

Elkana said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded.

- PM NEWS

Transfer: Arsenal agree €30million deal for defender

Arsenal and St Étienne have reached a €30million agreement for the transfer of William Saliba, RMC reports.

Both clubs are however still in discussion over minor details, including bonuses and clauses.

The 18-year-old defender has already agreed a contract with Arsenal, but he will return to St Étienne on loan until the end of the 2019/2020 season.

Saliba was identified by Arsenal manager, Unai Emery, as a long-term replacement for Laurent Koscielny, who has a year left on his current deal at Emirates.

Emery is keen to strengthen his squad in this summer’s transfer window, after finishing in fifth place on the Premier League table last campaign.

On the other hand, Saliba played a key role in helping Saint-Etienne secure fourth place in Ligue 1.

- DAILY POST

COZA: Police get stern warning over Busola Dakolo vs Biodun Fatoyinbo case

A human rights movement under the aegis Coalition of Public Interests Lawyers and Advocates (COPA) on Monday warned that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, should shelve his plan to transfer the trial of Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of Commonwealth Zion Assembly (COZA) from Lagos.

While demanding that trial of the allegation of rape must not be moved to Abuja for Fatoyinbo’s sake, COPA Convener, Pelumi Olajengbesi said keen observation of the processes being undertaken by the police on the matter revealed “a lack-luster and suspicious plot underfoot to give a soft landing to the suspect” and transfer the case to Abuja.


COPA, which spoke through a statement by its Convener, advised that priority must also be given to the security and convenience of the vital and primary witness and Fatoyinbo’s rape victim, Busayo Dakolo.

He reminded the police that a valid and active warrant of arrest against Biodun Fatoyinbo had yet to be executed, adding that the police would be setting itself up for ridicule and suspicion, “and are in themselves in gross contempt of their oath of office and duties as enforcers of civil and criminal discipline”.

The statement reads: “The recent adverse developments in the matter of the rape allegation against Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA by Busola Dakolo which has the tendency to imperil the thoroughness of the investigation underway has necessitated this Press Statement.

“You will recall that following the intense public outcry by individuals and groups, the Nigeria Police Force was moved into action to call, interrogate and make findings on the rape allegations against Fatoyinbo. However, our keen observation of the processes being undertaken by the Police Force on this matter reveals a lack-luster and suspicious plot underfoot to give a soft landing to the suspect.

“We have noticed with displeasure the usual mischievous moves that have come to characterize the Nigeria Police Force in the past whenever it is set to deliberately or negligently mess up a case of such importance.

“We do hereby state emphatically that the Nigeria Police Force is not handling the Fatoyinbo rape allegation with the urgency and seriousness it deserves. This is wrong, condemnable and very much in disregard of the need to ensure that justice is done in the matter regardless of whose ox is gored.

“On June 27 2019, even before it was made known to the media, Mrs Busola Dakolo filed a petition against popular Abuja-based pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA, at the Office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in Alagbon, Ikoyi.

“Ordinarily, given the publicity, the matter has generated, one would have thought that the Nigeria Police will swing into action and build the confidence of the Nigerian People that the Force is dependable and up to the task of rooting out the truth of the matter. It is not without great surprise and disappointment that we have noticed sinister moves by the Force with the intention maybe to undermine the truth.

“Going further, a warrant of arrest was issued to secure Mr. Biodun Fatoyinbo to answer questions in line with the Police investigation. Unfortunately, nothing has been done and Fatoyinbo has continued to walk freely without reporting to the Police station. Instead of arresting him for proper interrogation, the Police have now changed gear after days of filing the complaint with the victim now being unduly pressurized to relocate to Abuja or to fly to Abuja everyday as the Nigeria Police Force intend to transfer the matter here. This is unacceptable.

“We totally reject all attempts by the Inspector General of Police to unduly transfer the matter to Abuja where the accused is resident. This is like giving the accused person a red carpet treatment when he should actually be thoroughly investigated. Though we acknowledge the fact that the IGP have the administrative discretion to transfer matters to any division or jurisdiction for proper investigation, we make bold to say that same must be exercised judiciously and professionally.

“It must be noted that priority must also be given to the security and convenience of the vital and primary witness, which in this case is Mrs. Busayo Dakolo.

“We call on the IGP to drop his personal interest in this matter, where any, and allow justice take its full course as a respecter of no one. We have sufficient information that the IGP has taken personal interest in the case as Mr. Biodun Fatoyinbo has influenced him into redirecting the case to Abuja where it would most likely be suffocated and dropped.

“Our demands are simply that the matter be allowed its due course within the jurisdiction where the complaint was filed. Transferring the case to Abuja from Lagos where it was originally filed prejudices the complainant while extending a kid’s glove to the accused who perhaps feels too connected to deign to go to Lagos to answer to the serious allegations against him.

“We are vehemently opposed to such a move and demand that this matter be thoroughly investigated and the accused invited to the place of domicile of the victim especially given the matter was filed there.

“Let it be abundantly clear that we are sufficiently conscious of the law in matters of jurisdiction as to investigation and prosecution of criminal matters. In this matter, investigation can take place in Lagos, Nigeria and if any place should be given premium attention, it is the place of residence of the victim to aid and facilitate proper information needed by the police and not the place of residence of the accused.”

- PM NEWS

Read poem that sent Ugandan lecturer to jail

Ugandan feminist and lecturer Stella Nyanzi, has been jailed over a poem about ‘Vagina’ she wrote and shared on Facebook in September.

The Ugandan feminist in the poem, used a graphic description of the birth of the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and his mother’s vagina to criticize his “oppression, suppression and repression” in the country.

Stella who was arraigned before Buganda Road Court, was charged with “cyber harassment and offensive communication”.

She was accused of intending to disturb the peace and privacy of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his mother the late Esteeri.

The poem she wrote, read:

Yoweri, they say it was your birthday yesterday.

How bitterly sad a day!

I wish the smelly and itchy cream-coloured candida festering in Esiteri’s cunt had suffocated you to death during birth.

Suffocated you just like you are suffocating us with oppression, suppression and repression!

Yoweri, they say it was your birthday yesterday.

How painfully ugly a day!

I wish the lice-filled bush of dirty pubic hair overgrown all over Esiteri’s unwashed chuchu had strangled you at birth.

Strangled you just like the long tentacles of corruption you sowed and watered into our bleeding economy.

Yoweri, they say it was your birthday yesterday.

How nauseatingly disgusting a day!

I wish the acidic pus flooding Esiteri’s cursed vaginal canal had burnt up your unborn fetus.

Burnt you up as badly as you have corroded all morality and professionalism out of our public institutions in Uganda.

Yoweri, they say it was your birthday yesterday.

How horrifically cancerous a day!

I wish the infectious dirty-brown discharge flooding Esiteri’s loose pussy had drowned you to death.

Drowned you as vilely as you have sank and murdered the dreams and aspirations of millions of youths who languish in the deep sea of massive unemployment, and under-emplyment in Uganda.

Yoweri, they say it was your birthday yesterday.

How traumatically wasted a day!

I wish the poisoned uterus sitting just above Esiteri’s dry clitoris had prematurely miscarried a thing to be cast upon a manure pit.

Prematurely miscarried just like you prematurely aborted any semblance of democracy, good governance and rule of law.

Yoweri, they say it was your birthday yesterday!

How morbidly grave a day!

I wish that Esiteri’s cursed genitals had pushed out a monstrously greenish-bluish still-birth.

You should have died at birth, you dirty delinquent dictator…

You should have died in birth, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

She concluded by saying: “If you want to beat me for my heartfelt birthday poem, come and find me at my home.

“Ask the bodabodamen to direct you to Mama Stella’s house with a red gate. I refuse to be gagged!

The academic had stated that she has no case to answer and pushed for her immediate release, but the judgment wasn’t in her favor. 

Her request for the court to summon 20 defense witnesses, including President Yoweri Museveni himself was also turned down.

Nyanzi is battling three other legal cases among which is “cyber harassment and offensive communication” trial for a poem calling the President a “pair of buttocks,” which she was granted bail.

She is also in dispute with her former employer Makerere University, which dismissed her for staging a naked protest, and a case disputing her inclusion on Uganda’s “no-fly” list initiated by her critical Facebook commentary.

Nyanzi is still being held at Luzira prison where she has been since November 2018.

- PM NEWS

Corper dies after applying Sniper to hair

A corps member serving in National Assembly of Osun State, Ayomikun Juliana has died after allegedly applying popular insecticide, Sniper, to her hair to kill the lice troubling her.

Sources said Juliana had gone to a salon, where it was discovered that her hair was infested with lice and she decided to get rid of them with Sniper.

However, she covered her hair with a cap and slept off after applying the sniper on her hair. The following morning, she was rushed to the Jaleyemi hospital in Osogbo but never survived.

It was also gathered that the graduate of Tai Solarin University Of Education was an orphan and has been buried by officials of NYSC in the state.

- PM NEWS

A heartbroken man Luke Mareya, from Harare, Zimbabwe, has accused his wife of having been impregnated by her own uncle.

According to H-Metro, Mareya exposed his wife Elizabeth Jasi’s secret when he dragged her to court seeking a protection order.

Mareya told the court he no longer loves her wife.

“She broke my heart; she was impregnated by her uncle and all along she has been lying to me that the son belonged to her ex-husband.

“They frequently see each other and the issue came to light when her uncle’s wife revealed it to me that I was staying with her husband’s son.

“She does not want to discuss the issue and she has the tendency of beating me up. I have sustained injuries due to her violent actions.

“She emotionally abuses her uncle’s wife and she does not even respond to her greetings.

  “I took the matter to my in-laws who then demanded $1000 for ‘lobola’ before any discussion,” Mareya said.

Jasi, on the other hand, did not dispute the allegations made against her by her husband but counter accused him of being abusive.

She said: “I am going to beat up that aunt because of her gossip.

“I still love my husband. Your Worship, he is harassing and insulting me; some of the things he is saying are correct and some of them are lies.

Presiding Magistrate Tafadzwa Miti ruled in favour of the husband and ordered Jasi to observe peace towards him.

- PM NEWS

Police arraign Senator Elisha Abbo for criminal assault

The FCT Police Command has taken Senator Elisha Abbo to the Magistrate Court in Zuba Abuja for arraignment.

Although the number of charges he would be arraigned for is yet unknown, a source in the Command said the Senator would be arraigned for assault amongst others.

The Senator was captured on camera assaulting a woman at a sex toy shop in Abuja.

After public outcry, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu directed the Commissioner of Police in charge of FCT, Bala Ciroma to investigate the matter.

The investigation led to the invitation of the Senator to the Command, which further led to his detention on Thursday.

He was however released on Friday afternoon after meeting the bail conditions.

  Confirming his arraignment to The Nation, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Ciroma said: “I know you are calling to confirm about the Senator. They are presently on their way to Zuba Magistrate court for his arraignment.”

On the number of charges he would arraign for, Ciroma said: “I will get back to you on that because I am presently in a meeting.”

- PM NEWS

Obasanjo is Nigeria’s number one problem – Oba of Lagos

Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu on Monday said former President Olusegun Obasanjo is the number one problem of Nigeria.

Akiolu spoke at the launch of a Memoir, title: “‘Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics,” written by former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Akiolu said two days ago, he read Osoba’s interview in a newspaper where he said Obasanjo deceived them which was why they lost their seats in 2003.

The monarch said he thanked God that former Governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu did not fall into the trap and won his re-election.

He said Obasanjo should be listened to because of deception.

“Obasanjo is Nigeria’s number one problem, Nigeria will not break,” he  said.

- PM NEWS